Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 48, 2025 i New Zealand Woman's Weekly

It was a return to the Kate of old. The Princess of Wales dazzled in a stunning green velvet gown as she and Prince William attended the Royal Variety Show in London, and she looked thrilledled to be at the iconic annualal event. It was the first time she’d been to the show since her cancer diagnosis last year, and she told dignitaries who greeted her and William that it was “so nice to be back”. The princess ignored the cold and radiated warmth as she met everyone from TV and charity executives to performers.ers. Body-language expert Judi James says Kate, 43, was in high spirits and looked confident as she arrived at the Royal Albert Hall. She also exchanged flirty glances with her husband, who seemed happy to take…

If ever there was a reminder that even the best-laid plans can go awry, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s Christmas last year was it. With extended family converging at Premier House, the table was set for a lovely long lunch – a much-anticipated chance to celebrate the year and spend quality time together. Yet all this was almost derailed when, just before the festive feast was due to be served, it was discovered the turkey had been sitting in a cold oven for several hours. Cue a hastily rearranged Christmas Day, a turkey that took its sweet time to cook and a prime minister scrambling to entertain his guests while lunch turned into dinner. “It turns out the oven at Premier House has not one but two on-switches!” laughs Christopher’s wife…

British disco diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor is kicking off a Down Under tour next year with concerts in Hamilton and Christchurch. The Murder on the Dancefloor hitmaker, 46, is having a career resurgence since launching her latest album Perimenopop – a tongue-in-cheek reference to her current phase of life. It came, she says, from a running studio joke with her co-writer and friend Hannah Robinson. “We were jokingly saying, ‘Oh, it’s perimenopop’ and we thought it was hilarious.” After playing in Hamilton on February 3 and Christchurch on February 4, Sophie will head to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.…

Death doesn’t scare Kelvin Cruickshank. The Kiwi medium says having spent most of his life interacting with the spirits of those who have died means he knows there’s nothing to fear about “crossing over”. But after technically dying during the second of two massive heart attacks he suffered earlier this year, he’s relieved doctors were able to revive him, despite experiencing “the bliss of the other side”. He says, “There’s still a lot I want to do. It wasn’t my time to go.” Kelvin, who appeared on the TV show Sensing Murder, had been “feeling off” for some time, but put symptoms such as breathlessness and extreme fatigue down to work stress, lack of sleep and too much coffee. Then in the weeks leading up to his heart attacks,…

On December 24 at Starship’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), decorative sheets are carefully placed on each of the incubators’ tiny mattresses, nurses wear festive scrubs and sparkling headbands, and Santa himself quietly roams the halls delivering gifts. While most of the country prepares for presents and pavlova, year after year clinical charge nurse Arishma Ram and her devoted NICU team give up celebrating with their own families to make sure New Zealand’s tiniest patients and their parents still have a Christmas to remember. “I have worked most Christmases and it’s something I really cherish,” says mother of two Arishma, 38. “It’s very emotional to see families in NICU when it’s their first Christmas together, but it’s also a special environment. “We really try to make it meaningful for them.…

Joy that lasts This Christmas, World Vision is encouraging Kiwis to give gifts that make a difference to children and families living in some of the world’s toughest places. Each gift supports projects in education, health, emergencies, farming and nutrition – from $50 to give a goat that provides milk and income, to $80 to help a girl stay in school. Every gift includes a printed or e-card so your loved one can see the positive impact made on their behalf. See worldvision.org.nz/givenow/smiles-gift Minty magic Satisfy your sweet tooth with the new Donovans Mint Biscuit Clusters, which pair minty chocolate with crunchy cookie pieces – perfect for sharing this holiday season. Available from New World and Pak’nSave, from rrp $5.59. Spread the cheer The Kindness Collective’s Christmas Joy Store is…

BRIGHT You believe Christmas should feel as joyful as it looks – and you’ve mastered both There’s no one way to make the season shine! This year, let your décor reflect your personality and the way you love to celebrate CLASSIC VIBE: Elegant, full of tradition and timeless, with a modern ease. COLOUR PALETTE: Red, green and gold, with soft neutrals and natural greenery. SIGNATURE DÉCOR: Vintage ornaments, candles, linen, rattan, polished wood and brass. PERSONALITY: Warm, nurturing and deeply sentimental. You adore hosting, believe in proper place settings and still make your grandmother’s pudding – even if it’s 25 degrees outside. You know that Christmas isn’t about perfection – it’s about the people gathered around your table ut ut d MODERN VIBE: Chic, curated and quietly luxurious. COLOUR PALETTE:…

