Innholdsfortegnelse for March - April 2019 i Metro NZ

01-Does New Zealand Cricket just need to grow some balls? 02-What’s smaller: cartoon Simon Bridges or the real one’s poll numbers? 03-It may be our imagination, but isn’t that a trace of cream at the corner of Judith Collins’ mouth? 04-If Mike McRoberts has to pull out of Dancing with the Stars, what will you miss most — the beefcake or the ham? 05-Or the number he was going to do in full war-correspondent regalia? 06-Be honest, wasn’t life just a bit more fun when the Unruly Tourists were around? 07-Still, our country’s now perfectly litter-free, isn’t it? 08-Who ordered us the Chinese Cold Shoulder? 09-Is this a case of “Our way or the Huawei”? 10-Has John Campbell tweeted about your indie band yet? 11-Ever…

VOTE TO BE IN TO WIN! We’ve shortlisted eight finalists for the Peugeot People’s Choice Award in the 2019 Metro Peugeot Restaurant of the Year Awards. Now it’s up to you to choose the winner. THE PRIZE Vote for your favourite and you could win dinner for two at the winning restaurant, chauffeured in a Peugeot 508. Voting closes on March 31, 2019. Vote at www.metromag.co.nz Terms and conditions: Entry is open only to New Zealand residents aged 18 years and over. Employees of Bauer Media Group (LP) NZ, Peugeot, their affiliates, agencies and immediate families are ineligible to enter. Entries are limited to one per person. This promotion commences on February 21, 2019, at 9am, and ends on March 31, 2019, at 11.59pm. The winner will be…

Theatre ACTRESSEXUAL Feb 19-March 2 As part of the Auckland Fringe Festival, playwright Sam Brooks says “fuck it” to hours of edits and writes a monologue live on stage to be performed by an actress on the night. Luckily for him, some great wahine have been announced as taking part, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Hayley Sproull among them. It’s an “act of hubris”, he says, but how good would it be if he pulls it off? Q Theatre, qtheatre.co.nz ODD DAPHNE March 6-9 A community stage play supported by Auckland Council, The Mental Health Foundation and boosted.org.nz funding, this explores the nuances of mental wellness in a contemporary Pacific context. It features an oddball crew of characters — a weaboo baker, dysfunctional family, gay rugby player and K-Pop group — who…

National supporters ought to hope Simon Bridges was being insincere when he described a blue-green party as a “very valuable” addition to the political landscape. Few things could be more helpful to Jacinda Ardern’s increasingly uncertain path to a second term. The blue-green party could only ever get off the ground if huge numbers of National voters switched to the new vehicle, making it at best irrelevant to the right’s electoral prospects. More likely, just enough National voters would switch to deny Bridges or his successor the prime ministership. Talk about a blue-green party has been around for decades and it has been tried before. The chatter has intensified since elements of the business community failed to encourage the Green Party’s James Shaw to open coalition talks with Bill English’s…

“It’s a graveyard for directors,” says Barrie Kosky. “It’s an impossible opera.” This is an unusual position to take on The Magic Flute , one of classical opera’s reliable war horses, guaranteed to be on stage in a dozen major productions worldwide at any given moment. But unusual positions are Kosky’s bread and butter. Over his three-decade career, the Berlin-based Australian director has made a name for himself as a killer of sacred cows and an enemy of visual cliché. In that time, he has turned down three requests to direct productions of The Magic Flute, Mozart’s phantasmagorical final opera. “It’s certainly not my favourite Mozart opera — I don’t think it has the genius of Don Giovanni or Figaro — but it has the sublime music…

PACIFIC SISTERS: HE TOA TAERA, FASHION ACTIVISTS The Pacific Sisters started out in the streets of Auckland in the 90s, subverting dominant Pakeha narratives and carving out their own spaces to express their urban Pasifika and Maori creativity. This retrospective showcases their costumes and performative work that broke new ground in our art narrative. February 23-July 14, Auckland Art Gallery. KA TITO AU: KUPE’S HEROIC JOURNEY Kupe was a great Pacific explorer and navigator, a man many believe to be the first to Aotearoa’s shores. Tola Newbery brings this tale to life, weaving waiata tawhito (traditional Maori songs) into his solo performance. This dramatic odyssey travels to 10 regional centres in Auckland, including Waiheke Island and Piha. March 15-24, various locations. LAYOVER Layover is a project led by indigenous curators…

