We checked in to this spanking-new Auckland hotel - here's the verdict
There's a quiet thrill in being among the first to check in to a brand-new hotel. When I stroll into the freshly minted JW Marriott Auckland - guest number 24, thank you very much - it even has that new-hotel scent (which, it turns out, is a calming citrusy signature scent piped into all JW lobbies). This is JW Marriott's 100th global outpost - a NZ$205 million ($190 million) transformation of what was once Auckland's first five-star hotel, the Regent, and then the Stamford Plaza. After a record-breaking NZ$170 million acquisition in 2021 and a NZ$35 million revamp, the building has emerged with its bones intact and its soul rebooted. The result is a hotel that balances heritage with holistic and genuine Kiwi hospitality.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Larkham wants proof Brumbies on track for Super title
Coach Stephen Larkham has no qualms about bringing Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa back from injury to face the Hurricanes despite the possibility of the Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final being a dead rubber. Alaalatoa missed their final-round loss to the Crusaders with a calf strain, but Larkham says his leadership is vital as the Brumbies look to see off the Hurricanes on Saturday night in Canberra. "He's had a good week so ticked everything off in terms of all the rehab markers with his strength, running, contact so he's ready to go," Larkham said of the Wallabies prop. "He's always been an outstanding rugby player but the leadership qualities that he brings to the team, the confidence that he gives the other players is certainly something that we're going to benefit from this weekend." In a quirk of the new six-team finals system and the scheduling of the finals, the third-placed Brumbies will know before kick-off whether they have a place in the semi-finals. There are three qualifying finals and all winners plus the top-ranked loser will advance. But Larkham said the Brumbies wanted to field their best team available and target a win regardless of the outcome of the other matches. "We are the last game this weekend but we've been pretty firm on making sure that we get a good performance out there on the field so irrespective of the other results we need to know that we're playing well," the coach said on Wednesday. "We can't get distracted by these other games and the other results. "The most important thing for us right now is to focus on our preparation so that we can have our best performance this weekend and either way we're going out there to try and win the game." In the only change to the starting side, Feao Fotuaika, who scored in the 33-31 loss to the Crusaders, will make way for Alaalatoa and return to the bench, bumping Rhys Van Nek out of the squad. Larkham said his team wanted a better first half after they trailed the Crusaders 14-25 at halftime while they were also down at the break in their last clash with the Hurricanes, which they also lost. He said with the Kiwi teams playing a similar fast and physical style, the Brumbies would be ready. "They're a physical side, the contests at the breakdown are very similar to Crusaders," Larkham said. "They're very good with the ball in hand, they've got dangerous threats around the ruck ... and they've got the ability to shift the ball quite well. "We've come across teams that play this way a few times this year and hopefully that's put us in a good position to play well this weekend." Brumbies: James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright. Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford. Hurricanes: Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin. Coach Stephen Larkham has no qualms about bringing Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa back from injury to face the Hurricanes despite the possibility of the Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final being a dead rubber. Alaalatoa missed their final-round loss to the Crusaders with a calf strain, but Larkham says his leadership is vital as the Brumbies look to see off the Hurricanes on Saturday night in Canberra. "He's had a good week so ticked everything off in terms of all the rehab markers with his strength, running, contact so he's ready to go," Larkham said of the Wallabies prop. "He's always been an outstanding rugby player but the leadership qualities that he brings to the team, the confidence that he gives the other players is certainly something that we're going to benefit from this weekend." In a quirk of the new six-team finals system and the scheduling of the finals, the third-placed Brumbies will know before kick-off whether they have a place in the semi-finals. There are three qualifying finals and all winners plus the top-ranked loser will advance. But Larkham said the Brumbies wanted to field their best team available and target a win regardless of the outcome of the other matches. "We are the last game this weekend but we've been pretty firm on making sure that we get a good performance out there on the field so irrespective of the other results we need to know that we're playing well," the coach said on Wednesday. "We can't get distracted by these other games and the other results. "The most important thing for us right now is to focus on our preparation so that we can have our best performance this weekend and either way we're going out there to try and win the game." In the only change to the starting side, Feao Fotuaika, who scored in the 33-31 loss to the Crusaders, will make way for Alaalatoa and return to the bench, bumping Rhys Van Nek out of the squad. Larkham said his team wanted a better first half after they trailed the Crusaders 14-25 at halftime while they were also down at the break in their last clash with the Hurricanes, which they also lost. He said with the Kiwi teams playing a similar fast and physical style, the Brumbies would be ready. "They're a physical side, the contests at the breakdown are very similar to Crusaders," Larkham said. "They're very good with the ball in hand, they've got dangerous threats around the ruck ... and they've got the ability to shift the ball quite well. "We've come across teams that play this way a few times this year and hopefully that's put us in a good position to play well this weekend." Brumbies: James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright. Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford. Hurricanes: Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin. Coach Stephen Larkham has no qualms about bringing Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa back from injury to face the Hurricanes despite the possibility of the Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final being a dead rubber. Alaalatoa missed their final-round loss to the Crusaders with a calf strain, but Larkham says his leadership is vital as the Brumbies look to see off the Hurricanes on Saturday night in Canberra. "He's had a good week so ticked everything off in terms of all the rehab markers with his strength, running, contact so he's ready to go," Larkham said of the Wallabies prop. "He's always been an outstanding rugby player but the leadership qualities that he brings to the team, the confidence that he gives the other players is certainly something that we're going to benefit from this weekend." In a quirk of the new six-team finals system and the scheduling of the finals, the third-placed Brumbies will know before kick-off whether they have a place in the semi-finals. There are three qualifying finals and all winners plus the top-ranked loser will advance. But Larkham said the Brumbies wanted to field their best team available and target a win regardless of the outcome of the other matches. "We are the last game this weekend but we've been pretty firm on making sure that we get a good performance out there on the field so irrespective of the other results we need to know that we're playing well," the coach said on Wednesday. "We can't get distracted by these other games and the other results. "The most important thing for us right now is to focus on our preparation so that we can have our best performance this weekend and either way we're going out there to try and win the game." In the only change to the starting side, Feao Fotuaika, who scored in the 33-31 loss to the Crusaders, will make way for Alaalatoa and return to the bench, bumping Rhys Van Nek out of the squad. Larkham said his team wanted a better first half after they trailed the Crusaders 14-25 at halftime while they were also down at the break in their last clash with the Hurricanes, which they also lost. He said with the Kiwi teams playing a similar fast and physical style, the Brumbies would be ready. "They're a physical side, the contests at the breakdown are very similar to Crusaders," Larkham said. "They're very good with the ball in hand, they've got dangerous threats around the ruck ... and they've got the ability to shift the ball quite well. "We've come across teams that play this way a few times this year and hopefully that's put us in a good position to play well this weekend." Brumbies: James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright. Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford. Hurricanes: Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Ruben Love. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, Hugo Plummer, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin.
The Advertiser
29-05-2025
- The Advertiser
We checked in to this spanking-new Auckland hotel - here's the verdict
There's a quiet thrill in being among the first to check in to a brand-new hotel. When I stroll into the freshly minted JW Marriott Auckland - guest number 24, thank you very much - it even has that new-hotel scent (which, it turns out, is a calming citrusy signature scent piped into all JW lobbies). This is JW Marriott's 100th global outpost - a NZ$205 million ($190 million) transformation of what was once Auckland's first five-star hotel, the Regent, and then the Stamford Plaza. After a record-breaking NZ$170 million acquisition in 2021 and a NZ$35 million revamp, the building has emerged with its bones intact and its soul rebooted. The result is a hotel that balances heritage with holistic and genuine Kiwi hospitality.
News.com.au
29-05-2025
- News.com.au
Health Check: Aroa's ‘hero' product propels the wound management house back into black
Aroa shares surge 13% after the company's full-year results exceeded guidance New wound management IPO does the rounds for $35 million Inoviq shares vault up to 58% on early cancer light therapy results Kiwi-based wounds management house Aroa Biosurgery (ASX:ARX) has exceeded its recent revenue and earnings guidance, after a robust second half on the back of its 'hero' Myriad product range. Aroa's revenue came in at NZ$84.7 million for the year to March 2025, 23% higher and slightly above the NZ$81-84 million range the company guided to in late April. Normalised earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) were NZ$4.2 million, compared with the previous NZ$3.1 million loss. Once again, the number was a tad above the guided range of NZ$2-4 million. Aroa has also guided to current-year revenue of NZ$92-100 million, 10-20% higher year on year, with ebitda of NZ$5-8 million. CEO Brian Ward stresses the company's 'star product' Myriad has been delivering the goods, with sales up 35%. Myriad is used for complex wounds including trauma and lower limb salvage. Sold via Aroa's partner TELA Bio, sales of its hernia and breast reconstruction tool Ovitex rose 22% Sales of the Endoform wound dressing were flat, as expected. Expanding indications Ward said the company would focus on expanding indications for its products, which are biological materials sourced from ovine intestines. This push is being supported by several clinical studies, such as a lower limb salvage study trial that resulted in quick healing with no complications. 