Our Life

From ‘caravan graveyard’ to a sunny new life
Lovely Lola the caravan ensures the Browns relax in colourful comfort whether by the beach, the lake or in the bush.

A Taupō beekeeper finds another sweet gig — making mead
First there was craft beer, then gin. But is mead the next big artisan drink craze?

The zero-waste legend helping Matakana turn trash into treasure
This Matakana local has gone from being classed as a hippie to an environment hero.

When to thin your fruit trees
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.

The ancient reflex linked with overeating
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.

What to consider for your dream outdoor bath
If a bath beneath a starry, starry sky sounds like your kind of happy, you’re in excellent company.

Inside the stormy business of seaweed harvesting
When wild winds rage across the top of the Hauraki Gulf, it’s time for these farmers to harvest a special crop.

Getting hooked on a colourful, retro craft
Beth Willis is reviving a colourful 1970s craft — one crocheted daisy earring at a time.

Why the mindful art of pottery is the new ‘it’ hobby
The art of ceramics is piquing national interest, with beginner classes selling out around New Zealand.

Finding a balance between healthy foods and palatable flavour
It’s all very well for the strong-minded to advise ‘food be thy medicine’, but what if it tastes awful and has the mouthfeel of shoe leather?

DIY: How to make a succulent wreath
Make a succulent wreath for Christmas and beyond. This living wreath will easily last until the next holiday season as the succulent cuttings will develop roots in time.

DIY: How to make biodegradable seedling pots
These newspaper seedling pots can be planted straight into the ground.

Why Lynda Hallinan can't give up on fussy ferns
Lynda indulges her fever for ferns with a tabletop collection of covetable species.

The South Canterbury dynasty behind a potato empire
One man’s penchant for potatoes has led to a thriving multigenerational family-run paddock-to-packet potato-chip business.

Backyard Family Travellers
The idea of taking three young children on a mountain hike would leave most parents filled with a sense of dread. But Mid Canterbury-based blogger, marketing freelancer and social media influencer Jen Parkes regularly takes her children – Nathan (seven), Kipton (five), and Emilia (three) – into the great outdoors, and she’s on a mission to show other parents they can too.

The Beauty of Diversity
Inclusive dance company Jolt is based on the ethos that everyone has the right to dance and find their own creative voice, and the belief that communities are strengthened by the beauty of diversity. Artistic Director Lyn Cotton gives us an insight into this inspirational organisation.

The Next Stage – Lady Wigram Village
The decision to move into a retirement village or aged care facility can be brought about by a number of factors and whether you are looking for yourself or someone you love, it is important you understand the different options available. Rachel Wilson, Care Facility Manager at Lady Wigram Village answers our questions .

A Touch of Colour
Light and airy is a very popular trend, however adding a touch of colour here and there can create mood and interest.

Inside the expensive world of houseplants
That old houseplant at your grandma’s house might be worth thousands, but can you make a killing growing the most on-trend houseplants?

Recloaking Gisborne with eco-sourced trees
A group of (mostly) women are regenerating Gisborne’s flora — one eco-sourced seed at a time.

How a bush hut inspired this couple's new lease on life
A backcountry hut along the Forgotten World Highway is a befitting backdrop for this city-eschewing couple.

A Queenstown couple's outdoor approach to teaching pre-schoolers
A Queenstown couple take on the task of nurturing Aotearoa’s most valuable and important resource.

DIY: How to make a cute macramé keychain
Learn how to make this cute macramé keychain before moving on to larger projects.