Our People

A family which counts itself lucky to be the keepers of a DOC farm in an unspoiled coastal wilderness shares it every summer with holiday campers.

Meet Amokura Panoho, the first subject of our new series focusing on Māori leadership. Amokura, the author of previous features for NZ Life & Leisure, will write the series from the next issue.

Owning a collection of outdoorsy businesses means this Matakana couple are adept at adapting to the wind. But they are also proving pretty flexible when life’s personal challenges blow in.

The man behind Barker's of Geraldine reflects on five decades of being in the sticky business of syrups, preserves and savoury spreads.

On holiday in Venice with actress Alison Quigan

She may only be edging towards her 70s, but Alison Quigan can empathize with Gen, the character she will play in the Auckland Theatre Company’s new comedy.

He’s into his bikes; she’s into her horses. This Rotorua couple makes a living out of their hobbies.

Kiwi chef Peta Mathias shares her favourite love stories from around the world in her latest book Eat Your Heart Out. NZ Life & Leisure writer Emma Rawson gets the scoop straight from the foodie herself.

Trapping rodents in the Waitākere Ranges is not as daunting as it seems, says bird-lover Jenny Wheeler.

Spontaneity has taken two long-time surfers on a journey of self-discovery — and landed them a business to boot.

Seaweed is the star ingredient in natural fertilizers and tonics for land and animal health. It also makes beautiful body-care products for organically minded people.

In 1988, a solo mum living in the back of beyond launched a business selling health products. It now turns over $35 million a year.

A grand designer of houses and gardens credits the elegant heritage of mid-century Hāwera for developing his eye.

An artist has found joy after great heartbreak by connecting past and present with loops of hot-pink yarn.

From brewing beer to cultivating cow-less milk, companies are experimenting with yeast to make food and drinks for an increasingly eco-minded world.

Twenty-one designers have aligned with Great Full for its first charity initiative. The founder of the social enterprise, Melissa Gardi, explains why community matters.

This couple, one a furniture designer and the other a general practitioner, work in vastly different disciplines, but are aiming for precisely the same goal.

Since 2003, writers have been invited to a tiny brick cottage just off Dunedin’s main street to tap away at whatever they need to get down on paper.

Few muscle cars have more fans than the Dodge Challenger. Gary Covich found one and brought it back to life. But it took more years than he cares to remember.

An environmentalist's heavenly range of vegan dairy producers is flying off the shelves.

Philippe Arregui is winning the hearts of New Zealanders one gourmet sausage at a time.

Responsible for millions of bees, 26-year-old Steph Munro of Southland's Munro Honey now combines her design skills with the sweeter side of life.

Studying graphic design helped pave the path to Sam Mathers' full-time career as a contemporary artist.

Selina’s time as poet laureate has come to an end, but she has many more stories to tell, beginning with her empowering new book, Mophead.

Meet the city escapees whose off-the-trail bistro feeds their need for community, family and a fine vegetable garden.

A garden doesn't get much trickier than a steep slope by the sea, but this one produces enough to feed a family, a community, the birds, and the bees.

This new pastime is rocking the worlds of Kiwis of all ages – and sparking joy stone by stone.

Low energy and poor mental health had Margo and Rosa Flanagan trying out the vegetarian diet. They’ve never looked back, but look to the future with their new cookbook Two Raw Sisters.

This Bay of Plenty artist fastidiously creates her feathered art, placing plumage perfectly — just as it is in nature.

Between the mountains and the sea, sculptor Ben Foster and environmentalist Sabrina Luecht have found the best of nests.

Canterbury sculptor Raymond Herber has carved out a true niche for his life and work in an abandoned quarry.

The project director for New Plymouth’s new airport terminal is flying high.

Chantel and Mike Priddy are quenching a thirst for living well with a traditional fermented drink.

This couple spent many years among the glitterati in London’s fast lane. Now Auckland-based, they’re learning the joy of slow(ish) motion.

Traditional hummus is a staple for Shyr and Brent Godfrey. Here's how they do it.