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Our People

Gordon Collier's latest gardening masterpiece

Pushing close to four score and 10 isn’t deterring this horticultural legend from developing a third significant garden.

Makeover Brings Smiles

Timaru’s Arvida Strathallan community has plenty to celebrate with the reopening of their renovated hospital-level care household.

Rural meets Style – Hide and Seek Clothing

Penny Williams’ story began in true, old-fashioned Kiwi spirit: with a bit of innovation, design flair and DIY. Now her business Hide & Seek Clothing has bloomed beyond her wildest dreams.

How a vintage Beetle became one wife's great Christmas surprise

Don’t be fooled by the mild-mannered exterior of Alan Bekhuis’ 1970 Volkswagen Beetle.

The Otago glamping haven hidden under tussocks

What was once a rocky outcrop used by shepherds is now the site of an off-grid retreat.

Making its mark: This Otago luxury hunting lodge has a unique offering

A South Island high-country farm is attracting high-value international tourists thanks to its growing reputation.

A Sumner home with an unbeatable view

Undaunted by the pitfalls presented by a perilously steep slope, this Christchurch couple forged ahead anyway, seeing potential in the site — and that view.

This lush garden near Whanganui took 45 years to plant

She has the brains; he has the vision. Together, this couple has developed an extraordinary and surprising garden.

Strength (in all areas) is the key to rowing success

Louise Storey’s role at Rowing New Zealand is to help the country's rowing elite cope with the pressure-cooker environment of high-performance sport.

Jack and Gill went up the Okitu Beach hill

A brother, his hard-working sister and their partners created a forest on a hillside above the Pacific Ocean.

This chairman never forgets the legacies of those who came before him

Bayden Barber’s path to a significant tribal leadership role was inevitable, given the influence of his elders on his upbringing.

Nutrition from the Sea – United Fisheries

Sitting across the table from Kypros Kotzikas it is hard not to get caught up in the passion and vibrancy he has for life. At 79 years of age he is far from slowing down; in fact his retirement projects are bigger than some people’s careers!

Pluck of the Irish: An Otago winemaking legend's latest project

The man often referred to as the godfather of Central Otago wine is still chasing the perfect pinot well into his 80s.

Bruce Topp’s British rogue is the perfect fit

The Jensen Interceptor was the dream of someone who wanted something a bit different. Bruce Topp is that someone.

Why this actor chose the life of a storyteller

The New Zealand Samoan actor credits high school teachers for allowing him to see acting was more than just a hobby

A call to leadership took this wāhine back to the ahi kaa

With Taranaki Maunga physically at her back and spiritually guiding her, Paula Carr is contributing to her Ngāruahine iwi with innovative ideas and by connecting people.

The Radon family are farming and crafting in paradise

Antonia and Mike Radon farm pāua, sheep and cattle, grow pearls, host visitors and sell jewellery to tourists in Whekenui Bay, Marlborough Sounds.

What is canoe slalom? It was the scariest thing this Kiwi ever did

Canoe slalom is not a sport for the faint-hearted. Paddlers must beat the clock, their opponents and, most challenging of all, turbulent water. One teenager is up for the run.

The Taranaki woman sharing her passion for parenting

Even as a pre-teen, this parenting expert knew what she’d do when she had children. And now she shares her knowledge with many others

Retro Revamp

Lisa and Toby Morse have transformed their 1970s Merivale townhouse into a chic new home, infused with playful personality and style .

From rugby journo to lawn bowls aficionado

The sedate setting of a lawn bowls rink is a world away from rugby grounds.

Ever heard of Esperanto?

A way with words has coloured the career of this Wellington polyglot.

An inspiring maximalist expresses herself through colour

The colourful and ordered home of a university librarian belies the chaos of her insatiable curiosity and the challenge of discovering her tikanga.

Ngāti Kurī chair Harry Burkhardt is people-focused

With Ngāti Kurī and Swiss whakapapa, Henri Jacques Burkhardt, aka Harry, has come into his tribal leadership role occupying “grey spaces”.

Step inside the secluded world of Lavericks Bay

Seven generations of one family have loved Lavericks Bay life, and now visitors can also enjoy the many charms of this secluded sheep farm.

Golf-course design has taken this Kiwi all over the world

Kristine Kerr became the first female member in the history of the Australian Society of Golf Course Architects when inducted in 2010.

A practical pair build a home in Pahoia

He is good at building things; she is clever in the garden. The home and life they’ve built together are outward-focused, expansive and rewarding.

Turning junk into a curated home in Carterton

A house so leak-free it might pop if air were pumped into it delights its owners-designers, who smile every day at its light and effective footprint.

This West Coast woman is finding the adventure in every day

Young mother Renee Cadigan is developing a self-sufficient life and teaching her boys valuable life skills at the same time.

A Kiwi diver shares the hard work behind the quick dive

Diving is a study in time and motion, breath-taking synchronicity of mind and body. The aim, as always, is perfection.

Design couple find work and life balance their resort-like home and office

Many hours of hard work have driven a designing couple to great career heights. It helps that they like each other — a lot.

From Auckland to chic off-grid living on a block near Taupō

Leaving Auckland for a bare Taupō block prompted a young couple to build an unfussy life from total scratch, savouring every moment.

Sonya Rimene on creating a strong foundation of identity, culture and reo

A strong public service background has given Sonya Rimene the experience, networks and relationships required to help influence Crown decision-makers to advance and support the aspirations of iwi/Māori.

The colourful world of maximalist Virginia Winder

More is more when it comes to handbags, hot sauce and living life to the max.

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