MINTY BLAIR’ ON TURNING HER PASSION FOR PAINTING INTO A THRIVING BUSINESS
EDITION TEN
Celebrating five years of the Rise Community Magazine!
60,000+ DIGITAL MAGAZINE READS
MORE THAN 110 CONTRIBUTORS SINCE 2021.
THE WAIKATO’S COMMUNITY MAGAZINE, CHAMPIONING STORIES SINCE 2021.
MEET GHD NEW ZEALAND EDUCATOR, MICHAEL
ON BECOMING ONE OF THE WAIKATO’S RENOWNED BARISTAS.
MEET THE FAMILY BEHIND, SUSTAINA GROW.
DAN BENJAMIN
MENDEL.
Minty Blair
FELICE PAINTWORKS
Lisa Allen THE SAMPLE ROOM
GHD NEW ZEALAND EDUCATOR
MICHAEL MENDEL
WAIKATO BARISTA & CONTENT CREATOR
DAN BENJAMIN
Kate, Bruce & Willow Peters
SALTD MAGNESIUM
Emma Lewisham
EMMA LEWISHAM SKINCARE
Chantal Clunie
FLORAL & CLAY
Loulou Ellingham
SLOWLIFE COLLECTION
5,000+
60+ THOUSAND THIS IS WHERE YOU SHOULD BE ADVERTISING! Download our Media Kit for more!
MAGAZINES PRINTED
And distributed to-date, throughout the Waikato Region.
Cheaper advertising rates, than neighbouring regional magazines.
82.14%
62%
DIGITAL READS
More than 60,000 locals have read either of our 9 magazines online, to-date.
Of users from the Waikato access the magazine via the RCM website, more than once.
10
To-date we’ve designed and distributed 10 editions of the, Rise Community Magazine. EDITIONS
Readers of the magazine are based in the Waikato Region. 83%
risemagazine.co.nz/advertise
Readers of the magazine are based in the North Island.
8.95%
risemagazine.co.nz | @risecommunitymagazine
86%
Readers of the magazine are based in the South Island.
Q&A
The Power of Great Hair at Every Stage
Hair is never really just hair. A good cut, a fresh colour, or even a small change can shift how someone feels, how they carry themselves, and how confident they are in day-to-day life.
While that feeling often starts in the salon, keeping it going at home is where the right habits, tools and advice really come in. We spoke to local salon owner and hair stylist Lisa from The Sample Room, alongside ghd Educator Michael Mendel, about the emotional connection people have with their hair, the trust built in the salon chair, and how great hair can continue well beyond the appointment.
Michael Mendel is ghd New Zealand’s Senior Educator and a stylist with extensive experience across fashion weeks, editorial shoots, television and salon work. Proudly Brazilian-Kiwi, he brings warmth, creativity and a real understanding of how to make polished hair feel achievable in everyday life.
Why does hair play such a big role in how people feel about themselves and their confidence?
Hair can have a huge impact on how someone feels. It’s one of the first things people notice, and when it feels good, you tend to carry yourself differently. I always think of great hair as the cherry on top of the cake, the grand finale, making anyone feel that extra bit of confidence. It’s not really about perfection; it’s about feeling polished, like the best version of yourself.
Do you think our relationship with our hair changes as we move through different ages and stages of life?
Absolutely. Hair is often one of the first things people want to change when they’re entering a new phase of life.
That might be something practical, like wanting easier styling, or something more emotional, like wanting to feel fresher, more modern or more like themselves again. As we age, hair texture, density and even how much time we want to spend styling can all change, so it makes sense that our routine and look will evolve too.
It’s less about holding onto the hair you had ten years ago, and more about finding a style that feels right for who you are now.
Once someone has had that salon refresh, what helps them keep that feeling going when they get home?
It really comes down to routine. A fresh cut or colour always feels amazing in the salon, but keeping that going at home is about having the right basics in placegood haircare, including the right QUESTIONS - Supplied. ANSWERS - Michael Mendel, GHD Educator.
prep products, and styling tools that make things feel achievable rather than overwhelming. When people can recreate even a version of that salon finish for themselves, it helps that confidence last a lot longer.
Why do the right styling tools make such a difference when it comes to getting more from a cut or new style?
The right tools make all the difference because they help you actually see the full potential of your cut or style.
A haircut can be beautifully done, but if you don’t have the right tools at home, it can be hard to bring it to life yourself. That’s where tools like the ghd duet blow dry or ghd chronos max come in - they help make those polished, salon-inspired finishes feel much more doable in everyday life.
It's best to ask your hairdresser which tools they would recommend for you.
There’s still a perception from some people that heat styling is automatically damaging. What do you think people often misunderstand about using modern heat tools well?
A lot of people still assume that all heat styling is automatically bad for the hair, but it’s really more nuanced than that. It comes down to the quality of the tool, the technology behind it, and how you’re using it. Modern tools are much smarter than older ones, so you can get the results you want without overworking the hair.
With ghd, there’s more than 25 years of research and development behind the brand, with a real focus on delivering
consistent performance at the optimum styling temperature, which helps people style effectively without relying on excessive heat.
What makes ghd tools such a strong option for people wanting polished, modern hair without over-complicating their routine?
What makes ghd so strong is that it takes a lot of the guesswork out of styling. There are tools for all different hair types and looks, but they’re designed to be really straightforward to use.
You’re not standing there wondering what heat setting you should be on - most of the hot tools work at 185 degrees, which is the optimum styling temperature, so you can get a polished finish that lasts without over-complicating your routine.
The diversity of styling tools at ghd allows you to style any type, shape, texture, length, density, and colour of hair. GHD tools are also super simple, as they are set at the healthiest temperature at 185 degrees to style the hair (excluding wet-to-dry tools and hairdryers), and you don’t have to dial up and down trying to figure out what temperature suits your hair. 185 degrees can manipulate and shape the hair, deliver a style that lasts, and also doesn't cause extreme heat damage to the hair's structure.
If someone is only investing in one hero styling tool, where would you suggest they start?
If I had to choose one, I’d say the ghd chronos styler. It’s incredibly versatile and works whether you want hair that’s sleek and smooth or something with
bend, movement or soft curls. It’s one of those tools that gives people options, which is why it’s such a good place to start.
For someone who isn’t naturally confident with styling, what’s the easiest way to get a smooth, modern finish at home?
