GUEST POST: Jules from Cult Wine On Finding A Good Summer Wine

Why hello again!

I hope everyone has been eating lots of delicious Christmas leftovers and spending all day in bed. I myself am in my duvet, happily being on the 'Do Nothin' buzz. Tomorrow, Matt and I head to Nelson area for 4 days which we are very excited about (and I will take a break from blogging over the New Year until about 15th January). However, we also know we'll be needing a drop of wine or two for the next few days over New Year and then, well, the rest of Summer (what is Summer, after all, without a glass in hand?). 

If you, like me, reach for the second cheapest rose, maybe it is time to learn a few more things about selecting a bottle. Luckily, Jules, the owner of Cult Wine, a boutique wine business in Wellington that has a store on Murphy Street and is also online, kindly volunteered to educate us. He has also offered 10% off any order from his store with the code 'RESIDENTS'! (hurrah!)

So, without further delay, take it away Jules!

Intro

I just want to give a huge thank you to The Residents, both for letting me get on my little wine soapbox but also for showcasing so many small businesses this silly season. For me supporting other small businesses is a no-brainer. The money you spend with small businesses get spent again and again and again - in the local community. I happen to think this is especially important when it comes to alcohol - a product that can cause huge harm to individuals and communities. By supporting local operators (rather than huge chains) you are supporting businesses that give back to their communities and can be held accountable by them. 

Where to shop

Where you shop really depends on what you want out of a shopping experience… if you know exactly what you want and getting the lowest price possible is important then a volume retailer or supermarket is probably your go to. The reason for this is simple, big operators can get huge discounts on certain wines because they buy in huge volumes, it also means that it costs them less per bottle to sell the wine than a small store. It’s simple economies of scale. But if you are reading this I am guessing that price isn’t your only driver… To me service and value and value are much more important than getting the best deal possible.

To me, going to a great independent wine merchant (we can also recommend our friends at Wine Seeker and at specialist importer Truffle) means you get to walk out with the bottle of wine that's right for you. You should be asked what you usually like, when you are going to drink it (and with who) and most importantly how much do you want to spend. Be especially honest about your budget because terms like “cheap” and “splash-out” are so relative. We often have customers come in asking for a “cheap” wine and then confess that to them cheap means under $50. Likewise we get people saying they want to “splash-out” and spend $20. Horses for courses. Both perspectives are equally valid so give whoever is looking after you a dollar figure. We’ll then go and pick out a few of the bottles that best match that description and give you some choices. Chances are, that unless you are looking for something specific, you are really going to love whatever is recommended to you over any old bottle you pulled off the shelf because the label was pretty (don’t get me wrong… we love pretty labels). 

Likewise, good indie retailers should have a selection of wines you can’t find anywhere else. We work closely with small producers and small importers so we can offer you amazing wine that totally over delivers dollar for dollar. Let me explain. Let's say you want an under $20 Pinot Noir - the supermarket or volume retailer might have 20+. We have one. But it's the best damn under $20 Pinot I can find. That does not guarantee you will like it but with 12 years in the wine trade in the very least I should be able to work out which wines punch well above their weight. 

Wine Buying Tip 1: Go off the beaten track

Love Pinot Noir? Awesome. Love Central Otago Pinot? Even better. Only ever buy Central Otago Pinot? FAIL! Why? 1) because you are missing out on a world of amazing wine. 2) because Central Otago Pinot is so popular (and land is expensive down there) producers can (and kinda have to) charge more for their wines. If you want to spend $50 on a bottle of Central Pinot chances are we can find you one that tastes just as good for $35 from Canterbury, Nelson or Marlborough. 

Wine Buying Tip 2: If you are on a budget go Old World (or go home)

Have a tight budget? Europe is the way to go. When it comes to red you have light fresh Montepulciano and Gamays all the way round to gigantic muscular Grenache and Tempranillo. With white you have light fresh Grigio, Soave through to sun baked oily Spanish whites. Avoid the ‘famous’ regions like Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rioja and Chianti as many of the lesser wines from these high profile regions trade off the name. There are delicious wines in every style imaginable from lesser known regions. You can get amazing sub $15 wine and if you are prepared to spend a little more you will be totally wowed. 

Wine Buying Tip 3: North Canterbury

I’m from Hawkes Bay so I am going to get pilloried saying this but Canterbury is THE MOST exciting wine region in New Zealand. The natural wine scene there is off the chart and due to the climate and soil type it is the one region in NZ truly capable of producing everything from Bordeaux Blends (in good years) to zesty, fresh Riesling and seductive Pinot. Did you know that while only representing about 2.5% of New Zealand’s area under vine Canterbury producers 15% of New Zealand’s over $100 wines? Now you do. That's what I call an over achiever. Check out producers like Black Estate, Bone Line and Small Theory. All of them make exceptional wines, if you have a big pocketbook fork out for wines from Pyramid Valley and Bell Hill. They are totally worth it. 

