Otago Daily Times: Lifestyle

Enjoy the Games on the cheap

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

It may cost a fortune to host the Olympics, but, as Sylvia Hui discovered, you won't need to spend one to enjoy the Games.

More cultured life making probiotics

Tracey Roxburgh — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Former Wanaka resident Andre Prassinos - often referred to as a Queenstown Lakes District Council "watchdog" - has a new title these days, Biobrew director.

Asthma, COPD linked to soft drink

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

People who drink more than half a litre of fizzy drink a day are also more likely to have asthma or serious lung conditions - especially if they are smokers as well, a major study has found.

Sins of the father

Mark Price — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:26:00 +1300

Joe Karam has another book out on the Bain murders. And this time it's about guilt, not innocence, Mark Price reports.

Philanthropy's 'new face'

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Somewhere between his treatise on government transparency and soliloquy on human rights, Pierre Omidyar paused.

Popular show for 60 years

Gillian Vine — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:29:00 +1300

An Outram gardener is getting ready for the town's annual flower show. Gillian Vine reports.

Growing onions not a crying matter

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
Onion seed sown this month will withstand the winter, then mature into good-sized bulbs for harvesting next summer. Prepare soil with wood ash if you can get it, lime and some garden compost, or a general garden fertiliser.

No scent but still magic

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Androsace lanuginosa - there are several variations on the pronunciation of this name, any one of which ends up sounding like a Harry Potter levitation spell.

What's on: February 11- February 17

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Saturday, February 11
Sawyers Bay Garden Club birthday bus trip. Bus departs hall, Station Rd, Sawyers Bay 10am. Note correction to time.

In season: Zucchini carparccio with lemon, herbs and ricotta

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

This can only be made with firm little zucchinis as you want the crunch. With the addition of zesty lemon and fragrant soft summer herbs I am sure this will fast become a summer favourite.

Video: How to make channa masala

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Eating without the animals

Charmian Smith — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Whether it's for health, ethical or environmental reasons, many people are eating less meat and dairy and heading towards a vegan diet. Charmian Smith talks to chef Tanya Hickman about the joys of, and reasons for, a vegan lifestyle.

WINE REVIEWS: Rosé

Charmian Smith — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

With the warm weather we usually get in February, a well chilled rosé is an ideal drink with a long lunch or on a relaxing evening. It's easy and unchallenging - just the thing for unwinding with.

BEER REVIEW: With capacity cut, make the most of Harrington's powerful Hop Tremor beer

Ric Oram — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Earthquakes have, in the past year, destroyed much of the brewing capacity in Christchurch for big and small breweries alike.

Ask a Chef: The Wobbly Goat bacon and egg pies

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Taiwan turns on the culture

Charmian Smith — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

From exquisite porcelain and ancient bronzes to kitsch damper babies, from exotic Chinese opera to the glamorous film industry, Charmian Smith experiences a whirlwind of Taiwanese culture and discovers an unusual artistic goal.

Got a wild, wild life

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +1300

A day in the life of an Orokonui Ecosanctuary ranger is not all communing with exotic fauna, Kelly Gough tells us.

Advocating for orca

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +1300

Orca have rights, too, says New Zealand's whale woman, Ingrid Visser. She tells Catherine Masters, of the NZ Herald, why she is happy to be part of an unusual court case.

Getting out of your depth

Marjorie Cook — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

When people learn I've taken up open-water swimming, some immediately recoil, declaring it is something they could never do. I agree it's scary. But with practice, I'm learning to conquer it. Marjorie Cook reports.

Suckers for punishment

Shane Gilchrist — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

There is a point in life when, like it or not, the body slows down. Still, no-one said anything about stopping. Shane Gilchrist goes for a run down Masters Games lane.

Mix and match for the best veggie patch

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +1300

Vegetables
There is a good case for mixing vegetables with flowers to get the best production from gardens, especially those that lose the sun early. This is particularly true for south-facing properties or gardens overshadowed by high trees.

Pretty in pastel

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +1300

Looking particularly good in the white herbaceous border at Dunedin Botanic Garden is a plant smothered in a mass of flowers.

What's on: February 4- March 8

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Tomorrow, February 4
Tour some of Alexandra's special homes, noon-4pm. Grahame Sydney talk at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm at Henderson House.

Popular, versatile and very tasty: Spicy red chicken bites

Joan Bishop — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

These small, delicious morsels of tender chicken are coated with a spicy red paste, tossed in sesame seeds and breadcrumbs and then baked briefly in a hot oven. The red paste adds superb flavour and helps, along with the sesame breadcrumbs, to keep the chicken moist as it cooks.

Up on a north-facing hill

Charmian Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Waimate, north of the Waitaki River, may not spring to mind when you think of wine and vineyards, but Gary and Ann Dennison have been making wine from their 2.5ha Point Bush Vineyard on the Hunter Hills above the town for a couple of years.

Feast on avocado

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

There's a bumper crop of avocados up north and many of them are finding their way down here. Here are some almost instant recipes for using this versatile fruit from Avocados Australia.

In season: New-season garlic and tomato bruschetta

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

It may seem so simple that it is not worthy of a recipe, but I assure you that to do something so simple correctly is another matter. It all comes down to great ingredients, which will give you one of the most delicious snacks of your summer.

WINE REVIEWS: Chardonnay

Charmian Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Visiting wineries in Marlborough recently, I was told people often skipped the chardonnay. Chardonnay may be out of fashion, but it can be a delicious wine if well balanced as most of those in this tasting were.

Ask a Chef: Nova Cafe's gluten-free chocolate cake

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

2012's hottest hairstyles

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

All that is old is new again in this year's hair fashions, reports Amy Parsons-King, with help from stylist Kylie Hayes, at Moha hairdressing.

Tea served a traditional way

Charmian Smith — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

John Dodd (1838-1907) introduced the world, and particularly the United States, to Formosa Oolong tea, a fine tea grown mostly in the hills north of Taipei. Oolong falls somewhere between green (unfermented) and black (fully fermented) tea.

Modern Taiwan booming, lovely

Charmian Smith — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Visiting Taiwan in search of a great-grandfather, Charmian Smith finds contemporary Taipei a fascinating contrast of traditional and modern.

Running a restaurant still teamwork

John Lewis — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Arran Pene has been long gone from Dunedin, but the former Otago and All Black No 8's connection to the city remains as strong as ever.

Enviro-lies sway buys

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Waves of greenwash are swamping even the most aware of shoppers, writes Andrew Laxon, of the NZ Herald.

Less is more when it comes to cakes

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Nutritionists have labelled the increasing size of slices and cakes sold in cafes as frustrating and a "big problem", but one Dunedin establishment has a satisfying answer.

That sinking feeling

Mark Price — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

How would New Zealand rescue 4000 passengers forced to abandon a cruise ship off the rugged and remote south coast?

Lessons for the whole family

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Next week, bells and buzzers will sound the start of another school year. In the second part of our back-to-school feature, Shane Gilchrist explores the role of communication between parents and children - and, equally importantly, parents and schools.

Time to get back on the bike

Shane Gilchrist — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Next month, cyclists can pedal confident in the knowledge their efforts will contribute to both their own fitness and a new neurosurgery fundraising campaign, writes Shane Gilchrist.

Plant life: Powderpuff flowers putting on a show

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Bright pink fuzzy flowers are putting on a fantastic display at Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Your garden: Make your own liquid manure mix

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

What's on

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Be the lily queen (or king)

Gillian Vine — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Lilies are not difficult to grow from seed. Gillian Vine gives tips on creating your own hybrids.

Dementia: look at diet not genes

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Anyone who has a close relative with Alzheimer's shares the same worry: Am I next?

Video: How to make pelmeni

Charmian Smith — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:29:32 +1300

[video]Nina Sharapova came to New Zealand from Siberia a year ago to help look after her newly-born grandson. Her daughter Elena arrived eight years ago as a student and married a New Zealander.

Dipping into the Taiwanese bowl

Charmian Smith — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:29:00 +1300

From delicious pork and shrimp dumplings to stinky tofu, from beef noodle soup to iron eggs, Charmian Smith savours some of the culinary delights of Taiwan.

Refreshing '28-day' brew and one for the chiller

Ric Oram — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Big breweries can turn out their mainstream (4%) beers in less than a fortnight, taking as little as five days to ferment and a week to mature, although premium 5% lagers take a month or more.

Nutritious lunches with fruit, veg

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

School lunches provide a great opportunity to work more fruit and vegetables into your child's diet, giving the energy and nutrients they need to get the most out of their learning day - and that goes for adult lunches as well.

Apricot and raspberry buckle

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

This cake derives from North America and I love it. It is simple to prepare and full of fresh flavours of summer.

Otago Museum Cafe's gluten-free lemon basil pesto risotto cakes

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Wine review: Sauvignon Blancs

Charmian Smith — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Pundits often decry sauvignon blanc for its simple fruity flavours and crisp acidity, which is just what makes it so attractive to most of us. However, a few stand out for their unexpected complexity and delicious balance. Others vary in style from aggressive to dilute, or from sweetish to lean.

Pitcairn Island - as far away as you can get

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

It is bare of white sandy beaches and about as far away as you can get from anywhere - but that has not stopped super-remote Pitcairn Island from marketing itself as a holiday paradise in a newly embraced tourism push.

Off to Milford Sound for a paddle

Joe Dodgshun — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Visitors to Milford Sound, which Rudyard Kipling described as "the eighth wonder of the world", have yet another way to see the sights with the launch of Southern Discoveries' new kayaking venture. Joe Dodgshun describes his day to remember.

Trust key in healthcare

Elspeth McLean — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Increasing regulation is not the way to make sure doctors and other health professionals behave well, the dean of the University of Otago's law school, Prof Mark Henaghan, says.

Super bike designer top watch for viewers

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

The Kiwi designers of world-renowned motorcycles, an Olympic gold medallist and a comedian feature high on the list of what their fellow New Zealanders want to watch.

'Honest' home built for practical living

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:29:00 +1300

Standing on a raised section above Lake Wanaka, this concrete and timber home was a winner in the recent Southern Architecture Awards.

What's on: January 21- February 7

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Weekend, January 21-22
Lawrence Summer Arts Festival. Floral art workshop by Marilyn Davis, of Timaru. Saturday 4pm-6pm, modern sculpture. Sunday 4pm-6pm, traditional pinned leaved bowl. Cost $45. All materials supplied. Register with Frieda Betman on (03) 485-9328 or email the.ark@xtra.co.nz.

Sowing seeds a chancy matter

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
Keeping the soil hoed at this time of year not only keeps down weed seedlings but also gives vegetables an effective mulch of broken soil that prevents loss of moisture lower down in the ground.

Camellias enjoy canopy cover

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

During the summer the main focus of the Dunedin Botanic Garden's camellia collection is in deep shade under the leafy canopy of European beech, Fagus sylvatica.

