Tokoriki Island Resort

Discover why Fiji is the ultimate escape for marking a milestone celebration, no matter the occasion

When it comes to unforgettable celebrations, Fiji doesn’t just roll out the welcome mat, it lays down the red carpet. Crystalline waters, warm hospitality, and the kind of personalised service that make every guest feel like royalty. This island paradise doesn’t just rise to the occasion; it elevates it.

Royal Davui Island 

Best For: Secluded Celebration

This is less a getaway, more a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With just 16 villas and a no-fly zone option (for when you truly want to disappear), Royal Davui is the epitome of private island luxury. The barefoot paradise delivers effortless glamour with an edge, ideal for intimate weddings or milestone birthdays where quality over quantity reigns. The island can be exclusively yours, with private chefs, turn-down touches, and custom theming that brings your vision to life. Days are spent snorkelling, enjoying spa rituals, and sipping cocktails on a sandbank in the middle of the ocean. Nights unfold with torchlit dinners, meke performances, and dancing barefoot under the stars. Here, the team is as detail-obsessed as they are discreet, and no request is too grand. Whether it’s a family-style island BBQ or a banquet by the waves, they’ll ensure the memory lingers long after the tan fades.

Book your stay here

Tokoriki Island Resort 

Best For: Romantic Escape

Tokoriki is what happens when romance grows up. This adults-only retreat hits the sweet spot between pared-back luxury and immersive intimacy. The vibe? Think less saccharine, more sophisticated. Floating champagne breakfasts? Tick. Candlelit dinners on a private jetty? Of course. But the warm, quietly intuitive service is what makes Tokoriki truly memorable. Whether you’re celebrating a honeymoon, a proposal, or a wedding anniversary, the setting is nothing short of cinematic. Think lush palms, frangipani petals, and ocean views that make you forget what day it is. Each villa comes with its own private pool and courtyard garden, making it easy to keep the outside world exactly where it belongs — far, far away. Throw in a spa treatment or two and a few fantastic meals, and you’ll find that doing nothing has never felt so indulgent.

Book your stay here

VOMO Island

Best For: Family-Friendly celebration

Vomo Island has perfected the art of the all-ages celebration. What sets it apart from Fiji’s other luxury escapes is its ability to seamlessly host milestone moments for families in every configuration, from couples with young children to multi-generational gatherings. With seven expansive luxury residences, plus a variety of villas and suites, there’s an option for every guest, ensuring everyone stays close without compromising on space or style. Vomo makes group celebrations effortless. Whether it’s a renewal of vows, a landmark birthday, or simply making the ‘official’ family wedding happen, the island’s team ensures guests dine together with ease (no awkwardly rearranged tables here). Special touches like a private picnic on Vomo Lailai, a ‘Sigi Drigi’ sunset atop Mt Vomo complete with Champagne and a Fijian choir, or a snorkel safari followed by a castaway lunch ensure any gathering becomes something unforgettable. At Vomo, togetherness comes both naturally and beautifully.

Book your stay here

Escape

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Kingi’s turning five and celebrating with five dollar deals

We love a birthday month — and so too, it seems, does Britomart’s Kingi. To celebrate turning five, our go-to inner-city eatery for a seafood-centric power lunch is offering five-dollar Te Matuku Oysters (naturally) alongside five-dollar affogatos or matcha from Wednesday, October 8 — with the option to upgrade to something a little headier.

In keeping with the festivities — and to beckon in the warmer weather — those who visit throughout October will be offered a glass of The Landing Rosé and a trio of snacks for $39.

To further sweeten the offer, anyone who purchases a glass of The Landing Rosé at Kingi during birthday month will automatically go into the draw to win an intimate tasting and lunch at The Landing. What’s more, throughout October, Kingi’s donating $1 for every cocktail spent directly to the Breast Cancer Foundation — in case you needed any further incentive to visit.

kingibritomart.com

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Everything you might have missed from Paris Fashion Week Spring 2025 runways

As Paris Fashion Week barrels towards a close, we’re dubbing this season one for the debutantes. Notable debuts took centre stage — Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Balenciaga, Jonathan Anderson at Dior and Matthieu Blazy for Chanel — while sartorial stalwarts made triumphant returns, dominating the City of Lights and its iconic landmarks, one arrondissement at a time.

