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7TH BIRTHDAY ISSUE

$10.95

9 771176 166012

May 2012 ISSUE M2.84

NEW ZEALAND

1OINDUSTRY LEADERS TO BANK ON AND LEARN FROM

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE SAILORS OF THE

VOLVO OCEAN RACE

THE CONCHORDS HAVE LANDEDTHE SUCCESS, THE FOLK, (THE LYRICS)

DO UNIONS HAVE A FUTURE IN NZ?

LUXURY WATCHES: THE BEST OF BASELWORLD 2012

THE LATEST: GADGETS, DRINKS, STYLE, GROOMING CARS, HEALTH & ADVENTURE

M2_Final Cover.indd 1 7/04/2012 6:00:59 p.m.

{ {

7TH BIRTHDAY ISSUE

$10.95

9 771176 166012

May 2012 ISSUE M2.84

NEW ZEALAND

1OINDUSTRY LEADERS TO BANK ON AND LEARN FROM

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE SAILORS OF THE

VOLVO OCEAN RACE

THE CONCHORDS HAVE LANDEDTHE SUCCESS, THE FOLK, (THE LYRICS)

DO UNIONS HAVE A FUTURE IN NZ?

LUXURY WATCHES: THE BEST OF BASELWORLD 2012

THE LATEST: GADGETS, DRINKS, STYLE, GROOMING CARS, HEALTH & ADVENTURE ENTERTAINMENT

VOLVO OCEAN RACING PG74

No-one said it would be easy...

JOHN TUI PG 102

Our latest Kiwi blockbuster action hero...

FILM PG 106

May movie reviews in 10 words...

MUSIC PG 108

The latest musical offerings from Andy Grammer, The Used, The Temper Trap, and Barton Hollow...

SUCCESS10 INDUSTRY LEADERS TO BANK ON PG 48

Regardless of what business you’re in, these are the companies to learn from...

OLD SCHOOL VISION PG 56

Don’t just call this a comeback for a famous Kiwi brand...

FASHION & STYLEBASELWORLD PG 66

The mecca of luxury horology...

STYLE PG 60

From diamond buttons to studded shoes, from Ronaldo boots to Greek luxury...

TRAVELBOSTON PG 80

There are three things that you need to be aware of when you’re travelling to Boston...

SKI FEATURE PG 84

Where to go for the snow this season...

WHEELSAUTOMOTIVE ARTWORK PG 94

The stunning V12 Berlinetta...

POWER PLAY PG 98

Take a look at the new generation Toyota Camry hybrid...

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS PG 30

TECHNOLOGY GADGETS PG 120

The hottest tech round-up...

MOMENTS IN FOCUS PG 110

The world of cameras...

GAMING PG 126

More ways to kill time...

REPORTSTATE OF THE UNIONS PG 44

Do they still have the power to better the lives of their workers?

HEALTHSPERM COUNT PG 88

How to keep healthy where it counts...

BEAT THE BLUES PG 90

Don’t let Winter get you down...

BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM PG 92

Deal to Winter colds before they deal to you...

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CONTENTS

May 2012ISSUE M2.84

THE POPE'S PERFUME So what does the Pope smell like? According to Silvana Casoli,

there are hints of lemon tree blossom, verbena and spring grass. Casoli, who has worked with Sting, Madonna, and King Juan Carlos of Spain, was asked to come up with a signature scent for the Pope but thought twice about accepting Benedict's order, as she found it hard to come up with a scent that would refl ect his personality. "I realised that an essence like this had to have something pure and clean at its core, recalling the idea of peace," she told Il Messagero newspaper. Casoli had previously composed two fragrances for Catholic pilgrims on the Santiago de Compostela trail in Spain, titled “Water of Hope” and “Water of Faith”. But this project is different. The Pope's fragrance is unique and will not be available to buy. "I thought of the smells the Pope would smell when praying at the Grotto of Lourdes," Casoli said, "I would not ever repeat the same perfume for another customer."

HOW MANY APPS COULD YOU GET FOR $10,000?

Apple's App Store, offering more than 550,000 apps to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, with users in 123 countries around the world, is still on top despite strong competitors like Google Play.

The company has recently celebrated its 25 billionth download by rewarding the lucky downloader, Chunli Fu, with a $10,000 iTunes gift card for downloading the free Disney app "Where's my Water?" The app featuring Swampy the Alligator is a “challenging, physics-based puzzler complete with vibrant graphics, intuitive controls, and a sensational soundtrack,” according to its maker. “When we launched the App Store less than four years ago, we never imagined that mobile apps would become the phenomenon they have, or that developers would create such an incredible selection of apps for iOS users,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services.

