Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 43, 2025 i New Zealand Woman's Weekly

She’s won almost every accolade and trophy there is in rugby, so it’s no surprise that Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is one of four women’s players from around the world selected by Mattel to have a one-of-a-kind Barbie made in their likeness. Despite her success, the Black Ferns star admits she thought she was being scammed when the offer first came in. “I thought, ‘Is this the real Barbie or is this just some person trying to tease me?’” the 34-year-old laughs. But once it sank in, she appreciated the privilege of being recognised in the same way as some of her own sporting heroes. “To be alongside the likes of Valerie Adams and Melodie Robinson – women who have written their name in history – is such an honour,” she says,…

As a Hollywood A-lister, Keira Knightley can afford all the designer duds she wants – but for a time, the Pirates of the Caribbean star had just one outfit in her wardrobe. It was, she says, her special technique for warding off the paparazzi. “I started wearing the same clothes every day – three pairs of the same jeans, a stripy T-shirt and boots. I gave all my other clothes away,” tells Keira, 40, of her early scary years of fame. “And if I was being followed, I stopped walking. I’d literally stand there. Stock still. One day, I stood there for five hours because it wasn’t a valuable shot to them if it was always me in the same clothes, standing still.” The star, who shares daughters Edie, 10,…

Morgana O’Reilly is one of New Zealand’s most successful acting exports. As well as starring in Neighbours for several years, Morgana wowed fans in the cult comedy horror Housebound, and was the lead in the Emmy-winning series INSiDE. Morgana has since appeared in the third series of The White Lotus and is now starring in Paramount’s spine-chilling Playing Gracie Darling. “My full name is Morgana Le Fay Naomi Jane O’Reilly, although my legal name is Morgan, which my parents found in the phone book. When my parents told my great-aunt what I was being called, she asked if it was for Morgana le Fey from the King Arthur stories, so they added le Fey, which means fairy or faith. Naomi is for my grandmother on mum’s side, Jane is from…

When world-renowned animal behaviourist and trainer Mark Vette was planning his wedding to long-term partner Kim Morresey, he had one non-negotiable: their rustic golden retriever Awa, two, and ragdoll cat Zen, seven months, could be in their wedding photos but not part of the ceremony. “Over the years, I’ve taught dogs to bring rings, fly aeroplanes and drive cars, but this day was not going to be a training exercise!” laughs Mark. Kim agrees, “Mark needed a bit of a break from animal wrangling,” she smiles. The couple’s romantic Coromandel Peninsula beach ceremony, held on Mark’s 70th birthday, was the “absolute idyllic wedding”, says the animal psychologist and zoologist turned TV personality and author. And their beloved pets were eventually included. After waiting patiently in a camper during the ceremony,…

MINDFUL WALKING FOR… MOOD-BOOSTING WHY? All walking styles have been shown to improve your happiness, thanks to the feel-good hormones, endorphins and adrenaline that exercise triggers. But research shows regular walks in green spaces where you’re mindful of the environment around you can be as effective as antidepressants in beating mild depression. HOW ● Find the nearest, greenest route you can. This doesn’t have to mean heading out of town – city beaches, parks and open spaces are also great places to walk. ● Focus on your senses. Notice the colours of the trees, listen to the birds, feel the wind on your face and the smell of the grass. ● Don’t worry if your mind wanders during a walk. If thoughts start creeping in, turn your attention back to…

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 – Dec 22 This week sees your energy lift and the return of your optimism. Learn something new, plan a trip or connect with new faces. You’re radiating warmth that draws others closer. A creative idea could open doors, but you’ll need to stay disciplined with money. CAPRICORN Dec 23 – Jan 20 It’s a time to be focussed as progress feels slow but steady. Your efforts earn respect and set the scene for future success. But it’s also worth remembering you need to focus on rest, hydration and gentle exercise, so that you can keep the momentum up and avoid unnecessary stress. AQUARIUS Jan 21 – Feb 19 Big-picture ambitions become clearer as does your desire to succeed. Career progress comes through bold ideas and visionary…

