Cape Fear
Elle
Dutton Ranch
Not Suitable For Work
Cape Fear
The Four Seasons (Season 2)
Every Year After

Wondering what to watch? These new shows should be on your radar

June is shaping up to be an exceptional month for television. A chilling reimagining of Cape Fear brings psychological suspense back into the spotlight, Tina Fey’s The Four Seasons returns with another dose of friendship-fuelled drama and sharp humour, while Netflix’s The Witness revisits one of Britain’s most infamous crimes. Elsewhere, Mindy Kaling’s Not Suitable For Work offers a fresh take on life in your twenties, and Yellowstone fans have a new chapter to sink into with Dutton Ranch. Here’s what’s worth streaming right now.

Cape Fear

When & Where to Watch: June 5th, Apple TV
Starring: Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson

This chilling reimagining of the classic psychological thriller follows married lawyers Anna and Tom Bowden, whose lives are thrown into turmoil when convicted killer Max Cady is released from prison and sets out to exact revenge. Dark, tense and deeply unsettling, it’s a slow-burn thriller that explores obsession, fear and the consequences of the past catching up with the present.


The Four Seasons (Season 2)

When & Where to Watch: Netflix
Starring: Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo

Picking up after the events of the first season, this warm and witty comedy-drama follows a close-knit group of friends as they navigate grief, shifting relationships and life’s next chapter. From the Jersey Shore to the Italian countryside, old traditions continue, but new challenges, a baby on the way and a few unexpected twists ensure nothing stays the same for long. Heartfelt, funny and effortlessly watchable.


Elle

When & Where to Watch: Out on 1st July, Amazon Prime
Starring: Lexi Minetree, James Van Der Beek, June Diane Raphael

A contemporary coming-of-age drama centred on a young woman navigating ambition, image and identity in a world where perception often outweighs reality. Set within a polished, fashion-conscious environment, it explores friendship, reinvention and the pressure to define oneself in public. The tone is sharp, modern and quietly self-aware


Every Year After

When & Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Starring: Sadie Soverall, Matt Cornett, Elisha Cuthbert

If The Summer I Turned Pretty left a hole in your viewing schedule, Every Year After may be your next obsession. Adapted from Carley Fortune’s beloved novel, the romantic drama follows Percy Fraser as an unexpected return to her childhood summer town forces her to confront the love story she thought was long behind her. Told across years of sun-soaked memories and one life-altering reunion, it’s a nostalgic tale of first love, heartbreak and the enduring pull of unfinished business.


The Witness

When & Where to Watch: Netflix
Starring: Jordan Bolger, Max Fincham, Neil Maskell

Based on the shocking true story of Rachel Nickell’s 1992 murder on Wimbledon Common, this gripping three-part drama follows André Hanscombe as he attempts to rebuild his life and protect his young son Alex, the sole witness to the crime. Equal parts crime drama and emotional family story, The Witness explores the devastating aftermath of a case that captivated Britain and the flawed investigation that followed.


Dutton Ranch

When & Where to Watch: Neon
Starring: Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Finn Little

The next chapter in the Yellowstone universe follows Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler as they leave Montana behind for a fresh start in South Texas. But building a new life proves anything but simple, with rival ranchers, old ghosts and escalating tensions threatening everything they’ve worked for. Gritty, addictive and packed with high-stakes drama, it’s essential viewing for Yellowstone fans.


Not suitable for work

When & Where to Watch: Disney
Starring: Megan Stalter, Rish Shah, Elyssa Phillips

Mindy Kaling’s latest comedy follows five ambitious twenty-somethings navigating careers, friendships and complicated love lives in New York City’s Murray Hill. Equal parts chaotic and relatable, the series captures the highs, lows and questionable decisions that come with trying to build a life in your twenties. Funny, sharp and effortlessly bingeable.


The Boroughs

When & Where to Watch: Netflix
Starring: Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard

Set in a seemingly idyllic retirement community in New Mexico, this supernatural sci-fi thriller follows a group of unlikely heroes who uncover a dark otherworldly force threatening to steal the one thing they have least to spare: time. Produced by the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things), The Boroughs blends mystery, suspense and heart with a refreshingly original cast of older protagonists.


Deli Boys (Season 2)

When & Where to Watch: Disney
Starring: Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, Poorna Jagannathan

The chaotic Dar brothers are back, and this time the stakes are even higher. Having inherited their late father’s criminal empire, Mir and Raj must figure out how to manage their newfound success, launder mountains of cash and keep their operation afloat, all while navigating family drama, questionable decisions and increasingly absurd situations. Fast-paced, sharp and laugh-out-loud funny, it’s one of the most entertaining comedies on streaming right now.


