Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 37, 2022 i New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Star news Who caught our eye this week Music awards gossip It wasn’t just her historic win at last week’s MTV Video Music Awards that sent Taylor Swift fans into a tizzy. It was also the announcement of a brand-new album from the chart-topper. After taking out the top prize of the night for her self-directed video All Too Well: The Short Film, the 32-year-old became the first artist in history to win Video of the Year three times. It was a triumphant moment for Taylor, who has spent the past two years re-recording her old albums after her former record label, Big Machine Records, sold the masters of her music – and therefore the future profits of the songs – without offering her the chance to buy them…

First it was the Oprah Winfrey interview with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex that shook the royal family to the core, thanks to its numerous bombshell revelations. Now Meghan has lobbed several grenades at her in-laws with the first two episodes of her much-anticipated podcast, Archetypes, and an in-depth interview with US magazine The Cut. Her comments about Britain’s first family prompted royal commentator Sarah Vine to describe the article as “an Exocet missile tipped with poison calculated to strike at the heart of the British monarchy”. In it, among the many claims Meghan, 41, makes, is that she and Harry were happy to leave the UK because “just by existing, we were upsetting the dynamic of the royal hierarchy”. And in Meghan’s first two podcasts, her “truth…

Like many expats, Cristina Ionda has spent the past two years worrying from afar about friends and family during the pandemic, but now she has a new fear as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine plays out on her homeland’s doorstep. “It’s very scary,” says Cristina, who is from Romania and returned for a visit in May this year. “Many people are quite frightened, to be honest.” As a NATO member with a border on the Black Sea, Romania has welcomed more than one million refugees escaping the devastation of the war that began six months ago. The actress is particularly worried about her parents, while trying to remain positive. “I hope everything will be alright. I hope Putin will have an epiphany and realise that what he’s doing is very wrong.”…

Melissa Hori, Simone Fernandes and Stephanie Larnder are three friends in their 30s whose lives have all been connected – and consumed – by one thing: infertility. Their stories are vastly different, with the end goal the same. But when they set out to share their experiences in a book, they didn’t know which of them, if any, was going to get the happy ending of motherhood they all hoped for. To be released later this month, When Sex Isn’t Enough tells how each of the authors has navigated the rollercoaster of their fertility journeys and how it’s deeply affected different areas of their lives. Individually they have endured cervical cancer, endometriosis, a hysterectomy, IVF, surrogacy and adoption as part of their struggle to have a baby. Then there was…

Brightening bombs These small, scented descaling bombs fizz up to freshen sinks, baths and toilets. Wearing rubber gloves, pour 300g baking soda and 100g citric acid into a bowl. Carefully add 10ml of your chosen essential oils and stir with your hand to incorporate. The mixture should hold together when squeezed – if it’s too dry, add a couple of sprays of distilled water. Push mixture into silicone moulds and allow to dry out. When ready, push shapes out of the moulds and store in sealed, moisture-resistant jars. Add a decorative label – we printed out a ticker-tape label and mounted it onto pretty paper. Cover label with clear, sticky-backed plastic and stick to the jar with adhesive. Styling idea Add petals and herbs to the mix for extra colour,…

We did a weird thing last night. We were at my son and his partner’s place, it was a cold night and they don’t have a fire. But they do have a huge television. Aware of how much his mother and I like fires, Rory got out his phone and dialled up a range of virtual fireplaces that could be brought up on the TV screen. The idea is your heat pump provides the warmth and the images of a fire provide the ambience. To assist in this, the crackling of the fire subtly emanates from the TV speakers. I’d not tried this before. There were about 30 sites to choose from. They were all close-ups of cheery fires, mostly in fireplaces but some outdoors. There were fires on patios,…

Letters to the Editor ● Winning letters MALE CHORES Referring to Colin’s column (NZWW, Sept 5): One day my husband offered to clean the oven. He did it beautifully and I heaped praise on him. This went on for 20 years, with me twittering and telling him how wonderful he was cleaning the oven much better than I could do it. At the end of 20 years, he looked at me and said, “I have been conned” and he never cleaned the oven again. We have been married for 62 years. June A HELPING HAND Referring to Kerre’s column (NZWW, Sept 5): When my husband was near the end of his life, I received a card in the post from a dear friend. Inside was a New World voucher and…