I'd always start simple, and a smooth finish usually begins with good prep and a reliable hairdryer. If someone wants that polished look at home without making things too complicated, using a leave-in treatment from the ghd rehab range and then blow-drying with something like the ghd speed is a great place to start.
You don’t need a huge routine - just a few good steps that make the hair feel healthier, smoother and easier to work with.
Michael Mendel, ghd New Zealand Educator
risemagazine.co.nz | @risecommunitymagazine
Q&A
We also spoke with Lisa Allen, owner of The Sample Room in Cambridge, to gain her perspective on using ghd tools in a busy salon environment, everyday.
With over 40 years in the industry, Lisa has built a career grounded in experience, creativity, and a genuine passion for people.
From owning multiple salons to mentoring stylists, she now leads, The Sample Room, a high-end, welcoming space known for its expertise, care, and beautifully executed results.
For Lisa, great hair is about more than the final look; it’s about confidence, trust, and creating an experience where clients feel supported and understood. Using trusted tools like ghd, she and her team deliver results that last well beyond the salon chair, and how the right tools help clients feel their best every day.
Hair can hold so much emotion and meaning for people. In your experience, why is a great hair appointment often about so much more than just the hair itself?
It’s never been just about the hair. Over the years, you grow and realise you’re holding space for someone, whether it’s a moment of change, a confidence reset, or simply time out from their day.
A great appointment is about the difference in how someone feels when they sit in your chair and when they leave. Their hair is the outcome, but the experience of their appointment is what stays with them.
How does a client’s relationship with their hair tend to shift through different ages and stages of life, and how does that influence what they ask for in the salon?
Hair evolves with life. When we’re younger, it’s about experimenting and finding identity. As life gets busier, practicality comes in, but so does the desire to still feel like “you”. Later, it often becomes about softness, condition, and ease. At every stage, a client wants hair that reflects how they feel. Our role as stylists is to bring that to life in a way that works for them.
There’s often a real level of trust between a hairdresser and their client. How do you build that relationship, especially when someone is ready for a change but feeling nervous?
Trust. Trust comes from listening, not just to what they say, but what they feel. When a client’s nervous, we slow things down, explain the process, and often take a softer step towards change. It helps them feel like they’re still in control. Creating a safe, supportive space is what allows real trust and great results.
What’s the difference between a style that looks great when someone leaves the salon and one that truly works for them in everyday life?
A great salon look is one thing, but a great everyday style is something a client can recreate for themselves. It comes down to their routine, product & tool support, time, and confidence. The best styles are effortless, grow out seamlessly, and give flexibility, so they’re still feeling & looking good long after they leave the salon.
How do you help clients keep enjoying their hair long after they leave the salon, whether that’s through styling advice, tool recommendations or showing them how to recreate it at home?
Education is key. We always show clients how we style their hair so they can replicate it at home. The right tools make a big difference; they build confidence and make styling feel achievable. It’s about keeping it simple, so they can enjoy their hair every day, not just on the day that they leave the salon.
QUESTIONS - Supplied.
ANSWERS - Lisa Allen, The Sample Room, Cambridge.
Lisa Allen, The Sample Room, Cambridge
"The Magazine that looks good on your coffee table, but even better in your hands."
A Letter from the Editors
As the seasons shift and we welcome the fresh energy of winter, then moving into spring, we’re incredibly proud to bring you a very special milestone, the 10th edition of the, Rise Community Magazine!
What a journey it has been, and this edition reflects it, being our biggest edition to date.
Inside, you’ll discover inspiring locals doing remarkable things, beautiful places to explore during the cooler months, and ideas to help you embrace the season ahead. We continue to shine a light on innovation, creativity, and connection, the very things that bring communities to life.
To everyone who has been part of the Rise story, our readers, contributors, and supporters, thank you. You are the heartbeat of our magazine!
As you flick through these pages, we hope you feel inspired, connected, and proud to be part of something special. Here’s to new beginnings, fresh seasons, and continuing to rise together as a community.
Brenda & Kiris x
Scan to read this edition online!
Edition 10 - Winter / Spring 2026
Design: KA Digital Marketing
Editorial & Advertising: KA Digital Marketing - www.kadm.co
Printing: Razz Print & Design
Read Online: www.risemagazine.co.nz/edition-10
Edition 11 Advertising Closes, Wed, 30 September 2026 - risemagazine.co.nz/advertise
The Rise Community Magazine, founded by Brenda Donaldson, is a communitydriven initiative for the Waikato region. It serves as a platform to give back and shine a spotlight on those making a positive impact within our community.
@risecommunitymagazine
TEN EDITIONS. FIVE YEARS.
The Rise Community Magazine journey, so far.
As we celebrate the 10th edition of the, Rise Community Magazine, we reflect on a journey that has been both unpredictable and incredibly inspiring.
This magazine was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when our sense of connection felt uncertain and, at times, lost. It was an opportunity for Brenda to give back to the Waikato, a community that has always supported her throughout her real estate career. What began as a way to reconnect, uplift, and bring people together has since grown into something much bigger.
Today, Rise stands proudly as the only fully community-focused magazine in the Waikato, dedicated to spotlighting the people, stories, and businesses that make this region so special.
Over the past five years, we’ve all navigated challenges, from global uncertainty to everyday highs and lows, but through it all, one thing has remained constant: the power of community.
At Rise, our mission has always been simple: To share meaningful stories, celebrate local people, and brighten someone’s day.
And what a journey it has been.
We’ve had the privilege of showcasing inspiring individuals, from creators and entrepreneurs to artists and athletes, all contributing to the heartbeat of the Waikato. From conversations with Emma Lewisham to local success stories like Bear & Moo, and community spaces like MADE, these moments have defined who we are.
What started as a simple idea has grown into a platform that continues to connect, champion, and inspire with a reach now extending beyond the Waikato, while our heart remains firmly grounded here. To everyone who has been part of Rise, our contributors, advertisers, and readers - thank you. This journey is yours as much as it is ours.
