Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 17, 2024 i Woman's Day Magazine NZ

Theh first time I met Courtenay Louise was on the set of Celebrity Treasure Island in 2022, when she was among the 21 stars, including big names like Mike King, Dame Susan Devoy and Siobhan Marshall, fighting it out for buried treasure in the Far North. Having fallen out of the habit of watching Shortland Street (don’t worry – my addiction has since returned!), I hadn’t heard of her and wasn’t particularly excited to interview her, but as soon as we sat down to chat overlooking that beautiful white-sand beach, she blew me away with her openness, honesty and charisma. She was my favourite interview of that series of CTI, looked like a supermodel in our photos and went on to be a well-deserved runner-up. A star was born!…

Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz are Hollywood’s latest power couple, with multiple close sources claiming the music icons have been secretly dating since November. Further fuelling the rumour mill, Lenny went to Mariah’s Christmas concert and then, on 1 February, the pair attended the Recording Academy Honors, where they both received awards. Lenny, 59, gushed about his early friendship with Mariah, 55, at the event, saying, “She worked at a sports bar I used to hang out at. We used to go over and hang out. It’s extraspecial to be sharing this night with Mariah.” However, a source warns Woman’s Day the romance might be short-lived. “They’ve had plenty of chances to hook up in the past, so it’s strange that it would happen now,” explains our insider. “It’s…

It’s safe to say intimacy is not a taboo subject for Married At First Sight NZ’s new sex and relationship expert. In fact, Jo Robertson is so intrigued by what goes on between the sheets, she’s built a career on it. “Talking to people about their sex lives is so intimate – once you talk about sex, you can talk about everything,” the 36-year-old shares, chatting to Woman’s Day from her West Auckland home. “Sex is often, but not always, a symptom of stuff going wrong in a relationship. What I find so interesting is that it’s the most private, secretive, dark space. “I’ve discovered that there can be so much hidden pain, wounds and hurt within someone, and while you may work on everything else in their lives, all…

In the six years since finalising their divorce, Jennifer Garner has always remained tight-lipped on her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck, but now that is all about to change. Ever since Ben rekindled his romance with Jennifer Lopez, there has been headline after headline about their relationship. Most recently, the couple spoke openly about their marriage in the singer’s new documentary, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. Now sources say that the former Mrs Ben Affleck is ready to let people know her side of the story. “Jen doesn’t think anyone knows the truth about her and Ben,” a source tells Life & Style. “Nobody knows what people go through – or how much she shielded Ben and their children. Jen is finally opening up to some friends about how…

Love him or love to hate him, Gordon Ramsay is made for TV – as long as there’s a censor button handy, of course! The British celebrity chef ’s passion for food often comes with a serve of colourful expletives and while it can’t be pleasant to be on the receiving end, it does make for compelling viewing. Now, after top-rating UK and US seasons of his shows Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares and The F Word, the culinary star’s headed Down Under for Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars Australia, which sees 14 contestants battling it out to win a $250,000 investment in their food business. He’s teamed up with Aussie entrepreneur and Boost Juice founder Janine Allis for the series, in which they’ll mentor rival teams of budding foodies facing off…

It sounds like the plot of a thriller, but Nick Stride and his family’s story is all true – and more extraordinary than a Hollywood film. Nick’s troubles began in the late ’90s, when the British construction manager started a family in Moscow with his Russian wife Luda. “I was chosen to work on a special project building a multimillion-dollar winter garden for the deputy prime minister, Igor Shuvalov,” Nick, now 55, tells Woman’s Day. “It was very secretive and I was the only westerner.” Nick was soon to realise the power held by Igor, who was the right-hand man to President Vladimir Putin, and it slowly dawned on him that those who displeased or betrayed the Russian leaders disappeared. As he gradually became irreplaceable, while also holding sensitive financial…

Women’s health has traditionally been under-researched, but as the focus starts to shift, we’re beginning to realise that the change of life is much more complicated than many of us thought. For one thing, menopause doesn’t happen in just one act, but in three. Here we take you through each of them... 1 PERIMENOPAUSE As our ovaries wind down, our sex hormones also begin to peter out – but not before taking us on one last rollercoaster ride. This is known as perimenopause and while it lasts an average of five years, it can range from just a few months to a decade. This can be a turbulent time, although it may take a while to realise what’s happening. “Women can experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms that…

Q Can you please tell me if my son or daughter-in-law are upset with me for any reason? Why don’t we see or hear from them as much as we used to? Worried Mum MITCHELL SAYS I’m picking up that your son and daughter-in-law have very strong personalities. However, I don’t feel there is any particular reason for you to worry. A lovely lady in the spirit world from your mother’s side tells me she is watching over them. Their lives are incredibly busy with work and day-to-day responsibilities at the moment. If you give them a little space, I’m told in time you will see and hear from them much more. Try not to worry too much – your heart is certainly in the right place. Q My darling…

