Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

NEW ZEALAND Editor-at-Large Sarah Henry Chief Sub-Editor Denise Bowden Art Director Mirella Monteiro Designers Anna Pétursdóttir, Béla Trussell-Cullen, Debby Wei, Hayley Pearce Photo & Editorial Coordinator Kellie Blizard ADVERTISING Sales Director Claire Chisholm Senior Account Manager Chloe Jordan Senior Commercial Brand Manager Angela Wei Campaign Manager Georgia van Koningsveld  Directory Sales Manager Kim Chapman  EXECUTIVE  Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley  General Manager Stuart Dick General enquiries to: The Australian Women’s Weekly, PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352. The Australian Women’s Weekly may have generated content partially using generative AI, which our editors review, edit and revise to their requirements. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication. For delivery enquiries: delivery@magshop.co.nz.Published by Are Media © 2025.. All rights reserved. Printed by Webstar, Auckland. AUSTRALIA  Editor Sophie Tedmanson  Deputy…

Walking onto the 20th Century Fox lot in Hollywood on a sunny March morning in 1964, Julie Andrews was as excited and anxious as the seven children awaiting her. Just 28 years old, she was a rising star in musical theatre but had only made two films (1964’s The Americanization of Emily and Mary Poppins) and neither had yet been released. To many people on the lot that day, she was a complete unknown, and it was with some trepidation that she approached the vast studio where the soundtrack to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music was about to be recorded. “To walk in through the heavy door and see and hear 70 musicians tuning their instruments, practising a phrase, leafing through a score, is enough to make your…

Trailblazer, pioneer, groundbreaker, call her what you will, but Kiwi Susie Barns is doing what no other has – not only breaking the glass ceiling, but smashing it. From humble beginnings, the 50-year-old mother of two, has risen to the highest echelons of the Royal Australian Air Force – the first Royal New Zealand Air Force officer to be embedded at a senior level and the very first woman. Today, she is the Deputy Air Commander Australia. “When a young 18-year-old Susie joined the air force 32 years ago, the last thing she thought she’d be was an air commodore,” she says frankly. It’s a journey that has taken her around the world, taught her many valuable lessons, challenged and inspired her, but also brought personal heartbreak. Susie comes from…

There was an overpowering aroma that fell somewhere between the sweetness of a pancake breakfast and the bitterness of a mechanic’s garage. “The smell of molasses smacks you in the face, doesn’t it,” my local colleague asked, grinning from ear to ear. This was the smell of business as usual in the Far North Queensland town of Tully, as cane bins rumble along train tracks in the shadow of a dominating sugar mill right in the main street. The stories I’d been told of Tully were true. This was a working-class town alright, built on the backs of hard-working farmers in cane, cattle and bananas. But I was here today for a different story. Anearly 60-year-old mystery that altered the lives of a handful of those very same salt-ofthe-earth farmers…

Grounding Creamy musks and earthy woods can evoke a sense of calm and feeling present. From left: Elie Saab Elixir Love EDP, $200. Vyrao Mamajuju EDP, $405. Who is Elijah Nightcap EDP, $200. Kit: Functional Fragrance Calm, $39. Maison Crivelli Safran Secret Extrait, $445. D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What, $328. When Clinique launched the fragrance Happy in 1997, it promised something entirely new: Not only could you smell good, but this fragrance could make you feel good, too. There were those who turned their noses up at the suggestion that euphoria could be induced with a self-care spritz, but it’s not as far-fetched as it might sound – smell triggers a response in the part of the brain that processes emotions, releasing neurotransmitters like endorphins (the happy hormone)…

In season Choosing Whole pumpkins should be unblemished, heavy for their size and still have some stem attached as a seal against disease and insect invasion. Cut pumpkin should be bright-coloured, look moist but not wet, have firm flesh and be free of soft spots or discolouration. Storing Keep whole pumpkins in a well-ventilated place away from heat and sunlight for up to 2 months. Hard-skinned varieties will store out of the fridge for longer, and over winter can become sweeter. Once cut, remove seeds, cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to a week. Preparing Pumpkins with tender skin can be baked or roasted, skin and all, and served that way – the cooked skin has a pleasant texture and flavour. Hard-shelled pumpkins can be…