Sparkling NAUTILUS MARLBOROUGH CUVÉE BRUT (NON VINTAGE) $39 Top 10 Nautilus quite possibly spends more time maturing in the cellar than any other local méthode traditionnelle, which results in a weighty, creamy, bready flavour profile. Yet this bubbly is also very fresh: honey and citrus aromas abound, and there is fruit aplenty. HENRI DUBOIS CHAMPAGNE BRUT (NON VINTAGE) $45 If your preference is for something from the home of sparkling wine, then you will struggle to find a better-value Champagne than Henri Dubois. The fruit is restrained, more honey and floral notes, some secondary characters, such as brioche, nougat perhaps. But for me the highlight is the palate — which is textural and seamless. A complex, interesting Champagne at a sharp price. MORTON PREMIUM BRUT (NON VINTAGE)…

I’m not sure how kind summer’s been to Lowbrow, occupying the back left-hand corner of Queen’s Rise — the posh food court up an escalator off Queen St. Built in the 1980s, the space has had a major renovation to be fit for purpose, but as nice a job as Sydney-based architects Alexander & Co have done, even our waiter joked that he rarely knows what the weather’s like outside until he leaves work. This fast-paced, short-order restaurant is the latest from Jordan Macdonald and Kyle Street of Metro Top 50 restaurant Culprit, a stone’s throw away on Wyndham St. Both share a similar aesthetic: Lowbrow is fronted by a bold black-framed roller door, with tables spilling out onto a would-be shared space, only — somewhat irritatingly — at this…

This red t-shirt (01) is my kids’ music label — Dunamis. They were number 16 on the New Zealand music charts a few weeks ago, and they’ve opened for Ardijah. ‘Dunamis’ is a word from the Bible and means resilience. My older brother runs the Dunamis label. It’s R&B, reggae, hip-hop, based in West Auckland, Avon-dale. That’s where I was brought up. I was born in Samoa and we came to New Zealand in 1976. Dad was working for a glass company in Penrose and mum was working for Bic, the pens, in Mt Eden. My parents brought me and my two brothers up really traditionally. My dad was strict in terms of the language being used in the home. He’d always say, “When you go…

Sharp-eyed readers of Susannah Walker’s editorial in our summer issue may have suspected something was up. Change was coming — for Susannah, and, unbeknownst to anyone at the time, for me. I wasn’t here, and now I am. So, while magazine-making — like almost every other worthwhile thing in life — is an inherently collaborative venture, this issue is more collaborative than most. It’s like one of those challenges on Top Chef where one contestant preps a dish and then passes it on to their until-then-blindfolded teammate to execute. And so, before these editorials devolve into a space for me to pontificate on the issues of the day (something to look forward to) and settle personal grievances (kidding!), I’d like to acknowledge Susannah both for her custodianship of this publication…

Biko Squad shield, 1981 Springbok Tour This home-made shield was used by the Biko Squad (named for Steve Biko, an anti-apartheid activist killed in prison in South Africa) during the protest at the third test of the 1981 Springbok Tour, at Eden Park. Holes were drilled near the top to offer the user visibility without exposing their head. Truth in a sea of trivia The Metro tribute to Warwick Roger [True Grit, Nov/Dec 2018] gave a welcome and refreshing insight into the values and motive that underpinned the magazine. How we need this kind of antidote to fake news and the manipulation it spawns. Sociologist Neil Postman’s analysis of cultural shifts in Amusing Ourselves to Death pointed to the fact that a greater threat to quality journalism in the West…

