One of Auckland’s most prestigious and anticipated live auction events is making its way south, and it’s set to be an unmissable occasion for those with an eye for special pieces of utmost quality and provenance.
Hosted by premier auction house Webb’s, the auction will span the arts, decorative arts, fine jewels, watches and fine and rare wines categories, and will include some of the most exquisite pieces we have laid our eyes on.
The leading items will be auctioned at Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort at 2:30PM on Sunday, 18th April, and these include works by celebrated artists Gordon Walters, Pat Hanly, Judy Rae and Max Gimblett; Ralph Hotere, Karl Maughan, Fiona Pardington and more.
If you aren’t going to be down south this weekend, it is also possible to both view the entire catalogue and bid online, or over the phone.
From left: Gordon Walters, Untitled (1978), 2018 screenprint on paper, 2/100 1055 x 805mm; Cartier Tank Solo Wristwatch; George Nakashima Conoid bench.
Among the selection of sought-after design items are pieces by George Nakashima and Pierre Jeanneret, while fans of exceptional jewellery and watches will delight in adornments from the likes of Cartier and Naveya & Sloane.
Bottles from revered makers like Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Ardbeg will also be available within the rare wines & whiskies selection, and all-in-all this auction will be an excellent opportunity for Queenstown to experience the superlative treasures represented by Webb’s, in the flesh.
A preview event for the auction will be held on Thursday, 15th April, from 6PM until 8PM, with auction viewings taking place on Friday, 16th April and Saturday, 17th April from 10AM until 4PM. A final viewing is scheduled for Sunday, 18th April from 10AM until 2PM, prior to the auction at 2:30PM. Find the full catalogue online here.
South, A Queenstown Auction Event by Webb’s Sunday, 18th April, 2:30PM Millbrook Resort 124 Malaghans Road, Arrowtown 9371
Estimates for the items pictured above: Gordon Walters EST. $6,000 – $9,000 Cartier Tank Solo Wristwatch EST. $2,600 – $3,200 George Nakashima Conoid bench EST. $65,000 – $75,000
Just in time for the weather to cool and for us to start craving warming food and soul-nourishing activities, acclaimed Dominion Road restaurant Cazador has concocted a very attractive proposition indeed.
In collaboration with The Capitol Cinema, every Wednesday night this winter sees the Cazador team putting on their Movie Night Menu — three delicious courses to enjoy before soaking up some culture in the form of a film at The Capitol.
The menu will change regularly throughout the season, but currently diners can expect the likes of house-made charcuterie, followed by a grilled pork chop with romesco, spring onion and lemon, or a vegetarian option of coal-roasted cauliflower, kale, raisins, pine nuts and sumac. For dessert, dark chocolate and brandy mousse with candied orange and toasted nuts will be a perfectly decadent finish.
At only $50 per person for three exquisite courses and a movie, this offering is an absolute steal. Currently showing at The Capitol are several acclaimed films on our must-watch list such as Cousins, The Father, French Exit — plus, a selection of iconic films from the past including Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, The Birds and more.
So, next time you’re planning a date night or friendly catch-up, we suggest reserving yourself a seat at The Capitol, and a table at Cazador.
A symbol of effortless style, the slip-on Penny Loafer is more timeless and comfortable than it’s ever been. While it’ll serve you well for myriad occasions and with almost any ensemble year round, the loafer especially comes into its own in autumn and winter.
Able to be styled with socks or tights, trousers or skirts, dresses or denim, the loafer is the undisputed versatile shoe of choice for fashion-forward dressing in 2021, prioritising aesthetics without sacrificing comfort.
The Curve was an idea conceived by Victoria Harris after she started taking note of the number of friends approaching her for advice around finance and investing — an industry in which she has worked for over 10 years (she is currently a portfolio manager at Devon Funds Management).
Launched last year with the help of her business partner Sophie Hallwright, this platform — now comprising an Instagram and a website — has cultivated a fast following for the way it offers clear, concise information and advice around investing, skewed specifically to a female audience.