Cucumber tabbouleh with coriander labne SERVES 4-6PREP + COOK TIME 45 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION TIME) 1¼ cups (200g) coarse burghul 2 Lebanese cucumbers (260g), seeded, chopped finely 2 trimmed stalks celery (200g), sliced thinly, chopped finely 4 green onions, sliced thinly 1 cup (loosely packed) mint leaves, half chopped finely ⅓ cup (35g) walnuts, roasted, chopped finely ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice toasted sourdough bread, to serve CORIANDER LABNE 150g labne ½ cup (firmly packed) coriander leaves 1 clove garlic, crushed ¼ teaspoon sea salt flakes 1 CORIANDER LABNE: Process labne, coriander, garlic and salt in a mini food processor until coriander is finely chopped. Spoon into a bowl; refrigerate until required. 2 Place burghul in a large bowl; cover with 1¼ cups (310ml)…

from the Test Kitchen We used an oil-based orange food colouring (available from cake decorating suppliers) which gives a vibrant result. You can also mix equal parts red and yellow food colouring in a small bowl. Start by adding a few drops of each into a teaspoon of vegetable oil; add to melted chocolate, stir to combine. Add extra drops for more intensity. Cupcakes can be made up to 2 days ahead. Uniced cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. from the Test Kitchen Dust the cookie cutter in a little flour so it doesn’t stick to the dough. If the weather is humid or your dough gets too soft and hard to handle, wrap in plastic and refrigerate before rolling out the dough for 15-20 minutes to…

Aries Mar 21 -Apr 21 This month’s breaking birthday news is Neptune moving into Aries (for the first time in nearly two centuries) for a decade and a half of spiritual and creative flowering. Thanks to Neptune’s influence, releasing things you’ve been hanging onto gets magically easier, so relax and enjoy this beautiful loosening till mid-April. Then, in the last days of April, your ruling planet Mars blazes into the sign of passion and radiance, and Mercury joins the sun, Chiron and Neptune in Aries to showcase your unique shine and genuine nobility of spirit. Taurus Apr 22 -May 21 If you’ve been feeling even slightly slothy lately, April’s motivating energetics light your inner fire so that you actually want to make those changes you’ve been contemplating. But Neptune’s life-changing…

My son has recently appointed himself as my personal age tracker, delighting in reminding me – with great theatrical horror – that I’m almost 50. Never mind that I’m only actually 47. Apparently, this is close enough to warrant gasps of disbelief and the occasional, “Mum, you wouldn’t know that you’re really old.” Ah, kids, don’t they say the darndest things?! Of course, to a teen, anyone over 25 is practically prehistoric, so I shouldn’t take it personally. But it does make me wonder why we sometimes treat age like a looming disaster. For years, Hollywood reinforced the idea that women over 40 should quietly retreat into the background, making way for the next wave of fresh-faced ingénues. But lately, something wonderful has been happening. Actresses in their fifties, sixties…

There was a period in Renée Zellweger’s life, at the height of her fame, where she lived like she was on the run: out of two suitcases, with her passport always within reach. “I had lots of different places to live, but no home,” she says of that time. “No home where I actually unpacked pictures and put them on the shelf.” Now aged 55, she’s back in the limelight for her fourth turn as beloved British character Bridget Jones. The film has been a hit, superseding all the previous installments and in the UK it has become the most successful rom-com ever. But despite the glory, it won’t be long before Renée disappears back into semi-hibernation again – a pattern she has repeated since the mid 2010s, after stepping…

In August last year, amid weeks of violent far-right and racist rioting in the UK, one picture of a white cardboard sign featuring three simple, handwritten words went viral: “Nans Against Nazis”. Defiantly holding the sign, standing outside a mosque in the English rain, was Pat, 71, who had come out in peaceful counter-protest to the racist rioters. Hooligans had taken to the streets on the basis of disinformation spread by far-right figures on social media. They claimed the perpetrator of a mass stabbing in which three children were killed was a Muslim asylum seeker. He was, in fact, British-born with no links to Islam. Even so, rioters nationwide vandalised mosques and burnt down hotels housing genuine asylum seekers. Pat, wearing a hoodie emblazoned with slogans including “No Human is…

Becoming a lawyer was never part of my plan. I had always pictured myself as a journalist, uncovering truths and shedding light on important issues. After university I secured my first job in media. It was an entry-level position but it was a start, and I was proud and excited. Yet life often takes unexpected turns, and I found myself drawn to the legal profession. I admired how lawyers stood up for what was right and fair – principles that resonated deeply with my values. The journey to becoming a lawyer seemed straightforward: Enrol in law school, navigate through rigorous studies and practical training, and prove myself a fit and proper person before the Legal Profession Admission Board. I decided to make the shift. While holding down my full-time job,…