PAGES 16 - 17
SLOWLIFE COLLECTION
PAGES 20 - 21
FELICE PAINTWORKS
PAGES 22 - 25
MEET, DAN BENJAMIN
PAGES 28 - 29
BUTTER BOOM CROISSANTS
PAGES 40 - 41
FLORAL & CLAY
PAGES 42 - 43
SALTD MAGNESIUM
PAGES 44 - 45
TRENDING BOOKS
PAGES 46 - 47
AVISTA HEIGHTS
PAGES 48 - 49
SUSTAINA GROW
PAGES 50 - 51 OWL FARM
PAGES 54 - 55
NEW. MEDIEVAL GARDENS AT HAMILTON GARDENS
PAGES 55 - 58 THE 'LITTLE HONEY' HOUSE RENOVATION
Supplied Photo: Grey Roasting Co.
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The super-stylish hut oozes a moody and cosy atmosphere. The interior includes a luxurious king-size bed, an ensuite bathroom, and a kitchenette. Let the warmth of the wood burner and the music from the surround-sound system set the relaxing mood for the evening. Then soak in the super wide, luxurious outdoor tub to end your day perfectly.
@ruahiwihut | hello@canopycamping.co.nz
The Return to Better Everyday Essentials
There’s a quiet shift happening in the way we live, a move toward fewer, better pieces, made with intention and built to last. At the centre of this shift is a renewed appreciation for natural materials, and for New Zealand, few are as iconic as wool!
It’s this thinking that sits at the heart of Slowlife Collection, a brand founded in 2019 by Loulou Ellingham. Inspired by her East Coast upbringing, long days outdoors, beach trips, and shared meals with family and friends, Slowlife was created to bring ease and functionality back to everyday essentials.
Why Wool & Why Now?
At the core of the Wool Cooler Bag is a simple but powerful shift, replacing synthetic insulation with 100% New Zealand wool, sourced sustainably from Wise Wool in Gisborne.
It’s a material choice that goes far beyond aesthetics.
Wool is a high-performance natural fibre, designed by nature to respond to its environment. Its unique structure traps air while remaining breathable, which gives it its impressive ability to regulate temperature.
While many associate wool with warmth, this same property makes it equally effective at keeping things cool, maintaining a consistent internal temperature without the need for plasticbased foams or linings.
Unlike synthetic alternatives, wool is also naturally odour-resistant and moisturemanaging, meaning it can be used day after day without retaining smells or feeling damp. This makes it especially practical for food storage, where freshness and hygiene are key.
From an environmental perspective, the benefits are just as compelling.
Wool is a renewable resource grown annually and, at the end of its life, is fully biodegradable, returning to the earth without leaving behind microplastics or long-term waste. In contrast, traditional cooler bags often rely on petroleumbased materials that are difficult to recycle and end up in landfills.
There’s also a deeper story behind the fibre itself. By choosing New Zealand
wool, Slowlife is not only elevating the product's performance but also supporting local growers and an industry that has long been part of the country’s identity. It’s a material that carries both function and meaning, connecting the product back to the land it comes from.
In many ways, the Wool Cooler Bag represents a return to trusting materials that have always worked, just reimagined for modern, everyday life.
Designed for Everyday Life
What truly sets the Wool Cooler Bag apart isn’t just the material; it’s the intention behind how it’s designed to be used.
This is not a product reserved for occasional outings or packed away for summer holidays. Instead, it’s been thoughtfully created to integrate seamlessly into daily routines, the school drop-offs, grocery runs, sports sidelines, and spontaneous afternoons outdoors.
With a structured form that protects what’s inside, balanced by a softness and flexibility that makes it easy to carry and store, the bag is designed to adapt. It’s equally at home in the boot of the car as it is on the kitchen bench, moving effortlessly between moments without needing to be swapped out for something else.
This kind of versatility reflects a broader shift in how people are choosing to live, favouring fewer, more functional pieces that can do more than one job, rather than owning multiple singlepurpose items. It’s about simplifying the everyday, while still elevating it.
A Return to Better
At its core, Slowlife Collection is about a return, not to the past, but to a more thoughtful way of doing things. A return to quality over quantity, where products are chosen with intention and built to last.
A return to materials that make sense, both in how they perform and how they impact the environment. And a return to slowing down, even in small, everyday moments.
The Wool Cooler Bag embodies this philosophy. It challenges the idea that convenience has to come at the cost of quality or sustainability, proving that well-designed products can offer both.
It’s a reminder that the items we use every day, even something as simple as a cooler bag, can be designed with greater care, purpose, & longevity. In choosing those pieces, we begin to shift not just how we carry things, but how we live.
Adventures
Easy Breezy
Blue Springs Walk (Putāruru)
Hamilton Gardens Cherry
Blossom Season
Bridal Veil Falls (Waireinga)
Pirongia Forest Park Tracks
Te Aroha Mineral Spas
Hobbiton Movie Set (Matamata)
Tamahere Country
Market (Saturdays)
Cambridge Farmers Market
Making Memories
Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour
Waitomo Black Water Rafting
Ziplining at Waitomo Adventures
Rivertrail Bike Ride (Karāpiro)
Kayaking Lake Karāpiro (misty mornings
Raglan Surf Lessons (winter swells!)
Horse Trekking (Cambridge / Te Awamutu)
Action Leisure Leisure
Te Aroha Mineral Spas & Café Day
Indoor Climbing (Extreme
Edge Hamilton)
Hamilton Lake Walk + Coffee Loop
Boutique Shopping (Cambridge)
Riverside Markets (Hamilton East)
Scenic Drive: Hamilton > Raglan (west coast moody vibes)
Opal Hot Springs (Matamata)
Spa + Staycation Weekend (local lodges)
Memorable Leisure
Raglan Café & Bakery Crawl
Long Lunch at Vilgrad Winery
High Tea at Zealong Tea Estate
Dinner at Gothenburg (river views)
Alpaca Farm Visit
Cheese & Wine Tasting (local producers)
Boutique Brewery Trail (Raglan + Hamilton)
Huka Falls Day Trip (Taupō add-on)
2025 marked a significant milestone for local artist Minty Blair, founder of Felice Paintworks, the first full year of professionally selling her artwork. What began as a deeply personal creative journey quickly grew into a flourishing business, with an impressive total of 63 original pieces finding homes throughout the year.
Known for organic abstract works inspired by nature, movement, and the raw beauty of geological forms, Minty has developed a recognisable style that blends earthy neutrals with soft metallic accents and flowing texture. Each piece invites a sense of calm, connection, and emotion into the spaces they inhabit.
