Auckland’s iconic Parnell markets are back and better than ever

Since the unfortunate, Covid-forced closure of La Cigale Markets in Parnell, there has been a market-shaped hole in our hearts that few things have managed to fill. But lovers of sourdough and stracciatella can finally celebrate in style with the announcement that the beloved foodie market is set to return this weekend, with a fresh new face at the helm and a delicious new approach to boot.

Rebranded as Parnell Gastro Markets to reflect the variety of cultures and cuisines on offer (it is no longer French-skewed), the markets will continue to offer much of the same delicious splendour that made them so beloved by Aucklanders for nearly 25 years, and will be open on both Saturdays and Sundays for the foreseeable future.

Expect to see the return of a number of favourite stallholders from the past that have been missing their usual spot, alongside a new cohort of vendors — many of whom have only been running their food businesses since lockdown.

Realised via the devoted vision of new owner Richard Casey, who recently opened the neighbouring Buono Deli (also serving up some of the most delicious, authentic Italian foods), and a few neighbouring friends, the Parnell weekend market promising to make a triumphant return to its former glory. Wholefoods refillery GoodFor, who closed its Parnell store earlier this year, will even be there every weekend with their entire refillery offering in tow — ruling out the need for a trip to the supermarket for your pantry essentials.

On the odd chance you don’t find what you’re seeking in the market stalls, of course, Buono Deli will be on hand to cater to all of your gourmet foodie needs, and then some. And as far as pastries and produce are considered… I, for one, can’t wait to get back to this beautiful weekend spot. 

Opening hours:
Saturday — Sunday, 8.30am until 2pm.

Parnell Gastro Markets

69 Saint Georges Bay Road,
Parnell, Auckland Central

Gastronomy

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BIOKODELAB PROBIOTIC PLUS

The supplements optimising our brains for the modern world

While there is an abundance of supplements on the market that intend to provide a calming, restorative return to homeostasis, the recently-launched offering by BioKodeLab considers how we can elevate our everyday state of being to meet the constant demands of the current world and excel without compromising our health and wellbeing. Through three delicious, easy-to-take products, the benefits of these new products are impressive, and (as I discover) far deeper than anything else of this kind I have tried before. 

BioKodeLab was born from a quest for optimisation that grew from the innovative minds at Fonterra, where Sales and Marketing Disruption Director Carl MacInnes began by asking how they could use their collective knowledge to change the future of brain health. After all, it’s no secret that we’re constantly under pressure to perform. In a world driven by a demand for more, and how we now have to keep up with the likes of AI, computers and robots, it’s hardly surprising that we’re collectively burning ourselves out — big time, MacInnes explains to me.

“So we went about asking ourselves, what is the fundamental thing we can do to change people’s lives?,” he shares. “How do we help humans perform better? How do we help our bodies to live and thrive in the modern world?”

That question prompted a deep dive into the effects of daily exposure to blue light and whether there was a simple way to effectively combat those effects. Blue light is something we are all increasingly exposed to, whether via the computers we use for our desk jobs (eight hours in front of a screen can’t be good for anyone) or the late nights we spend scrolling on social media (we know it’s bad, but we do it anyway). Not only is this leaving us chronically tired, but it disrupts our natural circadian rhythms — the body’s innate function that deciphers between night and day, basically telling us when we should be awake, and when it’s time to sleep.

BioKodeLab Probiotic Plus & Calm Plus

And excessive exposure to blue light does more than just hurt our eyes. It is capable of impacting mood, cognition, and sleeping habits and contributing to those secondary strains of headaches and computer-associated neck and back pain. “Our understanding of blue light’s impacts just keeps growing,” MacInnes explains. Internationally, some governments are even beginning to regulate blue light, with China restricting how many hours children can be exposed to blue light strain.

For this reason, the team at Fonterra created its own, innovative Pro-Sight™ filter — an ingredient bundle included in all BioKodeLab products to tackle the depleting effects of blue light on our bodies’ essential functions. This, MacInnes tells me, was the baseline on which the more specific BioKodeLab benefits were layered, with each product designed to address different issues. Carefully formulated with a potent mix of high-quality dairy and plant ingredients, BioKodeLab’s products are unlike anything else, and are putting research and cutting-edge science at the forefront.

