AROUND AOTEAROA

Meet Ashlee Rose and Kristy Taylor, the New Zealand founders behind TAKE.IN, a new biofeedback necklace designed to help wearers better understand and regulate their emotional state through something remarkably simple: breath.

Sitting at the intersection of jewellery, wearable technology and nervous system science, TAKE.IN takes a different approach to the booming wearable market. Rather than counting steps, calories or kilometres, its focus is inward, using breath awareness and biofeedback to encourage greater recognition of how we are actually feeling.

It is an idea with serious momentum. The startup has secured $278,000 in MBIE funding and is positioning itself for the global wellness and wearable technology market, with the founders describing TAKE.IN as a category-first approach to emotional regulation technology. The necklace is currently available for pre-order, with delivery expected in November 2026.

But behind the innovation are two Kiwi mums building a premium technology and wellness brand from New Zealand while navigating family life and a shared belief that, in an increasingly overstimulated world, we need better ways to reconnect with ourselves.

Beautiful enough to wear as jewellery and intelligent enough to make us think differently about wellbeing, TAKE.IN asks a refreshingly different question of wearable technology: not simply, what did you do today? But, how did you feel?

There is something exciting about seeing a new face emerge, particularly when experience is standing just beyond the frame.

High above Auckland, with the City of Sails stretching out beneath him, up and coming model Niqolai “Niqo” Stevens steps into focus under the direction of one of New Zealand fashion’s most recognisable and enduring personalities, Colin Mathura Jeffree.

Colin is also a friend of CM and someone we can rely on for an informed eye on industry trends, fashion forward thinking and the ever changing art of personal style. His career has crossed fashion, modelling, television and celebrity culture, but perhaps most importantly, he possesses something that cannot simply be taught. An eye.

It is difficult to imagine New Zealand fashion without personalities like Colin. He understands clothing, proportion, character and theatre, and he is prepared to push beyond what feels safe. That kind of confidence can occasionally be intimidating. Fashion, however, was never built by everyone agreeing with one another.

Style is not for the weak. It belongs to those prepared to experiment, contribute, collaborate and work together to create something worth looking at.

That is exactly why this story caught CM’s attention when Colin brought it to us.
Here, his experience is directed towards fresh talent. Fashion is cultivated when those who understand its history, rules and possibilities make space for the next generation to find their own place within it.

Photographed by Norrie Montgomery on the Auckland waterfront, Niqo is captured in a winter look that plays confidently with the unexpected. A plush Bed Bath & Beyond blanket becomes an oversized shawl, bringing warmth, proportion and a little rebellion to the silhouette.

Beneath it sits an eclectic mix from Connors, Cotton On, Barkers, Briscoes, The Army Shop and JD Sports. It is instinctive styling. Pieces are selected not because convention says they belong together, but because an experienced eye understands how texture, shape, attitude and personality can connect them.

Against weathered concrete and Auckland’s cool winter skyline, Niqo appears remarkably at ease. There is no sense of trying too hard. That restraint is perhaps one of the strongest elements of the images. An emerging model is being given the space to inhabit the clothes rather than allowing the clothes to overwhelm him.

For CM’s Around Aotearoa, it is also a reminder of why nurturing new talent matters. Models do not emerge in isolation. Neither do photographers, makeup artists, designers or stylists. Fashion grows through collaboration, experimentation and established creatives being prepared to put their knowledge, reputation and eye behind someone new.

With makeup by Monica Guerra, photography by Norrie Montgomery and creative direction from Colin Mathura Jeffree, Niqo finds himself surrounded by experience while beginning to establish an identity entirely his own.

CM thanks Colin, Niqo, Norrie and Monica for this epic contribution and for sharing their creative world with us.

From Auckland, a new face to watch, guided by an eye that has helped define New Zealand style.

MODEL Niqolai “Niqo” Stevens
PHOTOGRAPHER Norrie Montgomery
MAKEUP ARTIST Monica Guerra
DIRECTION Colin Mathura Jeffree
LOCATION Auckland Waterfront

Luxury has long been personal. From bespoke tailoring to custom fragrances and heirloom jewellery, today's consumers are increasingly seeking pieces that reflect identity, connection and meaning. Yet one category has remained largely untouched by the world of fine jewellery: our pets.

Enter PAWVÉ, a new luxury brand redefining what adornment can mean in the modern era. Established in 2026, PAWVÉ is New Zealand and Australasia's first fine jewellery house created exclusively for pets, introducing an entirely new category that blends craftsmanship, sentiment and sophisticated design.

