1623 days ago

Looking forward to your next copy of NZ Gardener?

Jo McCarroll - NZ Gardener editor Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

I am (very) pleased to tell you that now that the country is in Level Three, the May issue of NZ Gardener will be sent to our printers, and the magazine will be on sale from May 7. And believe me the May issue is packed with the good stuff, with ideas of what you can sow, plant, pick and preserve to make the most of your garden right now, plus Lynda Hallinan reflects on 60 lessons for gardeners from the lockdown, a bumper gardening quiz, and you can visit a spectacular Taupō garden alive with birds, a whimsical wonderland in Glenorchy in full bloom and meet the clever and resourceful gardeners of the Chatham Islands... all without leaving your bubble. And thanks so much to everyone who has been in touch to offer their support to the NZ Gardener team, especially those who have subscribed or renewed or purchased a subscription as a gift (an NZ Gardener subscription is a great Mother's Day idea, just sayin'!) We are so grateful to you all, and it's your support that allows us to keep inspiring and informing gardeners from all around New Zealand as we have been doing now for more than 75 years. Please share this message with your gardening groups on social too. We’re looking forward to the many more years of celebrating the amazing gardens and gardeners of New Zealand that lie ahead.

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More messages from your neighbours
13 days ago

Kalle

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."

"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’

I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.

I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.

I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.

I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.

We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.

I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.

I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."

- Kalle

View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......

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6 days ago

Vanessa

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

“Giggly girt! Giggly girt!”

“See I got my hair cut on Friday. I've got my hair band to keep it up. See? Like this I keep it up.

Biscuit Blair - she's my favourite woman. And you. And that cheeky lady over there.

My last name is Rule. I'll write it down for you, you silly old duff.
I was born on West Coast. I moved here when I was a little girl.

I like doing pictures here that’s why I like pictures. Doing art. I like going for a walk. I come here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

My sister, I go see her on Saturday. Have a cup of coffee, at home. She's five, nine. 59. I'm five, seven, 57. This year I'll be 58. My birthday's on a Thursday. I'm having chocolate cake and pizza. And lolly ice cream.
Some people are noisy. Nicholas, and Peter and Chris, they are my friends and that giggly girt over there.

I get headache sometimes at other work, because noisy.

I'm happy here. I could go for a walk if I want to. I'm good.”

- Vanessa, White Room Creative Spaces

The White Room is a community creative space that removes barriers to
making art. Through this, artists build confidence and connections and
embrace new opportunities.

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3 days ago

Tray chic

Resene

Repurpose an old picture frame and serve up a message of love to family or friends with Resene colours, Resene FX Blackboard Paint and Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Find out more

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