An end of year message, and round up of nice things, from co-founder and partnerships director Rebecca Wadey

I don't mean to be the person who complains that every year since Covid has been worse than the year before, but honestly, I think about those long days with my not-yet-teen boys, having pie-making and firemaking competitions, long walks with the dog and no fluorescent office lighting and compare it to 2024, and there's just no comparison.

In 2024 I've watched industries, including my own, crumble before my eyes. I've seen friends and extremely talented colleagues and whānau lose their jobs and be forced to make tough decisions about an unexpected future. I've lost friends to cancer and other traumas, shed tears over unfathomable and horrific genocide, and experienced the full spectrum of emotion over our own racist and heartless government. I've had a hysterectomy and experienced parenting challenges, and I've gone to an office each day not knowing if it would be my last.

And as I type this, it is my last – the perfect time for nostalgia. And a reminder that amongst the rubble of 2024, there was some sunshine, and glimpses of hope. Many of these glimpses were in the stories of Ensemble and the community we've fostered here which never fails to inspire and uplift me.‍

Leg season: Why I love to get my pins out for summer‍

The perfect Ensemble story, imo. It gets us thinking about societal norms as well as our approach to fashion. "Shorts open up a whole new canvas on which to accessorise," explains Sam. "That canvas being… the bottom half of your body."‍

A love letter to Auckland City Hospital‍

Our public health system gets a really hard time, and given the brutal cuts currently proposed at Te Whatu Ora, it doesn't seem like things will get better any time soon. But our frontline doctors and nurses, who are the public faces of this chaos, are nothing short of heroes. This touching piece gives them the props they deserve, through a very human lens.‍

Getting ready for All Points East festival with musician Molly Payton‍

I fangirl both Yawynne and Molly, so naturally this was a must-read. And it's heartbreaking, sweet, insightful and hilarious. Certainly not your run-of-the-mill GRWM.‍

Your Fat Friend with Aubrey Gordon is the film we all need to see

I also fangirl both the incomparable Tanya Barlow and Aubrey Gordon, whose Maintenance Phase podcast has been referenced by me on Ensemble on several occasions. So it was a very happy day when Tanya interviewed Aubrey about Your Fat Friend, a documentary by Jeanie Finlay about Aubrey's existence as (gasp) a fat person. ‍

On Kate Sylvester's closing, and the state of NZ fashion now‍

Ensemble editor Zoe is inarguably Aotearoa's leading fashion commentator. Even our rivals would have a hard time rebutting that assertion. I love it when she lends her practised eye, years of fashion business experience and journalistic credibility into local analysis and this story is a great example of that‍

Five things a lesbian learned at a blowjob class

Our beloved Tyson Beckett, our first staff writer, wrote this hilarious and fascinating story. I mean, it does what it says on the tin – no surprises here, but loads of lols.‍

Beauty and the beef: Why animal-based skincare is on the rise

Ensemble's always been ahead of the curve and the fact Lara Daly, our former editorial assistant and incredible makeup artist, did this story on the rise in popularity of beef tallow, particularly as used in the beauty industry, long before other media started reporting it is a great example of this. Simultaneously gross and fascinating.‍‍

Meet one of the best young plumbers in the country

I've long been a fan of the writing of Georgie Wright (who has written for Ensemble since the early days), and we were thrilled when she came to work for us in September. Turned out we had her for a good time, not a long time. I loved her piece on knowing when to leave the party, about her hedonistic days living in London, but I also harbour a not-so-secret desire to have a trade (I would have a company called Wadey Lady Tradies and have more job stability than I ever had in media) and as such, I absolutely devoured this interview with plumber Harmony Pearce.

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📺 2024 was the year I finally succumbed to peer (sisterly) pressure to watch Vanderpump Rules. I watched every episode and recommend you do too. The chaos of those early seasons will make you simultaneously appreciate your own life and pine for your youth. And as you realise they are having a harder time growing up than you, you will feel infinitely about any poor life choices you've made.