There were supersized starchy bows and billowy silhouettes at Saint Laurent, draped tailoring at Louis Vuitton and peplumed pinstripes and coordinated minis at Stella McCartney. A visual feast of prints, hemlines, cinched waistlines, demure darting and sheer fabrications decorated the runways and sauntered down city streets.

For the fashion fandom, the FROW did not cease to disappoint — notably Greta Lee, Jenna Ortega, Rosalia, Johnny Depp, Kylie Jenner and Robin Wright sat front and centre, while Dame Helen Mirren leant her voice to Stella McCartney’s off-beat homage to mother nature, featuring sinuous tailoring and a spoken rendition of The Beatles’ ‘Come Together.’

Givenchy and Schiaparelli embraced the barely there trend and leant all the way into the naked dress while others — think Miu Miu and Chemena Kamali’s Chloé — harped back to their respective brand DNA with the sixties’ shift and romantic ruching. The ateliers at Victoria Beckham, Celiné and Chanel approached menswear and casual suiting with the kind of ease and confidence that’s become synonymous with all three, while Valentino and ALAÏA took a rose-tinted lens, cladding models in sequins, delicate lace appliqué and full plumage.

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Louis Vuitton

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Saint Laurent

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Stella McCartney

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Christian Dior

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Schiaparelli

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Loewe

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Celine

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Valentino

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Alexander McQueen

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Miu Miu

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Chanel

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Chloé

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Inside Auckland’s new design space transforming how we discover rugs, tiles & hard surfaces

Since opening the doors to what was then Design Central in 2019, director Lindy Messam has witnessed the changing nature of our interior design landscape. Responding to this, Messam and her team have taken the decision to evolve into Obery, a destination atelier where materiality, artistry, and vision converge. Conceived as more than a showroom, this elevated atelier offers an immersive environment for exploration, connection, and discovery. It’s here that New Zealand’s most considered designers and architects are invited to engage deeply with a curated assemblage of rugs, handmade surfaces, and soon-to-be-released collections in sculptural furniture and lighting — each of which centres on quality and artistry, with an emphasis on unique materiality. 

Rooted in the vision that shaped its name, Obery (named for founder and CEO Glenn Obery) is defined by a commitment to craft and creative collaboration. “Our heritage lies in the vision and expertise that shaped our name,” says Messam, “innovation emerges through the unique, handmade surfaces we champion and the artistry woven into each piece. Within Obery’s atelier, these threads converge, offering an immersive place where craft and creativity can be experienced in tangible form.” In this space, tradition and experimentation are not opposing forces, but parallel threads, each enriching the other.

In fact, creative director Jane Mason describes the studio’s evolution as one shaped by dualities: “New Zealand design leans into intimacy, heritage, and craft. Yet we’re equally inspired by a bolder creative lens; one that embraces scale, composition, and expressive form.” Obery bridges these perspectives through an offering that feels both grounded and expansive, inviting new interpretations of space, texture, and tone. The experience in Obery’s atelier is intentionally tactile. Sunlight drapes across heirloom rugs and unique hard surfaces, while artist-led furniture and lighting highlights the boldness and depth of each piece’s materiality, revealing unexpected nuance. Here, designers are encouraged to pause, linger, and engage. Every piece has been curated not simply to be placed, but to hold presence. The resulting atelier is less a presentation of objects, and more a series of immersive moments.

As its collection grows, so too does Obery’s ambition to shape a richer, more layered design experience in Aotearoa. “We envision Obery as a destination atelier,” Mason explains, “a space for brand discovery, inspiration, and collaboration, where the design community can explore, experiment, and create with confidence.”

