Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 20, 2025 i Woman's Day Magazine NZ

In October, Liam Neeson declared he was “madly in love” with Pamela Anderson, his co-star in the upcoming reboot of The Naked Gun. And Pammy, 57, concurs. “Our chemistry was clear from the start,” she says of her and 72-year-old Liam’s on-set connection while filming in Atlanta in May and June last year. But the former Baywatch star claims, “I invited him and his assistant over for romantic dinners with me and my assistant, so our relationship stayed ‘professionally romantic’ during filming.” Now their job is done, though, a mutual pal says the pull between them could prove too much. “Pamela and Liam were nothing short of electric on that movie set,” a friend reveals. “She blew him away with her professionalism and her sense of humour. She’s very witty…

Imagine the surprise of Fulham locals when Prince Harry was spotted wandering around the streets of the West London neighbourhood knocking on strangers’ doors. Shortly after security-obsessed Harry, 40, lost his case for government-funded security for his family while in the UK, the prince seemingly had no qualms about his own safety as he took to the streets, ostensibly to hunt down the residence of his friends John and Georgina Vaughan, who have actually moved out of the area. Caught on a doorbell camera, the prince is pictured on his phone, with neighbours revealing Harry likely came searching for his pals after a trip to a local bar. “A pub run by a friend of his is close by,” a resident suggests. “I suppose he just walked from there to…

Ben Macdonald never expected to return to the MasterChef Australia kitchen, but when the call came, he couldn’t say no. Now based back in New Zealand with a young family and a life far removed from the TV spotlight, the former café owner has stepped back into the pressure cooker for the show’s new Back To Win series. With his two daughters and his partner Sandy cheering him on from home in Auckland, this second chance is about more than just cooking – it’s about showing his kids what it means to chase a dream. “It’s pretty unusual not only to be invited back, but that they let me back on,” laughs Whangārei-born Ben. Now 47, the self-taught cook came sixth on the sixth series of MasterChef back in 2014,…

When The Block NZ: Firehouse fan favourite Ethan Ordish’s now-fiancé Mia Broad suggested they should pack up their lives to move to Australia, he laughed. At the time, their Te Kuiti construction business was full-on and so was their family life with two young kids. But Mia’s words stuck and a month later, Ethan agreed to the trans-Tasman move. “There was no big catalyst,” says the 32-year-old. “We had a business which was going well, but I was over it. I was tired of being tired and stressed all the time.” Without confirmed jobs or much of a plan, they moved with their kids, Marley, five, and Noah, two, to Queensland six months after making the decision. “We could have thrown a dart at a map for where we were…

In a world where the news seems relentlessly bleak, the time couldn’t be better for a new season of The Great Australian Bake Off – and this series is set to be a real “doozy”, promises judge Darren Purchese. “We’ve got a bunch of really diverse, enthusiastic and talented bakers,” the Melbourne-based chef, 49, says of the eighth season. “There are the usual themed weeks, but also some stuff we’ve never done before – some spooky stuff, some spicy stuff! It’s going to be a whole lot of fun.” In the food industry for nearly three decades, Darren is a renowned pastry chef, best-selling cookbook author and a business owner, as well as appearing in several reality cooking shows, such as MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters. But it’s Bake Off…

Many allergy sufferers struggle with itchy or irritated eyes and when it happens, the temptation to rub them can feel irresistible. While it might seem fairly harmless, experts have identified a strong link between eye-rubbing and a previously little-known eye condition. Keratoconus is a condition that can lead to potentially serious vision loss if undetected. It mostly appears in people between the ages of 16 and 30, and usually stabilises by middle age. Eye experts used to believe keratoconus was extremely rare, but optometrist Margaret Lam says we now know this isn’t the case. “Keratoconus is more common than many people realise, with research showing that approximately one in 1000 people in New Zealand have signs of keratoconus,” she explains. “Many cases go undiagnosed for years because early symptoms can…

CHERRY CUPCAKES MAKES 24 PREP 30 MINS COOK 20 MINS • 2 ½ cups self-raising flour • 250g butter, softened • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 1 ¼ cups caster sugar • 4 eggs • ¾ cup milk • 24 maraschino cherries with stems BUTTERCREAM • 250g butter, softened • 3 ½ cups icing sugar mixture • ¼ cup milk • 2 tsp vanilla extract • pink food colouring 1 Line two 12-hole muffin pans (⅓ cup-capacity) with paper cases. 2 Beat all ingredients in large bowl of an electric mixer until combined. Increase speed and beat for 2-3 mins, until mixture is pale and creamy. Spoon mixture evenly into paper cases. 3 Cook in a 180°C preheated oven for 15-20 mins, or until cooked when tested with a…