My favourite summer wines

Fun Time Fizz

It’s certainly the time for bubbles! And today you have so many different options than before! Champagne of course, and kiwi Methode styles (i.e. wines made like Champagne but in New Zealand) but you also have a brand new (and very old) style of wine called the Pet Nat that is taking the wine world by storm. This (like orange wine which we will get to later) is a style heavily associated with the natural wine movement. However unlike some of the more challenging wines Petillant Naturel (or Pet Nat for short, also known as Methode Ancestrale) are some of the most charmingly delicious wines. They are enthusiastically fun. Uncomplicated and unserious. New Zealand ones tend to cost in the realm of $30 - $35, the best international examples cost a little more). Where Champagne and Champagne-Styles are aged and re-fermented in bottle these wines only undergo one fermentation and are bottled during fermentation resulting in bright, fresh, zesty, vibrantly fruity effervescent wine. 

White-Ish Wines

Lots of people are scared of ‘orange’ wine… and for good reason… Lots wines in this genre go totally overboard in the tannin department and are rarely aged before release like similar tannic red wines or orange wines from the old world. This said orange/amber/skin-fermented whites are as diverse a category as white or red. There really is something for everyone. Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Gewurtz tend to produce heavier wines but Sauvignon, Riesling, Muscat and even more esoteric varieties like Muller Thurgau can produce lighter, fresher, intensely fruity, aromatic wines. A lot more approachable than a Pinot Gris that has been aged on skins for 90 days. These are amazing food wines (especially with umami rich foods) and can provide a change of scenery when you get bored of simple, fresh whites and roses. 

Chilled Out Reds

Talking about change of scenery, I have two words for you: CHILLED RED. My favourite variety for these is Gamay* (which comes from Beaujolais) but this is only one of a handful of red varieties that produces light, fresh, sappy, fun red wine that, more often than not, is best served chilled. Chilled red became cool (pun intended) again in Aussie as winemakers sought to create wines that are more suitable for a warm summer than heavy Shiraz and Cabernet. While some varieties suit this style, others can be bent to do so as is the case for Malbec, Shiraz and Grenache. First off, these wines are mostly pretty affordable ($20 - $35) and secondly they are the most amazingly quenching, refreshing wines you can imagine. Think wines that are somewhere between super-dark rose and very light red with flavours that cross across both genres. I’ve got to the point where my go-to summer wine is actually red rather than white. 

*which is going to be the next big thing. Quote me. 

Jules Recommends...

2017 Black Star Pet Nat

Le Moss

2016 Unico Zelo 'Esoterico'

2015 Mammoth 'Rare White'

2017 Ekleipsis 'Swan Swan H'

2017 Decibel Giunta

Confessions Of A Non-Runner

Running. One word that for years struck fear into my heart. Despite the wind in Wellington, it seemed it was never at my heels.

I have a complicated relationship with physical exercise in general. As a kid, I’d rather be drawing than playing tag, or making up imaginary games (who else can relate to this). I tried lots of types of sports, including netball, rowing, cricket and flipperball (I was so excited to start but then after one session knew it wasn’t for me) and always ended up losing interest growing up. I felt like there was no sport that would be right for me - and the worst was plain old running.

At school, it was compulsory to enter Cross Country, and I would loathe it. I fell over in one, and came second to last, slightly to my mother's embarrassment (to be fair, we were never encouraged at home to go nuts with being sporty - our family are more into books!). I hated running so much that when we were forced to run around the park at school, I would run until the teachers couldn't see me anymore and then walk as slowly as I could. It always felt like some girls had a Gisele-like spring to their step, and were naturally wirey - practically made for running. I, on the other hand, had a long plait down to my waist, bad hand-eye coordination and resembled a warmed up dumpling with legs when trying to run. I hated getting sweaty and so did everything I could to avoid running as much as I could after it stopped being compulsory.  

When I grew up a bit more, I did start to toy with running a bit, beginning around the 7th form when I was wanting to lose a bit of puppy fat for our school ball or because I was lethargic during study leave. My reasons for exercising were purely superficial. I wanted to slim down. I never took it to excess but was very typical of the way a teenager regards exercise and herself: based on a dissatisfaction with the way I looked (luckily, I always liked roast chicken more). 

In my first year of University in Auckland, while I can’t remember running THAT much, there was certainly a shift in how I regarded exercise and my relationship to it. I was stressed out, trying to get into first-year law school, and running became something that helped relieve that stress. I would go for a run because I felt like it because it helped my mood. I can remember running from my hostel on Symond Street up Parnell rise and across the Domain. 

In my early twenties, I continued to run on and off. At 20 I had a gym obsession that involved a fair bit of running. I remember running around Wadestown and around near Otari Wilton Bush, memorising my Criminal Law essay in my head, with the beat of each foot hitting the pavement. Eventually, I got patellar tendinitis which really gutted me and running went on the back burner for a long while.

However, recently I've considered giving it another go and trying for Cigna Round the Bays. A few weeks back, the lovely organisers approached me and asked whether I’d be up for being an ambassador which is MAD - and which I’m so chuffed about. I always thought that sporting events were for slim muscular types who had ‘Personal Bests’. However, now its been about twenty years, I think I can put the trauma of Cross Country behind me. I’m so proud to be part of this event and hopefully will get some more of you like me to sign up (i.e. prefer the crunch of proper crisps to the crunch of gravel underfoot). You can walk, as well as run it, and just grab some mates for a bit of a lol. 

I’ve decided to start small (Rome wasn’t built in a day) and to do the 6.5 km run. It goes from Frank Kits Park through to Kilbirnie Park and is something that is certainly achievable for me. I’m at the stage of my life where I want to participate and challenge myself a wee bit but I don’t want to set ridiculous expectations I know I’ll fail. Even if people laugh and think that the small one is too easy, I’d rather finish and feel satisfied that worry about that. I’ll also be keeping up my Bikram yoga to help stretch my body so I don’t get tight muscles. I find that this really helps to prevent injury.