New cancer treatment target starts in July

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:32:46 +1300

Cancer patients needing radiation or chemotherapy should not be waiting for treatment for more than a month when new national health targets kick in from July.

Ryall declines involvement in hospital staffing issue

Eileen Goodwin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:31:00 +1300

Health Minister Tony Ryall has rejected a request by the senior doctors' union to intervene in a staffing numbers issue at Dunedin Hospital's emergency department (ED).

Ask a Chef: Feast Cafe's mushroom and chilli soup

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants.

WINE REVIEWS: Pinot noirs

Charmian Smith — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

What a pleasure it was to taste these pinot noirs, mostly from Central, and to enjoy the charmand variety from different winemakers and different subregions. A few newer producers arehere - Steve Davies' Doctor's Flat and John Montero and Roberta Manell Montero's Ellerofrom a terrace that juts out above the Pisa Flats.

In season: Aubergine and tomato stew

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Once you get confident with aubergines, you will realise how versatile and delicious they are. When stewed with tomatoes, the combination works as a base for many dishes. They can be partnered with grilled lamb chops, piled on bruschetta or baked with mozzarella on top.

More than just hot chips and sandwiches

Charmian Smith — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

"Come to lunch at the stadium and meet the chef,'' was the invitation, so photographer Jane Dawber and I jumped at the chance.

Cooking 101: Italian beef olives

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, demonstrates some professional techniques to make your cooking easier. In this series he shares recipes for some of the dishes he ate on a trip to Europe last year.

Walk a mile in her shoes

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

As demand for her artisan infant shoes grows, Lou Clifton is turning her attention to a long-term goal - creating footwear for adults. Ellie Constantine stepped into her studio.

Screening changes to take years

Elspeth McLean — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:23:25 +1300

It could take three years to put all of the recommendations from the recent critical independent review of Breast-Screen Aotearoa into place.

East of Eden

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

It's perhaps the final frontier of the Kiwi summer holiday - an unblemished paradise where time slows and crayfish dinners and wide-open golden country are all part of the landscape. NZ Herald reporter Jamie Morton and photographer Alan Gibson explore one of the hidden gems of the North Island's East Coast.

Five found with cancer after breast screening glitch

Elspeth McLean — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:30:00 +1300

Five of the 241 women affected by a breakdown in communication over BreastScreen Aotearoa (BSA) mammogram appointments were found to have cancer when they finally had mammograms, it has been revealed.

South Dunedin, steaming ahead?

Mark Price — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:30:00 +1300

Will some street alterations, and new seating and planting, be enough to pull the down-at-heel South Dunedin commercial centre out of the doldrums? Mark Price takes a look.

Lifestyle of a determined sea traveller

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Former fisheries scientist Dr John Booth, a specialist in rock lobsters, takes a look at the delicacy many of us covet.

Antipodean Kerry

Gillian Vine — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:29:00 +1300

Two Irish gardens remind Gillian Vine of home.

What's on: January 17- 22

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Tuesday, January 17
Sawyers Bay Garden Club meets at 7.15pm in the Emmanuel Church hall, Station Rd, Sawyers Bay.

Making its presence felt

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

In the Rhododendron Dell at the Dunedin Botanic Garden, one of the stand-out herbaceous plants at the moment is Rodgersia pinnata, or "Superba". Although it is not as tall or even as robust as many of the plants around it, it certainly has a strong presence.

Preparing your winter garden

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
Although winter is a long way off, most winter greens should be planted by the middle of January, although Brussels sprouts generally give better crops if planted before Christmas.

Wellington Airport named one of world's scariest

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:22:09 +1300

Wellington Airport has been named one of scariest places in the world to land and take off by a British newspaper.

Moderate cannabis use not bad for lungs: study

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:59:27 +1300

Smoking the occasional joint does not seem to have any detrimental effects on lung health, a new US study suggests.

BEER REVIEW: NZ apple, pear ciders appeal across Tasman

Ric Oram — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

It seems that New Zealand apples are wanted in Australia after all.

Cookbooks: Simple and delicious

Charmian Smith — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Fans of Australian Donna Hay will be interested in her latest book, Simple Dinners (Fourth Estate).

WINE REVIEW: Pinot gris

Charmian Smith — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Characteristically pinot gris oozes sweet fruit hinting of pears and has a silky or oil texture but unless well balanced is often marred by the obtrusive heat of high alcohol.

BEST UNDER $20

Woven Stone Ohau Pinot Gris 2011
$17
Three stars (out of five)
Good value

Video: How to make Chinese New Year dumplings

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Summer perfect for cucumbers

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Everything in the garden is romping away and, to put it mildly, we are spoilt for choice.

In season: Zucchini, cherry tomato and feta tart

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

This recipe is the perfect base for any number of delicious toppings. I always have ready-rolled pastry in the freezer, which is perfect for a quick tart like this. Be creative with the vast array of delicious seasonal produce.

Ask a Chef: Arthur Barnett Cafe's Cheese Rolls

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Island time not a sentence

Allison Rudd — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Just off the coast of Western Australia is Rottnest Island, where bicycles and wind power reign supreme and relaxing is the name of the game. Allison Rudd took a day trip.

Baby food diet hard to swallow

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

HAMILTON: A fad baby food diet linked to Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston has triggered warnings from a nutritionist.

Baby food dieters told to grow up

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:11:22 +1300

A fad baby food diet linked to Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston has triggered warnings from a nutritionist.

Best Day of Your Life: Victoria Muir

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Graffiti tells the story

David Loughrey — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

High above the passer-by, glass or wire netting-covered openings give a tantalising glimpse into the towers and spires of historic Dunedin. Overcoming vertigo, David Loughrey ventured where most do not get to go. Here, he explores the magic spaces inside the clock towers of the Dunedin Railway Station, Dunedin Town Hall, the University of Otago's registry building, and the spire of Knox Church.

Other halves: Backing up mayor suits him fine

Olivia Caldwell — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

It is a question of who works for whom when it comes to Queenstown Lakes District mayor Vanessa van Uden and Lakes Environmental's Peter Laurenson's relationship.

Historic caves have story to tell

Chris Morris — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Dunedin's history can be seen in its towering church spires, but also found hidden behind small doors. Chris Morris explores.

Ignominious entrance to tower

David Loughrey — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Nautical ghosts inhabit coast

Nigel Benson — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Many secrets lie hidden beneath the sea around the Otago coast. Nigel Benson and Stephen Jaquiery go shipwreck hunting.

Death-defying feat up clock tower

David Loughrey — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Olives heart of family's new lifestyle

Lynda Van Kempen — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Ever felt like walking out on your life? Well, that's exactly what Trevor and Sue McNamara did when they took their children and moved from South to Central Otago for a lifestyle change. Lynda Van Kempen talks to the couple who say they have no regrets about the move.

Knee-knocking climb of Knox

David Loughrey — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Don't stop but enjoy the smells and colours of Botanic Garden

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Dunedin professional runner Anna Frost has competed in the some of the toughest trail and mountain races in the world. However, when she is back in Dunedin she enjoys getting back on the hills and beaches around the city which was her early training ground. Here Anna shares the fifth of her favourite runs in the heart of the city.

Holiday Cooking: Annabel Langbein's summer recipes

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Eggs are one of my desert-island foods. When I want a nourishing lunch or light supper in a hurry, they tick all the boxes.

Best day of your life: Gretchen Robertson

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Best day of your life: Neill Collins

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Boardwalk with a spectacular view

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Dunedin professional runner Anna Frost had competed in the some of the toughest trail and mountain races in the world.

Creativity expressed through craftwork

Ellie Constantine — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Embroidery inspired by a psycho killer and quilts covered in underwear - Jane McMillan's craft creations are definitely unique.

Other halves: 'Secret weapon' mayoress a 'doer'

Lynda Van Kempen — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

She prefers to take a back seat, but nobody could ever accuse Bernie Lepper of being a spectator on the sidelines rather than an active participant.

Loath to move back to centre

Elspeth McLean — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Attracting business back to Christchurch's central city area will be hugely difficult, Dunedin business owner Richard Thomson says.

To insure or not to insure?

Ben Guild — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Christchurch's earthquakes have highlighted the importance and failures of the insurance industry. Oamaru's Ben Guild looks into the philosophy and realities of insurance.

Other halves: Injury led to change of role

Lucy Ibbotson — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

While Prue, Lady Wallis admits she's had to "clear the decks a bit" since her aviation entrepreneur husband Sir Tim Wallis crashed his Spitfire into the ground nearly 16 years ago and sustained a serious head injury, she is reluctant to take praise for the enormous role she has played in her husband's's recovery and the full life he still leads.

Earthquakes teach unexpected lessons

Elspeth McLean — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Christchurch's earthquakes changed life irrevocably for thousands. Elspeth McLean talks to Dunedin businessman Richard Thomson about the impact on his retail chain and the staff who helped put it back together.

Straw house proves worth

Lynda Van Kempen — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Neil and Joyce Jubb left behind the bush clad hills of Titirangi, in Auckland for the wide open spaces of Central Otago. Lynda Van Kempen finds out why they chose a straw bale house.

Earthy feel makes dirt top chocie

Catherine Pattison — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

As the world enters a more environmentally-aware era, sustainable building resources are back in vogue. Catherine Pattison talks to two Lake Hawea brothers, who realised long before it was fashionable that they really dug dirt and were so captivated by it as a construction material that they have both built houses out of this natural resource.

Annabel Langbein's seasonal spinach tart

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

My mother made this savoury tart often, and it's still the best I've tasted.

Sport: Still dreaming of a ticked-off bucket list

Hayden Meikle — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Bucket lists can be as broad or as narrow as you like. Sports editor Hayden Meikle identifies the 10 great sporting events he would like to attend.

Worming his way to a new lifestyle

Marjorie Cook — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

A change of lifestyle has seen a former West Otago farmer swap deer for worms. Marjorie Cook finds out how going back to the good life has worked for Lloyd Thayer.

Adept with needles of all sorts

Ellie Constantine — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

There is not an area of Grace Ockwell's home that has not been touched by her well-practised, needle-wielding hand.

Other halves: Supportive environment key

Catherine Pattison — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

When former Silver Fern Jodi Brown runs out on to the netball court for the Southern Steel, she knows her husband, Markham, fully understands the physical commitment it takes for her to be at the top of her game.

Best Day of Your Life: Kate Wilson

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Flagstaff run varied and interesting, but not for the faint-hearted

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Dunedin professional runner Anna Frost has competed in some of the toughest trail and mountain races in the world.

Head for the hills for a fine view of Dunedin

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Dunedin professional runner Anna Frost has competed in the some of the toughest trail and mountain races in the world. However, when she is home, she enjoys getting out on her early training grounds - the hills and beaches around the city. Here, Frost shares the first of her favourite runs in the city, a climb to Mt Cargill from Bethunes Gully.