“The Curve came about to provide a platform for women to learn more about investing in a non-scary environment,” Harris explains. “I wanted to create a forum where people could ask questions without feeling judged and where there wasn’t any confusing industry speak or intimidating jargon.”
So far, The Curve’s growth has been organic, driven by a groundswell of interest from women of all backgrounds and experience levels who want to up their financial literacy.
Harris has done a few speaking events (which proved hugely popular) and reveals how off the back of that reception, she and Hallwright are now gearing up to launch a podcast. Speaking about her decision to use The Curve to target women specifically, Harris explains how passionate she is about encouraging diverse participation in a space that has historically been dominated by men.
After all, if women earn less (on average) than men, take time out of their earning careers to have children and statistically live longer, it is clear that theirs is a demographic that should be thinking harder about making money work in more efficient ways.
Sophie Hallwright (left) and Victoria Harris.
But where to start? For most, investing feels a world away, but as Harris points out, it’s actually about listening to the world around us.
“What I often say to people is look around you,” she explains, “there are so many investable companies that we use every day, and when you actually stop and observe, you’ll start noticing those big trends that can drive investor behaviour. Think about when we all started converting to iPhones, or the rise of certain products and services because of the recent global lockdowns… if you’re seeing those trends, then it’s likely that everybody else is too. So next time you find a product that you love using, look it up and see if it’s listed and start doing some research around whether you want to dip your toe into investing.”
This cuts to the heart of The Curve’s success so far, capturing the way this platform grounds finance and investing in the real world, addresses its complexities in a conversational way and gives women not only the confidence but the practical tools to start.
Looking forward, Harris reveals that alongside events and the launch of The Curve’s podcast she has been running staff education workshops for various corporations — demand for which, she tells me, has been growing. “I would also love to run in-person courses with small groups,” she says, “and potentially speak to girls in schools”.
With a clear mission, Harris’ work with The Curve is undeniably important for the financial empowerment of everyday women and is something we will continue to follow with interest.
Eden Terrace often seems fairly off-the-radar when it comes to dining out, but the Uptown suburb, while compact, is overflowing with excellent food and drink offerings for any occasion and inclination. From legendary sandwiches to fine dining stalwarts, here are the places you should be eating in Eden Terrace.
From left: Coffee Pen; Benedict’s Cafe.
Start the day Coffee Pen This sweet cafe is tucked away down Basque Road, and has a cult following for its delicious cabinet food, excellent coffee and warm, welcoming atmosphere cultivated by owners Yasuji and Fumi Hisai. Pull up in the sunshine at one of the outdoor tables, and enjoy a delicious piece of cake or a tart with your hot drink.
Benedict’s Cafe Boasting an all-day menu filled with enticing dishes, Benedict’s Cafe (previously Benediction) on peaceful St Benedicts Street is a real gem. Owners Emma Zhao and Jay Yang have created dishes that often tie in tasty Korean flavours, like a kimchi pancake with tiger prawns, or a bulgogi beef bowl. They also offer some classic Kiwi brunch fare like bacon eggs Benedict (only fitting, given the location), and pancakes with berries and vanilla mascarpone.
Goodness Gracious This cafe and bagelry has three locations city-wide, and its Eden Terrace spot is always humming at brunchtime — on the weekends, especially. Peruse the large selection of New York-style grilled bagels with delicious sweet and savoury toppings, and get your caffeine hit with a cup of in-house roasted coffee.
From left: Mizu Bread; Hero Sandwich House.
Lush lunch options Hero Sandwich House It’s well-known that the maestroes at Hero Sandwich House are behind some of the best sandwiches in the city, and with good reason. From sourdough sammies filled with the likes of chicken, bacon jam and cheddar, or the Philly cheese steak roll, Hero’s offering will always have you walking out happier (and far more full) than when you went in.
Mizu Bread These guys also specialise in sandwiches, but they’re completely different to Hero’s. Mizu’s famed chicken katsu sandwich is a thing of beauty, with juicy pieces of crumbed chicken in teriyaki sauce, ensconced in cloud-like white milk bread. The egg sandwich is also unmissable, and it’d be rude not to indulge in one of Mizu’s delicious desserts.