For those seeking to work with objects of depth, Obery offers not only the tools, but the setting to transform creative intent into enduring design.


oberystudio.com

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Meet Za’atar Bakehouse — a tasty new pop-up running alongside Elie Assaf’s Lebanese Grocer

There’s something irresistible about bread pulled fresh from the oven — especially when it comes in the form of manoushe, Lebanon’s answer to the perfect breakfast flatbread. So it feels fitting that Elie Assaf, the exceptional chef behind Lebanese Grocer, has opened a new pop-up window next door dedicated entirely to just that.

Manoushe Cheese & Za’atar

Za’atar Bakehouse by Lebanese Grocer is as simple as it sounds: a hatch, a hot oven, and a short list of flavours designed to transport you straight to the streets of Beirut. Think gooey Manoushe Cheese & Za’atar, or Lahm Bi Ajeen, a wagyu beef-topped flatbread that reimagines the iconic Lebanese staple. Assaf calls it “our take on the iconic Lebanese breakfast flatbreads from my childhood” — and it’s clear this is food made with nostalgia as much as skill.

Za’atar Bakehouse Window
Lahm Bi Ajeen (beef wagyu)

Open on an ad-hoc basis (with the next outing happening Saturday, October 4th from 10am until sold out), the Bakehouse is very much a catch-it-while-you-can experience. Those in the know will already be glued to Instagram for updates, because like everything Assaf touches, it’s destined to sell out fast.

For Aucklanders who have already fallen in love with Lebanese Grocer’s shelves of pickles, za’atar, and housemade ba’alawa (not to mention the exceptional shawarma come lunchtime), this new venture feels like a natural, and delicious, evolution.

instagram.com/zaatarlebanesebakehouse

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Our annual issue of Modern Living is here!

If you’re dreaming of a home that feels both timeless and deeply personal, consider the new issue of Denizen Modern Living your guidebook. Our annual design issue explores the evolving language of contemporary design — softer, sensorial, and rooted in self-expression. From the interplay of art and interiors to the honest beauty of raw materials, these pages celebrate spaces that prioritise authenticity, comfort, and individuality.

Whether you’re building, renovating, or simply seeking inspiration, this issue offers ideas to help you design for not just how you want to live, but how you want to feel at home.

Denizen Modern Living is available in two stunning covers and is on sale now at all good news agents. Want to guarantee your copy and never miss an issue? Subscribe below today.

Design

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The Wine Room is the place to be this Melbourne Cup Day

On Tuesday, November 4th, The Wine Room is set to reimagine the Flemington experience with all of the intimacy and polish of a luxury corporate box. From 11am, guests are invited to settle in for an afternoon that blends racing tradition with the venue’s signature refinement — complete with live coverage of every moment from Flemington.

In keeping with the spirit of the original event, fashion remains firmly at the fore, with the sundeck transformed into a catwalk — a nod to the iconic Fashions on the Field. Those wishing to partake can expect a stylish interlude to the racing action, as guests vie for best dressed, providing a hard-to-come-by excuse to don your finest.

The Wine Room’s sundeck

Back at the table, Executive Chef Ryan Moore will be on-hand to curate a set menu inspired by the indulgence of Cup Day’s famed front lawn. Elevated barbecue and cocktail-style dining anchor the offering, complemented by the restaurant’s much-loved à la carte menu.

Executive Chef Ryan Moore

Fittingly, the celebration begins with a glass of the newly-released Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016 — an elegant prelude to an afternoon of racing, dining, and revelry. With capacity limited and demand for the nation’s most celebrated race day expected to be high, securing a table early is essential.

The Wine Room’s Melbourne Cup celebration is not ticketed; instead, table reservations ensure your place within this exclusive vantage point. Whether arriving early to bask in the full atmosphere, or slipping in ahead of the main event, this is an occasion designed to be savoured —where fine food, flowing champagne, and the thrill of the Cup meet under one roof.