The year concluded with a beautifully successful Open Studio Soirée, hosted by Felice Paintworks alongside fellow Cambridge artist Diane Scott. The evening featured 33 original works in an intimate, atmospheric setting. Guests enjoyed creative canapés as thoughtfully curated as the artwork itself, while wine flowed and beats played gently in the background, a celebration of local art and community.
2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting new chapter. Alongside several upcoming projects, Minty is preparing to open a brand-new Felice Paintworks studio space in winter. Nestled amongst the trees in Tamahere, the studio promises to reflect her signature aesthetic, uniquely rustic, organic, and deeply connected to nature. Designed as both a creative sanctuary and a welcoming space for visitors, it marks an exciting evolution for the growing studio.
With momentum building and a distinctive artistic voice continuing to resonate with collectors, Felice Paintworks is certainly a creative studio to watch in the year ahead.
@felice.paintworks
www.felicepaintworks.com
felice.paintworks@outlook.com
021 190 6022
MEET
Dan Benjamin
Turning his passion into a platform, his connection to the Waikato, and what a day in the life as one of the Waikato's most renowned baristas look like!
Where did your love for coffee and making coffee, come from?
I started making coffee around 10 years ago in a small bakery. It was just the owner and I, and she must have seen something in me because I was terrible at making coffee, but I was so passionate and really wanted to learn.
Before that, I worked casually at a coffee roastery, sweeping floors and making sandwiches for the brew bar, but they wouldn’t let me anywhere near the machine (probably fair enough at the time, haha).
That’s really where my passion started. Seeing the journey coffee takes from green bean to cup fascinated me, and I knew I wanted to learn more. Latte art has always been a huge part of that journey; it keeps me creative and constantly improving. It’s also a way I connect with customers, and I think that’s really special.
A lot of us throughout the Waikato, specifically Hamilton have come to know and love your daily coffee-related content online. How did content creation become part of your journey?
A lot of the time, baristas, including myself, find inspiration through social media. It’s where we discover new designs to pour and new techniques to try. So naturally, I wanted to start sharing my own latte art journey as well.
Fast forward a few years, and I now work for one of the best coffee roasters in the country, Grey Roasting Co, which I’m truly grateful for every day. The space I work in has played a big part in inspiring me to take content creation seriously.
It’s such a beautifully designed environment that I wanted to showcase it to as many people as possible.
So I went all in, posting consistently over the past couple of years. From that, I’ve built a small community on Instagram and started receiving messages from brands interested in working together. That was a crazy moment for me, because it was something I never thought possible. I remember thinking, "Why would a brand want to send me something for free?!”
But it’s been the result of years of showing up, regardless of view counts, followers, or likes. I’ve just kept posting and working on finding my own style. I’m always growing, and I try to create only content I genuinely enjoy. There aren’t many coffee content creators in New Zealand, so I’m proud to be one of the few.
What's the reality behind content creation, day in and day out?
The reality behind content creation?
That’s an interesting one. I think people who haven’t created content before often assume it’s easy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Social media is really just the highlights.
There are a lot of late nights and early mornings behind the scenes. I’ll often go into work early to film, which means getting up around 5am. But I do it because I love it and I want to keep pushing myself.
I’ve recently dropped a day of work to focus more on freelance content creation as well. That’s separate from my personal Instagram, where I create videos for brands to use on their own platforms.
So it becomes a balance of making my own content, brand work, concepting, emails, filming, and editing. It’s a lot.
And that’s not even including time with my family, which is a huge priority for me. That’s why a lot of the work happens early in the morning or late at night when the kids are asleep. It’s definitely a balancing act, but it’s worth it.
Walk us through a typical day for Dan Benjamin and what that looks like?
I’m a full-time barista, so my day starts pretty early, usually around 5:30am. I’ll wake up, make myself a pour-over coffee, and spend the next hour replying to emails and editing videos. I find I’m most focused early in the morning, so it’s a great time to get that kind of work done.
I’ll get into work around 7:00am, and before my shift starts, I’ll spend some time filming, editing, or researching new recipes to try. My shift kicks off at 7:30am, and I’ll open the tasting room and work through the day.
After work, I’ll come home, spend some time with my family, and then usually get stuck into more editing or posting content. I’d love to get into YouTube more as well, but that’s a whole different level again.
I do this four days a week, and then on Tuesdays, I work from home on content creation, filming, and editing brand work.
There’s always something to do, which I’m really grateful for. It’s definitely a full-on lifestyle, but I love it this way.
What are your top tips for making better coffee at home?
My tips are actually pretty simple, but they make a big difference:
• Weigh Everything: Make sure you’re weighing both the coffee going in and the coffee coming out. It might seem a bit technical, but it allows you to make small, calculated adjustments based on taste, which is how you really start to improve your coffee.
• Use Fresh, Locally Roasted Beans: Coffee from your local roaster will always taste better than supermarket coffee that may have been sitting on the shelf for a while. Freshness makes a huge difference to flavour.
• Invest in a Good Grinder: It doesn’t need to be expensive; even a secondhand grinder will do, but freshly ground coffee always tastes better than pre-ground.
I could go on forever about how to make coffee better, but if you start with these, you’ll notice a difference straight away.
What are your top 5 cafès in Hamilton, for coffee?
My top five cafes in Hamilton would have to be, in no particular order:
• Grey Roasting Co (of course)
• Kopi Cafe (CBD)
• Demis Cafe (CBD)
• Lykke Cafe (Frankton)
• Chapter One (Rototuna).
Keep up with Dan on socials! @dannbenjamin | @greyroastingco
As recommended by Dan! @chapterone.rototuna
04 JUN 26
Matilda the Musical
11 - 12 JUL 26
25 SEPT 26
BNZ Theatre, Hamilton
Concert Chamber, Hamilton
UPCOMING
Gallagher Academy - Concert Chamber, Hamilton
27 JUN - 05 JUL 26
06 AUG 26
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Waikato Food Show
Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton
Daniel Champagne (Australia)
NZTrio+
Gallagher Academy - Concert Chamber, Hamilton
Waikato Home & Garden Show 2026
Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton 05 OCT 26 Let's Twist Again
01 - 04 OCT 26
Equifest 2026
Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton 27 - 29 NOV 26
EVENTS
Royal New Zealand
Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge
Hamilton Central Baptist Church, Hamilton 16 - 18 OCT 26
Ballet x The Sleeping Beauty BNZ Theatre, Hamilton 28 NOV 26
Taupo
There’s something about a good croissant that’s hard to explain until you’ve had one made properly. The kind that shatters lightly as you bite into it, with delicate layers that give way to a soft, buttery centre, and somehow disappears faster than you wanted it to.