An unwelcome guest Grieving Laura is haunted by a ghost from the past Spooky stories usually take place in cold, dark places. This one is set in hot, sunny Brisbane but still manages to be chilling. It’s a fairly short novel and also one that simmers along, creating lashings of atmosphere. Laura is an author who has returned to Australia following the mysterious deaths of her elderly parents. She has no idea what made them disappear into the Queensland outback where they met their end. But now she has to uproot her own family and travel back to the home she left years ago to bury her parents and settle their affairs. Struggling with grief, as well as feeling guilty for having more or less abandoned her parents in recent…

November 3, 2025 Welcome to our special issue dedicated to the animals who bring so much joy and laughter to our lives. If you’re an animal lover, this edition is for you. We begin with four well-known Kiwis who share how their beloved pets have enriched and sometimes exasperated them, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. As regular readers will know, my dog Molly joined our family in late 2021 and goodness, she’s brought some adventures. There was the time she escaped from a fully fenced dog park, attracting quite the audience as my husband sprinted across a field in pursuit. Another memorable evening saw a guest leave our gate open just after nine o’clock on a Friday night. You didn’t need to ask Molly twice. Off she…

It was an event that Prince Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, their friends, close family and even staff at their home, Royal Lodge, were looking forward to. Andrew had arranged a party for Fergie’s 66th birthday and her sister Jane Ferguson had flown over from Australia for the celebrations. Then media stories broke that revealed Andrew had lied in a BBC interview about when he severed contact with his pal, sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Emails showed they had still been in contact months after Andrew said he’d broken off their friendship and that the prince had emailed the disgraced financier, saying, “We’re in this together.” The backlash was massive and further compounded when details from Virginia Giuffre’s about-to-be-released posthumous book, Nobody’s Girl, appeared in a newspaper. It quoted the late…

Lily Allen had to check into a facility after her shock split from husband David Harbour. The Smile hitmaker, 40, has revealed she became suicidal in December last year after discovering Stranger Things star David, 50, had been having a three-year affair with a younger actor. Soon after the revelation Lily – who’s been sober for six years – says she developed a “really, really bad problem with food”, and was fearful she would relapse on drink and drugs. “The feelings of despair that I was experiencing were so strong,” says the singer, who shares daughters Ethel, 13, and Marnie, 11, with her first husband, journalist Sam Cooper, 47. “The last time that I felt anything like that, drugs and alcohol were my way out, so it was excruciating to…

Anne Hegerty has a confession to make. She’s talking to the Weekly a couple of days before filming The Chase New Zealand – the Kiwi version of the hit TV show that made her a household name – and she admits she hasn’t yet had the chance to swot up on knowledge about Aotearoa. Anne, who’s appearing on the four special episodes alongside The Chase Australia star Issa Schultz, worries she could be caught out if she doesn’t get on with some intensive research. “It’s just dawned on Issa and me that we’re going to be expected to know things like Māori names,” says Anne, 67, chatting from across the Tasman, where she visits regularly to work on the Aussie version of the show. “We’re going to have to do…

Notes Tvaroh is a commonly used Eastern European fresh cheese. You can substitute with cottage cheese or quark. Dumplings can be filled with different fruit in different seasons. Blueberries, plums and apricots are all delicious inside the dough. Strawberry dumplings (jahodové knedlíky) SERVES 4 350g cottage cheese or soft tvaroh (see notes) 1 large egg, plus 1 yolk 200g fine semolina, plus extra for rolling 12 strawberries, hulled STRAWBERRY SAUCE 250g strawberries, hulled, roughly chopped 50g icing sugar TO SERVE 80g cottage cheese, drained, crumbled (optional) 80g unsalted butter, melted 100g icing sugar 1 Press cottage cheese through a sieve into a large bowl to purée it and remove any lumps. Add egg and extra yolk, mixing together. Stir in semolina flour and mix again until fully combined. 2 Divide…

Diane Keaton’s unique fashion style was one of the things that made her a stand out in Hollywood. When she played Annie Hall in the movie of the same name, many of the thrifted menswear pieces she wore on screen were actually from her own wardrobe. The mix of wide-legged trousers, waistcoats and ties has stood the test of time, turning heads then and now. Diane always styled herself and she brought that same individuality to the red carpet. While other actors opted for floor-length gowns, she often chose a full skirt cinched tightly at the waist, topped with one of her signature hats. Want to channel her unique aesthetic? Start by wearing what makes you feel confident. Find your personal uniform – Diane’s included brogues, pants and turtlenecks. Make…