The Alliance Graphique Internationale is a super-elite organisation with secret-handshake undertones. Established in 1952, it’s one of the world’s premier congregations of graphic designers. With fewer than 500 members globally, the quality control is intense. A quick scroll through its membership list shows why: whether from Europe, the US or Asia, these are the very best, in everything from typography to experience design. AGI now has its first New Zealand president: Dean Poole, the co-founder of Alt Group, whose subtle design touch is all over Auckland. Alt Group has been instrumental in creating the visual identities for our most important cultural institutions: Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Museum, New Zealand Opera, Auckland University Press and Silo Theatre, among others. It’s currently helping to develop the identity for our largest infrastructure project,…

CUISINE Likuliku Lagoon Resort, likulikulagoon.com Likuliku’s executive chef, Shane Watson, has been pioneering in his commitment to local produce — both in establishing the resort’s kitchens in 2007 and again on his return in 2015. Renowned for building deep and long-lasting relationships with local growers and artisans, he personally selects produce daily and meets with fishermen, farmers and producers for free-range eggs, meat and seafood. A keen kitchen gardener, he was also instrumental in establishing the resort’s garden farm. The food that comes out of the kitchen, however, is no rustic fare. At the hands of Watson and his team, produce is transformed with expert flair — Asian, European and local Pacific flavours merge seamlessly, creating a unique palate profile every time. Menus change daily, flavours are clean…

I drive up to Kaiwaka, that small, sleepy settlement before you are daunted by the Brynderwyns. The cluster of shops is dominated by a massive hill, Pukekaroro, that was once the scene of a huge conflict between Maori in the 1820s called Te Ika-a-ranga-nui. Here is the artist Peter Panyoczki’s studio, a large, beautifully structured barn of a building. Glass windows face out to a lush lawn and old fruit orchard, and beyond to a kahikatea forest. The white studio walls are adorned with recent work, ready to be exhibited: Feet of Clay for a group exhibition at the Vivian gallery in Matakana, and Surface and Beneath, a solo show at the Taksu Gallery in Singapore. Panyoczki is fearless and prolific. His academic past as a linguist and art historian…

‘Tap or mineral?’ ‘Still or sparkling?’ Does your decision actually make a difference to your overall drinking experience, or is water merely a status symbol? The answer is, it’s complicated. To enjoy wine at its best, all the typical requirements are familiar — glassware, serving temperature,the right food match, and dealing with occasional cork issues. But what about what’s in the glass to the left of the wine? How does the flavour profile of the water accompanying your swill of choice affect the taste of the wine? Being 100% New Zealand owned, Antipodes is a long-time supporter of the New Zealand hospitality scene and the Metro Restaurant of the Year awards, as well as passionate believers in the value of drinking quality mineral water alongside quality wine. A core philosophy…

BEAT RHYTHM FASHION TENTERHOOK (Failsafe) There’s not much to show for Wellington’s post-punk scene of the early 1980s. While up in Auckland Simon Grigg’s Propeller label was providing a template for Flying Nun to copy and build on down in Dunedin a couple of years later, the community of bands that comprised the semi-legendary “Terrace scene” in Wellington had no support mechanism. Tending towards a nihilist outlook, those Wellington bands that did make it into recording studios released self-funded, limited-edition singles that had no method of distribution and quickly went out of print. Where Flying Nun successfully networked and built up brand loyalty for its ramshackle catalogue of delights, Wellington’s post-punk contingent pretty much imploded and, in time, was forgotten. Recent years have seen cool American labels like Siltbreeze issue…

Anthony Byrt, in his article on recent student protests at the University of Auckland [ Critical thinking , Jan/Feb 2019], observes that their vociferousness came as a “slight surprise” and that it has “been a while since the university campus has seemed like an unruly place”. Metro readers could be forgiven for assuming this was no more than an occasional protest at the wider university directions that Byrt so clearly outlines. But such assumptions would be well wide of the mark. In fact, students of the so-called “creative arts and industries” were protesting about the severing of interdependencies between their specialist libraries and the places of their creative work — connections that were convincingly identified in both staff and student submissions to the “consultation”…

