Oh, to write like Alan Bennett. The consummate modulations of mood and structure. The utterly English urbanity and self-deprecation.

Martin Amis is a child of the 20th century, both literally and by literary preoccupation. He was born in the aftermath of World War II and grew up in the shadow of the unholy trinity of great ideologies — fascism, communism and capitalism.

As an influential columnist who sometimes gets upward of five comments for each of his columns, and because this is New Zealand, where the six degrees of Kevin Bacon rule is more like the two degrees of Karl Urban rule.

Helen Mirren’s nomadic home life and work schedule has matched the eclectic nature of the characters she has played in 40 years at the top of her game. She talks to David Gritten about her latest film role, as a French restaurateur.

New-release wines that won’t break the bank and offer value for money… And who doesn’t like that?

The biggest disincentives to healthy eating are the people who advocate healthy eating.

They’re the champions of new music in this country — the brains of two record labels that began as ‘a laugh’, writes Alan Perrott.

Feeling adventurous? stride out with a classic rule-breaker.

On-field he’s tough but fair; off-field he embodies family values and integrity. Alan Perrott talks to Warriors hero Manu Vatuvei.

When author Johnny Wray was a lad at school in the 1920s, his form master was most disparaging of his writing, describing it as: “Conglomerations of facts occasioned by heterogeneous concatenations of stupid irrelevancies.”

It would be fair to say that the opening salvos of the Election 2014 campaign have been tacky, tawdry and wonderful.

On-field he’s tough but fair; off-field he embodies family values and integrity. Alan Perrott talks to Warriors hero Manu Vatuvei.

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.

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.