Best Day of Your Life: Ken Tustin

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Where bad horses go good

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Dunedin writer Edith Leigh visits Springbank Farm, near Palmerston, and finds a shared love of horses creates a strong bond between mother and daughter.

Other halves: Not just Mr Ker's wife

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Glenys Ker has seven qualifications to her name, a successful career in management and education, and her own business, oh, and she just happens to be married to Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker.

Best day of your life: Lee Vandervis

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Other halves: Engaged to 'the athlete'

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

When Craig Palmer refers to his fiance when he is working, she simply becomes "the athlete".

From city to country

Eileen Goodwin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

They gave up city life in Auckland to seek the good life in Otago. Eileen Goodwin talks to Sandy Price about her family's decision and the challenges of lifestyle farming.

Toddler and dog together

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Navigating toddlerdom is not easy for a first-time mum and for a first-time family dog, the challenges can be just as tough. What do you do when your bed is constantly invaded by 1-year-old and you're suddenly just not getting as much attention as you used to? Edith Leigh shares the dog's view on life with a toddler.

In a healthy home-made pickle

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Making his own chutneys, jams, and pickle is not new to Rory Harding, who loves utilising his well-stocked vegetable patch.

Rustic, raw and individual

Rebecca Fox — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Walk into Kevin Tattersall's Signal Hill home and you are greeted by a series of photographs covering each step of its construction. Rebecca Fox finds out more about the passive solar home that has changed the Tattersall family's life.

Holiday cooking: Annabel Langbein's crusty flat bread

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

This is a wonderfully supple focaccia dough that makes enough for two large loaves.

Rising demand for a better quality drop

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:26:48 +1300

Last year Moa, a Blenheim-based boutique brewery, proudly announced it had become the first craft beer-maker to sell its products in New Zealand duty-free stores.

Need a new kidney? Try Facebook

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:32:19 +1300

Here's another reason for holdouts to join the social media site Facebook: it's a great place to find a kidney.

Cancer Kiwis' most-feared health issue

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:08:12 +1300

Cancer worries New Zealanders more than any other disease or disability, a new survey has found.

Subterranean worlds collide

Anna Chinn — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Anna Chinn examines, and plays with, the contents of Dunedin gutters.

Other halves: A fan of the beautiful game

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Embracing the beautiful game gave Maggie Burgess an extended family, which has grown both on the football pitch and into the home.

Best Day of Your Life: Jo Taylor

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Offbeat early years an ideal grounding

Catherine Pattison — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

How did a possum-trapping, deer-netting, Whanganui River-dwelling wild child evolve into an author with three books recently in the top 10 on the Booksellers NZ non-fiction best-sellers list and a television series sold to 79 territories worldwide?

Day trip offers a tantalising introduction to Big Eddy

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

A sea kayak is the perfect craft from which to explore our beautiful coastline and observe our rich marine life. Dunedin kayaker Maggie Oakley shares her favourite voyages close to the city.

Taking on a tall order

Allison Rudd — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Who would buy a steep, scrub-covered, pocket handkerchief-sized slice of rural land with no water supply? Ian and Fliss Butcher would. Allison Rudd talks to the couple transforming their difficult plot into an oasis.

Stu Todd's salad seed mix

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

This is so simple and delicious for nibbling during summer months. A batch can be kept for weeks in the fridge, although its many uses mean it doesn't usually last long.

Cheap and not so cheerful

Tracey Roxburgh — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

I have a hangover. I blame my editor, Murray Kirkness.

Wanaka well endowed with fantastic cycling tracks

John Fridd — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

We're back in the Wanaka district for the final of our Summer Times bike rides. This is because Wanaka has so many new tracks I couldn't fit them into one article.

Champions of our rare dolphins

Eileen Goodwin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

They live together and fight togther - for the plight of Hector's dolphins. Eileen Goodwin speaks to Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson about their partnership at home and at work.

Best day of your life: Ron Palenski

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Best day of your life: Lisa Scott

Lisa Scott — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Summer Times asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the day contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Stardust and moonbeams

Anna Chinn — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Anna Chinn examines, and plays with, the contents of Dunedin gutters.

Scrapbooks full of memories

Ellie Constantine — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Donna O'Leary has no fear her children will complain they have no record of growing up - she has documented every milestone of their lives in scrapbooks.

Other halves: Happy with supporting role

Helena de Reus — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Clutha District mayoress Allyson Cadogan says there are no major drawbacks in being the wife of the Mayor.

Loyalty as a commodity

Anna Chinn — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Anna Chinn examines, and plays with, the contents of Dunedin gutters.

Other halves: Fitness a shared passion

Catherine Pattison — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Wanaka multisporter and adventure racer Dougal Allan still blushes about when he first clapped eyes on his girlfriend Amy Nunn on the lakeshore.

Power to the people

Allison Rudd — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Company Bay couple Michael and Edith Laba have taken control of their living environment. They generate almost all their own electricity, get most of their hot water from the sun and are always warm and cosy in their super-insulated home. Allison Rudd visited the house they say they never want to leave.

Living a good life off the grid

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Living "off the grid" is not always easy and the start-up costs can be prohibitive, but there is an immense satisfaction to be found in generating your own power, Dunedin writer Edith Leigh discovers.

A labour of love

Ellie Constantine — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

If you have ever stopped by Zucchini Bros in Roslyn, chances are you spotted the rosy face of Rachel Smith, pulling pizzas from the restaurant's oven. She and her husband, Roger, spoke to Ellie Constantine about their "dream come true".

Stu Todd's chicken terrine

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

This is the ultimate versatile summer dish. It is just as nice the next day cold and is the perfect picnic food with some crusty bread, fresh tomatoes and a shake of pepper and salt.

Keeping the customers happy

Elspeth McLean — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Restaurants in Dunedin come and go but a few have withstood the competition and changing economic times. In the first of this series Elspeth McLean talks to the Gianone family about their popular eatery Etrusco.

Stu Todd's summertime mocktail punch

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

This is a drink you can have fun with.

Nothing trivial at pub quizzes

John Lewis — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:27:00 +1300

If you have ever taken part in a pub quiz you know it brings out the best and worst in people. John Lewis discovers there is a underbelly to the brain-teasing entertainment.

Spouse's support essential factor in success

John Gibb — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:27:00 +1300

Former tourism management consultant and Karitane resident Ray Grubb is completely relaxed about his wife, Marian van der Goes, soaking up much of the limelight these days, as Doc's Otago conservator.

A twinkling trinket

Anna Chinn — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:27:00 +1300

Anna Chinn examines, and plays with, the contents of Dunedin gutters.

The intricate icing on the cake

Ellie Constantine — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:27:00 +1300

A young boy's simple request set Sharon Davies on a passionate cake-decorating mission.

Stu Todd's super-sticky spare ribs

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:27:00 +1300

There is nothing better than getting stuck into some sticky finger food. This recipe can be used for chicken, pork or beef. It is a really good base, which you can adapt to suit your own tastes.

Tips for bargain hunting

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Here's a few tips to help you in your your quest for the ultimate bargain.

What's on offer in Dunedin?

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

The local thrift-store scene is healthy, with the Salvation Army offering up charitably donated goods at several locations in Mosgiel and Dunedin - one of them a shiny new family store in Princes St.

The thrill of the chase is addictive

Debbie Porteous — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

If she had kept everything she has bought from second-hand stores over her life, Dunedin woman Emily Cannan could easily have filled her home (and her father's carport) several times over with her finds.

From new settlement to abandoned gold-era settlement

John Fridd — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Today we're off to the Cromwell area to ride from the mushrooming Pisa Moorings settlement to Bannockburn, almost all off road.

Second time the charm

Debbie Porteous — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Got some spare time these summer holidays? What better thing to do than go hunting - for that ultimate bargain.

Dwelling + ticket office + clinic = crib

David Loughrey — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

The Bourke family's Harwood property is not a holiday home, nor is it a bach - it is a crib. David Loughrey finds it lives up to that name to the point it could almost be used as a definition of the Southern family getaway.

Leisurely Taieri circuit perfect outing for novices

John Fridd — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Some mountain bikers don't like scary single tracks and exhausting hill climbs, so I thought I'd throw a cruisy ride into this series.

Rogues' gallery source of fascination

Hamish McNeilly — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Law and order in the 1800s in New Zealand was very different from that of today. Hamish McNeilly discovers the fascinating mugshot collection held by the New Zealand Police Museum and what it tells us about early settler life in Otago.

The rotten twin of the Venus of Willendorf

Anna Chinn — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Fruit and veges can sometimes be found in the gutter. By squishing something that seems to be thoroughly rotten, we can determine whether it has any remaining food value. The pictured orange had very little.

Best day of your life - Roy Colbert

Roy Colbert — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

The doctor said he diagnosed me from the door of my bedroom. Diabetes.

Other halves: The reluctant mayoress

David Bruce — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Heather Familton could be described as a reluctant mayoress when her husband, Alex, was first elected Waitaki Mayor in 2007.

Home where the heart is

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

After more than 30 years living and working in places as diverse as Ethiopia, Indonesia and Auckland, Roy and Jan Johnstone have come home. Allison Rudd visited them at their ecofriendly house, nestled below a patch of native bush on a South Otago hillside and overlooking what they call their hidden valley.

Smokers urged to delay bid to butt out

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:02:33 +1300

Thinking of butting out for good in 2012? Anti-smoking lobby group Quit Victoria reckons you should put your New Year's resolution on hold -but only for a fortnight.

Wanaka's section of new trail ready to ride

John Fridd — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Many people strolling along the track that hugs the Wanaka lakefront probably don't appreciate they are on the 3000km Te Araroa trail, which winds through New Zealand from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

Other halves: Juanita Meeuws

John Lewis — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

When it comes to rugby, Juanita Meeuws freely admits she is "not the most savvy of rugby fans", despite her husband being former All Black, Highlander and Blues prop Kees Meeuws.

"In fact, let's face it, I'm a shocker! I'm the last person you'd come to for a chat about the game.

Best Day of Your Life: Abby Smith

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

October 23, 2011, was a pretty good day. You'll remember it was when New Zealand lifted the Rugby World Cup. But, was it the best day of your life? Possibly, but probably not. Summer Times has asked 12 Otago people to describe the best day of their lives, and the responses will run over the next two weeks. (To ensure variety, we ruled out the days contributors met their partners, married them, or their children were born.)

Pastime grew into obsession

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

A woman of two worlds, Debbie Pettinger switches from heavy packs and muddy boots to bright fabrics and creative patterns with ease.

Down to the nitty-gritty

Anna Chinn — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:25:00 +1300

Anna Chinn examines, and plays with, the contents of Dunedin gutters.