One reader whose letter to the editor is published in the next issue of Metro will receive a beautifully handcrafted 20cm Kai Shun Classic Chefs knife, RRP $275. This exceptionally sharp, all-purpose Japanese knife is suitable for chopping, shredding, cutting, slicing and cubing meats and vegetables. Visit kaishun.co.nz  to see the full range of Kai Shun knives. Terms and conditions: Entry is open to New Zealand residents. Employees of Bauer Media Group (LP) NZ, their affiliates, agencies and immediate families are ineligible to enter. Entries are limited to one per person. This promotion commences on February 21, 2019, and ends at midnight on April 9, 2019. The promoter is Bauer Media Group (LP) NZ, Shed 12, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley St West, Auckland.…

Fabric from The Fabric Store.…

As parents of two darling little humans, booking a weekend at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland with my husband seemed a tad indulgent since we live nearby – but it proved a dream getaway and the perfect chance to relax and reconnect. Conrad and I booked a ‘for the romantics’ package at our favourite hotel and happily agreed to leave our parent guilt at home. Right from the get-go, we discovered the package was designed for ease, comfort and pampering. After valet parking and a warm welcome from our lovely receptionist, we changed for dinner and headed to the Lobby Lounge for a crisp cocktail and a catch-up on the week. If you’ve never eaten at Eight, I promise it’s an experience to tick off your list. It’s called Eight…

At Kokomo Private Island, Fijian heritage combines effortlessly with modern luxury — but not at the expense of the environment. Traditional lightweight structures are cleverly reinterpreted through modern architecture that respects the local landscape. In 2018, Kokomo launched the Fijian chapter of Dock to Dish, an international network connecting small-scale fishermen, marine biologists and sustainable seafood advocates to radically change seafood supply chains. The programme incorporates a sourcing philosophy that preserves local traditions, and integrates foraged wild sea greens and abundant local fish. Truly the best of both worlds. kokomoislandfiji.com…

For Eric Renick, classical minimalism is like those mind-melting Magic Eye photos: the trippy effect is an illusion created by our own perception. “You’re hearing something and without warning your ear changes everything around you,” he says. “It’s not that the musicians did anything different, just that minimalism has so many layers that suddenly you’re seeing it in a different way.” As principal percussionist for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, American-born Renick knows a thing or two about minimalism, having been immersed in the form during his musical schooling, so when he got the chance he jumped at the opportunity to stage a rare performance of the most iconic of all minimalist pieces, Terry Riley’s In C. This 1964 work with its in-built indeterminacy (in which not all the music, its…

If you’re in Q Theatre, The Civic, Aotea Centre or Auckland Town Hall for your night’s entertainment, just across Queen St is BBQ Duck Cafe, where satisfying char siu pork, roast duck and soy sauce chicken is served in a hurry, with a side of rice: the perfect solution for those “shit, what can we eat in 30 minutes?” pre-show worries. In the same vein, Uncle Man’s Express in the Sky World Food Court has excellent flaky roti canai. If you have more time, chequered-tablecloth charmer Le Garde Manger at 466 Queen St serves wine by the carafe and savoury crepes (galettes) with hearty — often cheesy — sauces. Along the same strip are a handful of nocturnal Korean restaurants like Ah Ssak and Nuna that will serve soju till…

The work of Santee Smith — an artist, choreographer and potter from the Kahnyen’kehàka (Mohawk) Nation in Canada — is hard to define in terms of its form: a mix of performance art, contemporary dance, video environment, costume design, and ritual. Its politics though, are crystal clear. Through Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, which she founded in 2005, Smith is committed to creating encounters that consciously strip away the detrimental impacts of colonisation on indigenous women’s bodies and lives: a theme and a polemic with deep resonance here in Aotearoa, too. In 2009, Louise Potiki Bryant (Ngai Tahu) — who also works at the intersection of contemporary dance and video art — travelled to Canada for an internship with Smith. “She was very generous to let me into her world,” Bryant says,…