At a time when pets are firmly considered members of the family, PAWVÉ offers a natural extension of the way many people already express their personal style. The brand draws inspiration from the fine jewellery worn by its owners, creating personalised pieces that allow beloved companions to share in that same sense of luxury and individuality.

Handcrafted in Auckland, the debut collection features three elegant designs: ÉMINENCE, SOLÈNE and REINE. Each pendant is available in solid 9ct yellow gold adorned with natural diamonds or crafted in sterling silver with natural sapphires, bringing together precious materials and timeless design.

Personalisation sits at the heart of every piece. Pet initials are immortalised through flush-set natural diamonds or custom engraving, transforming each pendant into a deeply personal keepsake. The result is jewellery that feels both contemporary and enduring, balancing everyday wearability with heirloom quality.

More than an accessory, PAWVÉ views its creations as symbols of connection. Designed to move seamlessly through daily life, each pendant reflects the unique relationship between owner and pet while celebrating the role animals play in our homes, routines and memories.

As luxury continues to evolve beyond traditional definitions, PAWVÉ arrives at exactly the right moment. It recognises that modern luxury is no longer solely about status. It is about meaning, storytelling and the relationships that shape our lives.

For pet lovers who appreciate exceptional craftsmanship and thoughtful design, PAWVÉ offers something entirely new: fine jewellery created not just for you, but for the companion who walks beside you every day.

CM Loves: The heirloom approach. These are not novelty pet tags. PAWVÉ has elevated the category into something refined, elegant and deeply personal, creating pieces that feel equally at home alongside a treasured jewellery collection as they do on a beloved companion.

Luxury, after all, is even more meaningful when it can be shared.

For many people struggling with exhaustion, the advice is familiar: improve your bedtime routine, limit screens, take supplements, try another sleep aid. Yet despite doing everything “right”, countless New Zealanders still wake up tired.

According to leading sleep health clinic Auckland Sleep, the problem may not be sleep itself, but everything happening during the day.

Their newly launched Sleep Strong programme takes a different approach. The 16-week holistic wellbeing programme is designed to address the deeper lifestyle factors that influence sleep quality, energy levels and long-term health.

“Sleep is not an isolated event that happens at night – it’s the outcome of how we live our entire day,” says Dr Sumit Samant, ENT and Sleep Surgeon and founder of Auckland Sleep.

Many patients arrive at the clinic having already tried supplements, strict routines and even sleep studies. But without addressing the broader picture, nutrition, physical activity and stress, lasting improvements can remain out of reach.

Sleep Strong was developed in partnership with Strong Foundations to bridge that gap, combining sleep medicine with practical lifestyle support. The programme integrates clinical nutrition, personalised movement and stress management alongside sleep guidance to help participants rebuild energy and resilience.
Rather than chasing quick fixes, the goal is long-term change.

“Nutrition, physical activity and stress management have a profound impact on sleep depth and recovery,” says Dr Samant. “Sleep Strong gives people practical, expert-led tools they can sustain.”

A tiered approach to better sleep

The programme runs over 16 weeks and is offered in three tiers, allowing participants to choose the level of guidance that suits their lifestyle and goals.

Bronze – Sleep Strong Foundations
An accessible starting point including a nutrition eBook bundle, beginner online exercise programme, monthly in-person accountability check-ins and access to a private community, with optional one-to-one support available.

Silver – Sleep Strong Lifestyle Reset
Includes a 60-minute consultation with a clinical nutritionist, three follow-up sessions, intermediate exercise programming, fortnightly one-to-one check-ins, a sleep journal, recipe library and additional lifestyle tools.

Gold – Sleep Strong Total Reset
The most comprehensive option, offering weekly one-to-one support, personalised exercise programming across all levels, a premium wellness workbook and priority support via text, email or app.

A whole-of-life approach to sleep
Auckland Sleep has built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading sleep authorities, combining medical expertise with a patient-centred approach.

For Dr Samant, Sleep Strong represents an evolution in how sleep health is supported.

“At Auckland Sleep, we pride ourselves on ensuring people feel heard, supported and empowered,” he says. “With Sleep Strong, the goal isn’t just to improve sleep scores – it’s to help people build a sustainable lifestyle that supports their wellbeing long term.”

Designed to meet people where they are, the programme provides expert guidance, practical tools and flexible pathways for people who want to break the cycle of poor sleep and low energy.
Because better sleep, ultimately, starts long before bedtime.