What’s Auckland’s Magazine Doing In Hawke’s Bay?

For immediate release
24 September 2008.

What’s Auckland’s Magazine Doing In Hawke’s Bay?

For many years any mysterious strangers in Metro magazine’s popular social pages were dubbed “visitors from Hawke’s Bay”. Call it Auckland humour.

Now, with so many Aucklanders flocking south in pursuit of a Hawke’s Bay lifestyle, the big-city magazine has recognised that the Bay needs more serious attention.

It sent its journalists south to investigate what life’s really like for transplanted Aucklanders: the result is the cover story of Metro’s October issue, due on shelves 29 September 2008.

To weigh up the pros and cons of life in the provinces they’ve interviewed former Aucklanders such as Dick Frizzell, Ian Morris and Kim Willoughby, checked out the attractions and reviewed restaurants that Hawke’s Bay locals claim are as good as any in Parnell or Ponsonby. The Bay’s most notable Aucklander Paul Holmes has also contributed an essay on how much the place in which he grew up has changed.

“Never mind the stereotypes, Aucklanders are increasingly interested in what life’s like south of the Bombay Hills,” says Metro editor Bevan Rapson. “Hawke’s Bay is a place that lots of city dwellers dream of escaping to. We decided it was time to examine how the reality actually measures up.”

To launch the issue, Metro’s turning the old “visitor from Hawke’s Bay” joke on its head with a party at the Bay’s own Black Barn Vineyards. An A-list group of locals and former Aucklanders has been invited to join Metro for an exclusive preview of the magazine.

The excellent wine will be from Hawke’s Bay, the air-kissing from Auckland and in true Metro style all notably uninhibited behaviour (whether by locals or visitors) will be captured by photographers for later publication.

“We know from experience that Hawke’s Bay people like to have a good time when they’re away from home,” says Rapson. “We’ll do our best to keep up with them on their home territory.”

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