Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 17, 2025 i Woman's Day Magazine NZ

She may be one of Australia’s most acclaimed exports, having won two Oscars and been nominated for a further six, but Cate Blanchett has revealed she’s hesitant to call herself an actress – because she’s throwing in the towel! “It’s because I’m giving up,” she declares. “My family roll their eyes every time I say it, but I mean it.” While her loved ones may need some convincing, the 55-year-old insists she’s “serious” about a change of career as there are “a lot of things I want to do with my life” – though she’s yet to reveal her post-acting plans. And the in-demand mum of four might have to hold tight on retiring as she’s currently starring alongside Channing Tatum in film Alpha Gang, which she’s also producing –…

Prince Andrew was out of exile and firmly back in the royal fold as he walked in St George’s Chapel for the Easter service alongside the King and Queen – amid rumours he could be plotting a return to official duties. And Wills and Kate’s no-show is said to be down to his “incredibly strained” relationship with his uncle. “William and Catherine can’t afford to be seen with Andrew,” a royal insider tells us. “It’s as simple as that. Beatrice, Eugenie and even Fergie are fine, but until those Epstein files are released, they’re not willing to risk further embarrassment. William has made it clear if Andrew’s going, he simply can’t – and certainly not with his wife and kids.”…

PARTYING AT COACHELLA David Beckham loves his eldest son Brooklyn so much that he famously had his nickname “Buster” inked on his neck in 2015. But fast-forward a decade and it’s Brooklyn who has cast a dark cloud on his devoted dad’s upcoming 50th birthday. Relations between Brooklyn and his famous parents, David and Victoria, are at breaking point, with him and his billionaire heiress wife Nicola Peltz, 30, taking public potshots at the family amid reports of a feud between Brooklyn, 26, and his brother Romeo, 22, over Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turnbull, 24. Now it seems David and Victoria have been dragged into their sons’ spat, with Brooklyn refusing to confirm whether or not he will be attending his footballer father’s milestone birthday bash on 2 May. Brooklyn and…

Joining The Last Of Us this season is Apple Cider Vinegar actress Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, a member of the Fireflies who’s on the hunt for Joel after he killed members of their group to protect Ellie. The star, who originally auditioned for the role of Ellie, has strong ties to the franchise through her father. “It’s such a full-circle moment for me,” explains Kaitlyn, 28. “Playing the game with my dad has been in the background of my life for 10 years. We were big fans and it was a real bonding moment for us. “We were so happy when it became a TV show. This is sort of surreal. It feels meant to be.” After losing her mum Kathy to breast cancer last year, Kaitlyn says sharing…

Farmer and gardener Yonke van Geloven admits she was a bit shocked when she first watched herself on Alone Australia – and so were her twin teen boys! “My sons were a little bit disappointed that I was shown licking moss and talking to trees,” she laughs. “They were like, ‘But Mum, they haven’t shown any of your skills!’” But Yonke, 52, who lives in outback Victoria, says she understands that Alone wants to show a diversity of people – and the truth is she does like to taste things in the forest that aren’t necessarily food “just to get that different sense of what’s around”. As for asking the trees for permission to set up camp nearby, Yonke says she really felt “a warmth and communication” from them. “It’s…

More than 70 people are murdered, on average, in New Zealand each year. For the vast majority of victims’ families, their grief is softened by the conviction of the killer. But whether by luck, cunning or gaps in the law, a few cases remain unsolved and for their victims’ loved ones, the pain goes on. The cold-case files are never closed and are constantly reviewed by detectives, who hope science or a guilty conscience will one day provide the breakthrough they need. KIRSTY BENTLEY Around 4pm on the final day of 1998, 15-year-old Kirsty took her devoted black labrador Abby for a stroll along familiar paths beside the Ashburton River. After a shopping trip with her best friend Lee-Anne Kerr, the two avid Backstreet Boys fans were planning to start…

MY BEST BINGE-WATCH I am down deep into The Sinner. I am weak for a thriller murder-mystery, where the plotline is unpredictable. It’s intense, so maybe watch a trailer to see if it’s the right fit for you. THE LAST BOOK I LOVED Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion. It was the first Didion book I’ve read and she’s become one of my favourite writers. It doesn’t shy away from the brutality of a woman’s expansive freedom in the 1960s. Actually, ly, I might pick this up again soon! MY TOP PODCAST  Broken Record by Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond. I came across this because I’m a fan of Malcolm’s books. This podcast has conversations with some of my favourite artists – St Vincent,…

EDITOR Sebastian van der Zwan DEPUTY EDITOR Amy Prebble CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Denise Bowden SUB-EDITOR Darren Bevan ART DIRECTOR Mirella Monteiro DESIGNERS Anna Pétursdóttir, Béla Trussell-Cullen, Debby Wei, Hayley Pearce PICTURE EDITOR 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 SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS Chloe Jordan, Amy Madden ACCOUNT MANAGER Sara Grace Aldis SENIOR COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Angela Wei angela.wei@aremedia.co.nz COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Georgia van Koningsveld DIRECTORY SALES MANAGER Kim Chapman classifieds@xtra.co.nz 021 673 133 Woman’s Day is published by Are Media Ltd, PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352. Printed by Webstar, 114 Swanson Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610. © 2025. All rights reserved.…