Bookings are now open online for Tuesday, 4th November. Secure your spot here.

thewineroom.nz

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P.Johnson's September Collection

P.Johnson is set to bring its refined aesthetic to Auckland with an exclusive trunk show in partnership with ECC

This October, ECC Auckland becomes the stage for a rare encounter with one of Australia’s most quietly influential tailoring houses. P.Johnson, long admired for its effortless refinement and modern interpretation of sartorial codes, will host an exclusive trunk show at ECC’s Grafton showroom from 22nd — 26th October. While the brand has presented in New Zealand before, this marks the first time its womenswear collections will be seen here — an evolution that underscores its widening scope while retaining the ease and precision that have defined Patrick Johnson’s vision since founding the label in 2009.

P.Johnson founder Patrick Johnson & his wife, interior designer Tamsin Johnson

P.Johnson’s showrooms are located in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, London, and New York, with tailoring made in an atelier in Tuscany, so the opportunity to experience the craft first-hand in Auckland, is a rare one. For five days, New Zealand clients can step into the world of P.Johnson through made-to-measure and ready-to-wear appointments, guided directly by the brand’s team. Expect fluid suiting in muted neutrals, relaxed silhouettes that read as both contemporary and timeless, and collections spanning essentials, eveningwear, tailoring, and swim.

ECC will play host to the upcoming trunk show alongside custom USM modular furniture

The setting is, unsurprisingly, as considered as the clothing. Styled by Johnson’s wife — lauded interior designer Tamsin Johnson, the ECC showroom will feature the brand’s summer arrivals alongside custom USM modular furniture. The pairing is deliberate, with P.Johnson and USM sharing a commitment to clarity, longevity, and understatement. “Interior design has always been central to our identity,” Thomas Walsh, partner at P. Johnson tells me, “Partnering with ECC and USM felt natural. Collaborating with ECC allows us to connect with our New Zealand community in person — an audience with an innate sense of design. This partnership embodies the intersection of fashion and design, a dialogue that lies at the heart of the P. Johnson brand.”

P.Johnson’s September Collection

Just as USM’s modularity reflects permanence and adaptability in design, P.Johnson’s tailoring is created to live fluidly in the rhythm of its wearer’s day. Both reject excess in favour of quiet precision — a philosophy ECC, too, has long championed in its curations. “ECC is proud to partner with USM for the P. Johnson Trunk Show, with wardrobes chosen for the occasion by Creative Director and Interior Designer Tamsin Johnson. A modern classic, USM embodies timeless, sustainable design — pieces crafted to endure, echoing P. Johnson’s own ethos of craftsmanship,” says Richard Thorburn, Director at ECC.

For those attuned to design and detail, this trunk show is not merely a shopping opportunity but a moment of alignment, with fashion, furniture, and space coming together to create an atmosphere of rare refinement. Appointments are essential.

If you would like to purchase one of the custom USM units chosen by Tamsin, or design your own unit, email [email protected], or head into the showroom to discuss your requirements.

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Have you tried? Times of India is the modern Indian eatery that should be on your dining agenda

Let’s be honest, truly great modern Indian food is rare. When you find a place that nails it, it’s sure to end up on your weekly dining agenda. That’s the deal with Times of India, a modern Indian eatery in the heart of the city from the team behind 1947 Eatery. Times of India takes everything you love about Indian cuisine, the fire, the fragrance, and the theatre, and dials it into a fresh, elevated experience.

Left to right: aloo chaat & Koliwada prawns
Kebabs charred to perfection

The menu runs the gamut from street-side snacks to Mughal-inspired feasts. Bhel on a puri bursts with tang and crunch, while aloo chaat is a riot of textures — crisp potatoes, tamarind, mint, and pomegranate. Paneer Maska layers cottage cheese with spiced cream cheese and apricot, while Koliwada prawns deliver a crisp, spicy punch. From the tandoor, lamb seekh kebabs, garlic malai chicken, and stuffed mushrooms come charred to perfection.

Left to right: Zafrani Dum Biriyani & Lamb Chops
Butter Chicken

For mains, the classics sit comfortably alongside more adventurous plates. Sure, there’s butter chicken — creamy and nostalgic — but also rarer finds like Bhuna Gosht (a rich Deccani goat curry), South India prawn curry simmered in coconut masala, and the knockout Rara Pepper Chicken in a fiery mince gravy. Vegetarians are spoiled too, with Paneer Lababdar, vegetable kofta, and slow-simmered dal makhani.

