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NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Society Insider: Champagne Lady Anne Batley Burton accidentally hit by husband's car; Spencer family's Man O' War wines expand to South Island; new rich-list couple
Along with running her Champagne Jacquart distribution business, Batley Burton founded The NZ Cat Foundation. Anne Batley Burton looking fashionable in her leopard-print sling to match her jacket. The accident happened three weeks ago while Burton was backing their Mercedes SUV out of their driveway. 'We were on our way to The Pussy Palace at our home in Goose Creek,' Batley Burton tells Society Insider. Goose Creek is the couple's country estate in Huapai, in northwest Auckland. There, they house more than 400 rescued cats in a sanctuary Batley Burton has dubbed The Pussy Palace. 'Our Parnell neighbour's cat Fox keeps coming to our property from the other side of the road,' Batley Burton explains. 'Naturally being the Pussy Lady, I tried to get it out of danger.' Batley-Burton hopped out of the car to move Fox out of harm's way. Burton continued backing the car down the steep driveway and accidentally backed into his petite-framed wife, knocking her over. Burton, who his wife calls 'Cuddly Bear', hit the brakes as soon as he heard her fall forward. 'It was a total accident,' Batley Burton tells Society Insider. 'Cuddly Bear was mortified.' Richard Burton and Anne Batley Burton at The Champagne Lady Ball in Northern Club, Central Auckland. Photo / Norrie Montgomery 'I toppled from my heels and put my hand out to break my fall and grazed my knee and arm before landing on my shoulder,' she says. An ambulance came and told the couple Batley Burton would be attended to more quickly if they went private. Burton rushed his wife to Allevia Hospital (formerly MercyAscot) in Greenlane, where she was treated for a broken shoulder. She will have her arm in a sling for eight weeks, followed by six months of rehabilitation. 'Cuddly Bear has been at the pump working hard to keep the show on the road, and I have to say, he's doing a good job,' she says. The couple's annual trip to their house in the Cote d'Azur region in France has had to be delayed. 'Of course, that trip will be very different now, but what the hell, the pussy is still alive and well,' she says. Batley Burton says you can't keep a good girl down, especially if you have her special 'Wang dang doodle', a phrase she coined on TV show Real Housewives of Auckland to describe her energy. 'I am super busy, but I like it that way,' she says. 'As far as I'm concerned, I will rock till I drop and be assured, I'm still dancing.' Anne Batley Burton, former Real Housewives of Auckland star and cat crusader, with one of her favourite animals. Having the use of only one arm isn't stopping Batley Burton getting out and about or hindering her usual glamorous style, where she is matching her slings with her fashion. 'It takes a huge amount of concentration and effort to look good,' she says. 'It's not easy getting dilly-dollied and glammed up being a one-armed bandit. Luckily, I'm pretty good at makeup.' It's not just Batley Burton's Champagne business and her beloved charity, The Cat Foundation, that are taking up her time. She has recently been inspired to stand for the Waitematā Local Board with the Communities and Ratepayers (C&R) association. 'C&R are closely aligned with what I stand for,' Batley Burton says. This year the C&R platforms include transport, intensification and crime; to the Hauraki Gulf, city parks and the future of Auckland's city centre. Through C&R, she also hopes to create the right balance, looking after Auckland's cat population. 'I am hoping to bring in new bylaws which will protect cats from serious concerns, such as cruel cat traps which are being used in urban areas and killing domestic cats in our neighbourhoods,' she says. 'In particular, my focus is on the area of desexing, vaccination and microchipping of cats, which is a major concern to avoid the proliferation of stray cats.' Sally Ridge renovating partner's Queenstown property Multimillionaire developer John Darby and interior designer Sally Ridge, pictured at Amisfield earlier this year. Interior designer Sally Ridge has taken on her latest renovation – making over the Queenstown property of her boyfriend of more than a year, multimillionaire developer John Darby. Darby, who owns multiple property investments across New Zealand through his business, Darby Partners, purchased a 1990s home in the Wakatipu Basin early last year. Located in Dalefield, the home has an estimated value of nearly $4 million. Months into their relationship, Darby invested in the Herne Bay mansion that Ridge owned with former boyfriend, Scott Fitchett, the founder and managing director of AA Smartfuel. In 2022, Ridge and Fitchett spent nearly $5m on the Herne Bay home as a renovation project for Ridge. Property experts estimate the work Ridge managed on the house doubled its value. That figure excludes the thousands of dollars spent on furnishing indoors and outdoors, including a Terry Stringer sculpture estimated to be worth upwards of $50,000. Now, Ridge is embarking on a do-over of a different kind. She has renovated several historic, villa-style homes in Ponsonby and Herne Bay, but Darby's 90s Queenstown abode will be a new challenge. John Darby's 90s Lake Hayes house. The single-storey, four-bedroom stucco home, which is set on 4000sq m of land, has pillars along its frontage and is dated and rundown. Ridge estimates her latest renovation will be a two-month project. Her Herne Bay mansion took two years. Ridge is known for her love of modernist designers and artists with quirk, such as France's Philippe Starck and Germany's Ottmar Hörl. Last month, Ridge started ruthlessly gutting the interiors, which included beige tiled floors, a wood-panelled kitchen and aluminium joinery. Sally Ridge's latest renovation project is making over the Queenstown property of her boyfriend of more than a year, multimillionaire developer John Darby. The home's north-facing lawns overlook Lake Hayes, which is a few minutes' walk away from the property. Darby's award-winning Amisfield restaurant is nearby, as is the cycle track network, which can take the couple into Darby's 1980s golf course development at Millbrook. A statement pool is likely, as Ridge incorporated one into their Herne Bay mansion. Last weekend, Ridge was staying at the recently opened, space-age Shebara Resort on Sheybarah Island on the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. Sally Ridge at the newly opened, space-age Shebara Resort on Sheybarah Island on the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. The resort has 38 futuristic-looking overwater villas, clad in polished stainless steel with mirrored silhouettes. The resort also has 35 beachfront retreats, and at its centre is a massive central pod 'mothership'. The reception at Shebara Resort. A stay at the resort's luxury accommodation starts at around US$2396 ($3995) per night for a one-bedroom beach villa. The resort was created by architect Shaun Killa, founder of the Dubai-based firm Killa Design, whose