That’s what Butter Boom Croissanterie is chasing. Not perfection, just the idea of getting a little better every day. Our croissants are slow food, made over three days with care at every step.
With a name like ours, you’d expect us to be obsessed with butter, and you’d be right. All the butter in our croissants is made using the old-fashioned Fritz churn method, which is why we import our butter sheets from Pepe Saya in Sydney. It’s a small detail, but it makes a real difference.
You’ll find us tucked away in the sheds at MADE Markets in Hamilton East. It’s a quiet, green spot, easy to miss, but worth finding. We bake in small batches, so things do sell out; the sooner, the better.
We keep the space warm and welcoming, because you didn’t just come for food, you came for a treat. A good croissant, served with a friendly smile, is our way of giving you a little sunshine in your day.
For catering, just get in touch. Otherwise, find us on Instagram @butter_boom_ croissants or on Google Maps, and come grab one while they’re fresh.
Wednesday - Sunday 8:00am - 3:00pm (unless sold our prior).
WHERE LUXURY MEETS THE LAKE
Set against stunning lake views and designed for those who value lifestyle as much as peace, this exceptional residence delivers an elevated standard of living, with every detail curated for comfort, connection, and entertaining.
A GENTLE INVITATION TO SLOW DOWN, HEAL, AND FEEL AT HOME WITHIN YOURSELF AGAIN
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Everyone's Favourites
MADE Market, Hamilton
Duck Island Ice Cream (Hamilton East)
Hayes Common, Hamilton East
Alpino Cambridge (cosy Italian vibes)
Raglan Roast (coffee stop)
The Kirk Café (Hamilton Gardens)
St Kilda Café & Bistro, Cambridge
Momento Café (Hamilton)
Dining Destinations Fine Dining
Palate Restaurant, Hamilton
Gothenburg Restaurant (river dining)
Alpino Restaurant, Cambridge (evening dining)
Orca Eatery & Bar, Raglan
Vilgrad Winery (long lunch)
1866 Speakeasy Bar
Mr Pickles Restaurant & Bar
Creative Hotspots
Hamilton Gardens (seasonal displays + winter mood)
Waikato Museum exhibitions
ArtsPost Galleries, Hamilton
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum
Cambridge Art Gallery
Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum
Raglan creative markets & local art stores
Arts & Culture
risemagazine.co.nz | @risecommunitymagazine
Cultural Experiences
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Te Puia Day Trip
Waikato River Explorer Cruise
Hamilton Gardens guided cultural tour
Classic Car Museum, Hamilton
Thames School of Mines
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SUPERNATURAL CRĒME CLEANSER
Cleansing has always been about removal – until now. Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Crème Cleanser elevates the daily ritual of cleansing into the first step of treatment. Powered by proven wash-on technology, this cleanser delivers proven skincare benefits from the moment it touches your skin. This is skincare from the very first step.
Edition 9 - Top Performers
Exclusive sit-down interview with Emma Lewisham of Emma Lewisham Skincare.
Edition 9: Pages 4 - 7
A Sparkling Piece of History: The Return of Te Aroha Mineral Water.
Edition 9: Pages 14 - 15
Destination North Island. Our favourite AirBnB's to stay in.
Edition 9: Pages 16 - 23
The Little Miracles Trust & how they're helping families throughout New Zealand.
Edition 9: Pages 32 - 33
Edition 8 - Top Performers
A Slower Pace of Life for this Kiwi Midwife - My Little Kiwi.
Edition 8: Pages 32 - 33
From Passion to Purpose: InConversation with Jadey Drury
Edition 8: Pages 58 - 59
Cosy with Intention: Styling Tips for a Calm, Colourful Space
Edition 8: Pages 22 - 23
Your Winter-Spring Hit List for the Waikato & Beyond
Edition 8: Pages 38 - 41
MEET Chantal Clunie
The hands and heart behind Floral & Clay, a creative who seamlessly brings together two worlds: florals and ceramics. Her work is deeply inspired by nature, guided by the seasons, and grounded in the quiet beauty of everyday life.
What sets her work apart is the intention behind it. Each bouquet is thoughtfully gathered from what is growing and thriving in the moment, while every clay piece is shaped slowly, embracing the organic imperfections that make it unique. There is no mass production here, only a genuine love for creating.
Pieces that feel personal. Pieces that invite you to pause. Pieces that connect you back to nature, and to the beauty found in simplicity.
@floralandclay | floralandclay.com
Just one year ago, Kate & Bruce Peters launched Saltd. Magnesium, which began with a simple idea: 'to create premium wellness products that help people feel better naturally, while looking beautiful enough to leave proudly on the bathroom shelf'.
Currently in 2026, the New Zealand-owned brand is celebrating its first year in business, and what a year it has been!
Founded with a passion for health, simplicity and everyday self-care, Saltd. Magnesium offers a thoughtfully curated range of topical magnesium products designed to support modern life. From restful sleep and relaxation to muscle recovery, calm and general wellbeing, the brand has quickly built a loyal following of customers who have made Saltd part of their daily rituals.
At the heart of Saltd is a belief that wellness doesn’t need to feel complicated. Life is busy, and often the most effective habits are the simplest ones. A few sprays before bed. A calming soak after a long day. A moment to pause, reset and take care of yourself. Saltd was created to make those moments easier, more enjoyable and more accessible.
The range includes magnesium oil sprays, roll-ons, bath flakes, refills and familyfriendly options, all crafted with premium quality magnesium chloride and designed with both function and style in mind.
Proudly made in New Zealand, the products reflect a commitment to quality ingredients aesthetic packaging and products that genuinely fit into everyday routines.
What has made Saltd stand out so quickly is its ability to combine wellness with modern branding. While many health products can feel clinical or uninspiring, Saltd brings a fresh, elevated feel to the category.
"It is wellness that feels aspirational, yet practical. Beautiful, yet purposeful."
In just twelve months, the brand has grown from an idea into a thriving small business with an engaged community of customers who love sharing how Saltd has become part of their evenings, recovery routines and family households.