Legends

When & Where to Watch: Netflix
Starring: Tom Burke, Steve Coogan, Hayley Squires, Aml Ameen

Based on the remarkable true story of a group of ordinary British Customs employees who were sent undercover in the early 1990s to infiltrate the country’s most dangerous drug gangs, with no training and no safety net. Created by Neil Forsyth (The Gold), the performances are superb, the pacing is immaculate, and it’s the most compulsively watchable British crime drama in years. Coogan, playing against type, is outstanding. Six episodes, all available now, clear the evenings.


Half Man

When & Where to Watch: Neon
Starring: Jamie Bell, Richard Gadd, Neve McIntosh, Charlie de Melo

Richard Gadd’s follow-up to Baby Reindeer is a six-part limited series about two stepbrothers — one fierce and loyal, the other meek and mild — whose relationship spans thirty years of violence, love and damage. When Ruben (Gadd) turns up at Niall’s (Jamie Bell) wedding, an explosion of violence catapults us back through their shared past. Unrelenting, psychologically charged, and brilliantly acted — particularly by Bell, who is extraordinary — it’s the kind of television that stays with you for days. Not easy viewing, but essential.


Off Campus 

When & Where to Watch: Prime Video 
Starring: Ella Bright, Belmont Cameli, Mika Abdalla, Josh Heuston

Based on Elle Kennedy’s bestselling book series, this college romance follows a hockey-hating music major and Briar University’s star athlete as a fake relationship becomes something rather more real. Already renewed for a second season before the first even dropped, it’s smarter, spicier and more emotionally satisfying than it has any right to be. If you liked Heated Rivalry, this is your next obsession.


The Testaments

When & Where to Watch: Disney+
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri & Ebon Moss-Bachrach

The sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 novel, shifts the story to a new generation of women growing up inside Gilead. Ann Dowd returns as Aunt Lydia — now running an elite school for commanders’ daughters — while newcomers Chase Infiniti and Lucy Halliday carry the series with real conviction. The tone is more hopeful and visually vibrant than its predecessor, but no less sharp. You don’t need to have seen every episode of The Handmaid’s Tale to appreciate this — but it helps.


Widow’s Bay

When & Where to Watch: Apple TV
Starring: Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, Kate O’Flynn, Dale Dickey

A horror comedy from Katie Dippold (Ghostbusters, The Heat) that has been one of the best-reviewed new series of the year — and earned every bit of it. Matthew Rhys plays the hapless mayor of a cursed New England island town who, against all local advice, tries to attract tourists. Things go exactly as badly as the superstitious locals predicted. Directed in part by Hiro Murai (Atlanta), it’s beautifully made, genuinely funny, and just creepy enough to keep you up. Think Jaws meets Parks and Recreation.


Nemesis

When & Where to Watch: Netflix
Starring: Matthew Law, Y’lan Noel, Cleopatra Coleman, Gabrielle Dennis

From Courtney A. Kemp, the creator of the Power universe, comes a Los Angeles crime thriller about a relentless LAPD detective and a master thief locked in a cat-and-mouse game of escalating stakes. Comparisons to Heat are inevitable — and not entirely unearned. The two leads are magnetic, the action set-pieces are slick, and at eight episodes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. A satisfying binge for anyone who misses a properly ambitious crime drama


Tucci in Italy: Season 2 

When & Where to Watch: Disney+
Starring: Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci returns to Italy to eat, cook and talk to the people who make the food — and once again it is completely wonderful. This season visits Naples and Campania, Sicily, Le Marche, Sardinia and Veneto, exploring how each region’s history ends up on the plate. Unhurried, beautifully shot and utterly charming, it’s the kind of television that makes you book a flight. All five episodes are available now — perfect weekend viewing with a glass of something Italian.


Rivals: Season 2

When & Where to Watch: Disney+
Starring: David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Nafessa Williams

The gloriously scandalous Jilly Cooper adaptation is back — bigger, bolder, and with even more shoulder pads. Season two picks up immediately after that bloody cliffhanger, with Tony Baddingham (David Tennant, deliciously villainous) hell-bent on destroying Venturer Television, the rival network founded by Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner). Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett join the cast this season. Twelve episodes across two batches, the first six airing now. Utterly addictive.


Unconditional

When & Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Starring: Liraz Chamami, Talia Lynne Ronn, Amir Haddad, Evgenia Dodina

An Israeli thriller with an international scope. When 23-year-old Gali is arrested for drug smuggling in Moscow during a mother-daughter holiday, her mother Orna refuses to accept the charges — and her fight for Gali’s freedom pulls her into a deadly web of crime and corruption that stretches from Moscow to India. Shot across Israel, Georgia and India, it’s tense, tightly plotted and propelled by a fierce central performance from Liraz Chamami. For fans of Tehran and False Flag.