A NEW HUMAN SPECIES? Experts can't agree about the new human

remains found in Longlin Cave and Maludong in South-Western China. The team of researchers from Australia and China have dug up remains that may "represent a late-surviving archaic population". Both samples are from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition probably deriving from the same population.

Reconstructing the appearance of the skulls showed that these human beings had short, fl at faces with broad noses, bunched out eyebrows and protruding lower jaws. The population was also endowed with thick skulls, big molar teeth and a mid-sized brain. The study notes that they are exhibiting an unusual mixture of human traits. While some characteristics are similar to those of modern humans, others are reminiscent of archaic early humans who lived hundreds of thousands of years ago.

The Longlin-Maludong morphology could possibly refl ect "deep population substructure in Africa prior to modern humans dispersing into Eurasia" as the coexistence of different human species was observed in Africa as well. But those fi ndings are up to ten times as old as the recently discovered remains that only date back 11,500 to 14,300 years. A DNA analysis, if possible, could help to further categorise the fi ndings. Even though they are young, the warm climate in South-Western China might have caused advanced decomposing of the genetic material.

UPDATE

You must be 18 years or older to purchase. Promoter is Lion, 111 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland.

Refine the Moment

APPLETON ESTATE KIWI CRUSHThe Kiwi Crush is a fun, fresh way of enjoying the soft, rich

flavour of Appleton Estate 12YO. Even better, kiwifruit are in

season now - so cheap and plentiful, but also great year round.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 45ml Appleton Estate Extra 12YO

½ gold kiwifruit

1 tsp brown sugar

1 gold kiwifruit circle

Ice

HOW TO MIX THIS COCKTAIL1. Crush ice in a tea towel using a muddler or rolling pin2. Cut a kiwi fruit circle for garnish3. Peel and Chop ½ a gold kiwifruit into chunks and add to a rocks glass4. Add 1 tsp brown sugar and crush ingredients together using a muddler or rolling pin5. Add 45ml Appleton Estate Extra 12YO and fill glass with crushed ice6. Place a shaker tin over top of the rocks glass and shake7. Pour back  into the glass and top with crushed ice8. Garnish with kiwi circle, add straws and serve

THE BUZZ OF ADVENTURE Analysis of novelty-seeking behaviour among

honey bees has revealed that those with a tendency to scout for food sources and nest sites showed extensive differences in brain gene expression. These differences were related to catecholamines, glutamate acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid signalling and are genetically anchored.

Scientists marked the bees and let them choose between a familiar and unknown food source several times in order to recognise the scouts. About a sixth of the bees frequently went out to explore new places for food. Further analysis of those individuals showed a higher production of glutamate acid in comparison to other foragers. The messenger, also known as a fl avour potentiator, seems to enhance the likelihood of scouting, whereas dopamine decreases the push to new things. Such inhibitors are also used with humans for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

These fi ndings demonstrate intriguing similarities in human and insect novelty seeking. However, biologist Gene Robinson from the University of Illinois suggests that this trait has evolved independently in both lineages.

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They dubbed themselves the fourth most popular comedy-folk-duo in the country, now the multi-

award-winning Flight of the Conchords are back. With a tour that sold out in an hour and had people

Conchords are making a triumphant and long-awaited return to New Zulund.

COVER STORY

FLIGHT RISK

WORDS BY NICK WARDIMAGES BY TRANZ / CORBIS OUTLINE

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IMPOSSIBLE BEAUTY

WOMAN

took to get into shape for Mission: Impossible –

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In the wake of the Ports of Auckland debacle, unionism has yet again been pushed into the spotlight. Unions were an important part of the New Zealand

psyche for most of the 20th century but since the 1990s, membership has seen a steady decline and people seem less interested in the concept of unionism.

agreement, the Ports of Auckland seem determined to casualise jobs and the hostility has yet to bring about any real results for either parties. So do unions

WORDS BY FRANCES GORDON

THE STATE

OF THE

UNION?

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The aim of the union has always been the same: to collectively stand for a person’s rights to better work conditions and fair pay. According to Peter Conway, the

Secretary for the Council of Trade Unions, while some people fare better negotiating a contract individually, most people do better when they stand together.

