If there’s one thing we learned in New Zealand in the last year, it’s that the good tourism stuff sells out fast.

Last year, with international visitors unable to come, New Zealanders expected a calm tourism season and many of us left holiday planning to the last minute. Those of us who planned in advance were rewarded, as accommodation and activities in nationwide hotspots filled up.

In fact, the Department of Conservation reported an increase in the number of bookings for New Zealand’s Great Walks. We also saw high demand on cycle trails, campsites, and accommodation in places with beaches and lakes. With the Trans-Tasman travel bubble opening up, we’re expecting things to really heat up in the sector.

Book these early so you don’t miss out

Skiing and snowboarding The 2021 New Zealand ski season starts in June and runs until October. With both Australians and Kiwis competing for space this year, it’s a good idea to check out the good accommodation offerings now. Check out Queenstown, Wanaka, Methven, Mackenzie District, Taupō and Ohakune for starters.

Great Walks Bookings for the 10 Great Walks of New Zealand open in mid-June 2021. Last year Kiwis snapped up nearly all the available spots, and popular walks like the Milford Track almost completely sold out within an hour of opening.

Cycle trails One of the best ways to see New Zealand’s sights, a series of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails criss-cross the country. You can organise your own trips (plan your accommodation well in advance) or get on board with an organised tour.

Beach holiday If you’re spending summer with family and friends in New Zealand, make sure you get your camping spot or hotel sussed ASAP – if last summer’s anything to go by, the beach towns will fill up fast.

Give a leg up to some champion tourism spots

2020 and 2021 have been hard years for lots of absolutely fantastic New Zealand tourism operators and locations. Consider spending time in some of our most picturesque and exciting places like Rotorua, Queenstown, Fiordland and Franz Josef – and make the most of the experience by booking plenty of awesome activities!

Hit the hidden gems

Always wanted to get off the beaten path in New Zealand and hit up some of the local favourites instead of the traditional tourist destinations? Hit the beaches, fish, dive and explore the natural wonders of Northland and The Coromandel. Be completely wowed by the alpine wonderland and stargazing reserve of Mackenzie District. Get on the wine trail in Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough in the North Island, and Marlborough in the South Island.

Take a pause in the gateways

You’ll probably land in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch and it might be tempting to blast straight out to the tourism hotspots, but we know there’s a lot of goodness to be had in New Zealand’s gateway cities. Auckland is a shopper’s and diner’s paradise, and has its own urban beaches and nearby forests to explore. Wellington is the country’s cultural hub, the home of Te Papa Museum of New Zealand, a thriving café scene, theatre, art and film. Christchurch is an adventure destination, with a mountain biking park, surf beaches and lengthy hiking and biking trails right in the city – and the Chch culinary offerings are not to be missed.

New Zealand Opera has gone full multimedia with this cinematic treat! It's Semele on the big screen, it's showing just three special fundraising sessions around the country, and judging by the drama of the trailer and the awesomeness of the stage production we're pretty confident this is going to be a roaring great time.

This stunning new opera film, directed by Rebecca Tansley (The Heart Dances), was filmed in 2020 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. It features some of New Zealand’s best voices: Emma Pearson, Amitai Pati (SOL3 MIO), Paul Whelan, Sarah Castle, Stephen Diaz, Chelsea Dolman and Sashe Angelovski along with the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Chorus and the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir. A baroque orchestra under the baton of Peter Walls ONZM brings Handel’s intricate score to life.

The story explores the sensual love triangle between Jupiter (King of the Gods), his wife Juno, and his lover, the mortal princess Semele. As with all mythological stories, this is a story of love, passion, revenge and tragedy – set to some of the most beautiful music Handel ever wrote. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this luminous production brought to life once again on the silver screen.

All proceeds from the fundraiser event go towards funding more incredible homegrown opera on the big screen, so get in there.

Christchurch, Lumière Cinemas, Thursday 15 April
Wellington, Penthouse Cinema, Thursday 29 April
Auckland, Lido Cinema, Thursday 13 May
nzopera.com

Open Christchurch is a revolutionary architecture festival, geared around giving people access to the buildings of Ōtautahi. What's Hot New Zealand talks some of the city’s coolest constructions with the festival organiser.