Holidays at lakeside attraction for locals and visitors alike

Ellie Constantine — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Not wanting to face long drives in hot cars with cramped family members, many people opt for a holiday closer to home. With its lush willows, enticing lake and plenty of services, Waihola could be a holidaymaker's dream. Ellie Constantine enjoyed a bit of lakeside sunshine close to home.

Even the bad times are good

Mark Price — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Many Western economies struggled to make progress in 2011 - treading water at best and slipping into decline at worst. But how did Otago fare? Mark Price looks back for signs Otago moved forward in 2011.

Cost of easy credit high

Kim Dungey — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Instant approval. Low-income earners welcome. Money in your bank in one hour. Those are just some of the promises from the country's money lenders. Kim Dungey reports.

What's on

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Your garden: The time is ripe for pruning

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Well worth waiting for

Dylan Norfield — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Have you got a dry, 1m-wide spot in the garden where little else will grow? Does a plant with blue-grey foliage that lasts 10 years with little or no maintenance and has a spectacular 3m-high flower sound good?

Staying out of the ring: fewer people getting married

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:35:15 +1300

As a 20-something, Erin Turner feels she made all the right moves dating wise. She graduated from college and spent three and a half years with a boyfriend before they moved in together.

Cookbooks to inspire and inform

Charmian Smith — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Charmian Smith reviews a selection of recently published cookbooks.

Ask a chef: Arrowtown Bakery Cafe's vegetable stack

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Make the most of the daily grind

Janice Murphy — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Some meat, some flavourings and some imagination - Janice Murphy learns how simple it is to make sausages at home.

Cooking 101: Tiramisu

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

WINE REVIEWS: Sparkling wines

Charmian Smith — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Bubblies are for all occasions - fruity, slightly sweet ones for barbecues or summer lunches,more serious methode traditionelles for savouring by themselves or with food.

Rose-petal meringues with summer berries and cream

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

The sweet fragrance and pretty rose petals speckled through these delectable meringues make for the perfect festive dessert.

Wedding gown spectacular

Jude Hathaway — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

An unveiling at Te Papa is causing a stir in Wellington. Jude Hathaway reports.

Gold kiwifruit 'wonder drug' for colds - study

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:06:00 +1300

In a variation of the apple-a-day recipe for health, a gold kiwifruit or four led elderly people to shake off some cold symptoms faster than usual.

Letters keep Santa's elves busy

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Besides meeting Santa himself in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, a visit to his post office at the Santa Claus Village is a must.

Desperately seeking Santa

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle in Finland is surely one of the greatest destinations in the world for lovers of all things Christmassy, as AAP travel writer Leah McLennan discovered.

Simple steps can help make holiday travel more comfortable

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

If you plan to travel home for Christmas, these travel must-haves should help with the most common discomforts, says Starre Vartan, of MCT.

How Labour voters got the blues

Mark Price — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Amid the rubble of its 2011 election-night defeat, Labour's loss of the party vote in Dunedin South stood out as a singular "disaster". The seat, traditionally regarded as "safe Labour", swung to National. Mark Price takes a closer look where the votes went.

Enticing a dollar

Shane Gilchrist — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

As Christmas draws ever closer, let's pause from our shopping to consider the places and spaces in which we spend. Sociologist Nick Perry treads a few well-worn paths with Shane Gilchrist.

Credit card usage less this Christmas

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

A Dun & Bradstreet Consumer Credit Expectations survey has found New Zealanders are more likely to put away their credit cards and use their savings to cover purchases at Christmas this year.

Inadvertent victims

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ian McKay, of Dunedin, recalls the 1941 torpedoing of the Jason, with 2000 Commonwealth prisoners of war on board.

From Hartwell to here

Gillian Vine — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Following in the footsteps of the first writer/editor of the Star Garden Book, Gillian Vine visits the English property where Harry Clarke trained.

Generation pamper-mousse

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

The boys are beginning to scrub up nicely, reports Amy Parsons-King. But there remain a few unwritten rules when it comes to grooming.

Aerobic, anaerobic and resistance mix

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

It's week seven of our fat-destruction programme. This week, Gary Dawkins, of fitness trainers Creative Conditioning, focuses on the right mix of exercise types.

Health warnings for pregnant women on alcohol

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:37:48 +1300

Warning labels aimed at pregnant women will be added to all alcohol products in New Zealand and Australia.

Plant life: Have a white Christmas

Shirley Stuart — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

It's that time of year again; time to pull out the tinsel and hang the holly.

Ideas from Santa's garden sack

Gillian Vine — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Gillian Vine suggests Christmas gifts for gardeners.

Your garden: Forethought needed for year-round crops

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Staff loss puts breast screening at risk: doctor

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:27:45 +1300

The safety of women has been put at risk by the national breast-screening programme's loss of key, long-serving staff, a leading doctor says in a letter to the Government.

Kids won't eat veggies? Try bribery

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:38:08 +1300

If your preschoolers turn up their noses at carrots or celery, a small reward like a sticker for taking even a taste may help get them to eat previously shunned foods, a UK study said.

Tastes of summer

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:29:00 +1300

Chef Bevan Smith shares some recipes for Christmas treats.

Blueskin Nurseries Cafe's asparagus and ham soup

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Seasonal wheat beers complement range

Ric Oram — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

When Belgian-born Dave De Vylder took over Wanaka Beerworks six months ago, he set out to complement the existing range of Cardrona Gold, Tall Black and Brewski using his Belgian flair with seasonal beers.

Top-flight wine a matter of interest

Charmian Smith — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Any wine, whatever its price, should be in balance and have reasonably intense fruit, according to Prof Steve Charters, MW.

Wine review: Rosés

Charmian Smith — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Rosés, lightly chilled, are lovely for sunny summer drinking, whether at a long, lazy lunch or a watching the sun go down on a warm evening. They are good with simple food such as salmon, turkey, ham, chicken, and the sweeter ones will go with strawberries or fruit salad. Try making a rosé jelly.

Video: How to make barszcz and uszka

Charmian Smith — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

[video]Cecylia Klobukowska, from Poland, shows how to make traditional Polish Christmas fare: barszcz with uszka (clear beetroot soup with mushroom dumplings), honey cakes and honey cookies.

Bruschetta with asparagus tips, peas and minted cheese

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Toasted garlicky bread smothered with flavours of summer is a perfect way to enjoy the season's magnificent produce.

Trailing around in Central

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Central Otago cycling doesn't have to be all about rail trails. Jeff Kavanagh discovers there are other tracks to try.

Innovative New Zealand architecture at its best

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:38:00 +1300

Registered Architect Chris Norman of Wanaka delivers customized architectural solutions for residential and commercial buildings in Otago, the Upper Clutha and Queenstown Lakes Districts.

A claim on history

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Gold's early discoverers are a celebrated band. But one group of Central Otago pioneers has been overlooked, Grahame Sydney writes. Here he sets the record straight.

Independent thinking

Mark Price — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Those who believe South Islanders get a raw deal in a country overendowed with North Island politicians, North Island business owners and North Island welfare beneficiaries might be a little disappointed in new member of Parliament Richard Prosser.

The green pioneers

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

When it comes to green technology, some of the South's early European settlers were at the cutting edge, writes Denis Dwyer.

Obesity divides experts

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Zumba, yoga or Pilates should be offered to girls as early as primary school as a way to get them exercising and combat obesity.

Body fat can hide nice abs

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Week six of our pre-Christmas fat-destruction programme and it's time to work those abs, says Gary Dawkins, from Dunedin fitness trainers Creative Conditioning.

Streetscape re-created

Kim Dungey — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:29:00 +1300

At a time when Christchurch is losing so many of its heritage buildings, a Dunedin project is re-creating a lost Victorian facade. Kim Dungey reports.

Frank, earthy coverall has 1970s charm

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Vivid splotches, pouring over rocks and hugging the ground - rockery phlox can be both tough and gorgeous.

Watering and weeding the way to go

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
Watering and weeding are the principal tasks in the garden over the next two months. Hoeing, if carried out systematically, helps retain moisture, as well as destroying weeds and weed seeds, reducing hours of labour later.

What's on: December 9- December 28

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

There is plenty of great events happening in and aroud Dunedin in December.

WINE REVIEWS: Sweet wines

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Sweet wines in small bottles are usually little gems, sometimes lusciously sweet, sometimes intensely poised between sweetness and acidity that makes them taste almost dry on the finish. Sip them decadently on a long summer holiday evening.

Add spice for a Southern treat

Joan Bishop — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

In the South, food-lovers eagerly await the arrival of the first Jersey benne potatoes.

New season's cabbage, potato and pea soup

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

This soup is the essence of summer. It is light, refreshing and full of flavour.

Fashion student has string of good designs

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

After spending 45 hours drilling 200 holes, and threading 100m of string through PVC to form just one garment, it is little wonder Jojo Ross' graduate collection gives her nightmares.

Sparkle, shine: it's party time

Jude Hathaway — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Put some sparkle in the wardrobe for the summer parties ahead. Jude Hathaway reports.

Dud spuds batter fish 'n' chip lovers

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:26:30 +1300

The Canterbury earthquakes have claimed another victim - a drop in the quality of our beloved fish n' chips.

It's all downhill from here

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:29:00 +1300

The best bit about cycling in the hills is not the climb. So Jeff Kavanagh goes biking from the top down.

Bedbugs, dirty sheets top traveller fears

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:18:02 +1300

Bedbugs, unwashed sheets and dirty toilets are among the biggest hygiene fears of Kiwi travellers, a survey has revealed.

Cooling heels while waiting to race

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:27:00 +1300

While we were enjoying a perfect summer Sunday, Queenstown Lakes District Council infrastructure services strategic project manager Martin O'Malley was undertaking the run of his life - the Everest Marathon, raising money and awareness for Jigsaw Central Lakes.

Xmas deadline to save Milton mill

Mark Price — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

The deadline is Christmas. If by then a deal is not done, then it is goodbye to Milton's 114-year connection with the textile industry.

Real hazard from working in the sun

Elspeth McLean — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

Skin cancer is a major risk for outdoor workers. Elspeth McLean reports.

Make a date and tidy up

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

You can make yourself more attractive to anyone, reports Chiara Atik, for MCT.

Wild Ways: Not just for the birds

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Native vegetation and plant species at Orokonui Ecosanctuary are worth valuing in their own right, as Kelvin Lloyd explains.

A bird in the hand

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

A small group of the rare mohua has flown to the relative safety of Resolution Island. But not under their own steam, writes Caroline Harker, of Wanaka.

More than just a game

Shane Gilchrist — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Pippin Barr is an avid video-game player. He also possesses a scholarly insight into how such games affect our lives. Shane Gilchrist explores his cyber universe and discovers worlds within worlds.