Of course, what’s a running training programme (which I still need to download from the Les Mills site) without fancy new shoes. I was thrilled that Shoe Clinic agreed to give me and Matt (who wants to do the 10km - we'll see, Matt, we'll see...) a wee discount so we could get fitted properly.

Shoe Clinic is hands down the only folk I’d trust with my feet. I know from my injury that not having proper footwear can be very dangerous and these guys truly have the expertise and knowledge to help you. They know feet better than anyone. I happily now am the owner of a pair of Asics (for years I’ve moaned that I always seem to get fitted with unfashionable Asics where I shop for sports shoes, but now I’ve accepted it as my lot in life - and just quietly think they may be a little bit cool!) 

I've ended up with a pair of very neat shoes that I am sure will take me to the finish line. I love that they fit so well, thanks to the tests they run at Shoe Clinic to ensure the perfect fit (they're also SUPER lovely!!).

On my journey to Cigna Round the Bays, I’ll be sharing updates on The Residents blog here and also on my Instagram, Instagram stories. YouTube and Twitter - so if you’re not following me make sure you are. I’m so excited to see what happens! If you haven’t already, get your entry here.

GUEST POST: Craigy Lee from Union Tattoo's Definitive Guide on Getting Tattooed Right This Summer

Summer really does seem to be here! And for many that means guns out cos' the suns out, putting their tats on display. While I personally don't have a tattoo, I do have a love for them (I'm still hoping one day Mum will tell me to go ahead and treat myself but until that day comes I'll be virgin of skin I suspect). So, I asked Resident of Welly Craigy Lee of Union Tattoo to share his insights into what it means to get a tattoo in Summer. Take it away Craigy...

Craigy: Wellington has been treating us for some cracking days over the last few weeks and it doesn’t seem to show any signs of giving up. We are all crossing our fingers hoping it will be “better than last year”. With the warmer days rolling in and the winter jacket in the cupboard, you may be thinking about possibly getting a new tattoo to show off now your not covered in layers of clothing. Spring and Summer are by far the busiest time of year for tattoo studios around the country. I have seen many people on various social media platforms this week asking “Where shall I get tattooed in Wellington?”

For many, this is a very valid question. The fact that everyone who posts a reply has a different opinion makes matters even more confusing. It’s not like buying a pair of shoes or a new shirt, is it? This is going to be with you forever - it’s a big deal! Any new experience can be intimidating and getting tattooed is right up there with the best of them. So, as I see more and more of these posts, I thought I could lend a helping hand and write a blog post, a rookies guide to getting tattooed, only problem is, I don’t have a blog, so Lucy let me take over “The Residents” to get out the good word to you Wellingtonians thinking about ink. [Lucy: Yaaay!]

This year marks my 10th year of tattooing. I’ve been all around the world practising my fair trade and still spend every day of the week in a tattoo shop talking to customers helping them through the tattoo process. I love it! I love going to work; I love meeting new people and I love helping them on their tattoo journey. So this is my definitive guide to getting a tattoo (whether it be your first or fiftieth). I hope you find it useful.

DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT

This may sound like common sense but you’ll be surprised on the number of people that come in wanting a tattoo and want us to help them decide what to get.

When it comes to deciding on your design, don’t ask your partner or your friends, because everyone has a different opinion and this is YOUR tattoo, get what YOU want to get.

Take your time, look through Google images, Pinterest, Instagram, even in good old-fashioned books! Lots of our customers will make a Pinterest board and send it to us, whereas others save a bunch of photos on their phone or collect Google links and email them to us. Some people show up with a sketch. These are all really good ways to show us what you floats your boat and get your initial ideas off the ground. 

Some tattoo studios have flash (design books) you can look through to get ideas and inspiration, so its well worth popping in for a look. If you are torn between a few ideas print them off and stick them on your fridge, that way you’ll see them multiple times everyday and see what you still like in a few weeks time.

PICK THE RIGHT ARTIST FOR YOU

There are a lot of tattoo studios around, and there are a lot of great tattoo artists in New Zealand - but not all of these artists will be suited to the style tattoo you want. Once you have decided upon your design have a look through studios and artists websites and Instagram accounts, or pop into their studio and have a look at their portfolio. This will show you the kind of work they create and will give you a good idea if they specialise in the tattoo style you have in mind. An artist who does amazing realism work may not be so good at perfect lines or dot work style tattooing and vice versa.

Even if you want a really small simple tattoo, these can quite often be the most technically challenging. Straight lines are a hard thing to tattoo, your body isn’t flat and straight like paper, so you want an artist that's up to the job. Even if you plan on getting something small to test the waters still check the artist's portfolios. Tattoos are worth doing once and doing right. Cheaper is definitely not the best way to go. Your paying for the experience, and in a lot of cases it's harder to fix a bad tattoo than doing it right the first time around. There’s an old saying in the tattoo world “cheap tattoos ain’t good, good tattoos ain’t cheap”

ARRANGE A CONSULTATION

Once you have decided on a tattoo idea and an artist you like the next step is arranging a consultation. This is where you can sit down and chat through your ideas with the artist and get their expertise and advice on the design. The consultation will also give you a good idea if you actually like the artist on a personal level and the vibe of the studio. This is especially important if you're going to get a larger tattoo as you’ll be spending a lot of time with them.

