New-release wines continue to be of exceptional quality, which is good news for consumers who can select with confidence.

Between writing music for Tim Burton, performing at festivals around the world and inspiring French designer Franck Sorbier, Kimbra has been working away on a new album influenced by Salvador Dali. Lydia Jenkin talks to the Hamilton-born star.

That old sports luxe trope gets an extreme makeover this season, taking inspiration from technical details and fabrics from high-impact sports.

A dark rock ’n’ roll sensibility provides a refreshing twist in a season of predictable floral prints and saccharine pastels. Because let’s face it, spring isn’t just for those who want to play it safe.

In keeping with the almost impermeable wall that prevents a healthy transtasman book trade, Helen Garner is relatively unknown in New Zealand.

I'd love to meet John Crace. The Guardian columnist is acerbic, focused, appallingly funny.

Twenty years ago a film mixing social realism, gangs and domestic violence became the most successful movie ever made here.

Our love affair with Japanese food is becoming ever more intense. A whole generation of Aucklanders is growing up with the idea that the only acceptable quick lunch is a box full of cold rice surrounding slivers of salmon and cucumber.

Good fortune, rather than good management, has seen Shavaughn Ruakere snare top TV roles. Now, on the eve of her theatre debut, she talks to Alan Perrott about image, her new health kick, and rubbing shoulderswith Dame Judi Dench.

There's an ancient allure to gold. The array of gold watch options available right now only reinforces the mantra: if in doubt, keep it classic.

Ignore its uptight reputation. Mansfield Park, celebrating its 200th anniversary, seethes with sex and delves into England’s murkiest corners, writes Paula Byrne.

Historians agree that the shameful events of the 2014 New Zealand General Election started on Sunday, August 10, when Winston Peters, in his speech at the NZ First campaign launch, used the classic “two Wongs don’t make a white/right” gag.

The worldwide domination of a building blocks game is a triumph for the power of human imagination. John Naughton looks at how Minecraft has bewitched 40 million of us.

The rest of the world is now sending us some of their best wines, which enables us to see what all the fuss is about. These are worth checking out.

It was a night full of surprises. First we were surprised to be taken out to Le Vietnamese Kitchen's back room, and find it warmer and buzzier than in the front.

I've never felt more helpless than while lying on a slab, pants around my ankles, with someone poking around in my twig and berries.

Look sharp in graphic black and white.

Our growing ability to access on-demand entertainment is all well and good, writes Greg Dixon, but what we really need is more time.

You can always tell. No matter what time of day (though around dinner-time is always a bit of a giveaway) you just know, the moment it starts ringing.