Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

A new year is a wonderful thing! Full of fresh starts, clean slates and the sense that anything is possible. Yet with that promise often comes a quiet pressure. A feeling that we must begin as the best version of ourselves immediately. The other day, a statement stopped me in my tracks. Someone said, “It’s okay – we’re all doing life for the first time. We’re not always going to get it right.” What a relief and what a truth. None of us can predict the twists, turns or bumpy patches this big, beautiful ride has in store. Our real responsibility isn’t perfection. It’s simply to try to live our best life. If you ever needed a little inspiration on that front, this month’s cover star, Lorraine Downes, shares her…

The transformation of the White House was a thing of beauty. Elegant, refined, the epitome of good taste. The year-long renovation had certainly raised eyebrows, not least because the first couple had accepted donations of antique furniture once owned by George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps the gold drapes were a little extravagant for aesidence intended as the home of a president, not a king. Most of these concerns, however, were laid to rest when Jacqueline Kennedy invited in cameras from CBS News for a prime-time television special – A Tour of the White House With Mrs John F. Kennedy. Broadcast on Valentine’s Day in 1962 and watched by an audience of some 56illion, it turned the first lady into as big a political celebrity as her husband, John…

Before she could read, a young Sally Hepworth used to turn the pages of picture books and make up stories. Her mother, aistory teacher, had written a non-fiction book while she was pregnant with Sally, so her love of words “may have been an in-utero thing,” Sally says. But like so many people with creative ambition, she wasn’t sure how to go about becoming a professional author. She enrolled in an arts degree at Monash University and got a job in HR “because I wanted to know how everyone was paid and who was in trouble,” she confesses with an arch smile. Life carried her from Bayside, Melbourne, to Canada, where she found herself with a year of paid maternity leave, and time to test out her dream. “I Googled…

PLAYFUL PRINTS Stand out from the crowd in a colourful statement print or patterned set. 1. Kachel shirt, $199, and shorts, $199. 2. Alémais shirt, $290, and shorts, $280. 3. Sheike shirt, $159.99, and pants, $169.99. 4. Bohemian Traders shirt, $260, and shorts, $220. 5. Review shirt, $149.95, and skirt, $129.95. 6. Mimco earrings, $79.95. 7. Oroton hat, $79. 8. Mister Zimi shoes, $179. 9. Sea Level swim top, $109.95, and bottoms, $59.95. SUMMER TAILORING Relaxed, oversized pieces will have you looking effortlessly modern. 1. Zara shirt, $185, and shorts, $185. 2. ToniMay earrings, $149. 3. Morrison shirt, $329, and shorts, $299. 4. Country Road heels, $179. 5. Friends With Frank top, $299, and shorts, $299. 6. Mimco sunglasses, $179.95, and chain, $89.95. 7. Louenhide bag, $119.95. BRODERIE ANGLAISE Delicate,…

The flights are booked, your bags are packed, and the out-of-office reply is on. In theory, the hard part is done. But as you sink into that first morning of holidays, coffee in hand and a free day ahead, your brain whirs into gear: Did I send that last email? Should I check in with the kids, just in case? It’s a familiar scene because switching off can feel almost Herculean. “For most of us, our work is so closely linked with our identity,” explains Paula Brough, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Director of the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing at Griffith University. “Suddenly being in a different context, losing that identity – you’re on the beach, for example, and it’s very egalitarian. You can’t tell who does or…

Mini stone fruit tarte tatins MAKES 6 PREP + COOK TIME 50 MINTUES 1 cup (220g) caster sugar ¼ cup (60ml) water 40g unsalted butter, chopped 3 medium ripe firm stone fruit, halved and stoned 375g puff pastry, thawed thick cream, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). 2 Place sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Increase heat to medium-high, cook without stirring for 6inutes or until a deep golden caramel. Remove from heat and immediately add butter, carefully stirring to combine. 3 Divide caramel between the holes of a 6-hole ¾-cup (180ml) greased Texas muffin pan. 4 Place the stone fruit halves, cut-side down, into each pan hole on top of the caramel. 5 Cut puff pastry into…

Colour, like spice, is a powerful tool. Some people go bold with cayenne and turmeric, others prefer a hint of cinnamon or a pinch of a subtle blend. The key is balance. Just as a great cook knows how to mix flavours to bring out the best in a dish, great interiors use colour to evoke emotion and enhance the character of a space. Colour isn’t just decorative – it speaks directly to our emotions and senses. It can shape mood, create atmosphere and make a space feel more personal. Colour often connects to personal emotions, which is why certain spaces may resonate more deeply for some people than others. A balanced palette can make a room feel cohesive, rather than chaotic, and contrasting colours can create depth and visual…

