Our Life

Dust off those needles – this easy-to-knit beanie teams New Zealand natural wool with a cute-as-a-button possum-fur pompom.

Grab the iron and a bundle of soft plastic bags then make a tote with sustainable style.

A bonsai collector shares the lesson of caring for artfully pruned trees.

Scientists call foods that are good for the body ‘functional’. Marketers call them ‘superfoods’. Welcome to the health-giving world of nutraceuticals.

Light your fire with these simple, homemade starters.

You might think hunting lodge, you might think it’s too much  wood for one home, but the modern log house is a strong statement in clean, green, renewable, hand-crafted building work.

WORD on the street

Māori language advocates and writers Hana O’Regan and Charisma Rangipunga are joining forces with two prolific Irish-language writers at the upcoming WORD Christchurch Festival for an event that is not to be missed.

The Demand For Land

Very soon we could be seeing a lot of investors become developers, but before you rush in, it’s worth taking your time to get the numbers right, says Nathan Miglani, Mortgage Adviser with Loan Market Paramount.

We Stand on Their Shoulders

As Playcentre celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, we talk to Barbara Chapman who shares her involvement in the long and proud history of one of New Zealand’s leading preschool organisations.

Collective Impact Through Education

Grow Waitaha assists schools to achieve pedagogical change in a meaningful and manageable way, and to put learners at the centre of that change. Dr Chris Jansen explains.

Papered Walls

Wallpaper is a fabulous way to add energy, personality and style to your home. Whether you seek a bold pattern, subtle texture or even a large custom mural, the variety of options is endless.

Raising Eyebrows

Drawing on the simplicity of the humble rectangle, embellished with an expressive roofline and completed with a nod to brutalist aesthetics, Milton Weir’s Akaroa holiday home nearly didn’t get out of the ground. In fact, it nearly didn’t have any ground to begin with!

Get It Straight

Podiatrist Louise Aubrey helps us understand what the foot-body connection is, and how it affects our balance and alignment.

A Little Gallery with a Big Heart

There is a touch of pride in the voice of Cheryl Morrall as I talk to her about the 10-year celebrations of Down by the Liffey Gallery, and so there should be. For 10 years this beautiful gallery space has been run by the community, for the community. A mammoth feat for a volunteer organisation.

The Gift of Hearing

Bellbird Hearing was established by local clinicians striving to provide world-class hearing healthcare to their local communities. Experience, expertise, independence and unbiased advice lie at the heart of their service, as Timaru audiologist Juliet Marsden explains.

Create a magical trail of stepping stones using ready-mix concrete and decorated with bold, beautiful leaves from the backyard.

Converting a barn into a home can create a distinctive living space, but it involves a unique set of building challenges.

A psychology student’s budding business, providing solace when she most needed it, is rooted in the belief that homegrown flowers can heal the mind, body and soul.

A tennis coach and an IT professional have transformed their not-much-good-for-anything land into a tiny house escape.

The pantry contains a smörgåsbord of ingredients perfect as natural dyes.

Father and daughter, John and Susan Badcock, are just two members of the thoroughly paint-spattered Badcock family tree.

Ben Foster has come to realize his car project is a form of therapy for himself and his mates after the psychological and mental anguish of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and the last year of the pandemic.

A family committed to a self-sufficient way of life have quickly turned an untamed block into a productive homestead.

Embracing Féte

Hosting a garden fête isn’t at the top of the bucket list for most, but for Min and Deanna Mackenzie, what started as an inspired idea 12 years ago has grown into a much-loved regular event on the community calendar.

Renovate, Refresh and Relax

Sometimes one or two simple changes are all you need to give your bathroom a refresh, and the best part is you can do it yourself! The team at Mitre 10 MEGA explain.

Working For You

Resene Colour Consultant Rebecca Long guides us through some tips and tricks when it comes to crafting the perfect home office space.

Staying Positive in the Face of Change

Yes, recent government announcements on housing mean there are policy changes to navigate, but it’s not all doom and gloom, says Nathan Miglani, Mortgage Adviser with Loan Market Paramount.

Regular Screening

News of Labour MP Kiri Allan’s cervical cancer diagnosis has highlighted the need for women to have regular cervical smears and report any unusual bleeding or discomfort to their doctor. Oxford Women’s Health gynaecologist Richard Dover explains the importance of regular screening, attending follow-up appointments, and upcoming changes to cervical screening.

From History to Histories

Everyone has a view about what should be taught in history, how it should be taught and why it’s important.

Kay Paku feels life has delivered her a series of career options — each a lucky chance rather than a deliberate choice.

Waste from your block is actually quite the opposite to its name — here's how to make the most of its value.

These veggies are excellent for small gardens.

Make the most of this medicinal plant by making a salve, throat gargle or even natural perfume.

Get the basics right, and you can have perfect firewood in as little as six weeks.