For the user, BioKodeLab products are made to be stacked. “First we protect, and then we build,” MacInnes shares. Each product takes an area that high-performing people are known to struggle with and offers targeted ingredients to address it. Be it Focus Plus (a tropical flavoured powder that can be mixed in water, using ThinkSharp™ for alertness and clarity) for those who find themselves bending backwards to meet their job’s mental demands or Calm Plus (a similar powder with a delicious berry taste, using StresLes™ for mood and stress support) for those who need some assistance with their stress response. Probiotic Plus is another welcome addition in simple, daily capsules, formulated to support the digestion and immune health, which has been proven essential for our collective wellbeing. MacInnes confesses it is one of his favourites, too, for ease of taking. But he also stacks the products depending on what he wants to target, which (he tells me) allows him to make the most of the benefits.

BioKodeLab Focus Plus

There is certainly an argument to be made that one might gain the same benefits from consuming whole foods, but you would have to drink 1.3 litres of milk to get the same amount of beneficial phosphatidylserine (one of the key ingredients for supporting cognitive function) as you would from a single serve of Focus. And that doesn’t even consider the other essential nutrients these supplements provide (personally, I’ve been noticing a number of significant benefits after only two weeks of taking them). With a background grounded in research and development of the highest calibre, each supplement is formulated to meet the right clinical dose to address our current needs. As MacInnes says, “Science is trusted. People deserve products that can be trusted.”

Given that BioKodeLab’s products have only just launched, it feels premature to ask what is next — but as MacInnes shares, he is most excited about where BioKodeLab goes from here. Whether it’s developing new flavours or diving deeper into their research of the human psyche. As part of charting your progress with the supplements (which is recommended, as lovers of hard data), BioKodeLab’s interface will host a range of key assessments you can undertake at your leisure that start to map the human brain and stack you up with how your strengths and qualities compare to others in your field. It all sounds a touch dystopian, but we would be lying if we said it didn’t excite us for the realm of possibilities to come. For now, we’ll continue to drink our delicious daily supplements. They have us feeling great, and is there anything more we could ask for?

Wellbeing

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Give your statement bag a soft twist with this pillowy new style

From cushioned quilting to supple leather, handbags in pillowy silhouettes are putting a decidedly soft spin on the statement sac de jour. Spotted on fashion week runways and hanging off the shoulders of style-savvy individuals, these cloud-like pieces are beautiful in form and promise to add interest to any outfit. So, if you’re looking to invest in a new bag for your wardrobe, scroll on to see some of our favourite iterations of this sumptuously soft accessory trend.

From left: Loewe flamenco bag from Faradays. 22 bag from Chanel. Isabel Marant
Luz Pillow bag from Workshop.

From left: Caro Mini Tulip bag from Christian Dior. Jamie shoulder bag from Saint Laurent. Crush bag from Balenciaga.

Alma BB bag from Louis Vuitton. ISABEL MARANT Merine bag from Workshop. GG Matelassé mini bag from Gucci.

Coveted

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Wave Bath by Meek Bathware from Plumbline

Turn your bathroom into a zen zone with these exquisite tubs

While drawing a bath is one of the most relaxing ways to unwind after a long day, it can be hard with our busy schedules to find time to actually sit back and soak. Here, we round up a selection of divine tubs that will transform your bathroom into a bona fide zen zone — and a place you will want to make time for, no matter how busy you are.

The centrepiece bath — Wave Bath by Meek Bathware from Plumbline
Typically, baths are made from smooth, white porcelain (or something similar) to make them nothing more than a seamless addition to the bathroom — only noticed when in use. But the rise of design-led bathtubs is ushering in a new era. Recently, it is concrete iterations that have caught our eye, with pieces like the Wave Bath by Meek Bathware standing as both a bold design accent and a beautiful place to relax, with a unique shape and solid structure. It’s time to put the ‘bath’ in ‘bathroom.’

The built-in bathOfuro Bathtub by Antonio Lupi from Matisse
Slipping into a bath should always make the world feel as though it’s melting away, which is something that Antonio Lupi’s Ofuro Bathtub from Matisse delivers in spades. Reminiscent of soaking in a natural hot spring, this bath is designed to be built into the ground and will bring a subtle touch of grandeur to any bathroom space. Trust us, this tub will remind you what true bliss feels like.