MY BEST BINGE-WATCH Modern Family. I’m a bit late to the party on this one, but I figured it was time I try it out. I really love it. It’s such a wholesome and genuinely funny sitcom. Great for background TV while cooking or eating. MY FAVOURITE TV SHOW BoJack Horseman. Really clever writing and animation. It gets dark quite quickly, but it’s genius. MY TOP PODCAST I don’t really listen to many podcasts these days, but Dying For Sex is my favourite. It’s about a woman with terminal cancer who embarks on crazy sexescapades. Through the humour, it’s also a beautiful and sad story about friendship as it’s hosted by her best friend. MY BEST BOOK RECOMMENDATION The Alchemist. I tried reading it a few years back, but I…

EDITOR Sebastian van der Zwan DEPUTY EDITOR Amy Prebble CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Denise Bowden ART DIRECTOR Mirella Monteiro DESIGNERS Anna Pétursdóttir, Béla Trussell-Cullen, Debby Wei, Hayley Pearce PHOTO & EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Kellie Blizard BEAUTY EDITOR Anna Lee MANAGEMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jane Huxley GENERAL MANAGER Stuart Dick EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Henry ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Claire Chisholm claire.chisholm@aremedia.co.nz SALES MANAGER Chloe Jordan chloe.jordan@aremedia.co.nz SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Jacquie Fraser jacquie.fraser@aremedia.co.nz COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Bridget Hewitt bridget.hewitt@aremedia.co.nz CAMPAIGN MANAGER Angela Wei Woman’s Day is published by Are Media Ltd, PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352. Printed by Webstar, 114 Swanson Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610. © 2024. All rights reserved.…

More than 10 million M people around the world tuned in to watch the recent special 28-minute episode of children’s classic Bluey and now we’re told producers are planning a full-length feature film! Beloved Aussie superstars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman are said to be scrambling to play a part, no matter how small, in the movie. “Nicole and Hugh have already thrown their hats in, but they’re not the only ones,” an insider tells us. “All the big names who did special appearances in the TV series are hankering for a part, including Rose Byrne and Joel Edgerton, but even the Hemsworths, Russell Crowe and the Irwins want to get on board.” As for the movie’s plot, our source adds, “There’s talk of the Heeler family taking a trip…

It’s not unusual for the wedding day to be all about the bride – her dress, her hair and her flowers. And make no mistake – when one of our favourite Shortland Street actresses, Courtenay Louise, married the love of her life, Chris Read, all eyes were on the beautiful 30-year-old as she embarked on a somewhat-nervous walk down the aisle. But not before Courtenay, who plays Monique Strutter on the TVNZ 2 soap, had ensured her special guy had his moment in the spotlight too. “I organised a surprise for him,” explains Courtenay, speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day as the couple relax on their “mini-moon” on Waiheke Island. “I recorded myself making a speech to Chris and saying a lot of really nice things about him, which our MC…

If Jon Tai-Rakena wanted to, he could probably write a book about resilience. The 36-year-old has certainly had to overcome a fair share of hurdles – not only is Jon deaf, but he also suffered sexual abuse and bullying as a child. As a result, he was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression. “It’s been a long journey to get to where I am today and to develop a strong sense of self,” admits Jon, who works as a New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) tutor in Auckland and has recently started studying for a law degree. The oldest of seven children, Jon lost his hearing after contracting meningitis when he was six months old. Although several family members learned to sign, life was tough for Hamilton-born Jon. “I didn’t have…

TIP For a hotter curry, use vindaloo paste. For a mild heat, try making this with korma paste. TIP Serve leftovers cold for lunch the next day. Replace avocado oil with grapeseed or rice bran oil. TIP For poached meatballs, cook in simmering soup for 10-12 mins. Add spinach, kale or cabbage towards end of cooking time. TIP Pearl barley is higher in fibre than white rice and contains antioxidants. Try brown rice for a gluten-free fibre hit. TIP The best pears for baking are Beurré Bosc, Packham and William Bartlett. Photography: Rob Shaw. Styling: Jenn Tolhurst. Food preparation: Carla Do Carmo.…