“Workers have a stronger say together than individually. It’s very important that people can bargain collectively because while some people do well individually, most don’t.”

The idea of collectively standing together for a better future is one that has been around for a long time. New Zealand’s first big strike happened in the late 19th Century, though it was in support of an Australian strike rather than its own. In August of 1890, John Millar, head of the Maritime Council, asked the Union Steam Ship Company to stop trading between Australia, as Australian seamen were in the middle of a fiery union dispute. When the company refused and employed non-union members to pick up the slack on the Sydney end, New Zealand crews walked off the job, soon followed by other seamen and miners. Around 8,000 workers were on strike at ports around the country, though after three months of contestation, they had to accept defeat.

Up until 1937, unions were completely separate from each other and worked individually towards its own goals. However, the mass unemployment and social distress brought about by the Great Depression left unions in a very weak state. After labour came into government in 1935, unionism was made compulsory and membership soared, taking it to more than 60 percent by the end of World War Two. In 1937, unions became a collective organisation all working towards the same goals of safe and fair working conditions. It was known as the Federation of Labour until the 1980s when it became the Council of Trade Unions.

According to statistics from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, New Zealand reached a peak in 1979 and 1980, with union membership pushing 70 percent. New Zealand hasn’t seen that peak since. Maria Dew, an Employment Lawyer, says while unions have tried to increase membership numbers, legislation of the ‘90s has prevented this.

“The trend is that around 20 percent of people in work are in unions, and it has been that way for around the last ten years. Overall, I would say union membership is dropping and I don’t think unions have made the progress they thought they would have made since the ‘90s.”

According to Phil O’Reilly, the CEO of Business NZ, unions are an important voice in the workforce debate, though he questions whether New Zealand workers need the advocacy the unions provide.

“Unions play a critical role in any economy and country, including New Zealand where there’s no threat to an employee’s rights to fair pay and working conditions. But it is critical because it’s a non-governmental, authentic voice. I agree with unions in principle because any attack on employees’ rights can also be an attack on the rights of employers and businesses.”

According to Judy McGregor, Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission, trade unions are important because there needs to be employment protection for working New Zealanders, and no one else is going to initiate that move if the unions don’t.

“They often speak up about the need for employment protections and rights to be extended to different groups when they’ve been forgotten or overlooked. Trade unions have a valuable general advocacy function because who else speaks for the workers?”

As well as general advocacy, McGregor also says that unions are a valuable advocate for equal employment issues, such as the pay disparity between men and women, and rights of older people to work. As well as this, they are also able to support individuals who may be in mediation with an employer or fellow employee. McGregor says the most common individual grievances the union supports are workplace bullying, supporting people with any mental health issues and giving advice about potential race discrimination.

Clearly, unions are much more than fighting for more pay, or negotiating a new collective agreement. For a lot of people, being a part of a union could only be a positive thing. So why aren’t numbers higher? Dew says there are a number of factors that have influenced the lack of union membership, with privatisation being one of them. When the government began asset sales in the late 1980s, the face of the New Zealand workforce began to change. As privatisation continued, the workforce in the public sector also downsized, which was problematic for unions as the majority of union members were working within the public sector.

“We used to have a huge amount of people employed in the public sector and that has gone down. Now with the private sector being so huge, I think unions have found it hard to lure those employees over. For people who are often happy in their jobs, they find it hard to reason with. Why pay $300 to $500 for annual union fees when they’re not really sure what the value of being in a union is?

“The workforce is just so different from 30, 40 or 50 years ago. Jobs are more mobile, people move around and they don’t often stay in the same job for life,” says Dew.

For Conway, while privatisation has affected union numbers, it hasn’t had a massive impact. He says it is the ever-changing nature of the workplace itself, along with a lack of support from the government, that is hurting the unions.

“The nature of the workplace has changed so much. There are smaller workplaces, new jobs and sectors – especially the IT sector that was practically non-existent 20 years ago. What I’ve found is that we are strong in sectors we were strong in, in the past, so areas like the public sector. But we don’t have the same legal and governmental support any more, which makes it tough.”

This was backed up by the government’s most recent Survey of Working Life, which looks at the type and quality of employment in New Zealand. According to this 2008 survey, sectors that had the highest union rates were in education and health and community services, which both had more than 50 percent union membership rates.