Sometimes peoples expectations cannot always be achieved. The general rule with tattooing is the smaller you go in size with your tattoo, the less detail you will be able to have. Some areas of the body are different, some areas have soft skin, some have harder skin, and some areas don’t take on the ink so well. Some designs may also look distorted in certain areas due to your body contours and curves. An experienced tattoo artist will know all of this and help guide you if there are going to be any potential issues with the sizing and placement of your tattoo. Once they know all your design details they should then be able to give you an indication of pricing and time.

Most studios in Wellington charge per piece. Some charge by the hour and all have a minimum charge. A minimum charge is a setup fee, which is the studios base rate for tattoos and covers all the new and sterilised equipment. 

BOOKING AND APPOINTMENT

You might be ready to book your tattoo at the consultation or you may want to wait a bit before you do. Whenever you decide to make your appointment, most artists will take a deposit (usually non-refundable) to secure the booking. Some artists take this as a drawing fee for the work they put into drawing up your design, whereas others will deduct this from the total price of your tattoo.

Your design will normally be prepared and ready for the day of your appointment. Some artists may send a design out the day before, while others may freehand the design on your body which will all be done on the day. If, for whatever reason, you want to change something in the design its best to tell the artist straight away. They won't be mad at you because they would rather you were 100% on your tattoo before starting.

ON THE DAY

There are a few things you can do to make the whole process go smoothly.

• The most important thing is to make sure you’ve eaten before your tattoo. From my experience, 99% of the time people faint (which happens very rarely) it’s because they haven’t eaten and have low blood sugar.

• Make sure you are well rested, so try to have a good nights sleep, please.

• DO NOT come in hung over! Alcohol thins the blood and this means as well as feeling like death - you will also bleed more which is not brill!

• OK this sounds weird but make sure you have showered and you aren't smelly, ESPECIALLY if you are getting your feet tattooed, don't make the artist endure your fruity aroma - it's just bad manners!

When you arrive your artist will size up your tattoo design and make a stencil on transfer paper which will be stuck onto your skin. This can be moved to make sure you 100% happy with the size and placement.

Bring moral support if you need it, but don’t bring a huge entourage. After 5 minutes the tattoo process is pretty boring to the spectator. Your artist will need you to be nice and still and relaxed, and having lots of your crew around you chatting laughing and joking is normally not the best way to ensure you are as still as possible. A sudden outburst of laughter or a giggle can easily put a kink or jolt in that perfect line

AFTER YOUR TATTOO

Your tattoo is complete! Hooray! You love it! You want to show the world and plan a bunch more! But it's not quite over and done with. Now it’s your responsibility to make sure you look after your fresh tattoo whilst it is healing. The key rule for summer is to keep it clean, keep it covered.

• A tattoo is like a cut or a burn. The tattoo needles have broken your skin and it will need time to heal. Your artist should explain the aftercare process to you which you should follow.

• The most important thing is to keep your new tattoo clean, avoid swimming pools and spa pools and avoid sharing towels. These are common ways that tattoos get infected.

• Wash it at least twice a day and apply some form of aftercare cream or balm. Avoid the sun - if you think sunburn is bad try sunburn on a fresh tattoo!

• Don’t submerge your tattoo in water for a prolonged period, especially if it scabs up. The scab will go gooey and fall off and this may pull some of the ink out and could make your tattoo faded or patchy.

If you are ever in any doubt go back into the shop and ask if everything looks OK. They will be happy to have a look and should re-touch any little patches for you. 

Happy tattooing!

My Beauty Picks For A Hot Summer

Guys, I think its official. We’re having a good Summer - wooop! 

I can’t blooming wait! More sea! More sun!! More gelato!!! 

Changing your makeup and skincare for Summer can be a great way to edit what you have, throw out or give away some things you simply don’t use and update your skincare and beauty products. I recently had a good clear out, and had a plastic bag with old mucky lipsticks and half used cleansers. I put the products I like, but don’t use frequently enough in the cupboard near our bathroom (we have a v small house) and re-organised my beauty storage into lips/makeup, skin and hair. I used clear sandwich bags to pack all my makeup into, dividing into cheeks, lips and eyes. This is making me feel quite proud and jolly, as whenever I look over I get a rush #nailinglife.

With this clear out, I’ve had space to usher in a few new things, which I’ve tried recently, and reckon would be great for a Summer regime. It's very normal just to want to mix things up with a change of season and now is the perfect excuse. Easy, light and quick is what I want in Summer - although I might find a few of these slip into my routine for next year.

Moisturiser: Clinique Moisture Surge

My mum had this cream when I was young and I adored it. She was a firm user of Clinique for YEARS. The pink tub alone makes be go all nostalgic, and I still am a fan today. I think that this is a great summer cooling moisturiser for maybe when you’re a little bit burnt out or sweaty and need something light and refreshing. This is a very hydrating, soothing product that smells a bit like baby powder but for me holds lots of good memories and I still highly rate it now. Clinique is a younger brand, and won’t give you the extras (aka Rentinol) that more sophisticated products might, but it is perfect for that light and breezy non-sticky summer glow moisturiser. I've used this almost every day in the last few weeks and its really perfect for these hotter days. A must!

