As New Zealanders, water is a huge part of our identity and integral to the classic Kiwi summer. Whether it’s swimming, surfing, fishing, diving or boating – as the weather heats up we love to make the most of our many rivers, lakes and oceans. Enjoying the water this summer can be fun and safe, if you follow some basic safety rules. Taking swimming lessons is also a great way to give children the tools they need to access risks and make smart decisions around water. Swim instructor Parys Smith at Auckland’s CLM The Bays shares her top water safety tips and explains how lessons can build confi ..read more

If ‘variety is the spice of life’ As the old saying goes, a journey from the mountains of the volcanic plateau to the Bay of Plenty’s east coast is a must-do this summer. The road trip from mountains to ocean via Lake Taupō and Rotorua is around four hours by car, taking you from spectacular mountainous terrain past the southern hemisphere’s largest freshwater lake, through active thermal areas and on to glorious golden sand east coast beaches. Allow a minimum of three days to soak up the scenery and sightsee, enjoying memorable adventures along the way. The post Mountains to sea appeared firs ..read more

A mountain biking weekend in Rotorua Two days, two wheels unlimited fun: Unbeatable, world-class mountain biking tracks, stunning scenery, and leisure activities galore – a mountain biking weekend in Rotorua has it all. Whether you’re a seasoned trailblazer, or a budding beginner, Rotorua has an unmatched blend of forest tracks, purpose-built trails, and mountainous terrain ideal for the novice through to the professional. Plus, as one of New Zealand’s premier tourism destinations, you’ll be spoilt for choice for places to relax and revive after your ride. Here are our top destinations to incl ..read more

Revamping your post-pandemic work wardrobe Is your work wardrobe feeling a bit stale? Do you find yourself glancing at what your younger colleagues are wearing and feeling a little outdated? If so, this article is for you. If you’ve stuck with the same old office-friendly outfits you had long before lockdowns were a thing, it could well be time for a sartorial update. With many of us back full-time or at least part-time to the office these days, it’s the perfect season for a workwear wardrobe wake-up. While office wear trends do tend to change more slowly than casual wear, there have been some ..read more

Random Acts of Kindness Day By the time you’re reading this, 2022’s Random Acts of Kindness Day will already be over. But don’t worry – it’s never too late to let a little kindness into your life. New Zealand is the only country in the world to have a Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Day. When it started back in 2005, the day September 1st was chosen as it was easy to remember, being the start of spring. What better time is there to help share a bit of extra light around the community? While the day itself may have passed, any day is a good day to start being kinder to those around you. Kindness ..read more

A friend of mine recently organised a birthday party. Eight couples were invited and all but one replied saying they could make it (we were away so unfortunately couldn’t go). They bought food and drinks, cleaned the house, put up decorations and she bought a new dress for the occasion. The night arrived and the texts started rolling in: someone had double booked so couldn’t make it, another felt unwell, someone’s babysitter had cancelled, one couple texted to say they had decided to do something else, and others didn’t even text at all. In the end one couple turned up. Never again, my devasta ..read more

You may have already heard about microneedling, a minimally invasive, low-downtime skin procedure. For those not yet in the know, microneedling is used to treat all kinds of skin concerns, from pigmentation to fine lines and wrinkles, with lasting results. The Dermapen 4 features cutting-edge technology to go beyond microneedling, providing a holistic, customisable solution that’s safer than ever before. We asked local Dermapen experts Diamond Laser Medispa to help explain the process, benefits, and potential results of this revolutionary natural treatment. So, what is microneedling? Dermapen ..read more

In the year since its launch, innovative period product the Hello Disc has gained international recognition, won multiple awards, and become a consumer favourite. Created by NZ sustainable period company Hello Period, founded by friends Robyn McLean and Mary Bond – a registered nurse, the Hello Disc is unlike anything else on the market. The disc was developed with US-based sustainable period guru, Kim Rosas, and features a double-looped tab for easy removal. The tab is also designed to make the disc more accessible for consumers who struggle to remove menstrual cups and tampons. The Hello Dis ..read more

Smoking kills 4500 New Zealanders each year. That’s around 12 deaths a day caused by smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, according to the Ministry of Health. Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death and disease, and causes one in four cancer deaths.   An ambitious plan The Government has set a goal to reduce the harm that tobacco products cause, by becoming smokefree by 2025. If achieved, it would mean fewer than 5% of Kiwis will be smokers. Under the multi-faceted approach, a key focus is changing legislation that would dramatically reduce the number of retail premises where ..read more

As the nights draw in and the days get colder, it’s time to accept summer is well and truly over. While some might mourn the end of the warm weather, for booklovers the best time of year is just beginning. Along with crisp, clear days and getting out to enjoy spectacular scenery, they know autumn is also the perfect season for reading. Now that the summer barbecues, beach visits and family get-togethers are finished, it’s time for the ultimate indulgence of making your way through your bookshelves, curled up in cosy surroundings. A reading nook is a place in your home where you can get aw ..read more