{"id":290384,"date":"2026-02-18T19:20:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T19:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/290384\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T19:20:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T19:20:08","slug":"society-insider-soul-bars-general-manager-olivia-carter-to-leave-role-after-17-years-steve-dunstans-new-brand-repping-auckland-hannah-beauden-barretts-wedding-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/290384\/","title":{"rendered":"Society Insider: Soul Bar\u2019s general manager Olivia Carter to leave role after 17 years; Steve Dunstan\u2019s new brand repping Auckland; Hannah &#038; Beauden Barrett\u2019s wedding weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Carter has been behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/viva\/sponsored\/the-recipes-that-made-me-paul-patterson-talks-to-souls-olivia-carter-and-gavin-doyle\/D6JKUZLOA6FUFV4TJNQTBS3ZLE\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/viva\/sponsored\/the-recipes-that-made-me-paul-patterson-talks-to-souls-olivia-carter-and-gavin-doyle\/D6JKUZLOA6FUFV4TJNQTBS3ZLE\/\">Soul\u2019s highest profile events<\/a> and hosted many A-list international celebrities in her tenure, including Jay Z and Beyonce, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Scarlett Johansson and Post Malone. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Olivia Carter has been the hostess with the mostest over 17 years at Soul.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Olivia Carter has been the hostess with the mostest over 17 years at Soul.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">But she says over the summer break she made the difficult decision to leave her role, and it\u2019s for purely personal reasons. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cI realised I needed to slow down and be more present for my family,\u201d 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. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Steve and Olivia Carter at Soul.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Steve and Olivia Carter at Soul.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cMany of my female friends came out of the lockdowns and worked harder than ever,\u201d says Carter. \u201cWorking in hospitality can almost double that workload. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cThere 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.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">There was a sign of things to come at Soul\u2019s annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/topic\/melbourne-cup\/3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/topic\/melbourne-cup\/3\/\">Melbourne Cup Party<\/a> in November when Carter performed the sabrage opening of a magnum of Mumm champagne on the restaurant\u2019s front steps. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Olivia Carter performing sabrage on Melbourne Cup Day in November.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Olivia Carter performing sabrage on Melbourne Cup Day in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cWhen I look back, every event I did at Soul last year, I executed as if it might be my last,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Her bosses at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/business\/personal-finance\/investment\/upmarket-restaurant-business-nourish-group-sold-foley-holdings-nz-revealed-as-buyer\/MZF4ONCTIBWEEWGSXSBNB7FI64\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/business\/personal-finance\/investment\/upmarket-restaurant-business-nourish-group-sold-foley-holdings-nz-revealed-as-buyer\/MZF4ONCTIBWEEWGSXSBNB7FI64\/\">Foley Hospitality<\/a>, the owners of Soul, have asked her if she may come back in a lesser role, but Carter says she needs to \u201cstop and pretty much smell the roses\u201d before she decides on her next move. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Carter started at Soul in 2009, when it was owned by Auckland hospitality maven <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/viva\/food-drink\/the-most-influential-women-in-food-drink-in-new-zealand-named-ahead-of-international-womens-day\/E3CZ32MAYRHL5HUJRV477MDMGU\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/viva\/food-drink\/the-most-influential-women-in-food-drink-in-new-zealand-named-ahead-of-international-womens-day\/E3CZ32MAYRHL5HUJRV477MDMGU\/\">Judith Tabron<\/a>. She was the back office events co-ordinator, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/lifestyle\/spy-judith-tabron-on-her-new-westhaven-restaurant-first-mates-last-laugh\/GQQ3ZAUFQRDXRFYT6TNTHRWLZY\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/lifestyle\/spy-judith-tabron-on-her-new-westhaven-restaurant-first-mates-last-laugh\/GQQ3ZAUFQRDXRFYT6TNTHRWLZY\/\">Tabron<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/entertainment\/when-an-ordinary-kiwi-became-david-bowies-china-girl\/EDPL2ZE5ECXX5MJDOF6PM4TM2I\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/entertainment\/when-an-ordinary-kiwi-became-david-bowies-china-girl\/EDPL2ZE5ECXX5MJDOF6PM4TM2I\/\">Geeling Ng<\/a>, operations manager at the time, were the restaurant\u2019s public faces. