The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in New Zealand pop culture and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s. This week on the Real Pod, we suck back an ice cold taurine fizz and tackle another week of reality television. Both Project Runway and Bake Off are in their semi-finals, MKRNZ has finally come … Read more
In the eleventh episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make a look representing their hypothetical spring/summer line. Henry Oliver ranks the results and predicts the ultimate winner. Ahhhhh the final challenge. Traditionally, the first chance the designers have to just make something they want to make. No herbal soft drinks, no shopping … Read more
In the tenth episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make a suit. Henry Oliver ranks the results. There are three acts to a competition reality TV show. The first act is when they cut the people who can maybe do the thing in real life but can’t under the constraints of a … Read more
In the ninth episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make eveningwear based on some sponsored jewellery. Henry Oliver ranks the results. Two things: Caitlin & Benjamin vs The Rest The divide between team Caitlin and Benjamin and everyone else widened this episode. And I think I’m fine with it. The two ways … Read more
In the eighth episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to remake a secondhand bridesmaid’s dress for their models. Henry Oliver ranks the results. Let’s talk about Caitlin. Let’s talk about cheating. Let’s talk about sharing and ideas and helping. Caitlin and Benjamin have been tight since the get-go. Benjamin is the best designer … Read more
The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in New Zealand pop culture and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s. This week on the pod, we are still fizzing after our incredible first Real Pod meet-up, A Very Corny Christmas at Nando’s St Lukes. Which notorious cornies showed up? Did anyone step ‘in it’? And … Read more
In the seventh episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make an athleisure look for Georgia. Henry Oliver ranks the results. Well, this is good timing! Just this week I was reading about the history of the athleisure/activewear trend and GUESS WHAT, it is, in fact, not a trend at all, but the … Read more
In the sixth episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make a high-fashion look inspired by wallpaper designs. Henry Oliver ranks the results. Like a headmaster starting the assembly after some school-wide bad exam results, let me say up front how disappointed I am with the designers work this week. Tut tut. Last … Read more
In the fifth episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make an avant-garde look inspired by a family-friendly car. Henry Oliver ranks the results. So how do you follow-up the sustainability challenge? With the Holden challenge of course! Last week, my five-year-old daughter asked: “Why do they all have the same car?” This … Read more
In the fourth episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make a sustainable red carpet look. Henry Oliver ranks the results. It’s the sustainability episode! So, let’s begin on a downer: Fashion is, by some estimates, the second biggest polluter by industry after oil. About 80 billion pieces of clothing are consumed globally … Read more
The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in New Zealand pop culture and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s. This week on The Real Pod, we are finally reunited… kind of. With Duncan coming and going from the studio as he pleases, we are momentarily joined by Hayden Donnell, host of the Lightbox exclusive … Read more
In the third episode of Project Runway New Zealand, the designers had to make a two-piece look out of scrapped technology. Henry Oliver ranks the results. Project Runway is back, baby! After complaining last week about the lack of quips, the lack of drama, the lack of, y’know, interesting clothes, the good ship fashion began … Read more
It’s the second episode of Project Runway New Zealand, in which the designers have to make a streetwear look inspired by … Sylvia Park? Henry Oliver ranks the results. In the words of guest judge James Dobson (Jimmy D), can I be really honest… this was a shitshow. The streetwear challenge should have been a gimme for … Read more
Welcome to the very first episode of Project Runway New Zealand, in which the designers had to make a cocktail dress inspired by a soft drink so inspiring nearly everyone used white. Henry Oliver ranks the results. Watching the first episode of a competition-based reality show always feels a little sadistic. Who is going home … Read more
The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in New Zealand pop culture and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s. This week on The Real Pod, the team assemble over Chanui biscuits and spicy corn treats to look back at a wild week in New Zealand pop culture news. A man in Rotorua executed the … Read more
The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in New Zealand pop culture and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s. This week we arrive on a cloud fluffier than Mike Hosking and Kate Hawkesby’s dog to talk about our favourite local news and celebs of the week. Mostly, the fact that Mike McRoberts took a … Read more
Woah, busy alert! I see you, shuffling papers and scrolling through your calendar with a furrowed brow. Life is crazy, life is hectic. TV? Forget about it! What a nightmare! Lucky for you, we have had a scan of the week ahead and have got your five essential television appointments booked. Sit back, relax and … Read more
The latest promo for The X Factor NZ has gone live and, despite all the bird-flipping and glitz, there is a glaring omission – the bronzed statuette on The X Factor NZ mantelpiece, Dominic Bowden. Since the end of The X Factor NZ in 2013, Dom has been a little incognito. His Wikipedia says that he “currently interviews … Read more