
Mahinga Kai in Moeraki
Fleur Sullivan
After a few years of amateur foraging I was giddy to meet Fleur Sullivan of Fleurs Place, a Moeraki restaurant I’d imagined many times in my head.
A city is people, not a place.
Here's a glimpse into the inspiring lives and stories of exceptional people from the fields of food, fashion, design, art and culture.
People
Mahinga Kai in Moeraki
Fleur Sullivan
After a few years of amateur foraging I was giddy to meet Fleur Sullivan of Fleurs Place, a Moeraki restaurant I’d imagined many times in my head.
Slow but spontaneous: exponential brewing
Lee-Ann Scotti and Michael O’Brien
Lee-Ann Scotti and Michael O’Brien form two equal halves of a brewing team that’s a partnership in every sense of the phrase.
Three kids, three restaurants and a whole lot of heart
Yanina and Pablo Tacchini
While they’re originally from Argentina, Yanina and Pablo Tacchini are some of Oamaru’s biggest fans and most genuine ambassadors.
Innovation and exploration in Palmy and beyond
Mahalee and Benoit Guieysse
Like many people you’ll meet in Palmerston North, Mahalee and Benoit Guieysse aren’t originally from the region, but they’re some of its most genuine ambassadors.
Palmerston North's secret handshake
Catherine Russ & Simon Francis
Te Motu o Poutoa, Anzac Park, affectionately known as “Pork Chop Hill”, is a look out point, observatory and car park perched on a bluff above the Manawatū River. Like many Palmerstonians, local creatives Catherine Russ and Simon Francis hung out there as teens.
Botanical simplicity
Lynn Kirkland
The Herb Farm located in Ashhurst, is one of New Zealand’s most loved natural skincare brands. Lynn Kirkland started the business in 1993 with one goal in mind, to provide New Zealanders with wholesome, healing and supportive products.
Charcoal maker and master
Naga Tsutsumi
Naga Tsutsumi is one of Palmerston North’s most cherished artists. His large scale charcoal drawings are considered and full of movement and detail to explore.
Jemma & Alex - The Last Church of Āpiti
Jemma & Alex of The Last Church of Āpiti
Kiwis Jemma Brackebush and Alexander Robertson and are a busy pair.
Reply ‘STAB ME’ to confirm
Naith Morrow
We caught up with Absolution's owner and artist, Naith Morrow, to learn more about this tattoo/piercing studio and art gallery rolled into one.
The Modern Mess
Jen Pomeroy
The Modern Mess is a recipe subscription service which inspires people to get good at seasonal home cooking.
Behind the Scenes of Buster Greens with Nick and Joe
Nick & Joe
Nick and Joe are two thirds of the management team behind Buster Greens, a George Street café that satisfies modern brunchers and big brekkie enthusiasts alike.
How Bruce Mahalski Brought Dunedin's Museum of Natural Mystery to Life
Bruce Mahalski
A museum unlike any other, Dunedin's Museum of Natural Mystery is local artist Bruce Mahalski’s greatest work.
This Local Fashion Designer Is Taking Dunedin by Storm
Sara Munro
Designer and local, Sara Munro, built her Company of Strangers brand on a strong ethos, bright colours and bold designs.
Why McKinlay Shoes Have Stood the Test of Time
Graeme McKinlay
Lots of Kiwis grew up wearing McKinlays shoes to school and many now take their children and grandchildren in for new pairs as they grow. The business has been operating in Dunedin since 1879.
Low and slow from Christchurch to Tokyo
Tristan and Nathan Anderson
Smokey T’s is the work of pitmaster Tristan (‘T’) Anderson and brother Nathan Anderson. Nat refers to his bro as “The Dan Carter of NZ BBQ” and if you’ve been to their Cashel Street joint, you know what he’s talking about.
Bringing health and happiness to the Garden City through food
Katie Ross
Barefoot Eatery is the product of dedication and a genuine love for whole foods and nutritious eating.
Persuing your best, together
Team O-Studio
O-Studio is the work of three locals with a wide array of experiences in the world of sport, meditation, yoga and well-being. In a time where there’s an information overload on all things health, fitness and wellness their approach is refreshing, exciting and focused. O-Studio is a restorative environment as much as it is a place to work on performance in a way that applies positively to all aspects of life - not just athletics.
A dram with Whisky Galore's Stella Fraser Milne
Stella Fraser Milne
In 1993 Stella Fraser Milne launched Whisky Galore with her partner, Michael. Since then this emporium to the drink has become a Christchurch institution where whisky fans both old and new can taste, learn and simply have a good time.
