Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 13, 2024 i New Zealand Woman's Weekly

It’s an issue many women can relate to – and when Krystine Nation tells the tale, others find themselves in the same boat. As the mum-of-five does her comedy show, she has her audience in fits of laughter regaling how having children led to a light bladder weakness – one that resulted in her being in A&E with melted undies, being seen by a hot doctor. Krystine – the comic star of Bed, Birth & Beyond, which featured at this year’s NZ Comedy Festival – reveals how she was playing indoor soccer when it all started to unravel. “I was meeting a friend later, but because I had the weakest bladder in the world, I weed a bit. My dad’s house was across from where I was playing, so I…

Note Cooking chicken in both butter and oil allows you to cook at a higher temperature than if you were to use butter alone, which can burn. You could simply use oil, however the butter adds a lovely golden colour and flavour to the pan juices. Tip To test if chicken is cooked, pierce a skewer into the thickest part of the chicken. The juice that oozes out should be clear, not pink. The most reliable method is to use a meat thermometer placed in the centre of the thickest part of chicken being cooked. When the temperature has reached 75°C, the chicken is fully cooked. Tip The steam from the beer creates a moist and juicy chicken. If you don’t like beer, you can use any alcoholic or non-alcoholic…

Shimmer in style The new Resene FX Metallics Wallpaper Collection offers a simple way to add even more glimmer and glamour to your home. Choose from 45 shimmering hues for your walls, ceilings and smooth surfaces for a flawless finish. Simply paste the wall and hang your favourite colour for a fresh new look in your home. Available from Resene ColorShops, resene.co.nz/colorshops Wellness wonder If your last proper break feels like a lifetime ago, put a pep back in your step with Supergenes Energy & Vitality – the latest innovation from The Beauty Chef. Combining a potent blend of ingredients to support energy levels and brain function, the herbal probiotic capsules contain rhodiola (traditionally used in western herbal practice to support the body’s natural response to stress), B vitamins, iron…

It’s astonishing that despite the fact we spend up to a third of our lives – around 25 years – asleep, until relatively recently we knew very little about what went on during that time. One hundred years ago, most people thought the brain simply switched off, like a light bulb, when you went to sleep. The American inventor Thomas Edison, who manufactured the first light bulbs, thought sleep was a waste of time. He claimed to need less than five hours’ kip a night and said that having more was just greedy. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Key phases Sleep involves three distinct states: light sleep, deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. We doze in roughly 90-minute cycles throughout the night, flipping between one state and…

Often I’m asked, “Keeping busy?” It’s an odd question to ask of a pensioner. I’m by no means idle, but being forever busy was never the plan. I smile and reply, “No, I’m not. Why do you think I retired?” I sense my response provokes a whiff of disapproval, a slight shake of the head, as if I’m giving in to old age. There’s a US sociologist/historian/writer I admire, Daniel Klein. He’s my age. One of his quests has been to find the most satisfying way to live when you get to our age. Not “old/old” with its loss of mobility and sickness. Just “old”, like us. Daniel rails against the pressure to fight ageing. He dislikes attempts to preserve eternal youth – expensive tooth implants, diet fads, face and…

After months of some intense speculation, the Princess of Wales has bravely revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer. Kate shared her devastating personal news with the world in what our resident royal expert Judy Kean beautifully describes as “one of the most moving and courageous moments in royal history”. We take a closer look at what it all means from page six. Our thoughts are with the royal family during this extremely challenging time and we wish Kate a very speedy recovery. Elsewhere, if you’re the type to skimp on sleep, you ought to turn to page 50. Beloved TV presenter and author of Just One Thing, Dr Michael Mosley explains that quality kip – at least six hours of sleep at night and preferably more – is…

Last November 16, Rachel Smalley was on top of the world. The former broadcaster had just taken a call from TVNZ Sunday journalist Miriama Kamo to tell her she’d been nominated for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2024 awards, and she couldn’t wait to tell her mum Shirley Mackie. “I was so excited – it was a huge surprise,” says Rachel, 52, who was nominated for her work with The Medicine Gap, an initiative advocating for better access to modern medicine. “Miri told me I had to keep the news quiet, but I’d been given the okay to tell Mum. I celebrated for about 90 seconds, got quite emotional about it – and then I called Mum with the news. “But her voice just broke. I thought maybe…

Watching brighteyed 13- week-old Sumatran tiger cub Cahya climb all over her mum Zayana, playing with and tugging on her tail, zookeeper Kristin Mockford can’t take her eyes off the impressive pair. After being an integral part of the Auckland Zoo team caring for Zayana through two pregnancies and births, and the loss of three cubs in the last nine months, seeing the big cat develop into such a good mother has been a career highlight. “Our tiger mum Zayana is a very people-focused cat,” enthuses Kristin, 34. “When I arrive in the morning, she’s playful and bouncing, and will move along with you, her face rubbing on the mesh. She’s excited I’m there to feed her. “Seeing her pass that along to Cahya, who’s turning into a mini-me of…