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cI was mentored by both Judith and Geeling, and more and more found myself out front of house,\u201d says Carter. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Within 10 years, Ng would leave and Tabron would sell Soul to Richard Sigley\u2019s The Nourish Group in 2018, which then sold to US billionaire Bill Foley\u2019s Foley Hospitality in 2022. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">In that time, Carter became Soul. She took every event to the next level, including the annual Melbourne Cup days, and Soul\u2019s Sunday Sessions, which quickly became the social event of the week. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Olivia Carter hosting the launch of Negroni month at Soul.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Olivia Carter hosting the launch of Negroni month at Soul.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Tabron tells Society Insider that her time with Carter at Soul was \u201ca great ride\u201d, with Carter being her \u201cbest ever partner in crime, conviviality and frivolity\u201d. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cOlivia followed on from me with skill, enthusiasm and great style,\u201d Tabron says. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Carter\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Trelise Cooper\u2019s Julia Leuchars has done numerous shows with Olivia Carter at Soul.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Trelise Cooper\u2019s Julia Leuchars has done numerous shows with Olivia Carter at Soul.<img  alt=\"Kathryn Wilson has run fashion shows with Olivia Carter at Soul.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Kathryn Wilson has run fashion shows with Olivia Carter at Soul.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Soul also became the place to be for visiting international celebrities. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cI had only been at Soul a year when the Viaduct went crazy with paparazzi when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/entertainment\/stars-shine-on-viaduct-lunch-date\/UES6YJ2IQEMZTXSRQAHPLVGIIU\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/entertainment\/stars-shine-on-viaduct-lunch-date\/UES6YJ2IQEMZTXSRQAHPLVGIIU\/\">Jay Z and Beyonce<\/a> were swarmed as they dined outside,\u201d Carter tells Society Insider. \u201cTheir security worked well with our staff, and we got them out the door.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Beyonce and Jay Z at Soul in 2010. Photo \/ Janna Dixon\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Beyonce and Jay Z at Soul in 2010. Photo \/ Janna Dixon<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">US rapper Post Malone visited twice, in 2019 and 2023, and Carter says he was her favourite visiting celebrity. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cWhen he came back, it was like greeting a friend and he was just lovely and kind to everyone,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">In a place frequented by most of Auckland\u2019s Rich List and A-Listers, she says her favourite \u201cfamous\u201d customers have been Sir John and Lady Bronagh Key. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cThey are just lovely, gracious people,\u201d she says, admitting that she and husband Steve have dined with the Keys at their home in Parnell. In fact, many of Soul\u2019s regulars have become her friends. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The highs have been many; she\u2019s proud to have made the most of every America\u2019s Cup, Rugby World Cup and similar global moments, delivering sold-out activations each time. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cHonestly, the nicest memories are when customers have said \u2018thank you, that was an amazing dinner and experience\u2019,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">But she won\u2019t miss the other side of that coin. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cI got told by a customer to f*** off just before Christmas,\u201d she reveals. \u201cI won\u2019t miss customers treating myself or my staff rudely.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Olivia Carter and the Soul staff.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Olivia Carter and the Soul staff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">After her hundreds of Soul parties, Carter says her favourite was her own last August, when she celebrated a \u201c40-something\u201d birthday. The private dinner party for 30, which made this column, was attended by Carter\u2019s tight circle of girlfriends, including Zeil founder Anna Mowbray, interior designer Shelley Ferguson and Trelise Cooper designer Julia Leuchars. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Anna Mowbray and Olivia Carter at Carter\u2019s favourite Soul event \u2013 her birthday last August. Photo \/ Jared Donkin\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Anna Mowbray and Olivia Carter at Carter\u2019s favourite Soul event \u2013 her birthday last August. Photo \/ Jared Donkin<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cIt was the favourite night of my life so far,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was a dream.