• Citric acid can affect the flavour of wine, so if you’re drinking mineral water with your wine, don’t add lemon or lime to the water. • If you’re adding ice, remember it’s likely to be made from chlorinated tap water, which can spoil mineral water. Waitstaff should have already chilled your mineral water to its correct temperature. • For a special occasion that calls for an indulgent bottle of wine or bubbly, think about the water you choose to drink with it. You don’t want a memorable experience ruined with the taste of chlorine. • If your wine of choice has high acidity – think Sauvignon Blanc or Champagne – opt for still mineral water, not sparkling. That way you won’t highlight the acidity. • Known for your sweet…

In its first incarnation, Andiamo was comfortable, but not necessarily groundbreaking — on a bad day you wondered how it managed to stay open with all these excellent new restaurants popping up all over the place. But they knew your name, and there were two lovely airy rooms and a big scrubbed wooden table to sit at because, let’s face it, in a suburb like this everyone knows everyone, right? And so it survived for 30 years in its high-ceilinged space with beaten-up floors and big windows. Then the owners of Ponsonby Road Bistro bought it and turned it into the very pink Halycon. Halcyon was a perfectly good restaurant except for one critical issue: it wasn’t called Andiamo. The good people of Herne Bay never really forgave them for…

SILKY AND SMOOTH There is a new cheese in the chillers — Kapiti’s Aorangi Brie. This double-cream Brie has a soft, silken texture and is covered in a snowy white rind. Aorangi has a rich milky taste, with just a hint of earthiness and mushrooms. It’s a winner on a cheeseboard, or sensational baked with crusty white bread. $8.49 RRP KITCHEN DESIGN DAY If you are thinking about a new kitchen, you will not want to miss out on this. Join the talented team of designers at Kitchens By Design — New Zealand’s most awarded kitchen design studio — for this half-day event day filled with ideas, innovation and invaluable insights into the latest trends in kitchen design, as well as practical advice to anyone installing a new kitchen. Friday,…

Like a swimmer keeping their new haircut above the waterthis song won’t touch a melody.A melody is a waste of a day the way my apologetic blusteris too much for the crime or too little.I play this song when I’m in bed writing needing to fall asleep regularlyfrom shame. A melodyis only succeeding in saying words aloud in a bad dreamwhen you were supposed to be learningwhat you can’t say. I can’t say it. I can’t say itbut here we are burning up inside the planearticulating our fears nicely the first time. The song closes its eyeswhenever the safety beacon sweeps by,letting us slip under unrescued just before dawn. I didn’t even eat my special meal.I think of the words as if I’m standing in a hotel courtyardlooking up at…

Initially, Inspector Giuseppe Lojacono — nick-named The Chinaman for his almond-shaped eyes and the look of a meditating monk—doesn’t much like the southern Italian port city of Naples, the bay, the volcano above it, the raging sea, the scudding clouds, the anarchy. He misses his native Sicily, “the sudden smell of salt water on a gust of wind”, and where a father, on seeing his daughter out with a man, has been known to break her legs so as to confine her indoors. The inspector, unfairly disgraced after dealings with the Mafia in Sicily, has been sent to the police station of Pizzofalcone in Naples, which has also lost credibility, due to the enthusiastic participation of its former detectives in the cocaine trade. The precinct takes in the Spanish quarter,…

Good to know Fresh start: Thoughts everyone has doing My Food Bag Nadia has seriously overestimated my ability to eat half a cucumber with every meal. Cool, I’ve never barbecued yogurt before. This is the third different set of instructions for how to make couscous and it’s still way too much couscous. I’m going to serve hummonnaise at parties a lot more now that I know it’s just hummus with mayonnaise in it. I’ve forgotten how to forage for myself and will die of starvation if this ever ends. Sweet and sour: Unexpected Lime Scooter ACC claims Pretty sure several cars deliberately swerved to hit me when I was weaving in and out of motorway traffic. Eardrum damage from deafening beeps when I took one without paying. Finger strain from…