Full disclosure: I am writing this as I play a video game. Different levels of the game take a while to load and that gives me... Hang on. ... Sorry, I just had to handle a crocodile attack. As I was saying, that gives me time to put keystrokes to screen. It shouldn’t affect my column... Wait... I need to collect sticks for a fire. Standby. Okay. I’ve paused the game. No more interruptions, I promise. I know. I feel you, long-suffering video-game widows, whose partners never really grew out of the phase they had when they were 14, and years later will abandon their family and loved ones to get more time inhabiting made-up personalities in made-up worlds. Occasionally, I am such a person: I will discover a new…

A passage to India Reporter Smita covers a shocking story back home Heartbreaking and often harrowing, this is a powerful story that made me feel as angry as it did sad. It transports its readers into the heart of India and shows us a country that has two faces – generous and cruel, beautiful and ugly. Indian-American journalist Smita never planned to return to the country where she was raised. Her job means that she travels the world, and India is the one place she has always avoided, for reasons she never speaks of and tries not to think about. Then a good friend in Mumbai asks for help. Shannon has broken her hip and needs Smita to take over reporting on a story she has been covering about a…

It’s been a tricky few years for everyone, and I’m sure you’ll have read about how people are rethinking their careers and priorities in light of our experiences during the pandemic. I know of many who, either because of redundancy or by choice, have been through a difficult time before landing on their feet and are now much happier. And this is true, too, for our cover star Duncan Garner. As he tells from page six, when he left our screens last year, he was exhausted. For him, the brutal hours of morning television (which included more than 1000 2.30am alarm calls) just got to be all too much, so he left. Unfortunately, it coincided with Auckland’s lockdown of more than 100 days, which took its toll on him, so…

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This! Annie Lennox has teamed up with daughter Lola, opening a new chapter in her musical career. This time, however, it’s Lola, 31, who’s taking centre stage, with her famous mum acting as producer. Lola began working on her musical career in earnest at the beginning of lockdown, releasing her first single In the Wild in 2020, followed by another single, Pale. Now, she’s about to release an EP. “Initially, I was shy,” says Lola of following in the footsteps of Eurythmics legend Annie, 67. “I did feel insecure because the comparison is quite intense. But she has also given me drive and commitment. “She knows how passionate I am and how hard I’ve worked to make this happen. No one gets it more than…

Royal update There are fresh concerns about the Queen’s health following revelations that there has been a “change in the past few weeks” in her mobility, which is forcing her to rest more. The 96-year-old monarch is on holiday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she has been spending time with family members including William and Kate, plus their three children. Prince Charles has also been visiting daily from his nearby holiday home, Birkhall. But the Queen has not been as active as she has been in previous years, says a palace insider, and there are worries that she won’t be able to carry out duties in her itinerary for September. Decisions on whether she will attend events will be made on a day-by-day basis.…

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds celebrate 10 years of marriage this month – and sources say they’re more in love than ever. “Usually, being married for 10 years, couples change or grow apart, but not them,” an insider close to the A-listers shares. “They’re still head over heels for each other.” With three young daughters and two massive Hollywood careers between them, Deadpool star Ryan, 45, and The Age of Adaline actress Blake, 35, would have every reason to feel frazzled by the demands of their hectic schedules. But friends say there’s one magic ingredient in their relationship that has buffered them against the stresses and strains of domesticity: a solid friendship. “They genuinely like each other and cheer each other on,” explains a source, “and in any relationship, that…