CAPRICORN Dec 23 – Jan 20 Reflection brings insight on a family matter. Behind the scenes, you’re quietly preparing for the next big push and a mentor or friend will offer practical advice. Financially, a careful approach could see you take back control of spending habits. With a busy period ahead, factor in early nights. AQUARIUS Jan 21 – Feb 19 Your social life is thriving and your presence lights up every room. Networking, collaboration or volunteering bring satisfaction and opportunity. Romance blossoms with a friend playing matchmaker. Keep an eye on energy levels – pace yourself. PISCES Feb 20 – Mar 20 Career momentum is building and recognition feels close – stay confident but flexible if plans shift. A colleague or friend lifts your mood, reminding you of their…

OPRAH IN CONVERSATION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 After a decade away, the talk-show queen returns to our shores to take the stage at Auckland’s Civic Theatre for an intimate evening of stories, moderated by TVNZ’s Seven Sharp co-host Hilary Barry. She’ll reflect candidly on her life-changing knee surgeries, the promise that sparked her love of hiking and her journey to living fully. For details of this rare, inspiring event, visit aucklandlive. co.nz/show/oprah-inconversation THE NUTCRACKER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 The Royal New Zealand Ballet brings a Kiwi twist to the classic Christmas tale. Centred around a giant pōhutukawa tree and a summer bach, Clara Stahlbaum’s festive preparations are interrupted by the mischievous Mouse King. Expect dazzling costumes inspired by hokey pokey ice cream, chocolate fish and pavlova in this…

Naughty & nice! She made her name as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, but in recent years, Melissa Joan Hart, 49, has become the queen of the Christmas rom-com. The mum of three caught up with her old pal in the big red suit while celebrating her new festive flick A Merry Little Ex-Mas. Wicked lookalike They call him wonderful! The Wizard himself Jeff Goldblum, 73, marvelled at his new wax figure in Madame Tussauds New York, which is made all the more accurate as it dons an Yves Saint Laurent jacket donated from the actor’s very own wardrobe. LADY AMELIA SPENCER LADY ELIZA SPENCER Twin peaks FROCK STARS If there’s one thing the Spencer twins Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza, 33, know how to do, it’s look fabulous while dripping…

Yes, it may be hard to believe, but we really are in the home stretch towards Christmas. It has become something of a tradition here at the Weekly to feature the prime minister at this time of year, so we visited the Luxons’ home to share a little festive spirit with Christopher and Amanda, and their two children William and Olivia. The sun was shining, spirits were high and there was a lovely sense of family as our photoshoot unfolded. As you’ll read from page eight, it has been a big year for the couple, including a health scare they have not spoken about until now. Elsewhere, the Prince and Princess of Wales looked resplendent when they stepped out for the Royal Variety Show. They have had so much to…

Setting off to film a new season of The Block Australia is always one of the best times of the year for Scott “Scotty” Cam. But this year was extra-special for the host of the hit renovation series as he introduced the crew – which has largely been the same since he joined the show 15 years ago – to the newest Block-a-holic, his granddaughter Tiggy. “Everyone was all over Tiggy like a cheap suit,” the father of three told the Weekly. “When we started The Block, my kids were at school and that’s how it is for all of us on the show. Our kids have grown up in television and now the grandchildren are coming. This is the first time we’ve had a third generation of one of…

It’s been 17 years since Victoria Beckham stuffed her Spice Girls glitter rags in the back of the closet and went full high-end fashionista. Now it looks as though the artist formerly known as Posh, 51, is about to finally make a killing in the fashion world ‒ by selling up. A number of sources are dishing that the Victoria Beckham brand is up for sale and that the former Spice Girl has engaged bankers Rothschild & Co to “facilitate a process”. Despite Victoria’s clothing line famously struggling to make a profit, beauty industry writer Rachel Strugatz says her fashion and beauty business combined is on track to hit $100 million in net sales this year – about 70 percent of that coming from its website. The jewel in the…