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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\u2019s worked closely with over the years. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Her last big event will be Trelise Cooper\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018I\u2019m more intentional now\u2019: Steve Dunstan on leaving Huffer behind for new streetwear brand <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Steve Dunstan (left) with Auckland FC content creator Johnny Chunn at a pop-up event for Dunstan's new brand AKA.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Steve Dunstan (left) with Auckland FC content creator Johnny Chunn at a pop-up event for Dunstan&#8217;s new brand AKA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/business\/companies\/retail\/huffer-founder-steve-dunstan-talks-expanding-into-asia-going-on-tour-and-retail-success\/7JFUTNGOQDW7AEGGK32NXDH4KU\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/business\/companies\/retail\/huffer-founder-steve-dunstan-talks-expanding-into-asia-going-on-tour-and-retail-success\/7JFUTNGOQDW7AEGGK32NXDH4KU\/\">Steve Dunstan<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The 53-year-old was born in Feilding but moved to Auckland when he was 15 and says he loves how the city \u201ccan be home to so many\u201d. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cYou don\u2019t need to be born here to belong, you just need to show up and take part,\u201d he tells Society Insider. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Steve Dunstan in his Huffer days. Photo \/ Jason Oxenham.&#9;\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Steve Dunstan in his Huffer days. Photo \/ Jason Oxenham.\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The brand\u2019s most famous moment was thanks to its \u201cI heart NZ\u201d T-shirts, with the \u201cheart\u201d symbol replaced with Huffer\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cBack 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,\u201d Dunstan says. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/viva\/fashion\/huffer-celebrates-20-years-of-success\/Z26WQKJBGG4QLDH7FNSEHMEAOI\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/viva\/fashion\/huffer-celebrates-20-years-of-success\/Z26WQKJBGG4QLDH7FNSEHMEAOI\/\">Kate Berry<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Huffer general manager Kate Berry and Steve Dunstan. Photo \/ Babiche Martens\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Huffer general manager Kate Berry and Steve Dunstan. Photo \/ Babiche Martens<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cIt was time for me to branch out, with new ideas and new passions,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Dunstan says that \u201cyou don\u2019t do one thing forever\u201d 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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">With his new brand, Also Known As (AKA), Dunstan is hoping to replicate Huffer\u2019s success \u2013 not only in sales but also in helping Aucklanders confidently show their pride in their home city. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Brand creator Steve Dunstan wearing an AKA hoodie. Photo \/ Supplied \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Brand creator Steve Dunstan wearing an AKA hoodie. Photo \/ Supplied <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">AKA\u2019s origins were with Auckland FC, after the fledgling club\u2019s 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\u2019s full streetwear range. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cI respected [Auckland FC\u2019s] ambition, willingness to try new things, to challenge the norm and to build something that genuinely includes everyone,\u201d Dunstan says. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cThat inspired me to write a love letter to Auckland, and for myself to be honest about it. It ended in \u2018Auckland I f****** love you\u2019, which ended up being a mission statement shared by the brand.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Steve Dunstan loves Auckland. Photo \/ Matthew Hansen\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Steve Dunstan loves Auckland. Photo \/ Matthew Hansen<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cIt isn\u2019t perfect, but neither are we. What matters is celebrating what\u2019s good from the street up.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Dunstan says Auckland has always felt layered. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cI grew up central, went to school out east and now split my time between the city, Grey Lynn and Piha.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">He and his partner of 10 years, former top model and model agent Ngahuia Williams, married at their Piha house six years ago. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cNgahuia has supported me through every evolution in my life during that time,\u201d he says. \u201cShe absolutely supports the [AKA] movement and understands that everything I do comes from a place of identity and community.