PET Special There’s no better feeling after a tough day than coming home to the loving greeting of an excited dog or having a softly purring cat curl up on your lap. And while they’re improving your mood, your furry friends are also subtly helping you in plenty of other ways. Pet ownership also has some health benefits that you might not have realised. Your heart & brain Good news – pets are good for your ticker. Research has linked pet ownership with lower blood pressure and lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. They also help stave off loneliness, which can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. “Pets provide companionship and a sense of social support, especially for those individuals living alone,” confirms vet Dr Leigh…

Teach Your Dog Māori is an innovative literary concept. The question is, does my young retriever agree? The fact that Syd’s taken a bite out of the book could mean either he doesn’t like it or he’s keen to get his teeth into te reo Māori. Whatever, that image seems to say something. It’s not like Syd’s really tried to prevent us from teaching him Māori. He’s eaten just one meaningful word out of the entire book – the word “dog” off the front cover. If he’d wanted to, he could’ve left the book in shreds. But, as I’ve told you, he restricts his shredding to toilet rolls. Teaching your dog Māori is a clever idea because, of course, you’re really teaching yourself. Most of the te reo in this…

I slipped a granddaughter an Australian 50-dollar bill as she left the house from a recent visit. But her sharp-eyed little brother spotted the move and shouted, “Hey” in a “what about me?” sort of way. So I reminded him he wasn’t the one going on a school trip to Australia and gave him an ice cream instead. He was happy. She was happy. The one school trip I ever went on didn’t end well, though it was a long time ago and the rules might have been different in those days. Certainly, foreign travel was never an option for school trips from Invercargill. We didn’t even leave the province for my only school trip. We went to Fiordland, which was just up the road a few hours. I was…

WEEKLY STAFF EDITOR Marilynn McLachlan LIFESTYLE & BEAUTY EDITOR Anna Lee WRITER Rebekah Hebenton CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Denise Bowden SUB-EDITOR Darren Bevan ART DIRECTOR Mirella Monteiro DESIGNERS Anna Pétursdóttir, Béla Trussell-Cullen, Hayley Pearce, Shane Kelly PHOTO EDITOR Kellie Blizard  CONTRIBUTORS Carly Gibbs, Donna Fleming, Elisabeth Easther, Fleur Guthrie, Fiona Hawtin, Julie O’Reilly, Kasia De Vydt-Jillings, Megan McChesney, Nicky Pellegrino ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Claire Chisholm claire.chisholm@aremedia.co.nz  SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS Chloe Jordan, Amy Madden, Jacquie Fraser  SENIOR COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Angela Wei angela.wei@aremedia.co.nz  COMMERCIAL BRAND MANAGER Georgia van Koningsveld  DIRECTORY SALES MANAGER Kim Chapman 021 673133 classifieds@xtra.co.nz ARE MEDIA GROUP MANAGEMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jane Huxley  GENERAL MANAGER Stuart Dick  EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Henry…

She’s heir to one of pop’s biggest fortunes, but Paris Jackson is battling the executors of her famous father’s estate. When Thriller hitmaker Michael Jackson died of a heart attack in 2009, aged 50, he was more than $850 million in debt to 65 creditors. The executors of his estate have since righted the books and it is now worth around $3.5 billion. Paris – who like her brothers, Prince, 28, and Bigi, 23, is a beneficiary of the estate – however, is now challenging the estate’s executors over “premium payments” made to lawyers. The model, 27, has filed a petition objecting to what her lawyers call excessive “gifts” and “gratuities” of around $1 million paid to three law firms for “unrecorded attorney time” without explaining exactly what the payments…

Chris Parker and Margot COMEDIAN Most people carry fond memories of their childhood pets, but for Chris, Mambo the cat almost scared him off from having furry companions forever. “We had a cat that terrorised our family and I don’t use that word lightly,” the Double Parked creator tells. “He would find areas of our house to scratch us at any given opportunity. My brother got stitches on his head and I fell down a flight of stairs. It was honestly traumatic.” But ever since Chris and his husband Micheal McCabe decided to grow their family and adopt Margot from their local SPCA, he has learned that the right pet can make a positive impact. “I’m so much happier,” the 35-year-old beams. “I always have company, I’m always walking outside…

