Our Life

A Flax Mill in the Family

An old concrete building near Oxford stands tall like a weathered sentinel in a landscape of fields and quietly grazing sheep. Though built in the early 1940s, this is no former army bunker or military supplies depot. In fact, this old flax mill once served a wartime need for linen fibre. Through the intervening decades, its story has become interwoven with that of a rural Oxford family who have preserved its heritage and opened the building as a wedding and events venue.

This is how to light a clean fire, according to two Norwegian wood-burning experts.

When temperatures soar, the hum of air conditioning and refrigeration units sound an ominous chorus. This company is offering a greener solution.

Even when minimising waste much as possible, some food scraps can’t be eaten. Here's how best to combat food scraps.

When the going gets tough, it’s not just the tough who get going.

If you live in paradise and want extra income, it makes sense to invite people to stay. Sheryn shares her lessons hosting visitors from near and far.

Diversification was on the cards when a buzz-loving broadcaster moved to a remote Canterbury valley with a sixth-generation farmer. Million Springs farm is today host to 2000 cows and a business in the trees.

A Northland family share the healing powers of their land to help children in crisis, and it’s working.

Summer is a time for garden parties and picnics. Let the games begin.

Treading Lightly On The Earth

Nothing should get in the way of enjoying our outdoors, least of all uncomfortable shoes! Leading New Zealand family-owned business Nevada Sport are passionate about inspiring others to get into the outdoors, while caring for New Zealand’s great outdoors along the way.

With this super-simple macramé hanger, you’ll always have fresh flowers – or herbs – on hand.

There are times when stressing out the system can be good for the health — ask the artery-blessed Ama of Japan.

Is a Short, Sharp Correction on the Property Cards?

New Zealand’s overheated property market has shattered record after record in the past year, with house prices skyrocketing by close to 30 per cent in 12 months alone. But is a short, sharp correction on the property cards? Nathan Miglani, Mortgage Adviser with Loan Market Paramount fills us in.

The Gift of Sound

Together with the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme you can make an impact today and give the gift of hearing to a profoundly deaf New Zealander.

It’s More Than a Trend, it’s Our Identity

The world has become a very polarising place when it comes to the environment. Sarah Perriam’s curiosity for 2022 continues to build on how we can repair our connection with the earth with ancient indigenous farming wisdom verified by science.

Beyond the Kitchen

The Zonta Ashburton International Women’s Day Breakfast is back for its 26th year. We talk to guest speakers Margo and Rosa Flanagan about what we can expect.

Heartache and Happy Endings

The universal language of love constantly takes Christchurch author Rosie Richards to international heights. We talk to her ahead of becoming the first New Zealand author to reach 100 published books.

Kid’s Reading Corner

With so many great kids’ and young adult titles out there, it helps to have a recommendation from the experts. Here are this month’s top picks from Telling Tales: Scorpio Children’s Books.

The Perfect Colour with Resene

Resene Colour Consultant Rebecca Long offers some help when it comes to finding that perfect shade for our walls – helping us all avoid costly mistakes!

Living the Dream

Making internationally acclaimed Theophany audio speakers in his Canterbury home-based factory is literally a dream job for Garth Murray.

These simple steps will keep your cut flowers looking fresh for longer.

A few tricks to ensure you have a good pallet upcycling experience.

Lovely Lola the caravan ensures the Browns relax in colourful comfort whether by the beach, the lake or in the bush.

First there was craft beer, then gin. But is mead the next big artisan drink craze?

This Matakana local has gone from being classed as a hippie to an environment hero.

When fruit trees finish blossoming, the leaves unfurl, and trees set their crop for the season. That’s when it’s time to do your first pick.

Why do we overeat? New research shows the body is at the mercy of two mechanisms when faced with food — hunger and opportunity.

An Oasis of Hope – Trees for Canterbury

Trees for Canterbury is not a standard plant nursery. Manager Steve Bush shares his passion for the not-for-profit organisation, whose mission is to employ disadvantaged people in the community, teach environmental awareness and cultivate native plants for regeneration.

The Perfect Property Storm

Soaring land prices, escalating raw material costs and construction firms scrapping fixed-price builds... there’s plenty of doom and gloom in the media, but there’s also plenty to be excited about, says Nathan Miglani, Mortgage Adviser with Loan Market Paramount.

Experience the New with David Reid Homes Waitaki

It’s been another whirlwind of a year for North Otago husband and wife duo Aaron and Nikki Mackay of David Reid Homes Waitaki/ South Canterbury, but they don’t plan on slowing down, having added two more prestigious accolades to their already burgeoning collection.

A Family Affair – Lady Wigram Retirement Village

Lady Wigram Retirement Village is family-owned and family-run. The village’s sophisticated design, welcoming environment and high-end service level have been the owners’ guiding principles since its opening in 2015.

Breaking Down Barriers – R&P Insurance

Rochelle Carly and Philly McMeekan are bringing a fresh, female and flexible approach to insurance.

Timber Care

Whether you’re tidying up your fence, staining your deck or freshening up furniture, now is the time to enhance and protect your external timber from the likes of water, fungi and UV light.

The Art of Ageing

Introducing Arbonne ’s vegan skincare ranges – AgeWell and LiftIntense – which can be used separately or together to target the signs of ageing and uncover youthful-looking skin.