As a talkback radio host, Newstalk ZB presenter Tyler Adams is no stranger to helping others share their stories. But now it’s his turn. Alongside his partner Maeve Platts, he’s opening up about their emotional experience with fertility struggles and endometriosis. It’s a topic many men shy away from, but Tyler, 39, is determined to help spread awareness of the debilitating condition that continues to impact his and Maeve’s lives. “We wanted to talk about it because it’s such a misunderstood and underdiagnosed thing, yet so many women are going through it,” says Tyler, who hosts the Newstalk ZB Afternoon Show with Matt Heath. “Maeve’s been through so much. I’ve just got so much respect for her. She’s amazing.” The couple, who moved from Canterbury to Auckland last year, met…

Let’s do the time warp again! The Rocky Horror Picture Show seemed to be a flop when it first debuted on the big screen in 1975. But the adaptation of the popular stage show soon found its audience when it entered the midnight screening circuit. It remains a cult classic to this day, with fans showing up in costume to screenings. We look at what happened to the stars of the cult classic after their adventure in Dr Frank-N-Furter’s mansion. Watch it now on Disney+. Richard O’Brien Riff Raff Richard not only plays Frank-N-Furter’s unsettling butler, but he is also the creator of Rocky Horror. Originally from the UK, his family moved to New Zealand when he was 10. He came up with the concept for the cult classic show…

Chicken skewers with green olive dressing SERVES 4 PREP + COOK 30 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION) 6 large chicken thigh fillets (1.2kg), cut into 3cm pieces 3 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped 2 teaspoons lemon rind, finely grated 2 tablespoons lemon juice, strained ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season Lemon wedges, pita, salad leaves, to serve GREEN OLIVE DRESSING ½ cup (60g) Sicilian olives 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 Combine chicken with garlic, oregano, lemon rind, juice and oil in a medium bowl. Season well. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for 2 hours. 2 To make the green olive dressing, process all the ingredients together until almost smooth. Spoon…

Top pick! For the hair icon Retire your tired tools and upgrade to the Ghd limited-edition Helios Hairdryer gift set in Cherry Chic, $405, this Christmas. The professional-grade powerhouse features cutting-edge technology, a bespoke contoured nozzle for precise styling and delivers glossy, smooth locks with ease. Even better? It comes with a luxe glossy cherry lacquer wash bag, worth $50. For the glam goddess The Elizabeth Arden Daytime to Dramatic four-piece gift set, $112, is filled with $172 worth of products, and includes everything you need for effortless everyday glam right through to party-perfect drama. It features the new Eyeshadow Brush and Eyeshadow Palette in Oh So Neutral, plus the iconic Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant – a forever favourite. For the skin scholar Lovers of locally made, science-backed skincare…

1. SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS The holidays often come with pressure to be happy or social, but it’s important to acknowledge that it’s okay to not feel festive. Don’t force yourself – it’ll only make you feel resentful in the long run. 2. PRIORITISE SELF-CARE Make time for yourself by doing activities that bring you comfort, whether it’s reading a book, taking a long walk or booking a massage. Sometimes a bit of solitude is just what you need to recharge. 3. LIMIT SOCIAL MEDIA Social media can amplify feelings of inadequacy or sadness during the holidays. Try limiting your time online as constant exposure to others’ celebrations can trigger feelings of loneliness or comparison. 4. REACH OUT FOR CONNECTION Instead of feeling isolated, reach out to a friend or family…

I’m not one for bucket lists – an unseemly rush to see things before it’s too late. Looking at sights isn’t why I travel these days. It’s about reuniting with the people I never see enough of. Cheerful, fun-filled occasions with friends and family. But having said that, I continue to be enticed by those stunning, high-resolution, scenic images that pop up on my desktop screen every day. You’ll know the ones I mean – lock-screen photographs taken by world-class shooters, enhanced by every piece of camera technology imaginable. I gaze at those images and dream of being there. I don’t dream of touring around. All I want to do is see with my own eyes the very image that’s on my screen. I want to stand exactly where the…

