Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

It started, as these things often do, with a group chat and a few sarcastic memes. My friends and I were flinging jokes back and forth about perimenopausal life – hot flushes, chin hairs, elastic waistbands, all the usual suspects. We laughed wildly and repeatedly because in those moments, it all felt distant. But then came the episodes: the rage that flared without warning, the weeping over random conversations, burnt toast, sold-out items or nothing at all. The purchase of a bubble skirt because I was “still cool”, only to discover a month later I could no longer fit it. Are you seeing any signs? Let’s not forget that time in a Sydney hotel room when I woke drenched in sweat and my heart racing. It was joined in the…

He’s sold over 300 million records, is one of only 21 EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony award) winners and is as renowned for his style as he is for his hits. Now the living legend has launched a new project, the Elton John Eyewear collection, exclusively with Specsavers. He chats to The Weekly about the secrets to his personal style. Can you remember the first pair of glasses that cemented your love for them as a fashion statement? Absolutely. It all started when I went to Los Angeles in the early ’70s. There was this explosive energy in fashion at the time, and everything felt so bold and bright. I remember seeing these incredible women wearing oversized glasses, which I just thought were glamorous. I tried on a pair and…

Sissy Spacek is finding it tough to say no right now. And that’s lucky for us, as it means she’s agreed to a chat over Zoom from her family home, where she reveals this stage is part of the regular swings and roundabouts of the approach she takes to life. “Sometimes I’m in a ‘no’ phase,” the Oscar-winning actress explains. “I just say no to everything. But just recently I’m going through a ‘yes’ phase and I’ve been very excited. “Mainly I’ve been saying yes to my grandchildren. I have two – a four-year-old girl and her five-year-old brother. They’re just so entertaining and precious, so I’m enjoying them and spending a lot of time with them. And then I’ve been working a lot.” First work cab off the rank…

After 60 days of futile digging under the glare of the Egyptian sun, Dominican lawyer Kathleen Martínez was beginning to lose hope. The then-Minister for Antiquities, Dr Zahi Hawass, had told her there was nothing of value at the former site of Taposiris Magna, 60km west of Alexandria, but she was convinced it was worth exploring. So convinced, in fact, that she had self-funded a team of workers to help her dig up the barren limestone site. Her goal was to uncover the lost tomb of Cleopatra. The year was 2004. The minister had given her two months, and time was running out. “Everybody was disappointed,” she said back in 2015. Their search hadn’t uncovered anything. “We didn’t find any pottery, nothing.” From her childhood in the Dominican Republic, Kathleen…

All prices are approximate. HAIR AND MAKE-UP BY WAYNE CHICK. STYLING ASSISTANT: LILLY VEITCH. MODEL: KATRINA FORD @ PRIMARY MANAGEMENT.…

Her hair has sparked headlines and haircuts for decades, but Jennifer Aniston’s approach to beauty is less about trends and more about consistency. “When I’m working, my hair goes through a lot,” she tells The Weekly. “So I rely on a few trusted essentials to keep it strong and healthy.” Top of her list? A hard-working detangler that does more than just smooth knots. “The LolaVie Glossing Detangler is a staple in my routine. It protects against damage, makes brushing easier and gives my hair a healthy, light shine without weighing it down.” She’s quick to credit longtime friend and hairstylist Chris McMillan for helping shape her hair habits. “He taught me early on to avoid overwashing and not to fry my hair with heat tools. Even how you brush…

If you’ve ever found yourself googling “is this normal?” about anything below the belt, you’re not alone. As we age, so too do our vulvas and vaginas – and yet, for something that plays such a vital role in our wellbeing, pleasure and quality of life, it’s still shrouded in a bit of mystery. “Vaginas aren’t just about sex – though that’s definitely a key part of the picture,” says Dr Ceri Cashell, a GP specialising in women’s health and co-founder of the free online menopause community, Healthy Hormones. “They’re also essential to our everyday comfort and health.” Whether you’re navigating dryness, itching, bladder leaks or changes in desire, now’s the time to get curious and proactive about what’s happening. Ask your GP about vaginal hormones As hormone levels drop…

As Chief Home Economist in The Weekly’s Test Kitchen back in the late 1970s, Pamela Clark – who would go on to become Food Director in 1983 – was responsible for many of the famous creations in the Children’s Birthday Cake Book. But the one that’s remained her perennial favourite is the Dolly Varden, not least because it’s what she’s often called “mindbogglingly simple”. Named after the flamboyantly dressed character in Charles Dickens’ novel Barnaby Rudge, Pamela’s Dolly Varden came about quite easily. The first step was baking the packet mix in a rounded tin before hollowing a cavity in the middle of what would become the skirt for the doll to sit. “In those days we had to cut the legs off the doll because they were the wrong…

