Her guests so far have included UFC star Dan Hooker, Auckland FC player Lachlan Brook, restaurateur and influencer Albert Cho, and entrepreneur and former The Apprentice NZ star Kennedy Anderson.<\/p>\n
Racemode host Taylor Serage with Albert Cho, Kennedy Anderson, and UFC star Dan Hooker. Photo \/ Herald composite<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old Aucklander, who went to Baradene College in Remuera, started out working in property for Wallace Real Estate.<\/p>\n
She began posting on Instagram a year ago, showing off her outfits and open homes, which would include her high-performance Japanese sports car, a powder blue Honda Civic TYPE R, parked out front with the number plate SERAGE.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was driving, lots of people would recognise the car and want to race because it looks like a little Hot Wheels car,\u201d Serage tells Society Insider.<\/p>\n
Taylor Serage with her high-performance Japanese sports car, a Honda Civic TYPE R.<\/p>\n
After it happened a few times, she set up a car camera to capture the interactions, and then she says, \u201cit was all on\u201d.<\/p>\n
Serage\u2019s videos, which combine her driving while playing R&B classics, saw her get one million views of her posts early on.<\/p>\n
Things went into the stratosphere for Serage in a video that saw her accelerating on to the motorway playing Beyonce\u2019s End of Time. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt went crazy with 30 million views, and I got over 100,000 followers from it,\u201d she says. \u201cNot long after, another video went crazy playing Basshunter. That was millions of views again, then, a third video where I\u2019m driving on the motorway and I see a G wagon, and I overtake the G wagon \u2013 that got 30 million views as well.\u201d <\/p>\n
She began her daily Instagram show Racemode in December, in which she drives VIP guests around in luxury and high-performance cars. Last week, she drove a Lotus, a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, an Audi R8, and a Porsche.<\/p>\n
Although Serage is a fan of James Cordon\u2019s Carpool Karaoke, she says Racemode happened organically.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to share my driving experience with passengers and have a chat and a laugh, not sing,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
As well as the aforementioned UFC star Dan Hooker<\/a>, Auckland FC player Lachlan Brook<\/a>, restaurateur and influencer Albert Cho<\/a>, and entrepreneur and former The Apprentice NZ star Kennedy Anderson<\/a>, she\u2019s hosted other big names.<\/p>\n Guests \u2013 who she dubs \u201cpassenger princesses\u201d \u2013 have also included singer Ella Monnery<\/a>, actors Bianca Paine<\/a> and Nepia Takuira-Mita<\/a>, Tik Toker of the year Louis Davis<\/a>, police vlogger Lana Crichton<\/a>, YouTube golfing stars Harry Na<\/a> and Sam Heung Min<\/a>, and Rich Lister Grant Baker, the chairman of Turners Automotive Group. <\/p>\n Baker is famous for his collection of Ferraris<\/a>, so Serage drove him in a Ferrari 488 GTB. She took the opportunity to ask Baker if she could meet Turners\u2019 ad campaign frontwoman, Tina, played by comedian Sieni Leo\u2019o Olo<\/a>.<\/p>\n When Baker explained that after nearly 18 years helming the company, he hadn\u2019t met Olo, and she is now living in Samoa, Serage says, \u201cOf course, I asked if I could be the new Tina, and Grant agreed that Taylor from Turners had a nice ring to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Serage\u2019s brand has grown organically; at this stage, there are no agents involved in organising the talent she is driving around.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been so fun to organise, I do everything: book the car, reach out to the person, book the time, show up, drive around and have a laugh, I do all the editing and post,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Serage curates everything, often choosing her outfits \u2013 from designers including Paris Georgia and Zimmerman \u2013 to match the car, and the type of car to match her guest. She chose a Rolls-Royce Ghost for Cho and a Bentley for Anderson.<\/p>\n The move from real estate to focus on Racemode full-time came three months ago, and she says her biggest supporter was her fiance, Mikey Smith. The couple have been together since they were teenagers and share a passion for high-performance Japanese cars.<\/p>\n Smith, 34, is the founder and managing director of mortgage lending chain Guardian Smith and is a regular on financial literacy advocate Luke Kemeys\u2019 podcast Keep the Change.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is the smartest person I know,\u201d Serage says of Smith. \u201cIt has been incredible to see him problem-solve and build his company over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple became engaged last April while they attended the Formula One Grand Prix in Japan. Smith surprised Serage with a large diamond with a halo of diamonds from Diamonds on Richmond. Wedding planning is underway, with Serage having fittings with Auckland wedding dress couturier Anita Turner from Vinka Design<\/a>. <\/p>\n The pair are looking for a new home in the Eastern Bays able to house their fleet of eight high-performance Japanese cars.