This festive season, Santa is setting up shop at an alluring new destination, bringing festive cheer to Aucklanders as SkyCity transforms into the city’s newest Christmas tradition. With the closure of Smith & Caughey’s iconic Santa’s Enchanted Forest, families searching for a magical holiday moment need look no further than the Sky Tower, where Santa’s Magical Wonderland awaits.
From the 15th of November through to Christmas Eve, the Sky Tower’s ground floor is transformed into an enchanted forest, complete with twinkling lights, softly falling snow, and whimsical characters ready to spark delight. Ascend to Level Seven, and you’ll find Santa himself, welcoming families with a warm smile, a festive bauble gift, and a keepsake photo of their visit.
And, at SkyCity, the festive experience stretches well beyond Santa’s chair. Interactive installations keep little ones entertained at every turn, while the Scotty Sky Tower show promises a fabulously festive performance for kids and parents alike. Sweet tooths will marvel at SkyCity’s gingerbread house display — an edible reimagining of Auckland’s landmarks, handcrafted by SkyCity’s exceptional pastry team. Add to this the precinct’s larger-than-life nutcrackers, hundreds of decorated trees, and Christmas-themed dining and hotel offerings, and you’ve got an immersive celebration to rival anything the city has seen before.
Tickets start from $35 and are expected to sell quickly, so families are encouraged to book early to secure their spot. Whether it’s your child’s very first Christmas or a new family ritual in the making, Santa’s Magical Wonderland at SkyCity offers a chance to step into a festive storybook, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether you’re marking a personal milestone or choosing a meaningful gift, art is a worthy investment. Here, gallerist Elle Föenander shares her advice on artists that resonate through different life stages.
Föenander Galleries is a contemporary art space in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, dedicated to showcasing thoughtful, concept-driven work from both emerging and established artists across Aotearoa and beyond. Since founding the gallery seven years ago, Elle Föenander has been the driving force behind its curatorial vision and artist relationships, and has built a trusted reputation among collectors.
With a deep understanding of both artists and collectors, Elle is perfectly primed to guide those looking to collect — or gift — art at key milestones in life: the 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Drawing on the gallery’s evolving collector base and her own experience, here, she shares insights into how to mark these moments with works that resonate across a lifetime.
Collecting in Your 30s
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“Your 30s can be a time of self-definition: professionally, personally, and aesthetically. Collecting or gifting art at this stage reflects curiosity, emerging taste, and an appetite for discovery. Many collectors in this decade are drawn to bold works that offer immediate visual impact or speak to themes of identity, transformation, and belonging. There’s often a sense of alignment with artists of a similar generation, a shared energy, ambition, and cultural lens. Emerging talent is often accessibly priced, and collecting can become a journey taken in tandem with the artist’s career.”
Densley textured surfaces which celebrate the materiality of paint, these considered works offer recognisable subject, but playful approach the finite and transient beauty of life.
“Sensibilities can broaden by your 40s. What once felt unfamiliar may resonate. There can be a deeper sense of commitment to home, to values, to story. Art collecting in this decade often becomes more contemplative. Works that unfold over time, reward repeated engagement, and hold personal or philosophical weight tend to appeal. Material sophistication and conceptual depth come into focus. Collectors may feel more confident in taking risks, embracing large-scale painting, sculpture, or mixed media — while refining their own visual language.”
Expansive paintings and installations that explore memory, longing, and metaphysical space.
Discerning (III) by Lottie Consalvo, 2025, acrylic on linen, 300 x 200mm from Föenander Galleries
Collecting in Your 50s
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“In your 50s, collecting can become deeply personal. Choices are shaped by lived experience, and often by the desire to live surrounded by what resonates most. Art at this stage can become part of your legacy, something to reflect with, to live alongside, and perhaps to pass on. Works are often chosen for their endurance, emotional richness, or spiritual weight.”
Showcasing standout designs from Tom Dixon, Articolo, Flos and more, ECC’s dedicated lighting showroom is open after a thoughtful reimagining by Rufus Knight. The space embodies the design destination’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and enduring design, offering an immersive experience that reflects the quality and creativity ECC lighting has long been known for.
There are few dishes as iconic or comforting as a perfectly prepared biryani. At Cassia, award-winning chef Sid Sahrawat gives this Indian classic his own contemporary twist with Biryani Thursdays, a weekly ritual designed for sharing. For $49, guests can enjoy chicken biryani served in a traditional clay pot, paired with a choice of three sides. The portion is generous enough for two, making it an ideal midweek date or a flavoursome dinner with a friend.
Available exclusively on Thursdays from 5 – 9.30pm, the dish requires 48 hours’ pre-order — a nod to both the craft and patience behind biryani itself. Expect tender chicken, spiced rice, and layers of flavour that reflect Sahrawat’s signature approach: marrying the traditional recipes of his Indian upbringing with contemporary flair and local New Zealand ingredients.
Since opening, Cassia has carved out a reputation as one of Auckland’s most innovative dining destinations, celebrated for its ability to reimagine Indian cuisine while remaining authentic to its roots. Biryani Thursdays continue that story, offering guests the chance to slow down and experience one of India’s most loved dishes, imagined through a modern lens.
Spaces are limited, so plan ahead, and let Thursday nights at Cassia become your new culinary ritual.
