Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 27, 2024 i Woman's Day Magazine NZ

I can totally relate to Shortland Street actress Ria Vandervis not wanting to celebrate her 40th birthday. When the milestone approached for me last year, I’d only recently got married and I really didn’t have the energy to organise another big event. In the end, I invitedited a few friends and family members for a boat tour of a local oyster farm, where we shucked shellfish and sipped on bubbles in the sunshine for a couple of hours. It was a lovely, low-key afternoon and I’m glad I marked the occasion as it’s something that only comes around once! Similarly, Ria had to be talked into having a big birthday bash, but the star is so happy she celebrated with a “loud, proud and very fun” long lunch with…

She’s Hollywood royalty and now it seems Natalie Portman is following in the footsteps of real aristocracy by stepping out in Paris with comedian and actor Gad Elmaleh. Gad is the 53-year-old ex of Charlotte Casiraghi, the daughter of Monaco’s Princess Caroline and the granddaughter of the late Princess Grace Kelly. The former couple (pictured left) split in 2015 and share a 10-year-old son named Raphael. Natalie, 43 – who finalised her divorce from dancer Benjamin Millepied in February – and Gad raised eyebrows by enjoying a late-night dinner in Paris, where they are both based, before leaving together in an Uber around 2am.…

Not content with all his royal duties, the King has expanded his skill set – launching a range of fancy pet products for “pampered pooches” and “fabulous felines”. Released through the Royal Collection Trust, some of the products on offer include a $60 china bowl complete with a crown motif, Buckingham Palace inscription and 22-carat gold trimmings, a $40 pink bone, bow ties and even pet coats! And that’s not the only retail venture Charles, 75, is branching into. After some handy tips from fellow beekeeper David Beckham, the King has made his own organic Highgrove Royal Estate Honey – going for almost $50 for a 350g jar!…

That’s amore! Russell Crowe loves Italy so much, he once said he would “use any excuse” to travel back there – so it’s no surprise that he’s chosen it as the beautiful backdrop for his wedding to fiancée Britney Theriot! The actor, 60, and US-born Britney, 32, were seen in full-on tourist mode in Rome last week, riding through the bustling streets on scooters ahead of his gig with his rock band, the Gentlemen Barbers. And an insider reveals the couple were eyeing up a small church in which to say “I do” as the country holds special meaning for them both. “Italy was always going to be their wedding destination,” a source says of the couple, who began dating in 2020. “Every time they go there, they come back…

It seems Tom Cruise could be in the market for a new lady – and his eyes are set firmly on Gillian Anderson! The pair hung out together at Glastonbury’s VIP area recently and according to one insider, Tom was “completely bowled over” by the actress, 55. “Tom was totally enthralled by Gillian,” says a pal. “He couldn’t care less if she’s got a boyfriend or not. He got her number and wants to work with her. He’s even watching The X Files again!” Interestingly, Gillian shared a video of her and Tom on Instagram from the festival, tagging Tom in the post.…

It sounds like the simplest advice to remember that no matter how tough a day gets, the sun will always rise. But for former Dancing With The Stars NZ judge Julz Tocker, they’re words that have carried him through his hardest years, helping him overcome a depression so severe, he tried to end his life, as well as the unfathomable grief of losing eight loved ones. Speaking to Woman’s Day while on a whirlwind tour of New Zealand with the Ballroom Blitz dance show, Los Angeles-based Julz, 36, recalls, “A coach once told me after I lost a dance competition, ‘The sun will always shine tomorrow. As long as that sun comes up, so can you.’” Reflecting on how far he’s come is an emotional ride for Julz,…

Aussie hunk Curtis Stone faced criticism for his grumpy demeanour when he appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia. One viewer commented, “Maybe Curtis is trying to edge into Gordon Ramsay’s territory? Doesn’t look happy to be here at all.” Another added, “Tonight’s episode showcased just what a jerk Curtis Stone is… Disappointing. Contestants deserved better.” After her pressure test with Curtis, 48, eliminated contestant Sue Bazely, 58, commented, “It’s been a wild ride and I loved all of it, except the cook with Curtis. It’s going to take me a long time to forgive him for that.”…