1 Turning things on and off again usually works I’ve found this to be a slightly more productive step than simply throwing my glitching technology across the room or having a not very age-appropriate tantrum. Sometimes your phone, AirPods or Alexa just need a quick reset. But the turn-it-off-turn-it-on-again trick is best applied to me. As my mum used to tell me in my younger years (when I was throwing more age-appropriate tantrums), “You just need a good sleep!” She’s very wise. If a bed isn’t readily available when you need a circuit breaker, dive into a large body of water. I emerge a better human every time. 2 Potatoes will always be there for you Hot fries on a cold day, salt and vinegar chips on a beach day,…

NEW ZEALAND Editor-at-Large Sarah Henry Chief Sub-Editor Denise Bowden Art Director Mirella Monteiro Designers Anna Pétursdóttir, Shane Kelly, Béla Trussell-Cullen, 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 © 2026. All rights reserved. Printed by Webstar, Auckland. We are... This publication…

“I’m so grateful to Marty that he gave me the wonderful blessing of knowing how precious life is.” They are words Lorraine Downes never expected to hear herself utter, let alone use to ignite a vibrant, spirited and invigorating new chapter in her extraordinary story. “I can genuinely say that at the age of 61, I am feeling the best I’ve ever felt in my life – physically, emotionally and spiritually,” she says. “I really am living my best life. I never thought being in my sixties would be like this and that I could feel so good, especially after the grief I’ve been through. Life can really surprise you.” There have certainly been plenty of surprises, both joyous and heartbreaking, for Lorraine since the day back in July 1983…

The carnation blush of a freshly cooked prawn. The soft rosy hue of a galah’s plumage. The strawberries-and-cream blossom of wild grevilleas. In a wide brown land, there’s something about these Australian icons that tickles people pink. None more than our nation’s breathtaking and mysterious pink lakes. These vast shimmering ponds materialise all over Australia during spring and summer, attracting tourists in their droves and artists in their hundreds, each beguiled by the natural phenomenon caused when sunlight, algae and salt alchemise. “The pink lakes are Australia at its most raw, authentic and peaceful,” says photographer Georgie Mann who travels east to west to capture their beauty. “Each lake is different, from the bubblegum pink lakes in the far west to the soft, feminine glow of salt pans of the…

Aperky Californian voice chirrups at me from my phone: “I guess it depends what you’re feeling like. Are you in the mood for something healthy or something rich and satisfying? I’d suggest something spicy, perhaps sweet and sour pork, and something comforting like honey chicken, then a noodle dish to round it out. There are plenty of options, just let me know if you want more suggestions.” She’s super helpful, and she’s also a ‘robot’. She’s the voice of ChatGPT, a generative AI (artificial intelligence) program, and I’ve asked her to pick my takeaway options for dinner. The menu she’s chosen is spot on. I have signed up for ChatGPT Plus, so we can, well, chat (at the time of writing it is the best way to get the voice…

Beauty marketers have never met a myth they couldn’t monetise (here’s looking at you, Kim Kardashian, last seen peddling nighttime shapewear for your face). It’s judicious to approach wow-factor claims with a healthy dose of scepticism. But on the other hand, sometimes science can take a moment to catch up. Take fascia massage – a rigorous pummelling and pinching that works on the white web of continuous connective tissue that supports all your muscles, organs and bones. It’s been around for eons, but only recently have scientists supposed fascia was anything beyond passive tissue that keeps you together. New evidence suggests it might be a crucial sensory communication channel that affects not just your posture, but also your nervous system – and your neck is the superhighway. According to Olga…

The average life expectancy in Australia and New Zealand is around 83 years – a marked improvement on 50 years ago when most of us could expect to live until about 73 years of age. Innovations in medical technology, high healthcare standards, good nutrition and falling smoking rates are just a few of the reasons why many of us are reaching our eighties and beyond. But what else can we do to give ourselves the best chance of living a little longer and stronger? We asked some leading medical experts for their top advice. Be happy Whoever said laughter is the best medicine was right. A Norwegian study of more than 50,000 people found a link between having a sense of humour and living well beyond retirement. For women, being…

No-cook BBQ chicken san choy bau SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 15 MINUTES 250g microwave jasmine rice 1 barbecue chicken, skin and meat finely chopped 1½ tablespoons kecap manis ¼ cup (60m) oyster sauce 1½ tablespoons soy sauce 1½ tablespoons sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted 1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce 1 medium (130g) carrot, peeled, shredded 2 x 125g cans corn kernels, rinsed and drained 8 iceberg lettuce leaves, washed, trimmed 1 green onion, thinly sliced ½ cup coriander sprigs, to serve 1 Heat rice according to packet directions. Place in a large bowl with the chicken, kecap manis, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, sweet chilli sauce, carrot and corn. Mix to combine. 2 Divide chicken mixture among lettuce cups and serve topped with…

