The Garden City: Phil Mauger, Christchurch City Mayor

Christchurch isn’t called the Garden City for nothing – and it definitely keeps that title when autumn rolls around. The leaves are turning red and yellow, and starting to fall (we’re sweeping them out of the drains, don’t worry), and the weather is starting to cool off. There’s still a lot going on […]

Healthy skin with skinimalism

Just a few years ago, having hundreds of different products and targeting every possible skin issue was all the rage. Now, ‘skinimalism’ is in. Rooted in the idea that ‘less is more’, skinimalism strips away the unnecessary steps in your skincare routine in favour of products that are more effective and efficient. It’s […]

Delicious edibles: Naturally Delicious

Being disqualified from your first cake baking competition aged eight because the judges simply didn’t believe you could make something so good, might deter many a budding baker from ever picking up a whisk again. Not so Michael Johnson. Michael says he wasn’t very good at school, but his skills kicked in when […]

Working together: Leann Watson of Business Canterbury

The last few weeks have been busy again as we advocate on behalf of Canterbury businesses. Recently, Ali Adams (CEO, ChristchurchNZ) and I flew to Wellington for a whirlwind tour of the big business ministries including MBIE and MFAT. The purpose of the trip was to reiterate Canterbury’s position as a powerhouse regional […]

Safe, healthy homes: Fraemohs Homes

The Christchurch and the Kaikōura earthquakes and their aftershocks felt as if they were trying to tear the land in two. The aftermath separated Cantabrians into two groups as well: those whose properties were devastated, and those whose homes came through the trials with little damage. One home remained completely unscathed following the […]

Say it through flowers: Victoria Florists

Whatever life throws at us, from its highest to its lowest moments, it is often the gift of flowers that touches the heart more intensely than the spoken word. To know that we are not forgotten, and more importantly, that we are loved, brings the greatest happiness. Especially on Mother’s Day, there’s no […]

Comfort for every season: Dreamwool Beds

“I first explored using micro-coils in our mattresses when my wife was experiencing menopause,” says Dreamwool director, David Henderson. “My wife was having a difficult time sleeping and she would often wake up drenched in the middle of the night. I knew then that we needed to support the many women like her […]

Warm for winter

While their warm coats help to keep the chill at bay, pets still feel the cold when the temperatures plummet. Especially true for older, thinner, or short-haired pets, the cold weather increases the risk of illness and sore joints, and an unsettled, unhappy pet. Even if they are kept primarily inside, heat rises, […]

Hanmer for the holidays

If you are in desperate need of a spot that fosters relaxation while stimulating adventure, Hanmer Springs has it all. For a week, a weekend, or just a day, it is a quintessential Canterbury holiday location, one we will never get sick of. Serenity and leisure make up the atmosphere in Hanmer, while […]

A labour of love: Shambhala

In 2004, Teo Munro returned home from overseas with a dream to create a forever salon against any odds. I wanted a salon solely dedicated to organic products, so clients had access to safer and healthier options.” Shambhala Hair Design opened its premises above Alice in Videoland. Though lacking advertising funds, word soon […]