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Left: Advieh, Right: Kemuri Hi-Fi

The Commercial Bay Happy Hour guide: Six places worth staying late for

As the working day gives way to evening and the city’s energy begins to shift, Commercial Bay offers no shortage of reasons to linger a little longer. Whether you’re in the mood for a waterfront margarita, a glass of wine tucked away from the crowds, or a quick post-work cocktail before dinner, these are the happy hour offerings worth knowing about right now.

Advieh

Advieh

Offering: $14 cocktails, $10 beers, $12 house wine, bubbles and spirits
When: Monday to Sunday, 3pm – 7pm

Advieh’s generous daily happy hour pairs well with the restaurant’s Mediterranean-inspired snacks menu, making it an easy choice for after-work drinks that naturally become dinner. Order seasonal hummus with warm Turkish pide, halloumi drizzled with mānuka honey and pomegranate, or a serving of harissa fries alongside your drink of choice.

Kemuri Hi-Fi

Kemuri Hi-Fi

Offering: Whisky and Champagne of the Month specials
When: Daily, 4pm – 6pm

Part listening bar, part late-afternoon retreat, Kemuri Hi-Fi brings together carefully selected drinks and a soundtrack worth settling into. During Member Happy Hour, guests can enjoy whisky and champagne specials while taking in the venue’s warm, low-lit atmosphere and vinyl-led sound experience.

Dos Donkeys

Dos Donkeys

Offering: $10 frozen margaritas, $10 wines and $8 Coronas
When: Daily, 4pm – 6pm

With its waterfront setting and easy-going atmosphere, Dos Donkeys makes a convincing argument for extending the working day just a little longer. Frozen margaritas lead the charge, while tacos, corn ribs and other share-friendly dishes ensure no one leaves hungry.

Queens Wineshop

Queens Wineshop

Offering: Free corkage in The Cave
When: Daily, 11am – 9pm

Tucked away beneath the bustle of the city, Queens Wineshop’s intimate Cave offers a slower pace and a welcome sense of escape. With free corkage, rotating feature pours, warm lighting and an impressive collection of bottles lining the walls, it’s the kind of place where one glass often turns into another.

Public

Public

Offering: $8.50 house beer and wine, plus a $15 cocktail of the month
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm – 2pm and daily, 4pm – 7pm

Public keeps things refreshingly straightforward with two daily happy hour windows that cater equally well to midday meetings and evening catch-ups. Alongside house beer and wine, guests can enjoy a rotating cocktail of the month, making each visit feel slightly different from the last.

Kome

Kome

Offering: $10 Asahi
When: Daily, 5:30pm – 7pm

Kome’s daily happy hour centres on one simple proposition: ice-cold Asahi enjoyed in a relaxed, contemporary setting. Ideal for a quick drink before dinner or a casual catch-up with friends, it’s a straightforward offering that does exactly what it promises.

commercialbay.co.nz

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Togo x Hugo Boss

Salone del Mobile 2026: How Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci & Moncler redefined fashion’s role at Milan Design Week

Salone may still belong to design, but the fashion houses have made themselves entirely at home, and this year it felt less like a takeover and more like a quiet recalibration of how they show up. The excess of mismatched collaborations has eased, replaced by a more confident return to core identity, where those with credible home lines refined their language, and those without leaned into experience rather than product.

Louis Vuitton Art Deco vanity table with oval mirror, glass top, and cognac leather stools.
Louis Vuitton‘s sculptural vanity
Emerald green Louis Vuitton Paris-motif wool blanket and cushion draped over a cream sofa.
Louis Vuitton navy blue geometric folding screen with gold trim beside a sculptural armchair on a terracotta platform.

Beneath the frescoes of Palazzo Serbelloni, Louis Vuitton returned to Objets Nomades with a considered nod to Pierre Legrain, reissuing his Celeste Coiffeuse alongside a series of pieces that balanced craft with theatre. 

Cream and cognac leather chaise longue before an ornate marble fireplace in a panelled Parisian room.
Togo X Hugo Boss from Ligne Roset

Dark grey modular sofa with folded throw blanket and small cushion on jute rug.
Two cream canvas and tan leather structured handbags styled on cushions before a marble fireplace.

Hugo Boss translated its tailoring language into Ligne Roset’s famed Togo, bringing the precision and softness of suiting to contemporary living, while the Gucci Memoria exhibition, curated by Demna at the Chiostri di San Simpliciano, reinterpreted the house’s history through theatrical installations, tapestries, and interactive displays. 

Dior leaned into the atmosphere at Palazzo Landriani, where Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance’s light pieces echoed the silhouette of the Corolle skirt within a raffia-lined setting that felt both nostalgic and precise.

White wire mesh bell lamp with wooden handle casting lattice shadows before a dried botanical wall installation.

Large domed woven rattan lattice structure enclosing a circular dining table in a floral-adorned interior.