Bian Sushi & Donburi You can’t beat a classic, and Bien Sushi never lets us down. Whether eating inside its humble, no-frills space or taking away, Bian’s sushi selection may not be as fancy as somewhere like &Sushi, but it’s always delicious all the same.
From left: Burger Geek; Ramen Do.
Easy dinner destinations Ramen Do Open for both lunch and dinner six days a week, Ramen Do’s bowls of warming noodles and broth are some of the best in the city. The Hokkaido Miso Ramen is the star of the show, featuring a complex and flavourful soup topped with pork, a jammy egg and some vegetables. They also do a selection of Donburi, with meat, fish and vegetarian options available, and tasty sides like gyoza dumplings and agedashi tofu.
Burger Geek The founders of this Symonds Street joint pride themselves on not taking any shortcuts when it comes to their burgers. Grinding their own, special blend of Wagyu and Angus beef each day, the proof is in the final, mouth-watering result. On the menu, find a variety of beef-based burgers, plus free-range chicken and a couple of vegetarian burgers. Hot Wings are also available, and some indulgent sides like jalapeno poppers, mac ‘n’ cheese balls and beer battered onion rings.
Kokoro Kitchen — 37 Symonds Street Another great sushi spot that also offers Donburi, Bento boxes, noodles like Udon, Ramen and Yakisoba, and more, Kokoro is open for both lunch and dinner. Fans of affordable, approachable Japanese fare will know that this eatery is the place to go.
From left: Forest’s fried feijoa dessert; Sid at the French Cafe.
Special occasion spots Sid at the French Cafe Eden Terrace’s collection of fine dining restaurants is impressive indeed, and Sid at the French Cafe is famed for its elevated fare and impeccable service. Whether you’re after a private dining room for an event, or are out to celebrate, this stalwart will ensure it’s an occasion to remember.
Kazuya A truly enduring presence on Symonds Street, Kazuya’s artful plates combine European and Japanese culinary traditions. Evening diners can choose a five-or-seven-course degustation, which will be presented with quiet ceremony rarely seen these days. Kazuya also has a less fine-dining but still tasty lunch offering from Thursday to Saturday, called Kozzy Ricebox — a fresh and tasty combination of vegetables, rice and your choice of protein, to takeaway.
Lillius.
Lillius Run by Fraser McCarthy and Shannon Vandy, Lillius is a modern fine dining restaurant with a focus on highlighting local growers and producers, and hyper-seasonal ingredients. The menu is ever-changing, which keeps things exciting, and there are both a la carte and tasting menus available — both of which are usually spectacular.
Forest Founded and run by innovative chef Plabita Florence, Forest is a plant-based experience unlike anything else in this city. Sourcing the majority of her ingredients locally, and aiming to minimize waste as much as possible, Florence does things with vegetables we’re sure you’ll have never seen before. For example: A dessert of fried feijoa rolled in feijoa skin sugar, with roast cauliflower and Earl Grey ice cream, popped caramel barley, and sorrel syrup.
Good for a brew Galbraith’s Alehouse Open every day, rain or shine, we love Galbraith’s for an easy and casual meeting place to grab a drink with friends. Fireplaces inside and out ensure it’s always cosy, the perfect, unpretentious place for a pint and a bowl of hot chips.
Model wears Sutcliffe Jewellery diamond tennis bracelets, Modern Love diamond bracelet, Sapphire Headliner blue sapphire and diamond ring, Artful Adornment black spinel ring and 16ct blue sapphire ring
The power of a well-chosen piece of jewellery to anchor or elevate an ensemble should not be overlooked. Consider the effect you wish to have — whether it be adding detail and dimension to a daytime look, or making an impact for after-dark dressing — and the perfect piece to help you achieve this. It might be a delicate necklace or a spectacular cocktail ring; sparkling diamonds or a bold statement stone.
