The ‘Ansum Pasty Co. is proud to announce the launch of its online store at ansum.nz, making handmade Cornish pasties accessible to customers across New Zealand. This exciting development follows overwhelming interest from British expats and Kiwis alike, many of whom discovered the hearty satisfaction of a proper pasty during their travels or served up by their grandparents.

“Customers choose us because they know a pasty will leave them satisfied, no questions asked,” says Adam Rickett, Head Crimper and Director at The ‘Ansum Pasty Co.

Adam’s journey to pasty perfection is rooted in his extensive culinary background. As the former Executive Chef at Euro Bar and Restaurant and Culpeper in Auckland, Adam has worked in some of New Zealand’s most renowned kitchens, including The Matterhorn, Pravda Café and Grill, and The Boatshed Boutique Hotel on Waiheke Island. Since moving to New Zealand in 2009, Adam’s dedication to fine food has earned him widespread respect within the industry.

The idea for The ‘Ansum Pasty Co. was born during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. “I wanted to deliver a taste of the past, and not just my past or the past of those from Cornwall, but everyone’s past.” Adam believes that anyone who tries an “‘Ansum” will find something familiar they can relate to. “The magic of the pasty is all in the pastry…It’s the smell. Even if you’ve never been to Cornwall, somehow a pasty really speaks to you and it creates an experience. Everyone should experience that.”

The online store, launched last week, offers nationwide delivery, allowing more New Zealanders to enjoy these handmade, traditional pasties. The response has already been overwhelming. “The interest we’ve seen has been incredibly encouraging,” says Jamie Armour, Business Development Manager for The ‘Ansum Pasty Co.

Jamie brings his own stellar credentials to the venture. A former chef who worked at L’Atelier Joel Robuchon (2 Michelin Star) in Paris, Jamie now serves as the IT Manager for Hell Pizza. Despite his busy schedule, Jamie dedicates his time to helping The ‘Ansum Pasty Co. grow. “Together, Adam and I have the right mix of skills to make this work. Pasties will be a thing in New Zealand!” Jamie says.

For Adam and Jamie, this isn’t just a business—it’s a passion project rooted in sharing a part of their heritage and craft.
Customers can order online now at ansum.nz or visit The ‘Ansum Pasty Co. every weekend at the Catalina Bay Farmers Market. Other Auckland market locations are listed on their website. Gift vouchers are also available, making them a perfect Christmas gift for family and friends.

For more information and to order, visit: ansum.nz

Media Release on 18 November 2024

Media Contact
Jamie Armour, The ‘Ansum Pasty Company
jamie@ansum.nz
https://ansum.nz

MIL OSI

FEMME NATALE – THE NZ Comedy Sketch Show on Parenthood!

What does a LOTR Oscar Winner have to do with an independent theatre group going to Edinburgh Fringe Festival? Fundraising! A contract for Femme Natale to perform at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival came from Just the Tonic in February this year. Femme Natale needed to decide if could they afford to go? But how could they not!

Femme Natale includes Director Fingal Pollock and performers April Phillips, Jeremy Nelson, and Tracey Savage. The team have spent the last six months applying for support via the relevant funding bodies but with most potential sponsors diverting support towards disaster relief, there has been a lot of money to raise.

Sir Richard Taylor, with a connection to Director Fingal Pollock kindly offered up a Weta Workshop rare collectible – SARUMAN THE WHITE Paint Master Figure. The figure will be auctioned off to help offset remainder of marketing cost via Trademe. Saruman The White Paint Master on Trademe.

“We simply couldn’t do this trip without the support we’ve received from Sir Richard, and other champions along the way. It’s a big gig, we are leaving our families at home, and taking a punt. We’ve performed this show at many centers and festivals around NZ over the last five years. This will be our international debut – a fantastic opportunity to get in one of the top five comedy festivals worldwide and we’ve achieved this independently. We’ve already had interest from other international Fringe Festivals, and we are attending many networking events whilst in Edinburgh.” Says Director Fingal Pollock.

The team flies for Edinburgh this week in preparation for their season starting Tuesday 15th August. A fantastic example of NZ arts practitioners making things happen. Support has also been raised via Boosted and Givealittle campaigns along with support from Dame Dawn Sanders Philanthropic Trust umbrella Capital Theatre Productions – enabling the group to attract tax deductible donations.

