Society Insider: Minister for Police, Corrections Mark Mitchell to wed in the Coromandel; Kiwi fintech boss hosts F1 star Lando Norris

Society Insider spotted them at the Lexus Urban Polo on Saturday, the glamorous annual event that sees a who’s who of Auckland flocking to the Domain.

Mitchell, 57, attending in his role as Minister of Sport, deflected talk of leadership ructions after the Taxpayers’-Union Curia poll showed the party had sunk to its lowest result since the Judith Collins era.

Instead, he was happy to share the couple’s plans for their wedding.

“We will marry next week in the Coromandel’s Kūaotunu, firstly by the beach and then we will have our reception at Luke’s Kitchen,” Mitchell tells Society Insider.

Mark Mitchell and Sarah Mattson in the Coromandel’s Kūaotunu.

Kūaotunu is a special place for the couple; Mattson’s brother and her parents live there, and she and Mitchell bought a holiday home there together in 2021. You’ll often spot them walking on the beach with their two schnauzers, Molly and Arthur.

“It is very much our happy place,” Mattson says. “We spend every summer there, as well as any free time we have.”

The couple say they can’t wait to bring everyone together and show them why they love the Coromandel so much.

“We love the community, the beach, the infamous Luke’s Kitchen, and all the memories we get to create down there with our friends and family,” Mattson says.

Mark Mitchell and Sarah Mattson at Luke’s Kitchen, where they will have their wedding reception next week.

Guests are to include friends, family, and work colleagues.

Some of Mitchell’s former and current parliamentary colleagues are expected to attend, including his boss, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and his wife, Amanda, as well as fellow Cabinet ministers Louise Upston and Paul Goldsmith, and former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Mark Mitchell in Tauranga earlier this year. Photo / Corey FlemingPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and his wife, Amanda, are set to attend Mark Mitchell and Sarah Mattson’s nuptials next week.

This will be Mitchell’s fourth time down the aisle.

His third marriage, in 2011, was to Peggy Bourne, the widow of legendary Kiwi rally driver Possum.

Mitchell and Mattson both have adult children from previous marriages and are excited to bring their blended family officially together next week.

Mattson says, for her, one of the most special parts of their day will be having her two adult boys walk her down the aisle.

“We’re keeping things very laid back and true to who we are, so there won’t be a traditional bridal party,” says Mattson. “Keeping the day relaxed and low-key is really important to us.”

Sarah Mattson and Mark Mitchell walk at the Kūaotunu reserve, where they will marry next week.

Mitchell will be in a suit from Barkers, and Mattson is looking forward to surprising Mitchell in a Rosa Clara dress from Alter Me in Grafton.

Mitchell and Mattson’s paths first crossed when Mattson was volunteering on the committee for Shared Vision Rodney, a community group focused on promoting mental health and well-being in their community in Orewa.

Mitchell was there in his role as the local MP.

“When it came time to introduce myself and explain why the cause meant so much to me, I mentioned my background as a former police officer – which immediately caught Mark’s attention, since he had served in the police as well,” says Mattson. “That shared experience sparked our first real connection.”

Their paths crossed again in 2020, and they met for coffee. What started as a simple catch-up quickly turned into something much more.

“From that moment on, the rest, as they say, is history,” says Mattson.

The couple moved in with each other a few months later, and Mattson says they had talked about marriage and knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together; it was just a matter of when.

“We got engaged in July 2024. Though in many ways the decision had already been made, Mark still managed to surprise me,” says Mattson.

“On our fourth anniversary, he booked dinner at our favourite local spot in Orewa, and during the evening he popped the question. Even though we’d already decided we’d get married, the moment itself was very special.”

Mark Mitchell and Sarah Mattson got engaged in Orewa in 2024.

Mitchell says their years as front‑line police have given them both a practical, street‑wise approach to life.

“We both believe that anything worth having in life you have to work hard and fight for,” he says.

Mitchell is very proud of Mattson and the work she does at Ashcroft Homes, where she has worked for a decade.

“Sarah works incredibly hard, and the last couple of years have been very difficult in the construction industry,” he says.

“But she just got on with it and developed some new products to try and help her company, protect jobs, and survive through to the recovery.

“Sarah is beautiful and cares about people,” says Mitchell. “And when the chips are down,she is the first one to turn up and the last one to leave.”

Mattson says having busy work lives makes for a supportive relationship.

“We both have very similar work ethic, mindset and the opinion that you have to work hard for anything in life,” she says.

Mark Mitchell and Sarah Mattson voting at the 2023 election.

The couple stay close by, making sure they train together at the gym every Saturday morning with friends, and squeeze in extra sessions whenever they can work around Mitchell’s diary.

“We’re a very sociable couple, so on any free Friday you’ll usually find us calling friends and inviting them over for margaritas and a good catch-up.”

Mattson says she is ridiculously proud of Mitchell, but she makes sure that he keeps it real.

“I love Mark’s sense of humour, calmness in all situations, his big heart and that he always has time for everyone and the fact that he is a really good human being.”

Mattson says her employer, Ashcroft, has always supported her by offering flexibility to work remotely if she wished to spend time in Wellington with Mitchell.

