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Once a month we send out an e-newsletter, giving behind the scenes insight into the production of the magazine, sneak previews of upcoming issues as well as interactive features.Meet the Team
Kate Coughlan
TITLE: Editor
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... Deepest, darkest Central Otago is my spiritual summer home and come December all I can think about is getting back there. The air will be hot and smell of dry grass. The creeks will run quietly with cut-crystal sparkles into willowy corners where trout lurk under dark, earthy banks. The schist rocks will be hot in the sun and stay warm for hours into the long evenings as we sit round marvelling that it is 10pm and still light. Oh … it brings out the purple prose doesn’t it?
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.... I want a new alarm clock, not a winking display one but one that has either a battery or a wind-up mechanism, and some fabulous talcum powder if anyone still makes it.
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS... Falling asleep over a book while reading outside under the trees and not caring a lot about the next job I have to do.
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... Every single one! Never had a bad summer – not in the 50 or so years I can recall. Last year was great: dozens of my family all gathered together… kids in tents and the caravan, adults “bagsing” the decent beds, two sittings for dinner of 14 at a time, swimming in the lake, riding bits of the Rail Trail, tyre-tubing down the creek, building a dam and walking in the hills.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO.... Heaven and Hell by Meatloaf and Bonnie Tyler – does any music promise more excitement and more danger than Bat Out of Hell, Faster than the Speed of Night or Total Eclipse of the Heart? This old CD lives in the glove box of Mabel The Able (1987 Land Cruiser which is our only Central Otago transport) and the kids all demand to hear it REALLY LOUD as we cart the kayaks down to the lake for a day out. I also love Whirimako Black, whose voice is so rich and sensuous it feels like being rolled up in an angora blanket. Listen to her E Tai Kai YouTube video for a taster… Betcha love it too! Whirimako comes from Whakatane (NZ Life & Leisure Issue 6) but sings throughout the world. She’s dinner-prep music unless there’s a need for some rockabilly from the Big O. Deep emotional stuff from Roy Orbison such as Only the Lonely and Running Scared really makes me happy – weird, I know. Well, he is called the Caruso of Rock and often it is just the emotional hit I need. And Pretty Woman is always a crowd pleaser.
A NEW ACTIVITY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY.... Pencil drawing. Instead of sending the kids off with sketch pads while I prepare dinner or lunch or do the breakfast dishes, I am going to head off with them. I am anticipating being hopeless but I’ve never given it a go and I can’t wait…
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS.... Rome by ??? – the Australian who wrote Shock of the New… you know who I mean. It is sitting by my bed, balefully, untouched since October when it was purchased in Sydney. Beloved read it and pronounced it “hard going but interesting”. Since my reading time lasts 15 minutes before I pass into an exhausted slumber, “hard going” reading doesn’t make it. But summer is different.
Yolanta Woldendorp
TITLE: Art Director
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... Christmas will be at home on the ranch. I’ll finally get a chance to enjoy the fruits of my labours, having worked hard on putting in vege gardens and landscaping. I’ll get to ride my horse who has grown very fat due to neglect – we both need to get out. Will also spend a week in a rented beachfront bach in Russell, Bay of Islands with my nearest and dearest friends. Of course I will be using the NZ Life & Leisure Insider’s Guide Annual so I don’t miss out on any important things to see, eat or do. The rest of summer will include lots of entertaining with barbecues, a hoedown, fishing and more riding.
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.... Good weather.
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS...
Get the stables built.
A new roof on the old shed.
Sash window frames sanded and oiled.
Lots of riding my horse along the beach with a picnic in the saddlebag.
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... I have too many favourites to pick one. Anything involving rest, sun, family or friends and lots of good wine and food.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO.... Any suggestions would be much appreciated – I have no idea.
A NEW ACTIVITY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY.... Landing a big kingfish or tuna in the Bay of Islands off my friend Rose’s new boat.
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS.... Cup Day: The story of the Melbourne Cup 1861–1960 by Maurice Cavanough & Meurig Davies. It’s a very old book, loaned to me by my fruit-tree pruner Kevin, aged 73 who still rides his horse.
Jane Turner
TITLE: Sub-Editor
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... I’m bursting with excitement because this Christmas there will be seven of us (instead of the usual three) which makes it a proper family. We’ve taken a house at Piha for the few days over the holidays; it looks madly glamorous and therefore has necessitated the shopping for madly glamorous holiday-type clothes to wear in it. Two of the extra family members are from overseas so when they’ve departed I shall retreat to my own shady veranda and spend the rest of the summer there.
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS... Time. Time to enjoy being with my family. Time to spend a whole afternoon having lunch with friends. Time to do absolutely nothing without feeling guilty. Time to appreciate several weeks without deadlines. And someone else to do the cooking.
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS... Visit the new Auckland Art Gallery, rearrange the sitting-room furniture so everything looks out into the garden instead of at the fireplace, restore order to said garden which has been totally neglected all winter and read lots of books without having to look for typos and bad grammar.
