Society Insider: Soul Bar’s general manager Olivia Carter to leave role after 17 years; Steve Dunstan’s new brand repping Auckland; Hannah & Beauden Barrett’s wedding weekend

Carter has been behind Soul’s highest profile events and hosted many A-list international celebrities in her tenure, including Jay Z and Beyonce, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Scarlett Johansson and Post Malone.

Olivia Carter has been the hostess with the mostest over 17 years at Soul.

But she says over the summer break she made the difficult decision to leave her role, and it’s for purely personal reasons.

“I realised I needed to slow down and be more present for my family,” she tells Society Insider, explaining she needs more time to visit her parents in the Gold Coast and Melbourne, and to be with husband Steve and her two children.

Steve and Olivia Carter at Soul.

“Many of my female friends came out of the lockdowns and worked harder than ever,” says Carter. “Working in hospitality can almost double that workload.

“There is no downtime; you are always on. As much as I loved mentoring and mothering staff, planning events, marketing to the customers, liaising with suppliers and always listening to my intuition for trends, it was exhausting on a seven-day cycle.”

There was a sign of things to come at Soul’s annual Melbourne Cup Party in November when Carter performed the sabrage opening of a magnum of Mumm champagne on the restaurant’s front steps.

Olivia Carter performing sabrage on Melbourne Cup Day in November.

The ceremonial opening is usually performed by a special guest, not a Soul staffer; past openers have included shoe designer Kathryn Wilson, Rich Lister Jodie Dick and former Real Housewife Michelle Blanchard.

“When I look back, every event I did at Soul last year, I executed as if it might be my last,” she says.

Her bosses at Foley Hospitality, the owners of Soul, have asked her if she may come back in a lesser role, but Carter says she needs to “stop and pretty much smell the roses” before she decides on her next move.

Carter started at Soul in 2009, when it was owned by Auckland hospitality maven Judith Tabron. She was the back office events co-ordinator, while Tabron and Geeling Ng, operations manager at the time, were the restaurant’s public faces.

“I was mentored by both Judith and Geeling, and more and more found myself out front of house,” says Carter.

Within 10 years, Ng would leave and Tabron would sell Soul to Richard Sigley’s The Nourish Group in 2018, which then sold to US billionaire Bill Foley’s Foley Hospitality in 2022.

In that time, Carter became Soul. She took every event to the next level, including the annual Melbourne Cup days, and Soul’s Sunday Sessions, which quickly became the social event of the week.

Olivia Carter hosting the launch of Negroni month at Soul.

Tabron tells Society Insider that her time with Carter at Soul was “a great ride”, with Carter being her “best ever partner in crime, conviviality and frivolity”.

“Olivia followed on from me with skill, enthusiasm and great style,” Tabron says.

Carter’s frequent Soul fashion shows for Trelise Cooper and Kathryn Wilson were packed out, and she created numerous partnerships with visiting chefs, creatives and high-end brands.

Trelise Cooper’s Julia Leuchars has done numerous shows with Olivia Carter at Soul.Kathryn Wilson has run fashion shows with Olivia Carter at Soul.

Soul also became the place to be for visiting international celebrities.

“I had only been at Soul a year when the Viaduct went crazy with paparazzi when Jay Z and Beyonce were swarmed as they dined outside,” Carter tells Society Insider. “Their security worked well with our staff, and we got them out the door.”

Beyonce and Jay Z at Soul in 2010. Photo / Janna Dixon

US rapper Post Malone visited twice, in 2019 and 2023, and Carter says he was her favourite visiting celebrity.

“When he came back, it was like greeting a friend and he was just lovely and kind to everyone,” she says.

In a place frequented by most of Auckland’s Rich List and A-Listers, she says her favourite “famous” customers have been Sir John and Lady Bronagh Key.

“They are just lovely, gracious people,” she says, admitting that she and husband Steve have dined with the Keys at their home in Parnell. In fact, many of Soul’s regulars have become her friends.

The highs have been many; she’s proud to have made the most of every America’s Cup, Rugby World Cup and similar global moments, delivering sold-out activations each time.

“Honestly, the nicest memories are when customers have said ‘thank you, that was an amazing dinner and experience’,” she says.

But she won’t miss the other side of that coin.