Applying equal amounts of skill, expertise and a finely-honed eye for beauty to each piece, no matter how big or small, the team at Sutcliffe Jewellery know more than most about how important jewellery is for channelling a mood and capturing a moment. While Brent Sutcliffe’s pieces are undeniably, jaw-droppingly beautiful, they’re also versatile and are sure to be reached for time and time again.
Consider the following suggestions, a reminder to never forget the final step: essential jewels for every occasion.
Day A fine necklace like this sweet butterfly pendant from the Blossom by Sutcliffe range, would be a never-take-off staple piece to accentuate a daytime ensemble. It is also beautiful when layered with other necklaces and pendants.
Night Allow an elegant, sophisticated bracelet to catch the light during an evening soirée or dinner. This divine Diamond Trail tennis bracelet comprises a handcrafted, 18-carat white gold chain that grasps a collection of brilliant cut white diamonds. Effortlessly aligning itself to the wrist, it comes together in the bow of a pear-shaped diamond clasp.
Glam An occasion that denotes more than the regular soupçon of glamour, calls for something utterly breathtaking. The Azores ring certainly fits that mould, an emerald and tsavorite garnet bouquet, handcrafted as all Sutcliffe’s pieces are. A 4-carat, cushion-cut emerald sits on a masterful setting for maximum presence, amidst a bed of brilliant cut diamonds and tsavorite garnets.
Following the announcement of a long-awaited trans-Tasman bubble, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Kiwi who hasn’t considered skipping across the ditch when it opens. The prospect of travelling beyond the bounds of our two wee islands is undeniably appealing, as much for the chance to see all the people we’ve missed as for the opportunity to immerse ourselves in something that feels new, whether that be food, culture or, indeed, shopping.
Recently, Louis Vuitton announced the opening of its exclusive pop-up at Australia’s famous Pacific Fair shopping centre, and with it, the release of an exclusive new bag that is transporting us to one of our favourite places — Byron Bay. The ‘Byron Bay’ OnTheGo tote combines the square silhouette of that style with a Monogram Giant canvas, rendered in a deliciously summery pastel gradient, over which has been printed the name of the popular beachside town. From its woven raffia gussets to its specially-designed bag charm, the Byron Bay OnTheGo tote evokes the same kind of warm, by-the-sea vibe as its namesake, and will prove an eye-catching addition to anyone’s collection.
Louis Vuitton’s Pacific Fair pop-up
Part of Louis Vuitton’s wider Summer 2021 collection (that saw the famous French house create a fantasy, summertime dreamscape with sorbet tones, relaxed silhouettes and beach-day accessories) this exclusive bag is only available from the Pacific Fair pop-up and has had its production limited to a run of 50. So whether you’ve already booked your flights or are still um-ing and ah-ing, the opportunity to snap up one of these rare beauties is making a trip to Australia feel all the more worth it.
Any beauty look is only as good as the tools you’re working with. Whether it’s fluttery, lengthened lashes you’re after, or high-octane volume, there’s a mascara brush that is designed especially for each desired effect.
Volumising Kevyn Aucoin Indecent Mascara This recent release from Kevyn Aucoin is designed to improve the appearance of eyelash density, leaving lashes looking defined, voluminous and lusciously full. It also contains lash-enhancing ingredients in an aim to promote healthy eyelash growth, improving even no-makeup days.
Lengthening Hourglass Unlocked™ Instant Extensions Mascara This no-smudge tubing mascara is your ticket to ultra-long lashes. Clever technology coats each lash from root to tip, separating and lengthening while staying put all day — and sliding off effortlessly with just warm water to remove.
Separating Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Mascara This cult favourite is a must for easily defined and separated lashes. Long-wearing, non-flaking and dramatic, you’ll have people convinced there’s some enhancement going on beyond just a great mascara.
Curling Dior Beauty Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara Offering ultimate volume and curl, this curved mascara brush will help open up the eyes and distribute pigment easily from root to tip. Designed for all types of lashes, from short and straight to long and sparse, the formula is enriched with cotton nectar to promote stronger, shinier lashes. Available from Dior Perfume & Beauty Boutique at Commercial Bay.