PASTA E FAGOLI SOUP SERVES 6 PREP 20 MINS COOK 8 HOURS • 2 tbsp olive oil • 6 (500g) Italian-style sausages, thickly sliced • 1 onion, finely chopped • 2 carrots, finely chopped • 3 sticks celery, finely chopped • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary leaves • 2 bay leaves (optional) • 2 x 400g chopped tomatoes • 1 litre hot chicken or beef stock • 2 x 400g cans cannellini beans • 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or risoni) • 1 bunch kale, stems discarded, leaves torn • parmesan, extra olive oil, crusty bread, to serve 1 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add sausages and cook, turning occasionally, 5-6 mins or until browned. Transfer…

Thankful Bella passes on her love AMANDA SAYS Bella comes through and tells me she has passed. She is a small cavalier and has the most beautiful nature. Bella loved the dam and thanks John, Alison’s husband, for burying her there. Bella passed away at 14 but belonged to John and Alison’s daughter, and came in as a puppy. More dogs and a horse come through. Kelly was a kelpie and was John’s dog many years ago. Bella knew Kelly and they were – and still are – great mates. Kelly passed at the vets from an undiagnosed large tumour. Another dog called Tinka also comes through, along with chilled but sometimes naughty Cruiser the horse. Cruiser passed suddenly in front of John and Alison from a heart attack a…

Too close for comfort? Look out, Julia Roberts – those Swifties could be coming after you! The 56-year-old Pretty Woman star was snapped pawing at Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce, 34, in the VIP tent at her Eras Tour show in Dublin, Ireland. “Part of Taylor was thrilled that her all-time idol was flirting with her man and she has every intention of teasing Travis relentlessly about it for the rest of their lives,” says a source. “She gets it. Julia was having fun – women do go a bit silly around him. Taylor did too when they first met. But there’s also a girl code that Taylor and her circle of friends are strict about, and Julia quite frankly crossed it.” According to the insider, the 34-year-old singer expects…

EDITOR Sebastian van der Zwan DEPUTY EDITOR Amy Prebble CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Denise Bowden ART DIRECTORR Mirella Monteiro DESIGNERS Anna Pétursdóttir, Béla Trussell-Cullen, Debby Wei, Hayley Pearcee  PHOTO & EDITORIAL COORDINATORR 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.…

Prince Harry was awarded $275,000 in damages in his phone-hacking lawsuit against a British tabloid in December, hailing it “a great day for truth”. But just over six months on from his win, the royal has been accused of “deliberately destroying” evidence in the latest round of the bombshell court case. Now speculation is mounting that deleted text messages between Harry and Spare ghostwriter JR Moehringer could relate to unflattering messages about his family – and they may not paint the prince in such a favourable light! “Whether or not Harry purposefully deleted the texts is to be decided, but it’s also raised questions about what Harry might have said and why he might not want them to be aired publicly,” spills a royal insider. “Harry hinted at a string…

It’s the break-up no one saw coming. The golden couple of Married At First Sight New Zealand, Samantha Best and James Hunt, left the show loved up and looking forward to a promising future. But only a couple of months after filming wrapped, the two called it quits. Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day, James, 31, confesses he’s still a bit confused about why it ended. “She had her reasons, but I don’t think I was good enough for her in the end,” the British-born teacher says sadly. “I did everything I could possibly do. But after she ended things, I sat down to think about it and I was proud of the way I was in the relationship. I was 100% in.” Going from a reality show to real…

If there’s one thing you learn when playing top-level rugby, it’s the value of being part of a strong team. And new Chiefs first-five Josh Jacomb has had the best teamwork training of all this season, having to leave his partner to hold the fort – and their new baby – while he grabbed the chance to join the Super Rugby Pacific team in Hamilton. Based in New Plymouth, the Taranaki player, 23, was only just settling into the groove of life as a new dad alongside his long-term girlfriend Bonnie Henderson-Waho when he got the call-up to join the Chiefs. One of his biggest fans and supporters, Bonnie, 26, immediately stepped up to her new role as part-time solo parent and encouraged Josh to follow his dream. Since late…