Cleanser: Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil

While I still think my Margaret Hema Cleanser is the best best best cleanser on the market, I must say I thought this was a nice wee alternative  I'd certainly recommend. This cleanser is very useful to store on your sink. It has a pump that works excellently to get the product out fast and somehow starts out like an oil before transforming into a foaming like cleanser. I think that this practical element along makes it worthwhile as a Summer cleanse. I’ve used for this practical purpose alone (plus it has a satisfying smoosh noise). Just chuck in an overnights bag and go. Simple, light and easy, it will help get off last nights makeup and it a gentle and effective cleanser. Now down to the beach!t

Mask: Clinique Pep-Start Mask

This mask is a little weird but I am all for a little madness in my masks. Masks, for me, are like shoes - I can never have enough. Personally, this is more of a fun one for if you’re going out and just want to whack something on for two minutes and then rinse before makeup. It’s quick and light, but is superficial, rather than deeply hydrating or purifying. However, not all skincare has to be serious. Its gel to bubble texture is loads of run and very satisfying on the skin from a sensory perspective - who says everything should be serious! If it doesn’t sound like its for your, this could be a gorgeous Christmas present for a niece or little sister. 

Mascara: Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye

My favourite beauty writer, Salli Hughes has called this a “Fabulously dense, carbon-black mascara that helps lashes hold their own against shadow.” As usual, I wholeheartedly agree with her (Sali, tweet me!)! I found there was a bit of smudginess under the eyes after a few hours when I first applied this mascara, as I have hooded eyes. However, my recent lash lift has helped with this and it delivers a tres pretty eye-look. A lovely choice for Christmas when you want something full but without the spidery look.

Lipstick: Tom Ford Bronze Soleil

This is a pinky rose gold lipstick with a metallic finish that will make beauty lovers sigh. Its a great natural shade with a little shimmer for a sparkly Christmas party. It lasts well, staying on my lips for four and a half hours, and was hydrating without feeling clingy. A great light, breezy, reminding me of Ibiza *or what I think Ibiza is like* that I’ll have stashed in my Cranfield’s Rattan bag all Summer long.

RESIDENT #121: Cosmo from Karma Cola

If you had to name the drink that’s created  a fizz around the capital in the last 3 years, you’d have to say it was Karma Cola.

This ethical drink company is one of my favourite tasty drops, not only because it is delicious (I am in LOVE with their new orange flavoured Summer drink and a long time fan of Lemmy Lemonade) but because they’re doing good with their work, promoting Fair Trade all the way. 

Cosmo Hawke is one of the faces of Karma Cola around Wellington, in his bright blue and red van doing sales and marketing. He has certainly drunk the Karma Cola when it comes to walking the walk and talking the talk. “Karma Cola is a challenger brand, breaking the mold from other sustainability drinks” Cosmo explains. “We’re transparent, we explain what we do and why we’re doing it. It isn’t a business for business sake. There’s more than a bottom line.” Karma Cola doesn’t have secrets. It lays out its ingredients in its drinks, and aspires to be transparent in everything it does. So, to test Karma Cola’s transparency, I sit down with Cosmo for a long black to find out what makes this capital man tick.

How did he get here?

Cosmo was born in Wellington. “I moved around a lot” Cosmo explains over coffee at Memphis Belle. “We lived above Ernesto when I was teenager. My early memories of Wellington were of Newtown School, Te Aro School, South Wellington Intermediate, Wellington College and then Victoria University” Cosmo says. “Wellington College didn’t really suit me, with my personality. It was quite traditional. I used to spend a lot of time on Cuba Street growing up, hanging out and doing things we weren’t."

Cosmo didn't know what he wanted to be when he grew up but went to study at University anyway. "When I finished school, I knew I wanted to go to University, taking random papers" he says. "After 3 years, I was ready to leave so I asked them what I could finish, which is how I ended up with a Math and Philosophy Degree.” With experience as a Barista at Fuel Espresso under his belt, who he credits for a lot of firsts for coffee in Wellington, Cosmo moved to Melbourne within 3 months of finishing his degree, asking for his new girlfriend to come along for the ride.

In Melbourne, Cosmo fitted in right away. “You’re only 2 hours away from home. Culturally, we’re very similar. I probably would have had a hard time fitting into Auckland to be honest!” Cosmo laughs. While he intended to use his degree, he found that he wasn’t interested in much of the work on offer (“Low level finance roles, which didn’t really appeal”). Instead, he fell back on barista work, and ended up finding a role working for a new Coffee Supreme roastery after a customer asked him to come and work for them. 

“Challenger brands associated with food and beverage - I ended up working for these kinds of companies all through my time in Melbourne, almost the whole 10 years” Cosmo explains. 
“I lived on the North side of Melbourne, near Fitzroy in Brunswick. There were loads of Kiwis working in the hospitality industry in Melbourne. I ended up owning a place of my own, with a buddy of mine, which we opened in 2010. We called it Bager and Hawk, a burger place on La Trobe St. It was harder than I thought it was going to be!” says Cosmo. 

At 31, Cosmo decided to swap Melbourne for his hometown after his partner and he had a baby. “We didn’t have the family support and Wellington is a better city for family. The business also was taking up a lot of time” Cosmo explains. On arriving, and moving to Karori, he started door knocking to look for work. “I’ve never waited for an ad to be posted. Half the time a job hasn’t existed until a company meets me” Cosmo explains. “I approached Matt from Karma Cola, who didn’t have anything. But then within a month it was all on! There’s Matt, Chris and Simon who head up the ship” says Cosmo. 