Taylor Swift fans are convinced she will take on the role made famous by Whitney Houston in a remake of The Bodyguard after it was revealed Sam Wrench will be directing the movie. As any Swiftie knows, Sam, 34, directed 2023 documentary Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. Weighing in on the possible casting, model Tyra Banks suggested Taylor, 35, and Brit star Idris Elba, 52, are frontrunners. “Taylor Swift would freakin’ sell like crazy,” claimed Tyra, 51. “But I’m just gonna be real – I’m a black girl. What if we flipped it and it was Taylor Swift and Idris Elba? Hot!”…

There’s no doubt the King – aka “Grandpa Wales” – is a doting grandfather to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ three children. And his connection to tearaway grandson Prince Louis, who turned seven last week, is one of the things that he’s most proud of, with their close bond often captured on camera. However, a palace insider tells us that Charles, 76, sees so much of a young Prince Harry in Louis that he’s had a cautious word to both William and Kate. “He doesn’t want Louis to feel sidelined and ignored like Harry feels he was,” says our source. “Charles has a special place in his heart for Louis, whose antics remind him dearly of Harry when he was a boy. Having said that, he doesn’t want William…

This time last year, Marama Davidson had no idea her world was about to be turned upside down. As co-leader of the Green Party, there was work to be done and she certainly didn’t have time to be sick. Yet in May 2024, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which sparked the most difficult period of Marama’s life. “Nothing could have prepared me for cancer treatment,” she says, opening up to Woman’s Day about her courageous battle. “I’d been a politician for a long time and I’d been an activist for even longer, so I knew what it was like to face massive challenges. ‘The tears I cried were all about my sense of identity’ “I’d had adversity, moments of terror and deep traumatic crises at work. But none of…

When Rebecca Gibney’s son Zac Bell declared he wanted to be an actor, she had her reservations. Having been in the business herself for over 40 years, she knows it isn’t an easy path to follow. “Actually, I think it’s a lot harder now than when I started out because there’s not a lot of work around with lots of people wanting to do it,” says Rebecca, chatting to Woman’s Day from her home in the Marlborough countryside. “That’s why I was concerned when Zac decided he wanted to be an actor. It can be a tough job because you have to spend time out of work and the rejection is painful too.” Even as a child, Zac was a performer, always happy to grab a microphone and jump on…

As a child, Manon Blackman spent a lot of time with her mum Therese protesting for animal and human rights. So it wasn’t surprising when the British-born, Auckland-raised Kiwi decided to study law. However, she maintained a passion for acting. And while law and showbiz may seem like contrasting paths, she believes her legal background has enriched her acting skills, particularly when it comes to her lead role in new film The People We Love. “A huge part of being a lawyer is understanding things from two sides,” says the 28-year-old while chatting to Woman’s Day in Los Angeles, where she’s now based. “As an actor, you’re given a character, and have to empathise and understand why they’re making decisions so you can play them. There’s a real link between…

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN & CORN PIES WITH SALSA MAKES 8 PREP 25 COOK 24 MINS • 4 sheets frozen puff pastry, just thawed • 2 cups (300g) shredded roast chicken (see Tip) • 125g can corn kernels, drained • 300g jar chipotle salsa • ½ cup roasted capsicum strips • 2 tsp chipotle seasoning, plus extra 1 tsp • 1 cup grated cheese TOMATO SALSA • 200g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved • ½ cup fresh coriander leaves • 1 tbsp olive oil 1 Spray a 4-hole (¼-cup capacity) pie maker with oil. Using the pie maker cutters, cut 8 x 10.5cm rounds and 8 x 9.5cm rounds from pastry sheets. Lightly press 4 x 10.5cm pastry rounds into holes. 2 Combine chicken, corn, chipotle salsa, capsicum and seasoning in a large…

Finding friends and family AMANDA SAYS Nellie comes through, telling me that she passed away aged nearly 11 after an operation and other health problems, along with suspected cancer, which she’s now confirmed. Nellie surprises Vanessa by telling her that her brother, who she was very close to, met her on the other side. The two pups were found wandering and got separated at the shelter, and she’s always wondered what happened to him. Nellie was also over the moon to see her best buddy, the cat Nera. She was obsessed with Nera and the two of them spent many happy years together. Nellie passed about 18 months ago and she just adored her human dad. Everyone loved Nellie, who was always very active, though she became quite frail towards…

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Kiwi women, with one in nine diagnosed during their lifetime. It’s also the second most common cause of death, only after heart disease, with more than 650 fatalities per year. They’re scary statistics that spell out why this disease affects so many – I’ve had women on both sides of my family diagnosed, as well as several close friends – and why it’s so important for women to check their own breasts for changes, as well as going for regular mammograms. This is especially true for Māori and Pasifika women, who are likely to experience earlier onset and worse outcomes. It’s a message Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is keen to push and a big reason why she chose to speak to…