I love a one-pan dinner – and my boys love it even more, since they are the ones that do the washing up. This dish only takes a few minutes to prepare before you get to throw it in the oven to do its thing. It’s robust and delicious, and the best part is it can be served to the table in the pan for everyone to help themselves. Please note: I have nominated 6 chicken thighs, but if you have very hungry people you can increase this to 8. Any more than 8 and you’ll need to bulk up the sauce and potatoes, and use a heavy-based baking dish instead. Spanish chicken in one pan SERVES 4 PREP TIME 20 MINUTES COOK TIME 1 HOUR 1 large red capsicum,…

Moroccan-style tomato, eggplant & lentils SERVES 4 PREP & COOK TIME 2 HOURS (+STANDING TIME) 1kg medium eggplant salt for eggplants 180ml extra virgin olive oil 1 large onion, roughly diced 5 cloves of garlic, crushed 1 long green chilli, seeds removed, roughly chopped ½ cup (125ml) verjuice 3 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika 400g can brown lentils, drained and rinsed 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon rind 1 cup mint leaves 1 cup flat leaf parsley leaves 300g ricotta 1 Dice the eggplants into 2cm cubes, spread out onto a tray lined with baking paper and sprinkle with salt. Allow to stand for 1 hour. 2 Add ¼ cup of the olive oil to a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot,…

Terrific transformations I like looking at how pieces of furniture can be used for a different use than their original intended purpose. Here, an antique French balustrade has been adapted into a towel holder, while the chest adds interest against the floor tile. Bathroom rituals I love to make the bathroom feel like I’m staying in a hotel: Fluffy towels, artisan soaps, a scented candle, a room spray, and music softly filtering through with a gentle jazz or R’n’B vibe. Elevated elements There are only a few surfaces you can play with, so I always consider how I can make them feel different yet in conversation with one another. I play with the architectural details: Applying panelling to walls where I might have used tiles, or introducing elements like a…

Summer NOIR Signs of Damage by Diana Reid, Ultimo Press If this book was a star sign, it would be a Gemini. There’s a duplicity to it. The story is marked by two events – a funeral and a wedding. It dances between two timelines, one in 2024 and the other in 2008, and is set in Sydney and a villa in the south of France. Ultimately, it shows how two people can have different recollections and interpretations of the same moment in time. Take this moment in 2008 for example: Cass, a 13-year-old girl on holiday with her friend Anika’s family in France, goes missing for a number of hours during the European summer. She is found – with no visible signs of damage – in an old ice…

When was the last time you were out of your comfort zone? Usually being out of my comfort zone is when I’ve paddled out into waves that are far too big for me. Where is your happy place? Sitting on a surfboard. What lesson has been the hardest to learn? Knowing when to walk away. How do you stay motivated? I have a job that I still love getting up for. What’s your cocktail of choice? Dirty martini. What is your key to creativity? To be curious, take inspiration from everything around me – nature, music, art, film, my friends, my team – and to always embrace new opportunities. Shoes or bag? Bag. What’s the one thing people don’t understand about fashion? That you don’t have to follow trends to…

At the OSCARS Celebrating cinema Kiwi actress turned Hollywood star Melanie Lynskey was sparkling at this year’s Academy Awards, rubbing shoulders with Tinseltown’s finest. Best Actress nominee Demi Moore embraced Whoopi Goldberg on the red carpet 34 years after Whoopi won an Oscar for Ghost, which the two starred in. “It’s a moment we all hope for when we are in this business,” said Whoopi. “As you know, oftentimes people don’t get their due.” Demi was pipped by Anora star Mikey Madison in the night’s biggest surprise, while Zoë Saldaña defied the controversy that has dogged Emilia Pérez to pick up the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Star CELEBRATED I’m not done, says Jane Jane Fonda, 87, gave a rousing speech as she accepted the Life Achievement Award at the Screen…