Fiercely truthful, Femme Natale is an unapologetic comic peek into the world of parenting from before, during and after, in an hilarious mix of original songs, sketches, and physical comedy.

“Thoroughly enjoyed it” – Dame Kate Harcourt
“So funny, my face hurt from laughing” – Emily Writes
“Hilarious, human, viscerally resonant” – Adam Dodd @ Globe Theatre
“Everyone should see this show” – John Smythe @ Theatre Review
“A perfect blend of the raucous and gleefully filthy with the empathetic and insightful. A great night out” – Graeme Tuckett / RNZ and Dominion Post

Media Release on 8 August 2023

Media Contact and Further information

Press Pics and link for video download for use: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10UJldgPcRFRkSlXPgLhi91sXsgQYomhg?usp=drive_link

PRESS: femmenataleshow@gmail.com +64 (0)2 429 9779
PRESS IN UK: Michelle Mangan hello@michellemangan.com m: +44 07 9792 27909
Insta/Facebook: @Femmenataletheatre
Web: femmenatale.co.nz
Director: Fingal Pollock. Actors: April Phillips, Fingal Pollock, Jeremy Nelson and Tracey Savage
Venue: Just the Tonic at The Mash House, Venue 288 – 37 Guthrie Street, EH1 1JG 60mins. Dates: Tuesday 15th to Sunday 27th August (No show Monday 21st)
Bookings: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/femme-natale-theatre
+44 (0)131 226 0000

MIL OSI

Amidst challenging times, Chinese sculpture artist Yi Yang has overcome the demands of a post covid world and brings his latest exhibition of sculpture works to The Cloud over Matariki weekend. ‘We Are One’ is an awe-inspiring collection of over forty sculptures and paintings constructed of stainless steel and resin and inspired by Aotearoa New Zealand’s culture, mountains, rivers, and glaciers. Each sculpture stands at 40-50cm high and illustrates the resilience, strength, and determination of all New Zealanders as one, with simple lines and complex textures.

Yang, who is of Chinese descent, grew up surrounded by used car parts and scrap metal while his parents worked their jobs in China’s automotive industry. After digressing away from his original dream to become a well-accomplished oil painter, Yang turned to sculpture and, in 2014, famously depicted actor and film director Jackie Chan in a work named ‘Drunkie Chan’. The sculpture was inspired by the movie Drunkie Master and, like many of Yang’s other sculptures, is constructed from recycled vehicle parts. Chan is one of the most recognisable and influential film personalities globally, and Yang is honoured that he and his family were to fly to New Zealand for the grand opening of ‘We Are One’, however current Covid-19 restrictions in Shanghai are preventing them from attending. Chan has crafted a tribute to be aired on the night.

Inspiration for ‘We Are One’ was drawn from the passion Yang developed for the land, people, and culture of Aotearoa over the eleven years he’s lived here. The Maori people, in particular, with their traditional strong stature and protruding tongues, as well as the All Blacks rugby team and the Haka, are unmistakable influences on the exhibition.

Having previously experimented with mud, the finished sculptures are constructed of resin and stainless steel. The resin symbolises the purity of Aotearoa, and the stainless steel reflects the viewer, creating an instant connection with the work and symbolising strength and resilience.

The exhibition is expected to draw wide interest from the art and rugby worlds — notably the attendance of Alan Gibbs, owner of Gibbs Farm in the Kaipara Harbour. Gibbs was depicted in ‘Marshall Alan’ a magnificent four-meter high sculpture by Yang created as a tribute to Gibbs’ lifetime achievements in the wild west. Sir Richard Taylor is also pegged to attend, a longtime supporter and collector of Yang.
A number of All Blacks, both past and present, are also expected to attend the grand opening.

‘We Are One’ is a truly captivating collection of works that includes one unique design to be unveiled at the grand opening. This particular design depicts a phalanx of seven arrowheads.

They symbolise young lives nurtured by Aotearoa New Zealand, and hold a strong formation with an indisputable resonation with viewers. ‘We Are One’ is dedicated to Aotearoa and its people

Media Release on 2 June 2022

Media Contact
Diana Kerr, Giraffe Marketing
diana@giraffemarketing.co.nz
+64212940881
https://www.weareonenz.com/

MIL OSI