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The long, slow flight of harrier hawks circling overhead is a sight many of us love to see against our wide-open Canterbury skies.
When Michael and Brigitte Barker bought the Vicarage in Geraldine in 2017 – they knew that restoring a heritage building was a big undertaking. And they were under no illusion about their expertise in the area.
With Dry July just around the corner, it could be the ideal time to try out a little ‘sober curious’ living. If that sends shivers down your spine as you recall slightly sour white wine that so often used to be the low alcohol option – think again. No alcohol and low alcohol options are changing – and they’re getting much, much better.
For many embarking on renovating an old home – there are a lot of unknowns. But for Martin and Anne Stewart who took on a church conversion in Totara Valley – there were also some daunting knowns – like earthquake damage, no running water and the very considerable challenge of transforming the church into a residential building.
On a late summer morning by the river in Kaiapoi, artist Mel Eaton is ready to get to work on the wall of the Cure Boating Club. Local artist, Margot Korhonen, is already painting away – filling the wall with swirling purples and blues. But it’s not just a case of turning up with a few tins of paint and a brush.
It’s two o’clock in the afternoon and Lee Barrington, cook and owner of iconic Kaiapoi café Out The Gate, is tucking into a sausage sandwich. Is that breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Heritage homes are a little slice of history – yet all too often they’re neglected and destroyed for short-sighted financial gain. That’s probably why there aren’t that many of them around and it makes the sight of a perfectly preserved cottage in Kaiapoi even more striking. The Williams Street cottage has category 1 Heritage listing and continues in use as a private residence to this day.
As business origin stories go, Tracy and Joachim van Oostrum the couple behind LOVE IN A JEWEL, have a pretty good one. Long before they started their keepsake jewellery design business it was jewellery that brought them together.
When Rebecca Smith first moved into her two-storey, brick house in Timaru 10 years ago, it was “one blank and beige canvas to stamp my mark on.” Embracing her love of all things retro she soon transformed it into a swirling carnival of colours, patterns and textures.
For Danny Bisschop, a chance encounter at the traffic lights as a boy sparked his life-long love of cars. “I was sitting in my parents’ car when I was about 10 years old,” recalls Danny, now 70. “I saw a 1933 Ford Coupe pull up at the lights and that was it! From that point on I’ve been crazy about hot rods.”
On a late summer morning looking out over a garden with rambling roses, vigorous vines and established trees – it’s hard to imagine that seven years ago this was a bare paddock. But that’s exactly what it was says homeowner Sue Heazlewood.
Turn off the highway to Waikuku Beach and there’s an instant holiday vibe in the air. Perhaps it’s the sea air and the picnicking families. Or the fish and chips and the beautiful views over the lagoon.
The road to Mesopotamia Station is a lonely one. But five days a week you will spot the postie, Matt Searles, travelling this route along with his trusty camera and capturing some stunning images of rural NZ.
The North Canterbury town of Cheviot has all you need for a relaxing weekend away or summer stay. From bike tracks to beaches, camping to farm stays.
The best thing about riding with someone who doesn’t normally ride is that they don’t worry about anything.
Running 250 kilometres in the desert is an extreme endurance event not for the faint-hearted. One Rangiora resident shares his experience.
When I first came to New Zealand I was amazed by how few of the Kiwis I met had visited Stewart Island.
I couldn’t read a GPS to save my life. I rarely knew where the racing line was. I couldn’t do any more than steer my horse and, as I never knew which direction I was supposed to be heading in.
Delicious food, fabulous shops and the great outdoors... it doesn’t get much better than this!
It’s likely you’ve done parts of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route (APT) without even realising it– but we bet you haven’t seen all of its hidden gems.
Get out and about and explore some of the fantastic walks in South Canterbury this summer. We’ve picked 4 great walks with something to suit all abilities.
We have always loved some of the incredible places in our backyard here in Canterbury. This month we rediscover the charms of Kaikoura.
Bonjour de la France! By special request of the Essence team I am writing about the circumstances Covid-19 has inflicted upon us as residents of Europe and the experience here in France.
When Canterbury resident Jane Morris set off to guide a trek following in Shackleton's footsteps, she didn't expect to end up quarantined on a ship and swept up in a global pandemic.
Bonjour à nos anciens amis de North Canterbury. Hello to our old friends in North Canterbury. It has now been over four years since I sold my Woodend accountancy practice and we moved to our new home in France.
Forget the typical weekday commute, for Rangiora local, Anna Frost, Tuesdays are all about adventure. This busy mum of two always finds time to discover the natural beauty of North Canterbury…
Former essence girl, Erin Holland keeps us up-to-date with her overseas adventures and fabulous photography…
From wild coastlines to mountain ranges, forest walks and wild rivers - Hurunui is packed with endless opportunities to get out and enjoy nature.