Meanwhile, at 10 Corso Como, Moncler opted for spectacle, installing an enormous octopus across the façade and into the interior, which was impossible to ignore and, predictably, very effective.

Woman in white dress and black boots posing beside giant red tentacle sculptures in a gallery.
Giant inflatable octopus tentacles suspended above a circular clothing rail in a white gallery-style retail space.

Together, the week suggested that fashion’s relationship with design is finally maturing, though, as Moncler’s octopus reminded us, a little theatre still goes a long way.

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Professor Brian Cox: Emergence

Our June culture guide: Everything to see, do and book tickets to this month

Winter has officially arrived; however, this month’s cultural calendar is giving us every reason to leave the house anyway. This month brings a K-pop arena spectacle, Professor Brian Cox live, a cult musical at The Civic, a free glowing cathedral in Aotea Square and one of the year’s best gallery shows at Sanderson. Rug up and get out.

Professor Brian Cox

Professor Brian Cox: Emergence

Where: Spark Arena, Auckland
When: Thursday 4 June 2026

After performing his smash-hit show Horizons to nearly half a million people around the world, Professor Brian Cox returns with Emergence, his most ambitious live production yet. Bringing together cosmology, biology, philosophy and history on arena-scale LED screens with a full sound and lighting design, it is less a lecture and more an immersive experience. Cox describes the show as an attempt to leave every audience member, whether they love science, music, history, or simply contemplate the beauty of nature, with something new to think about. A rare evening that makes you feel genuinely smarter for having been there.
Book tickets

Auckland Festival of Photography

Where: Various locations across Auckland
When: 29 May – 14 June 2026

Now in its 23rd year, New Zealand’s leading international photography festival transforms familiar streets, galleries and public spaces into a city-wide celebration of visual storytelling. The 2026 theme is Movement [Kori], explored through a programme of free outdoor exhibitions, gallery shows, talks and online activations featuring both emerging and established artists from New Zealand and abroad. Highlights include an exclusive suite of works from Taipei-based award-winning artist Shen Chao-Liang, Japanese photographer Mayumi Suzuki’s long-term project The Tide’s Gift II, and Cathy Carter’s underwater environmental series Zones of Immanence. The outdoor exhibitions are woven through the city centre (Te Komititanga Square, Queens Wharf and beyond), making it easy to stumble across something striking wherever you wander. Free and open to everyone.

Leon thomas

Leon Thomas: Mutts Don’t Heel

Where: Auckland Town Hall
When: Monday 9 June 2026

Grammy-winning Brooklyn artist Leon Thomas brings his MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Auckland for his first-ever New Zealand performance. If you don’t know the name yet, you almost certainly know the work: Thomas co-wrote and produced SZA’s “Snooze,” earning a Grammy in 2024, and his sophomore album MUTT was named Billboard’s number one R&B album of that year with over 315 million streams globally. His sound sits at the intersection of classic R&B warmth and sharp modern production, and the Town Hall is the perfect room for it. One to watch closely.
Book tickets

Mickey Smith, Untitled Vol. XII, Strahov, 2026, Archival pigment print on Ilford Fine Art Canvas Galicia, 1600 x 1095 mm

Mickey Smith: Sacrosanct

Where: Sanderson Contemporary, Newmarket
When: 27 May – 21 June 2026

For more than two decades, American-born, Aotearoa-based artist Mickey Smith has closely examined libraries in the US, New Zealand and the Pacific, drawn to the fragility of knowledge systems and the way they survive, decay and transform. With Sacrosanct, she turns her gaze to libraries cloistered in monasteries, expanding on her award-winning photographic series Volume. The work is deeply contemplative and formally beautiful, concerned with the physical and social significance of texts and archives in an age increasingly defined by their absence. A quiet, intelligent show that rewards careful looking. Free entry.

Heathers the musical

Heathers the Musical

Where: The Civic, Queen Street, Auckland CBD
When: 10 – 14 June 2026

Direct from London and New York, the wickedly funny stage adaptation of the 1988 Winona Ryder and Christian Slater cult classic arrives at The Civic. Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death and the soundtrack is a killer. Based on the iconic film, Heathers is deliciously dark, sharp and full of big, unapologetic fun. Tickets from $64 to $163, and the run is short (five nights only), so don’t sleep on it.
Book tickets

NZSO: Romeo & Juliet

Where: Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall
When: Friday 12 June 2026, 7.30pm

Australian conductor Benjamin Northey leads the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in a programme built around the intimate power of love itself, with Chinese-Australian virtuoso cellist Li-Wei Qin as soloist. Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet is one of the most emotionally overwhelming orchestral scores ever written, and the Auckland Town Hall’s Great Hall is one of the best rooms in the country to hear it performed live. An evening for anyone who wants to feel something, performed at the highest level. Tickets from $35.
Book tickets