Jimmy Wong’s time on MasterChef Australia: Back To Win has brought back a lot of early memories for a man who had lived in three countries by the time he was 14. The food photographer and influencer draws on his childhood this week, dedicating a heartfelt and delectable Asian scampi salad to his mother Anna. “That particular dish meant so much to me,” says Jimmy, who is this season’s oldest contestant at 58. “The challenge was terrifying at the beginning because I didn’t know what it was about. But when I got my pickle juices, the first thing that came to mind was my mum. I pulled on stories from my childhood and then did things to make the dish my own.” It’s something Jimmy is sad his late father…

Jamie Oliver has found himself at the centre of many famous feuds over the years. Yet he surprisingly has little ill will toward any of his former foes. In a new interview for The Louis Theroux Podcast, the acclaimed English chef and cookbook author spoke candidly about his beef with fellow celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay – and what led to them finally becoming friends. While Jamie admits he can’t even remember what started the whole thing now, British-American documentarian Louis Theroux, 54, recalled it stemming from Gordon, 58, body-shaming Jamie by referring to him as a “fat f**k”. “I was always a big admirer of his,” recalls Jamie, 49. “He was doing great things... He was the protégé of Marco [Pierre White] and was killing it. We got on very…

When Catherine McDougall visited her daughter for the last time, she knew something was wrong. In 2007, Chantelle McDougall, 27, and her six-year-old daughter Leela were living in an isolated farmhouse in Nannup, a three-hour drive south of Perth, with self-styled spiritual leader Simon Kadwell. During her visit, Catherine sensed that the couple was planning something because a passport arrived in the mail for Leela, although Chantelle hadn’t mentioned travel plans. “On the day I left, I burst into tears,” Catherine, 70, tells Woman’s Day. “In my gut, I knew something was going on.” Weeks later, her suspicion was confirmed when Chantelle and Leela, along with 45-yearold Kadwell, who ran an online sect, and their friend Tony Popic, 40, disappeared. CORONIAL INQUEST In what has become one of Australia’s most…

Dial up the radiance A nourishing day cream is essential for comfort and glow. Look for a formula that deeply hydrates while adding radiance to the skin. A moisturiser with a rosy tint can help revive dull complexions, leaving a healthy-looking flush and a soft, velvety finish. If you’re heading out for the day, consider using one with built-in SPF for a little extra protection. WE LOVE L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Golden Age Rosy Day Cream, $44.99, and L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Golden Age SPF15 Day Cream, $44.99 Boost your base Even our foundation needs a lift sometimes – especially during colder times. Try adding illuminating drops to your base, or applying gently with fingers to create an effortless, subtle glow. WE LOVE Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50 Super…

BUTCHART GARDENS Vancouver, Canada The world famous Butchart Gardens are open all year round, although one of the best times to see this Canadian marvel is in April to early May, when over 300,000 tulips, daffodils and other bulbs burst into bloom. In December, it transforms into a glittering winter wonderland complete with Christmas lights and carol singers! butchartgardens.com ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS Kew, United Kingdom Home to the world’s largest living plant collection, the World Heritage-listed Kew Gardens is one of London’s most popular attractions for good reason. From its giant Victorian glasshouse (one of several epic structures) to expert talks and more, it’s perfect to explore on foot, but can also be traversed via the Kew Explorer land train. kew.org MONET’S GARDEN Giverny, France Immortalised by Claude Monet’s famous…

KATSU CHICKEN CURRY SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 25 MINS • 4 chicken thigh fillets, trimmed • ⅓ cup seasoned flour • 1 egg • 1 cup panko crumbs • ⅓ cup vegetable oil • 1 onion, thinly sliced • 1 carrot, chopped • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 1 tbsp curry powder • 2 tsp cornflour • 2 cups chicken stock • 1 tbsp light soy sauce • 2 tsp honey • cooked rice, sliced spring onion, salad, to serve 1 Dust chicken in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into combined egg and 1 tbsp water. Coat in crumbs, pressing well. Chill until needed. 2 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion. Cook for 4-5 mins, stirring, or until golden. Reduce…