TURNIP THE STYLE! EMILY BLUNT Forget florals – this year is all about vege-patch chic! Well, according to Emily... The actress reminded us to get our 5+ a day with her turnipprint Loewe jumpsuit at the Fall Guy premiere in Paris. Clowning around DAVID ARQUETTE No, this isn’t a Scream remake – scary as it may seem to some! Instead, the horror-movie star, alongside sister Patricia, was doing good, playing dressups for the Healthy Humor Benefit in Los Angeles. Comfort dressing JUSTIN BIEBER Stepping ping out in LA, the Love Yourself singer seemed to take self-care too far, donning two pairs of sweatpants and some Monster footwear. But he’s not being a slob – those slippers are $4150 from Louis Vuitton! Seeing double! HEIDI KLUM Would the real supermodel…

David Beckham is suing Mark Wahlberg for $32 million amid a fitness brand deal that went bad. According to court documents, the soccer star claims that Mark’s fitness company F45 “duped” him into signing an endorsement deal. David, 48, agreed to serve as an ambassador for F45 in 2021, but the company allegedly withheld the millions of dollars it agreed to pay him. Mark’s lawyers have denied the claims, calling the “fraudulent conduct” accusations baseless. David originally attempted to sue the company alongside golfer Greg Norman, however, they were reportedly ordered to separate their claims. F45 was launched in Sydney in 2011, before Mark, 52, bought a minority stake. He now owns more than 30% of the company, serving as chief brand officer. His fellow F45 founders are also named…

Not even Prince Harry knows if he will be setting foot on a plane to London’s Heathrow Airport with his son Archie next week. The father-of-two, 39, is scheduled to celebrate the 10th Invictus Games Anniversary Service on 8 May, but friends say he is “unable to confirm” if his family will be joining him, despite high hopes that four-year-old Archie might be old enough to travel without his mum, the Duchess of Sussex. “Harry desperately wants to bring Archie with him, but he won’t do it without Meghan’s approval,” says an insider. “No one ever expected the duchess to come, but Harry was hoping she’ll allow Archie to Despite her husband’s pleas, the duchess is determined to celebrate their son’s birthday in the US see his grandfather, considering the…

Walking red carpets in Los Angeles, London and Texas earlier this year, Jess Hong didn’t know where to look. The Kiwi actress had never been to glitzy premiere events quite like these, and she was startled by the camera flashes and reporters calling her name. “It was very awkward,” she laughs. “Like, ‘Tell me what to do! Which way do I turn?’” Hailed as the breakout star of Netflix’s top-streaming new show 3 Body Problem, a sci-fi alien-invasion series with a very human heart, Jess, 29, is in hot demand. She’s stunned by how far she’s come from the painfully shy, anxious little girl who grew up in Palmerston North and couldn’t look anyone in the eye or start a conversation. Jess tells, “At intermediate, if one of the popular…

‘We’re so excited to be honouring her strength and how far she’s come’ Maddison Riddell is counting down the days to her 10th birthday celebrations later this week and like most almost 10-year-olds, it’s no surprise what she is most looking forward to. “My birthday presents – I’m hoping for a scooter!” Maddison says excitedly, with cake, hot dogs, goody bags and a lollyfilled piñata also up there. Reaching double digits is a special milestone in Maddison’s extraordinary journey. Weighing a tiny 410 grams when she was born prematurely at 27 weeks, she has defied the odds to become one of the smallest babies ever to survive in New Zealand. As they plan celebrations with Maddison’s friends and family, her parents Katlin McIlvenny, 30, and Jonnie Riddell, 32, couldn’t be…

Ballet lesson Be en pointe and slip into a ballet flat! Style with dresses and skirts of any length, or baggy-leg jeans and pants for a contemporary combination. Moto cool With buckles, chains and additional straps, the motorcycleinfluenced boot will work for roadies, the apocalypse (!) or just out and about. Style this hardy boot with everything from floaty dresses to a utilitarian chic look. Loafer glory The reign of the chunky-soled loafer continues. Style with denim or tailoring, or add a sock to pair with midi-length satin skirts for a fresh look. High sheen Metallics are seen across all footwear trends. Silver and gold dominate, but other hues are coming through for the pop of colour any polished ensemble needs. Popular girl Retro-inspired Mary Janes have come back and…

Mango sago brulée A tropical treat! SERVES 6 Place 6 x 120ml ramekins on a tray. Divide 400g diced mango evenly among ramekins. In a large saucepan, bring 5 cups water to the boil over high heat. Stir in ¼ cup small pearl tapioca. Bring back to the boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until tender and translucent. Strain tapioca through a fine-mesh sieve. Rinse with cold water and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together ¼ cup canned unsweetened coconut milk and 1 tbsp cornflour. Whisk in 2 large egg yolks (at room temperature). Set beside stovetop. In a small saucepan, whisk together ¾ cup of rest of coconut milk, ¼ cup sugar and ¼ tsp salt. Heat over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until…