I met Corben Simpson last year, backstage at Maurice Greer’s concert. Quietly blending in behind the scenes, he was helping out as Mr Human Instinct set up for his show at The Entertainers Club in Tauranga. Afterwards I went home and looked Corben...... Read More

Life is an adventure best spent outside for Cathy and Brad Taylor. The couple own Walking Legends, a multi-day hike guiding business that tour seven of the North Island’s most magical spots – from the Coromandel’s breath-taking pinnacles,...... Read More

When Mount Maunganui woman Elly McKenzie was diagnosed with coeliac disease 18 years ago, gluten-free food was supplied on prescription from the chemist and restaurant meals would consist of meat, salad and omelette. Nowadays, she reckons living with...... Read More

As I stood at Tauranga Airport  I wondered what the next week would bring. It was Tuesday, March 17 and we were filming three scenes of a pilot for  a new comedy series. The news of Covid-19 had begun to raise concerns, with 11 confirmed...... Read More

Nicci Baxter outside the Treehouse Gallery in Gate Pa. Photo: Daniel Hines. I’ve driven past the Treehouse Gallery on Cameron Rd many times and wondered how it was faring as New Zealand transitioned out of lockdown. Business owners across the...... Read More

I first saw the video come up on Facebook. It was late March, late at night, and we were in the early days of the national lockdown. The gunslinger striding out across South Island high country, atmospheric instrumental music filling the room around...... Read More

A beverage described as “vinegar beer tea” sounded pretty disgusting to Tauriko’s Matt Gillon at first. Little did he know, the drink called kombucha, would inspire future business. Block 5 has been up and running for just over a...... Read More

A salad and herb growing business is more than just a way to make a living for the Miller family. Debbie and Malcolm Miller bought Liberty Growers seven years ago as a retirement plan, and a place for them to enjoy their gardening hobby. The one-hectare...... Read More

I first met Nathan Little after he helped an Auckland mother and her children who became lost in a storm. He was pumping petrol at a local service station. Since then I know he’s helped set up a social enterprise that sells vegetables and visited...... Read More

Building with Signature Homes Bay of Plenty is an exciting and rewarding experience; their aim is to make it easy and enjoyable too. Whether you’re looking for a first family home, a holiday retreat, an investment property or somewhere to retire,...... Read More