Sarah Mattson and Mark Mitchell in Bali, where they will honeymoon at Easter.

The busy couple will wait till Easter to enjoy their honeymoon, which will be at Amed, a small fishing village in Northeast Bali.

“Amed is another one of the places we love and have been going there for the last couple of years,” says Mattson.

Kiwi tech boss entertains Lando Norris

Just over a year after opening an Airwallex office in Auckland, boss Lowry Gladwell is proud of what the Australasian global company is achieving in New Zealand.

The fintech business was co-founded by Singapore-based Lucy Liu, who was named New Zealand’s wealthiest woman last year, with an estimated net worth of $700 million. Liu attended leading Auckland private school St Cuthbert’s.

“From day one, our mission has been clear: to build a strong local team to support Kiwi businesses and be embedded in the community we’re part of,” Gladwell tells Society Insider.

New Zealand Airwallex boss Lowry Gladwell.

The company, founded from a Melbourne cafe in 2015, has become a tech giant valued at $14 billion, by helping businesses get paid or pay someone without the need for multiple offshore bank accounts and complex financial processes.

Airwallex has more than 200,000 customers worldwide. Although he won’t talk country specifics, Gladwell says New Zealand is proudly holding its own per capita.

“By creating a physical presence in New Zealand, we have increased our turnover by 350% in a year,” he says.

Gladwell has just arrived back in Auckland after a very successful weekend entertaining New Zealand and Australian clients at the Airwallex Suite above the pit lane at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne.

Airwallex NZ boss Lowry Gladwell works for a tech giant valued at $14b.

Kiwi Airwallex clients in attendance included the mega-successful clothing brand AS Colour, tech brand tracking company Tracksuit and online food ordering service HungryHungry.

“Airwallex has partnered with McLaren Racing, and we were able to provide some exceptional experiences for our clients,” Gladwell tells Society Insider.

The company created the Airwallex Garage at the luxurious Pan Pacific on Thursday night, where their guests had quality time chatting with F1 driver Lando Norris, enjoyed using F1 virtual reality headsets and admired the McLaren Artura on display.

Shannon Hautot, Lowry Gladwell, Lando Norris, Josh Hawkey and Sam Pagonis at the Airwallex Garage in Melbourne.

On Friday morning, Airwallex co-hosted a panel session with growing Aussie tech business Airtasker and Ahoy Club, a luxury boat rental business similar to Airbnb.

The event took place on one of Australia’s most luxurious super yachts, the 54m Mischief, which was moored at the city’s Docklands.

The Airwallex and Airtaker event on the super yacht Mischief in Melbourne team. Photo / LinkedIn Lowry Gladwell

Gladwell doesn’t fit your typical tech boss stereotype; he is a people person and is in his element entertaining clients in Auckland.

A favourite spot is the critically acclaimed restaurant Lilian in Grey Lynn.

Rodd & Gunn is a client, so there is dining at The Lodge in Auckland and Queenstown and for larger get-togethers, as well as the outside patio at Darling on Drake at Victoria Park.

Lowry Gladwell (second from left) with the New Zealand Airwallex team at Darling on Drake. Photo / LinkedIn Lowry Gladwell

Gladwell grew up in the country, north of Warkworth, and Auckland has been home all of his working life.

He is now based in Devonport, where he has lovingly restored a heritage villa with his long-term partner, Brittany Phillips. The couple have an 11-year-old son and a daughter who is 9.

“We love living in Devonport. Our lives revolve around the local community and all it has to offer,” he says.

Lowry Gladwell and his partner, Brittany Phillips.

The company has major offices in London, San Francisco, Melbourne and Sydney and its headquarters in Singapore. As well as McLaren Racing, it globally partners with Arsenal Football Club, the San Francisco Giants, and just last week it signed Victorian AFL club Essendon.

“We partner with sports teams that are high-performance and are shifting the needle,” Lowry says.

Such a fit has happened locally with the Blues, where Airwallex is the team’s official business finance partner, with a logo on the jersey’s collar.

“I am a big admirer of Blues CEO Karl Budge and all he has achieved across sport, from tennis to his new role in the Blues,” says Gladwell.

“There is a great feel-good presence growing in Auckland, and the Blues were the obvious choice for us to team up with.”

Airwallex customers and Blues fans can look forward to enjoying the Airwallex Premier Lounge this season, a fanzone under the commentary box at Eden Park.

Karl Budge and Lowry Gladwell at Eden Park.

Gladwell says it’s unusual for global tech companies to create bases in New Zealand, and he hopes more follow Airwallex’s lead.

Before Airwallex, Gladwell worked as head of partnerships at Lightspeed Commerce and was director of strategic partnerships at Xero.

“Both Vaughan Fergusson, the founder of Lightspeed, and Sir Rod Drury, the founder of Xero, have been mentors and trailblazers to me,” he says.

“New Zealand is becoming a tech hub, and I am excited to be part of an industry which exported over 15b last year.”

The move into his role happened organically, with Gladwell explaining that, as well as partnerships, it was his background with fintech at Xero that made for a seamless transition.

