Sustainable

Insta gardener and Garden Hacks author Filip Johansson shares a fast and fun way to grow some delicious edibles Garden Hacks: 70 Smart, Sustainable Tips for Gardeners by Filip Johansson, is available at Paper Plus Microgreens have become very trendy. The word may sound high-tech, but they’re nothing more than delicate seedlings of regular plants. […]

They call it The Can House – a compact family home built inside a ’can’ or shipping container lined with warm plywood, clever storage and ingenious ideas

You could be mistaken for thinking this is an artwork. In fact, it’s an advent calendar that you can plant. Here’s how you can make your own Stylist Erena Te Paa is known for her unforced but incredibly elegant modern style. Her home is her calling card – all natural ease and welcoming spaces. Your […]

Fi suggests some pre-loved goods that would make ideal presents – and reveals her favourite places to go hunting for them Let’s face it, not everyone likes vintage shopping, or has the time or ability to source the good stuff, so why not put your op-shopping skills to work on behalf of friends and family, […]

Wrap this year’s presents in beautiful reusable packaging for a luxe feel and minimal Christmas waste 1. Fabric wrap The Japanese wrapping method (furoshiki) can be adjusted to suit gifts of all shapes. Any pretty fabric works, or a use a scarf or a linen napkin that will form part of the gift. Slip a […]

Being sustainable comes down to the choices we make. Take the guesswork out of eco-friendly living with these simple ideas When it comes to making decisions that are more environmentally-conscious it can feel a bit overwhelming knowing where to begin. As the heart and hub of our homes, we think the kitchen is a good […]

By switching this for that, you can make your household tread more lightly on the earth 1. Soap bars Ditch plastic bottles in favour of solid shampoos, conditioners and dish soaps (Ethique and Ahhh Cosmetics offer good locally made options). To help these products last longer, invest in the Dunedin-made Block Dock to ensure your […]

They call it The Can House – a compact family home built inside a ’can’ or shipping container lined with warm plywood, clever storage and ingenious ideas At first glance this shipping container house across the harbour from Wellington city looks like it could be made of Lego. But up close it is a mix […]

After a decade-long planning process, this sustainably-minded couple finally built their dream family home amid the rolling hills of the Waikato Meet + Greet Rachael and Kip Matterson, sons Seb, William and Nate, plus Winston the dog and Arty the cat. After completing a traditional villa renovation in Auckland in 2001, Rachael and Kip Matterson […]

It seems the world has discovered the life-changing magic of, well, many a thing – actually First, there was Marie Kondo’s book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, released in 2012. Then there was The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k (2015) by Sarah Knight targeting the overachieving […]

Christmas can be a rather wasteful time of year. Use these ideas for eco-friendly decorations to make sure this Christmas is a sustainable one  Have a sustainable Christmas with these eco-friendly decoration tips  The tree: Plywood trees and wreaths are made from natural materials and can be reused year after year. Woodenspoons.co.nz makes trees and […]

Be sustainable and stylish by swapping from paper to cloth napkins. Expert vintage collector Fiona Ralph shows us how to choose from linen and cotton combos Why we’re swapping from paper to cloth napkins – and why you should too As single-use items fall out of favour, there’s one sustainable switch that we’re finding easy […]

Get into the spirit of Christmas with these present ideas that will give a little back. Here’s our ultimate guide to giving green and socially conscious gifts 5 Christmas gift ideas that give back to causes you care about Christmas Pinterest boards would have us decked out in festive aprons, effortlessly pulling star-shaped cookies from […]

When it comes to doing your bit for the environment at the end of an unfinished meal, the answer could be right in front of you – in your kitchen sink. With the help of InSinkErator, we grind down a few myths about this surprisingly eco-friendly system for dealing with unwanted food scraps. Why this […]