KEY POINTS:
It was sensational, truly sensational. The inaugural Spy Society party at The Wharf on Thursday night was such a success, radio broadcasters were heard discussing it on air the following morning. Mind you, there was a lot to talk about.
It all started with the special Spy ferry laid on by the fabulous people at Fullers. One hundred and fifty revellers filed in to the floating party vessel with bubbly in hand, listening to the sweet lulls of Petra Rijnbeek singing jazz numbers. And there were diamonds for everyone - Armani Diamond perfume. The women queued to get spritzed and the ferry left the dock smelling gorgeous.
When the ferry guests arrived, they joined forces with the hundred-strong other guests at The Wharf. Everyone was awarded a signature Spytini cocktail on arrival. Thanks to its potency, the party kicked off to a great start.
Reece Jensen and Francis Hooper were first up on the decks, followed throughout the night by Annabel Fay, Clarke Gayford, Barney McDonald, Elemeno P's Justyn Pilbrow and part-time George DJ/full-time Herald on Sunday news editor Chris Reed. All the beats were brilliant and the celeb DJs were one of the party highlights.
The evening was designed to be an exclusive party for Spy. Really exclusive. Every guest was especially invited because of their connection to Spy. I wanted them there and I wanted them to feel special and welcome - and they did. It felt like my house party - that's if I lived at the most glamorous place in town with the country's largest fireplace and chandelier!
I was thrilled Tim Shadbolt and Asha Dutt flew up from Invercargill. They looked gorgeous in black-tie glam and were last seen staggering back to the Spy ferry around midnight with cheeky grins and carrying the giant sized Spy poster of them with Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon.
The Berlei models and the Soul of Siren dance troupe raised the temperature of the room with their sexy Lady Marmalade number. But Naked News newsreader Lisa Lewis blew the temperature off the gauge with her dominatrix routine. Mayor John Banks was left a speechless (a first!). His press secretary, Nick Clelland-Stokes, was hauled up on stage by a scantily clad Lewis who proceeded to languidly sliver her body around him. He didn't seem to complain, though. It was hilarious.
The food was incredible. Chef Justin Rimmer, considered the best in the country, outdid himself with over 2600 canapés and specialist live food experience stations including a giant oyster bar, a Chinese-style Peking duck and noodle station, and a New York-style brandy-flamed garlic prawns and potato martini station. Yum.
The Dominatrix Den was a hit. I Spy-ed former Pavement editor Barney McDonald getting his bottom spanked - with his own belt!
The Guess Who Don't Sue confessional booth was undoubtedly the highlight of the night. People queued to get in! And boy was it explosive. Let's just say our guests had a lot to confess - especially the Shortland St actor who got a little too amorous, if you know what I mean. Everything was caught on tape - and I mean everything! I feel like Julie Christie! I have plenty of Guess Who material to last me a lifetime.
But without doubt, it was the fabulous guests who made the party so special from Miriama Smith, Greer Robson, Neil Waka, Alison Leonard, Tim Phin, Shavaughn Ruakere, Francis Hooper, Will Hall, Annabel Fay, Hilary Timmins, Hollie Smith, Clarke Gayford, Barney McDonald, Lee Donoghue, Ric Salizzo, Louise Wallace, Rodney Wayne, Leah Panapa, Bill Ralston, Lisa Lewis, Billy Apple, Simon Doull, Janet Wilson, Justyn Pilbrow, Simon Bridges, Damian Alexander, Carolyn Taylor, Pat Rippin, Helena McAlpine, Jackie Blue, Ricardo Simich, Peter Mochrie, Jay Reeve, Tracy Magan, Reece Jensen, MP Clem Simich, Mayor John Banks and Mayor Tim Shadbolt and the three hundred other hand-picked friends.
The inaugural Spy Society party at The Wharf, Northcote Point was designed to thank Spy's favourite Aucklanders (and Invercargillians) and we were thrilled they came to celebrate with us. Check out some of our pics.
Guess Who Don't Sue (from the party)
1. Which older glamazon lost a diamond ring on the dance floor, and which chivalrous lad went on his hands and knees to find it? He did, and he was awarded with a big sloppy pash.
2. Which well-known face did not want their piccie taken with Tim Shadbolt and was overheard mumbling something about being "upstaged?"
3. Which jolly guest fell over the outdoor gas fire bemusing his family and causing a big dent in the bush? The security team had never seen anything like it and laughed hysterically.
4. Which naughty man thought he was being cute with a masturbation joke in the confessional room but actually displayed a weird fetish now caught on camera?
5. Which enigmatic man from the Shore tried to pick up Lisa Lewis but failed miserably?
6. Which celebrity couple made a stain of the icky kind in the confessional room, and which mad fan went up for a whiff? Gross!