The thought of travelling on your own can be daunting for many women. Still, more and more of us are heading off on adventures alone, with travel network Virtuoso reporting at the end of last year that 71 percent of solo travellers are women. And a lot of those are women over forty. There are many reasons why women choose to travel on their own – often it’s down to the simple fact that we don’t have anyone to accompany us. But it can also be because we enjoy the challenge of being out of our comfort zone and value the independence that comes with visiting a foreign place by ourselves, along with the chance to do the things we want, when we want. Did you know? The number of…

Midlife magic At 52, Menopausal AF author Jules Van de Gevel felt like she was losing her mind. After enduring seven years of vertigo, joint pain and relentless exhaustion, the mood swings, weight gain and brain fog were the final straw. Determined to regain control, Jules explored every avenue to understand the changes her body was going through, culminating in the launch of the Pure Goddess wellness brand. Metabolism & Energy Superblend has since been dubbed a “holy grail” product and is so successful, it sold out four times in 18 months. Scan the QR code to learn more and shop the range. Strength meets style Did you know that around 1.5 million Teflon pans are thrown away every year? Kiwi brand Ironclad is on a mission to change that…

Walking is simply one of the best ways to keep you healthy – it makes your blood pressure dip, strengthens bones, raises your spirits and, if you start out right, it can spark a love affair with the simplest and cheapest fitness regime. Boosts energy Studies have shown that if you’re tired, working out at a rate of about six out of 10 for exertion is the sweet spot that makes you feel alert without leaving you feeling fatigued. A brisk walk measures about six out of 10 for effort. Regulates hormones Women who walk after menopause can lower their risk of breast cancer – even if they do absolutely no other form of exercise – according to research by the American Cancer Society. Walking for at least an hour…

PET Special PAWS-ITIVE CONNECTIONS Fun activities to grow closer and boost your bond GO ON A SNIFF-ARI Instead of rushing walks, let your dog take the lead and sniff to their heart’s content. For cats, try a safe harness walk in the back garden. GIVE THEM A SPA DAY Brushing, gentle grooming or even a paw massage can feel relaxing for them, plus it’s a great chance to check in on their health while you bond. SURPRISE BOX DELIVERY Turn an ordinary cardboard box into a treasure chest of fun. Line it with crinkly tissue paper, tuck in a few treats and hide their favourite toys – or even a new one! For cats, sprinkle in a bit of catnip to take the excitement up a notch. For dogs, add…

Grief is a deeply personal thing and different for everyone, but it’s also a thing we process together. The second weekend in October marked two years since we lost Cal Wilson. It’s impossible to absorb that it has been this long or that she has gone at all. Just 56 years old, beloved on both sides of the Tasman as a comedian, improviser, writer, radio and television host, Cal died suddenly in October 2023. I still can’t write that without crying. We started out in comedy together in the 1990s. There’s a photo I love of Jeremy and me taken at Cal’s house 26 years ago – a candid snap in the sense we didn’t know she was taking it and yet artfully framed, perfectly timed, capturing the beginning of…

I’ve been musing recently on the politics of hair. Why on earth do we fuss about hair so much – too much hair, not enough, the wrong colour, the wrong texture, too curly, too straight, not enough in the right place, too much in the wrong place. Entire industries are built around the growing, shaping and the removal of hair. How have we invested these billions and billions of follicles with so much power? The average human body has about five million hairs that carpet us all over – apart from the palms of our hands, the soles of our feet and our lips. That’s a lot of hair to care about. Kim Kardashian was all over the news websites recently when she promoted a range of $80 G-string undies.…

Night at the museum! The British Museum looked to America for inspiration as it hosted its first ever Pink Ball, billed as London’s answer to the Met Gala. While the fashions were more subdued, the millions of dollars of diamonds that were on display, thanks to the Spencer sisters – twins Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia, 33, and Lady Kitty, 34 – ensured the evening held just as much glamour. The A-list guests entered through the Grand Court, which was transformed into a pink-hued wonderland. They enjoyed cocktail hour, admiring Renaissance treasures, before sitting down for an Indian feast – in a nod to the Ancient India: Living Traditions exhibit that inspired the theme – surrounded by treasures from the Parthenon. Well worth the $4600 admission price.…