The classic bath — Warndon Freestanding Bath by Victoria + Albert from Robertson
Made from smooth white Quarrycast (a finely-ground volcanic limestone and resin mix that is hand finished) and featuring a subtly-detailed rim, the Warndon freestanding bath is strictly symmetrical and flush with the floor. Sleek and sophisticated, this is the ultimate bath for the purists — those who will always opt for classic timelessness over anything overly ‘trendy.’

Design

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Andiamo's Spring Soirée

Andiamo’s delicious Spring Soirée menu sees us celebrating the change of season

The warmer, longer days we’ve been waiting for are finally here, so of course, it is to one of our favourite Herne Bay haunts that we flock. As beloved for its delicious food as it is for its coveted outdoor tables that get the best of the late afternoon sun, Andiamo is the perfect place to mark the changing of seasons, and now, is giving us all the reason we need to lock in a long lunch.

Harnessing the spirit of spring, Andiamo has created a celebratory Spring Soirée lunch menu with Perrier-Jouët which will launch on the 1st of October and run for a limited time only. The seasonal set menu will be available from Wednesdays to Sundays between 12pm and 3pm, and for $65 per person, will include a glass of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, followed by two delicious courses comprising dishes like market fish crudo with blood orange, pickled chilli and sorrel, bruschetta with whipped ricotta, grilled zucchini and basil, or risotto ‘primavera’ with soft herbs, pistachio pesto and ricotta salata.

All of this is to be enjoyed, of course, in Andiamo’s sunny surrounds, where the team has upped the springtime ante by adorning the restaurant’s facade with festive florals and decorating every table with its own colourful arrangement by Isadia Florists.

To celebrate the arrival of this delicious new menu (and to bid a firm farewell to winter weather), we are giving one lucky Denizen the chance to treat themselves and four of their friends to Andiamo’s Spring Soirée, where they will enjoy an exquisite dining experience worth $450. To enter, fill out our form here.

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Gastronomy

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We’re giving away an exclusive Wairarapa escape for two, including a luxurious stay and VIP experience at The Runholder — worth $5,600

Rid yourself of winter skin once and for all with these essential springtime facials

An essential part of embracing seasonal change is sloughing away the dulling effects that winter has imparted on our sad-looking skin (blame the colder climate and a lack of vitamin D). If we want to emerge into the new season looking (and feeling) fresh and rejuvenated, it is to the experts that we must turn — experts who prove time and time again the miracles they can perform with rigorous massage, cleverly-layered products and handy tools.

For that reason alone (although we really could find any excuse to justify a facial), we have decided to round up all the best, glow-giving facials in Auckland, in the hope of delivering some insider’s intel on what your skin actually needs this spring. Because after a season of sitting under a heat pump, or having your face whipped by the wind on your way to work, your skin deserves some TLC, and these are the treatments to deliver exactly that and then some.

LED Light Boot Camp at East Day Spa
Nothing restores and renews the skin quite like concentrated LED light treatments (salon-quality LED, mind you), and there is irrefutable scientific evidence to prove it as well. Spring is the time we’re all about harnessing these rejuvenating treatments to inspire a new glow worthy of the season. East Day Spa knows this too, and as such, is offering a facial boot camp treatment that we’re obsessed with — three treatments over a week to relaunch your complexion. If you have a big event in the months ahead, the 28-day program is a completely transformative experience, and we couldn’t recommend it more. 

ProCalm 60 at Skintopia
Celebrating the shift of Skintopia to its new Herne Bay address, a suite of new Dermalogica treatments have been specifically designed to address skin of every concern. Under the guidance of Morgan and her wealth of knowledge, opt for the ProCalm 60 to shake off your winter shell and rehydrate any impaired barriers. Each treatment is slightly tailored and moves through three phases, including the employment of LED lights, relaxing massages and most importantly, deep, long-lasting hydration.