What does he love about his job?

Cosmo is passionate about what makes Karma Cola different and loves getting to talk about it all day long. “Karma Cola is challenging the norms of what soda has been so far. It works in a few ways, sustainability, transparency and honesty. We have a booklet that states everything in our drink. Also, the founders went to Sierra Leone and set up a Fair Trade network for cola nuts. It’s about taking the product they have to offer and helping them stand on their own two feet” Cosmo explains. He’s a big believer in fair trade and telling the story of a brand. “Coffee started it all, looking to get a fair price for a product, breaking the mold of big corporations. It can be hard for a Guatemalan farmer to know what a Kiwi coffee drinker wants, but if we work more closely everything can be better across the board.”

What’s next for Karma Cola?

The idea of it is to become a truly global ethical sustainable cola. “There’s no reason it has to be about New Zealand specifically. It’s big in the UK now and we’re proud about our out of the box thinking!” says Cosmo. “We have to export, and to make our mark, so we need to defy the norm at Karma Cola.”

Why Wellington?

“After being away for so many years it didn’t feel like home. It probably took me a full year to feel at home again but when it did it felt much stronger than anywhere else. The familiarity, understanding and knowing how things work” Cosmo explains. “But now, for me, its home.”

An Independent Christmas: Where to Shop in Wellington

Christmas time is getting crazier than it ever was, especially when it comes to buying presents for the Silly Season!

From ordering online off massive companies that stock everything (including the kitchen sink) to independent sole traders selling through sites such as Etsy, there have never been more ways to shop!

With all the confusing chaos going on, I wanted to remind myself why boutique shopping is still so special, and how it really adds to the character of Wellington. For me, Wellington is a place where independent stores still reign. We don't have a mall in our inner city which means lots of our unique shops are still going strong, some after 20 years or mall, and new ones have a real shot at winning.

Like many of you, I do find online shopping handy when I am in a rush. But I far prefer mindful shopping, where I go out, see, smell and feel what I am buying. I want to be able to ask someone what a product is, how it lasts and be able to assess its quality. Shopping is about more than the gift itself. It should be an experience, like slowly savouring a delicious high tea rather than cramming down a piece of cake.

I asked three amazing shops in Wellington that I know and personally love and have shopped at why they think it is kick-ass to be a great place to shop and why they love having a family business in Wellington. 

Cranfields - Johnson Street, Lambton Quay

Cranfields is a beautiful place to find beautiful and often ethically sourced homewares and accessories. I've known of Cranfields for so many years, because it has been around Wellington since I was a little girl. Val Cranfield, the owner, passed the running of the shop down to her daughter Nicola, who has taken it to new strengths. Nicola is fun and has a lovely laugh that makes you want to hang out with her all day. Cranfields is certainly a place to linger, and you can spend hours finding new treasures to take home.

Tell me a bit about your store and what the concept is/was behind it:

Nicola Cranfield: Cranfields offers unique quality collections not seen elsewhere; many items are handcrafted, with plenty of soul.  We stock special Gifts for special people – when you want a memorable gift Cranfields is the place to visit.  Our emphasis is on New Zealand made and collaborations with local designers. We were also the first home-wares store in NZ to be accredited with Conscious consumers.

How did your store start its journey in life? 

Nicola: Cranfields was started 26 years ago by my mother, Valerie Cranfield, because she had no where to shop! Over the years there has been a shift to more ‘portable’ items like accessories and gifts instead of the furniture.  We still honour them emphasis on NZ made and aim to have at least 40% of the store being local.

What do you hope people know your shop for? What brands do you have that are pretty special?

Nicola: I hope they think of us as a Wellington institution when you’re after quality and for fresh and original accessories. My favourite brands include Kitchen Artefacts, stunning native timberware by Tom Muir.   Jonathan Adler ceramics (from New York City)  Cosi Tabellini pewter (from Italy)   Secrid Wallets (Holland) and  Laguiole Cutlery (from France).

What is the best part about being an independent retailer in Wellington?

Nicola: Having wonderful customers who appreciate and support our work!

What are some of the challenges you face?

Nicola: Well, I am becoming more aware of the impact of the ‘discount’ culture that seems to part of the business model of most chain stores.  This has conditioned consumers to expect discounts as being somehow normal.  People increasingly ask if we have a Boxing Day/Black Friday sale. We don't. The price of an item is the same today and any other day; we don’t build in margins for future discounting or force our suppliers’ margins down. We prefer to focus on quality and encouraging people to buy less but more consciously. I think our customers appreciate knowing we’ve set a fair price, look after our suppliers and deliver on our promises. 

Supply can also be an issue. Many of our suppliers are artisans and good things take time.  So when we run out of their product, we really run out. 

Oh, and I’m interested in how the pending arrival of Amazon is going to affect the retail landscape in NZ.

How is Christmas important to your store?

Nicola: It’s very significant, and so much fun.  We love seeing customers get excited about finding the perfect present for their loved ones.  I wish that there was so much aroha all year long.

What do you do around Christmas time to celebrate the season?