It is not like that in every sector though, with the single biggest factor influencing union numbers being the changes in employment law that have been passed by the government in the last 20 years. The 1991 Employment Contracts Act served as the biggest shake up to the union system. Changes under this act included allowing people to individually lodge employment grievances if they were having trouble with an employer – in the past, that would have needed the backing of a union. The act also dissolved the pay system of the time. The old system set up enforced minimum wages and individual industry terms, and conditions within each sector of the workforce – something Conway says was a massive step backwards for every day New Zealand employees.

“Each sector used to have individual terms and pay systems. In fact, Australia still uses this system, which is why they have higher wages.

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10INDUSTRY LEADERS

TO BANK ON (AND LEARN FROM)

The following ten companies share few external qualities. They look different, they appeal to different markets, they deal in different commodities, they focus on different goals. Yet all of them have

carved out a strong foothold in their particular market. Regardless of what business you are in, these are the companies to learn from. And

you know what they say? If you can beat them, invest in them.

WORDS BY FENJA VILLEUMIER

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MAINFREIGHT GET IT A TO B – SIMPLEAt fi rst glance, logistics may not seem like the most innovative and lucrative business but it offers a basic service that people need and will continue to rely on: getting things from one place to another. With this wisdom in mind, Bruce Plested founded his own trucking company in 1978 with $2,700 and a 1969 Bedford truck. Mainfreight quickly grew to become New Zealand's biggest transport and logistics business. Its insatiable hunger for the world markets swallowed up competitors like Owen Wilson in one bite. Expansion through brand proliferation and acquisition led Plested to where he is today. His business strategy was awarded Colliers International Best Growth Strategy in 2007. "When it comes to stepping beyond, few New Zealand companies have done it more boldly than Mainfreight, under its founder and Executive Chairman, Bruce Plested," the judge commented. And Plested lives up to the appraisal. With established operations in three continents already, his company eventually conquered the fourth part of the globe, expanding to the European market. The Wim Bosman Group, one of the largest privately-owned logistics companies in the Netherlands and Belgium, is now part of the Mainfreight empire. To show his gratitude towards all the people who made this possible, Plested gave $1,000 to each of his employees ($4 million of his own money). “I think capitalism hasn't shown its best face over the last few years and I think a few people being a bit more generous of spirit won't do us any harm,” he said at the time.

In Brief:

Mainfreight demonstrates that business models actually don't always have to be unbelievably innovative to be successful. Plested bases his company on a simple idea and a clear growth strategy that is working terrifi cally well.

SUNTECH POWER FINDING THE ENERGYThe shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, as well as governmental subsidies, favoured the company’s rise. Suntech Power eventually became the fi rst private Chinese company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Because of the current ecological issues, renewable energies are turning out to be a secure long-term investment.

Suntech Power and its founder, Shi Zhengrong have truly gone from rags to riches. Born the youngest of four children in a poor, famine-stricken farming community on Yangzhong Island, in 1963, his parents decided to give him up for adoption. This decision provided the boy with access to education and would eventually enable him to go to university in New South Wales, gain his Ph.D. and win a scholarship for research on solar cells. Yet, Zhengrong decided to leave behind the relatively secure position working in Australia and start his own solar-cell company in China instead. This was the right decision it seems, as Suntech Power has become the world's largest producer of solar panels today.

Suntech has set up several solar farms around the globe, including one at Nellis Air Force Base, the largest photovoltaic solar plant in the Western Hemisphere, with more possibilities on the horizon. It was recently announced that Suntech had broken the world record with conversion effi ciency of 20.3 percent, turning the company into a market leader in both conversion effi ciency and sales. More than 13 million solar panels have sold, making Zhengrong not only the world's fi rst “green billionaire” but also one of China's wealthiest men and one of Australia's richest citizens. Pairing environmental preservation with corporate success is an honest achievement and driven by Zhengrong's belief that "renewable energy will assure our energy security for the future."

In Brief:

Suntech Power is a business with promising perspectives on issues like climate change and diminishing resources worldwide. With development continuing, the company is set to stay on top of the market.

1IGHTIGHT MPLEE

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ness with promising perspectives with promising pe and diminishing resources worldnd diminishinguing, the company is set to stay ong, the company is set to stay o

SUCCESSSUCCESS

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Barkers MD Jamie Whiting and merchandising manager Paul Biddle are driving a Barkers revivalImage by Greg Lewis

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STYLE

Forty years ago, Ray Barker started up the company, which bore his name. In 2000, he sold it. Now a new

management team brings a fresh vision to bear on the brand but one which harks back to its roots. Barkers

Creative Services Manager, Duncan Greive, gives the inside story on the revival of the iconic Kiwi brand.