Augustinus Bader Methode 120 at Spring Spa
Designed as a head-to-toe treatment, this facial morphs into a whole-body experience, with the welcome use of cult-favourite Augustinus Bader products that replenish tired complexions and deliver unparalleled hydration and rejuvenation. Bringing together a rigorous body brush and massage, using The Body Oil and The Body Cream, and a premium 75-minute facial with a combination of aloe vera, antioxidants, amino acids and Vitamin A, B and C, with a relaxing fascia massage and LED light — this treatment truly is the ultimate seasonal indulgence.

Buccal Massage at Skinography
Nothing uplifts the face or leaves us feeling taut and about five years younger than this unique facial. Designed to get into every crevice and muscle of the face, the buccal massage is similar in nature to Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), as it helps to move stagnant lymphatic systems and any associated puffiness away from the face. Specially-trained facialist Kate Michelmore (one of the only practitioners in New Zealand qualified to deliver this technique) will treat your face to a rigorous massage using repetitive strokes that awaken and lift your muscles and get rid of tension (particularly in the jaw and cheeks). We like to see this treatment as a ‘summer shred’ for your face because of the way it results in a noticeably slimmed-down and glowing visage. And while this is the perfect pre-event treatment, its effects are far more long-lasting when undertaken regularly.

Super Greens Algae Hydrojelly Mask at Society
There’s a reason we fill our spring diets with delicious greens — they’re some of the most alkalising foods available, which help to ‘detox’ your body for summer. Of course, the same principles can be applied to skincare, and we gladly embrace any facials that incorporate greens into their process. Grey Lynn hair and beauty salon, Society, has garnered something of a cult following for their pretty hydrojelly masks, which look as beautiful as they feel. The super greens algae version is a sumptuous yet powerful treatment to book into for spring.

Deep Cleansing Facial at Tonic Room
Tonic Room’s most beloved facial has been conceived with the intention of drawing those deep impurities from the layers of your skin to resurface an effortless, natural beauty for the summer months ahead. Dubbed ‘the ultimate skin transformation’, this facial is designed to eliminate the skin’s toxic load and restore its natural physiological functions with the considered use of the finest organic, naturally active botanical products. Be sure to follow it with Tonic Room’s signature massage and reiki experience for utter relaxation.

Sothy’s Micro Dermobooster Treatment at Exhibit Beauty
It has been said that summer skin is made in winter, but there is still time for it to be made in spring too. The innovative new treatment from Sothy’s, conducted at Epsom’s Exhibit Beauty, is the kind of experience that transforms your skin for the better. Offering a trifecta of aesthetic microdermabrasion, controlled cosmetic microneedling, and a modelling massage, over six weekly treatments — the results are actually noticeable and long-lasting. Our Editor-in-chief confessed that she would do it again in a heartbeat, should she find the time in her self-care schedule. After reading about her experience, we’re inclined to embark on the process ourselves.

The Supernatural Emma Lewisham Facial at The Facialist
With another focus on massage, The Facialist has joined with Emma Lewisham to offer a treatment that beauty aficionados can’t stop talking about. Reducing puffiness by adopting The Facialist’s signature massage technique and rehydrating through Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Sleeping Mask and Skin Reset Serum, this facial offers a holistic approach in every way.

Wellbeing

A new, innovative facial treatment has our Editor-in-chief feeling revitalised with a positively youthful glow
With summer just around the corner and SPF high on the agenda, we’ve uncovered a natural yet efficacious new sunscreen
From saunas and ice baths to sleek at-home gyms — here’s the inspiration you need to create your own private practice

Expand your mind with the fascinating non-fiction books you need to read now

There are so many things that demand our attention today that it can feel hard to find the time for reading. But, when a book goes beyond compelling narrative alone and instead, offers up a trove of information on topics that are undeniably fascinating, it’s hard not to make time. Here, we round up four new, non-fiction books we have recently stumbled upon, each delving into a deeply interesting subject — from communication with animals to dynasties across human history.

How To Speak Whale
by Tom Mustill 
When footage of Tom Mustill having his kayak breached by a humpback while went viral, it set off a chain of events that led the nature documentarian on an investigation into whale science and animal communication. Offering a timely and poignant look into how science may change the ways we interact with animals, How To Speak Whale is an intriguing, informative read. Uncovering how close we really are to being able to communicate with animals via cutting-edge science and technology, this riveting book prompts questions of how human-animal relations have the potential to alter our worlds for good.