work includes Dubai's Museum of the Future and the iconic, sail-inspired Burj Al Arab. Man O' War migrates to the South Island Man O' War is one of Waiheke's most popular wineries. Billionaire Berridge Spencer and his wife Olivia are expanding the family business, with a new Arrowtown-based hospitality experience to build on the success of Waiheke's Man O' War winery. The Spencer family, one of the country's wealthiest, now has vineyards in Marlborough and southern Otago, and is creating wines under a new brand, Swiftsure by Man O' War. Billionaire Berridge Spencer is introducing new Arrowtown-based Swiftsure by Man O' War. Photo / Facebook Berridge, 54, and his wife of 12 years, Olivia, last month opened a four-level restaurant and bar in Arrowtown after nearly a year of construction. Locals tell Society Insider that Swiftsure Arrowtown is amazing, with panoramic views of the hills and Buckingham St. The four levels encompass an internal bar and restaurant and outdoor dining spaces with schist walls, yellow monogrammed umbrellas, fireplaces and a gin pit. The Swiftsure Arrowtown deck. Photo / Sam Stewart One of the dining floors at Swiftsure Arrowtown. Photo / Sam Stewart Olivia is the creative director behind Swiftsure Arrowtown and worked with Mitchell Addison, of Ponsonby's Mitchell Addison Architecture & Design Ltd, to create the South Island bistro. The firm has designed other high-profile hospitality businesses, including Darling on Drake by Victoria Park, and Morell restaurant in Remuera. Olivia Spencer (right) with Victoria Stephens, at an event at Sugar Club. Photo / Norrie Montgomery The Spencer family's multi-generational maritime influences of the Hauraki Gulf have centred around sizeable land ownership in Takapuna, Stanley Point and Devonport and most famously, their Waiheke farm Stony Batter Estate at the northeastern end of Waiheke, estimated to be worth nearly $100m. The family have a majority shareholding in Swiftsure Arrowtown, and are joined in the business by Rupert Paterson, the son of the late South Island entrepreneur Howard Paterson and part of the rich-list Paterson family. After five years at Man O' War's Tasting Room and Restaurant, Rachael Spratt, formerly of Depot and Federal Delicatessen, is now the general manager of hospitality of both Man O' War and Swiftsure. 'We wanted to create something that feels both grounded and elevated,' Spratt tells Society Insider, '... just as suited to hiking boots as it is to celebrations. 'It shares Man O' War's signature hospitality – warm and full of character – now with an alpine and adventurous edge.' The kitchen is headed up by chef Yann Robert, formerly of Queenstown's Amisfield and Jervois Steak House. Swiftsure Arrowtown head chef Yann Robert. Photo / Sam Stewart Robert tells Society Insider that the menu focus is on South Island produce and flavours, with dishes like venison black pudding, whitebait fritters, roasted quail, wood-fired lamb shoulder and a wagyu burger. The wine list spans Waiheke to Bannockburn from Man O' War to the latest Swiftsure releases, with glass pours ranging from $14 to $34. The Spencer family's viticultural journey started with the first vines planted at Stony Batter in 1993. Since then, 75 vineyards have been established on the farm and to the south on Ponui Island. Swiftsure and Man O' War wines at Swiftsure Arrowtown. Photo / Sam Stewart Now the family intend to develop more award-winning wines from the mountainous terrain of the South Island. They have a 5.15ha vineyard in Bannockburn, which they have exclusively dedicated to growing pinot noir grapes. US billionaire and wine magnate Bill Foley also has a portfolio of vineyards in the Bannockburn region. The grapes have been planted on an elevated, north-facing river terrace along the southern banks of the Kawarau River. Man O' War head winemaker Duncan McTavish is utilising the terrain's unique terroir to bring rich flavours into their pinot. McTavish has been with Man O' War for 17 years. He attended Canterbury's Lincoln University and learned his viticulturist craft in the South Island, before working at vineyards in France, Germany, Australia and the United States. In Marlborough's Birch Hill, the Spencers are focusing on creating sauvignon blanc. The elevated vineyards are on Marlborough's south coast, at the foot of the majestic Kaikōura Ranges. After 16 years at Man O' War, viticulturist Sam Taylor has made the move from Waiheke to Marlborough with his family. Beauty entrepreneur dating Rich List son Beauty entrepreneur Emma Grundy (left), pictured with Ashleigh Kara Walker, is said to be dating Antony Wyborn, son of property tycoon Mark, whose wealth was last reported at more than $700 million. Photo / Herald composite, Norrie Montgomery, supplied Rich-list son Antony Wyborn is dating beauty entrepreneur Emma Grundy, a leading cosmetic tattooist whose bespoke treatments are in demand with beauty-savvy multimillionaires. Wyborn is the son of property tycoon Mark Wyborn, whose wealth was last reported at more than $700m. Antony last featured in Society Insider three years ago, when he was in a relationship with high-end Ponsonby Real Estate agent Casey Green, the ex-wife of former All Black Ali Williams. Grundy is the founder of beauty business Leora, and Wyborn is an emerging presence in the environmental sector. Sources say the pair have been dating since last year. Emma Grundy (right) with sister Liz. In mid-2023, Grundy opened Leora Cosmetic Tattoo in Three Lamps, Ponsonby. The clinic offers the latest treatments in permanent makeup procedures, including eyebrow feathering favoured by Hollywood celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie. Leora customers include Monday Haircare co-founder Jaimee Lupton, the fiancee of billionaire Nick Mowbray, and Red Room Wellness founder Dominique Francis, wife of rich-lister Mark, chief executive of Centuria Capital NZ. Kiwi Below Deck star Katie Flood's natural-looking pout can be credited to Grundy, too. Early last year, Grundy, who has been cosmetic tattooing for nearly a decade, founded Leora Injectables, which is run by her sister Liz, a registered nurse. The sisters are fast becoming the beauty equivalent of Ponsonby Rd hospitality sisters Jessica and Bronwyn Payne. Last year, Grundy launched a peptide lip gloss and a hi-def brow gel to market, and plans to roll out more Leora beauty brands. Wyborn is a director at Wyborn Capital, of which his older brother Justin is the CEO. Justin runs the family property empire, which includes Wyborn Capital as well as the family interests in the $2 billion Tramco Property Group. Antony has a passion for the environment and regenerative agriculture. He is a non-executive director at Australian-based company Eco Detection, a business that provides cutting-edge technology to monitor fresh water. Antony Wyborn enroute to Fiji in April. Sources say that when they are not relaxing at Wyborn's sprawling Ponsonby villa, estimated to be worth more than $6m, the couple are said to have been seen enjoying the trendy hospo spots in their neighbourhood, such as Prego and Jacuzzi. At the end of April, the couple enjoyed some downtime in Fiji with SailGP Black Foil driver Peter Burling and his wife, lawyer and interior design expert Lucinda and their 1-year-old daughter Paloma. Their love of tropical travel is said to have continued last month, with a holiday in Bali. Party people of the week Celebrating 25 Years of Impact: The 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Arts Gala More than 320 artists, arts supporters, and changemakers gathered at Auckland Town Hall on Friday night for the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi's 2025 Arts Gala, presented by The Symphony Centre. Cora-Allan Lafaiki Twiss and Daniel-Emmett Twiss at the Arts Foundation Gala at the Auckland Town Hall. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata The black-tie evening, hosted by Arts Foundation general manager Jessica Palalagi, marked the foundation's milestone 25th anniversary and celebrated more than $25m given to the arts since its inception. The evening honoured the spirit of creativity, from table settings transformed into works of art by world-renowned jeweller and 2015 Laureate Lisa Walker, to a four-course dinner by culinary powerhouses Josh Emett and Glen File from Gilt Brasserie, paired with Craggy Range Prestige wines and Taittinger Champagne. The evening featured speeches from Arts Foundation co-chairs, film producer Chelsea Winstanley, rich-lister Hamish Edgar and inaugural chair, theatre legend Richard Cathie. A glittering line-up of performances by the foundation's awarded artists included musicians Lucien Johnson, Sean James Donnelly (SJD) and Madeline Bradley, dancer and choreographer Lucy Marinkovich, actor Ana Scotney and screenwriter Briar Grace-Smith. Among the guests were multimillionaire foundation benefactors, including Avanti Finance's Glenn Hawkins and his wife Sonja, arts philanthropists John and Jo Gow, billionaires Jillian and Daniel Friedlander of Sampson Corporation, menswear retailer Murray Crane, actor Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith, Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, former Prime Minister Helen Clark and tech entrepreneur Sir Ian Taylor. Sonja and Glenn Hawkins. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata Daniel and Jillian Friedlander. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata Peter Goodfellow and Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata Foundation-awarded artists also turned out in force, including activist Tāme Iti, actors Michael Hurst and Cliff Curtis, film-maker Dame Gaylene Preston and actor and writer Anapela Polataivao. Tāme Iti. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata Cliff Curtis and Chelsea Winstanley. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata Vela Manusaute and Anapela Polataivao. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata Tiana Epati. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata The evening raised nearly $300,000 and closed with a powerful performance by legendary musician Neil Finn, joined onstage by Vera Ellen, LEAO and the Auckland Gospel Choir. Finn captured the spirit of the night beautifully. 'We're all here because we love the arts,' he said. 'It's the thing that puts everybody in a room together, and suddenly we don't have to worry about what side of the fence you're on. 'We're all here to sing, to dance, to play, to create. It's the good part of the human spirit.' Neil Finn and Vera Allen perform at the Auckland Town Hall. Photo / Jinki Cambronero and John Rata Pavilion Bar & Kitchen's Queenstown opening party Queenstown Central was abuzz on Sunday for the much-anticipated opening party of Pavilion Bar & Kitchen by acclaimed chef and culinary maestro Sean Connolly. Luke Lockwood, Vaughan Mabee, Sean Connoll and Simon Holloway at the launch of Pavilion Bar & Kitchen in Queenstown. Photo / Dan Childs More than 200 invited guests enjoyed a first look at the stunning venue, framed by the Remarkables. The scene was set with a red carpet, roaring open fires and music by the band Killergrams and singer David Gent. David Gent and Jo Eddington. Photo / Dan Childs Guests drank champagne by Laurent Perrier, Maude Pinot Noir and espresso martinis with Svitlo vodka, alongside an array of food from Steak & Oyster Co by Sean Connolly, including freshly shucked oysters, lobster rolls, octopus pasta and pork belly bites. Connolly's family were there to support him, including his wife Joanne and children Eliza, Kiera and Toby Connolly and their partners. Joanne and Sean Connolly surrounded by their children, Eliza, Kiera and Toby Connolly and their partners. Photo / Dan Childs Other guests included Queenstown developer Simon Holloway and his wife Kylie, designer Paul Izzard, rich-listers Sir Peter and Lady Kath Maire, chief executive and founder of misterwolf, Derek Lockwood, Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward councillors Lisa Guy and Melissa White, Nadia Lim and Jason Medina of Royalburn Station, Amisfield's Vaughan and Julia Mabee, Cuisine magazine editor Kelli Brett, food writer Jo Elwin, architect David Edwards, and Brian Holland and Juanita Edwards of Magnetic Pictures. Edward and Lisa Guy and Melissa White. Photo / Dan Childs Jason Medina and Nadia Lim. Photo / Dan Childs Juanita Edwards and Brian Holland. Photo / Dan Childs Sarena and Simon Glass. Photo / Dan Childs Bjorn and Carla de Nijs. Photo / Dan Childs Auckland Live Cabaret Festival Gala The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival made a dazzling return on Tuesday with its Gala Opening Night at Auckland's Civic Theatre officially kicking off its two-week 2025 programme. Performers Gosha, Crystal Quartz and Zilly de Zoola at the Cabaret Festival Gala lights at the Civic. Photo / Sacha Stejko On arrival, guests were encouraged to wander through the foyers of the Civic to discover the hidden magic of the Cabaret Festival, including tarot readings. The opening gala, All That Glitters, held in the Wintergarden, was hosted by broadcasting personality Luke Bird, who guided the crowd through a showcase of what's to come. Performers included Pōneke's fierce and fabulous queens The Tīwhas, suave and soulful Rutene Spooner and The Divine Miss Bette (aka Catherine Alcorn). That was followed by the festival premiere of La Clique on the main stage of The Civic. This Olivier Award-winning show delivered a jaw-dropping mash-up of cabaret, circus and burlesque. Guests included actor Diamond Langi, 'movement alchemist' Hannah Tasker-Poland, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under alumnus James Luck (Elektra Shock), musician Andrew Papas, drag darling Anita Wigl'et, model and influencer Hunter Lee Kawana and NZ Woman's Weekly editor Marilynn McLachlan and Woman's Day editor Sebastian van der Zwan. The Cabaret Festival's 2025 programme features more than 100 artists across 15 shows. Performer Zilly de Zoola and James Luck. Photo / Sacha Stejko Gavin Lear and Sebastian van der Zwan. Photo / Sacha Stejko Diamond Langi. Photo / Sacha Stejko Lauren Coffey and Kate Jones. Photo / Sacha Stejko Robyn Kamira and Hannah Tasker-Poland. Photo / Sacha Stejko Matt Reyland and Chris Henry. Photo / Sacha Stejko Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.