Since quitting her day job in corporate finance to launch her website RecipeTin Eats in 2014, Japanese-born Aussie cook Nagi Maehashi has become a culinary icon, with her online platform attracting millions of visitors every month and her books topping the charts thanks to her simple yet flavourful food ideas. And now her fame is going next level, with Nagi, 46, stepping into the MasterChef Australia kitchen as a guest judge – an experience that has left a lasting impression. “I had a blast filming with the MasterChef team after I got over my nerves,” she tells. “It was actually just so much fun to see what goes on behind the curtain and watch the magic of such a big show! I love it because it has all my favourite…

She usually hopes to land at least a few punches before exiting a match, but mixed martial arts fighter Janay Harding was brutally knocked out in the first round of The Traitors New Zealand. “I was absolutely devastated,” sighs the 29-year-old Aucklander, recounting when she opened the letter that revealed she was the first to be ruthlessly “murdered” on the show. “I was so much saltier than they showed. I had so much more to contribute.” In the first episode, which screened on Three last week, host Paul Henry had tasked contestants with gathering pieces of his daughters’ dismembered baby doll, which had been dispersed throughout the grounds of Timaru’s Castle Claremont. It was Janay who discovered the crucial piece, securing $5000 for the group’s prize pot – which may…

When Travel Guides New Zealand star Rusha Paenga first set foot on the catwalk, she had no intention of becoming a model, but after a decade of globetrotting, reality TV appearances and a tonne of personal growth, all that has changed. Now the bubbly 28-year-old from tiny Maraehako Bay, near East Cape, is turning heads across the Tasman, making a name for herself in Australia’s cut-throat modelling scene. “I moved to Sydney in March to pursue full-time modelling,” she explains. “Some people in the industry say your career is over at 28, but I’m just getting warmed up.” The Bay of Plenty beauty first dipped her toes into modelling in her late teens, when she was studying fashion in Napier. “I’ve always been interested in the way clothes make you…

MONEY TROUBLES Kia ora, Jay-Jay! My husband and I have struggled financially since losing our business. We now have jobs, but our income is much lower than it was and we still have big debts. Meanwhile, my best friend has millions in the bank now she and her husband have sold their company. She doesn’t seem to understand when I say I can’t afford to do things, like going out to dinner all the time. She’s celebrating a milestone birthday soon and organising a girls’ weekend to Sydney. I’ve told her I can’t afford to go, so she has offered to pay for me, saying to pay her back when I can. I’ve said no because I don’t know when I can repay her and I don’t want to be…

CHOCOLATE MACAROON SLICE MAKES 20 PREP 25 MINS + CHILLING COOK 30 MINS • 2 cups desiccated coconut, plus extra to sprinkle • 2 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted • ½ cup Nutella (see Tip) • 250g unsalted butter, chopped, softened • 1 cup caster sugar • 4 eggs, separated • 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Lightly grease and line a 20x30cm slice pan with baking paper, extending paper 5cm over long sides. 2 In a small bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and half the sugar together until pale and creamy. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, until well combined. Fold in flour. Press lightly over base of pan using fingertips. Chill for 15 mins. 3 In a clean, dry bowl, beat…

Cancer 22 JUNE – 23 JULY Look out, world – Cancer coming through! With your confidence on the rise, it’s time to inject some colour and pizzazz into things – new clothes, cosmetics, homewares or even a brand-new set of wheels. A generous gift or offer might feel like icing on the cake. STAR TIP The weekend could bring a heartfelt reunion – or a weird sense of déjà vu. JESSICA SIMPSON Happy birthday to the songstress, who turns 44 on 10 July. Leo JUL 24 – AUG 23 Go dazzle them! Your creative, proactive approach could turn you into a dynamo through winter, but don’t overstretch yourself. Balance your hard work with plenty of fun and laughter, and be sure to catch a big show or two. You need…

Nicola Peltz Beckham says she “can’t find the words to describe” her heartbreak after the death of her chihuahua Nala. And now the actress/heiress has lawyered up and is going after her dog groomer, who she claims could be responsible for the pooch passing. “Nala was perfectly healthy when she went to the groomers yesterday but came out hyperventilating and couldn’t catch her breath,” Nicola, 29, wrote on social media, revealing the dog died at the vet’s just hours later and that she’s taken legal action to protect other potential pet clients. “I am doing everything I can to uncover the truth... If her death was not due to foul play, then why isn’t the groomer cooperating with our investigation?” This isn’t Nicola’s first public legal battle. In September, she…