Ive World tour

IVE World Tour: Show What I Am

Where: Spark Arena, Auckland
When: Saturday 20 June 2026

Six-member K-pop group IVE (Anyujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jangwonyoung, Liz and Leeseo) bring their second world tour to Auckland, marking a new chapter for the group as they move beyond the first three years of the “IVE Syndrome” into something more mature and individually driven. Their debut era delivered some of the biggest K-pop tracks of recent years, and the live show is a full-scale arena production with the choreography, visuals and energy the format demands. For fans of the genre, this is a major get for Auckland. Premium lounge upgrades are available.
Book tickets

Ayrburn’s Winter Wonderland

Ayrburn’s Winter Wonderland

Where: Ayrburn, Arrowtown, Queenstown
When: 26 June – 31 July 2026

Not in Auckland, but very much on the Denizen radar. If you’re heading south this winter, Ayrburn’s Winter Wonderland is back for 2026 and well worth building a Queenstown trip around. The sprawling hospitality precinct on the outskirts of Arrowtown transforms into a spectacular midwinter Christmas from late June, with festive light displays, ice skating under the southern night sky, oversized decorations and plenty of mulled wine and seasonal treats across its collection of restaurants and bars. Entry to wander through the lights is free; booking is recommended for ice skating and dining. We covered the inaugural edition last year, and by all accounts the 2026 version goes bigger still.

Auckland Live Cabaret Festival

Where: The Civic, Queen Street, Auckland CBD
When: 24 June – 5 July 2026

The most exciting time of the year at The Civic is back. The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival transforms the city’s most iconic venue into a playground of music, comedy, theatre, circus and burlesque, with free pop-up performances spilling through the foyers, cocktails flowing, and artists and audiences mingling in an atmosphere where anything feels possible. The Champagne Lounge, Piano Bar and Foyer Follies anchor the programme, alongside a rotating lineup of ticketed shows that run the full spectrum from the hilarious to the breathtaking. If you only do one winter evening out, make it this.

Winter Light Cathedral

Winter Light Cathedral

Where: Aotea Square, Auckland CBD
When: 30 May – 5 July 2026

Created by award-winning international lighting firm Mandylights, Winter Light Cathedral is a dazzling walk-through installation made from tens of thousands of tiny LED lights, inspired by the sweeping arches of grand church windows. From the outside it shines like a beacon in Aotea Square. Inside, it is a sparkling, golden world that manages to feel both cosy and spectacular. Free entry, no booking required, open day and night. The kind of five-minute detour that makes a midwinter evening in the city feel genuinely magical, whether you’re passing through on the way to dinner or making a special trip with the family.

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Swarovski’s Millenia collection brings warm topaz tones and octagon-cut crystals to everyday jewellery

There is a danger, with crystal jewellery, of allowing brilliance to do all the talking. Millenia avoids that trap by giving light a disciplined structure, building its language around the octagon cut and, in this latest Swarovski release, softening that geometry with champagne, cognac and honeyed topaz tones set against rose and yellow gold finishes.

The effect feels richer, more grounded and considerably more grown-up. Millenia has always occupied a more architectural corner of Swarovski’s universe, where sharp geometry and disciplined lines take precedence over overt embellishment, though this latest evolution introduces something warmer beneath the surface. Earlier, cooler palettes give way to stones that shift subtly with the light, bringing the collection closer to a jewellery wardrobe than a single evening gesture.

Blonde model in grey turtleneck layered with gold citrine jewellery, sunglasses, and chain belt in golden elevator.
Watch Octagon Cut Bracelet, Brown, Champagne Gold Tone Finish
Watch from Swarovski
Millenia Drop Earrings Mixed Cuts, Caramel, Gold Tone Plated
Millenia Drop Earrings from Swarovski
Millenia Extender Cut, Brown, Gold Tone Plated
Millenia Extender from Swarovski
Sunglasses Pillow Shape, Sk7042, Green
Sunglasses Pillow Shape, Sk7042, from Swarovski

What Swarovski understands particularly well here is proportion. Jewellery designed for regular wear requires a different sort of intelligence from pieces intended solely for after-dark spectacle, because it must hold presence in daylight without looking as though it has arrived at the wrong appointment. The graduated choker necklaces move carefully between bold emerald-cut collets and finer pavé lines, allowing them to layer naturally without collapsing into visual noise. Cocktail rings arrive with enough scale to stand independently, while slimmer stacking bands encourage accumulation across the hand in a way that feels instinctive rather than overly styled. Drop earrings echo the same disciplined geometry, and pendant necklaces offer a quieter interpretation of the collection’s codes for those less inclined towards full glamour before midday.