Whether you’re working on a renovation or a brand-new build, choosing your interior colours can be a high-stakes undertaking. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer scale of shades on the sample wall at your local paint shop, we’re here to help with these four popular colours that will leave any project a stylish success. The subtle style statement DUCK EGG BLUE There’s a magic about Resene Duck Egg Blue. It has become known for being a delicate foray into colour without being too overbearing. It’s the perfect start for those nervous about diverging from classic white paint, but not ready for a bold palette. Categorised as a pale shell blue, crystalline and calm, it’s the hue you want in the most relaxing room in the house. One of the…

Royal JEWELS Long live the bling Princess Catherine shone at the last state banquet of 2025, pairing her sparkling blue gown with a rarely seen tiara made for Queen Victoria. It was Catherine’s first time wearing the Oriental Circlet, which features 2600 diamonds. Sophie goes south Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has visited South and Central America, starting in Peru, where she marked 200 years of friendship between the UK and Peru. She attended an event to celebrate women’s empowerment and the environment. A Monaco MOMENT Regally blonde Princess Charlene of Monaco shone in white as she attended a gala at the Grimaldi Forum for the Monaco National Day 2025 with her husband Prince Albert II. Charity AUCTION Scorned Chloe’s revenge dress When Chloe Pink shared pictures of her wedding to…

Signs of the times In 2025 we felt the earth shift under our feet, and this year’s particular synchronicity of outer planetary movements has historically accompanied critical turning points in civilisational cycles. A combustible quintet of celestial bodies in fire and air signs ignites and accelerates the speed and momentum of global change. But the standout configuration of 2026 – a grand trine between Uranus in Gemini, Neptune in Aries, and Pluto in Aquarius – is the most consequential astrological alignment of our lifetime. While this transit amplifies collective energy of all kinds, there are rare and highly harmonious aspects which stress the necessity for a worldwide transition from “me” to “we” thinking, as we share the weight and wonder of life on Earth at this pivotal time. This year…

Seasonal ESSENTIALS Holiday heroes Easy beauty wins for a laid-back summer. (1) NARS Afterglow Lip Balm, $59, delivers a kiss of sheer colour and hydration. (2) Aleph Smoothing Skin Tint SPF20, $92, is great if your regular foundation melts faster than ice cream on the Côte d’Azur, and offers lightweight, skin-perfecting, blurring coverage. (3) LolaVie Perfect Dry Shampoo, $49, revives roots in seconds without the fuss. (4) Naked Sundays SPF 50 Glow Balm Mineral Peptide Stick, $42, instantly adds a warm wash of colour to cheeks, lips and eyes for sun-kissed radiance on the go. Level up your lashes The Ordinary Lash Curl Finisher, $20, is a transparent gel that lifts, holds and defines for the ultimate less is more, barely-there look. Hair rescue PROBLEM: Chlorine, saltwater and relentless sun…

Mum’s garden salad (Salatet emmi) This garden salad evolves with the seasons and relies on what is growing in the garden. Rocket is a staple leafy green often found in Lebanese gardens and, when available, it is the hero of this salad, its peppery flavour elevated by the dill and sumac. 1⁄2 bunch of mint 1⁄2 bunch of parsley a small handful of dill 2 bunches of rocket 2 tomatoes 2 cucumbers 1 bunch of small radishes 1 small Spanish onion 1 teaspoon sumac 60ml (¼ cup) lemon juice 60ml (¼ cup) extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses sea salt, to taste 1 Wash and dry the herbs before picking off the leaves. Very roughly chop the mint, parsley and dill and add to a mixing bowl with…

This is perfect for serving a crowd. Pile meringues onto a board with bowls of lemon curd, passionfruit curd or fruit coulis, summer fruit, shaved chocolate curls or crumbled Flake bars, and caramel sauce ... the sky is the limit! Choose what is abundant and fresh in your area. "Having just celebrated Mum's 80th birthday, it's amazing to look back at her 40th! We love a party" DIY pavlova platter MAKES 8 MINI PAVLOVAS PREP + COOK TIME 2 HOURS (+ COOLING TIME) 6 egg whites ¼ teaspoon salt 1⅔ cups (370g) caster sugar 1 tablespoon cornflour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon white vinegar 600ml thickened cream, whipped kiwifruit, mixed berries, figs, pomegranate arils, passionfruit, lemon curd, caramel sauce, chocolate flake, optional, for serving 1 Preheat the oven to…