Seductive STORYTELLING Ruins by Amy Taylor, Allen & Unwin By late August, the summer heat in Athens is oppressive. Tourist numbers dwindle and local families with the means leave the city for the islands. The sun feels “harsh”, “domineering” and “slightly sinister as if it intended to slowly boil you,” as described by author Amy Taylor in her new novel Ruins, which is set in the Greek capital. Heat radiates from this book, sweat drips off the pages. It’s fitting, not just because of the setting, but the subject matter. When British couple Emma and Julian arrive in Athens to house-sit for a friend, they settle into the apartment on the fifth floor of a polykatoikia, distinctive tiered apartment buildings built in the ’50s. Inside, the apartment is small but…

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. We are... This publication…

For 33 years, Lynne McGranger has become used to people mistakenly calling her “Irene”. But now, as she bids farewell to Home and Away and takes on a new project, she’s ready for the world to finally get to know the real Lynne. “I learned not to be afraid of failure. I learnt just to be brave. Getting up, making an idiot of yourself.” It was only supposed to be a three-month stint. Departing their home in Melbourne with 20-month-old daughter Clancy McWaters in tow, Lynne McGranger – who was replacing original actress Jacquy Phillips on the Sydney set of Home and Away – half-jokingly said to her partner, Paul, that, “if I get offered this as a full-time gig, you’re going to have to give up work”. Luckily…

Neysa King has a spring in her step as she walks the hospital corridor. Noiselessly, she crosses the threshold to Intensive Care where she checks on one of her charges. A gentle hand on the shoulder. Neysa has a gift for this work. It’s hard to believe that, after a career in business, she only found her way back to her first love – nursing – two years ago. She was 70 when she graduated from university and put on her navy nursing scrubs for the first time in almost 40 years. “It’s bloody hard work,” she admits. “It’s exhausting, but I love it because it’s meaningful, and it’s purposeful and there is always so much to learn.” Neysa’s first round of nursing was in her 20s. “I did hospital-based…

Hands are the Cinderella of beauty: They suffer a cruel lack of credit for all the hard work they do. They cook, type, scrub and dig. They chop, lug and swipe. They wrestle with packaging. And for all their troubles, they gratefully make do with a dollop of moisture while our sister skin – our pampered complexions – are lavished with a multi-step routine of serums, masks and lotions. “We take our hands for granted,” says general practitioner and cosmetic physician Dr Jan Knight. “But the tide is shifting as women seek out protection, restoration and care for the hand area specifically ... people are becoming more aware as the face and hands age out of kilter.” Your hands, says Jan, age a little like a much-loved lounge: The structural…

For many, menopause brings hot flushes, brain fog and restless nights. But there’s another lesser-known concern that can sneak up without warning: low bone density. Osteopenia, or a gradual decline in bone mass and strength, is estimated to affect more than 600,000 New Zealanders and can lead to osteoporosis, a disease where bones become porous, brittle, and more prone to fractures. You won’t feel your bones weakening, which is why it’s often referred to as a “silent disease”, with many of us not realising it’s even happening. “A lot of women think ‘I’m young and don’t need to think about bone health yet’, or ‘only older women need to worry about bone health’, but it’s just not true,” says pharmacist Melissa Gannon. While bone density naturally peaks in our late…

Weekend slow cooking PG 98 Braised shoulder of lamb with quinces & pearl couscous Fast mid-week dinner PG 97 One-pan creamy balsamic chicken & pumpkin Easy beef curry pot pie PG 98 Beef curry pie Satay lemongrass chicken SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 45 MINUTES (+ MARINATING TIME) 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 1 stalk lemongrass, chopped finely 1 small onion (80g), chopped coarsely 5cm piece fresh ginger, grated finely 3 cloves garlic, peeled 1 fresh small red chilli, seeded, chopped 2 makrut lime leaves, centre vein removed 2 tablespoons finely grated palm sugar or brown sugar 2 tablespoons tamarind puree 1 cup (280g) crunchy peanut butter 2 tablespoons soy sauce 8 large (1.2kg) chicken thigh fillets lime wedges, extra sliced chilli, coriander leaves, steamed rice to serve…

