Audi of New Zealand Ambassadors

Simon Gault | Chef

Internationally respected Master Chef Simon Gault has a remarkable talent for bringing together tastes and techniques from around the world.

His global experience allows him to savour in his mind the blending of Oriental with European and so produce some of the best and most innovative dishes presented in New Zealand. His many awards and international recognition attest to his superb skill. When Kevin Roberts the CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi World Wide was asked what his favorite recipe was, he replied “Simon Gault’s telephone number”

After training in New Zealand Simon traveled to the United Kingdom and worked there for two years. After experience with both Leiths Restaurant in London and at the prestigious Michelin Star Thornbury Castle, Simon returned to New Zealand to open his first restaurant.

Two restaurants later and a string of awards including Restaurant of the Year on more than one occasion saw Simon’s restaurant in the America's Cup basin, sold. Simon accepted a position as chef to Simon Fuller, the entrepreneur responsible for the incredible success of the Spice Girls and Idol program.

During the following year in Europe with the group Simon catered for the needs of the Fuller group and visiting entertainment celebrities. Life in Italian villas typical of which was Franco Zefferelli’s magnicent Tre Ville, enabled Simon to work with famous Italian chefs as well as in traditional family kitchens where his obvious passion for food was shared and established the basis for friendships that exist to this day.
At the conclusion of this contract Simon again returned to New Zealand and was instrumental in the establishment of Euro Restaurant, once again in the America's Cup Viaduct Basin. As executive chef Simon guided Euro to the point where the influential Condé Naste magazine of New York recognized Euro as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world.

After two years with Euro, Simon again felt the need to experience first hand in which direction the culinary scene was moving and accepted the position as personal chef to multi billionaire Larry Ellison of the Oracle Corporation. Simon worked aboard Larry Ellison’s luxury motor yacht and also in Mr Ellison’s home. Travels on the motor yacht took him north to Alaska and south to Tahiti and the Pacific Islands.

Back in New Zealand again Simon undertook the revamping of a restaurant that he raised once again to an award winning standard and international recognition. After two years with this restaurant Simon felt the need to again open an establishment of his own and Jervois Steak House Restaurant was born. 

The restaurant was and remains a huge success and whilst Simon retains a major interest he is now Executive Chef to the Nourish Group; as such he is a part owner and responsible for the day to day running of Euro Restaurant, Fish at the Auckland Hilton hotel, Jervois Steak House in Auckland as well as Bisto Lago in Taupo at the Hilton Hotel and Shed 5 and Pravda Restaurants in Wellington.

All of these restaurants enjoy enviable critical recognition. Throughout all of this Simon continues to travel extensively so as to gain greater appreciation of world culinary trends. His leisure time passion is flying and he is a glider pilot instructor and pilot of vintage military aircraft as a member of Warbirds. His most recent acquisition is a replica P51 Mustang so powerful that its performance exceeds the legendary original military version.

Simon currently drives an RS5 4.2 TFSI quattro.

Steve Dunstan | Entrepreneur

Former professional snowboarder turned fashion entrepreneur Steve Dunstan has been named as an ambassador for Audi’s new A1.

“The A1 is a great looking vehicle that is jam packed with the latest technology, including some impressive gadgets that come directly from Audi’s new super-luxury models,” explained Steve.

Dunstan cited his recent trip to Berlin for the international launch of the A1 as part of the inspiration for the latest Huffer collection.

“Berlin is an amazing city. As well as meeting a few interesting locals, absorbing the culture and admiring the architecture, we sped around in our A1 visiting the fashion precincts, seeking inspiration and checking out export opportunities for Huffer.”

Steve started Huffer back in 1997 selling snowboarding clothes before expanding into street wear. Since then the company has seen significant growth and become a recognised label both locally and internationally. Steve is a perfect fit for the launch of the new Audi A1. He is a designed focused urban lifestyler which is what the A1 represents.

Steve currently drives an Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport Plus.

Richard Naish | Architect

A graduate of Auckland University School of Architecture, Richard commenced his career at Jasmax and then spent 3 years at ORMS Architects in London, before returning to Jasmax where he left his Senior Architect position in 1999.

Richard was the founding partner of RTA Studio and since July 1999 has been responsible for the development of the design direction and philosophy of the practice. His principal skills are in balancing visionary qualities of design with the varying urban and rural within which the practice works.

Under his design leadership the practice has won a number of architectural competitions and received over 25 New Zealand Institute of Architects regional and national Awards as well as several International Architectural Awards.

In 2009 Richard was Adjunct Professor at the Unitec Architecture School and also served 4 years as an External Examiner at the same institution. He has been the Convenor of both the New Zealand Institute of Architects Local Architecture Awards and the New Zealand Architecture Awards as well as serving on the Jury of the Supreme awards.

Richard has presented the practice's work at the New Zealand Institute of Architects 2008 Conference as well as speaking on a national lecture series across the country and in 2009 presented the practice's work at the University of Auckland Fast Forward Lecture Series.

The output of RTA Studio is across varied building sectors, in particular – new commercial, heritage and urban renewal, houses, tertiary, secondary and primary education, urban design, master planning and interior design. RTA Studio houses have won awards at a local and national level as have their commercial and educational buildings.

RTA Studio’s projects have been published extensively both nationally and internationally.

Most recently their Ironbank building in Karangahape Road, Auckland has been Highly Commended at the 2009 World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, Spain as well as receiving a Highly Commended Award in the MIPIM Architectural Review Awards for Future Buildings in Cannes in 2008, France before the project was completed. This building has also been awarded 4 Auckland Architecture Awards by the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 2009. Urbis magazine selected Ironbank as Best New Zealand Building and RTA Studio as Best Architectural Practice for 2009.

Richard currently drives a A4 2.0 TFSI quattro Avant.