<\/p>\n It\u2019s early days for Serage\u2019s Racemode brand as she learns to monetise her social media posts, with plans to put full episodes on YouTube.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really self-employed life at its finest. You just go hard and hope it all works out in the end,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n She is working closely with leading car dealers Giltrap Group and luxury and exotic car hire firm MotorShare, where Serage will drive their cars and network at their events.<\/p>\n Queenstown motoring event the Ayrburn Classic<\/a> has invited Serage to be a supercar driver next month for its Classic Tour d\u2019Elegance.<\/p>\n The unassuming influencer has plans to branch out of Racemode into new mode reels showing her learning to play golf, do Pilates and cook. And once she and Smith move into their new house, Serage will document how she sets up a home from scratch in a new video series, Housemode.<\/p>\n Chelsea Winstanley to take her debut doco global<\/p>\n Rich and powerful names from the art world will come together at the Auckland Art Gallery<\/a>, Toi o T\u0101maki, tonight for a glamorous fundraiser and screening of Academy Award-nominated producer Chelsea Winstanley\u2019s directorial debut, Toit\u016b: Visual Sovereignty<\/a>.<\/p>\n The documentary, which initially debuted at the New Zealand International Film Festival in August, is attracting global attention and is due to screen at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) early next month.<\/p>\n An important pre-Oscar industry event, the SBIFF will honour stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Michael B. Jordan, Benicio del Toro, Adam Sandler and Kate Hudson.<\/p>\n Winstanley will be presenting the film at SBIFF on Waitangi Day, alongside Nigel Borell, Auckland Art Gallery\u2019s former Curator, M\u0101ori Art. The film tells the story of Toi T\u016b Toi Ora: Contemporary M\u0101ori Art, the largest M\u0101ori art exhibition in Aotearoa New Zealand\u2019s history, which was curated by Borell.<\/p>\n The passion project, which brought Winstanley home from Los Angeles to Aotearoa, sees her tell the story of Borell\u2019s exhibition, which opened on December 5, 2020, after years of planning. Borell resigned from the gallery before the exhibition opened and left just a few weeks later in January 2021.<\/p>\n In an interview with the Herald\u2019s Canvas magazine, Borell claimed he was leaving due to irreconcilable differences with the gallery\u2019s then-director, Kirsten Lacy, and tensions over the gallery\u2019s future direction.<\/p>\n Winstanley\u2019s film follows Borell during the lead-up to the exhibition opening, including Covid lockdowns causing unforeseen delays, and his ultimate resignation.<\/p>\n Borell will be attending the fundraiser at the gallery tonight.<\/p>\n \u201cWords can\u2019t express how grateful I am to everyone involved in creating this film, especially all the artists who let me into their sacred creative spaces, to the generosity of donors and gallerists, to my wh\u0101nau and friends who never gave up on me,\u201d Winstanley tells Society Insider.<\/p>\n \u201cThis film took five years to make. Producer Desray Armstrong and I put our heart and soul into every frame.\u201d<\/p>\n The independent, personally funded documentary was completed in 2025 thanks to final stage funding support from executive producer, NZ barrister and multimillionaire international businessman Kahungunu Barron-Afeaki, SC, who will be there tonight and will also travel to Santa Barbara with Winstanley and Borell.<\/p>\n Winstanley says tonight\u2019s Auckland Art Gallery fundraiser aims to help the film gain further recognition internationally.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re fundraising to get out there and get this film distributed,\u201d she tells Society Insider. \u201cI owe it to the artists and to everyone who\u2019s had my back.<\/p>\n \u201cNigel and I will be presenting the film in the documentary competition at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Waitangi Day, which feels significant.\u201d<\/p>\n The 12 pieces up for auction tonight are by celebrated artists, including Arts Foundation laureates Shane Cotton, Brett Graham, Reuben Paterson, and Taika Waititi \u2013 Winstanley\u2019s former husband \u2013 who showed his art for the first time in Borell\u2019s exhibition.<\/p>\n Flying in from attending the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, Waititi will sign his art in person tonight. He says it\u2019s attention at festivals that helps films like this get much-needed distribution across the international stage.<\/p>\n \u201cToit\u016b: Visual Sovereignty is a powerful film that I\u2019m very proud to have had my work included in,\u201d says Waititi.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s vital that work like this gets international exposure, because when our stories travel, they engage, they resonate, they affect.\u201d<\/p>\n Also auctioning their works tonight are Arts Foundation new-generation recipients Star Gossage and Ng\u0101hina Hohaia, and established artists Emily Karaka, Charlotte Graham, Ngatai Taepa and Tyrone Ohia.