1. Moroccan spiced pumpkin soup Make Roast Pumpkin Soup (overleaf) to the end of step 2. In step 3, omit ginger and spices; add 1 tablespoon Moroccan spice mix to capsicum, garlic and onion. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss 400g can drained chickpeas with 1 tablespoon Moroccan spice mix and remaining olive oil on a separate baking-paper-lined tray alongside pumpkin. Continue with recipe to the end of step 5, blending soup with half the roasted chickpeas. Omit sour cream; serve with yoghurt, remaining roasted chickpeas and parsley. (Makes 2.5 litres/10 cups) 2. Roast pumpkin, tomato & tarragon soup Make Roast Pumpkin Soup (overleaf) to the end of step 2. In step 3, omit capsicum, ginger and spices; add 500g ripe halved Roma…

City culture & alpine charm First stop into my Swiss adventure is Zürich which offers a perfect blend of modern sophistication and cosy traditions, especially during the festive season. Nestled beside the glistening Lake Zürich and framed by snow-dusted Alps, it transforms into a magical escape during winter. We wander through the enchanting Christmas markets scattered across the city from the opulent Christkindlimarkt inside the Hauptbahnhof (the main train station) – it is one of the largest indoor markets with its central 15-metre tall conifer dripping with Swarovski crystal ornaments – to the storybook setting of the Old Town’s Niederdorf. Partaking in regular refreshment stops, I now have a much greater appreciation of glühwein as it makes total sense when the average daily city temperature during winter is four degrees!…

Some children have to live up to parental expectations. I have to escape mine. My father is Edward McCarthy and my uncles are the McCarthy brothers, whom the tabloids refer to as “colourful local identities” or “ex-cons” but never “gangsters” because my father has a barrister on speed-dial. I have never understood why people use the term “organised crime”. They never talk about “organised nursing” or “organised teaching” or “organised accountancy”. Why do criminals get this added descriptor? Maybe because most crimes are chaotic and impulsive and stupid, which is why the perpetrators get caught. Not Edward McCarthy. Accusations and insinuations slide off him like he’s John Gotti, the Teflon Don. Nothing ever sticks. “With extra mustard,” says Coop, relaying the last of the order. “We’ll be there in 15.”…

Royal PORTRAIT Daddy dearest Prince William carries many titles in life, but there is no doubt that the one of ‘Dad’ to George, Charlotte and Louis brings him the greatest joy. This delightful portrait, which was officially released to celebrate Father’s Day in the UK, was accompanied by the words “We love you!” and the initials G, C & L with a heart emoji, showing the more personal side of palace life. Women we love Ms MI6 British spy agency MI6 will be headed by a woman for the first time in its history. Blaise Metreweli, who was director general of technology and innovation, has been elevated to the top job. Ash announces precious baby girl Tennis star Ash Barty has introduced the world to her daughter Jordan. “You are…

“Mum was expected just to get on with it, whereas I knew I didn’t need to put up with it.” For many women in their thirties, menopause feels like a distant concern -something to think about much later, after careers, kids and the daily juggle of life settle down. But for broadcaster Toni Street, the reality came sooner than expected. Three years ago, at just 38, the busy mum of three began noticing a host of worrying symptoms: painful joints, irritability, insomnia and brain fog. Her upbeat approach to life was slipping and at times, she struggled to recall even the most basic of information. “It was quite confronting, actually,” she recalls. “I just didn’t feel like myself. I was irritable, exhausted and didn’t feel as optimistic as…

Immaculate in his chef’s whites, when we talk, Josh Emett has been in the kitchen at Waiheke Island’s The Oyster Inn since 8am, meeting with staff and testing new offerings. He became a household name here as one of the judges on multiple seasons of MasterChef New Zealand. He’d famously come to the role fresh from an 11-year stint with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, working his way up to eventually running Gordon’s offerings at both Claridges and the Savoy Grill in London, where he earned the Grill its first Michelin star in its hundred-year history. He would also run restaurants for Gordon in New York, Los Angeles and Melbourne. He’s come a long way from the small Waikato township of Ngāhinapōuri where he grew up. It was an idyllic childhood,…

A double rainbow stretched across the sky as Professor Richard Scolyer completed his 250th parkrun (the free, weekly 2km or 5km run, jog or walk that happens in parks and public spaces all over the world). Hundreds of people – some loved ones, some strangers – had turned out to cheer the world-renowned cancer pathologist as he achieved the milestone he wasn’t sure he’d reach. Richard’s wife, Dr Katie Nicoll, was by his side as he broke through a banner at the end of the track in the inner-Sydney park. The emotional crowd was testament to how deeply Richard’s story has resonated. When he went public with his decision to fight his aggressive, terminal brain tumour with an experimental treatment, people followed his every update. The decision could potentially shorten…