Te Pūtahi, the organisation behind Open Christchurch, really values and appreciates the myriad of ways in which our ancestors designed and built Christchurch, the city we live in,” says Te Pūtahi director and architectural historian Dr Jessica Halliday. “We want to share that with people who perhaps don’t have the time, access and opportunity to explore and learn about Ōtautahi’s most beautiful and interesting buildings.”

We share our everyday lives with architecture, she says. It can bring us joy, bring us down, and it can connect us to our stories and our history. Architecture also has us looking to the future, and what comes next for our cityscape. The idea of the festival is to open a series of interesting and important Christchurch buildings to the public, which among other things Jessica hopes will foster public discussion and debate about what is ‘good’, what has changed in our city, and what it can be in the future. While many buildings that will be open in the May festival have been announced, there are still more to come.

What is ‘the architecture’ of Christchurch?

“It’s been many different things over time and, you know, that changes,” Jessica says. “People often associate Christchurch with Gothic Revival… that style reflected what really mattered to European settlers that came here.”

The four big Gothic Revival buildings were the Christ Church Cathedral, the former Canterbury University/Arts Centre, the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings,
and the Canterbury Museum. These buildings reflected the values of religion, education, governance, and the storing of knowledge respectively.

“In a few decades they put a lot of resources, time, money and expertise into creating those places as beautifully and with as much importance as they could,” Jessica says. “The later postmodern architecture says other things about us. And today it’s really hard to say [what our architecture tells us], because we are bound up in what is happening now.”

One thing she is noticing is the values of Ngāi Tahu being incorporated into public buildings, where formerly most works kept tangata whenua outside of the process. “That’s a significant shift. You start to see how architecture can shape who we are and where we are right now.”

7 of Dr Halliday’s favourite Christchurch buildings

Christchurch Town Hall “It’s amazing, I love that place… it’s a public work of architecture. I have a lot of experiences that connect me to public life there: university, gigs, concerts, events. It’s not just the architecture; it’s how we use it.”

The Arts Centre “I love just sitting in the north and south quads and looking at the buildings that were developed there over many decades to create this harmonious atmosphere.”

Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings “These are still sitting there, waiting for us to decide that we have the resources to restore them and strengthen them. I have so many memories of being in those timber corridors, the warm flagstones – warm in the sense that so many people have walked through those corridors over time. The stone chamber was, and will hopefully be again, one of the most jaw-dropping interiors we have ever created in this country. Polychromatic tiling and painting – you just go ‘wow’.”

Tūranga “I love that it’s a place for everyone, and it totally changed the city centre when it opened. Architecture, books, learning experiences and opportunities. It’s free, it welcomes everyone, and the values reflect mana whenua.”

Rāpaki Church “It’s so special, and being there has an incredible atmosphere. Sacred spaces often change how you feel.”

First Church of Christ Scientist “There’s not a church like it in New Zealand. The postmodern building references architecture in a modern way. There are references to the artist Mondrian. It’s really curious. I can’t wait to share it.”

MegaTower “People won’t know this one, I don’t think. It’s a tiny three-point-five-storey building on a tiny little footprint, maybe five metres by five. It’s in Merivale on Office Road, just off Papanui. It’s like a little bit of Japan in Merivale. You look at it and go, ‘why here?’ This is very interesting; it’s a different way of living. It could be residential, mixed use, the bottom could be converted for commercial. It’s just really intriguing.”

And more… “And of course there are heaps and heaps of amazing residential properties in Christchurch. I’d have to shout out to my grandparents’ 1966 house designed by Don Cowey. It’s one of my favourite places in the world. It’s on the hillside in Halswell and one of the architectural experiences for me personally that made me interested in the field. We’re not opening that one this year, but in future years we will.”

Open Christchurch, Sat 15 – Sun 16 May

openchch.nz

Ralph Hotere was a prolific figure in New Zealand art through the late 20^th Century, charting his journeys around Aotearoa and the world and reflecting on his experiences, identity and politics through his art.

This exhibition at the Christchurch Art Gallery, produced in partnership with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, is the first major survey of Hotere’s career, bringing together works from collections all over the country. These include works of political protest, such as the Aramoana series created in response to a proposed smelting site, as well as landmark works such as Black Phoenix and Godwit/Kuaka.