<\/p>\n Multimillionaire fund manager and chair of the Auckland Art Gallery and Te Papa boards Christopher Swasbrook, with Cable Bay Vineyard owner Loukas Petrou and Mark O\u2019Brien, KC, will be among the moneyed guests expected in attendance. Actors Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rena Owen, and arts laureate Cliff Curtis are also expected to be there to show their support for the film.<\/p>\n After the sold-out screening, guests will head upstairs to the gallery\u2019s atrium for a k\u014drero with Winstanley, MC\u2019d by Stacey Morrison, before the auction led by Webbs auctioneer Caolan McAleer.<\/p>\n The event is free to members of the public who register their attendance. Online bids are open at Webbs.co.nz and donations can be made through Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi arts crowdfunding platform Boosted.<\/p>\n Party People of the Week <\/p>\n Teeks opens Hamilton\u2019s BNZ Theatre <\/p>\n Hamilton\u2019s new 1300-seat BNZ Theatre had its official opening on Friday night. Operated by Live Nation New Zealand in partnership with the Waikato Regional Property Trust, the theatre is expected to be a new economic driver for the region.<\/p>\n The guests at the Live Nation event included funders, stakeholders and local government, alongside prominent media and entertainment figures from across the country.<\/p>\n Guests included Hamilton Mayor Tim Macindoe and Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor, Ministry for Culture and Heritage CEO Leauanae Laulu Mac, BNZ\u2019s Anna Flower, and many of the key personnel who have helped deliver the project, including David Pugh of Jasmax \u2013 the architects behind the theatre\u2019s striking design \u2013 and key Live Nation executives, including managing director Mark Kneebone and vice-president of venue development Guy Ngata, and the managing director of Ticketmaster, Anjelica Devoe.<\/p>\n They were joined by key industry players, including the CEO of the Auckland Arts Festival, Robbie Macrae, Creative Waikato CEO Dr Jeremy Mayall, and Waimihi Hotere from Creative New Zealand.<\/p>\n Other guests included Newstalk ZB host Andrew Dickens, RNZ\u2019s Kara Rickard, international agent and head of top British music agency Solo Agency Charly Beedell-Tuck, and fashion influencer Brooklyn Ellis.<\/p>\n After a welcome function with champagne and canapes, guests took their seats for musician Teeks\u2019 first-ever performance in Hamilton<\/a>.<\/p>\n Upcoming shows at the theatre include British popstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor, South Africa\u2019s world-renowned Soweto Gospel Choir, Kiwi musician Bic Runga, British comedian and actor Alan Davies, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and a host of international and grassroots local talent.<\/p>\n Karaka Millions at Ellerslie <\/p>\nTaylor Serage in a Ferrari for her Instagram series Racemode. <\/p>\n
Newly engaged Mikey Smith and Taylor Serage at the F1 in Japan.<\/p>\n
Mikey Smith and Taylor Serage at the F1 in Japan. <\/p>\n
Taylor Serage.<\/p>\n
Filmmaker Chelsea Winstanley.<\/p>\n
Cliff Curtis and Chelsea Winstanley at the Art Foundation Gala last year. Photo \/ Jinki Cambronero and John Rata<\/p>\n
Nigel Borell pictured in December 2020 at the Auckland Art Gallery. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
Cliff Curtis, Chelsea Winstanley and Desray Armstrong at the premiere of Toit\u016b: Visual Sovereignty at the NZ International Film Festival last year.<\/p>\n
Taika Waititi in Toit\u016b: Visual Sovereignty.<\/p>\n
Taika Waititi will sign his Woolly Dollar, One Moollar in person at the Auckland Art Gallery fundraiser tonight before it’s auctioned.<\/p>\n
Emily Karaka\u2019s I Can’t Breathe artwork.
Star Gossage’s painting Tawharau is among those being auctioned at the fundraiser tonight. Photo \/ Jennifer French<\/p>\n
Teeks performing at the opening of the BNZ Theatre in Hamilton. Photo \/ Levi Santana<\/p>\n
Tim Macindoe, Michael Gilling, Mark Kneebone, Anna Flower and Ross Hargood. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
David Pugh and Theresa Healey. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Helen Wild and Andrew Dickens. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Iver Ferguson-Rickard and Kara Rickard. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Charly Beedell-Tuck and Jackie Antis. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Braden and Brooklyn Ellis. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Tiana Walker, Landy Nonoa and Siapu Tyrell. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Kathryn and Chris Williams. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Dylan Cherry and Danni Gardiner. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Natasha and Mark Renner. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Christine and Glenn Miller. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Belinda and Craig Mulgrew. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner
Shaun Bugden and Melissa Clark. Photo \/ Gabriel Renner <\/p>\n
Petrea Vela, Tonia and Lily Cawood, and Kahu Tataurangi at the Karaka Millions at Ellerslie. Photo \/ Bruno Cannatelli <\/p>\n