“I got told by a customer to f*** off just before Christmas,” she reveals. “I won’t miss customers treating myself or my staff rudely.”

Olivia Carter and the Soul staff.

After her hundreds of Soul parties, Carter says her favourite was her own last August, when she celebrated a “40-something” birthday. The private dinner party for 30, which made this column, was attended by Carter’s tight circle of girlfriends, including Zeil founder Anna Mowbray, interior designer Shelley Ferguson and Trelise Cooper designer Julia Leuchars.

Anna Mowbray and Olivia Carter at Carter’s favourite Soul event – her birthday last August. Photo / Jared Donkin

“It was the favourite night of my life so far,” she says. “It was a dream.”

Carter will continue to be seen on the Auckland social scene through her role as RSRV Champagne New Zealand ambassador for Pernod Ricard, a brand she’s worked closely with over the years.

Her last big event will be Trelise Cooper’s fashion show on the Tuesday before Easter and her last day is the Thursday two days later, which she says will be low-key. She assures Society Insider that the calendar of events is secure for Soul for the rest of the year.

‘I’m more intentional now’: Steve Dunstan on leaving Huffer behind for new streetwear brand

Steve Dunstan (left) with Auckland FC content creator Johnny Chunn at a pop-up event for Dunstan’s new brand AKA.

Steve Dunstan has moved on from Huffer, the brand he co-founded, to create a new streetwear label that he hopes will make Aucklanders proud of their home city.

The 53-year-old was born in Feilding but moved to Auckland when he was 15 and says he loves how the city “can be home to so many”.

“You don’t need to be born here to belong, you just need to show up and take part,” he tells Society Insider.

A teenage skateboarder, Dunstan took his skater style to the snowboarding slopes in the 1990s and in 1997 he co-founded Huffer with Dan Buckley.

Steve Dunstan in his Huffer days. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

The brand’s most famous moment was thanks to its “I heart NZ” T-shirts, with the “heart” symbol replaced with Huffer’s three-dot logo. The T-shirts got global attention when British actor Orlando Bloom wore one on the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King premiere red carpet in 2003.

“Back in the day, when we launched Huffer, the idea of putting New Zealand on a tee was revolutionary. It created such a sense of pride in the country,” Dunstan says.

Dunstan became the sole face of Huffer in 2011 when business partner Buckley left, and he had to ride the highs and lows of business alone. Dunstan quietly exited Huffer a couple of years ago and says he left the brand in the excellent hands of general manager Kate Berry.

Huffer general manager Kate Berry and Steve Dunstan. Photo / Babiche Martens

“It was time for me to branch out, with new ideas and new passions,” he says.

Dunstan says that “you don’t do one thing forever” and is proud of his more than a quarter of a century and the legacy that comes with having hundreds of thousands of Kiwis who are friends with the brand.

With his new brand, Also Known As (AKA), Dunstan is hoping to replicate Huffer’s success – not only in sales but also in helping Aucklanders confidently show their pride in their home city.

Brand creator Steve Dunstan wearing an AKA hoodie. Photo / Supplied

AKA’s origins were with Auckland FC, after the fledgling club’s co-owner Ali Williams, CEO Nick Becker and their team were looking to develop a range of merchandise. Dunstan was brought on board in 2024 and the merchandise line has since grown into AKA’s full streetwear range.

“I respected [Auckland FC’s] ambition, willingness to try new things, to challenge the norm and to build something that genuinely includes everyone,” Dunstan says.

Dunstan confesses that when he first started on the project in 2024 he had lost some of his own pride in the city. When he was travelling around Aotearoa, like many Aucklanders, he would hesitate to let people know where he was from.

“That inspired me to write a love letter to Auckland, and for myself to be honest about it. It ended in ‘Auckland I f****** love you’, which ended up being a mission statement shared by the brand.”

Steve Dunstan loves Auckland. Photo / Matthew Hansen

Dunstan says Auckland is more than the sum of its parts, describing it as a melting pot of culture, a place where anyone can belong.

“It isn’t perfect, but neither are we. What matters is celebrating what’s good from the street up.”

Dunstan says Auckland has always felt layered.

“I grew up central, went to school out east and now split my time between the city, Grey Lynn and Piha.”