Through Ātete, Hotere’s vision and artistic achievements will be introduced to a new generation.

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Sat 27 Mar – Sun 25 Jul

christchurchartgallery.org.nz

At Christchurch’s largest art show you can view and buy original artworks from established and emergent New Zealand artists.

Thousands of high quality original artworks are available at this visual art extravaganza, the South Island’s largest art sales event of the year. Artwork is priced from $50-$6,000 and you can take your new treasure home on the spot, or take advantage of the complimentary courier service. Sustain yourself at the on-site café and bar and enjoy browsing a vast collection of New Zealand art all in one place.

Don’t miss opening night on Thursday April 8, where you can meet and talk with the artists in person and have an exclusive opportunity to purchase works before the show opens to the public. Canapés, cheese boards and a complimentary glass of Lawson’s Dry Hills Wine will be supplied at the opening night event.

Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Christchurch, Fri 9 - Sun 11 Apr

chchartshow.co.nz

What's Hot New Zealand has the answers to all your questions about sake.

Say it right It’s pronounced ‘sah-kay’ not ‘sah-key’.

What’s in a cup? Japanese people use a lot of different vessels to drink sake. It may be served in ceramic choko, wide-mouthed sakazuki cups, glasses, metal chirori, small bowls and even wooden or plastic boxes called masu.

Sip, don’t shoot Sake is an important drink in certain Japanese cultures, and tossing it back like a Jäger bomb may cause offence. Treat it like a small glass of wine, and get to know the flavour.

Know when to drink it Traditionally, sake is imbibed during appetizers or small plates – izakaya. You can also enjoy it with sushi, sashimi or nigiri.

Pour for others, never yourself Offer to pour sake for others at your table, but when it’s time to fill your own vessel someone else should do the honours. If someone important or older than you is pouring your sake, lift your cup towards them with both hands while they pour as a sign of respect. Keep an eye on your co-diners to make sure they don’t run out.

Discover It’s hardly surprising if you’re disappointed by the flavour when you buy the cheapest one on the shelf. Ask for recommendations.

Try something different Not all sake comes from Japan. Zenkuro Sake is made in Queenstown in the premium Japanese style and has won international awards for its flavour.

Sake: it’s not all just sake There are many different styles and quality of sake. Many regard daiginjo and junmai daiginjo to be the finest category of sake.

Don’t assume it should be hot Some sakes taste good hot, some warm, some at room temperature, and some premium sakes are best served in a chilled glass. Ask for a serving recommendation when ordering.

Kanpai! That’s the Japanese word for ‘cheers’ – say it as your raise your glasses or gently clink them together.

Fashionistas will want to jot this one down in your travel plans: New Zealand has an epic shopping destination all our own, and it’s nestled among turquoise blue glacial lakes and surrounded by the snowy Southern Alps.

Wānaka hosts a hub of showcase stores from homegrown world-class designers, and it comes at fashion from a few different angles. It’s been the launching pad for outdoor brands developed by entrepreneurial powder hounds on white-out days, like world-renowned Mons Royale. It’s attracted hardy and high-class fashion borne out of Central Otago station workwear. And it’s welcomed an influx of luxury high-fashion stores seeking a refined respite from its more raucous and rambling neighbour Queenstown. These days, Wānaka is home to a dense, rich fashion scene, with destination boutiques to keep even the most dedicated shoppers going all holiday long.

To start, wander into Devál Boutique. This Otago fashion store specialises in personal styling, with a tailor that can suss you out with hand-selected items from local and international designers including, naturally, Christchurch-born label Devál as well as the likes of Camilla and Marc, Anine Bing, Gucci, Harris Tapper, Philippe Model Paris, and Mother Denim. Next in line is 47Frocks – home base for New Zealand designers in Wānaka since 2010. Here you’ll find seasonal threads from Kiwi designers who’ve made it big, like Karen Walker, NOM*D and Juliette Hogan, and it’s a great place to discover new local designers. As well as clothing, 47Frocks stocks goodies like Yu Mei handbags and Sans[ceuticals] beauty products.