Edited extract from Miss Polly’s Kitchen by Polly Markus, photography by Megan Jenkins (Flash Studios), published by Allen & Unwin NZ, rrp $45. Japanese-style steak tacos SERVES 4 750g skirt steak1 large avocado, flesh sliced¼ purple cabbage, very finely sliced or shavedA handful of fresh corianderLime wedges1 tablespoon light cooking oil10 mini soft tortillas½ red chilli, thinly sliced (optional) JAPANESE MARINADE 2 ½ tablespoons white miso paste2 ½ tablespoons mirin1 ½ tablespoons sesame oil1 ½ tablespoons sugar QUICK CUCUMBER PICKLE 5 tablespoons rice wine vinegar1 ½ tablespoons caster sugar1 Lebanese cucumber, thinly sliced½ red onion, thinly sliced WASABI MAYO 1 cup mayonnaise (I use Kewpie)1 tablespoon wasabi (or more if you want it spicy) 1 Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add the steak, coating it well. Season with…

A couple of weeks ago, we were shushed at the ballet. I say “we”, but really it was me rather than my daughter and granddaughter who was asked to tone it down by the pre-teen sitting beside us. It took a long moment for me to register that a child really was telling a nana (not her nana) to calm down at a Saturday afternoon matinee. The upside-down-ness of this (was she going to send me to my room?) felt so bizarre, it had, if anything, the opposite effect. Did I dial down my applause at the end of the next truly fabulous pas de deux? Sit mutely with hands folded neatly in my lap? Did I heck! There was additional whooping. We don’t really talk about how to be…

Mixed messages Last Saturday, when out driving selling raffle tickets, we saw a stall for the local hockey club. The first prize was a set of golf clubs and a trundler! Clubbed Toilet humour Recently, I had a leaking toilet problem and relayed this via email to a cousin in England. She replied saying she had two Lions downstairs. I asked her not to let them out. There should’ve been two “loos” downstairs. Spell check changed the word and the meaning. Yes, spell check does have its uses when you really don’t know how to spell a word, but it also changes the meaning. Janis A real puzzler Those census forms! With six of us filling in our census forms supposedly together, the youngest member of the family went unheard…

I must admit, there was a little bit of trepidation as Friday rolled around. My daughter and son-in-law were heading to Sydney for a long weekend and I was to have the little ones to myself from Friday through to late Sunday night. I’ve been in sole charge before, but not for as long and not without the parents within driving distance. But that’s not why I was feeling trepidation. It was just that I wanted the little ones to have a good time. I didn’t want them to be miserable, missing their mum and dad, counting the seconds until they were home. As it turned out, it all went swimmingly. It helped that I live with them, so they’re well used to me and all my foibles. We’d also…

Duncan Garner is a man with a lot of opinions. Throughout his long career as a broadcaster, he’s been a straight-talker and in his current role as the morning talkback host on Today FM, he certainly has plenty to say. But when his mum Sue and son Buster are in the room, he doesn’t get quite so much airtime. Duncan and Sue are very alike, all go and full of life, and young Buster, it seems, is following in their footsteps. This is a family that has a lot of laughs and fun, and they stay close in good times and bad. “It’s easy to love these guys,” says Duncan. “Mum’s my rock – she’s so supportive, and she’s always there for me and Buster.” “You’ve been my rock,” Sue…

Sir Elton John has revealed the heartbreaking reason he decided to record his new duet with Britney Spears. “Britney was broken,” says Elton, 75, following the release of the single Hold Me Closer, which is a mash-up of his hits Tiny Dancer and The One. “I’ve been through that broken feeling and it’s horrible.” It was Elton’s husband David Furnish, 59, who suggested Britney, 40, as Elton’s duet partner for the track. “I said, ‘That’s a pretty amazing idea.’ She hadn’t done anything for so long. I’ve been following what’s been happening to her for a long time.” Toxic singer Britney – who only recently broke free from the conservatorship that ruled her life – later shared with fans that making the single was overwhelming. “There’s a lot of fear…

There isn’t much Dame Susan Devoy hasn’t done in her 58 years. She dominated the world squash court for a decade throughout the ’80s, has run some of Aotearoa’s most prestigious sporting institutions and was even the Race Relations Commissioner for five years. But despite her varied CV, Susan admits she never imagined the next thing on her list would be competing in the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island. “I roared with laughter when they asked me. It was the last thing I ever thought I’d get a phone call about. And my initial reaction was to say no,” she tells the Weekly. Not one to shy away from a challenge, it wasn’t long before the four-time squash world champion had talked herself into it, especially when there was…