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks 
by Patrick Radden Keefe
This new book by award-winning journalist, Patrick Radden Keefe features twelve stories of skulduggery and intrigue, gathered from Radden Keefe’s colourful career. From $150,000 forged wines to international black-market arms merchants, this book is a masterful and fascinating read. 

The Story of Art Without Men
by Katy Hessel
Discussing the landscape of art in a way that has never been done before, prolific art historian, curator and broadcaster Katy Hessel uncovers seminal female artists throughout history. From the Renaissance, to 19th Century America, these incredible women (who have remained largely unknown) are finally getting the attention they deserve. 

The World 
by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Glamour, intrigue and power collide in Simon Sebag Montefiore’s sprawling new release, in which the author chronicles the greatest dynasties across human history. Eye-opening and specific, this book moves from fearless Mayan leaders to ancient South Asian empires to the first female Pharaoh in a dazzling historical epic you won’t be able to put down. 

Culture

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Moncler's 70th Anniversary 'Extraordinary Forever' Collection
1 MONCLER PIERPAOLO PICCOLI for Moncler Genius, 2019.
The cast of Bruno Rukauer’s ‘We Love Simon le Bon”/ ‘Sposerò Simon Le Bon’ Duran Duran biopic, 1986.
Moncler's 70th Anniversary 'Extraordinary Forever' Collection
8 MONCLER RICHARD Genius show, 2020.
Moncler Voices captured by Gray Sorrenti, 2022.

Moncler celebrates its milestone 70th anniversary with 70 days of extraordinary celebrations around the world

It was the Karakorum down jacket that Moncler designed in 1954 for Italian explorers scaling the world’s second highest mountain that set the tone for what the brand would become. From the very beginning, Moncler has stood for innovation, exploration, collaboration and seeking out the extraordinary. And it is this impressive legacy of pushing creative boundaries and refusing to settle for anything other than excellence that is being celebrated around the world over the next couple of months, as the brand marks its milestone 70th anniversary with 70 days of extraordinary global events and activations.

Moncler’s 70th Anniversary ‘Extraordinary Forever’ Collection
Moncler’s 70th Anniversary ‘Extraordinary Forever’ Collection

Having officially started with a jaw-dropping, artistic takeover of Milan’s Piazza del Duomo over the weekend (for which renowned French choreographer, Sadeck Berrabah, created an incredible spectacle of contemporary dance featuring 1952 artists that explored the power of repetition) Moncler’s 70th-anniversary celebrations are now in full swing, with the brand running an ‘Extraordinary Forever’ global media campaign via archival images that showcase the seminal voices, faces and places that have contributed to its legacy and evolution. Alongside highlighting the brand’s history, the campaign will delve into Moncler’s unique genius, underlining its crucial contributions to our wider cultural landscape.

Moncler’s Maya 70 jacket

Beyond the campaign alone, Moncler has also reimagined its iconic Maya jacket, which presents as the physical culmination of the brand’s history of creative collaboration and clothes that exceed expectations. Available from the 1st of October, the limited-edition Moncler Maya 70 down jacket retains the signature design features of its original (including the classic, boudin-quilted quality), but has been rendered in 13 special-edition colours, from eye-catching metallics to soft, modern pastels and even some high-saturation hues for good measure. Each Maya 70 jacket will be made from Moncler’s new washed-nylon lux lacqué, and will be emblazoned with the exclusive ‘Extraordinary Forever’ anniversary logo — a fitting ode for a jacket that has enjoyed something of a cult status ever since its original release.

Moncler’s Maya 70 jacket

Furthermore, in a bid to highlight the extraordinary collaborations that have long kept Moncler at the forefront of fashion, the brand’s CEO has invited seven prolific designers to reimagine the Maya jacket in their own ways. From the 15th of October, inimitable, unique versions of the Maya jacket by the likes of Thom Browne, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Rick Owens, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Francesco Ragazzi, Giambattista Valli and Pharrell Williams will drop each week — the ultimate expression of Moncler’s admirable, creatively-driven philosophy and its focus on perpetual reinvention.