Trading the corporate life for biang biang noodles
Nicole Zou
Nicole Zou, chef and businesswoman behind Miss Peppercorn, has been on a full circle journey when it comes to Sichuan Chinese cuisine. Growing up, she didn’t pay the realm that was her mother’s kitchen much mind. Since then, however, quite a lot has changed.
Tom Newfield: Come as you are
Tom Newfield
Tom Newfield cut his hospitality teeth here in Christchurch but brings years of experience working in Australia, Dubai and beyond to Welles Street and Earl - two of the city’s most well loved spots for eating and drinking.
Unstoppable: Andy and Mia
Andy Shiau and Mia Zhao
In just three years, Mia Zhao and Andy Shiau have managed to bring the city Eightgrains, Sushi Soldier, TOM, Ramen Ria, Midnight Shanghai, Dose Diner, Gelato and Tea and more. While the list of their accomplishments is long, the pair are as humble as ever. Each establishment they’ve opened has been special to them in a different way and is the end result of careful planning and a hands on approach to hospitality. We caught up with them to learn more about how they keep it all together, and thriving.
Making clothes with heart and soul
Rachel Easting and Anjali Burnett
Rachel Easting and Anjali Burnett know a thing or two about fashion, after all they have been running their company and brand Twenty-Seven Names since 2006.
Transcending essentials
Rachel Mills
Mount Eden-based designer Rachel Mills has made a name for herself as the go-to pattern maker for the likes of Trelise Cooper, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Karen Walker and others.
A conversation with Jayden Klinac of For The Better Good
Jayden Klinac
Meet Jayden Klinac, the face behind For The Better Good, a New Zealand company producing non-toxic, compostable beverage bottles made from plants, not oil.
Joel Woods | Holiday Records
Joel Woods
Holiday Records is breathing new life into the analogue music scene with their stunning retail space in Auckland’s CBD.
Cool Hangs - Indigo & Provisions
Dominic Ellett
Step inside the historic Boys’ High building in central Christchurch and you’ll find your way upstairs to Indigo & Provisions, a stunning retail space with a focus on quality and a great brand story for the curated fashion and homeware items that adorn the shelves. We caught up with owner/operator Dominic Ellett to hear more about the brand, his ethos and inspiration for the store.
Making his mark
Alan Deare
Alan Deare has made his mark on the cultural sector and publishing, picking up a swag of awards along the way. A decade on from establishing Area Design, Alan shares his thoughts on contemporary culture, music and the brand identity of some of those neat places he’s had a hand in creating.
Green fingers
Robyn Guyton
In the context of Robyn Guyton’s work, “local vigor” refers to how well prepared a seed is to thrive in its planting environment. Put simply, a seed produced in Southland will grow best in Southland as it has specifically adapted to the region’s soils and temperatures. Robyn has plenty ‘local vigor’ of her own which she uses to leverage and care for the lush landscapes and friendly people of Southland everyday.
For the love of coffee
James Burt
James Burt is a self-proclaimed coffee geek who detoxes on Saturdays.
Mountain biking is the new golf
Aaron Hogg
Aaron Hogg likes to build "punk rock trails". Find him and his crew in the thick of it on dig days at the Christchurch Adventure Park.
Man with a Plan
Matt Stark
Well-known about town thanks to his development of some of Hamilton’s new favourite nooks and crannies, Matt Stark tells us about packing away his tool belt and swapping it for folders full of plans.
A good life
Esther Vreede
An architecture graduate, teacher and mum of two, Esther Vreede is no stranger to hard work. But a dark time with depression caused her to rethink and slow down her life, and in time brought forth the creation of something very very good.
Sensory & Sound
Jeremy Mayall
A composer and music maker first and foremost, Dr. Jeremy Mayall also has plenty of experience when it comes to collaborating with other artists, because as he tells us, it’s much more fun to create that way.
The trekker and traveler
Colin Hancock
It’s not often you’d think to send a postcard while travelling to someone at a retail shop back home, but for visitors to Colin’s store, that feels like exactly the right thing to do.
Scientists in the Kitchen
Mônica Senna Salerno & Jenny Oldham
Finalists in the latest SheEO awards, Mônica Senna Salerno and Jenny Oldham are no strangers to building a successful business. We take a moment to hear more about goat’s cheese and what links science to cooking.
Hospitality Hero
Emma Mettrick
We sit down with Emma Mettrick – co-owner of much-loved Christchurch restaurant, Twenty Seven Steps to find out what makes her tick.