By day, Polly Markus is a busy commercial real estate agent in Auckland’s CBD. At night, she’s an online cooking sensation, creating delicious recipes for her 47,000 loyal Instagram followers. That achievement alone is something the 32-year-old never imagined was possible before the Covid pandemic hit. But now she’s celebrating yet another mouth-watering accomplishment – the release of her very own cookbook! “It’s definitely a pinch-me moment,” laughs Polly, who began cooking up a storm on social media two years ago to pass the long days of lockdown. From the moment she shared her very first recipe on @miss_pollys_kitchen, things took off in a big way for the passionate foodie, and now there’s no looking back. “I remember when I hit 500 followers,” she laughs. “I was like, ‘Oh, my…

Bitter orange tart with cinnamon pastry SERVES 8-10 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINS 1/³ cup (75g) caster sugar2 tablespoons water¾ cup (180ml) fresh orange juice2 tablespoons lemon juice½ cup (120g) sour cream3 eggs, beaten lightly1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind1 navel orange, halved, sliced thinly CINNAMON PASTRY 1 1/³ cups (200g) plain flour¼ cup (40g) icing sugar1 teaspoon ground cinnamonPinch of salt125g chilled butter, chopped1 egg yolk1 tablespoon cold water, approximately 1 To make the cinnamon pastry, process flour, icing sugar, cinnamon and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter and process until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and water, then process using the pulse button until pastry just comes together. Turn pastry onto a lightly floured…

When it comes to skin health as we get older, retinol runs laps around the competition! Here’s how it works and how you can incorporate it into your routine… What exactly is retinol? A dermatologist favourite worldwide, retinol is a powerful molecule renowned for its impressive abilities when it comes to treating acne, fading dark spots, brightening dull skin and preventing wrinkles and fine lines. How does it work? Basically, retinol tricks your skin into thinking it’s younger! By causing skin cells to consistently turn over, retinol is able to boost your skin’s collagen production, keeping pores clear and ensuring skin is constantly refreshed and radiant. And the down side? Great results take great patience! As you begin introducing retinol to your skin, you will most likely endure a period…

LIBRA Sep 24 – Oct 23 You want to be centre stage and so does someone else. You could be polite and step aside, but why should you? You’ve worked just as hard. A partner is not paying you the attention they should. Be ready for some heated words, but they know you’re right. SCORPIO Oct 24 – Nov 22 It’s the right thing to trust people this week – they are going to take you to some wonderful places and will expand your horizons beyond your expectations. If someone makes a promise, you can be sure they will deliver. It’s very important to believe in yourself. You are equal to anyone. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 – Dec 22 It is “make a list” week. That is the way you’re going…

Calling all cooks! Readers are invited to submit recipes of tried dishes of any description. We housewives must have an open forum, plan meals with ingredients now available, and give our families the best, yet keep within the scope of the budget. NEW ONION DISH One pound of onions, 1oz dripping, 1 small tin of cooked peas and a little grated cheese. Slice and fry onions in the dripping with salt to taste, keeping the lid on the pan and stirring often. When the onions are soft and lightly browned, add peas (drained) and the cheese. Season and serve hot. Covered with pastry, this makes a delicious pie. Serve with gravy. – Pen-pal ONION GRAVY This is a delicious gravy to go with all those meats and dishes which do…

Prince Harry and Kiwi rugby great Dan Carter looked like old chums when they caught up at the annual polo match in Aspen, Colorado, recently to raise money for Harry’s Sentebale charity. The pair have crossed paths many times since first meeting at the Rugby World Cup in Africa in 2003 – although Dan, 40, has since confessed he didn’t enjoy his first encounter with the then 19-year-old. “I didn’t like Prince Harry the first time I met him,” Dan recalls. “One of his friends asked us to come over and that Prince Harry would like to meet us. So we went over and he tried to make us kiss the rose of his England rugby jersey!” Dan’s obviously forgiven the cheeky royal, 37, tweeting after the recent event that…