When lockdown hit rather than slowing down, the owners at Rangiora’s Five Stags decided to fast forward a new business venture. Within weeks Fresh Chef was up and running.

We caught up with three local business owners to see how they are adapting to operating in the shadow of Covid-19.

With more of us frequently working from home, we hit up a makeup artist and stylist for tips on putting on our best Zoom face.

Brightly coloured stalls jostle for space selling everything from local olive oil to crisply glistening fruit and veg, luscious purple bulbs of fresh garlic to oozingly creamy artisan cheeses. Some shoppers browse and chat and meander along, others dart in and out of the crowds with purpose and a shopping list. On a sunny Friday in late spring Ohoka market is buzzing.

With the help of a dedicated team of volunteers and a supportive community the Kaiapoi Food Forest has become a fabulous spot tucked away in the former red zone…