Tip The jars will keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge (without the biscuit decoration). You can use any sort of jar or short tumbler-style glass. Tip The brownies will keep well for up to 5 days in an airtight container, and can also be frozen. Using the camera on your phone, scan here to find the perfect kitchen gadgets for your autumn cooking! Edited extract from Part-Time Baker: Simple Bakes Without the Stress by Florence Stanton (Quarto, rrp $45)…

SILVER FOX It’s hip to be grey – both in hair colour and in style this autumn! Try wearing this forever-chic shade from head to toe, like seen here with the cool-weather staple cardigan paired with a liquid metal midiskirt and an on-trend metallic ballet flat. Grey-on-grey can be worn together with ease. Earrings, $34.90, cardigan, $209.90, skirt, $169.90, and flats, $169.90, all from Seed Heritage ROUGE REVIVAL After a year of Barbie pink, red is here to warm up our autumn wardrobes. Scarlett, cherry and strawberry hues can be worn head to toe or as a pop of colour against grey, navy, camel and black. This feminine blouse has frill and pleat detailing as its point of difference. Blouse, $89.99, Forever New MERINO MAGIC Add to your merino…

The clocks have officially been wound back! The shorter days and the inevitable change in the mercury that follow is a signal to switch up your home and make a few tweaks to your interior. It’s time to fully embrace autumn and get set for winter. 1 Clear and clean Clear out any debris from gutters and downpipes to prevent blockages and water damage during autumn and winter. Check the roof for loose or damaged shingles and make any necessary repairs to prevent leaks. 2 Call cool-weather coverings Sheer curtains are perfect for balmy summer weather but they’re not so good at keeping the heat in and the cool out. Invest in layered or insulated curtains or add an attachable lining for extra insulation. 3 Inspect for draughts Inspect windows…

"It never rains but it pours.” This is one of those curious expressions that confused me when I first heard it as a child – surely it’s pouring with rain? – but as an adult, I feel I understand it all too well. Coined apparently in the 18th century, it refers to the phenomenon that unfortunate events occur in quantity, never by themselves. Whether this is true or not, that’s how it can feel – that an accident will be followed by an incident, then another episode after an event. It’s how we can feel in December, right? We have to deal with everything Christmas involves – the preparation and the day – at the same time as managing the kids’ end of school year, plus tidying up our own…

I’d thought that the blokes who turned up to saw down walls, tear out benches and cupboards, and remove all evidence of our old kitchen and laundry would be the noisiest of all the tradespeople involved in our epic house renovation. And they certainly were noisy. There were moments when I thought the house might fall down. But, of course, it didn’t. And as mentioned, apart from a few big bangs, those blokes weren’t the noisiest. After the builders were done with their destruction came the plasterer, who had more than a passing resemblance to Jason Momoa, the super-sized action hero. The plastering wasn’t noisy so much as dusty. And then came the painters, who I’d expected to be the quietest of the whole house-altering crowd. I’d been looking forward…

SMOKE & MIRRORS by Barry Jonsberg (Allen & Unwin, $22.99) A tender and gritty story about loss and love. Grace only cares about two things, performing her magic tricks and being with her funny but cantankerous gran. Then she meets Simon, who is full of plans for her to turn her magic tricks into business. When her gran is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Grace must become her carer. She and Simon are determined to use her skills with sleight of hand to bring some joy back into their life. TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER by Leonie Agnew (Penguin Random House, $22) A madcap frolic for young readers. Lucas is only 11, but he’s filled with worries. His latest concern is that his rural school is on the Ministry of…

It will go down as one of the most moving and courageous moments in royal history. Sitting on a park bench in the spring sunshine, in front of a backdrop of daffodils and blossom trees, the Princess of Wales calmly revealed she has cancer. Having undergone major abdominal surgery, after which she began a course of chemotherapy, and following weeks of worry about her health and how to break the news to her children – all while being the subject of vicious online rumours –Kate, 42, fronted up to the world in a two-minute video with grace and class. Visibly emotional as she explained that tests showed “cancer had been present” following her surgery for a condition initially believed to be non-cancerous, the princess also took the time to consider…

Life just keeps getting better for Jamie Lee Curtis. Right now, the Queen of Scream has a golden statue on the shelf of her home office, reminding her of the time – almost exactly a year ago – when she won an Oscar for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Then, at the beginning of this year, she was tickled pink when the second season of her TV dramedy The Bear scooped three Golden Globes, followed a week later by four Emmys. It seems to be official – the Knives Out star, 65, is enjoying a big resurgence. “Seize the day,” says Jamie with a laugh. “And I’m seizing the day – daily – because I have no time to waste!” Not that she’s wasted much time to…

For a woman who says she never really knew what she wanted to be when she was growing up, author Trish McCormack sure has packed a lot into her life. With a CV that includes everything from conservation worker in various South Island national parks to journalist on Hokitika’s West Coast Times, today Trish works full-time in Wellington as an archivist for Archives NZ. She also pens crime novels, with her fourth book, Girl of the Mountains, out now. When asked if juggling writing books with such a demanding profession is challenging, Trish says she enjoys balancing the two. “People think Archives would be a dusty old place to work, but it’s actually full of human interest stories, from coroners’ reports to wills and who gets left what. I also…