Gemini 22 MAY – 21 JUNE As the sun shimmies into your sign, everything will l look brighter and, best of all, the good vibes should prove catchy. That fresh spring in your step may attract more luck and support, while for singles, your renewed confidence will l act like a beacon. STAR TIP A weekend full of friends, food and earthly delights might just be the tonic you need. NAOMI CAMPBELL The supermodel turns 55 on 22 May. Cancer JUN 22 – JUL 23 Inspiration is about to strike! If you’ve been feeling uncertain about an issue, don’t rush into decisions that you might regret – by this time next month, your path should be clear. In the meantime, focus on recharging your batteries and soak up a few…

‘As long as I’ve got a beautiful dress, I’m happy’ Married At First Sight Australia’s Jacqui Burfoot beams as she gazes at herself in what could be the dress she wears as she walks down the aisle to marry her fiancé and fellow TV star Clint Rice. “It feels so different this time,” she says, speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day during her fitting. “First of all, the wedding on MAFS wasn’t real. But this time, it’s with a man I truly love and I want to marry. I want to get married as soon as possible.” Jacqui’s first time getting hitched, with Ryan Donnelly on the controversial reality show, wasn’t so successful. One silver lining she gained from the experience, however, was getting introduced to Moira Hughes. The Australian bridal…

Fiona Tarlton looks at her son Tane and sees a familiar spark – the same fearless, adventurous spirit that once burned in her late father Kelly Tarlton. Now 23, Tane never got to meet his legendary grandfather, the daring treasure hunter, underwater explorer and founder of the iconic Auckland aquarium that still bears his name. Kelly died 40 years ago, at the age of 47. But he’s keenly aware of the massive legacy his relative left behind and is already stepping into Kelly’s bold, visionary footsteps. He’s about to host his own TV show, Tane Tarlton’s Ocean Adventures, shining a spotlight on marine conservation around New Zealand’s coastline. At the same time, he’s restoring a bright-orange lifeboat he bought off Trade Me. Tane is planning an epic journey to circumnavigate…

After more than five decades of extracting hundreds of people from cults, Raphael Aron says the situation’s only getting worse and more people than ever are being brainwashed. “I get at least one call a week from a family wanting help with an intervention,” says cult expert Raphael, 70. “It’s a significant and frightening increase.” He claims it’s all the result of the COVID pandemic, which caused people to feel troubled and insecure – and easily recruited. “Cults provided a false sense of security,” says Raphael, director of Cult Consulting Australia. “People were more vulnerable and less likely to have access to a social network that provides a normal sense of perspective.” Even with the pandemic over, cults are booming and among those being targeted are younger people, including university…

Cry for alp! Nine Perfect Strangers FROM THURSDAY, PRIME VIDEO Nicole Kidman’s back as mysterious guru Masha Dmitrichenko, ready to treat nine people with serious issues against the backdrop of the snowy Austrian Alps. Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) and Annie Murphy (Schitt’s Creek) star as patients who will be pushed to the edge as they undergo the wellness leader’s unconventional methods. Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark FROM 7PM WEDNESDAY, NETFLIX Six singles check into a motel, seemingly signed up to find true love. But there’s a twist waiting for them – their longtime booty calls! As a series of activities test whether they truly have a future, these friends with benefits will face temptation. Whose hook-ups will turn into true romance and whose relationships will go out the door?…

1 I have a degree in Classics. I was obsessed with Greek myths growing up and I even made my own mythology handbook, including hand-drawn pictures of all the gods. I can’t believe my parents saw my drawing of Hercules and didn’t know I was gay! 2 My family Christmas tradition is an all-day board-game tournament. Its prize is a trophy that’s a novelty Santa glued to some wood with all the previous winners’ names written on the back. We have nerdy genes. 3 Christmas at my partner Sam’s home is all themed – costumes, decorations and food. It’s been “The ’70s”, “France”, “Under the Sea” and, in 2024, we did “Outer Space”. 4 My parents took me to see Jurassic Park at the cinema when I was just four…

MY BEST BINGE-WATCH I love Severance. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it now. I know all your friends are suggesting it to you and you’re sick of hearing people suggest Severance, but I don’t care. I want you to stop what you’re doing, irrespective of how important it is, and watch it! MY TOP PODCAST Dead Eyes is the brilliantly weird journey of actor Connor Ratliff trying to figure out why Tom Hanks fired him from Band Of Brothers for having “dead eyes”. It’s the perfect mix of funny, heartfelt and slightly unhinged dedication dication to answering a question most people would’ve let go of years ago. LAST BOOK I LOVED The Creative Act by Rick Rubin has been en like having a creative guru in my house,…