NZ Herald
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Society Insider: Rich-lister Jodie Dick's year of big milestones; Harrison Reid swaps Bondi Rescue for Christchurch real estate; Kate Fowler's very modern family
Rich Listers Malcolm and Jodie Dick are having a big year of celebrations; former model Kate Fowler and her ex partner, Aussie billionaire Justin Hemmes, are navigating modern family life; Bondi Rescue star Harrison Reid has come home to Christchurch. Photo / Herald composite Man about town Ricardo Simich brings you Society Insider. This week, rich-lister Jodie Dick has big plans ahead of her 50th birthday; Bondi Rescue's Kiwi star Harrison Reid swaps lifeguarding for real estate; former model Kate Fowler and her billionaire ex are the epitome of modern parenting. Rich-lister Jodie Dick's
NZ Herald
07-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Society Insider: Steve Owen swaps houses in $56m property deal; are Smith & Caughey's and Faradays teaming up?; Ido Drent's property development success
Steve Owen is moving from Mission Bay to Westmere, after a multimillion-dollar property deal. The Rawene Ave, Westmere, house gained notoriety in 2016 when it was rented by Hollywood actors Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whitely. Powell and Hunter sold it in 2020 for more than $17m to Auckland businessman Yin Li and wife Elaine, with the house sale registered under Yin Li's company Virtuous. The recent sale price was reported by OneRoof as more than $20m. In turn, the Lis bought Owen's home in Mission Bay, in the multimillion-dollar deal. The Rawene Ave property is regarded as one of Auckland's finest. It was once rented by actor Jason Statham and has sold for more than $20 million as part of a $56m property deal. The view from Steve Owen's new Rawene Ave property in Westmere. Owen has owned the Mission Bay property on Ronaki Rd for more than a decade. It's known as one of the area's best homes. Last week, Bayleys agents Sarah Liu and Nick Gilbert told OneRoof they had brought the parties of Rawene and Ronaki together to work out the details of the deal. Steve Owen has sold his house on Ronaki Rd, Mission Bay, and will be moving to Westmere. Photo / Simon Devitt Owen's multi-level, five-bedroom modernist mansion on Ronaki Rd was designed by architect Lawrence Sumich of Sumich Chaplin Architects in Newmarket. The mid-level entertaining area flows on to a pool and a panoramic outlook of Rangitoto. Another Sumich-designed mansion on Ronaki Rd, with a similar look, feel and outlook to Owen's, was sold by Wall Real Estate for more than $20m earlier this year, within two weeks of hitting the market. Liu told the Herald her Rawene Ave vendors are very tasteful people and the couple decided to buy the Ronaki Rd home after their second visit. 'I said, 'Okay, if you buy this, you can sell your Rawene Ave home', and they said yes,' said Liu. Tenby Powell and Sharon Hunter, pictured in 2015. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Former Mayor of Tauranga Tenby Powell told Society Insider he was thrilled someone with Owen's taste had purchased his and Hunter's former home. He was excited to hear Owen planned to enhance it. Powell says he and Hunter – with their architect David Ponting of Ponting Fitzgerald and builder Ross Bannan of Bannan Construction – poured blood, sweat and tears into creating their oasis on Rawene Ave, which was purchased as three side-by-side sections in 2008. 'The fact Hollywood star Jason Statham rented our house in 2016 often overshadows how proud Sharon and I are of what we created,' says Powell. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham. Photo / Getty Images The 1978sq m site includes landscaped gardens with impressive water features, a cedar four-bedroom mansion, and an infinity pool that stretches out over the water. Last week, Gilbert told the Herald his client had already visited the Rawene Rd property with teams of people, the architects and the original builder, for a renovation project that Society Insider understands will take six months. Owen and Li declined to comment on their house swap, but Society Insider hears both vendors have big plans for their new abodes. Kimberly and Steve Owen at Owen's son Matt's wedding at Ayrburn. It has been a busy time for Owen, with son Matt marrying professional golfer Laura Hoskin last Friday. The ceremony was outdoors in the grounds of Ayrburn in Queenstown – Hoskin's hometown. Owen has four children – Matt, Nicholas, Libby and Kimberly. Matt is the first of the siblings to get married. In March, Matt and Laura told Society Insider they were most looking forward to getting family and friends together to celebrate. London-based Kimberly flew in to join her family for the happy occasion. Other guests at the black-tie wedding included fellow rich listers Paula and Simon Herbert and Dominique and Mark Francis. Also looking glamorous for the occasion was media buyer Jane Hitchfield and her husband, managing director at Transport Hydraulic Solutions, Brenden Lyon. Are Auckland's old and new guard luxury department stores teaming up? Representatives from Smith and Caughey's, pictured, and Faradays have reportedly been having business meetings. Picture / Steven McNicholl Speculation is rife among the city's well-heeled that something is brewing between Auckland's oldest department store business, Smith & Caughey's, and the city's newest luxury boutique department store, Faradays in Parnell. Well-placed sources have told Society Insider of meetings between Faradays' CEO, Edward von Dadelszen, and representatives from Smith & Caughey's, as recently as last week. When asked if Smith & Caughey's and Faradays might be entering into a partnership or combining some of the luxury marquee brands to which they both have licences, Smith & Caughey's joint acting CEO Lizzy Hyndman would not comment. A spokesperson for von Dadelszen told Society Insider: 'We are aware of the speculation, but as a matter of policy, Faradays doesn't comment on market rumours or ongoing commercial discussions.' Faradays' owners Eddie von Dadelszen and Constance Cummings, pictured in 2016. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Von Dadelszen and his wife Constance opened Faradays on Faraday St in late 2021 as a new emporium for luxury brands. Their modern take on the department store provides a full luxury retail experience, with art, food and beverages to accompany the shopping experience. On average, Faradays' ultra-wealthy customers spend thousands of dollars per visit. Faradays, a luxury department store in Parnell. The husband and wife had previously operated their fashion label Dadelszen, and vintage accessories and jewellery label Love & Object, around the corner on Kenwyn St, gaining many rich list clients. When they opened Faradays, the couple incorporated their existing businesses into the store, adding an array of desirable imported designer labels. Along with the von Dadelszens' shareholding in Faradays Luxury Goods, the business has other high-profile investors, including former All Black great Dan Carter and his wife, former Black Stick, Honor, and Jonty Edgar, executive director of Forsyth Barr. Faradays' ultra-high-end designer fashion labels include Givenchy, Celine, Alaïa, Jil Sander, Alexandre Vauthier and Giuseppe Zanotti. Its accessories brands include Spanish design house Loewe, whose candles retail for more than $500, and Ginori 1735, whose porcelain dinner plates retail for $220 each. Faradays also has a luxurious bar and dining experience, serving caviar and Champagne. The bar and restaurant at Faradays in Parnell. In May last year, Smith & Caughey's announced a major upheaval, with chairman Tony Caughey outlining a proposal to close the businesses and lay off 240 staff. Caughey, the fifth in the family generational dynasty, told the Herald at the time the company's stores in Queen St