Millenia Hoop Earrings Mixed Cuts, Multicoloured, Gold Tone Plated
Millenia Hoop Earrings from Swarovski
Millenia Necklace Oversized Crystals, Octagon Cut, Gold Tone Plated
Millenia Necklace from Swarovski
Millenia Pendant Octagon Cut, Caramel, Gold Tone Plated
Millenia Pendant from Swarovski
Millenia Bangle Octagon Cut, Multicoloured, Gold Tone Plated
Millenia Bangle from Swarovski

A subtle floral motif softens the sharper edges of the collection, with petals rendered in pale morganite and citrine surrounding warm yellow centres. It is one of the few moments where Millenia allows itself something overtly decorative, though even here the symmetry remains controlled. Watches extend the language further still, their bezels framed with octagonal stones that blur the distinction between jewellery and timepiece with surprising ease.

The collection’s strength lies in its versatility. These are not pieces reserved exclusively for evening events. Millenia feels most convincing worn against tailoring at eleven in the morning, rather than under chandeliers at midnight.

swarovski.com

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Otway Armchair by Kett from Dawson & Co.

The dining chair that earns its place at the table

There’s a reason the dining chair is the most unforgiving piece of furniture to design. It has to be comfortable enough for a three-hour dinner, light enough to pull back with one hand, strong enough to withstand years of daily use, and, ideally, worth looking at from every angle. The Otway Armchair by Kett manages all four with a kind of quiet confidence that doesn’t announce itself.

Defined by a gently curving solid ash frame, the Otway’s structure is both sculptural and purposeful. Rounded legs intersect to cradle the seat in a gesture that feels intuitively supportive, the kind of detail you notice the second time you sit down, when you realise you haven’t shifted once. Fine woodworking meets contemporary production here, resulting in a chair that is as enduring as it is elegant.

Upholstered in leather or fabric, it invites comfort without fuss. Stackable yet refined, it’s the rare dining chair that works equally well around a long oak table or pulled into a corner as a reading seat. This is a piece designed for unhurried evenings, the ones where conversation stretches well past dessert and nobody wants to be the first to stand up.


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Arc’teryx is opening its First New Zealand store at Commercial Bay

Auckland’s downtown retail precinct has secured a major international name, with Arc’teryx set to open its first New Zealand store at Commercial Bay in Spring 2026. Founded in North Vancouver and shaped by the demands of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, the Canadian performance brand has built a global following for technical outerwear, precision design and alpine-grade functionality that now travels well beyond the mountain.

The arrival marks a notable moment for Commercial Bay, which has continued to draw premium international retailers into the heart of the city since opening in 2020. For New Zealand, where outdoor culture sits close to national identity and the weather has a habit of making amateurs of us all, Arc’teryx feels like a particularly appropriate addition.

The new store will bring the brand’s full premium offer to the local market, housed within a retail environment designed to reflect Arc’teryx’s rigorous approach to performance and material intelligence. “New Zealand has a strong outdoor culture and an increasingly engaged customer base seeking premium technical apparel,” says Bianca Bernadi, Arc’teryx Country Director ANZ. Commercial Bay, she adds, is “a natural fit” as the brand expands its global retail presence.

Scheduled to open later this year, the store adds further weight to Commercial Bay’s position as Auckland’s most desirable downtown retail address, and gives local devotees of the brand something far more satisfying than the usual online chase.

www.commercialbay.co.nz

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Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday

With the last of the autumn sun still upon us and a long weekend ahead, the most appropriate call to make is to secure plans before the weekend gets underway. With the forecast for sunshine, we suggest setting your sights on Ki Māha for a much-deserved Saturday lunch.

Just a 35-minute ferry ride will transport you to our celebrated island paradise, Waiheke, and there’s no place offering the sort of sensory transportive dining experience like Ki Māha. Located on Onetangi Beach, where a long stretch of white sand and crystal-clear water is the same exacting destination brief that many globetrotters request from their long-suffering travel agents. Except this one is right on our doorstep.

For those in the know, this slice of heaven is less arduous to access and decidedly more elevated and enjoyable than any Caribbean isle.

Positioned with a picture-perfect outlook of the sand and water beyond. But the restaurant itself is where your aesthetic and gastronomic needs will be completely fulfilled.

The stylish interiors evoke the beach clubs and atmosphere of Pampelonne, with the added comfort of an outdoor fire when the temperature calls for it. The service is always impeccable, and the eternally captivating vantage point offers a visual and conversational distraction that, let’s be honest, some lunch companions can require.

The menu is built around modern international flavours and the country’s best produce. Sustainably harvested seafood, ethically farmed meats, fruit and vegetables sourced as close to the island as the season allows.

Start with the Crayfish and Prawn Rolls and Yellow Fin Tuna Tartlet, suitable for pairing with a glass of something crisp and effervescent. After all, we are celebrating the King, and it is customary to do so in a regally resplendent manner.