OLD VALUES

FRESH VISION

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1 ONE WAY TO SEE CAPRI

When Giuseppe Ratti began making technical glasses from his Optician's shop in Turin, Italy back in 1917, one wonders if he had the vision to appreciate that one day, his Persol brand would become the sunglasses of choice for a British Agent with a licence to kill. James Bond, aka Daniel Craig, fl ashing his Persol 2720 glasses is somewhat of an ingrained image to Aston Martin-loving, crime-fi ghting fanatics but now with inspiration from art and architecture, the Capri Edition is the latest image for the quality brand. When Italian architect, Adalberto Libera created the artistic structure, Casa Malaparte on the rocks of Capri, it complimented the visceral aspect of the environment, fi tting strategically yet poetically with the land profi le. The Capri Edition also captures the magnifi cence of the structure with artistic licence to embrace the technical form and aesthetic of the Casa. Utilising its values of passion, emotion and tradition, the latest handmade Persol range has represented the artistic lines of the architecture, showcasing a redesigned silver arrow, the brand's trademark, to refl ect the perimeter of the Casa. The curved terrace and rooftop stairs are also captured in the unique Capri style. Creating a pair of Persol glasses takes around 30 days with between 25 and 37 manual steps, and that same craftsmanship is refl ected through the inspiration from the Casa Malaparte. Meticulous attention to quality and detail is why icons such as Grace Kelly, Prince Ranier, Kirk Douglas, Clark Gable, Norman Douglas and Jacqueline Kennedy are synonymous with Persol, and the Capri Edition will no doubt attract a new age of discerning followers.

persol.com l sunglasshut.co.nz

ELEMENTAL CHARMThis is one funky ring. Not quite the refi ned description for a piece of luxury but it really is. The latest rendition of the Quatre Ring is another Boucheron icon, which captures the masterpiece of the jeweller’s art. The immaculate “Black Edition” collection is the fi rst Quatre to feature both white and black gold. The glittering creation of decorative precious metal parts, which includes rows of characterised small pyramids or “Clous de Paris” motif, highlights a depth of black colouration that is as rich in intensity as the abyss and contrasts the exquisite white gold. Like a city of light, the ring embodies creativity and architecture at the hands of a master craftsman. The line of diamonds emblazons the piece with more sparkle, adding elegance to the contemporary design. Any man would jump at the chance of expressing their style note with a Quatre ring because it is much more than a funky chunk of jewellery. It's an interpretation of the mysterious and offbeat nature of savoir-faire secured in a precious element of attitude.

boucheron.com l luxury-goods.com.au

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CLEATED STYLEThe Nike Mercurial Vapor 8 is a striking aesthetic but it is also a stunning example of cutting-edge technology. Part of that innovation is its Teijin Microfi ber. The company from which the material gets its name is highly respected in developing lightweight material, incorporating creative technology like nanoscience, which results in durable, thin yet strong products. In this case, the material works with and conforms to, the hard-working foot of an athlete. The responsive performance of the boot provides eruptive speed while maintaining snug stability of the foot and subsequent lower body balance. This redesigned boot offers great overall support to the feet and appreciates a softer heel strike, which provides better overall comfort. Its dazzling visual and splash of colour signature on the heel makes the Mercurial a stunning looker. If there is one element for us footballers, it’s a boot that is light, strong, comfortable and with good traction. The Vapor 8 ticks all those boxes and more. It is not surprising that it is the boot of choice for footy great, Cristiano Ronaldo, who admitted that “this boot is perfect for me.” He obviously utilises the glass chassis with double layer composite on the mid-foot. If anything, it helps him dart all over the paddock with explosive results. I was never a “dart all over the paddock” player but at least with an impressive boot like this, the “swish” would make me look and feel like a Portuguese super athlete... even on the bench.

nike.com

STYLE

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It’s a pilgrimage for luxury timepiece warriors. The six multi-storey exhibition halls covering 160,000 square metres with nearly 60

kilometres of criss-crossing corridors in the heart of Basel, Switzerland becomes the ticking, chiming, buzzing heart of the horological universe with an estimated 200,000 watches represented by some 2,000 watch and jewellery brands. The luxury watch retail market took an apparent dip in 2009 but lifted back the following year to a healthy $17 billion in

export earnings. Here in New Zealand, luxury timepieces were showing a healthy trend towards the lofty revenue numbers pre-global fi nancial

crisis. Baselworld’s importance is not overestimated and with the introduction of technology in the form of smartphone apps, 3D maps

and other exhibitor aiding gadgetry, valuable contacts are forged across this exclusive networking platform. But there’s no show without punch,

and many of these timepieces pack an artful punch. This is truly the mecca of luxury horology.

