Giving back to a good bunch: Daffodil Day

When she was diagnosed with renal cancer, Christchurch woman Angie Milner’s immediate thoughts were making sure she supported her family. The Cancer Society made sure she was supported, too.     Not many people expect a cancer diagnosis. And especially not Angie, who had no risk factors when told she had a form of kidney […]

Gritty Pretty

When it may be months until we can fully trust an early morning clear blue sky or the slippery frosts they bring, a chunky Chelsea boot is a chic way to take no chances in these changeable climes.     Thick, flat and platformed, a rubber-soled stomper adds grit to the most feminine of silhouettes […]

Tier it up

The season of summery dresses is theoretically on our doorstep, albeit one which may be different to any party season we’ve known before. In turbulent times, we can count on our wardrobes to deliver some instant cheer. So please, save your “tiers” for your sartorial choices.   As the weather warms, so does our propensity […]

In the snow about après ski

Europe may be out of bounds, but that does not mean elements of its mountainside culture need to be. Those in the snow know one of the perks of hitting the slopes is what comes at the end of the day – après ski. A mountainside custom coined in the Swiss and French Alps, après […]

Warming up to salads

Gastronomically speaking, it can be a confusing time of year. Longer days and slightly balmier temperatures tell us salad season is near. But the fact we still need our jumpers and coats leaves us equally in want of warming comfort foods. Enter the warm salad: A happy medium between crisp freshness and hearty wholesomeness.   […]

Thinc-ing big

Artificial Intelligence, aerospace technology and acid recycling are some of the local Canterbury business startups benefitting from a recent partnership between the University of Canterbury and economic development agency, ChristchurchNZ.     ThincLab is a startup incubator at UC’s Centre of Entrepreneurship (UCE) and part of Callaghan Innovation’s Founder Incubator, focusing on propelling locally grown […]

Building a legacy

Melissa Vining and her late husband Blair spent his year-long cancer battle fighting for better care for his fellow cancer sufferers.   Now, donors can buy bricks to contribute their part to the Southland Charity Hospital being built as a result of the couple’s efforts. Blair was given just weeks to live when he was […]

Cottoning on to sustainable fashion

Being fashion conscious is increasingly weighted towards the conscious part of the term. From ecological impacts on the environment to social justice issues in supply chains and modelling campaigns: designers and consumers alike have sustainability in mind. Smaller collections, less often: Prada’s “refreshingly practical” (as one writer put it) Spring 2021 runway show last month […]

Sow what?

TIPS FOR YOUR PRE-SPRING GARDEN The winter chill will be with us a while yet, but the slightly longer daylight hours are a sure sign spring is on its way. So, it’s time to get the last of your pre-spring gardening done so you can sit back and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your […]

A garden you can eat

The Garden City will soon become an edible garden city with construction of the Ōtākaro Orchard back underway.     The orchard will include a food forest, an edible garden, educational and event spaces, a local food information centre, an outdoor amphitheatre, dome greenhouse and a café. After construction commenced in June 2019, foundations were […]