and Newmarket had been running at a loss. He cited a 40% drop in revenue over the previous five years because of factors including the economic downturn, reduced consumer confidence, the rise of shopping malls, and upmarket brands building their own retail stores. Chairman of Smith and Caughey's, Tony Caughey, in the flagship Queen St store. Photo / Ben Dickens The announcement came after two years of consultations and think tanks to come up with ways to take the business forward. In August 2024, Caughey announced that after weeks of consultation with staff, only the Newmarket store would close. The original 144-year-old Queen St store, the 'Grande Dame', would stay open, saving about 100 jobs. Earlier this year, Smith & Caughey's transformed into a ground-floor operation only, stocking beauty and cosmetic products, men's and women's clothing and other accessories, with the website also refreshed. Faradays and Smith & Caughey's now both run slick online operations. With Smith & Caughey's and Faradays remaining tight-lipped, speculation is varied on what the 'commercial discussions' may bring. S&C would benefit from the relationships the von Dadelszens have with their exclusive suppliers. A partnership would provide access to products that appeal to the ultra-wealthy and a new generation of money. The von Dadelszens would benefit from S&C's still sizeable buying power. Society Insider can envisage a pop-up version of the Faradays' retailing style within the Grande Dame on Queen St. We'll be watching closely to see what eventuates. Actor Ido Drent an emerging property titan Ido Drent at his Elaman office in Parnell. After leaving acting behind, former Shortland Street and Offspring star Ido Drent is now one of the rising names in multimillion-dollar property development. His company Elaman, which specialises in visually pleasing, low-maintenance social housing, has an estimated more than $100m of projects completed or under way. Elaman has delivered more than 100 homes in seven developments across Auckland, with two more under construction. Drent's most ambitious development yet is Olympus, an 87-unit community complex in Mt Albert, with four buildings of three-storey, walk-up apartments. Elaman, the property development company owned by former Shortland Street actor Ido Drent, is working on its next project - Olympus in Mt Albert. Drent, 38, who has more than 20 staff working at Elaman, is confident he can take on a project the size of Olympus. Drent says the complex, designed by Brewer Davidson, will give first-home buyers a quality start in a great location. Entering the property world before his acting career, Drent completed a degree at Massey University in 2008, with a Bachelor in Business Studies in property management and valuation. Throughout his studies, Drent interned at a property company. His first paid job in property ended abruptly because of the Global Financial Crisis, which is when he pivoted to acting. Drent became a household name playing Daniel Potts in Shortland Street for three years. That was followed by a move to Melbourne where he starred in Offspring, and later to LA for several years, before returning home to NZ. Mandy and Ido Drent He married his wife Mandy in 2011 and the couple have since had three children, Baz, 10, Elliotte, 8 and their youngest, August, who is starting school next year. It was his family responsibilities that made him realise he needed to put acting to one side. 'After 12 years working and pursuing my acting career, we finally got to a crossroads in 2018 where we had to make a decision for our family and call it a day,' Drent tells Society Insider. 'Acting wasn't providing the security we needed as a family, so we decided to get back into property, to have autonomy over our future, and we started Elaman.' He says an early colleague of his in the industry was working at Kāinga Ora and told him of the demand in the social housing sector. Drent started Elaman to make a positive impact in the community. He says he sought out development opportunities and gained the support of a private investing couple, rich listers Paul and Liz Blackwell, who backed his vision. 'We started with social housing projects and made a real effort to help raise the level of social housing,' he says. 'When driving past one of our developments, we hope people think they are beautiful.' Elaman's Glenview project. One of Drent's projects, the Glenview apartment project, has just been shortlisted in the NZ Architects multi-unit awards. 'I'm proud to have made the shortlist with our social housing project, standing next to some amazing other high-end projects,' he says. While Drent scoffs at the question of his net worth, he says he is not like some of the 'flash developers' out there, and is growing Elaman steadily. The Drent family now has a comfortable home in St Heliers and is looking at doing some renovations of their own soon. As for acting, Drent still loves it. 'Maybe one day in a different season, I could see myself back on set or maybe even on a stage enjoying it for the craft, not trying to earn a living from it.' A good week for... fashion stylist Sarah Stuart Luiz Serrano and Sarah Stuart are expecting their first baby, a girl, in mid-August. Photo / Sarah Stuart. Fashion stylist to the rich and famous, Sarah Stuart, one of Society Insider's most photographed party people, had a surprise baby shower thrown for her last weekend at a mansion on Waiheke Island. Stuart and her partner, Luiz Serrano, an architect and founder of Oceanic Architecture, based in Fiji and Auckland, have been dating for five years. They are expecting their first baby, a girl, in mid-August. Sarah Stuart and Luiz Serrano at their surprise baby shower. Photo / Sarah Stuart. Stuart's portfolio of clients she has styled includes international names Mick Jagger, Little Mix, Rove McManus, and local stars Temuera Morrison, Rose Matafeo, Paul Henry, Samantha Hayes, Mike McRoberts, and Hayley Holt. Stuart's very private best friend threw her and Serrano a white-themed baby shower at a luxury home, with stunning landscaping on the cliff overlooking Matiatia Bay. 'The weekend was incredible, I still can't believe my best friend managed to pull off the most beautiful surprise baby shower,' Stuart tells Society Insider. 'She brought together a small, intimate group of my closest friends and my mum, for the sweetest afternoon on Waiheke. 'The setting, with its postcard-perfect harbour views, couldn't have been more magical.' Stuart says she and Serrano feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such love and support as they step into their next chapter. Danielle Dodds and her baby son Iver. In other baby news, former Bachelorette Danielle Dodds (nee Robinson) and her husband, former YouTube superstar Logan Dodds welcomed their first child last week. The now Gold Coast-based couple welcomed Iver James Dodds on April 29. Danielle, who is the daughter of New Zealand Warriors' owner Mark Robinson, says she is soaking up every minute with her 'Ivy boy'. Party people of the week Hotel Indigo Auckland celebrates NZ Fashion Week partnership launch New Zealand Fashion Week's Liam Taylor, Mathew Simister, Dan Ahwa and Murray Bevan at the Hotel Indigo and Oosterom partnership launch. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Hotel Indigo Auckland marked the official launch of its partnerships with Auckland-based fashion label Oosterom and New Zealand Fashion Week 2025, with an exclusive event last Thursday afternoon, bringing together the city's fashion-forward crowd. The afternoon marked the announcement of Hotel Indigo Auckland as the Official Accommodation Partner for NZ Fashion Week 2025. Held in the hotel's newly opened Bistro Saine, guests mingled over the restaurant's signature canapes, including anchovy en croutes, aubergine frites, and chicken liver parfait, while viewing the debut of a bespoke accessory collection by Oosterom designer Nicole Hadfield. Oosterom's Nicole Hadfield and Angie Fredatovich. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Chris Lim of Maraca New Zealand also introduced a bespoke Waitematā Maraca fragrance amenity range, created exclusively for Hotel Indigo Auckland. The event drew a curated guest list of media, stylists, fashion influencers, and models, with key representatives from NZ Fashion Week, including its board chairman, Darkhorse founder Liam Taylor, and board members, director and founder of Showroom 22 Murray Bevan and creative and fashion director Dan Awha. Fashion stylists in attendance included Lulu Wilcox, Michiko Hylands and Sarah Stuart and models included Troi Atkins and Portia Prince. New Zealand Fashion Week 2025 will take place August 25-30 at Shed 10, with Hotel Indigo Auckland hosting a series of on and off-site activations throughout the week. Sarah Stuart and Portia Prince. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Carolyn Enting and Michiko Hylands. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Sophie and Jenny Jung. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Wilhelmina Shrimpton and Lulu Wilcox. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Sarah Murray and Ginni Post. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Isabella Jones, Alice Scott and Sandra Hutchinson. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Jess Molina and Troi Atkins. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Martha Brooke and Rachel Soo Thow. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Italian Film Festival launch Italian Film Festival artistic director Paolo Rotondo hosted a sponsors' evening at Silky Otter Ponsonby last Monday evening and a festival grand opening at the Bridgeway Cinema in Northcote last Tuesday. Paolo Rotondo at the Bridgeway Cinema launch of this year's Italian Film Festival. Photo / Aaron Staples It's the 10th anniversary of the festival in New Zealand and, to mark the decade, there will be 25 films on this year's programme. The Auckland season will screen until May 25 at theatres across the city, before moving to cinemas in major centres around the country until January. This milestone year promises to be the most exciting yet, with a dazzling line-up of Italian films, special events, and the support of the newly appointed Italian Ambassador to New Zealand, Cristiano Maggipinto, who was a special guest on Monday night. Also in attendance were Rotondo's wife, IFF business manager Renee Mark, Ricardo Deiana from the Italian Chamber of Commerce, managing director of Flying Fish James Moore and film director Jason Bock. Francesca Kirwan from jk14 wines, and her brother Niko, were also in attendance, along with Farina restaurant owner Sergio Maglione. At Tuesday's event at the Bridgeway, the star attraction was visiting Italian film-maker Lorenzo Colantoni. Francesca Kirwan, Paolo Rotondo, Sergio Maglione and Ana Schwarz. Photo / Aaron Staples James Moore, Renee Mark, Jason Bock and Hebe Van Schage. Photo / Aaron Staples Italian Ambassador Cristiano Maggipinto. Photo / Aaron Staples Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Society Insider: Black Cap Ross Taylor launches wine brand; The Curve's Victoria Harris confirms new relationship; Megan Alatini on homophobic abuse
'There may be more to talk about mid-year, when I hope to have a Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 to market locally, and a Rosé is in the works too,' Taylor says. 'Perhaps more of a fuss can be made then.' New Zealand cricketing legend Ross Taylor is pursuing a new business venture as a vintner. Photo / Mike Scott Hamilton-based Taylor's first vintages are grapes that proudly have the quality and characteristics found in the Marlborough region. There are two, the 290 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023 and the 181 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, with Taylor's autograph on each label. The 290 for his red wine represents 290 – Taylor's score at the Waca in Perth against Australia in 2015. It is the highest ever score by a visiting test batsman in Australia. The 181 for his white wine represents Taylor's One Day International score of 181, not out, against England at the University Oval in Dunedin in 2018. Ross Taylor's Marlborough wines. Taylor's wines have gone on sale in New Zealand this week, exclusively at WineCraft in Wellington's beachside suburb of Paraparaumu. Society Insider understands there is only a limited run available in New Zealand. Instead, Taylor's focus is on exporting to India, where he has a large fan base with the cricket-mad nation, having previously played Indian Premier League Cricket from 2008 to 2014 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Daredevils. There is a growing wine industry in India, with high demand for NZ grapes, especially varietals from the Marlborough region. According to global export-import data planner Volza, New Zealand exported 434 shipments of wine to India from October 2023 to September 2024, marking an annual growth rate of 27%. Taylor is excited about his Indian business prospects. His first shipment arrived there last month, and he is currently registering the product, which he explains is processed on its arrival in the country. Such is his fame in India, in March, Taylor co-led Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's 40-strong business delegation there, with Air New Zealand and ASB chair Dame Therese Walsh. During Luxon's State visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was all smiles when he met Taylor. Ross Taylor and NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ross Taylor and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon play street cricket in New Delhi during their Indian delegation. While in India, Taylor played cricket on the streets of New Delhi with Luxon, Sports Minister Mark Mitchell, current Black Cap Ajaz Patel, who was also part of the delegation, and Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev. The limited New Zealand run of Taylor's wines is stocked exclusively at Paraparaumu's WineCraft. Taylor says that WineCraft owner Brendon Nottage, considered to be one of the country's most knowledgeable wine professionals, has been a big part of his wine journey. Taylor has been a customer of Nottage's for more than a decade and says his wine advice has been invaluable. Taylor, wife Victoria and their three children have a holiday home in Raglan, so they have also made sure their favourite local – George's Beach Club – will serve his Marlborough vintages. Former Black Cap Ross Taylor and wife Victoria Brown, pictured at the Halberg Awards in 2018. Photo / Nick Reed As part of this week's official New Zealand launch, Taylor has been in store at WineCraft, meeting, greeting, tasting, and introducing customers to his Marlborough wines. Customers have the chance to win a game of golf with Taylor at the Paraparaumu Golf Club at the end of May, with a signed bat and a signed copy of Taylor's 2023 autobiography Black and White. Taylor isn't the first Kiwi sportsman to have a nose for the wine business. In March, Society Insider revealed All Black Beauden Barrett had gone into business with respected French wine connoisseur Jean-Benoit Auzely to establish the importing business Beau Jour. All Black Beauden Barrett has partnered with respected French wine connoisseur Jean-Benoit Auzely with importing business Beau Jour. Beau Jour has an exclusive mail order wine list and late in March Barrett had three successful wine tasting evenings with an array of Beau Jour's best from Bordeaux at the Wine Room on Auckland's College Hill. Former All Black great and mental health campaigner Sir John Kirwan is also in the wine-importation business, bringing in Italian wines under the brand jk14 Wines. Kiwi power couple in the making George Harper Jnr and Victoria Harris at a recent wedding in England. Society Insider can reveal a new London-based Kiwi power couple in the worlds of sport and finance – Kiwi international golf commentator George Harper Jnr and The Curve's Victoria Harris. Harris, a financial adviser who launched investing advice platform The Curve in 2020, confirmed the pair has been dating since October last year. 