All eyes have been on Lady Louise Windsor as the promising young royal rising through the ranks in recent months. And it seems the 20-yearold has caught the eye of one person in particular – a charming, young suitor by the name of Felix da Silva-Clamp. Louise, who is currently studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, has been spending time with fellow student Felix, who was firmly by her side while she competed in the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials in Norfolk for the very first time. Louise even gave him a ride on her carriage once her first event was done! “They were chatting and looking at each other all the way around,” an onlooker tells. “They went for a couple of walks together in between her…

Shortland Street star Ria Vandervis wasn’t sure if she wanted to have a party for her 40th birthday, but after being “egged on” by one of her besties, former co-star Amelia Reid-Meredith, the actress ended up having a beautiful, intimate bash with her closest family and friends. “Amelia had a vision of us celebrating my birthday in a room with white walls and wooden floorboards,” Ria tells Woman’s Day. “Then one day, I was walking up Auckland’s Karangahape Road and saw a private space for hire. It was exactly as Amelia described, so I figured it was meant to be!” The actress, who has played Dr Harper Whitley on Shorty since 2013, already had some tickets to go with friends to Shapeshifter’s 25th anniversary gig at the Auckland Town Hall…

Forget the runway – all eyes were on Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and their lookalike teenagers at the Balenciaga 53rd Couture Collection runway show at Paris Fashion Week. Nicole and her 15-year-old daughter Sunday – who is the spitting image of her father Keith Urban, 56 – twinned in chic black dresses, dark sunglasses and long blonde hair, while Naomi and her youngest child Kai, 15, also matched in monochrome ensembles. The younger pair’s fashion debut is no doubt just the start of us seeing more of the high school students. Best friends Nicole, 57, and Naomi, 55, have previously admitted that their children are keen to join them in the limelight. “It seems they’ve got the bug,” Naomi says of her children, including 16-year-old Sasha, whom she shares with…

There is no question Andy Allen had the hardest task coming back to the series after his mate and mentor Jock Zonfrillo’s tragic death. In a new interview, the 36-year-old chef says he almost didn’t return to the show, but a special meal in London with his mate Jamie Oliver, 49, got him through the tough times. “We sat there for four hours,” recalls Andy. “It’s been a friendship that has blossomed off that dinner. For him to come back and be part of MasterChef this year was incredible. He wanted to do it for Jock and he wanted to support me as well.”…

He’s a former army officer whose stints on Australian Survivor saw him become a celebrity – and meet his wife, fellow contestant Samantha Gash. But behind the brawn and biceps, Mark Wales has had personal struggles, including dealing with childhood sexual abuse and coping with the debilitating mental scars from his 16 years in the military. “I had these unusual symptoms that were classic PTSD,” Mark, 44, says of life after leaving the army. “I withdrew from society, I wouldn’t ever leave my house and I couldn’t sleep. I had to look after my health, get treatment, and focus on myself to repair and find purpose.” Eventually, he relocated from Australia to New York, where he studied business and launched a clothing label, but it was his 2017 stint on…

Q I lost a workmate in an accident and now realise how much I liked him. I wish I’d given him a chance sooner. Does he hear me talking to him? Sharon MITCHELL SAYS I feel you are a very spiritual lady. There is a whole crowd beginning to gather because upstairs has a lot of love for you. However, I can see a lovely man standing to my right. He is smiling and waving hello to you. He tells me he did not feel any pain when he passed and is doing OK on the other side. He says he hears you talking to him often and wants you to know he has been watching over you. He explains the past few months haven’t been easy for you, especially…

Blast from the past LISA RINNA Look who popped in to Paris Fashion Week to debut her new do! Is that the ghost of Andy Warhol or could it be the former Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star? Shower me with compliments! Bathing beauty CARDI B Who knew a few shower loofahs stitched together could look so funky? Clearly the rapper did! She rocked this fun, fresh look to the Marc Jacobs Fashion Show in New York. Best foot forward? LILY ALLEN The English singer is living “la dolce feeta” by earning some extra cash from her new side hustle – selling foot pics on OnlyFans. We trust she hasn’t toe-tally soled out… You cannot be serious! JOHN McENROE The three-time Wimbledon champ served up an ’80s flashback in an…