Up the road, PERRIAM stocks womanswear and baby clothes from Christina Perriam, developed on high-country merino farm Bendigo Station. For street style, Soul Clothing was bought by Wānaka local Sally Gordon in 2011, and stocks some of the coolest threads from New Zealand and abroad, and Base Streetwear is your go-to for favourite super-local Mons Royale and Auckland-based Huffer. And Christchurch’s own Untouched World also has a boutique in central Wānaka.

For accessories, you can’t skip Common People’s flagship store. It’s a Wānaka-based brand with a design studio on site, making sustainable and ultra-modern leather bags. And for something really special, pop into Wilson & Dorset where you’ll find luxury sheepskin bean bags, rugs and cushions.

Dine & imbibe

Brunch or lunch at Relishes Café and Big Fig; fill an afternoon with a wine tasting at Rippon Vineyard or a local brew from Wanaka Beerworks; stop by the legendary Cardrona Hotel for a meal and a drink; and dine in style at the likes of Francesca’s Italian Kitchen, Ode, and Wanaka Gourmet Kitchen.

Rest your head

Mt Gold Glamping has gorgeous geodesic dome tents with comfortable, warm interiors, and large windows through which you can take in the incredible Wānaka nightscape glowing above the lake.

Top stays: Mahu Whenua, Lime Tree Lodge, Cardrona Hotel, Edgewater, Release Wanaka.

Take in the sights

Wānaka’s known for its gorgeous lake, but the Mata-Au Clutha River that runs from it is just as scenic. Hire bikes in town and head along the wide riverside Outlet Track, and on to the Luggate track if you’re feeling energetic.

Get involved

In the Lord of the Rungs adventure with Wildwire Wanaka, you’ll climb steep rungs and traverse high-wire bridges (in harnesses) all in front of one of the area’s most beautiful waterfalls. You’ll have climbed so high by the end of the day that there’s no choice but to get a lift down in a helicopter.

Awesome activities: Bike Glendhu, Backcountry Saddle Expeditions, Skydive Wanaka, Wanaka Helicopters, National Transport & Toy Museum, Siberia Experience.

Lock it in

Get in for tickets now before they sell out. Wine and food festival Ripe is showing off the best of Central Otago cuisine on March 21, and just announced for September is Snowboxx New Zealand – a snow and music fest that’ll rock for a whole week.

Resene consultant Rebecca Long tells What's Hot New Zealand how to bring some fire into your kitchen – and dining area – with a lick of colour.

Kitchen and dining spaces are gaining more warmth as they rebel against the cool, steely greys of previous years. Subtle nuances are being celebrated and rooms are beginning to beam with dimension and character. While these spaces are commonly used to cook up a storm or catch up with friends and family, many are also using them as a temporary home office.

With an increase in use and desire for comfort, we are seeking warmer hues to keep us energised and upbeat. Layer contemporary, desert hues such as Resene Cashmere with smoked terracottas such as Resene Sunbaked for a tonal, sunset effect. Introduce washed timbers, burnished coppers, moss greens and textured rugs to create a natural sanctuary.

Experiment with rosy, earth hues such as Resene Blanc and complement with grounded, smoked browns such as Resene Artisan or Resene Route 66. Pair with upcycled, rattan furniture and plush, comfortable fabrics. Coat your walls in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom for enamel-style toughness and anti-bacterial silver protection.

Contrast is king

Warmer hues can contrast and bring energy to spaces with a cooler base too. Rich vintage artwork, dome pendants, clay-hued accessories and brushed golds will bring vibrance to creamy white kitchen joinery, raw concrete and timbers coated with Resene Colorwood Whitewash.

Pastel flashback

Celebrate nostalgia and experiment with a range of decorative styles from different eras to bring your unique personality into your home. For a contemporary look with a nostalgic spin, opt for pastel colours with a modern, smoky undertone. Try Resene Shabby Chic, Resene Crowdpleaser and Resene Secrets.

Texture FX

Experiment with paint effects and add texture to your dining space. Taking care to produce a tonal look, apply Resene Duck Egg Blue as a base colour and introduce texture with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium in Resene Rolling Stone.