🎞️ Ensemble was thrilled to host an exclusive preview of Sean Baker's latest film, Anora, which has since nabbed several Golden Globe nominations. And just because I saw this FIRST does not make me biased. Although seeing it in a full cinema with people cackling at the dark humour was a brilliant way to end the working year.

‍📚 Bookworm. Again, it's not that I’m biased! But yes my husband, Ant Timpson, did direct this film, starring Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher. Primarily known for horror/genre films, Ant somehow made an inherently sweet and touching, yet slightly subversive family film, in the vein of one of my favourite literary characters Pippi Longstocking.

🍽️ I recently tried a marmite and leek pastry at Beabea's bakery in Westmere and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Westmere is turning into a brilliant little food pocket, the always excellent Ragtag is also home to some of the best meals I've enjoyed, including the incredible prawn tostada.

🥄 Other memorable eats include the miso peanut black sesame ice cream sandwich from Duck Island, the marmite ribs and pickled mussels from Lilian, the Triple P pizza from Luke’s Kitchen and the breakfast pie from Pie Rolla's. The best meal I ate was a 22 course omakase at Craft in Austin, TX, which was recently awarded a Michelin star.

🚓 Love a gritty crime show with great coppers (IYKYK; that is a reference to the best crime show Of All Time Line of Duty) and Blue Lines is certainly that. It's also a fascinating glimpse at life in Northern Ireland, through the eyes of new police recruits.

‍💗 Only Murders in the Building was a gentle, soothing tonic to 2024. Yes, Selena, Martin and Steve are all great (and of course the incredible guest stars including Meryl Streep, Tina Fey, Sting and Eva Longoria) but my favourite character is the detective played by fashion icon Da'Vine Joy Randolph.

🧴 Beauty! Sans [Ceuticals] Body Oil, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Prevage 2.0 Anti-Aging Serum, Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Serum and Supernatural Face Oil, Aleph 'The One' moisturiser, Raaie Sun Milk Drops SPF50 formed the bulk of my skincare (I didn’t find a cleanser I loved, weird). I spent way too much money on makeup from Westman Atelier and Violette_Fr at Mecca, with standouts being the Vital Skin Foundation and Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter, and the best red lipstick ever.

‍🎥 Under the Bridge is a horrific, based on a true story, show that is every parent's worst nightmare. It stars Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone who I rate very highly. Plus it's a great 90s period piece.

✔️ Everyone's seen Slow Horses, right? If not, why not? Gary Oldham is great but Kristin Scott Thomas is incredible.

☕ Drinks of the year: the Nami margarita, the Hera–Pheri at Cassia (mezcal, pineapple chutney and chilli), an oat flat white from Daily Bread, Three Fates Albarinõ wine, the maca protein whip smoothie from Little Bird, the blood orange margarita from Lilian, matcha from Thea, my own breakfast smoothie.

🔥 It will surprise no one who knows my love of the bonkbuster genre that I loved Rivals. It's also an incredible period piece. Read our take on it here, along with some suggestions for other smut we'd like to see adapted. We accept consultancy for production companies!

🔫 Not a fan of the film starring Brangelina, huge fan of the show Mr & Mrs Smith starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine (who is a revelation).

‍📬 Mr Bates vs Post Office is a brilliant dramatisation of the true story of how faulty IT systems in the British postal services led to many employees being accused (and some even jailed) of theft and fraud, and is intensely frustrating and compelling. A modern David vs Goliath tale.

‍❤️‍🩹 Until I Kill You is another true story, this time about a UK woman whose boyfriend kidnapped and tortured her. The police treated her appallingly and while they were questioning her he escaped, only to come back and attempt to murder her before escaping again. A really compelling and hauntingly told look at the injustices faced by victims in the legal system.

‍🏝️ Love Island USA season six was honestly the best show of 2024. I said what I said.

🆒 ICYMI: If you care about my favourite books, albumsand podcasts of 2024, click the links to see what I (alongside an ensemble of far cooler people) selected.