“Since the very first day, nothing at Moncler has been conventional or ordinary,” says the brand’s CEO, Remo Ruffini. “Who would have thought that a sleeping bag designed in 1952 would have reached cities all over the world as a down jacket, or would have been worn by all generations, stepped onto the runways and then be reinterpreted by various creative geniuses?” He continues, “since the beginning, we have always pushed the brand and our ambitions towards higher peaks.”

The Moncler down jacket goes universal, in a campaign, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, 2014.

Of course, Moncler isn’t stopping there. As a core part of the brand’s celebrations, Moncler will be running an ‘Extraordinary Expedition,’ comprising an immersive, globally-roaming exhibition starting at New York City’s Highline before moving to London and Tokyo and finishing in Seoul. In each city, the cutting-edge exhibition will recreate peak Moncler moments via vivid, multi-sensory technology that will harness cinematic video to showcase historical archives and contemporary fashion heirlooms.

These groundbreaking technological celebrations will (in typical fashion) see Moncler push into a whole new arena, as it enters the Metaverse with seven of its very own non-fungible tokens (NFTs), created in partnership with German digital artist Antoni Tudisco. In addition, the brand will release 500 original NFT artworks for each city on its ‘Extraordinary Expedition’ tour — an apt representation of the innovation and future-looking thinking that has kept Moncler at the forefront for 70 years — and will likely see it remain there for the next 70, too.

Coveted

At Moncler: City of Genius in Shanghai, some of the world’s greatest talents flex their creativity in an unrivalled showcase
Within Swarovski’s Party of Dreams holiday campaign, Ariana Grande enlivens the spirit of the season
From cream coats to crisp white shirts, make a holier than thou statement with our round up of the white pieces worth investing in

Watch the Gucci Twinsburg fashion show from Milan Fashion Week

It’s that time of year again. Milan Fashion Week is back, bringing with it an array of new season presentations by some of the most significant, luxury fashion houses in the world. Last week, Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele presented the luxury fashion house’s spring-summer 2023 collection Gucci Twinsburg, in which he unveiled a collection that toyed with themes of self-reflection, reality and illusion — a captivating affair that saw actual twin models descend the runway in identical pairs.

Set in the Gucci Hub headquarters in Milan, watch the extraordinary fashion show below.

Coveted

At Moncler: City of Genius in Shanghai, some of the world’s greatest talents flex their creativity in an unrivalled showcase
Within Swarovski’s Party of Dreams holiday campaign, Ariana Grande enlivens the spirit of the season
From cream coats to crisp white shirts, make a holier than thou statement with our round up of the white pieces worth investing in

Toast the return of Friday long lunches at our Britomart favourite, Ebisu

As the ritual of Friday long lunch makes a welcome return, thanks to our ventures back into city offices, we’re all about celebrating a team meeting that turns into an early knockoff. And honestly, is there anywhere better to do just that, than downtown stalwart Ebisu? Which has been serving up utterly deliciously Japanese fare from its sleek, Britomart dining room for more than 10 years.

Setting the tone for its sibling restaurants that followed in the wake of its success (here’s looking at you, Azabu and Azabu Mission Bay), Ebisu has long been loved for its contemporary Japanese fare, married with subtle touches of European influence. From fresh sushi rolls and sashimi platters to mouth-watering meats (the free-range Karaage chicken and char-grilled Angus Scotch Fillet are both particular highlights) and flavourful umami bites, Ebisu’s menu is a comprehensive offering that truly has something to suit any persuasion. With this in mind, we wanted to ensure that your next Friday lunch was one to remember — so we’ve partnered with Ebisu to offer the ultimate long lunch experience, destined to make you the office favourite.

We are giving one lucky Denizen a long lunch table for six at Ebisu, and $500 to spend on food and drinks. Our advice? Gather your colleagues (or five fortunate friends) and order an assortment of dishes to share alongside a few bottles of satiating sake, and toast to the return of Friday lunch in the very best way.

This competition is now closed.

Gastronomy

From epic events to new menus, our November Dining Guide has everything worth enjoying this month
Denizen’s Insider Guide to Hawke’s Bay: All the best wineries
We’re giving away an exclusive Wairarapa escape for two, including a luxurious stay and VIP experience at The Runholder — worth $5,600