'We met in a very traditional way, a casual 4am slide into the DMs,' Harris tells Society Insider. 'Our first date was at the Broadway Markets in East London.' George Harper Jnr and Victoria Harris pictured in Matarangi in the summer. It's small wonder their paths didn't cross earlier. Although Harris, 36, was raised in Auckland, she did her double major in economics and finance at the University of Canterbury, in 34-year-old Harper Jnr's hometown of Christchurch. For a decade, Harris worked as a portfolio manager at Milford Asset Management, Pie Funds and Devon, managing millions of dollars for hundreds of clients in New Zealand. In 2020, she partnered with producer Sophie Hallwright to create The Curve, providing information for women on finance and investing. George Harper Jnr with golfer Rory McIlroy. Harper Jnr gained a name for himself working in New Zealand as a content creator and presenter in sport. He co-founded sports commentary platform Short & Wide with Anthony Niterl and Andrew James, and gained a cult following. In 2016, Short & Wide had a season on TVNZ On Demand and Duke, and Harper Jnr went on to become a familiar face in sports broadcasting, primarily in rugby and cricket. After covering the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, Harper Jnr spread his wings for good and has been following sport all over the world ever since. The pair are well on their way to becoming a veritable power couple in London. Harper Jnr is based out of the UK and broadcasts on the biggest golf stage at The Open Championship and the DP World Tour, where he is a roving reporter, commentating and diving deep with the best golfers on the planet. He recently signed with UK-based Modest! Sports Marketing. The company's music division represents UK singer Niall Horan, formerly of One Direction. Victoria Harris and Sophie Hallwright, co-founders of The Curve. Photo / supplied. Last year Harris moved The Curve to the UK and raised $1m from angel investors to grow and scale the business. The Curve community now numbers more than 70,000, and its podcast has had more than 1.2m downloads. Harris and Hallwright recently launched an investing club, and they have ambitions for it to become one of the world's biggest. Harris says the recent market volatility has seen a huge spike in their membership. Working on her start-up, she pretty much lives and breathes her work, which complements Harper Jnr's work ethic. He travels regularly to prestigious golf and cricket tournaments all around the world. 'It's hard, but we put great importance on prioritising each other,' Harris tells Society Insider. Harris says that their romance plays into the adage that opposites attract. While she helps people plan financially, Harper Jnr loves spending and has a horrible credit rating, but a good sports betting rating. While Harper Jnr might be on a first-name basis with global golf stars and many of New Zealand's sporting greats, Harris is great friends with America's Cup winning skipper Peter Burling and his wife Lucinda, and has attended her fair share of Sail GPs around the globe. The pair were able to come home and meet each other's families over the New Zealand summer, including enjoying time at the moneyed Coromandel beach spot Matarangi. Harper Jnr worked on the international cricket coverage with TVNZ and the Blackcaps, as well as appearing on Sky's The ACC Does Game of 2 Halves, while Harris networked The Curve. Megan Alatini shocked by homophobic abuse Megan Alatini and Natalie McDade married in March. Megan Alatini has been in the spotlight for more than 25 years but she can still be shocked by the public's reaction to her personal life. The TrueBliss star was on the cover of Woman's Day recently, celebrating her wedding to her partner, police Sergeant Natalie McDade. The story also appeared on the Herald. Alatini and McDade have known each other for 18 years as friends and in late 2023 they began a relationship. By the following New Year's day, the pair were engaged. Alatini, whose first marriage was to former All Black Pita Alatini, says she was shocked by the homophobic social media abuse she received about the new chapter in her life. Megan Alatini, right, on her recent wedding day, picture with her mother, Barbara. 'Let's be clear, you don't have to understand or accept someone's sexuality, religion, or background, that's your journey,' Alatini tells Society Insider. 'But what you don't have the right to do is demean, insult, or bully someone - especially when you know nothing about them, their struggles, or their story,' she says. Alatini says the anonymity of the internet doesn't give anyone a free pass to be cruel. When she shared the fun of her and McDade's magical day, she did not expect to be told to repent for her sins for being gay, to hide or give up her sexuality. Natalie McDade and Megan Alatini on their honeymoon. 'It's still happening too much in a country where I thought we were much more enlightened,' she says. The couple's March wedding was a beautiful affair with more than 250 guests at the Glasshouse in Morningside, including Alatini's three children and one grandchild, and McDade's five children. A-list friends in attendance included Alatini's TrueBliss bandmates, Erika Takacs and Joe Cotton; her former Celebrity Treasure Island castmates Miriama Smith, Mary Lambie and Blair Strang; and long-term friend Colin Mathura-Jeffree. Alatini says she is used to putting herself out there and can mostly brush off abusive comments. However, she says she went into defence mode as a parent, a daughter and a partner. 'My children saw the posts, as well as my mother and my wife. 'Imagine my embarrassment seeing my mama jump into a thread defending her daughter's honour,' she says. Having her family read the hate and the casual cruelty very much hurt them. 'It planted seeds of self-doubt, fear, and shame that no child or family member should have to carry.' Alatini wants to remind people that New Zealand's suicide rates are 'heartbreakingly high', especially among LGBTQ+ youth. 'Every thoughtless comment, every joke, every slur adds to a mountain of pain that some people simply can't climb,' she says. Alatini says online bullies and keyboard trolls need to know it's not just words on a screen; the words are real and can destroy people's lives. 'It's disheartening to see comments telling people to ask God for forgiveness. The God I know loves all people without exception.' Alatini says that at the heart of every faith is compassion, acceptance, and love. She has friends who have faced hate at an even deeper level compared to her own experiences of being in a same-sex relationship. 'I've met individuals who, in earlier years, had to pretend to be someone else just to be accepted – at work, in their own families, in their churches, on their sports teams.' She says she thought about sweeping the abuse under the carpet and ignoring the naysayers, but her integrity wouldn't let her. 'How can I expect others to stand up for themselves if I don't lead by example?' Alatini intends to use her profile and her personal experiences to advocate for those who may not have a voice. She hopes that by standing up, she gives people something to think about before they type in discrimination. 