That connection with real people and real results is what means the most to the founders.
Looking ahead, Saltd has exciting plans for growth, including expanding its collection and continuing its vision of becoming one of New Zealand’s premium wellness brands.
For now, though, turning one is a milestone worth celebrating - proof that with passion, persistence and a strong purpose, great things can happen in a short space of time.
Saltd. Magnesium is more than a product range. It is a reminder to slow down, take care, and elevate well-being naturally.
@saltd_nz
www.saltdmagnesium.com
hello@saltdmagnesium.com
Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen; it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.
A multi-generational saga tracing the descendants of two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, born in 18th-century Ghana. Effia marries a British governor, living comfortably in Cape Coast Castle, while Esi is captured and sold into slavery in America.
Curl-up & Escape
We asked readers of the Rise Community Magazine what their favourite books are right now, and to say we can't wait to curl up in front of the fireplace and start reading is an understatement!
A contemporary sports romance focusing on Evan Zanders, a notorious NHL "bad boy," and Stevie Shay, a sassy flight attendant on his team's private plane. The story features an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, where Zanders falls for the only woman unimpressed by his reputation, resulting in a forced proximity romance filled with banter.
It is a drama about the four sisters in an Italian Catholic family in Chicago; two sisters fall in love with the same man, causing the family to split apart for 25 years.
Women can be heroes. When twentyyear-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dared to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
Lily and Ryle have just settled into a civil co-parenting rhythm with their daughter, Emerson, when Lily suddenly runs into Atlas nearly two years after they last spoke. Elated that the timing finally seems to be right to give what they have together a real chance, Atlas asks Lily on a date.
Welcome to the family," Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I'll soon learn that the Winchesters' secrets are far more dangerous than my own.
An unforgettable story of love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives ... but it’s also a masterfully crafted mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
In the summer of 1980, astrophysics professor Joan Goodwin begins training to be an astronaut at Houston’s Johnson Space Centre, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond; mission specialists John Griffin and Lydia Danes; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer. As the new astronauts prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined and begins to question everything she believes about her place in the observable universe.
84 Charing Cross Road meets A Man Called Ove in this heartwarming, witty story about the life of an extraordinary woman, told through her letters. But as the clock begins to tick for Sybil, the need for a few post-scripts to the life she’s led becomes apparent. Fixing her difficult relationship with her children. Taking a final chance at romance. Atoning for an old legal case which has come back to haunt her. And finally, reckoning with a devastating loss that she has spent the last thirty years holding close to her chest.
AVISTA HEIGHTS
Hilltop Retreat
Perched high above the landscape, where the air feels clearer and time slows down, Avista Heights is the ultimate winter retreat, refined, restorative, and quietly luxurious.
Every detail has been thoughtfully considered. Expansive views stretch endlessly across the Taranaki landscape, while interiors offer warmth, softness, and understated elegance.
And at the heart of it all, the sauna. A brand new addition, a simple ritual that transforms your stay into something deeply restorative. @avistaheights | 027 364
Enjoy our brand new Sauna for the ultimate winter ritual!
The Power of Saunering in Autumn & Winter
Deep Relaxation
The gentle, enveloping heat calms the nervous system, releasing tension and creating a deep sense of ease.
Boosted Immunity
Regular sauna use can support your immune system, ideal during the colder months when your body needs extra care.
Improved Circularity
Heat increases blood flow, delivering oxygen throughout the body and supporting overall vitality.
Muscle Recovery
After a day of exploring, the sauna helps relieve soreness and reduce stiffness.
Better Sleep
An evening sauna session encourages deeper, more restorative sleep, leaving you refreshed for the next day.
Skin Glow & Detoxification
Sweating naturally cleanses the skin, leaving you with that fresh, post-sauna glow.
Mental Clarity
In the quiet warmth, your mind slows, creating space for clarity, calm, and presence.
Book in at Avista Heights to try it out for yourself!
MEET
Rita
& Dave Hammond
Rita and Dave Hammond started Sustaina Grow, New Zealand’s woolbased gardening brand, on their sheep and beef farm, located on the foothills of Mount Ruapehu in Ohakune.
The Hammonds make products that put New Zealand wool to work in the garden, naturally suppressing weeds, retaining moisture, and slowly feeding the soil as they break down.
“Our range includes Garlic Grow Mats, SeaWool™ pellets (a blend of wool and seaweed), wool mulch rolls, wool kneeling pads, and seasonal kits and corporate gifting options.
We're also just about to launch our newest product, Wool Biochar Pellets. Biochar is a centuries-old soil amendment, and we've combined it with New Zealand wool to create a slow-release pellet that improves soil structure, water retention, and microbial activity.
It's one we're really proud of, and it feels like a great fit for a conscious-living focus and for getting carbon back into the soil.”
Together, Rita, Dave, and their team of six run Sustaina Grow in the workshop in Ohakune.
Whilst Sustaina Grow is predominantly an online ecommerce business, the workshop has recently opened its doors and now has a retail branch, where people can walk in and shop in person.
Sustaina Grow is stocked at select independent garden centres around New Zealand, as well as select Mitre 10 Mega Stores. You can find your closest store via our website.
@sustaina_grow
www.sustainagrow.co.nz
info@sustainagrow.co.nz 022 543 3609
Q&A
Owl Farm: Growing the Next Generation of Farming
Nestled alongside the Waikato River in Cambridge, Owl Farm is far more than your typical dairy operation. As a 142-hectare working commercial farm, it sits at the intersection of innovation, education, and sustainability, a place where proven farming practices are not only implemented but shared with the wider community and industry.
Formed through a unique partnership between Lincoln University and St Peter’s School, Owl Farm has spent the past decade opening its gates to thousands of visitors, while providing students with hands-on, real-world experiences in agriculture. With a strong focus on shaping the future of sustainable farming, it continues to lead by example, connecting people to the land and inspiring the next generation along the way.
We chatted with the team at Owl Farm to learn more about what makes this place so special.
For those who may not be familiar, can you tell us a little about Owl Farm and what makes it so unique?
Owl Farm is a 142-hectare working commercial dairy farm, situated around St Peter's School in Cambridge, and nestled alongside the Waikato River.
What is unique about it is that, as a working commercial dairy farm, we aim to demonstrate proven practices and techniques to create a sustainable future.