Statement Shiseido Controlled Chaos MascaraInk A coloured mascara is more wearable than you might think. This sapphire shade from Shiseido is particularly striking with brown eyes, while the purple will make green eyes pop. Wear alone or layer over a coat of black mascara to tone it down.
Hard-to-reach lashes Lancôme Grandiose Mascara Crafted to give unprecedented access to even the smallest lashes, Lancôme’s Grandiose Mascara has a cleverly designed (and trademarked) swan-neck™ wand. The waterproof formula contains less waxes to help it stay put all day, and the elastomer moulded brush will allow for an even deposit of product.
Elie Assaf is a chef of many hats. Along with being the head chef at Williams Eatery as well as one of the brains behind the cult burger pop-ups, Five Boroughs, he has also recently launched his own private catering business, Dime Catering. Promising a seriously good spread, Assaf creates delicious menus for private parties or events, and his wholesome, flavourful food is set to be a universal hit.
“Dime started as a way for me to cook with no restrictions and share with people the quality food that I love,” Assaf tells me. He adds, “and in the current climate while the world is changing and the hospitality industry with it, I wanted to do something to adapt.”
With Dime, Assaf works alongside his clients to design bespoke menus to suit their occasion, whether that be a romantic degustation dinner for two, a long lunch for 10 on Waiheke or even an extensive spread for a wedding celebration. His food not only packs a tasty punch but is designed to bring people together, and his innovative but eminently practical approach is one of the reasons he has found such success as a chef.
“The response so far has been incredible,” Assaf says, “Dime is at that exciting stage where we don’t quite know how it is going to grow, but it’s been a great space for me to create good food, host some incredible people and be a part of some special moments. I’m looking forward to the events and private bookings we have coming up this year.” Certainly one to watch.
Auckland has welcomed a new eatery that is bringing a taste of Greece to the bustling streets of Ponsonby. Named Daphnes Taverna, the new opening comes courtesy of Clare and Joost van den Berg, the well-known restaurateurs behind Odettes Eatery and Hugo’s Bistro (which they sold in 2019).
Having spent a blissful four months travelling around Greece in pre-Covid times, the van den Bergs were inspired to harness the philosophy and cuisine of the richly-historic country and its islands, filling a gap in the local culinary offering in the process.
With its high, vaulted ceilings, painted brick walls, varied lighting and eye-catching art, the space makes you feel instantly at home as soon as you sit down, with a purposeful eclecticism that feels comfortable yet polished. Clare utilised her years of interior design experience to curate the space, aiming to create the vibe of a fun, Greek-style family gathering for each and every diner.
Daphnes’ head chef is Anna Weir, formerly of Odettes and Amano, who designed a modern Greek menu inspired by this family-style sensibility, with a range of small, mid-sized and larger sharing plates that span light snacks and more substantial dishes.
Olives, pita breads and dips like taramosalata, melitzanosalata (Greek eggplant dip) and hummus introduce the offering, snacky plates to complement one of Daphnes’ moreish house cocktails. A selection of ‘mezedes’ follow, including the likes of saganaki (fried cheese) with fermented honey and oregano; spinach and feta Spanakopita; smoked Warehou fish cakes; and kingfish lakerda, a pickled fish dish served with labne and fermented chilli.
There’s whole flounder with capers and tomatoes, and a lamb shoulder to be shared between groups; a range of souvlaki, or skewers, sees octopus, ox tongue, eggplant, chicken and more given the charcoal treatment. A selection of vegetable dishes is also on hand to freshen up the spread, with a succinct offering of desserts including baklava and katoumari, a kind of sweet pie, with blueberries and honey.
With seemingly the whole town abuzz with word of this new opening, we have no doubt Daphnes Taverna will be a sought-after spot for anyone keen on a lively atmosphere and tasty, modern-Greek fare.
Opening hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday: 5PM — Late Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:30AM — Late Saturday: 11:30AM — Late Sunday: 11:30AM — 3PM
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