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR... I can’t remember a summer that wasn’t a good one but I do have especially affectionate memories of a particular Christmas. The children were quite young, we’d just moved into a new house and we had a mad little cat. On Christmas morning it was wild with excitement and endlessly raced a circuit through the sitting-room, past the Christmas tree, out the front door, along the veranda and back in through the ranchslider. That was the year I handmade Christmas stockings which 30-something years later still make annual reappearances and in fact have crossed the Tasman in both directions several times.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO... I don’t actually do barbecues – think they’re totally overrated. Food cooked over charcoal always smells marvellous but invariably is charred on the outside and raw in the middle and a gas barbecue is just a sham – no different to cooking on a gas stove in the kitchen but with more flies, so why would you bother? I shall, however, be serving all meals on the veranda, weather permitting, and listening to a well-loved collection of Christmas carols (real ones, not Snoopy or that dreadful little drummer boy).
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS... I’m saving Barbara Ewing’s The Circus of Ghosts to read over the holidays. Loved her The Mesmerist and this new one sounds similar. I admire her for being so successful at two different things – as an actress and also as a novelist.
Tracey Yearbury
TITLE: Advertising Manager
I WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... At various locations in the Coromandel, catching up with family. We are planning a trip down to Eketahuna to meet Biddy Fraser Davies, Colin, their four dairy cows and Colin’s train set (NZ Life & Leisure ran a story about them in Issue 28).
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.... I’m dreadful to buy for. As my fiancé says, if I like something, I will buy it! I would like an iPad that some terribly smart person has set up for me so I can replay the best of Kim Hill and Kathryn Ryan whenever, wherever... the radio version of MySky. Come to think of it, I’d like MySky as well….
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS... A game of golf at Waikare Golf Course, watching my three-year-old son learn to ride a two-wheeler bike without trainer wheels and visiting the newly reopened Auckland Art Gallery for the fifth time!
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... Nine years old with Mum and friends at the Dude Ranch in Rotorua.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO....Hall & Oats (don’t tell anyone), The Checks, Wilco, Ryan Adams... too many to list. Oh, and my fiancé’s new band, whatever they end up calling themselves.
A NEW ACTIVITY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY.... Reading and not dozing.
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS.... Making my way through the Jo Nesbo books at present.
Margy McNamara
TITLE: Essentials Advertising Manager
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... I will be spending Christmas and New Year at my beach house on the Coromandel enjoying family and friends, going for lots of walks, swimming and having fun. After that I will fly out to Melbourne for a week with my daughters to shop and experience centre court at the quarter-finals of the Melbourne Tennis Open – can’t wait!
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.... Mmmmmm... mostly gorgeous weather! I never thought I’d say that but presents are not as important as being able to enjoy the grandchildren’s excitement as they open theirs and eating lovely food outdoors with family and friends with all the Christmas decorations and treats.
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS...
Read a couple of books while swinging gently in the swing chair.
Paint a picture that will remind me of the Christmas of 2011.
Go to the local fair and buy fabulous chutneys, spices, cheeses and produce from local farmers.
Keep fit with walks each day along the beach and estuary.
Drop in on friends for catch-ups.
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... I don’t really have a favourite summer as I love them all. I suppose going to the beach makes all summers favourites.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO.... I will be listening to the varied mix of songs I have collected on my iPod which bring back memories of my favourite times and performers.
A NEW ACTIVITY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY.... As I have been to so many places and done so much during my lifetime, both overseas and within New Zealand, as far as travel, sport and creativity go, it would be nice to just relax and see what comes up for me. Watch this space... you never know what I might attempt next.
Amanda Ingle
TITLE: Editorial Assistant
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... Christmas will be low-key – as every Christmas is – spent at my parents’ newly built house in the countryside south of Auckland. Over the New Year, friends and I will be renting a bach in Opoutere, Coromandel for two summery weeks. We had a meeting about it the other night to discuss karaoke, cocktail and dress-up theme nights and water activities. The boys are going to buy a $1500 tinny boat: this will be our “one and only resource for catching our kai” we girls have been told.
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.... Some lingerie vouchers. According to mother and boyfriend, I really need to clear out the undie drawer. I refuse to indulge in undergarments that no one can see. I’d rather splurge on shoes.
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS... Every summer we have planned to spend a day at New Chums Beach in the Coromandel but before we know it the holiday is over and we’ve run out of time to explore. This is my number-one priority. Number two: go to all these music festivals: Coromandel Gold, Laneway, Big Day Out, Splore, Bloom Festival and Homegrown. Number three: shopping weekend in Melbourne with my sister.
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... I was 16 and very privileged to be chosen to tour on the Spirit of New Zealand for 10 days. One of the best experiences of my life! We would get up and swim laps around the boat in the chilly waters at dawn then set sail for our next destination. We would be delegated tasks on the ship – rigging the sails, steering, scrubbing the decks – and then we would be at Great Barrier Island or Kawau Island with the rest of the afternoon to explore. The evenings involved a barbecue, a bonfire and an acoustic guitar with a whole bunch of adolescents getting rowdy – our best attempts at singing along.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO... Anything retro and beachy – America, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, Hall & Oates. I'm hoping my mum and dad won't mind me tagging along when Hall & Oates come to New Zealand in the New Year.