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Ngahuia Williams and Steve Dunstan.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Ngahuia Williams and Steve Dunstan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Dunstan is proud of Williams, too, describing her as a strong woman who isn\u2019t afraid of progress or challenge. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Actor Vinnie Bennett, Steve Dunstan and musician Amon Tyson at an Auckland FC home game. Photo \/ Supplied\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Actor Vinnie Bennett, Steve Dunstan and musician Amon Tyson at an Auckland FC home game. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cI\u2019m drawn to opportunities where I can contribute both creatively and strategically, helping shape direction as much as output.\u201d 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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Dunstan\u2019s goal isn\u2019t to do more, it\u2019s to do the right things with the right people. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">\u201cI\u2019m always curious, but I\u2019m more intentional now,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m interested in projects that feel culturally relevant and community-driven, but also commercially grounded.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Auckland FC player Dan Hall modelling AKA. Photo \/ Supplied \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Auckland FC player Dan Hall modelling AKA. Photo \/ Supplied <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The range is either emblazoned with a bold \u201cAuckland\u201d, or \u201cThe A Mark\u201d, designed to look like Rangitoto, one of the city\u2019s most recognisable landmarks. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p>A good week for Amelia Ferrier and Jack Laity <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Congratulations to Hannah and Beauden Barrett, who announced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/nz\/all-black-beauden-barrett-and-wife-hannah-welcome-third-baby\/NRID6LHYCJHLFBQPCGK5OFG7II\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/nz\/all-black-beauden-barrett-and-wife-hannah-welcome-third-baby\/NRID6LHYCJHLFBQPCGK5OFG7II\/\">the birth of their third child<\/a> on Wednesday. Three days before sharing the happy news, the couple were pictured celebrating Hannah\u2019s brother\u2019s wedding. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Hannah and Beauden Barrett at the wedding of Hannah\u2019s brother, Jack Laity to Amelia Ferrier.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Hannah and Beauden Barrett at the wedding of Hannah\u2019s brother, Jack Laity to Amelia Ferrier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Kiwibank commercial growth manager Jack Laity married food influencer Amelia Ferrier, of Melie\u2019s Kitchen Instagram fame, at the waterfront beach house of Jack and Hannah\u2019s parents, Alison and Anthony Laity, in Mangawhai. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Hannah Barrett with her brother Jack Laity.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Hannah Barrett with her brother Jack Laity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Amelia Ferrier and Jack Laity.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Amelia Ferrier and Jack Laity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Hannah was beautiful in a brown satin dress, while Beauden looked dapper in a black tie. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The nuptials took place in the gardens at the front of the beach house, with Beauden and Hannah\u2019s daughters, Billie and Coco, as flower girls. The reception was held in a marquee on the property. <\/p>\n<p>PARTY PEOPLE OF THE WEEK <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Club Marina at First Mates <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Auckland waterfront playground, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/viva\/food-drink\/auckland-restaurant-review-first-mates-last-laugh-is-a-sparklingly-good-seaside-restaurant\/3IFWGOQCRNG7RELIMV63CAXFTE\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/viva\/food-drink\/auckland-restaurant-review-first-mates-last-laugh-is-a-sparklingly-good-seaside-restaurant\/3IFWGOQCRNG7RELIMV63CAXFTE\/\">First Mates, Last Laugh<\/a>, was the VIP go-to spot outside the grounds of the SailGP last weekend. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The hospitality hotspot, owned by Soul\u2019s founder Judith Tabron, ran a Marina Beach Club pop-up, taking over the neighbouring carpark for Valentine\u2019s weekend only, with the SailGP racing shown on screens around the venue. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The Marina Beach Club was packed from open to close, serving Perrier-Jou\u00ebt and Altos margaritas, alongside First Mates\u2019 menu favourites. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Latin dancers and DJs Sambro, La Felix, Tancredi and friends set the pace, with some guests seen table dancing. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Jacob Walker and Judith Tabron at First Mates, Last Laugh. Photo \/ Sonna Studios \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Jacob Walker and Judith Tabron at First Mates, Last Laugh. Photo \/ Sonna Studios <img  alt=\"Jane Hitchfield, Steph Wyborn, Susan Jones and Scarlett Woodat. Photo \/ Sonna Studios\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Jane Hitchfield, Steph Wyborn, Susan Jones and Scarlett Woodat. Photo \/ Sonna Studios<img  alt=\"Monique Read and Mallory Barnett. Photo \/ Sonna Studios \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Monique Read and Mallory Barnett. Photo \/ Sonna Studios <img  alt=\"Claire Sullivan-Kraus and Pablo Kraus. Photo \/ Sonna Studios \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Claire Sullivan-Kraus and Pablo Kraus. Photo \/ Sonna Studios <img  alt=\"Steve and Kylie Mann, Judith and Jack Tabron. Photo \/ Sonna Studios\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Steve and Kylie Mann, Judith and Jack Tabron. Photo \/ Sonna Studios<img  alt=\"Suzette North, Louisa McLeod, Wendy Gibb, Megan Richards and Jo Workman. Photo \/ Sonna Studios\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Suzette North, Louisa McLeod, Wendy Gibb, Megan Richards and Jo Workman. Photo \/ Sonna Studios<img  alt=\"Megan Beasley and Georgia Kate. Photo \/ Sonna Studios\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Megan Beasley and Georgia Kate. Photo \/ Sonna Studios<img  alt=\"Anna Southwell, Lucinda Burling, Kate Archer, Anna Reeve and Claire Sullivan-Kraus. Photo \/ Sonna Studios\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Anna Southwell, Lucinda Burling, Kate Archer, Anna Reeve and Claire Sullivan-Kraus. Photo \/ Sonna Studios<img  alt=\"Sam Austin, Laura Haden and Drew Marshall. Photo \/ Sonna Studios \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Sam Austin, Laura Haden and Drew Marshall. Photo \/ Sonna Studios <img  alt=\"Kate Leary and Sophie Radford. Photo \/ Sonna Studios \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Kate Leary and Sophie Radford. Photo \/ Sonna Studios <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The New Zealand International Convention Centre finally opens its doors <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">More than 650 business leaders, dignitaries and media heavy hitters gathered on Thursday night to celebrate the official opening of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/property\/1-billion-nz-international-convention-centre-finally-opened-after-11-years\/YJQREF6FXRGAHHFPDGWO63IIZQ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/property\/1-billion-nz-international-convention-centre-finally-opened-after-11-years\/YJQREF6FXRGAHHFPDGWO63IIZQ\/\">New Zealand International Convention Centre<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Guests experienced the scale and atmosphere of the new space through light, art and performance, with the 6m Helios sculpture illuminating Ariki Hall. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">TVNZ\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">Guests included SkyCity CEO Jason Walbridge, M\u0101ori cultural consultant and adviser K\u012bngi 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. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Lady Bronagh and Sir John Key at the opening party of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Photo \/ Radlab  \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Lady Bronagh and Sir John Key at the opening party of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Photo \/ Radlab  <img  alt=\"Hilary Barry and Jason Walbridge. Photo \/ Radlab  \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Hilary Barry and Jason Walbridge. Photo \/ Radlab  <img  alt=\"Ki\u0304ngi Makoare, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Nick Becker. Photo \/ Radlab\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Ki\u0304ngi Makoare, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Nick Becker. Photo \/ Radlab<img  alt=\"Mike Horn and Mark Peterson. Photo \/ Radlab  \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Mike Horn and Mark Peterson. Photo \/ Radlab  <img  alt=\"Natasha Benet, Julianna Permitin, Harry Willis, Sophie Harsent and Mikayla Ngare. Photo \/ Radlab \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Natasha Benet, Julianna Permitin, Harry Willis, Sophie Harsent and Mikayla Ngare. Photo \/ Radlab <img  alt=\"Silvana Schenone, Jolie Hodson and Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson. Photo \/ Radlab \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Silvana Schenone, Jolie Hodson and Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson. Photo \/ Radlab <img  alt=\"Sophie Moloney and Nick Becker. Photo \/ Radlab  \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Sophie Moloney and Nick Becker. Photo \/ Radlab  <img  alt=\"Six60 play at the opening party of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Photo \/ Radlab\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Six60 play at the opening party of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Photo \/ Radlab<\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The NZ Polo Open <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">More than 5000 people attended the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/lifestyle\/society-insider-nzs-two-richest-families-play-host-to-lupton-and-mcgoldrick-wedding-equestrian-royalty-arrives-in-nz-for-polo-races-and-sales\/premium\/WNBJSDY755A2XEJSDHVIX3OTKQ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/lifestyle\/society-insider-nzs-two-richest-families-play-host-to-lupton-and-mcgoldrick-wedding-equestrian-royalty-arrives-in-nz-for-polo-races-and-sales\/premium\/WNBJSDY755A2XEJSDHVIX3OTKQ\/\">Milford NZ Polo Open<\/a> in Clevedon last Sunday, enjoying a day of polo, fashion and stomping the divots. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">The final saw team Castlerock take out the open title over team Brinks. After Castlerock\u2019s official prizegiving, guests and players enjoyed an after-party on the chukka field, with music from DJ Adams, which went until 11pm. <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\">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\u2019Keeffe and her husband, rugby referee Ben. <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\"Ben and Wilhelmina O'Keeffe at the NZ Polo Open. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Ben and Wilhelmina O&#8217;Keeffe at the NZ Polo Open. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery<img  alt=\"Luis Serrano and Sarah Stuart. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Luis Serrano and Sarah Stuart. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery<img  alt=\"Tessa Ransfield and Taylor Serage. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Tessa Ransfield and Taylor Serage. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery <img  alt=\"Caitlin Crisp and Cassandra Grodd. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery  \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Caitlin Crisp and Cassandra Grodd. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery  <img  alt=\"Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and his wife, Toni. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and his wife, Toni. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery<img  alt=\"Tatum Savage and Robert Niwa. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery  \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Tatum Savage and Robert Niwa. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery  <img  alt=\"Rob Worker and Carena West. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Rob Worker and Carena West. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery <img  alt=\"Pippa Ravel and Glen Donnell. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Pippa Ravel and Glen Donnell. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery <img  alt=\"Sophie and Maggie Frizzell. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/>Sophie and Maggie Frizzell. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery <\/p>\n<p class=\"PjjNclxixstKXPGyV\" style=\"display:none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/author\/ricardo-simich\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/author\/ricardo-simich\/\">Ricardo Simich<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Carter has been behind Soul\u2019s highest profile events and hosted many A-list international celebrities in her tenure, including&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":290385,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[15140,1443,74,9869,51,6794,20437,138261,6128,25428,9218,4057,4463,1038,2220,177,161038,161035,2109,311,2294,22137,161037,2936,24396,700,12514,2845,6453,93,117,111,139,4061,69,15363,161036,2952,205,6180,2953,2935,4918,213,5132,34814,223,1961,11790,61,2951,15315,686,4767,1530],"class_list":{"0":"post-290384","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-15140","9":"tag-about","10":"tag-after","11":"tag-arrival","12":"tag-auckland","13":"tag-baby","14":"tag-barrett","15":"tag-barretts","16":"tag-bars","17":"tag-beauden","18":"tag-before","19":"tag-behind","20":"tag-brand","21":"tag-brings","22":"tag-carter","23":"tag-celebrate","24":"tag-dunstan","25":"tag-dunstans","26":"tag-family","27":"tag-founder","28":"tag-general","29":"tag-hannah","30":"tag-huffer","31":"tag-insider","32":"tag-inspiration","33":"tag-latest","34":"tag-leave","35":"tag-leaving","36":"tag-lifetime","37":"tag-manager","38":"tag-new","39":"tag-new-zealand","40":"tag-newzealand","41":"tag-number","42":"tag-nz","43":"tag-olivia","44":"tag-repping","45":"tag-ricardo","46":"tag-role","47":"tag-shes","48":"tag-simich","49":"tag-society","50":"tag-soul","51":"tag-sports","52":"tag-steve","53":"tag-streetwear","54":"tag-the","55":"tag-this","56":"tag-threes","57":"tag-to","58":"tag-town","59":"tag-wedding","60":"tag-week","61":"tag-weekend","62":"tag-years"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=290384"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290384\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/290385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=290384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=290384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}