Dark intimacy

For an intimate space, do not hesitate to dive deep into darker hues. Introduce visual warmth into your home with the fiery Resene Mocha. Darkened terracottas and rusts are versatile hues that work well in both cool and warm colour schemes. Darker hues such as Resene Cinnamon have the ability to alter your perception of a space and can turn an open, cold space into one of comfort and elegance.

resene.co.nz/latestlooks

In a spare moment on her new album tour, Estère took a moment to talk psychology and inspiration with What's Hot New Zealand.

Your new album Archetypes is influenced by Jungian theory – how did that come to be? I was interested in making a concept album and around that time I had been introduced to the idea of archetypes through talking with my grandmother. She used to read Jung, and introduced me to his philosophies and his ideas. I search for meaning most profoundly when I am writing music; Archetypes is about looking for universal ideas regarding human nature, and how we have shared patterns in our lives. I related it to myself and used my own experience to express those more universal ideas.

What have you learned through the experience of writing and recording this album? I feel like I’ve learned a lot about my own subconscious through writing the album. I did a lot of dream journaling and augury – tarot, I Ching, astrology – to get ideas. Recording this album also taught me a lot about composition and collaboration.

How has the sound evolved from your previous releases? There is a lot more live instrumentation on Archetypes that cross-pollinates with digital. I also put a different kind of focus into the songwriting than I previously have. For me, music is a vessel through which I learn more about myself and the world around me. My projects have to evolve alongside me or else I feel stuck.

Tell us about your first ever public performance. My first public performance as ‘Estère’ was at City Gallery Wellington with my MPC Lola. There was a crowd of about 20 sitting in front of me and I was so nervous I was shaking. But I started playing ‘Reptilian Journey' and people started popping their heads almost automatically and a huge wave of relief and adrenaline rushed through my body.

Do you have any rituals before a gig? It’s really important for me to dress up for a show. The simple act of putting on an outfit and doing my makeup transforms my mental state into being ready to perform for an audience.

One day I’ll… Make a concept album that is full of found-sound samples of different countries I travel to.

Your 2021 tour has been postponed due to February’s Covid restrictions – what did you do with the extra time? Hung out with my friends and ate tacos.

Who’s someone you’d love to collab with? Two of my dream collaborations would be with Sampa The Great and Rosalía.

What tunes have you got on high rotation at the moment? Listening to SiR ‘D’Evils’ on repeat as well as the whole new Fleet Foxes album Shore. And my friend Zoe Moon’s new single 'Bubbles'.

Who’s a Kiwi musician we should be keeping an eye on? PollyHill.

What do you love or loathe about being on the road? I love travelling and seeing new scenery. It’s so exciting. Not a huge fan of hotel beds.

Fave spot around Aotearoa? Punakaiki and the Fox River area. I love the West Coast.

What are you looking forward to this autumn? Seeing what happens! I’m waiting with bated breath to see how the year unfolds.

What’s on the cards for the rest of the year? I’ve got some production work coming up which I’m excited about. I’ll probably continue to work on songs and projects and hopefully be able to tour Archetypes at some festivals.

Nationwide, Sun 21 Mar – Sun 9 May

esteremusic.com
 

The world’s first opera band, Amici Forever, was founded by New Zealand tenor Geoff Sewell, and he now brings his group of international West End and Broadway stars on tour around New Zealand.

Bravo Amici brings a sublime experience of the classical crossover music genre, with a moving and uplifting collection of classical, contemporary and musical theatre songs.

This group of talented tenors and sopranos deliver a rich range of sound that has captivated audiences and notable figures around the world, including Sir Elton John, Nelson Mandela, and the Queen.

Nationwide, Fri 21 – Sun 30 May

bravoamici.com

Hailing from Auckland's Devonport, these indie rockers released their second album, Nux Vomica, in 2006, marking a darker, heavier and more emotionally weighted direction for the group and earning themselves an international fanbase.

For the first time, the band will play this iconic album live in its entirety, as well as back catalogue favourites and possibly even some new material.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear such standouts as ‘Advice For Young Mothers To Be’, ‘Calliope’, ‘One Night on Earth’, and of course, the title track ‘Nux Vomica’, which was used to great effect in the soundtrack of Italian film Il Divo.