Follow with an equally monarchical feast of Dry Aged Duck Breast served with oyster mushroom, dates, and a Marmite and cashew cream, then for a table prepared to eat like Kings, the 350g grass-fed Wagyu sirloin, long-fed for 360 days at WX5 plus, arrives with the kind of mineral depth that is revolutionary. Add some truffle fries, and several bottles of Burgundy for good measure.

Rather than letting them eat cake, we suggest a round of affogato for dessert to keep the celebrations alive.

Let the afternoon get away from you, knowing that, unlike some members of the royal family, you’ve made very good decisions. Decisions that don’t involve planes, private or commercial.

kimaha.nz

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Style Icon: Viky Rader

After a career as an international fashion model, Viktoria Rader settled in Munich to raise a family, but her love for fashion and innate style have remained a passion. Balancing family life with four young children, Viky Rader, has evolved her career to become a stylist, brand consultant and creator of her own namesake fashion label. A regular attendee on the global fashion circuit, Rader’s style has been well documented and analysed by the fashion cognoscenti largely because of her seamless aesthetic, which resists trend cycles in favour of a classically chic approach.

Woman in belted camel trench coat holding black handbag and silk scarf on cobblestone street.
Blonde woman in camel jacket and ivory lace skirt walking along a European stone street.

Woman in olive utility outfit holds toddler and walks with young daughter outside rustic stone building.
Viky Rader with her daughters at Sa Punta de S’Àguila, Mallorca.

Building a wardrobe around longevity rather than novelty, compiling day-to-night looks that are effortless, paired with accessories that are considered, Rader shows restraint while still stepping out in looks that are both luxurious and head-turning.

A couple walks through a Parisian garden in matching brown suede coats on a sunny day.

Woman in green tweed jacket and ivory midi skirt poses confidently on a city street.
Woman in tan leather jacket and floral mini dress walking through a Parisian tree-lined promenade.

With a travel schedule that sees her either holidaying with her family in exotic locales or attending high-profile galas and fashion shows, she has a wardrobe divided into two registers. In the city, she dresses with fashion precision: a navy blazer over a poplin shirt, wide trousers and loafers, with the finishing touch of a Hermès scarf knotted at the neck without ceremony. While a mountain escape sees her in shearling, après-ski knitwear, fur-trimmed parkas, and ski suits that look genuinely worn rather than styled for a shoot.

Woman in oversized brown fur coat and aviator sunglasses posing on a snowy alpine slope.
Woman in Fair Isle sweater and ski goggles standing in snow outside an Alpine chalet.

As an avid skier, she carries the easy authority of someone who knows the difference between looking the part and acting the part. Goldbergh, Toni Sailer, and Fusalp appear regularly, layered with vintage finds and the occasional Loro Piana cashmere.

Stylish couple walking hand-in-hand along a wooden dock beside a blue European lake.

Woman in white tailored suit with sheer lace top standing before the Louvre, Paris.
Woman in red cape jumpsuit leaning against stone column at a modernist building entrance.

But ultimately, what separates Rader is her editorial sensibility. After years spent on shoots, she has carried what she learned and created her own stylistic template that continues to evolve each season.

Woman in cream satin dress and over-the-knee boots posing near stone urn, Eiffel Tower behind.
Woman in navy blazer, striped shirt, cuffed jeans and heels holding Hermès scarf on Paris street.

Couple crossing a Paris street outside Saint Laurent on Rue de Grenelle in stylish outfits.

She has parlayed her style into a consultancy that works with fashion and lifestyle brands on creative direction and styling. Collaborating with brands such as FOPE, Brunello Cucinelli, and Molteni&C, each sitting comfortably within the world she has built rather than interrupting it.

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Harriet Dyer as Ashley and Patrick Brammel as Gordon in Colin From Accounts
Miles Jupp as Nigel and Tom Hollander as Rev. Adam Smallbone in Rev.
Harrison Ford as Dr. Paul and Jason Segel as Jimmy in Shrinking
Siân Brooke as Karen, Esther Smith as Nikki and Rafe Spall as Jason in Trying
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso and Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca in Ted Lasso
David Mitchell as Mark and Robert Webb as Jeremy in Peep Show
Alan Ritchson as Thad in Blue Mountain State
Sharon Horgan as Sharon and Rob Delaney as Rob in Catastrophe

In need of some comic relief? These are the best underrated comedy series worth a watch

Some shows steal the spotlight, while others quietly deliver brilliance in the background. This round-up dives into the most underrated comedy series — sharp, offbeat gems that deserve a place on your watchlist. From unconventional love stories to workplace absurdity and the chaotic joys of modern parenthood, these shows balance wit with heart, offering fresh takes on humour that might have slipped under the radar. Whether you’re after clever dialogue, unexpected satire, or pure feel-good escapism, these sometimes overlooked series are sure to become your next binge-worthy obsession.