A NEW ACTIVITY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY IS... Stand-up paddling. I wrote about this for the Way of Life column in Issue 35 and have yet to give it a good go. Part of me hates trying new things in case I make a fool of myself.
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS.... The Help by Kathryn Stockett and some classics I have wanted to read for a long time – Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Emma by Jane Austen.
Tresna Cuttle
TITLE Brand Manager
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... Christmas will be spent at home with my family and for the rest of the summer I will be staying at different beach houses with friends, drinking good wine, eating delicious snacks and listening to great music.
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.... A new wardrobe – I’m sure this is every girl’s dream!!
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS... To work on a golden summer tan, get the surf board out and spend loads of time at the beach, get through a series of books and, most of all, relax!
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... Summers as I have grown older have been better and better – time with friends at the beach, long walks on a beautiful day topped off with a quick dip in the sea and a juicy ice-block or glass of fabulous bubbles is the best!
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO.... Great Kiwi music.
A NEW ACTIVITY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY.... I have a friend who talks about kite surfing; the more I hear about it, the more I would love to give it a go. I would like to get back up on the wake-board as it’s been a couple of years since I did and I also have a friend who’s just bought a BMX so to learn how to do a few little tricks on that would be great fun!
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS.... I purchased the Stieg Larsson trilogy Girl with the dragon tattoo last summer but never got around to reading it so that’s my mission for this summer.
Cheree Phillips
TITLE: Subscriptions Coordinator.
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... Christmas will be spent at my family home in Whangarei. The rest of my summer will be split between celebrating New Year in Gisborne and our annual family camping trip to Matauri Bay, north of Kerikeri. Matauri Bay is my idea of heaven: camping, fresh fish, great company and a glass of wine. What more could you need?
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS... I will be happy just to spend time with my family and hopefully spend my first Christmas with my partner, though part of me wants to say an iPad – they look like so much fun!
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS... I need to catch a bigger fish than the one my sister caught last year! I also want to perfect the art of the non-streaky fake tan; I refuse to get sunburnt this year.
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... I could pick any of the last six summers I have camped at Matauri Bay. Days are spent swimming, sleeping, eating and chatting; nights consist of the same thing. We often take the boat out to an island with a barbecue and a chilly bin full of food and drink and spend the day on our own private beach. We really do live in the best country in the world.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO.... Adele’s album 21; it may be a bit heavy for summer but it’s great to sing along to. I should probably try to listen to a few of the bands that I will see at Rhythm and Vines at New Year; at the moment I have no idea who most of them are.
A NEW ACTIVITY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY.... I have set myself the goal of walking a half marathon next year, so I will be attempting a couple of good 15 to 20-kilometre walks. They might help work off all the Christmas ham and mince pies I plan on eating!
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS.... I always make the most of the little op-shops dotted around the beach towns for my summer reading. They have such a random range of books. I recently picked up Memoirs of a Geisha from the Waihi Salvation Army store. It cost me an entire $1 so I will treasure it. I also plan on reading up about Northern Vietnam and dreaming about my next trip.
Gemma Pattullo
TITLE: Advertising Coordinator
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... I will be splitting my time between Auckland and Paihia for Christmas with family, then heading down to the Coromandel to stay with friends for the summer.
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.... Great food, great wine, great company and lots of sunshine. A new iPod would be a bonus!
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS... To catch up with all my friends and family.
Not get sunburnt.
Swim as often as possible.
Go to lots of summer concerts.
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... Last year when I was in Thailand for two weeks.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO.... The new Six60 album.
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS.... The remaining books in Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files series which I am currently reading.
Logan Perkinson
TITLE: Online Administrator
WHERE I WILL BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS AND THE REST OF SUMMER... On the golden sands and in the blue waters of the beautiful Tutukaka coast.
WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.... To be surrounded by family and friends – good food, good conversation and good times. On the commercial side, an iPad, definitely an iPad. Also on the Christmas wish-list is the new book about the creative genius Saul Bass. If you don’t know the name, you’re sure to know his movie title sequence and logo design work.
MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST IS... Indulging and imbibing, sunning and surfing, resting and relaxing.
MY FAVOURITE SUMMER SO FAR.... I spent the summer of ’97 in the Nelson area. Kayaking and walking in the Abel Tasman national park and exploring Kaiteriteri and Takaka. The entire region is simply stunning.
OVER SUMMER BBQS I WILL BE LISTENING TO.... Anything by New Zealand artists. Local music acts have a knack for capturing the essence of a Southern Hemisphere summer and there are always exciting new releases around this time of year.
A NEW ACTIVITY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY.... I was given surfing lessons as a Christmas present last year. It would be a crying shame to let these go by the wayside again this summer.
A BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO READ IS.... The Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael King and also As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee. These have both been on the shelf for a while. The long, lazy days of summer seem the best time to add some ticks to the ever- expanding reading list.
