Kate Battersby is an Auckland-based freelance photographer and creative, known for her striking colourful imagery. She has made a name for herself photographing food and product, working previously with Annabel Langbein, Farro Fresh and Dish magazine but has recently had success with lifestyle and interiors, shooting the imagery for Saben's beautiful Wild Garden spring collection.

Kate lives in Mt Albert in what she describes as "an old ‘70s styled shag pad. Think mauve carpet, gold light fixings, painted over wallpaper and a kidney shaped pool with a waterfall".

"We are one driveway away from the access path to the top of the Maunga,” says Kate, “so getting to green spaces is super easy which has been a lifesaver during lockdown."

‍Favourite place for a drink?

My favourite drink at the moment is a martini and the best martini is the one from Candela, on Karangahape Rd. It's so tasty and comes with a little skewer that has prosciutto as well as olives. 

Unfortunately due to lockdown I have not been able to have a martini but I have had a lot of wine and gin delivered, thanks to By The Bottle and Everyday Wine.‍

Where do you get your morning coffee - and what’s your order?

‍My first coffee is delivered to me in bed everyday by my flatmate Georgia (I’m very spoilt) but my second coffee will either be from the Little Crumb in Kensal florist or at Kind Stranger. I always go for a long black with a dash of cream.

‍Favourite restaurant to visit with friends?

I think it's probably Coco's. When I moved to Auckland seven years ago my flat and I went there for my birthday dinner and now it's the place we go to before most gigs or concerts. Who can go past the three P’s - prosecco, polenta chips and people watching. 

‍The restaurant you’ve been going to for years?‍

The Fed! I love the chicken sandwich with gravy, the poutine, the schticks, the cocktails. Granted your company has to be okay with meat as there aren’t a lot of vege options but shit, I’ve ever had a bad meal there.

‍Best ‘cheap eat’?

‍Can’t go past the Ponsonby Food Court. A beer and either a Char Kway Teow or Buń Gà. Best food, best people watching, best environment! I'm also very partial to a prawn toast and plum wine from Nook.

‍Favourite gallery or museum?‍

I do just really love the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. I mean, who doesn’t? 

‍Where do you go for some relaxation or a beauty treatment?‍

I’m a do it at home kinda gal. I have a full routine that I do when I'm feeling extra shit and it always makes me feel better.

First, I do a full body dry brush, followed by a hot shower where I cleanse my face neck and chest with Sans [Ceuticals] Goji Oil cleanser. If I'm feeling up to it, a full hair wash with Bouclème Curl Cleanser (I have A LOT of hair and it is thiiiiiccccck), then I finish the shower cold. It's good for anxiety and hair care, both of which are important to look after. 

Then! We do a face mask, my two faves are the Sans [Ceuticals] Superdose Luminosity masque and Frank Body Glow Mask. Then I douse myself in Sans [Ceuticals] Activator 7 Oil and return to the real world.

But if I’m feeling fancy, I'm all about a facial - my favourites are the Tonic Room ones. And, how could I forget a haircut! Philly at Colleen is a bloody genius, the only person I’ve been to who can actually cut curly hair properly. Dang, I sound like an influencer!

‍Best kept shopping secret?

‍Honestly, TradeMe! I’m a big fan of buying old wooden furniture and painting it but you can also find some real gems there.

Living through this current lockdown has also meant I've been doing my fair share of online shopping... the world is your oyster on the WWW. My lockdown purchases so far have been a set of mugs from Brood FermWares, flowers from Kensal florist, and a Kowtow shirt. I'm also eyeing up some brown cord jeans from Penny Sage.‍

Favourite clothing store that never lets you down?

I’m quite picky with my clothing choices. I’ll find something I like and think on it for a month or two before actually purchasing. I get really wrapped up in trying to buy sustainably that sometimes I panic and don’t end up getting anything which I guess is the most sustainable action.

I am a huge fan of Kowtow knitwear and I also really like Karen Walker Playpark in Newmarket, they always have the best selection of Levi’s. The clothing that I dream about the most though is probably Penny Sage, I love everything that comes out of their studio!

‍Where do you go for a workout?‍

I can be a pretty lazy person and I'm kinda scared of gyms so I normally go for a run or walk around one of the various Maunga that we have.

‍Where do you go when you’re after local art or design?

‍I love art, I love a good painting, photograph or sculpture, but I reeeaaallly love functional art. I’m a super tactile person so I love art that you can not only look at but hold and use.

I think I probably go and look in shops more than galleries because you can touch all of the objects there whereas that's normally a bit of a no-no in galleries. Places like Public Record and Tessuti are great as they stock some great local makers and generally have really interesting things to look at.

I'm also really lucky that a lot of my friends are creatives so getting to see local art and design isn’t something I have to go far for. Tāmaki Makaurau (and to be fair Aotearoa in general) has some amazing artists and makers that are making beautiful work. If you are wanting to support local, my faves for functional art are Walk in the Park, Petley, Wundaire, Artemis Ceramics, Fiona McKay, and Kate Mitchell.