Negroni Sour

Drinks-wise, bespoke cocktails and a global wine list keep pace with the food’s big flavours, and dessert seals the deal, from gulab jamun with ice cream to mango kulfi, or gajar ka halwa made with imported Indian carrots.

Dine in for the full sensory journey or takeaway when the craving hits, either way, this is modern Indian that will keep you coming back.

Opening Hours:
Lunch: Monday — Friday, 12pm until 2pm
Dinner: Monday — Sunday, 5pm until 10pm

timesofindia.co.nz

21 Graham Street
Auckland CBD

Gastronomy

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Trouble drifting off? We consult a sleep expert on the 10 steps to follow to start having the best sleep of your life

In a bid to discover the true, wellness-enhancing benefits of a deep, restorative sleep, we consulted Olivia Arezzolo, a renowned Australian sleep expert, who divulged the 10 crucial steps that will change your evening routine for the better.

It’s been a long held belief that the cure-all for many of our wellbeing woes is simply getting more sleep. But we all know that this is much easier said than done. Queenstown-based, Australian sleep expert and best-selling author Olivia Arezzolo, however, is one person who seems to have cracked the code.

Sleep Expert — Olivia Arezzolo

While her ritual may seem rigorous, Arezzolo strongly believes that to truly improve your sleep you must be vigilant. It not only shifts lingering fatigue, but helps to curb illness, alleviate cognitive issues and support mental health. So if you too want to improve your sleep, these are Arezzolo’s 10 essential steps to a restful and fulfilling night. 

01. Block Blue Light

According to research, blue light is one of the biggest triggers for a bad night’s sleep. You can (and should) remedy this by investing in a pair of blue light-blocking glasses, which filter the overstimulating blue light from any screens, and offer a nice, soothing lens similar in colour to candlelight. Put these on for at least two hours before bed.

02. Use Lavender Oils

An age old cure-all that even your grandmother swore by, lavender is scientifically proven to induce sleep. Two hours before bedtime, either rub a couple of drops on your temples or ideally, diffuse some in your bedroom.

03. Disconnect From Tech

Whether you use a blue light blocking filter on your device or not, the evidence still insists that you turn your screens off at least an hour before bed. With the world at your fingertips, laptops, tablets, phones and even televisions are a hive for hyperactivity. If you can, remove them from the bedroom altogether.

04. Wash Off The Day

A nighttime shower is always a relaxing ritual to wash off the stresses (and dirt) of the day. Warm water moves your body into a gentle, relaxed state, and a little self-care routine like this is always soothing.

05. Take Magnesium-Based Supplements

Magnesium is the best micronutrient for inducing deep sleep, and when deficient, it’s noticeable; creating symptoms like hyperactivity and restless, twitching legs. When you hop out of the shower, take a magnesium-based supplement. Even better when paired with a calming, chamomile tea.

06. Read A Book

Research has shown that even as little as six minutes of reading reduces stress levels by up to 68 percent. It’s the perfect way to unwind before bed, and it doesn’t need to be a challenging read. (But it does need to be a proper, analogue book — no Kindles after nine o’clock.)
See our recommendations on what to read right now here.

07. Use An Eyemask

A simple silk eyemask is one of the best investments you can make for your slumber. It supports sleep habits by blocking out any small, bright distractions, and the textural feel is surprisingly soothing. This is the last thing to do before drifting off.

08. Keep A Checklist

Somewhere handy, keep a checklist nearby. This isn’t forever, but it is to ensure you do every step, every night. Over time it will become more ritualistic and natural. For now, this checklist is essential.

09. Be Consistent

Arezzolo recommends undertaking this routine for at least a week — including all elements — before you knock its efficacy. Good things take time, but with this approach, it’s a matter of days, not months.

10. Stay Accountable

Embarking on a quest for a good night’s sleep is best when done together. The easiest person to undertake this with is your partner, as they’re often either the victim or the culprit of any bad sleep habits.

oliviaarezzolo.com.au

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