Nicola: We recently hosted a Christmas function at the store, that doubled as an opportunity to meet some of the lovely folk who produce the goods we sell.  Local natural winemaker John Porter was also in attendance, serving his lovely wine and my husband played the double bass with a hastily-assembled jazz trio to entertain us all. 

Where will you be spending your Summer?

Nicola: Mainly up at Waikanae in a classic kiwi summer holiday… lots of fun on the beach and catching up on some reading.
 

Cranfields Twelve Picks of Christmas

Iko Iko - Cuba Street, Te Aro

Iko Iko is synonymous with Wellington retail. It's the kind of place you can't help but end up in if you go onto Cuba Street. With a quirky mix of notebooks, mugs, mini plastic babies, toys and cushions, just to name a few items, arriving at Iko Iko is like popping into a carnival. I've personally been buying gifts from here since I was fifteen and still adore coming in all the time (I just bought my 2018 diary from here!). This is the place to come for that special someone who has EVERYTHING!

Tell me a bit about your store and what the concept is/was behind it:

Thomasin: We are 26 years old. I started it with a friend who I bought out about 12 years ago and now it is a family business - with my partner, both daughters and a very close friend of the girls all involved. The concept  when we started was to have a design/gift store that was friendly and accessible to all. At the time in Wellington, the only options were toy shops or design galleries and nothing in between that combined it all.

Rose: I like to think our shop brings a little bit of joy into people's life. Our shop is a gift shop so the focus is on giving. We hope our stock makes people smile or even laugh. We are colourful, and fun, and handmade and  local and silly. We are all those things. That's what makes us Iko Iko! 

How did your store start its journey in life?

Thomasin: I started on a trestle table in the Wakefield market selling jewelry with a friend. We were both burnt out ex-teachers looking for a break for a while but still needing to contribute to the family income. It was so much fun. I never looked back!

Rose: I couldn't keep away! I used to come along to the Wakefield markets with mum as a child just for fun. I loved the hustle and bustle of it all. I used to explore the the other stalls and I made friends with other stall holders. I’ll never forget the stall with the best Russian fudge. 

Thomasin: We have evolved organically and slowly. Since Rose became a partner we have kept up with technology (the online sale etc…this isn't my strength!). We also are a very focused on quality New Zealand made and local products. We now have a large food section - which is great for repeat customers!

Rose: Yes it’s definitely been slow and steady. But from a trestle table in the markets to a thriving multi-store shop with over 25 staff I think we are doing pretty great. We now have an awesome social media presence which has really helped our ability to interact with our customers. We also now have our own product line (greeting cards and posters and a few other stationery products) which we design in house. This has really helped us strengthen our brand. Plus our online shop means the rest of the country can access our shop which is awesome!

What do you hope people know your shop for? What brands do you have that are pretty special?

Thomasin: I hope people know us as a one-stop shop where they can fine a present for everyone and anyone. I think the card collaborations we have done with Emma Steer (who is a staff member) and Alice Berry who is a long time supplier of ours are very special.

Rose: I hope people know us as the place to go for cool gifts. Where you know you will find something special regardless of who you are buying for. Where you know it won't necessarily have to break the bank. Where you know you will get really good service from our amazing staff. We have some amazing brands that align really well with our store. Sunny life just fits so well at Iko Iko. It's bright and fun and a bit tongue and cheek- but it’s also great quality. We would just about take the whole range if we could fit it in our shops! Our Mexican products are beautiful, handmade and iconically Iko. We also have some amazing Wellington brands. Products we truly love; such as Wiki skincare, Six Barrel Soda Wellington Chocolate to name a few. I feel like people know we stock these products and come to us for them.

What is the best part about being an independent retailer in Wellington?

Thomasin: Choosing our own hours and what days we are open and closed. I would hate to be in a mall and dictated to over these things. I could never make my staff work on Christmas day or on boxing day! The business is important but family has to come first for everyone.

Rose: Being an independent retailer in the Wellington CBD is really special. One of the reasons Welly is the “Culture capital” is because of our vibrant town-centre. We have so many diverse locally owned businesses - cafes, restaurants, retailers, art galleries; and they are owned by some pretty fantastic people. Its nice to be in such great company.

What are some of the challenges you face?

Thomasin: Just keeping up with the rapidly changing technology world is a challenge for me. As I said, it is not my strength, but luckily we have wonderful staff who are talented in this field.

Rose: Competing with big fast chain-stores has its challenges. We can’t always compete on price. But we can compete on products and on quality and our level of customer care and service. We just try to be the best Iko Iko we can possibly be.

How is Christmas important to your store?

Thomasin: Christmas is our time as we are a gift shop! We take ¼ of the years takings in December. We live for Christmas!Rose: It is literally the most important time of year for our shop. We LOVE Christmas.

What do you do around Christmas time to celebrate the season?

Thomasin: We have Christmas window displays and in store displays and this year a Christmas Elf outside handing out balloons to kids!

Rose: Shop-wise what mum said! Plus festive (though not specifically Christmas) music and  snacks and refreshments for the staff. And a staff Christmas party! Home-wise I am planning on baking some cookie Christmas decorations with the kids at home. We also always have advent calendars at home (though I think I will steer the kids away from chocolate this year!).  

Where will you be spending your Summer?

Thomasin: I will be around the Welllington area. The Kapati coast with my partners elderly parents is a focus for us at the moment.  Also, my daughters and grandchildren will be around - I always like to hang out with my kids! In February we are heading down to Wanaka to visit family.