He and his partner of 10 years, former top model and model agent Ngahuia Williams, married at their Piha house six years ago.

“Ngahuia has supported me through every evolution in my life during that time,” he says. “She absolutely supports the [AKA] movement and understands that everything I do comes from a place of identity and community.”

Ngahuia Williams and Steve Dunstan.

Dunstan is proud of Williams, too, describing her as a strong woman who isn’t afraid of progress or challenge.

On top of nurturing model talent, Williams is an accomplished photographer. Her latest passion is working for the Auckland City Mission, getting women ready for returning to work.

Dunstan still loves snowboarding; he has done regular road trips as an Audi ambassador since 2012, a relationship he says has grown naturally, where he collaborates with the business on his passions of precision, tech and design.

Actor Vinnie Bennett, Steve Dunstan and musician Amon Tyson at an Auckland FC home game. Photo / Supplied

He spends one or two days at the Auckland FC offices on College Hill and is often called in a private capacity to add his creative energy to established brands.

“I’m drawn to opportunities where I can contribute both creatively and strategically, helping shape direction as much as output.” He works with businesses, giving behind-the-scenes advice. He also loves mentoring young designers and is often a keynote speaker at events around Auckland.

Dunstan’s goal isn’t to do more, it’s to do the right things with the right people.

“I’m always curious, but I’m more intentional now,” he says. “I’m interested in projects that feel culturally relevant and community-driven, but also commercially grounded.”

AKA has been rolling out since September and things will ramp up over the next few months, expanding on the current range of bomber-style jackets, caps, tees, hoodies, football shirts and rain jackets.

Auckland FC player Dan Hall modelling AKA. Photo / Supplied

The range is either emblazoned with a bold “Auckland”, or “The A Mark”, designed to look like Rangitoto, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.

Early adopters to the brand have not just been Auckland FC fans but Breakers and Blues ones, too. Outside of sport, actor Vinnie Bennett, hospo star Bryan Anderson, who is behind popular Ponsonby cafe Bodega and Grey Lynn pizzeria Rosalita, and tattooist Alma Proenca are among the Aucklanders embracing it.

A good week for Amelia Ferrier and Jack Laity

Congratulations to Hannah and Beauden Barrett, who announced the birth of their third child on Wednesday. Three days before sharing the happy news, the couple were pictured celebrating Hannah’s brother’s wedding.

Hannah and Beauden Barrett at the wedding of Hannah’s brother, Jack Laity to Amelia Ferrier.

Kiwibank commercial growth manager Jack Laity married food influencer Amelia Ferrier, of Melie’s Kitchen Instagram fame, at the waterfront beach house of Jack and Hannah’s parents, Alison and Anthony Laity, in Mangawhai.

Hannah Barrett with her brother Jack Laity.

Amelia looked stunning in a dress by Hera Couture, with her bridesmaids wearing shades of coral and pink, while Jack wore a white dinner jacket with black tie and trousers, and his groomsmen were all in black tie.

Amelia Ferrier and Jack Laity.

Hannah was beautiful in a brown satin dress, while Beauden looked dapper in a black tie.

The nuptials took place in the gardens at the front of the beach house, with Beauden and Hannah’s daughters, Billie and Coco, as flower girls. The reception was held in a marquee on the property.

PARTY PEOPLE OF THE WEEK

Club Marina at First Mates

Auckland waterfront playground, First Mates, Last Laugh, was the VIP go-to spot outside the grounds of the SailGP last weekend.

The hospitality hotspot, owned by Soul’s founder Judith Tabron, ran a Marina Beach Club pop-up, taking over the neighbouring carpark for Valentine’s weekend only, with the SailGP racing shown on screens around the venue.

The Marina Beach Club was packed from open to close, serving Perrier-Jouët and Altos margaritas, alongside First Mates’ menu favourites.

Latin dancers and DJs Sambro, La Felix, Tancredi and friends set the pace, with some guests seen table dancing.

Tabron and her son Jack hosted hundreds of guests, including Lucinda Burling, while her husband, Black Foil Peter, was sailing; Rich Lister Pablo Kraus, the CEO of ecostore and Chantal Organics, with his wife, Denizen magazine publisher Claire Sullivan-Kraus; Pernod-Ricard account manager Jacob Walker; QMS NZ national sales director, Ben Gibb; celebrity talent and sponsorship manager Laura Haden and film producer Andrew Marshall, who is about to hit the publicity tour for his upcoming May film release Caterpillar.