In winter of 1926, a young Melbourne woman named Nell Stead and her sister Erin boarded a ship bound for what was then known as Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). The trip was their father’s idea, a brief holiday after nursing their cancer-ridden mother through the final two years of her life. Demure but feisty, Nell had been prominent on the city’s social circuit where, described as a “piquant beauty”, she had caught the eye of newspaper executive Keith Murdoch, among others. Yet with her mother’s illness she had stepped back from society and had now, aged just 24, given up on finding a husband, even describing herself in her diary as a spinster. But a chance meeting with a handsome young naval officer in a hotel swimming pool in Colombo…

It was August 2015 and Sarah Martin, a theatre nurse, was sitting in a seminar called Wellness for Life at a day surgery conference. A speaker was talking about her struggles with depression when Sarah was distracted by a Facebook friend request from a stranger in Istanbul, where her 21-year-old daughter, Alice, was travelling alone. After graduating from university, Alice was enjoying a European adventure. She had visited England and Spain before making her way to Turkey. Sarah’s first thought when she spied the friend request was “scammer”. Why would a friend of Alice’s be reaching out? But alarm bells rang when an iMessage from the same man hit her inbox an hour later – he thought Alice was suffering from a serious mental health episode. Sarah’s initial reaction was…

the coat Perri Cutten coat, $899. Kowtow dress, $389. Uniqlo knit, $49.90. the colourful knit From top to bottom: Alémais knit (hanging), $580. Uniqlo knit, $149.90. Uniqlo knit, $199.90. Mia Fratino knit, $399. McIntyre knit, $350. Jac + Jack scarf, $880. the colour trend - blue Lee Mathews shirt, $399, and skirt, $499. ECCO bag, $459.95. Bared Footwear flats, $279. the ankle boot Clockwise from right: ECCO boots, $429.95. Bared Footwear boots, $369. ECCO boots, $339.95. Frankie4 boots, $359.95. H&M boots, $79.99. All prices are approximate.…

7-hour lamb shoulder SERVES 6 PREP + COOK TIME 7 HOURS 10 MINUTES 2 tablespoons dried oregano 1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary, plus 3 extra sprigs 2 tablespoons sea salt flakes 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 4 cloves garlic, crushed ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 2kg lamb shoulder (with the shank on) 2 medium onions (300g), cut into wedges 2 bulbs garlic, halved 2 cups (500ml) chicken stock 2 medium lemons (280g), cut into wedges extra rosemary sprigs, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 130°C (110°C fan-forced). 2 Combine dried oregano, chopped rosemary, salt, pepper, crushed garlic and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a small bowl. Rub oregano mixture all over lamb. 3 Heat remaining oil in a large heavy-based ovenproof pan or casserole dish over…

Never-fail quick mix moist chocolate cake SERVES 10 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR 15 MINS 1¾ cup (260g) plain flour 1⁄2 cup (50g) cocoa powder, sifted 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda 1 cup (220g) granulated sugar ½ cup (110g) brown sugar 1⁄4 teaspoon table salt 2 eggs, at room temperature ½ cup (125ml) olive or vegetable oil ¾ cup (180ml) sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup (250ml) hot water 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Lightly grease and line the base and side of a deep 20cm round cake pan with non-stick baking paper. (We don’t recommend a springform pan as the cake batter is quite runny). 2 Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Add sugars…

Cherry baby We love them at Christmas and now we can enjoy them all year round as cherries have their moment in cute and quirky homewares. 3 4 1. Swarovski Idyllia Bee & Cherry, $229. 2. La DoubleJ dessert plates, $204.35. 3. Anthropologie Maeve mat, $103. 4. Crushes candle, $25. Ninja Slushie It’s finally here and at least 50,000 people across New Zealand and Australia will be sipping with joy. That’s the amount of people on the waitlist to get a Ninja SLUSHi Professional Frozen Drink Maker. Made famous on social media, the clever machine can turn your favourite drinks into indulgent frozen beverages, like frosé, icy frappes, frozen cola and our favourite, a frozen margarita – all in just 60 minutes. Available for $599.99, you can find more information…

The harried trio of business-suited, tripleespressoed women at the window were animatedly plotting the demise of someone named Bernard in audits. Or maybe they were just going to report him to HR. It was hard to hear over the usual coffee shop din. The two men on my right with matching wedding bands were having a passionate argument about closet space. In the rest of the world, most divorces centered around issues like money, children and monogamy. In Manhattan I was willing to bet money that closet space made the Top Five. The barista looked like she’d lapse into a coma if she got any more bored as she took and filled orders. Coma? I wrote on the notebook page. Would a heroine waking up from a coma make a…