Colin From Accounts

Watch now on TVNZ+

Brought together by a car accident and an injured dog who they name Colin, two flawed, funny strangers — Ashley and Gordon — form an unexpected bond. As they navigate personal chaos and awkward encounters, their unlikely friendship slowly blossoms into something more. Colin from Accounts, with its offbeat humour and heartfelt plot line, offers a witty, refreshing take on life, love, and second chances.

Lovesick

A hidden gem in Netflix’s catalogue, Lovesick is a sharp, heartfelt British comedy that certainly deserves more attention than it got. Following Dylan as he retraces past relationships after a chlamydia diagnosis, the show blends witty humour with genuine emotional depth as he explores past relationships. With charming performances and a refreshingly honest take on love and friendship, it’s a must-watch for rom-com fans seeking something smart and endearing.

Catastrophe

Watch now on TVNZ+

Hilarious and heartwarming, Catastrophe follows an American man, Rob, and an Irish woman, Sharon, whose brief fling results in an unplanned pregnancy — leading them to navigate a fast-tracked relationship. As they fumble through marriage, parenting, and cultural clashes, the series captures the chaos and absurdity of modern love with brilliant chemistry and biting wit.

Shrinking

Watch now on Apple TV+

After losing his wife, therapist Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) ditches professional boundaries and starts giving his patients unfiltered, sometimes reckless advice. His new approach causes ripple effects in their lives — and forces him to confront his own grief. Backed by a stellar cast, including Harrison Ford, Shrinking, with its clever humour and heartfelt storytelling, proves that sometimes, following the heart over the head is the right approach.

LOVE

Watch now on Netflix

In LOVE, Gus, a sweet (yet neurotic) guy, crosses paths with Mickey, a free-spirited but emotionally damaged woman. Their unpredictable romance unfolds in Los Angeles, where they grapple with personal baggage, commitment issues, and awkward moments. This witty series dives into the messiness of relationships, offering a raw, relatable portrayal of love, flaws, and growth.

Trying

Watch now on Apple TV+

Nikki and Jason want a baby, but with natural conception off the table, they turn to adoption. As they navigate endless obstacles, well-meaning but chaotic loved ones, and their own insecurities, Trying delivers a heartfelt, hilarious look at modern parenthood. With charming performances and sharp writing, it’s a warm, witty exploration of love, resilience, and what it really means to be ready.

Ted Lasso

Watch now on Apple TV+

Not necessarily underrated, but worthy of a shout-out to push it to the top of your watchlist, Ted Lasso is a heartfelt comedy which follows an optimistic American football coach who’s hired to manage a struggling English soccer team — despite having no experience with the sport. What begins as a setup for failure turns into a heartwarming journey as Ted’s relentless positivity, unconventional coaching, and deep empathy transform the team, winning over skeptical players, staff, and fans in unexpected ways.

Peep Show

Watch now on Prime Video

Two socially awkward roommates, Mark and Jez, navigate their dysfunctional lives filled with cringe-worthy decisions, selfishness, and strange humour. Peep Show takes you inside their minds with first-person perspective, offering brutally honest internal monologues that reveal their deepest insecurities and bizarre ambitions. A darkly comedic, yet surprisingly heartfelt, exploration of friendship and self-doubt.

Blue Mountain State

Watch now on Prime Video

At the fictional Blue Mountain State University, a group of rowdy college athletes navigate over-the-top parties, wild antics, and their hectic sports careers. The show follows newcomer Alex Moran as he joins the team, balancing fame, mischief, and a chaotic life on and off the field. It’s a raucous, irreverent comedy about college life, friendship, and everything in between.

Kath & Kim

Watch now on Netflix

Gina Riley as Kim, Peter Rowsthorn as Brett, Jane Turner as Kath, Glenn Robbins as Kel and Magda Szubanski as Sharon in Kath & Kim

And oldie bit a goldie. Kath and Kim are a mother-daughter duo living in suburban Melbourne, where their hilariously dysfunctional relationship and outrageous personalities take center stage. The show follows Kath’s search for love and Kim’s self-absorbed antics, offering a wildly entertaining, often absurd look at family dynamics, with a unique Aussie twist.

Rev.

Rev follows the life of Adam, an inner-city Anglican priest struggling to balance his faith, personal life, and the demands of his parish. As he deals with eccentric parishioners, his own moral dilemmas, and a series of increasingly ridiculous situations, the show presents both a humorous and a heartfelt exploration of spirituality, responsibility, and life’s unpredictability.

Wicked Little Letters

Watch now on Neon

In a sleepy British seaside town, Wicked Little Letters follows two women whose escalating feud involves sending increasingly outrageous letters to the local paper. As their rivalry intensifies, the town’s eccentricities begin to emerge. The show offers a clever and entertaining exploration of small-town drama and the impact of words, filled with wit and absurd humour.

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