Game as anything

Shane Gilchrist — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Research into how New Zealanders are playing video games has found nine out of 10 households own a device on which they play games and nearly 80% of parents with children (aged 18 and under) play computer and video games.

More trimming for Xmas

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

For week five of our pre-Christmas fat-destruction programme, Gary Dawkins, of Dunedin personal training firm Creative Conditioning, introduces some new exercises.

Old favourites among the roses

Gillian Vine — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:29:00 +1300

Before the Otago Rose Society's annual show, Gillian Vine visits an Outram garden where roses are just one of the attractions.

TLC keeps them blooming

Linda Hellyer — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

To keep roses at their best and encourage a non-stop display of flowers, a few simple summer tasks may help you along the way.

What's on: December 2 - December 13

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Today and tomorrow
North Otago Rose Show, Pipe Band Hall, Friday 1pm-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Free, all welcome.

Still time to plant peas

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
Peas can still be sown and dwarf varieties, such as Novella, will produce plump pods in nine to 11 weeks from sowing. Greenfeast takes 11 to 13 weeks.

Victoria's Secret stacks stage with model mums

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:29:34 +1300

It's not just the push-up bras or feathered wings that give some top Victoria's Secret models their sexy swagger: It's their off-the-catwalk lives as mothers that give them their confidence and signature curves, they say.

Kathmandu not on must-do list

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:27:00 +1300

With just days until Queenstown Lakes District Council infrastructure services general manager Martin O'Malley takes on the Everest Marathon, raising money and awareness for Jigsaw Central Lakes and the It's Not OK campaign, the Queenstown Times shares one of his recent updates from Nepal - where he managed to locate the local "treatment plant".

Video: How to make carbonade flamande

Charmian Smith — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

[video]

Lysiane Dufour, from Belgium, shows how to make carbonade Flamande (beer beef stew) with stoemp (leek and potato mash).

BEER REVIEW: Hotels froth as beer trade dwindles

Ric Oram — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Supermarket and grocery stores' share of total beer sales has climbed to 38% since 1999 when they were first allowed to sell beer.

In Season: Red onion tarte tatin

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

This is a fantastic tart; the contrast between the sweet red onions caramelised with the balsamic vinegar and finished with flaky puff pastry is a wonderful example of perfect partnerships in food.

WINE REVIEWS: Sauvignon blancs

Charmian Smith — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

This batch included three low-alcohol sauvignon blancs, about 8% or 10% instead of 13% or 14%, designed for lunch-time drinking by the glass.

A baker's Christmas dozen

Charmian Smith — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Christmas cakes seem as traditional a food as you can get, but not so, according to Prof Helen Leach, one of the authors of The Twelve Cakes of Christmas. Charmian Smith learns about the evolution of this rich fruitcake that, these days, is essential to Christmas.

A taste of sunny Central

Charmian Smith — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:43:00 +1300

The Alexandra Basin Winegrowers turned on a sunny Central Otago day for their third annual new release tasting on the lawn of Olivers in Clyde on Labour Weekend Sunday.

Accent on fresh, or not so fresh

Charmian Smith — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:41:00 +1300

Annabel Langbein follows last year's bestselling The Free Range Cook with a new book, Free Range in the City.

Aramoana: pathway to the sea

Ellie Constantine — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:40:00 +1300

Tucked away at the mouth of the Otago Harbour sits the private and subdued settlement of Aramoana.

Lot to lava about volcano ride

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Peering down from atop Cerro Negro volcano, it's easy to see how a daredevil on a bicycle earned a land speed record gliding down its cinder cone slope.

Rakatahi achieving great things

Kim Dungey — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

The Mana Pounamu awards this year recognised the achievements of another group of young Maori. Kim Dungey talks to some of those who have won in the past about changing perceptions.

Putting the past in order

Kim Dungey — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

A mother has tidied the last resting place of her sons, writes Kim Dungey.

Not lost in the hills

Mark Price — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

According to Wikipedia, the Silver Peaks is a "largely uninhabited" area "of rough forest and scrub-covered hill country". According to the Department of Conservation, it is "right at Dunedin's back door". And, according to an accumulation of media reports, it is a place where people often get lost on tramping trips.

All the trimming for Christmas

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Gary Dawkins, of Dunedin personal training firm Creative Conditioning, takes us through week four of our pre-Christmas fat-destruction programme.

Put a little colour into summer

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Amy Parsons-King finds out what's hot in make-up for summer.

The view from here

Kim Dungey — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:29:00 +1300

A Lake Hayes house takes full advantage of its site, Kim Dungey reports.

'Tea lady' due to visit

Gillian Vine — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Australian Di Durston is visiting Dunedin at the beginning of next month to give a public lecture on old tea roses and the importance of their preservation.

What's on: November 25- December 10

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Today and tomorrow
Otago Iris Group display, Centre City Mall, featuring flowers from breeders Brian Harris (Makikihi) and Noel Lapham (Mossburn).

Time to get started

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
Not a true spinach, New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia expansa) is invaluable for gardens that dry out in late summer. Allow 60cm between each plant and sow in groups of two or three seeds, thinning later.

Pollination the clever way

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

There are some fascinating plants that have evolved to trick insects and animals to aid their survival. One genus of plant that does this is Brassia orchids. One of its common names is the spider orchid because its flower resembles a spider.

Cooking 101: Pork schnitzel with rosemary and garlic potatoes

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, shares some professional techniques to make your cooking easier. In this series he shares recipes from a recent trip to his family in Switzerland, by way of Hong Kong.

Savouring Nelson, the land of milk and honey

Charmian Smith — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Charmian Smith finds out what's cooking in Nelson.

WINE REVIEWS: Hawkes Bay wines

Charmian Smith — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Hawkes Bay reds generally have ripe, generous fruit and firm but not too grippy tannins.

Ask a chef: Riverstone Kitchen's crushed pineapple and coconut cake with Malibu cream

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Radish tzatziki

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

I love these hot little balls of pink with their snowy white flesh.

Past and future meet

Jude Hathaway — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

The Otago Polytechnic School of Fashion's third-year graduating students showed they are armed and ready for futures in the fashion industry at the annual Collections show held on Friday night. Jude Hathaway reports.

An action attraction

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Blink and you will miss it, but National Park is no place for snoozing. Arriving mid-afternoon in summer, the village looks a little sleepy, but don't be fooled, everyone is probably out in the nearby mountains, bush or rivers taking on a multitude of adventures.

Like Paris, with palm trees

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Take Paris, add palm trees and a handful of fruit to the wine, swap a snaking, sunken park for the Seine and paella for steak frites, put the whole thing on the sea and you get something like Valencia.

Joining the hunt

Stephen Jaquiery — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

A firearms licence is far easier to get than a licence to drive a car. You don't even need to handle a rifle first. So the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association offers new hunters a training course teaching safe hunting practices.

Cruel toll from 'Dunedin' loss

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Wartime sinkings are grim for naval staff and their relatives. Robert Hamlin reviews the demise of HMS Dunedin, 70 years after her loss.

Nana knew best

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ever wondered about making your own baby wipes? Knitting a newborn beanie? Or that Nana might have had a point when she talked about airing the baby? Dunedin writer Edith Leigh gets some old-fashioned advice about bringing up babies from author and grandmother Wendyl Nissen.

Clone of Time to burn some calories

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Why do so many different exercises? In the third week of our fat-destruction programme, Gary Dawkins, of Creative Conditioning, provides the answers.

A Wakatipu alpine crown jewel

Kim Dungey — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:29:00 +1300

An alpine retreat balances the needs of the owners with solutions for harsh winter weather, Kim Dungey reports.

Unearthing a solution

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
At this time of year, potatoes can be earthed up easily when the soil has been softened by rain.

Plant oils fragrant, uplifting

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Bravo for oil! No, not the thick black gold we use to transport our urban tanks - I'm thinking of the oil obtained from living plants.

What's on: November 19 - December 6

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Tomorrow, November 19
Otago-Southland Camellia Society meets 10am at Bush Rd Mosgiel car park for Milton garden visit. Lunch 1pm at Waihola Cafe & Bar.

Portable vege patch impresses judges

James Boucher — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:11:11 +1300

The children of Port Chalmers Kindergarten were given a big green thumbs up when they were visited by Tui School Garden Challenge judges earlier this month.

Food minister holds back on traffic-light labels

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:14:35 +1300

National's Food Minister, Kate Wilkinson, will not say before the election whether she supports the "traffic light'' food-labelling system recommended by an official transtasman review - a silence tagged "despicable'' by the Greens.

More 'healthy' patients die after heart attacks

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:04:08 +1300

People with the warning signs of heart disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, are more likely to survive their hospital stay for a first heart attack than those with a cleaner bill of health.

Why UPVC?

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:44 +1300

LONG GUARANTEES

The Siegenia Aubi window system is protected by a 10-year guarantee for all white profiles and a 7-year guarantee for all coloured profiles against fade. They do not need any drip trays.

CONSERVATORIES

Wine guide a true stalwart

Charmian Smith — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Probably the most essential book for New Zealand wine lovers, Michael Cooper's annual Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wine (Hachette) is celebrating 20 years with the 2012 edition and a new website, michaelcooper.co.nz.

Rhubarb and apple chutney with oatcakes

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Rhubarb and apple chutney with oatcakesRhubarb is back in season and apples are still plentiful; combine the two and you have a wonderful zingy accompaniment.

WINE REVIEW: Gruner Veltiner and Arneis

Charmian Smith — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Wine buffs will have noticed a few bottles of Gruner Veltiner and Arneis appearing on winelists and wine shop shelves as New Zealand wine growers experiment with these whitevarieties.

BEER REVIEW: McCashin adds six more brews to range

Ric Oram — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Little more than a year after starting brewing, McCashin's Brewery at Stoke, near Nelson, has extended its range.

Video: How to roast turkey for Thanksgiving

Charmian Smith — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

[video]Erika Wolf, from New York, shows how to stuff, dress and roast a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Chef's Garden: Kohlrabi creations

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

It might not be prized for its looks, but kohlrabi deserves a place in the kitchen, writes Bevan Smith.

A great big cooking pot

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

I'd been in Singapore little more than 24 hours and consumed three main meals, all of which had featured noodles and prawns and set me back just over $11 Singapore in total.

Affordability of Belgium can come as a pleasant surprise

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Known for its chocolate, waffles and beer, as well as its lace and in-season mussels, Belgium brings a wealth of old-world charm to the European tour experience.

Diabetes forecast to hit one in 10 adults by 2030

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:03:46 +1300

One in 10 adults will have diabetes by 2030, posing a huge challenge to healthcare systems around the world, according to a report released today.

Scientists find new melanoma gene risk

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:00:03 +1300

Sun lovers are being warned of a new genetic discovery which can dramatically increase their chances of developing a deadly skin cancer.