Steph: I was 14 years old and the school was running a Year Nine volunteer trip to Cambodia. I was so excited about it, but I was struggling with the paperwork and ended up handing it in a few days late. The teacher organising the trip took me aside and said: “In life, if you don’t get your paperwork in on time, you miss out.” They were trying to teach me a lesson, but I was so disappointed. I went home that night and my family were sad for me, too. We had a discussion around the dinner table about why the trip was so important to me – about how I wanted to make a change and help people. And then it occurred to us: Why don’t we organise…

Holiday MODE! Sweet escape Whether you’re trading winter for white sands or simply dreaming of warmth from your sofa, these beauty picks shimmer and smell like summer in a bottle. Think sunset hues, glossy textures and luminous finishes for the ultimate getaway glow. (1) Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil, $200, adds golden gleam and luxe fragrance to bare limbs. (2) Diptyque Limited Edition Summer Garden Collection L’Eau des Hespérides EDT, $335, delivers a crisp citrus burst that channels a Mediterranean escape. (3) Sol de Janeiro Body Badalada Vitamin Infused Lotion, $60, hydrates while leaving behind a vibrant, feel-good scent. (4) MAC Cosmetics Lipglass Air Non-Sticky Gloss in Spritz, $46, brings serious shine without the stickiness. (5) Tower 28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in Happy Hour,…

From all-natural evangelicals claiming watermelon juice is as good as sunscreen, to celebrities endorsing flat-tummy tea, our digital lives are awash with questionable wellness claims. But what about that menopause supplement with supposed clinical trials, or the anti-cellulite cream your sister swears by? In a sea of miracle cures and disguised sales pitches, how can intelligent women separate fact from fad? In 2004, the voice of 16-year-old Casey Donovan filled everyday living rooms, as she was catapulted into the public eye as the winner of Australian Idol season two. With the country transfixed by her talent, the media soon began to scrutinise her body. “I think at one point I answered a question about what I’d had for breakfast. And I said, ‘A can of Coke and Snickers!’ and that…

Bread & butter pudding with cinnamon sugar An oldie but a goodie! This cool-weather dessert costs hardly anything to make, especially if you’re using up stale bread that would otherwise have gone to waste. I’ve used rolls here, because that’s what would most commonly go stale in our house, but you can use whatever bread you like – even raisin toast. The cinnamon sugar makes it reminiscent of a custard donut. "When I was growing up, absolutely everything that was put on the table had a firen eye on economy as well as filling hungry little belliss." Bread & butter pudding with cinnamon sugar SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 45 MINUTES 4 eggs 1 cup (250ml) thickened cream 1 cup (250ml) milk ¾ cup (165g) caster sugar 1 teaspoon…

Creating a cocooning home begins with a reality check. It starts with your feelings, the rest is down to lifestyle, choice, budget and a sprinkling of personal magic. Return to the points outlined here when you are feeling overwhelmed – or shut your eyes, point and see what advice you land on. The chances are it might just be the prompt you need. Which words express how you want to feel? Most people never stop to consider this, but it has a major influence on the design outcome. How does your home currently feel? What needs to change? What works? What homes do you love? Look to films, history and real life. What styles do you like? Classic or contemporary, bohemian or Scandi, modern rustic or colourful, minimalist or maximalist?…

Leo Jul 24 -Aug 23 While Mercury retrograde in your sign might not be what you’d order for your glamorous, amorous season in the sun, it does offer golden opportunities to refine your communication styles: writing, speaking and behavioural. When Mercury takes a turn for the positive in August’s second week, irritations morph into uproarious stories, and creative projects get a fresh stimulus package. August ends with a flourish as diva Venus restores your roar with her dramatic entrance into Leo to a backing track of Leo Whitney Houston: “Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all ... ” Virgo Aug 24 -Sep 23 Lively Mars in Virgo for the first week of this month is a great motivator for getting a lot of stuff done. But its…

What is your definition of happy? Sitting on the beach at Te Arai on a hot day, surrounded by my husband and two teenage boys, with a picnic and a good book. What leaves you speechless? People being rude. It takes more muscles to frown than smile. When life gives you lemons, you do what? Dust myself off, smile and try again. The greatest achievement in life is… Being loved by your family and friends. Flowers or plants? Flowers. When was the last time you were out of your comfort zone? Saying yes to returning to the netball court! Are you a dreamer or a realist? Realist. Shoes or bag? Bag. I have huge feet, so despise shoe shopping. How much do you worry what other people think? Too much…