Milan Fashion Week SS ’26 was alive with an energy that felt unmatched in recent memory; this was the most exciting fashion week we’ve seen in a long time (thanks, in large part, to the debutants). Gone, it seems, are the days of formulaic design, monochromatic palettes, and cookie-cutter collections — Milan signalled a return to a distinct voice and vision.
Prada set the tone with sharp tailoring and a killer palette, softened by fluid, almost poetic silhouettes with an edge, while Fendi leaned into craftsmanship (and the swinging 60s), layering texture and unexpected cuts with a playful edge. At Bottega, under the fresh vision of Louise Trotter, bold, sculptural leather stood took centre stage, reaffirming the House’s largely unrivalled mastery of tactile luxury.
Elsewhere, Dolce & Gabbana returned to unapologetic sensuality, celebrating body and form with lace, structural yet sexy silhouettes, and a distinctly laid-back luxe sensibility, while Versace embraced a punchy futurism with high-shine finishes and power shapes that looked destined for after dark.
Max Mara brought the calm counterpoint — elegant restraint through sleek suiting and buttery neutrals that reaffirmed its timeless appeal. Together, the season felt like a reset: houses reclaiming their heritage while fearlessly stepping into the a bold new chapter.
The latest, elevated take on the boho bag gives the free-spirited staple a sophisticated upgrade. From classic Chloé to slouchy suede from The Row, these are the season’s must-haves — any of which would make the perfect request from Santa.
Reform has redefined reformer Pilates with a method rooted in innovative programming, functional movement, and genuine inclusivity. With multiple studios up and down the country and a loyal following, the Reform approach is simple: train for real life.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” say Reform’s Auckland franchise owners, “but we are serious about how we move.” Every class is defined by intent, variety, and challenge. “At Reform, our classes are designed to promote better movement, not just in the studio, but in real life.” Whether it’s a stronger golf swing, gardening without pain, lifting kids with confidence, or simply moving through daily life with more ease, “We train for what matters most outside of class.”
Clients return for the depth of benefit they feel, even if they can’t always name it. “Our movement protocols work in layers, creating impact far beyond the obvious.” Every class leaves you a more efficient mover, and over time that compounds into an addictive reward system. The sessions are challenging, so you leave knowing there’s more to strive for. The most common feedback? People simply feel better. “We share incredible client stories — and while we’re not front-line responders, we know we advocate for both longer life expectancy and better life fulfilment.”
Each class follows a proven protocol: warm-up, ramp-up, and grounding finish. “Across this, we train the full spectrum of movement — postural control, balance, deceleration, pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, and responding to load — leaving the body energised, not exhausted,” they say.
Rooted in reformer Pilates, Reform blends the latest science with conventional strength protocols. No gimmicks, no trends, just intelligent programming, functional strength, and a deep respect for how real bodies move through real life. “The challenge is always optional — a tool, not a test — and we celebrate those who move best for their ability, not just the best in the room.”
In the world of interiors, contrast is everything, and this season, the high-impact pairing of soft baby blue with striking red is reasserting itself as the colour story to watch.
Once associated with traditional Americana, the blue-and-red combination is now enjoying a thoroughly modern makeover — one that plays with tone, proportion, and texture to evoke elegance, energy, and effortless sophistication. In this new palette, cool, powdery blues dominate the space, setting a serene, expansive base. Think Resene’s Time Out or Breathless — soft yet grounded hues that offer calm and neutrality with just a hint of nostalgic charm. Against this, accents in pops of red appear like punctuation marks, delivering welcome moments of visual tension.
From crimson to coral, even the smallest touch of Resene’s Smashing, Tall Poppy, or Red Hot can shift the mood. It’s all about balance — let the blue breathe across walls and key upholstery, and use red with intention to bring dynamism and depth. Brass detailing and cream or ivory-toned neutrals add warmth and elegance, preventing the scheme from veering too severe.
Together, this duo proves that opposites not only attract, but harmonise. Whether you’re drawn to coastal calm or postmodern cool, Resene’s carefully curated palette makes it easy to tailor this colour story to your style.
Moments that change everything deserve a gift worth equal weight, and Walker & Hall’s sentiment-rich pieces mark those life-altering beginnings with meaning.
Few milestones hold the magic and magnitude of becoming a mother. It’s a chapter that redefines life — from the exhilarating early days to the triumphs and tender moments of the first year, through to every Mother’s Day and beyond. Walker & Hall knows this implicitly (126 years of helping people mark life’s greatest moments will do that), curating timeless, sentiment-rich pieces that honour the extraordinary role of mum and live on as family treasures.
Walker & Hall Panorama rings
Think keepsakes she’ll wear daily — refined diamond studs, a timeless tennis bracelet, or a stunning statement ring, each imbued with memory and meaning. These are the kind of treasures that become part of her journey, quietly gathering significance with every milestone that follows. Whether it’s a sparkling push present, a jewel to mark the first year, or a gift that signifies a more personal milestone, each piece is a celebration in itself.
The beauty of these thoughtful and enduring gifts lie not just in their beauty, but in their power to preserve a moment — distilling the joy, pride, and unbridled love of motherhood into something she can carry always — a lasting reminder of life’s most enduring bond.
The second stop on the fashion month agenda was London, with Laura Weir, recently appointed CEO of the British Fashion Council, giving the event a welcome renewal. Burberry stole the show, taking over Perks Field in Kensington Palace with a show for the ages, drawing on Britain’s unrivalled festival scene, while our very own Emilia Wickstead delivered a masterclass in daring romanticism. Below, we round up some of the best looks from London Fashion Week.
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