Party people of the week

Veuve Clicquot at the Urban Polo

Nearly 3000 people enjoyed the fast-paced Lexus Urban Polo at Auckland Domain last Saturday afternoon.

Spotted mingling amongst the numerous corporate marquees were Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, Carfe director Boston Ridge and partner Tabitha Jessop and Williams Corporations MD Matthew Horncastle.

The Veuve Clicquot Marquee and Solaire VIP Terrace were the most coveted spots to take in the action.

Guests there included Waiheke hospitality icon Mudbrick Vineyard co-founder Nick Jones; Stonyridge’s Stephen White; Ki Māha’s Dominique Parat; and Eden Noodles’ Kyo Chen. Media personalities included Dish magazine editor Sarah Tuck; influencer Amber Peebles; former All Black Marc Ellis with his partner, Pilates instructor Mibella Villafana; and fashion creators Aki Curtis, Zeenat Wilkinson and Sammy Salsa.

Sets from DJs Tim Phin and Clint Roberts ensured the event remained buzzing well into the afternoon.

Marc Ellis and Mibella Villafana with Veuve Clicquot at the Urban Polo. Photo / Sonna Studios Rafael Mendoza and Lisa Mackenzie. Photo / Sonna Studios Zeenat Wilkinson, Aki Curtis and Pooja Jagpal. Photo / Sonna StudiosZoe Atkinson and Shiloh Holder. Photo / Sonna Studios Kyo Chen and Jasper Morrison. Photo / Sonna StudiosGregory Hunter and Christelle Ridon. Photo / Sonna StudiosMario Bloon, Brooke Ah Wong and Sammy Salsa. Photo / Sonna Studios Jade Putt and Amber Peebles. Photo / Sonna StudiosStephen White and Nick Jones. Photo / Sonna StudiosLady Sarah Fay and Sarah Tuck. Photo / Sonna Studios

Champions Day

More than 12,000 people packed into Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day.

ATR chief executive Paul Wilcox hosted Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his wife, Amanda, who made a surprise appearance to present the NZB Kiwi trophy to the winning connections of Well Written.

Christopher and Amanda Luxon with ATR chief Paul Wilcox at Champions Day. Photo / Instagram @Christopherluxon

Among those spotted enjoying the trackside hospitality were ATR ambassador Caitlin O’Sullivan and her husband, Tom Doyle, from Bayley’s real estate, commercial; Auckland FC players Oli Sail and Nando Pijnaker, alongside their partners, Sophia Reed and Laura Catalan; as well as Warriors CEO Cameron George; ThreeNews’ broadcaster Rebecca Wright; influencer Cassandra Grodd; fashionista Carena West and media personality William Waiirua.

Bridgette O’Sullivan, Tom Doyle and Caitlin O’Sullivan. Photo / Radlab Sophia Reed, Oli Sail, Nando Pijnaker and Laura Catalan. Photo / Radlab

As the final races wrapped up, celebrations continued well into the evening with performances from DJ Clint Roberts and hip hop artist Savage.

Rebecca Wright, Fady and Olivia Mishriki. Photo / Radlab Cameron George and Wayde Ega. Photo / RadlabReuben Zhang and William Waiirua. Photo / RadlabThe Ned Prix de Fashion Grand Finalists, Deborah Lambie, Jana Hutton, winner Claudia Campbell, Gabby Cashmore and Alex Valle. Photo / AZ Photography Cassandra Grodd and Robert Wellwood. Photo / AZ PhotographyCarena West. Photo / AZ Photography

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival launched in vibrant style last Thursday evening, marking the start of 18 days of culture in the city.

The opening show was Sau Fiafia! Boogie Down!, a free, all-ages celebration headlined by nine-piece Pacific funk collective Island Vibes.

Opening night also marked the world premiere of Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan from Samoan musician Fonotī Pati Umaga, created alongside Oscar Kightley, Nathaniel Lees, Neil Ieremia and Sasha Gibb.

Oscar Kightley and Teuila Blakely at the Auckland Arts Festival. Photo / Robert Trathen

Crowds moved through the Festival Garden in Aotea Square, with live music, and food trucks serving up charcuterie boards, champagne, real fruit ice cream and mini desserts.

Among those spotted soaking up the festival atmosphere were Auckland Live director Daniel Clarke; Auckland Arts Festival artistic director Bernie Haldane; broadcaster Aziz Al-Sa’afin; actor Teuila Blakely; radio host Lorna Riley; Mediaworks’ Mon Barton; playwrights Victor Rodger and Sam Brooks; influencer Win Wolf; and comedian and writer Oscar Kightley.

The festival runs until March 22.

Mike Wake and Lorna Riley. Photo / Robert TrathenTim Brown and Monika Barton. Photo / Robert Trathen Hannah South, Antonia Aimer and Sophie Haycock. Photo / Robert Trathen Aziz Al Sa’afin and Jake Nutt. Photo / Robert TrathenDaniel Clarke and Bernie Haldane. Photo / Robert Trathen Rachel Tamapolu. Photo / Robert Trathen Manaia Lyndon, Monique Doy and Caroline Everitt. Photo / Robert Trathen Olivia Moana and Arielle Veldhuizen. Photo / Robert Trathen

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.