We have the capacity to showcase this to the wider dairy industry, open our gates to the community, and enhance student engagement and learning through the activities we run on the property.
We have recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the joint venture, which created Owl Farm between Lincoln University and St Peter’s Cambridge.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
You’ve just hosted 550+ visitors at your recent Public Open Day. What does that level of community engagement mean to Owl Farm?
Our annual public open day is always a massively rewarding event, made possible only by the commitment of our partners and many of our local farmers.
It is one of around seventy events we host on-farm every year, with an average of 2000 visitors to the farm each year. We’ve had over 24,000 people at Owl Farm since its inception 10 years ago!
How do events like this help bridge the gap between farming and the public?
QUESTIONS - Brenda Donaldson, RCM
ANSWERS - Jo Sheridan, Owl Farm
When we run events like this, it allows the
public to come inside the gates, ask questions about our farming practices, and better understand the care and attention that go into providing highquality products to the market.
It also highlights opportunities within the dairy industry. Knowledge builds understanding and appreciation of the value we add to our community.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH ST PETER'S
How does your partnership with St Peter’s School shape the vision and purpose of Owl Farm?
The farm and the surrounding land have always been a part of St Peter’s School for over 90 years, providing food and resources for the students. This has been pivotal in shaping Owl Farm’s vision, grounding it in education and handson learning. It allows us to integrate student engagement directly into farm operations.
How do students benefit from having direct access to a working farm environment?
Students benefit through hands-on, realworld experience, applying classroom learning directly to farm systems while developing practical skills for future careers.
How important is it for young people to understand agriculture and sustainability from an early age?
It is crucial to win the hearts and minds of young people, helping them see a future for themselves in agriculture while understanding that farming can be both productive and environmentally responsible.
How have students been directly involved in projects or initiatives on the farm?
Students have contributed to initiatives such as the Purposeful Lives for Calves programme, thereby influencing mating strategies.
They are also involved in eco-blitzes and biodiversity monitoring, as well as planting native species through programmes like Trees for Survival.
We also run student placements each term to allow students who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to develop employment skills in farming.
Most of these students become relief milkers or calf rearers for the farm, returning for many years during holiday breaks.
How does this partnership help prepare students for future careers or pathways?
The farm’s partnerships with industry leaders such as Fonterra, PGG Wrightson, Westpac, DairyNZ, and Ravensdown, along with Lincoln University, provide students with exposure, networks, and pathways into tertiary education and careers in agriculture.
SUSTAINABILITY
What are the key sustainability goals that Owl Farm is currently working towards?
Key goals include reducing emissions intensity through high-quality animals and feed, improving nitrogen management to reduce losses, and enhancing biodiversity across the farm.
Can you share a sustainability initiative at Owl Farm that has had a particularly meaningful impact?
The construction of a wetland around eight years ago has helped reduce nitrate losses into the Waikato River by 63% while also serving as a tool for education, community engagement, and biodiversity enhancement.
We are about to embark on our second stage of planting around this wetland with both students and industry contributions.
In what ways are students involved in sustainability practices on the farm?
As well as providing ideas around future challenges and opportunities, students are actively involved through biodiversity monitoring, eco-blitzes, and native planting, contributing directly to sustainability outcomes.
FUTURE VISION
Looking ahead, what does the future of sustainable farming look like for Owl Farm?
The future focuses on continued innovation, the adoption of new technologies, the strengthening of partnerships, and the inspiration of the next generation of farmers.
We have two mantras at Owl Farm:
1. Open gates every day.
2. Create a farming future we are proud to invite our children into.
This will ensure the future of our land, our stock and our industry is in safe hands. @owlfarmnz | owlfarm.nz
How-To: Prepare Your Veggie Garden in Winter
As the crisp Waikato mornings roll in and summer crops come to an end, it’s the perfect time to reset your veggie garden and set yourself up for a productive winter harvest.
With our relatively mild winters, the Waikato is ideal for growing a wide range of hardy vegetables if you prepare your garden properly.
What to plant?
The Waikato climate supports a great range of winter vegetables. Focus on hardy, cool-season crops.
Keep it Simple
You don’t need a huge garden to succeed, just a well-prepared one. Even a few raised beds or containers can produce a steady supply of winter greens for the family. This is a great way to involve the whole family and ease the grocery bill!
Our Tips
A well-prepped winter veggie garden isn’t just productive, it’s incredibly satisfying. There’s something special about harvesting fresh greens on a cold Waikato morning!
Winter gardening isn't just about now, it's about what's next.
• Rotate crops to avoid soil fatigue.
• Start planning spring planting.
• Keep feeding soil with organic matter.
Winter is actually the perfect time to build long-term soil health and set your garden up for a strong spring season.
These thrive in cooler temperatures and can provide a steady harvest right through winter.
Positioning Matters
Sun & Shelter = Success
Start by removing any leftover summer crops, weeds, and plant debris. This helps prevent pests and diseases from carrying over into the next season.
Clearing your garden creates a clean slate and improves soil health heading into winter.
Healthy soil always equals healthy vegetables, especially after a busy summer, your soil needs replenishing.
This step restores nutrients and improves moisture retention - especially important heading into the cooler, wetter months. Feed your Soil
• Dig in some compost or organic matter.
• Add sheep pellets or well-rotted manure.
• Turn the soil to improve drainage.
Clear
&
Reset Your Garden Beds
Even in winter, sunlight is everything, but good drainage is essential, the winter rain can quickly lead to soggy roots if your soil isn't prepared properly.
Mulch & Protect
Mulching is often overlooked but makes a huge difference in winter.
• Apply pea straw, bark, or compost mulch.
• Helps retain warmth and moisture.
• Suppresses weeds.
• Add frost protection.
A QUIET STEP BACK IN-TIME AT HAMILTON GARDENS
The Medieval Garden is the result of a shared vision between Hamilton Gardens and its community of supporters, made possible through collaboration and local investment, including the ongoing commitment of groups such as the Friends of Hamilton Gardens and fundraising support through Momentum Waikato.
Close to home yet quietly transportive, the Medieval Garden opens a new chapter at Hamilton Gardens, inviting visitors to slow down, reflect, and immerse themselves in history through a thoughtfully curated landscape.