Lunch Lady
Flip Grater
Flip Grater is switching up the lunchbox scene with her delivery service, Yumbo.
Feel Good Fashion
Keva Rands
We chat to designer and maker Keva Rands about the why, the what and the who of her company, Papa Clothing.
Support from the bottom up
Elisha Watson
Elisha Watson’s business Nisa is simultaneously providing work for refugee women in Wellington while making “kick-ass” undies.
Miss Changy
Ruby White
Cook, ceramicist, pop-up professional – there's very little that Ruby White AKA Miss Changy can't do. We sat down with her to have a chat about some of her current projects in the world of food and art.
The Hoop Group
Sally and Sam Hooper
Sally and Sam Hooper are the couple behind some of Christchurch’s coolest fusion restaurants, Pot Sticker Dumpling Bar and Sister Kong Bao Bar.
Distilling dreams into reality
Desiree & Ash Whitaker
A chance meeting and a set of two dreams combined led Desiree and Ash to the creation of Cardrona Distillery. The first of its kind in the area, the copious amounts of work the duo have put in is starting to pay off in a very big way.
Sweet things in the making
Kirsty Schmutsch
If sweet treats are your thing, and you fancy them freshly made with local ingredients by a couple of people that have years of experience in the art of patisserie, then Pembroke Pâtisserie should be your first port of call.
The Workroom Caravan
Anna Begg
If you have a wedding, hen-do, birthday party or any other kind of outdoor celebration planned in Wanaka, you should contact Anna Begg and get your name down quick smart to hire The Caravan, a mobile bar complete with vintage design and smiley staff.
Waffle Cone Kid
Jed Joyce
What started as a way to fundraise for a school trip as a 14-year-old, has grown into two roaming ice cream carts, two ice cream shops and a cult status brand for Jed Joyce.
The Teapot Man
Rick Rudd
We grabbed a moment with Rick Rudd, aka ‘the teapot man’, to talk creativity and challenges when it comes to owning your very own museum.
Loaves to Love
Catherine Adams
We get Catherine to dust off her hands for a moment and tell us what makes Wellington Sourdough a rising star in the baking world.
Mud to magic
Felicity Donaldson
The clever artist behind ceramic company Wundaire tells us how her successful business started off with YouTube clips and simple repetition.
Pretty feet
Kathryn Wilson
At the helm of one of New Zealand’s fastest growing fashion brands sits Kathryn Wilson; enigmatic and very easy going, we sat down with her to chat about design and life.
Roses to Riches
Natalie-Rose Rutherford
We chatted with the green-fingered entrepreneur Natalie Rose Rutherford of Flowerhead to discuss posies, best work practices and what it takes to run a floristry business.
Sweet & Savage
Rachel Savage
Let’s be honest, there’s no denying that Rachel Savage clearly has a bit of a thing for food.
The Bread Guy
Sam Ellis
If one thing is evident when talking with Sam Ellis of Grizzly Baked Goods, it’s his absolute passion for baking bread and for preserving the time honoured process within today’s instantaneous society.
Good bread takes time
Ruth Heath
Taking the humble sandwich to a whole new level, Ruth and partner Jeremy have taken things
The Beer Man - B.Effect
James Hay
It’s not uncommon for James Hay to look around a restaurant and see who’s drinking beer. That’s because as the sole owner/operator of B’Effect brewing company, it’s important to know what’s filling the glasses of local drinkers.
Cocoa dreamer
Liz Rowe
A passionate maker of chocolate ever since she was taught the craft by a man in Ecuador, Liz now supplies stockists up and down the country, with each bar privy to the ethos that means it can be traced right back to the very farmer co-operative where it started its life as a cocoa bean.
The celebrity chef
Josh Emett
The creative force in the Madam Woo kitchen, Josh Emett has impressed eaters up and down the country.
The woman with the mixer
Jordan Rondel
We have a quick chat with Jordan Rondel from The Caker to find out what’s behind the magic in the kitchen that’s got sweet treat lovers excited all over the globe.
The Midnight Baker
Yeshe Dawa
Got queries on how bread can be wholesome and healthy? Well, it would be best to direct your questions to Yeshe Dawa, AKA The Midnight Baker.
The planet conscious cook
Alex Davies
It would be easy to mistake the impulses that lead Alex Davies as ambition, but it is more like restlessness – a deep, nearly primal desire to keep moving forward as a person and chef, evolving, improving. It’s as if he is allergic to stasis.