The atmosphere of the theatre

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Otago soldier Major Peter Amyes has returned from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan, where he served with the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) as a liaison officer on US Task Force Patriot, for the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan province.

A soaring visionary

Mark Price — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Once albatross eggs on Otago Peninsula were fair game, for vandals or perhaps for lunch. But that all changed after "amateur" ornithologist and "citizen scientist" Lancelot Eric Richdale came along. His story is told in a new biography by Dunedin writer Neville Peat. Mark Price reports.

'Citizen scientist' a man of mystery

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Where is Lance Richdale's 1953 Hector Medal and his 1983 OBE and why did he get married in Timaru?

Argentina, as in silver

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

And so it's all over. The All Blacks are world champions, and the rugby-loving public can rest easy for the next four years.

Time to burn some calories

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

In the second week of our pre-Christmas fat-destruction programme, Gary Dawkins, of Creative Conditioning, takes aim at calories.

What's on: November 12 - December 4

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Victorian villa the sum of its parts

Gillian Vine — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

A grand Victorian villa in North Otago is notable for its numerous original features. Gillian Vine reports.

Your garden: As the days get longer...

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Plant life: Surprise awaits in the garden

Doug Thomson — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

If your idea of a rhododendron is one of big showy flowers and broad oval leaves you may well walk past Rhododendron genestierianum without even noticing it.

A summer's day wear

Jude Hathaway — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:29:00 +1300

New Zealand's distance from the fashion capitals of the world does not stop it showing the myriad latest trends in daywear. Jude Hathaway reports.

Greek island pies

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

I have so many memories of my time in Greece and in particular the many food stores selling these cheesy pies encased in wonderfully oily pastry. This is one of many I make time and time again.

Skate wings well worth a try

Charmian Smith — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

There's a huge variety of fish species in our waters, but we are so used to blue cod and sole fillets that we often don't explore some of the other types that are sometimes available.

Wine review: Riesling

Charmian Smith — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Sometimes riesling can be almost masochistic with a steely shaft of acidity that continues through the finish. You need a morsel of cheese or something to counteract the crisp after taste.

Cooking 101: Seafood risotto from Venice

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, shares professional techniques. This week, seafood risotto from Venice.

Easy to make and delicious hot or cold

Joan Bishop — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

These tender little pork rolls wrapped in a bacon rasher are not much trouble to make, and cook in about half an hour in a hot oven. I like simple, bake-in-the oven dishes that don't require tending, leaving me time to organise the rest of the meal.

A visit to remember

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Gazing through the eerie mistiness and across the sea of white gravestones, I couldn't help but be moved by the thought of such a vast waste of life.

Week 1: Shape up for summer

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:43:00 +1300

The summer season beckons with its bare midriffs and bathing suits. Time to get in shape. Gary Dawkins, of Creative Conditioning, has done all the hard work, designing a pre-Christmas fitness and fat destruction programme. Now all you have to do is exercise.

Ticks and crosses

Dene Mackenzie — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

What should be one of the most important decisions voters can make on November 26 is being obscured by the contest to gain control of the Treasury benches. Political editor Dene Mackenzie writes that deciding on our future voting system is an important decision for us all.

Playing hide and seek in the undergrowth

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

New Zealand's elusive fernbird can be found flitting about the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, writes Paul Sorrell.

Tales of the trees

Kim Dungey — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

New Zealand is a land perfect for growing trees. Kim Dungey talks to author Peter Janssen, who has been documenting the most characterful specimens.

Tasty herb deserves a home

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Have you ever wondered "What can I do for the conservation of our native plants?"

What's on

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Your garden: Start planting now for a bountiful autumn

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Women starve themselves to allow for booze calories

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:46:42 +1300

An increasing number of young women are starving themselves for days before drinking to keep their calorie intake levels down, says an expert.

Light drinking raises breast cancer risk

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:38:57 +1300

Whether sipping beer, wine or whisky, women who drink just three alcoholic beverages a week face slightly higher chances for developing breast cancer compared with teetotallers, a study of more than 100,000 US nurses found.

Dame still down to earth

Charmian Smith — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:29:00 +1300

Alison Holst, the grand dame of New Zealand cooking, tells the story of her life and career in her new memoir, A Home-grown Cook. She reminisces with Charmian Smith about the simple things of life.

Video: How to make 'ota ika (Tongan raw fish)

Charmian Smith — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

[video]Matani and Michelle Schaaf, from Tonga, show how to make 'ota ika, Tongan-style raw fish.

New releases feature flavours of home

Ric Oram — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

When Belgian-born Dave De Vylder announced, shortly after taking over Wanaka Beerworks four months ago, that he intended to make seasonal Belgian-style beers, no-one expected them to have a Kiwi "flavour": the first trio use kauri, honey and rosehip and have New Zealand, rather than Belgian, labels.

Otago Museum Cafe's fruit cake

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Wine review: rose

Charmian Smith — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Rosés are made for summer enjoyment over a lazy lunch or a long warm evening, not for deep thinking or analysis. All you ask of a rosé is that it's fresh and delicious and goes well with simple summer food.

Asparagus and thyme frittata

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Frittata is quite simply an Italian omelette, quick to prepare and great for lunch or as a light dinner. The secret of a good frittata is to make it thinner rather than thicker, and to slightly undercook it.

Captured by the Colorado

Robin Charteris — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:25:00 +1300

There are uplifting experiences to be found in the depths of Arizona's Grand Canyon, writes former Otago Daily Times editor Robin Charteris.

Backyard veteran signs off

Nigel Benson — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

For nearly half a century he was Television New Zealand's southern man, but the tables have turned for the veteran journalist. Nigel Benson interviews John McDermott.

Haka for health

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Was it the haka that gave the All Blacks the edge last weekend? Certainly a German fitness instructor thinks it can make a difference, Jeff Kavanagh reports.

Aspirin slashes hereditary cancer risk in UK study

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:04:22 +1300

Taking two aspirin a day for two years reduces the long-term risk of bowel cancer in people with a family history of the disease by around 60 percent, according to a British study published.

Spring garden tours begin this weekend

Gillian Vine — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:29:00 +1300

The garden-tour season is now in full swing. Gillian Vine reports.

Intercropping best way to utilise small spaces

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
Raising plants from seed is cost-effective and gives greater choices than buying plants from garden centres.

What's on: October 28 - November 12

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Saturday, October 29
Port Chalmers Presbyterian Parish West Harbour garden trail, 11am-5pm. Tickets $10, include Devonshire tea. BBQ $2, food and plant stalls. Available on the day from Emmanuel Church Hall, Station Rd, Sawyers Bay or phone Shirley on 471-0690 or Betty on 471-0539.

Flowers bloom to attract pollinators

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

We often grow plants for their beautiful flowers but, unfortunately, it is not us they are trying to attract. It is for the insects and other pollinators that flower colour exists. Plants want to ensure pollination and subsequent fruit production and this is the main reason for flowers.

Deskbound workers miss daylight: survey

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:20:07 +1300

One in four Australian office workers are so bound to their desks that they don't see daylight during the working week, according to new research.

Wine & Food

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:42:00 +1300

A selection of the regions finest wine and food products.

Living near fast food joints may not up weight

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:33:47 +1300

Having a fast food restaurant in the neighborhood may have little to no impact on the weight of adults who live nearby, according to a U.S. study of more than 3,000 people.

Depression risk no higher for older first-time mums

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:31:32 +1300

Women who have their first baby at an older age aren't at any greater risk of postpartum depression than their younger counterparts, according to an Australian study of more than 500 first-time mothers.

Cooking 101: Char siu bao

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, shares some professional techniques to make your cooking easier.

Put new life into spring with laksa

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

After months of hearty stews, the new season calls for zesty greens and a flash of spice. Nigel Slater cooks up a colourful supper.

Egg and watercress sandwich

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Once upon a time this sandwich would have been served at high tea. Sadly, traditions like these have subsided but the sandwich need not.

Ask a chef: The Good Oil Cafe's cinnamon swirls

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

A goth motif

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Described as elegantly trashy and very DIY by their creator, Underground Sundae's pieces are attracting plenty of attention. Ellie Constantine talked to designer Anne-Mieke Ytsma about inspiration and the challenges of business.

Down the mighty Murray

David Loughrey — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

It would have been ironic if the revolution had begun in Mildura in June.

Survival of the fittest

Shane Gilchrist — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

While many of us ponder whether we'll be dancing or in the doldrums come the final whistle of tomorrow's Rugby World Cup final, Shane Gilchrist asks another question: why do we care about competition?

1987: When we were kings

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Rugby might be a game of two halves but it is also, always, a story of three thirds - the build-up, the match itself and the aftermath. With the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup looming, Mark Price dipped into the files of the Otago Daily Times and elsewhere to sample a little of the flavour of the final of 1987 - also, of course, between the All Blacks and France.

Nature or nurture?

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Some children carry genes that magnify the influence of their parents, reports Melissa Healy, of the Los Angeles Times.

A stand against obesity

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

A meeting of some of the world's top obesity experts has shared the latest fat-fight findings, reports Marni Jameson, of The Orlando Sentinel.

Your garden: Get big results from a mini-greenhouse

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Brassicas by any other name

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

With Labour Day upon us, it is traditional in New Zealand to sow your carrots and legumes, and plant out your brassicas. When doing so, consider the fact that these functional and delicious plants have much prettier relatives on show in the Rock Garden.

Warmth best answer to moisture

Tom McKinlay — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

When things are wetter inside the house than outside, it's time to take action. But is a dehumidifier the answer? Tom McKinlay reports.

A better dehumidifier

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Domestic dehumidifiers do not work well at low temperatures, a failure that researchers at the University of Otago are working to address.

What's on

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Sage advice

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:29:00 +1300

Sage can be a star, so do not let its powerful flavour make you nervous.

Reaching for wheat beers

Ric Oram — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

New Zealanders are among the top eaters of bananas, per capita, in the world and it is therefore a wonder we are not big drinkers of wheat beer, too, with its characteristic banana flavour.

Steamed asparagus with verjuice mayonnaise

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Time to celebrate! The first locally grown asparagus has hit the market. It needs little introduction so I'm simply adding a mayonnaise to do the talking.

Everyday Gourmet's pumpkin and feta salad

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Wine Review: Pinot noirs from Marlborough and Wairarapa

Charmian Smith — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Pinot noirs from Marlborough and Wairarapa can offer good value and different characters from the dark cherry and spice typical of Central Otago.

Seagar goes Italian; Al Brown is outdoors

Charmian Smith — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Jo Seagar's latest book, the beautifully produced Italia: Simple recipes from the Italian Cook School (Random House), starts by pointing out that Italians regard quality and freshness as paramount - "far more important than diversity and innovation".

Video: How to make pho bo Viet Nam

Charmian Smith — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

[video]Lien Trinh from Vietnam shows how to make pho bo Viet Nam (Vietnamese beef noodle soup).