Nationwide, Thu Apr 8 – Sat 1 May

banishedmusic.com

Delivering a world class show for 22 years, The Pink Floyd Experience has become a household name in New Zealand and Australia, a breathtaking aural and visual experience that has to be seen to be believed.

With over 20 albums of legendary music to choose from, every show draws inspiration from a different Floyd era to create a unique experience every time. In 2021, the experience will feature the two albums from their most popular shows, Animals and The Wall.

Both albums will be performed in all their glory with psychedelic instrumentals, soaring guitar solos and mind-blowing visuals that will take this performance beyond anything you’ve ever seen before.

Nationwide, Sat 15 May - Sat 12 June

premier.ticketek.co.nz

The quintessential romantic ballet, Giselle first toured New Zealand to sell-out audiences in 2012, and has captivated audiences and critics the world over.

The masterpiece is returning to New Zealand in June as a new generation of dancers take on some of ballet’s most iconic roles.

Mystical and lyrical, Giselle is an enchanting production that fuses all the elements of a truly special ballet: a romantic story, touching, human characters, beautiful choreography and a lovely setting. One of Royal New Zealand Ballet’s signature shows, this is an opportunity to see a timeless production of one of ballet’s greatest stories.

Nationwide, Wed 12 May – Wed 9 June

rnzb.org.nz

Dunedin-based Debra Fallowfield is a straight-to-the-matter type of jeweller – she’s unpretentious, good for a laugh, and she gets shit done. She hammers out the details of ‘slow jewellery’ with What's Hot New Zealand.

Like the slow food movement, slow jewellery is about taking a step back and producing smaller quantities of higher quality items, and embracing the process of making them. Debra says slow jewellery is a way of honouring the craft and its history. “By working this way you get a true feel for your work. Well, that’s what I think anyway.”

She’s passionate about making all her jewellery by hand. “I still refuse to use CAD, computer aided design,” Debra says. “When I make pieces by hand there’s nothing clinical or boring about them. They’re not perfectly symmetrical; they’re organic, they have a soul.”

There’s a lot of reusing, recycling and revamping happening in Debra’s studio, where she works alongside her husband who was formerly a builder. A lot of her work is remodelling old jewellery, as well as creating new pieces from ethically sourced materials.

She likes to work with moissanite, a high-quality diamond alternative produced in a laboratory.

“I tend to attract couples who want something away from the ‘cookie cutter’ style of traditional engagement and/or wedding rings. They often want to inject a little bit of their personality into their rings, and they tend to also prefer to know that the stones and materials come from an ethical source,” Debra says.

“Whenever possible I source gold from small boutique mines in New Zealand, which is fully traceable and sustainably sourced. The diamonds and gemstones I use are handpicked and guaranteed conflict-free, and some can even be traced back to the mines and miners from which they came.”

Much of Debra’s jewellery has a hammer-beaten aesthetic to it, and this is because she beats it with a ball pen hammer. “I also use chunky files, burrs, stuff like that, and I hand-carve out of wax and sometimes cast works, purposely choosing to keep the file marks on a ring to give it an old-world look. I find beauty in imperfection.”

That’s not to say she neglects the final touches. Debra is fanatical about the finishings on her jewellery – the outside of a ring may take on a rugged look but the inside is smooth as silk, the gems are well set, and it all looks incredible.

Now based in Dunedin, Debra has a lot of history with Christchurch, and the city holds a big place in her heart. She met her husband in Christchurch and spent 14 years there. Debra started selling jewellery at the Arts Centre market as a single mum with a toddler in tow, and built up her craft and successful brand there.

“One day Tilda Swinton came knocking on the door in Phillipstown after seeing my work at the Arts Centre market,” she says. “She purchased quite a few pieces – can you imagine Tilda at my kitchen table in P-town?”

Debra opened a jewellery studio in Lichfield Street in 2009, which was hit by the 2011 earthquake in the middle of wedding ring season. “We stayed on for three years after, but I really grieved for the city and the vibe around High Street and the lanes, I missed it so much. Christchurch will always be in my heart. I try to visit often.”

Debra’s new studio and gallery is in Port Chalmers, and she works with clients throughout New Zealand and around the world to make bespoke pieces. She sells her handmade jewellery through her online store for those who can’t make the trip to the Otago gallery.