A TIMELY LEGACYBASELWORLD

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WORLD OF BASEL

URWERK UR-110 STA distinguished entry at the 2011 Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, the UR-110 has satellite hours on planetary gears with indicators that give the timepiece its “Torpedo” name. The gears also connect to a day/night indicator and oil change indicator. Hours and minutes face along the right section of the dial, where a pointer moves down a vertical scale, which is graduated from zero to 60. This is made possible by the watch’s three levels of complexity. A central axis runs the height of the watch to ensure the stability and balance of the entire mechanism; planetary gears govern the parallel rotation of the three hour satellites as they orbit the dial. The three counter-rotating hour modules, each comprising an hour satellite and a minute hand, are individually mounted on a planetary gear. The result is an ingenious piece of horology that displays the time with artworthy elegance and discretion.

MB & F HM4 Thunderbolt RTIntroducing Horological Machine N°4 in an envelope of red gold, titanium and sapphire. Inspired by the world of aviation, the shell consists of two parallel connected barrels, which transfer power to the two identical, turbine-shaped indication pods. To the left is the power-reserve indicator, to the right are hours and minutes hands – available in either a titanium or red gold fi nish. The central cockpit of the piece has been cut away to reveal as much of the oscillating wheel and inner workings as possible, along with the intricate micromechanics. This three-dimensional aesthetic was conceived specifi cally to house the engine, which has taken three years to develop. With more than 300 hand-made components to it, everything, even the screws, was created specifi cally for this machine. Finished with a hand-stitched calfskin strap, the Thunderbolt is the ultimate travel companion.

CHOPARD L.U.C QuattroThe L.U.C Quattro is a new show piece for its prestigious L.U.C 98.01-L Manufacture movement and features four barrels to give it an exceptional ten-day power reserve. The 43mm case provides a generous canvas in pink gold yet retains a measure of masculine appeal with a refi ned curve of the redesigned horns. The hands sweep over a silver-toned dial with the lettering complementing the 1960s style of the Roman numerals. The caseband has been treated to a satin fi nish, while the polished bezel and back creates a golden lustre. The hand-stitched brown alligator strap creates the fi nal fi nesse to the unique timepiece.

STYLE

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The IWC Schaffhausen clock in the Auckland race village, during the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. (Credit: Marc Bow/Volvo Ocean Race)

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When you think of yachting, you might think of Polo Ralph Lauren clothes, hand-stitched boat shoes and a martini overlooking the glistening Mediterranean. There is, however, another league... one that’s a world away from, well, everything.

“NO ONE SAID IT WOULD BE

EASY”

ADVENTURE

Ian Walker, Skipper, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

TRAVEL

There are three things to be aware of when travelling in Boston and talking to locals: 1.

DO NOT under any circumstances attempt to mimic the Bostonian accent; 2. Never attempt

the Bostonian accent; and 3. The Bostonian

yourself alone. Fast. You can take this tip either way – as a positive or a negative; it all depends

on your preferred mode of travelling.

WORDS BY PETER IORNS

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ART WORK

WHEELS

Formula 1 teammates, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, were

drives in the F12berlinetta. The world champion drivers speak succinctly

and excitedly about their experience.

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The new-generation Toyota Camry Hybrid shows us what it’s made of.

WHEELS

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"I’m just a typical bloke trying to pay bills..."

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FILM

Fireballs are falling out of the sky announcing the arrival of alien life forms on Earth. Familiar scenes but this time, the director is Peter Berg. The concept of the movie isn't based on a set of toys but on a well-known board game. It isn't Shia LaBeouf who's enchanting us but Taylor Kitsch, who is on an unstoppable storm to the top. Battleship is not a poor copy of its precursor at all. It is a debut in many ways. It is Rihanna's debut as an actress and the blockbuster debut of John Tui, the humble Kiwi

bloke from Auckland.

"It is a dream to get a job like that, to work with the Americans, or to work on a film that big," Tui marvels.