Stylish and innovative

Charmian Smith — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Michael Van De Elzen, owner of the award-winning Molten in Mount Eden, Auckland, but perhaps more widely known for his television show, The Food Truck in which he cooks healthier versions of fast food in the back of a truck, has now put out The Molten Cookbook (Random House).

Daily bread - the inside story

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Diana Noonan spends the night with a Greek baker in the village of Leonidion.

Battling disease of the devil

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Tasmanian devils are staring extinction in the face, writes Patrick Caruana, of AAP.

Showing some solar flair

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Kissing goodbye to your power bill is one of the dreams of the modern age - and it might not be as far off as we think. New energy technology using the sun to run the dishwasher and the big-screen TV is coming down in price so quickly it could be producing electricity at the same price as that available from the national grid in as little as five years. Mark Price reports.

Where every rhodo has its day

Gillian Vine — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:29:00 +1300

This Sunday is Rhododendron Day, an annual event in the Dunedin Botanic Garden since 1971. Gillian Vine reports.

Time to sow some beans

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Vegetables
French, scarlet runner and butter beans can be sown now in most areas.

What's on: October 15 - November 5

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Saturday, October 15
Blueskin Garden Club meets at Michies Crossing, Doctors Point Rd, 11am. Opeke Track walk and visit to member's garden for shared lunch. Suitable for everyone. All welcome. Inquiries to 482-2896 or 482-2822.

Perennial brings colour

Linda Hellyer — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

One of the first of the spring-flowering perennials to emerge after winter and provide wonderful flower colour as well as interesting foliage is Pulmonaria.

It's coming - Undone

Jude Hathaway — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:29:00 +1300

Their respective talents and shared love of fashion design has led two young women to establish a fashion business and label in Dunedin. Jude Hathaway visited Rachel Webb and Elise Barnes in their workroom.

Harvesting subtleties influence result

Charmian Smith — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Exactly when to pick grapes is always a major decision for winemakers at vintage as it can make a big difference to the wine.

No 7 Balmac's chocolate and papaya slice

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafés and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Return of the fruit tea loaf

Joan Bishop — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Delectably moist, lightly spiced, liberally studded with dried fruits, easy to make and a good keeper - this well describes a fruit tea loaf. It is made using tea and eaten with a cup of tea.

Redcurrant pie

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

This pie works brilliantly with frozen berries or fresh when in season. The tiny ruby-coloured fruit combined with fluffy meringue will explode in your mouth and fill you with warm memories of summers gone by.

Cooking 101: Char siu pork from Hong Kong

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Wine review: 2009 pinot noir

Charmian Smith — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Many Central Otago winemakers produce second labels, wines that are less complex or concentrated than their more expensive flagship wines, but which are usually more charming and approachable when young, while the more expensive wines often take a few months of bottle age to come together.

Close enough to heaven

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

On a clear day you can see Venezuela, the guide assures us as the bus cruises around another curvaceous corner of Curacao's coastline.

More than 300 veg out

Nigel Benson — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:30:00 +1300

More than 300 people discovered there is such a thing as a free lunch at a weekend event held in Dunedin to promote healthy and sustainable eating habits.

Cup over - what's next for stadium?

Kim Dungey — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Dunedin's Rugby World Cup games are over, so what's next for the city's controversial stadium? Kim Dungey talks to the man at the helm.

Yarning in Wanaka

Marjorie Cook — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Who is Wanaka's "Knitsy", the colourful and anonymous yarn-bomber whose very public works include cupcackes, breasts, fake dog droppings tree pom-poms, downpipe scarves and handrail warmers? Wanaka reporter Marjorie Cook consults the local Stitch n' Bitch knitting circle.

Help yourself - get happy

Shane Gilchrist — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Monday marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, the main theme of which is "Get in the Game - Training for Happiness". But what, exactly, is happiness? Dunedin psychologist Chris Skellett believes he has the answers. Shane Gilchrist reports.

Eating for sustainable energy

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Eat well this summer, nutritionists advise. How about five mini-meals a day? Anita Manning, of USA Today, reports.

Canada to limit caffeine in energy drinks

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:39:42 +1300

Canada will restrict the amount of caffeine allowed in energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster Energy but has pulled back from classifying them as stimulative drug products that can only be sold in pharmacies.

A gem of Buckinghamshire

Gillian Vine — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

A family connection has led to the creation of a Florence Nightingale Garden in England. Gillian Vine reports.

Your garden: First sprout of growth from vege seeds

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

What's on

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Plant life: Brighten the borders

Stephen Bishop — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Fritillaria imperialis, or the crown imperial as it is commonly known, is a spring-flowering bulb that is much sought after, and with good reason. Its brilliantly coloured flowers brighten up the woodland garden or border with a striking display of yellow and orange.

Sleepless nights a trigger for post-natal depression

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:02:15 +1300

Sleepless nights could plunge new mothers into depression, researchers have found.

A fresh approach

Charmian Smith — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:29:00 +1300

Many chefs pay lip service to the importance of using high-quality ingredients, but when a restaurant grows its own vegetables and fruit you can be sure they are serious about it. Charmian Smith talks to Bevan and Monique Smith about their new book, Riverstone Kitchen: recipes from a chef's garden.

Shaved fennel, baby peas and goat's curd on ciabatta

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

The fragrance and texture of freshly shaved young fennel is simply amazing. I could almost live off the stuff and I use it in everything when it's around.

Wine review: chardonnay

Charmian Smith — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Good chardonnay will develop and improve over a year or more, and some producers hold back their wine to release when it's drinking well. That doesn't always mean it won't continue to develop with further age.

Roast garlic and rosemary potatoes

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Potatoes are a favourite in all seasons but a touch of garlic and rosemary makes them something special.

Seasonal Summer Ale returns

Ric Oram — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Summer is coming: Monteith's gingery Summer Ale is back on the shelves.

Seared scallops with potato gnocchi,crisp sage and capers

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

On a fresh spring day, reach for the warmth and comfort of gnocchi and the sweetness of scallops. Crisp sage and salty capers add balance to this perfect dish, writes Bevan Smith.

Video: How to make steak Diane

Charmian Smith — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

[video] Vanessa Gordon shows how to make steak Diane and orange and ricotta cake.

Cookbooks to cater for all tastes

Charmian Smith — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Kim McCosker, one of the two women behind the "4 Ingredients" books, has branched out on her own with Baby Bowl: Australian home-cooked meals for happy, healthy babies and toddlers (Simon & Schuster).

Drunk on Facebook? That could be a problem

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:43:35 +1300

College students' Facebook pages may hold clues as to which of them are at risk for alcohol dependence and abuse, according to a US study.

Kiwis choosy when it comes to travelling companions

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Every day, New Zealanders share their latest news, personal opinions and photos with their Facebook "friends". However, when it comes to packing their bags and sharing a travel experience, Kiwis are much more selective.

Hot sun, cool water

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Water pounds into the half-hidden rock pool, thundering around the 10m-high cliffs.

Daily aspirin tied to risk of vision loss:study

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:39:32 +1300

Seniors who take aspirin daily are twice as likely to have late stage macular degeneration, an age-related loss of vision, than people who never take the pain reliever, according to a European study.

Fashion designer's business on a roll

Sally Rae — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 05:29:00 +1300

Growing up in a small farming community in Canterbury, fashion designer Charmaine Reveley was mad keen on roller skating. Not that there was a lot of concrete around the family home in Windwhistle, which was always an issue, she said.

Divided rulers - disharmony in the DCC

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Dunedin city councillor Bill Acklin has lodged a complaint against Cr Lee Vandervis and would like him booted off the council. Cr Vandervis is unapologetic and has pointed out no-one has the power to do that. Mark Price looks at the limited powers councils have to discipline their members and where disharmony on council can lead.

Rock fishing? Don't ruin your weekend

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Thinking about going fishing from the rocks or beach? Think again - and again.

The weasels of Dons Creek

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

In New Zealand, the weasel population is thinly spread, with trapping generally yielding a ratio of stoats to weasels of 20 to one. But there are weasel hotspots. The ecosanctuary boundary is one of those. Michael Fay sets the traps.

The price of democracy

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Victoria University, Wellington, Dean Knight, says handling the behaviour of councillors is a "really vexed issue" for all local authorities.

Everybody's gone fishing

Shane Gilchrist — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

On an island nation such as ours, coastal fishing is akin to a rite of passage, be it at a city wharf, off the rocks or casting beyond the breakers. However, with recreation comes responsibility. Shane Gilchrist reports.

Looking after the fish together

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Effective fisheries management requires a community-based response, according to Chris Hepburn, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago's marine science department.

Fatherhood transcendant

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:25:00 +1300

That manliest of hormones, testosterone, falls away once men do a little parenting, writes Amina Khan, of the Los Angeles Times.

A link to days past

Kim Dungey — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:29:00 +1300

A small building near Milton serves as a reminder of the toll gates once common on the Taieri and throughout New Zealand. Kim Dungey reports.

Restoration reveals house's history

Kim Dungey — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Restoration work on the former Clarendon toll house uncovered some of its secrets.

Giveaway: Showerdome

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Research from Waikato University has shown that the New Zealand-made Showerdome (above) can help create a drier healthier home.

Dead-heading stops spread of petal blight

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Dead-heading is one of the most important and satisfying tasks to do for your camellias. Dead-heading uses just your bare hands and perhaps a ladder for a taller bush.

What's on: September 30 - October 15

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Today, September 30
Flower Festival 2011, Balclutha War Memorial Hall, noon-5pm. Displays, raffles, stalls. Inquiries to (03) 418-4004.

The price of democracy

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:47:50 +1300

Senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Victoria University, Wellington, Dean Knight, says handling the behaviour of councillors is a "really vexed issue" for all local authorities.

Out in the shades

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:29:00 +1300

Move over brown and black frames and lenses. Popping colours, zany shapes and interesting accents are making a splash in this season's sunglasses. Ellie Constantine scopes out the latest in trends.

Everyday Gourmet's carrot and ginger cake

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Freebie: Abe's bagels and products

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

You can't escape rugby mania these days. The footy-crazed team at Abe's has even created rugby ball-shaped bagels.

One more vintage for wine options

Charmian Smith — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Wine lovers who enjoy the exciting, but often frustrating, game of wine options will want to get back into practice for the last time.

Cookbook reviews

Charmian Smith — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

People who have coeliac disease or have a gluten-free diet for other reasons may enjoy Indulge: 100 sweet and savoury recipes (HarperCollins) by Australian baker Rowie Dillon.

Cooking 101: Thousand island dressing

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, shares some professional techniques to make your cooking easier. This week Chef Pfyl responds to a request from Anne Marshall for a recipe for thousand island dressing.