Jacob Walker and Judith Tabron at First Mates, Last Laugh. Photo / Sonna Studios Jane Hitchfield, Steph Wyborn, Susan Jones and Scarlett Woodat. Photo / Sonna StudiosMonique Read and Mallory Barnett. Photo / Sonna Studios Claire Sullivan-Kraus and Pablo Kraus. Photo / Sonna Studios Steve and Kylie Mann, Judith and Jack Tabron. Photo / Sonna StudiosSuzette North, Louisa McLeod, Wendy Gibb, Megan Richards and Jo Workman. Photo / Sonna StudiosMegan Beasley and Georgia Kate. Photo / Sonna StudiosAnna Southwell, Lucinda Burling, Kate Archer, Anna Reeve and Claire Sullivan-Kraus. Photo / Sonna StudiosSam Austin, Laura Haden and Drew Marshall. Photo / Sonna Studios Kate Leary and Sophie Radford. Photo / Sonna Studios

The New Zealand International Convention Centre finally opens its doors

More than 650 business leaders, dignitaries and media heavy hitters gathered on Thursday night to celebrate the official opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre.

Guests experienced the scale and atmosphere of the new space through light, art and performance, with the 6m Helios sculpture illuminating Ariki Hall.

Helios is a global artwork from artist Luke Jerram that was imported from Britain for the occasion and complemented the existing artwork Iwi Rau (Many Leaves, One Canopy), a stained-glass installation by Sara Hughes.

TVNZ’s Hilary Barry was the first MC at Te Paepae Theatre, where she introduced acts including kapa haka group Te Whare Karioi, the Auckland Youth Choir and a headline performance by Six60.

Guests included SkyCity CEO Jason Walbridge, Māori cultural consultant and adviser Kīngi Makoare, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, Sky Network Television CEO Sophie Moloney, Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker and former Prime Minister Sir John Key and his wife Lady Bronagh.

Lady Bronagh and Sir John Key at the opening party of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Photo / Radlab Hilary Barry and Jason Walbridge. Photo / Radlab Kīngi Makoare, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Nick Becker. Photo / RadlabMike Horn and Mark Peterson. Photo / Radlab Natasha Benet, Julianna Permitin, Harry Willis, Sophie Harsent and Mikayla Ngare. Photo / Radlab Silvana Schenone, Jolie Hodson and Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson. Photo / Radlab Sophie Moloney and Nick Becker. Photo / Radlab Six60 play at the opening party of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Photo / Radlab

The NZ Polo Open

More than 5000 people attended the Milford NZ Polo Open in Clevedon last Sunday, enjoying a day of polo, fashion and stomping the divots.

The marquees to be seen in were those of Milford and the president of the club, Rich Lister Tony van den Brink, where guests enjoyed free-flowing magnums of Veuve Clicquot and Whispering Angel, AF mocktails and beers, and a selection of canapes.

The final saw team Castlerock take out the open title over team Brinks. After Castlerock’s official prizegiving, guests and players enjoyed an after-party on the chukka field, with music from DJ Adams, which went until 11pm.

Spotted enjoying the action were Milford general manager of wealth management and advice, Philip Morgan Rees; Rich Lister and Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck; Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown; Mowbray family patriarch Harry Mowbray; Kauri Bay Boomrock owner Kent Robertson; fashion stylist Sarah Stuart with her partner, architectural designer Luiz Serrano; broadcaster Wilhelmina O’Keeffe and her husband, rugby referee Ben.

Ben and Wilhelmina O’Keeffe at the NZ Polo Open. Photo / Norrie MontgomeryLuis Serrano and Sarah Stuart. Photo / Norrie MontgomeryTessa Ransfield and Taylor Serage. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Caitlin Crisp and Cassandra Grodd. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and his wife, Toni. Photo / Norrie MontgomeryTatum Savage and Robert Niwa. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Rob Worker and Carena West. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Pippa Ravel and Glen Donnell. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Sophie and Maggie Frizzell. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.