Currently unfolding as the Gardens’ newest enclosed space, this garden draws inspiration from European monasteries of the Middle Ages, specifically the cloister garden of San Giovanni degli Eremiti in Sicily (aka Monastery of St. John of the Hermits). Like its medieval forebears, it was purposefully designed for tranquillity, a quality that resonates throughout this distinctive design.
Nestled inside is a cloister garth, the communal centre of medieval monasteries, where simplicity and symmetry directed attention inward and upward.
The surrounding arched walkways, historically used for reading and contemplation, invite visitors to linger and reflect.
At it's heart, an apothecary garden pays homage to monastic traditions of healing, with lavender, sage, rosemary, and other herbs once vital to both medicine and hospitality.
Rising above the garden’s tranquil spaces, the bell tower serves as both a visual anchor and a nod to monastic tradition. In medieval monasteries, bell towers marked the passage of time, calling communities to prayer, study, and reflection.
Medieval monasteries championed care for both body and mind, a philosophy echoed in the garden’s design, which encourages unhurried wandering, quiet observation, and a rare sense of calm. It offers a place to pause and reconnect with a slower rhythm.
Authenticity permeates not just the layout, but the materials and craftmanship that shape this space. Architectural elements include Spanish roof tiles, selected for their Mediterranean monastic pedigree, and bespoke stonework from local business Tuscany Statues, whose artisans imbue the garden with depth and integrity.
The Medieval Garden is the result of a shared vision between Hamilton Gardens and its community of supporters, made possible through collaboration and local investment, including the ongoing commitment of groups such as the Friends of Hamilton Gardens, the Hamilton Gardens Development Trust, and fundraising support through Momentum Waikato, including a cornerstone donation by Zuru.
“The Medieval Garden is something we can all feel proud of. It reflects both the care our community has for the Gardens and our commitment to continuing to grow and evolve what we offer. Each new garden gives people another reason to return, to experience something different, to linger a little longer, and to enjoy the Gardens in new ways.” - Lucy Ryan, Director of Hamilton Gardens.
'As the 19th garden to be added to Hamilton Gardens, the Medieval Garden is entering its final stages, with finishing touches underway ahead of a planned opening in winter 2026.
While it evokes a distant era, it offers an immersive experience that is richly layered and intimately local.
Learn more online!
The ' Little Honey'
Step behind the scenes with Handcraft Homes as they transform their latest renovation on Rolleston St, Kihikihi to life.
START WITH THE VISION
(before you touch anything)
Before a single wall comes downpause. Great renovations don't start with a demolition. They start with a vibe and future vision. Whether you're thinking:
• Coastal and breezy?
• Modern farmhouse warm?
• Clean and contemporary?
And, more importantly, who are you designing the home for?
• Easy family living?
• A luxury retreat?
• A smart investment re-sale?
For the 'Little Honey' on Rolleston St, the owners leant into a Modern Coastal Farmhouse style; soft, warm and timeless. And, one of their biggest tips is to build a moodboard in Pinterest or Canva before the project even begins. Not only is it fun, it will save you thousands later on and will ensure that every decision is aligned.
NAIL THE LAYOUT
(this is where the value lives)
If the layout doesn’t work, nothing else will. This is your biggest opportunity to add real value, both financially and emotionally.
With the help of Keystone Designs, the home was re-imagined into:
• 3 bedrooms (was one bedroom).
• 1 bathroom (re-located).
• A layout centered around entertaining & connection.
Key layout design changes that had the biggest impact:
• Opening up the kitchen, dining & living spaces.
• Adding a central island benchtop.
• Creating seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
• Flooding the home with natural light (goodbye old timber doors & hello glass!)
This stage required house plans, redraws, and council submission. But, it's what sets the foundation for everything that follows.
DEMOLITION DAY
(let the fun begin)
Once you've got consent approved from the council, it's finally go-time! For the 'Little Honey', this looked like:
• Carpet.
• Kitchen.
• Bathroom.
• Walls.
It's messy and loud, but is one of the most satisfying parts of the project at the same time. Pro Tip: Clean as you go. A tidy site allows for faster progress and better decisions.
In progress. Before.
REBUILD
(where your vision comes to life)
This is when the structure of the home comes back, but in a smarter more strategically designed way.
As the walls went up, the client had one key adjustment request, which was that one of the bedrooms didn't have a wardrobe, so to combat this we split the wardrobe from the neighbouring room and now all three bedrooms feel complete and more functional. It was a small change that has had the biggest impact. During this time of the project, it's recommended that you continue to ask yourself, "does this still work in real life?".
DESIGN TIME
(where it all comes together)
While the build continues in the background, the creative fun begins. The goal for the 'Little Honey'?
'A calm, cohesive palette that feels effortless.'
For the clients to achieve this goal, their go-to tones were:
• Warm whites (never stark).
• Soft greys + greige.
• Natural, earthy textures & tones.
The client's tested paint samples in the actual space, because lighting changes everything. What looks perfect instore can sometimes feel completely different at home.
Painter: AD Painting.
PRE-WIRE & PRE-PIPE
(the hidden luxury)
This is the one stage that far too often, people rush and then regret later.
Think beyond now, design for how you'll live in the space for years to come.
The key questions that you should be asking yourself at this stage are:
• Where do you actually need power points?
• Do you want wall-mounted tapware?
• One shower head or two?
• Fridge with water connection?
Tradesmen: iSparx (electrical) and Te Awamutu Plumbing & Drainage.
INSULATION
(the feel good factor)
Not glamorous, but essential. Good insulation in your home, means:
• Warm winters.
• Cool summers.
• A healthier home.
It's the difference between a house that looks good and one that feels even better to live in.
GIBBING & PLASTERING
(the "wow, it's happening" moment)
This is when it all starts to click.
Rooms start to take shape and new spaces start to feel more real. You can finally see the vision coming together.
Our client worked with the team at, Royal Standards and the transformation became tangible, think smooth walls, clean lines, and a blank canvas ready for the final layers.
Whilst the 'Little Honey' is still in the midst of its renovation, we've learnt once again that renovations aren't about chasing trends, but about creating a home that flows effortlessly, feels calm & cohesive, and works in real life because when you get that right, everything works cohesively.
More to come in Edition 11 (December 2026).
Edition 1 - Top Performers
PAGES: 12 - 13: A HEROES STORY, KIDNEY KIDS, NEW ZEALAND.