'If you can't show kindness, at least show restraint,' she says. Mowbray and Lawson reunite at country music fest Nick Mowbray, Jaimee Lupton, Hannah St John and Liam Lawson in Palm Springs. Last weekend Zuru billionaire Nick Mowbray and his fiancée, Jaimee Lupton, had a reunion with Kiwi racing star Liam Lawson and his girlfriend, Hannah St John, at the Stagecoach Festival in the Coachella Valley. It's the first time Lawson and Mowbray have met up since Red Bull Racing replaced Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda as Max Verstappen's teammate late last March, seeing Lawson now race for Racing Bulls. Liam Lawson and Hannah St John at the Stagecoach festival in Palm Springs. A few weeks before the swap, Lawson drove his first of two international Grand Prix for Red Bull Racing in Melbourne. After surviving a hard day on a wet track at Albert Park, placing 15th, Lawson and St John joined Mowbray and friends for dinner at Nobu at Crown. Mowbray met Lawson at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, and the pair have become firm friends since. Earlier in March, Zuru Toys and Lawson announced a new partnership that would see the brand appearing on Lawson's race helmet for the coming season. Attending the Stagecoach festival with Mowbray, Lawson and co, were Lawson's talent agent, Los Angeles-based Mikayla Haycock and her fiancé, NZ Rich List son and robotics engineer Toby Baker, and NZ-based brand manager of Heineken, Jonty Holmes. Jonty Holmes, Toby Baker and Hannah St John at Stagecoach festival. Last month, Haycock told Society Insider they had secured VVIP tickets for the Stagecoach Festival, which featured an array of country stars, including Luke Combs and The Castellows, as well as not-so-country acts, like Paris Hilton. Also spotted at Stagecoach was LA-based Kiwi Rich List daughter Cameo Turner, who arrived at the festival in a stretch limousine. Turner had just come off working in the Bahamas with her friends from LA-based women's clothing label, Show Me Your Mumu. Mowbray and Lupton have been Stateside most of April, with Lupton doing beauty launches and marketing for her brands Monday Haircare and her new product range, Daise Beauty. Jaimee Lupton attended Stagecoach festival, after business meetings in the States. While in the US, Mowbray has spoken out to the media about President Trump's tariffs and the impact they will have on him and his brother Mat's company Zuru. As their products are mainly manufactured in China, they were facing a 145% import tax to the US. In mid-April, Mowbray told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast their company would ship about $2 billion worth of goods to the US this year, which would have a tariff of about $3b. Since then, there has been better news with Trump softening his tariff talk, and last week, Mowbray announced on LinkedIn that Zuru has purchased an office building on the Costco HQ campus in Seattle. While in California, Mowbray and Lupton rented a beautiful Los Angeles mansion with views of the Pacific and jetted into Stagecoach for the night. Haycock, Baker, Lawson and St John rented a classic modernist Palm Springs pad to take in the full weekend of Stagecoach. Haycock, Baker, and St John are expected to fly to Miami to support Lawson at the Florida city's Grand Prix next week. A good week for... Anton Lienert-Brown Anton Lienert-Brown and Olivia Roberston. All Black Anton Lienert-Brown celebrated his 30th birthday with a civilised dinner in Hamilton last Saturday night. Fresh off a Chiefs' Super Rugby win against the Force at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui the night before, Lienert-Brown wore his arm in a sling from an on-field injury at his birthday celebration. Although his big day was on April 15, Lienert-Brown's long-term partner, finance manager Olivia Robertson, organised a celebration on April 26 at Lienert-Brown's base in Hamilton. Among the friends in attendance were some of his Chiefs and All Blacks teammates and partners. Anton Lienert-Brown and Beauden Barrett and Lienert-Brown's 30th birthday. Fellow All Black Beauden Barrett and his wife, influencer Hannah Laity, travelled down from Auckland for the celebration. Lienert-Brown's Chiefs and All Blacks teammate, and business partner in the RTD business, Grins – Damian McKenzie – was there too with his girlfriend, digital marketer Georgia O'Sullivan, the daughter of thoroughbred racing royalty Lance and Bridget. After a champagne toast at home, the troop headed into central Hamilton for dinner at Gothenburg Tapas Bar and Restaurant on Grantham St, overlooking the Waikato River. Anton Lienert-Brown and Olivia Roberston. The restaurant created a special 'Dirty Thirty' menu for Lienert-Brown and his guests. On the menu was a selection of bites, including crudo and beef tataki and plates including prawn and scallop tortellini and seared sirloin, followed by a birthday cake. On Monday, Lienert-Brown revealed his injury was a broken collarbone, which will need surgery and may keep him sidelined for up to eight weeks. On the same day, 1News reported that Lienert-Brown will take a sabbatical next year and play for Japanese club Kobe. Party people of the week Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds The world premiere for Kiwi musician Marlon Williams' new documentary, Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds, took place at The Civic on Tuesday night. The film is released in cinemas nationwide today. Georgia Knight and Marlon Williams at the premiere of Marlon Williams: Nga Ao E Rua - Two Worlds at The Civic. Photo / David St George Directed by Ursula Grace-Williams (Zealandia, Still Here, The King), the film is an intimate four-year portrait of Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) as he writes and records his first te reo Māori language album Te Whare Tīwekaweka. The film shows the personal challenges he faces along the way and weaves Williams' different worlds together, from international tours and recording the album, to life in his hometown of Ōhinehou (Lyttleton). Hot off performing his new album in New York and London, Williams was blown away by The Civic crowd's reception to the film. Broadcaster and fluent te reo Māori speaker, Stacey Morrison, hosted the event, and Williams was joined on the red carpet by his reo mentor and album collaborator, Kommii, director Ursula Grace-Williams and his girlfriend, Georgia Knight, a Melbourne-based musician. A waiata from his Tōrere whānau gave Williams a nice surprise. Stacey Morrison. Photo / David St George Fellow musicians in attendance included Shihad's Jon Toogood, Erny Belle, James Milne (Lawrence Arabia) and Hollie Fullbrook from Tiny Ruins. Other well-known faces who came to support Williams included broadcasters Jess Tyson, Charlotte Ryan and Kerre Woodham, and actors and comedians Harry McNaughton, Tom Sainsbury, Brynley Stent, Kura Forrester, Rhiannon McCall and filmmaker Chelsea Winstanley. Marlon Williams, Kommi and Ursula Grace Williams. Photo / David St George Mike McRoberts and Heidi Ettema. Photo / David St George Mel Homer and Luke Bird. Photo / David St George Brodie Kane. Photo / David St George Jordan Hodgkinson and Jess Tyson. Photo / David St George Chelsea Winstanley and Ursula Grace Williams. Photo / David St George Greta van der Star and Tim Flower. Photo / David St George Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.
NZ Herald
23-04-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Society Insider: Luke Dallow, Thane Kirby new owners of Ponsonby Road Bistro; Sleepyhead daughter Natalie Norman's business inspiration; Property guru Greg Munt's Happiness Project
Greg and Shanna Munt are using their connections to help others; Luke Dallow and Thane Kirby have a new hospitality venture; Natalie Norman, daughter of Sleepyhead's Craig Turner, is finding business success of her own. Photo / Herald composite Man about town Ricardo Simich brings you Society Insider. This week, a new owner for soon-to-close Ponsonby Road Bistro; Rich List daughter Natalie Norman reveals the secrets to her success; multi-millionaire property guru is paying it forward; and the Kiwis living it up at Coachella.