It’s great to catch up with friends, but I don’t think Megan and I are alone in feeling slightly anxious when the invitation pops up. It’s that balance of, “Great! We can catch up with friends,” and, “I wanted to stay in my trackpants and eat crackers that night.” Now it’s possible we’re late to the party, metaphorically, but recently we received a new type of invitation that triggered only happy emotions, none of the anxiety. I quite like to call it the invitation window: “Come over for a drink and a scone, Sunday 2.30-5.30pm.” Megan immediately said, “Love it! There’s a finish line. I know the window. Good to go. RSVP yes.” This new approach makes it so easy to accept and look forward to the event. As you…

Golden gal Dame Joan Collins, 92, looked like she stepped off the set of Dynasty as she arrived at the Shooting Star Ball with her husband Percy Gibson, 60. The London gala raises funds for the children’s hospice of the same name. Yee-ha! The Country Music Awards should have been renamed the Lainey Wilson Awards! Not only did the host with the most, 33, present the Nashville ceremony, but she also won Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Zoo crew They won an Oscar the first time around, so voice stars Ginnifer Goodwin, 47, and Jason Bateman, 56, were hoping the sequel to Zootopia would be just as big a hit when they celebrated the premiere in London. SING ’EM OUT AGAIN!…

WEEKLY STAFF EDITOR Marilynn McLachlan LIFESTYLE & BEAUTY EDITOR Anna Lee WRITER Rebekah Hebenton CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Denise Bowden  SUB-EDITOR Darren Bevan  ART DIRECTOR Mirella Monteiro  DESIGNERS Anna Pétursdóttir, Béla Trussell-Cullen, Hayley Pearce, Shane Kelly  PHOTO EDITOR Kellie Blizard  CONTRIBUTORS Donna Fleming, Fleur Guthrie, Fiona Hawtin, Julie O’Reilly, Kasia De Vydt-Jillings, Megan McChesney, Nicky Pellegrino, Sarah Catherall, Sheryn Church, Sophie Neville ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Claire Chisholm claire.chisholm@aremedia.co.nz  SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS Chloe Jordan, Amy Madden, Jacquie Fraser SENIOR COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Angela Wei angela.wei@aremedia.co.nz  COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Georgia van Koningsveld  DIRECTORY SALES MANAGER Kim Chapman 021 673133 classifieds@xtra.co.nz ARE MEDIA GROUP MANAGEMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jane Huxley  GENERAL MANAGER Stuart Dick  EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Henry…

Justin Baldoni recently beefed up his legal team by hiring P Diddy’s lawyer Alexandra Shapiro. Now his line-up of high-powered legal eagles are asking for Blake Lively’s lawsuit against him to be thrown out completely on the basis that none of her allegations amount to sexual harassment. Blake, 38, has accused Justin, 41, of sexually harassing her when they worked together on the movie It Ends with Us, then orchestrating an online smear campaign against her when she raised concerns. Blake is seeking more than $285 million in damages and the trial is set to start on March 26 next year. In new court documents, Justin’s lawyers say, “When viewed in context, no reasonable juror could find that the handful of comments and miscommunications Lively has mustered amounts to sexual…

Returning for a fifth year, the New Zealand Podcast Awards, supported by Acast, celebrates the exceptional work from local creators. Each category features a gold, silver and bronze honour. Here are some of the top winners... Kelly Tarlton’s Final Treasure Hunt: Gold for Podcast of the Year and Best Documentary Podcast. It also scooped silver for Best Factual Podcast. The Curve: Gold for Best Education and Best Independent Podcast. It also picked up bronze for Podcast of the Year. Fury of the Small: Gold for Best Fiction and Best New Podcast. plus silver for The Creativity Awards and Podcast of the Year. The Dom Harvey Podcast: Gold for Best Arts and Culture and Best Interview Podcast, silver for Best Entertainment and Best Independent Podcast, and bronze for The Spotlight Award.…