For his first speaking role in a film, it’s a pretty good start. After graduating from drama school, Tui worked in TV for almost a decade playing small roles in New Zealand series such as Go Girls and Shortland Street. His appearance as groom, Tavita in the movie Sione's Wedding, chasing rowdy Michael, who had been caught in the wedding limousine having sex with a bridesmaid, was his first step towards the big time.

"In Sione's Wedding, I was an extra," says Tui, "It was awesome being around all those actors and seeing how they work."

Now he plays the role of Lt. Lynch, known as “The Beast” who has gone out to sea with Alex Hopper (Kitsch) and Raikes (Rihanna) to explore unknown objects that have landed off the coast.

Battleship's basic plot – five ships fighting against another five ships, was inspired by the corresponding Hasbro board game.

"I played it when I was a kid. I haven't tried the newer version but I've got it at home. My kids love it," says Tui.

While he does confess he was a little curious at first as to whether the game would translate to the big screen, he relished the opportunity to make his own mark on the film.

"I get a script and my job is to bring that character to life. So I do the best job I can possibly do. You make movies of books. You make movies of games. If it works, it works.”

"Shooting a movie on this scale, there's more responsibility because I actually had lines and I had to bring this character to life. ‘The Beast’ had to come to life.”

He is not the only one who is out to prove himself, however. One of Tui’s highlights was working with Rihanna, who also had to show her acting potential. A risky transition for someone so solidified in the music industry. So did Rihanna live up to the hype?

"Working with Rihanna was just amazing. She is a constant professional. It was a pleasure to work with someone who's so big in the music community," Tui points out. "The fact that Rihanna is who she is and she is in this film, actually makes me feel even more excited. She's an icon."

In a memorable scene, Tui got to drive her and Hopper around on a Navy rib boat, an experience that was unforgettable.

"I had to pretty much drive it myself, there’s no CGI. It was fantastic. I’m pretty proud of that," he laughs.

Even though Tui’s boat navigation skills are real – there are also some pretty epic CGI moments. Director Peter Berg had a vision of creating a super film, in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean or

Battleship is the second joint collaboration movie between

BRING OUT THE BIG GUNS

WORDS BY FENJA VILLEUMIER

The realm of photography has certainly evolved since the development of digital cameras. Now, without the constraints or costs of having to

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TECHNOLOGY

LEICA M9-P[ [

Since 1913, the German optics company has evolved to become a reputable force in cameras and photographic lenses. When Oskar Barnack built the first Leica in that same year, it was intended as a compact for landscape photography. Today, the feature-packed mirrorless M9-P rangefinder retains a classic aesthetic that

camera enthusiasts relish. One wonders if Barnack imagined that a limited edition white version of the Leica M9-P would fetch north of $30,000 – way north – and give it the distinction of being one of the most expensive digital cameras in the world. However, the white Leica is merely a special edition of a name whose immaculate legacy renders the cameras a true collectable if the body is maintained and well-presented. But image snappers familiar with the iconic brand would be more than content with the 18 megapixel full-frame variant. Anti-reflective coating on the scratch-resistant diamond-cut sapphire crystal LCD glass greatly improves visibility and its almost unbreakable composition means it will reliably provide years of use. The body of the Leica is not just a tribute to its traditional and minimalist styling but incorporates vulcanite leatherette with steady grip texturing for secure handling and grip. While the camera is not a “flashy” representative, it makes up for it with features designed for professional and seasoned users who will appreciate the compact sized full-frame device, which processes sophisticated, pure images. The artistry is also in the fact that this is a rangefinder as opposed to an SLR/TTL. This means a lot more predication from photographers to capture the moment, although grid lines within the viewfinder help to frame up the image. The “silent shutter” is a feature of the M9-P and the previous M9, providing a soft-release option on the shutter button, plus absolute discretion when taking the shot. This makes the rangefinder perfect in situations where you're not wanting to draw attention when capturing “street photography”. The focal plane shutter is also more compact, meaning less compromise in lens design and therefore, a superior image quality. It's a magnificently made device of a single high tensile magnesium alloy construct, which is solid and sturdy in your hand and like everything about this camera, is built for life. Your new Leica is boxed with battery charger, car charger, Lithium-ion battery, USB cable, carrying strap, body cap, instruction manual with a downloadable software package including Adobe, Photoshop and Lightroom 3 and is available in two different finishes, black paint or traditional silver chrome.

leica-camera.com

LEICA M9-PA