Rose: Yup! Up the coast for me too. Visiting my lovely grandparents in Peka Peka plus staying in the family batch in Peakakariki with some friends and the kids. Hopefully lots of beach-ing, reading and the odd Margarita! 

Iko Iko's Twelve Picks of Christmas

Smack Bang! - Tory Street, Te Aro

Smack Bang is the new kid on the block, but already it's punching! The store stocks homewares with a twist - most of the lifestyle products are aimed at your pooch/kitty. Owner Amelia has an eye for Instagram worth accessories and for dogs and their owners. You'll find chunky knitted throws, rose gold vases and little cardboard fire-trucks for your cat (don't even ask!). Smack Bang is the place I want to go to spoil my parents dog Timmy - and is a true haven for the canine obsessed.

Tell me a bit about your store and what the concept is/was behind it:

Amelia: Smack Bang sells homewares and lifestyle products for dogs and their humans. Where a lot of (awesome) homeware shops have sections dedicated for babies and children, we’ve swapped that out for products for pets and that’s our real point of difference. We want to get people thinking about the things they buy for their furry best friends the same way they think about things for themselves or their homes. Whoever said functional had to be ugly? People have been settling for mass-produced, cheap crap for too long! 

New Zealand is a bit slow on the up-take when it comes to international trends, but we’re finally catching up to places like France, Italy - most of Europe in general - where dogs are a part of everyone's every day lives - taking them with them everywhere, and being treated like family members rather than just pets. 

How did your store start its journey in life?

Amelia: Slowly! From creating the company to opening the doors was nine months, and just under two months to open the online store after that. I had been wanting to open a wee home-wares store for years so when the timing was right we just went for it. I’ve spent the last 15 years in hospitality and wasn’t enjoying it anymore. I was running Minibar on Courtenay Place with my partner, Gonzo, for the last 4 years, so when the opportunity came to step away from there and start the shop I jumped at it. Now I’m a day-walker! 

At the start, the plan was just to do home-wares. The penny dropped when I was trying to find cool stuff for my pups Gus and Finn, and our late dog Freddy, and all I could find were overseas retailers/brands and shipping was horrendous. It was a light-bulb moment we both had at the same time and couldn’t figure out why no one else was doing it. We thought about just doing a small section for animals, but that quickly ballooned as I started discovering more brands online and now its more 60/40 pets/home-wares. 

What do you hope people know your shop for? What brands do you have that are pretty special?

Amelia: We want to be the go-to for the best quality, on-trend pet products in Wellington (and soon, NZ!). We’re the only NZ retailer for Huts & Bay (teepees, cat diamonds, and hoodies) and the Howlpot ‘Howly’ beds, as well as many other brands that aren’t established in Wellington yet like Loyal Canine Co, Eye of Dog, Found My Animal and Nice Digs. We’re super excited to be selling the Wolves of Wellington collection soon! 
We also want people to know that we’re dog friendly! Meeting everyones dogs is by far the best part of this job.

What is the best part about being an independent retailer in Wellington?

Amelia: We’re loving being a wee addition to the coolest little capital. I think it’s a great place for creative retailers to make their mark, and Wellingtonians are so open to new ideas and supportive of local businesses - it’s a great vibe to be around. Wellingtonians are super friendly and love the chance to talk about their dogs, it’s amazing hearing their stories and seeing the love they have for them. 

What are some of the challenges you face?

Amelia: Amazon is definitely a threat. We’re hoping the government steps in and puts GST on overseas purchases which would make the playing field a bit more even for little retailers like us. We knew Amazon was coming these ways when we were planning the shop, so we tried to get brands and products not available on Amazon (yet) to give us a little point of difference. The hardest part is getting the public to understand why we can’t sell things as cheap as online giants like Amazon can, and it’s not like we go home rolling around in money like Scrooge McDuck. For the most part, New Zealand retailers sell items at the price they need to to cover costs and make a very tiny profit.

There’s a myth floating around that bricks-and-mortar shopping is dead but I completely disagree - I just think retailers need to adapt. Having an online presence is definitely important but research suggests consumers still love the experience of going to a shop to see the products first-hand after doing a little online research first. We’ve really tried to make the shop a fun place to be in, the “experience” you can’t get simply by shopping online.

How is Christmas important to your store?

Amelia: This is our first Christmas at Smack Bang, which is perfect timing just a couple months after opening and the best time of year in terms of exposure. People are out actively looking for gifts rather than just browsing. It makes us happy to see people get so excited about getting their pets a cool gift for Christmas! We’re helping to open people’s eyes to the fact that it’s so much easier to buy for people’s pets than it is to buy for people - and that pet owners get just as excited to receive gifts for their pets as they do for themselves.

What do you do around Christmas time to celebrate the season?

Amelia: Having been in hospo my entire adult life, the silly season has always been a bit busy (read: stressful). I love looking forward to a day off to relax with friends and family on Christmas Day, it’s a bonus if the weather plays ball!

Where will you be spending your Summer?

Amelia: Summer will be spent at Smack Bang! I’ve finally hired a part-timer so I might actually get a few days to enjoy the sun. Then we shoot off to the Coromandel for a couple weeks in February for our wedding.

Smack Bang's Twelve Picks of Christmas