It’s a story passed down through the generations of Francesca Lockyer’s family: how, during World War II, her grandmother Ivy Fuyala, then just a child, sold macrocarpa branches over the holidays to passing American soldiers stationed in Auckland. Hoping to bring a touch of cheer to the young men far from home, this simple act inspired the start of Misa Christmas Trees. Now 85, Ivy has passed the baton on to granddaughter Francesca, 19, who is part of the fourth generation proudly caring for the festive family farm. “I’ve always loved coming here because everyone is in such high moods, cheery and in the Christmas spirit,” beams Francesca. A marketing and communications student in Wellington most of the year, Francesca heads back to the family’s Mount Eden farm every November,…

Cute crochet hot pants or printed shorts are the ultimate holiday wear. Wear with espadrilles, jandals or a flat mule and a shirt or polo. Bermuda shorts are, by definition, structured and often have front pleats. Throw them on for a shopping day with the girls, a smartish lunch or wear them to work as long as they’re at least mid-thigh and your place of work is relaxed. Incoming: Knee-length shorts with a sleeveless blazer is summer’s answer to a pantsuit. Once you’re in the groove of wearing shorts, there’s also an evening option – the sequined version. Heels will really up your game here. Shoulder cape a loose blazer and you’ll nail it in the glam stakes.…

Cork cuties What you’ll need: ● Champagne corks ● Small eye hooks ● String/ribbon ● Paint (various colours) ● Sharpie or marker pen ● Hot glue gun ● Felt, twigs, and embellishments (listed below) 1 Start by painting the base of your characters. Red and white for Santa, grey for the koala, white and yellow for the angel and unpainted (natural) for the reindeer. 2 Using the end of a paintbrush, add a dab of white for eyes. Add eyeballs, lashes and mouths with a Sharpie or fine-line marker pen. 3 Now to decorate! Reindeer: Use small twigs painted gold for antlers and a red bead for the nose. Koala: Attach grey pompoms for ears, add a ribbon and a bell around the neck. Santa: Glue on cushion stuffing for…

We are deep in what a friend refers to as “Chrismaggedon” – this mad time of year when we are simultaneously wrapping up work and school, plus also presents, while preparing for an invasion of relatives and/or going away for the family holiday. It’s a vacation that we will most definitely need because if we weren’t burnt out from the preceding 11 months, this final one will set fire to whatever’s left of our composure. It is nuts, isn’t it? This thing we do in New Zealand of doing everything all at once – attend school break-ups and office dos, finish work projects and shut up shop, while also shopping for gifts, basting a ham and packing the car for a road trip. In other countries, they’ll start school mid-year,…

I’ve always been aware of the heavy metal band Metallica. Being a teenager of the ’80s and growing up in provincial New Zealand, where the parties were powered by Lion Red and hard-rock music, you couldn’t help but know of Metallica. But I wasn’t a huge fan. I could name three or four tracks I liked and there were a couple of songs I could sing along to, but no, I’m not a super-fan who will travel the world to see them play live or spend $4000 for the privilege of standing through a two-hour concert in the Snake Pit, the special circular holding pen right in front of the stage. Yet when I received an invitation from Eden Park to the Metallica concert, I was quick to RSVP. My…

Going to the dogs Dog-lovers will find this novel especially heartbreaking. And if you are as fond of the quirky, gentle, speedy breed of greyhounds as I am, then your heart may shatter altogether. Tenderfoot is a coming-of-age tale set against a backdrop of the dog-racing industry and is very much based on the author’s own childhood in the 1970s. It’s one of those clever narratives where the reader understands far more about what is actually going on than the subject of the story does. Andie Tanner is 12 and growing up in the Brisbane suburbs. Her father is a small-time greyhound trainer and in the basement are the kennels where his dogs are kept. For Andie, school is complicated by tricky friendships. Home is where she feels safe. She…

Flag it! Trust Beyoncé to turn the racetrack into her own personal runway! The pop superstar, 44, looked speedy-licious as she arrived at the Las Vegas Grand Prix with husband Jay-Z, 55, last week. The pair received an extra-special tour of the pit, as seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, 40, took them for a hot lap around the track. As they reached speeds of more than 300km/h, the Crazy in Love star declared, “I’m sweating!” Catherine Zeta-Jones, 56, had the honour of waving the chequered flag as Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, 28, won after leading for most of the race. The victory has put the Dutch driver within reach of defending his World Drivers’ Championship title, as he’s now only 24 points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, 26, with…