She may make precious things, but she’s not precious about it. Debra is funny, warm, inviting and vocal – she’s a big personality in an industry that can be quiet and introverted. She has never been a follower, and has her own distinct voice – literally and in jewellery design. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and ask those she works with to do the same. “Me, I am all about communication. Gemini through and through,” Debra says.

She specialises in pieces that tell a story, that are individual to the person they’re made for. “The procedure of making a ring with someone is honest and transparent. The finished piece is as much about the process that went into it as it is about the final look.”

Debra asks clients to tell her what they like and, importantly, what they don’t like in a piece of jewellery – colours, shapes, styles. It’s a communicative process throughout.

“Dealing directly with a designer instead of a shop assistant gives you the opportunity to have some fun with the process. It’s exciting, and it should be easy,” she says.

4 QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS

What kinds of things inspire you? Sunshine, music, urban culture, and fashion – I am a complete designer queen! Travel, once upon a time – I’m a huge solo traveller and have been to many crazy places, like Colombia in the ‘90s during the Escobar days.

Favourite piece of jewellery you’ve made? The commission that struck me the most was for a lovely customer a few years back. She had been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and given only a few weeks to live. She wanted her wedding and engagement ring remodelled into a ring for her 16-year-old daughter to wear as a memento. I still choke up thinking about it.

Does jewellery have a soul? Maybe not a soul as such, but it can carry emotions through generations – I see that when people bring in the heirloom pieces to remodel. Jewellery can tell a story, be it love, loss, joy, hope, tragedy, unrequited love. It’s an object, but it holds emotions, thoughts, memories. I see a lot of tears in my little showroom.

Where can we find your jewellery in Christchurch? You can support a local store and find it at Abode at Riverside Market, or go online to my website.

debrafallowfield.com

Here’s a pro tip for your next gathering: rather than worrying about options for your vegan guests, just create a plant-based menu for everyone. Flip Grater from plant-based Christchurch deli Grater Goods runs What's Hot New Zealand through her hosting menu.

If you do your plant-based menu right, no one will miss animal products, and it saves labelling or explaining which elements are plant based and which are not. Plus plant-based eaters won’t need to feel like weird outsiders for trying to save the planet.

Canapés

Have canapés and a drink ready to go when guests arrive. Make them simple, and make them in advance so you’re not fussing at the last minute. When people arrive, set the scene with something like vegan ‘salmon’ and cream cheese canapés and a glass of bubbles. What to serve: Our Carrot Lox and Herb & Garlic Tofu Cream Cheese make amazing smoked salmon-style canapés – just put them on crackers with slices of cucumber or blinis and you’re done. Or wrap a slice of Plant Pastrami around a cornichon for super flavourful, crunchy and light bites, paired with a crisp white wine, an apéritif or a dry kombucha on ice for non-drinkers.

Antipasti

Have a platter and some side plates on the table ready to go when your guests seat themselves. You can totally skip entrées if you do this, and it creates a more relaxed convivial vibe of snacking, drinking and chatting. What to serve: All Grater Goods products are designed to go perfectly on a platter. We have charcuterie, cheeses, pâtés, and spreads. Our Dill and Black Pepper Boursin Cashew Cheeses look awesome on a board, as do Sopressa slices and Plant Pastrami. The Faux Gras mushroom and brandy pâté comes in a gorgeous glass jar that you can put directly on a platter.

Mains

Once everyone is settled in, bring some mains out. I’m a big fan of large, country-style dishes that can be shared and made in advance so you’re not missing the party by cooking and plating complex MasterChef dishes. What to serve: Grater Goods Kielbasa is a brilliant addition to a French-style cassoulet. Simply slice the garlic sausage and fry with plenty of oil, onions and garlic. Add chopped potatoes, carrots, some herbs and veggie stock, then simmer until all is soft and delicious. Serve with extra olive oil and crusty bread. You can also make bits and pieces for tacos in advance, then just put all the elements on the table with some hot tortillas and let people make their own. Our textured vegetable protein Chorizo Mince is awesome simply heated up with some black or red beans added.

gratergoods.co.nz