After a string of eyebrow-raising romances, Elizabeth Hurley has managed to shock the world once again by going public with new beau Billy Ray Cyrus! The Austin Powers actress, 59, took to Instagram over the Easter holidays to announce the news, posting an image of herself receiving a kiss on the cheek from the country music superstar, 63. And it’s said to be causing all kinds of Achy Breaky Hearts within his family, particularly with his eldest daughter Miley. “Of course, Miley didn’t know,” an insider tells Woman’s Day. “She stays away from her dad as much as possible. But she won’t be happy about this because she’s about to launch an album and this is going to overshadow it all!” ‘Miley wants Liz to know that Billy has another…

Its debut season captured our imaginations and garnered ecstatic reviews – and now The Last Of Us fans, who have spent over a year waiting, will finally find out what happens next for lead characters Joel and Ellie. Original followers, who know the story from the 2013 video game, might think they’re already clued into what’s coming up, but star Bella Ramsey insists this new instalment of the hit Neon series is not what people might expect. “There’s always pressure that comes with making a second season better than the first,” says Bella, 21, who identifies as nonbinary. “It’s a little bit scary. This is definitely more epic and brilliant than the first. Fans will have big feelings about what goes down.” Since the first season, Ellie, a teen who’s…

Strap on your tool belt because filming of The Block Australia is well underway – and judging by these new pics, it’s set to be the biggest season yet! Aerial shots taken at the construction site in the Victorian tourist town of Daylesford, located 112km northwest of Melbourne, show five massive homes taking shape. Surrounded by lush trees, all of the houses appear to be two-storey builds in modular H-shape designs, all with massive yards in the front and back. And while producers are keeping things largely under wraps, Woman’s Day has spied this year’s crop of Blockheads decked out in rainbow colours, thought to be inspired by Daylesford’s large gay community. We’re told the first episode for the show’s upcoming 21st season sees the contestants welcomed into the town…

The night I was crowned Miss Aotearoa National New Zealand was one of those rare, life-defining moments that seemed to happen in the blink of an eye, but had been years in the making. I woke up that morning at an absurdly early hour, around 3am, unable to fall back asleep. My mind was buzzing with thoughts of the journey I’d been on – one that had brought me to this very moment, competing in a beauty pageant at 46 years old. I’d worked tirelessly to prepare for this day, putting everything I had into being the best version of myself. I wasn’t expecting to win, but it was exciting pushing past my insecurities as I endlessly balanced in heels for rehearsals and then the fashion show. The bikini round,…

Let’s say you’ve been trying to get a little bit more out of your workout. You could definitely invest in some really fancy home equipment or a personal trainer. But there might be one powerful component that you’ve seriously overlooked. We’re talking about the world of workout tracks. While it’s not exactly a secret that listening to music makes exercising more enjoyable, experts are now starting to look much deeper into the ways it affects our overall performance. “There is something therapeutic about pulsing our bodies in sync with the beat,” says fitness trainer Tanya Weeks. “It’s a connection through vibration that’s so powerful, it has the ability to make you move without requiring a lot of mental effort.” THE SCIENCE Research has found that listening to music while working…

Taurus 21 APRIL – 21 MAY Your confidence is rising, Taurus, so shake off those doubts and show the world what you’re made of. And don’t discount a business or money-making idea – under the practical Taurus new moon, it might just work. Inspiration could strike towards the weekend. STAR TIP Harmonise your home with feel-good music, sage smoke and scented oils. PENÉLOPE CRUZ The Oscar winner and mother of two turns 51 on 28 April. Gemini MAY 22 – JUN 21 An important goal may be coming within reach, but don’t let fear hold you back. Open up about your deeper thoughts and feelings, then gather support from friends. Mars might be revving things up on the fitness front, but as they say, slow and steady wins the race.…

Q+A How was it filming The Road Trip? We started in Bristol, which I love, then you go from Bristol to Gran Canaria – where British meets Spanish in the various resort towns – then from there to Madrid and filming in a warehouse on a giant stage. We had a road trip of our own! We certainly missed all the British winter. What type of person is your character Marcus? He’s a maverick. He’s not very conventional as a character for a romantic comedy – he’s not very romantic. He’s got a very hard surface, but he’s funny and he means well. He’s definitely the most extroverted character I’ve ever played and that was fun. How does he grow as the characters travel across Spain? Marcus learns a lot…

Pink Power Ranger JENNIFER LOPEZ J.Lo, JLo assemble! The On The Floor hitmaker looked ready to fight some serious crime when she stepped out in a pink latex jumpsuit at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Dunkin’ Damon MATT DAMON After unveiling his insanely ripped new body, the 54-year-old movie star showed his family what he can do with it while holidaying off the coast of Favignana, Italy. TWINNING! RUMER WILLIS With her adorable daughter Louetta turning two early this month, actress Rumer – the daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis – clearly celebrated by buying some cute matching outfits! Did I do a double flip? Stay in bed RIHANNA Amid rumours she’s expecting her third child, the Love On The Brain singer released some sizzling snaps to showcase her…