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.
Read MoreIt’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?
Read MoreHeritage 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.
Read MoreWhen Karin and Dale Mackay moved into their two-storey, four-bedroom house in Fernside in 2021 – it was showing its age. The mint green exterior hadn’t aged well whilst inside there were pink bathroom suites and a blue laundry. The single glazed doors and windows were old and draughty and the lack of any insulation meant it was pretty cold.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreNot much phases Olivia Waldron. At just 25 years old, the bubbly South Cantabrian has already completed a degree, travelled the world, started her career, joined the emergency response team at work, become a group fitness instructor and, most recently, become a qualified firefighter with the St Andrew’s Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreIt all started with a 1967 Mustang for Michelle Cahill, who won the Best Dressed title at last year’s Caroline Bay Rock & Hop.
Read MoreFor 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.”
Read MoreOn 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.
Read MoreVolunteer fire fighter, Assina Dalglish, has attended her fair share of significant call outs in the past three years, including the Loburn and Swannanoa fires in January as well as car accidents, natural disasters and medical events.
Read MoreMany of us work from home at some point, whether it’s a day a week or full-time. We might spread out on the corner of the kitchen table or take our laptop to the spare bedroom. But architectural designer, Josh Newlove, has created a home office that ticks all the boxes – great views of Mt Peel, close to the house, but far enough away to avoid disturbances.
Read MoreTurn 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.
Read MoreThere’s nothing like home baking to lift the spirits. One popular group shares with us how they spread a little happiness by delivering home baked goods to those who might be having a tough day.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThis hundred-year-old homestead combines character and a sense of history. Trees tower overhead, peacocks stalk the lawn and it’s like stepping into another world.
Read MoreOne North Canterbury resident fully embraces the spirit of Christmas when it comes to decorating.
Read MoreWe all love the peonies that herald the start of the warmer weather. Recently, we caught up with the woman behind a paddock of peonies here in South Canterbury
Read MoreThe playground at Caroline Bay will soon be ready. We caught up with the C Play team to find out more.
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