Tip: Vegan biscuits are found in the gluten free section of the supermarket. Notes Use a high-powered blender in step 5 if you have one. This type of blender will produce a very smooth consistency for the pie filling. If you aren’t using a high-powdered blender, continually scrape down the sides of the blender jug to get it as smooth a consistency as possible. Serve with coarsely chopped pecans and vegan caramel sauce drizzled over just before serving.…

With a new season comes a new-fangled assortment of beauty and skincare products hitting the shelves, all promising the world. But what’s really worth your hard-earned cash? We’ve put the latest releases to the test so you don’t have to – these are the latest finds we’re coveting this autumn. Go pro There’s no mucking about when it comes to Dermalogica PowerBright Dark Spot Peel, $160. Inspired by professional chemicalcal peels, this at-home treatment utilises a targeted combination of acids to lift surface hyperpigmentation, includingng dark spots, postblemish marks and melasma. Super serum Trilogy Vitamin C + Super Serum, $49.99, is no one-trick pony. With a subtle vanilla-citrus scent, the silkysmooth formula’s powerhouse blend of ingredients hydrate and plump, refine pores and smooth fine lines. Massage onto clean…

Fancy a gourmet adventure around South Waikato? Tīrau, an iconic Kiwi town approximately 2.5 hours south of central Auckland, is celebrated as a quirky, corrugated-clad rest stop. With charming bakeries, cafés and restaurants serving up locally sourced fare, it’s a true foodie wonderland! Tucker Bar & Eatery In the heart of Tīrau, on the town’s main road, you’ll find Tucker Bar & Eatery. Owned by Lucas and Janice Currie, this cosy café takes pride in supporting local farmers and producers with its garden-to-table approach. Don’t miss their delicious offerings – the early risers’ menu stars a hearty big breakfast and brioche French toast, with small share plates and larger mains on offer from 5pm. MUST TRY: Spicy Carolina reaper crispy fried chicken burger. It’s well presented with an airy, soft…

TAURUS Apr 21 – May 21 Do you ever experience that situation where you’re thinking of a friend and suddenly they call or message you? You’re on a very strong telepathic hotline with a loved one at the moment. It shows you have a very powerful connection with them and that’s something to be appreciated. GEMINI May 22 – Jun 21 There may be some blocks. We all get them at some time or other and just don’t seem to be able to progress. Instead of telling yourself you can’t do something, just go ahead and do it anyway. There are times when you need to follow your heart and not your head. CANCER Jun 22 – Jul 23 Seeing friends and colleagues, and accepting invitations to parties, dinners and…

How do you define a life well-lived? I think most of us know it’s not how much wealth you accumulate throughout your lifetime. It’s not the accolades you receive or the titles bestowed upon you. For me, it’s all about the relationships you’ve built with family and friends – and on that basis, I had the great privilege recently of attending the 85th birthday of one of the most impressive people I know. Don and his gorgeous wife Clare have been my friends for more than 35 years, which is a long time, but I wasn’t the oldest friend there. Two of his primary-school friends – Khandallah Primary alumni – attended. Whatever they put in the water in Wellington back in 1939, it works, because these octagenarians are in rude…

Such a treat to have a new novel from one of my favourite authors. Danielle Hawkins writes wonderfully funny and tender stories that are real slices of Kiwi life. There’s always a romantic element, but it’s her wry take on people and their relationships that’s the real joy. In Take Two, we meet Laura Mayer. She’s at a crossroads in her life and has headed home for Christmas. She pops in to see her ex-boyfriend’s parents and is unexpectedly pulled back into their family. Her ex, Doug, is married with kids, which is heartbreaking for Laura as his refusal to have babies with her was the reason they broke up. But now his father is dying of cancer and his mother has broken her leg, and his flirtatious younger brother…

Is it hogwash? Tori Spelling, 50, is so obsessed with her pet pig Wilbur that ex-husband Dean McDermott even alleges the boar being allowed in their bedroom was a factor in their break-up! Silly sausage He’s no GameofThrones dragon, but for hismum Emilia Clarke, 37, dapper dachshund Ted is fearsome enough. “My boy looks like an angel, but in his desperate need to be on camera, he nearly destroyed a set!” she says. We’re fur-ever Amanda Seyfried, 38, has Big Love for the friend she calls “The One” – her Australian shepherd rescue pup Finn. “He completely changed my life,” shares the Mean Girls star. That's a hoot! She’s one of the Grown Ups, but Salma Hayek, 57, is living the teen dream – she has a pet…

Game, set, match! Zendaya served up glamour at the Australian premiere of her new tennis flick Challengers in Sydney. The 27-year-old Euphoria star wore a glittering custom gown with a shadow of a tennis player preparing to serve a ball printed on the front, alongside fellow stars Mike Faist, 32, and Josh O’Connor, 33. She also unveiled a new ’do since her California tennis date with her boyfriend, Spiderman actor Tom Holland, 27, just a week earlier, at the finals of the BNP Paribas Open. In the film, Zendaya plays former tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan and worked with tennis professional Brad Gilbert to train for the part. However, the movie’s director Luca Guadagnino says after the star “spent months working very hard” to prepare, when they edited the film, “we…