'That's quite different to what we have seen with other technologies,' he says. However, Aroa has 'paused' the rollout of its Symphony product, for hard-to-heal wounds such as diabetic ulcers. This is because the company has won inpatient reimbursement in the US, but not coverage for physicians. The company plans a supportive trial to win full reimbursement. 'The rules are changing and only products with randomised, controlled trials will be reimbursed,' Ward says. 'This will take many rivals out of the market.' Aroa has product approvals across 50 countries, but almost all its revenue derives from the US. CFO James Agnew said the US tariff impact on the company was likely to be around NZ$1.5 million, or around 1% of revenue. Because of transfer pricing arrangements between TELA Bio and Aroa's own US entity, that's far less than the blanket 10% rate Uncle Sam levies on NZ goods. New wound play does the IPO rounds Still on wound management, Tetraherix is defying the barren IPO biotech landscape with a $35 million raising to advance its novel tools for applications including tissue healing, bone regeneration and surgical spacing. Invented by chemical engineer and University of Sydney researcher Dr Ali Fathi, the platform-based tech is the world's first 'biostealth fluid matrix'. Supplied in ready-to-use syringes, the polymer is injected into the relevant anatomy and sets to a 'chewing-gum' consistency that can be easily moulded to suit the application. Eventually, the material breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. Pending expected US Food and Drug Approval, the company hopes to bring its first products to market in the first half of 2026. These are for dental applications and bone regeneration and orthopaedic uses. The company also has tools in the pipeline for scar prevention during surgery and a prostate surgery 'spacer' to protect surrounding tissue (such as the rectum) during radiation therapy. Doing the rounds Joint lead managers Morgans and Barrenjoey are undertaking the institution round which closes next Tuesday, with a limited retail offering open until June 17. The company is expected to list in late June. The shares are offered at $2.88 a pop, amounting to a $155 million market cap and a $115 million enterprise value (allowing for cash on hand). The founder of 'cloud' accounting software giant Xero, Rod Drury is a notable investor. Invion lights up on skin cancer trial The developer of photodynamic therapies (PTDs) for cancers, Invion (ASX:IVX) has passed the initial safety test for its phase I/II non-melanoma skin cancer trial, being carried out in Queensland (of course). A safety review committee found no 'adverse events' among the first treated patients, who were administered Invion's candidate INV-043 as an ointment. What's more, 'early indications show an observable reduction in the lesion size after a single treatment cycle'. Clinician feedback shows patients did not experience any pain during the treatment, 'which compares favourably to currently approved PDT treatments.' By combining oxygen and light, PTDs are known to kill malignant cells and shut down tumors. Known about for more than a century, the science is supported by more than 500 trials. That said, it's been an overlooked area of oncology and Invion is the only listed exemplar. Invion now is proceeding to the second stage of the adaptive trial, which involves dose optimalisation. Meanwhile, the safety data will influence the company's upcoming phase I/II trial for ano-genital cancer, in alliance with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Known for wild movements, Invion shares soared up to 58% this morning. Inoviq share freeze highlights disclosure dilemmas A quirky aspect of clinical results is they are not validated until they are presented in a prestigious peer-reviewed publication, or a conference of luminaries. Typically, a company will post top-line results earlier and this can lead to investor confusion about what's new and what's merely additional info for the boffins. On Monday, the ASX suspended share trading in cancer drug developer Inoviq (ASX:IIQ) and queried why the company's shares soared 25%, from 37 cents on Wednesday May 21, to last Friday's high of 46.5 cents. Inoviq yesterday pointed to an abstract poster presentation for an upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference published online. This outlined 'the background, methods, results and conclusions underpinning the high-level results' of an independent patient validation study of the company's ovarian cancer test. The results of the blood test were 'outstanding', with more than 94% accuracy. Hold the front page! Okay, let it go: the guts of the results were outlined on December 3 last year – and referred to in subsequent ASX disclosures. Inoviq says: 'some shareholders may have missed or misunderstood the significance of and may believe the abstract contains new or better information, which is materially price sensitive.' The company believes that was not the case and did not 'announce' the abstract to the ASX. Fair enough! After all, there's nothing more frustrating than companies hyping up presentations that contain no genuine news. In old tabloid terms it's known as a Bamix job: a beat up. But like all good tabloid yarns, there's a twist: Inoviq will present further trial information that is price sensitive, to the ASCO powwow in Chicago on Sunday. This prezzo is under embargo until that day and Inoviq plans to announce the 'tightly held' information first thing on Monday. In the meantime, it's best the shares remain untradeable.