Spiced garden crisps

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

These wonderfully vibrant and wickedly spiced crisps are a great pre-dinner snack. Ideal for feeding the crowds celebrating the Rugby World Cup.

Wine review: Pinot gris

Charmian Smith — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

Some pinot gris can be fairly characterless, but when there's lush fruit or a textural element from barrel fermentation or lees, stirring it can be both delicious and interesting.

Sleep deprivation a diabetes risk: study

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:45:28 +1300

Switch off the TV, shut down your laptop and put that phone away - getting a good night's sleep may be more important than you think.

Americans get too much healthcare, say doctors

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:19:21 +1300

Doctors have a diagnosis for what's wrong with healthcare in the United States: there's too much of it.

Untouched but near at hand

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1300

"You're bonkers at your age swimming with tuna in the middle of the ocean. Anyway, where exactly is this place?" mutters our daughter.

Can eating fish lower the risk of strokes?

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:30:15 +1300

People who eat fish a few times each week are slightly less likely to suffer a stroke than those who only eat a little or none at all, according to an international analysis.

Fight kidney disease with weight, not water: prof

Elspeth McLean — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:28:00 +1300

Drinking lots of water will not protect your kidneys from disease, but avoiding being overweight might.

Life and death in Bamiyan

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Peter Amyes, executive officer of the 4th Otago and Southland Battalion based in Dunedin, is expected home in New Zealand by the end of this month after a six-month deployment in Afghanistan.

Exhausting some options

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Cheap used cars imported from Japan have been the transport of choice for budget-conscious New Zealand motorists for almost a quarter of a century. But dealers who import the cars say the good times are about to end.

Let's go surfing now...

Hamish McNeilly — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Sometimes you can catch a break, Hamish McNeilly reports.

A butterfly and bee banquet

Gillian Vine — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:29:00 +1200

In spring, bees are a sign the weather is warming up, as they rarely appear before the temperature gets above 10degC. Then come the butterflies, sunbathing on warm walls and rocks or feeding on favourite plants.

What's on: September 22 - November 5

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Today, September 23
Waikouaiti Community Spring Flower Show, Waikouaiti Presbyterian Church hall, Kildare St. Entries received at the hall 8.30am-10.30am. Open to the public 2pm-5pm and 6.30pm-8pm.

Beyond the magnificent magnolia

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Magnolia lovers often visit the upper botanic garden in spring to see the large Magnolia campbellii flowering in the azalea garden. It starts as early as mid to late August.

Freebie: gardening prize pack

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

To celebrate their new online store, www.awapuni.co.nz, Awapuni Nurseries is giving away an Awapuni Nurseries and Tui Garden supplies gardening prize pack valued at $150.

Start planting under cover

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Vegetables
In warmer districts, where no more frosts are expected, runner and butter beans can be sown. In most gardens, it is better to delay growing these tender vegetables outdoors and to get seed started under cover. This is also true of sweet corn and outdoor tomatoes.

Popularity and sales of cider increasing

Ric Oram — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Cider is the smallest alcoholic beverage market in New Zealand, but the fastest-growing.

Grilled pears with mascarpone

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

This can be whipped up in minutes, showcasing seasonal produce in a sublime little pudding.

Video: How to make kukul mas

Charmian Smith — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

[video]Varuni Wijeyesinghe shows how to make kukul mas, a Sri Lankan-style chicken curry.

WINE REVIEW: Young reds

Charmian Smith — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Young reds of any variety can be raw and edgy but most will soften and mellow with a year or so's bottle age. The best will continue to develop and change for many years rewarding those with cellars (and restraint) with complex, velvety wines.

Around Central in 150 wines

Charmian Smith — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

More than 200 Central Otago pinot noirs were entered in the New Zealand International Wine competition this year, according to organiser Kingsley Wood. It's an indication of the huge growth of the region - and no doubt the struggles of some of the producers to continue selling grapes and wine in the current economic conditions.

Surprise packages

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

It's avocado time - if you can get your hands on the good ones.

McDonald's loses Tick of approval

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:39:35 +1200

McDonald's will lose the right to display the National Heart Foundation's Tick on foods marketed as healthy options.

Science supports man flu theory

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:22:00 +1200

British researchers have found evidence that men really do suffer more than women when they get a cold.

Baby's death spurs warning on slings

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:01:52 +1200

New Zealand parents are being warned of the risks of carrying a baby in a sling after a newborn boy died in South Australia.

Who and what do Kiwis love to hate?

Kim Dungey — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:37:42 +1200

Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper might be public enemy No. 1 in New Zealand in the midst of the Rugby World Cup.

Former penal colony still bustling

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Flanked by mountains and the sea, Hobart is Australia's most southern city. From late December to early January each year it becomes a maritime magnet, with yachts sailing across the finish line in the gruelling Sydney to Hobart race.

Scientists uncover liver's 'killer' role

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:19:49 +1200

The chances of a body rejecting a transplanted organ could be dramatically reduced, thanks to a new discovery by scientists in Australia about how the liver works.

The perfect Wanaka Wedding location for your special day

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:38:00 +1200

Set in the beautiful alpine resort of Wanaka and surrounded by the majestic mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park, Maple Lodge is the perfect setting for your boutique wedding in Wanaka.

Workers respond to plants and art - study

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:48:55 +1200

Plants and art around the office make employees more productive, a new survey shows.

Baby a great get-fit tool

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 05:27:00 +1200

The nine-month wait is over when baby arrives. Then there's just the issue of nine months' weight, reports Amy Parsons-King.

An inspired restoration

Charmian Smith — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

The most striking memorial in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery once again soars proudly heavenwards after years of neglect, vandalism and desecration. Charmian Smith reports on the restoration of Larnach's tomb.

Vice-chancellor first among equals

Matthew Haggart — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 05:24:00 +1200

The University of Otago's new vice-chancellor is an American woman. But she's Otago through and through, reports Matthew Haggart.

Dunedin designer steps up to the front row

Ellie Constantine — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:27:00 +1200

When fashion designer Liz Ung wanted to enter Westfield Style Pasifika, she raided her fabric drawers and threw together a flamboyant, mismatched dress which made it to the finals.

Dead-heading

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Volunteers are gathering tomorrow for the Dunedin Botanic Garden's camellia dead-heading.

Your Garden: Time think about sowing vegetables

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Vegetables

Take advantage of fine spring days to sow vegetables.

Frequent hoeing and loosening of surface soil helps all crops, letting air and warmth into the upper layers of the soil.

Use spring cabbages soon, or they will run to seed. Cut the largest heads first.

What's on: September 16 - October 1

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Today, September 16

Maungatua Parish Spring Flower Show, 2pm-7pm, church hall, Holyhead St, Outram. Competition for narcissi, cut flowers, floral art and photography and children's artwork. Sales of produce, baking and plants. Face-painting for children, afternoon tea. Schedules from Outram shops or Fay McDonald, 486-1836. Entries close 11am on show day.

Mulch saves hours of work

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

In spring, we search the soil with anticipation to see what has emerged after winter.

Side by side through the years

Kim Dungey — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

In a neighbourhood near you, old homes are making way for later arrivals. Kim Dungey visits Belgrave Cres and finds three families who held a street party to celebrate their villas' survival.

Aussies a nation of fat, sad boozers: survey

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:47:45 +1200

They may live in the lucky country but Australians are in denial about their ever-expanding waistlines and claim to be the most unhappy in the world.

Food: Nutritious, nutty and almost a meal

Joan Bishop — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Big, hearty, filling winter dishes sometimes need a lighter, crisp accompaniment.

Winemaker shows Otago collection

Charmian Smith — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Dr John Forrest of Forrest Estate was in Dunedin at the weekend showing his Otago wines at Castle Macadam.

Brissenden revisits highly-successful cookbook

Charmian Smith — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Rosemary Brissenden's South East Asian Food, first published in 1970, introduced my contemporaries and me to the wonderful cuisines of this region that have become so popular in the 40 years since.

In season: Leek pilaff

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

It seems we have abandoned this great dish in favour of its Italian counterpart the risotto. Unlike risotto you don't have to stir it continuously, which is a great time-saver, and it will absorb any flavours you throw at it. I say bring back the pilaff: it is a wonderful and versatile dish.

Cooking 101: Luxury hot chocolate drinks

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, shares some professional techniques to make your cooking easier.

WINE REVIEW: Sauvignon blanc

Charmian Smith — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Always a herald of spring, new sauvignon blancs are starting to appear now. The 2011s are young and fresh and almost all will benefit from at least another 6 months in bottle. However some of the 2010s are drinking deliciously at present and are well worth seeking out.

Still wearing the pants

Jude Hathaway — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Summer is on its way, bringing some great new looks that include an array of pants styles. Jude Hathaway reports.

Tour de food and fun

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:29:00 +1200

Great food, great chateaux, great fun ... playwright Roger Hall cycles through the Loire Valley.

Lonely Planet lauds New Zealand's oldest park

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:30:49 +1200

Lonely Planet has named Tongariro National Park as one of the world's best parks and preserves in a list that includes the Grand Canyon and Iguazu Falls National Park in South America.

Glowing cats join fight against AIDs

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:38:38 +1200

US scientists have developed a strain of green-glowing cats with cells that resist infection from a virus that causes feline AIDS, a finding that may help prevent the disease in cats and advance AIDS research in people.

Smoking marijuana not linked to obesity: study

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:21:02 +1200

Anybody who's smoked marijuana knows about "the munchies," that desire to eat everything within reach. But a study from France has found that, surprisingly, pot smokers are actually less likely than non-smokers to pack on weight.

Corporate goes green, with spots

Rebecca Fox — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 05:27:00 +1200

Otago's jewelled geckos have faced some tough challenges in recent years but Setpoint Solutions Ltd has helped fund research and literally lent a helping hand. Rebecca Fox talks to the Coastal Otago Conservation Award finalist about what a corporate sponsor gets out of conservation.

Fortunes ran hot and cold

Kim Dungey — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Forgotten for more than 50 years, Dunedin's former infectious diseases hospital is finally getting some attention. Kim Dungey pays a visit.

Talking a good game

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Whether they are in the terraced houses of Manchester, the log cabins of Ontario or the draughty villas of Opoho, the eyes of the rugby world will fall on Dunedin tonight.

Armchair sportsmen, arise!

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

The most startling Rugby World Cup television statistic so far calculated by the Otago Daily Times is this.

Benefits of exercise keep on keeping off

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Calories keep burning after a long, intense workout, reports Nanci Hellmich, of USA Today.

Letting the laughter out

Tom McKinlay — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

There does not always seem to be a lot to laugh about. By why let that stop you, say a couple of Christchurch laughter practitioners, reports Tom McKinlay.

Creeper is attractive cover

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

If you want a delicate groundcover for a shady spot in your garden, you may like to grow a native Jovellana.

Your garden: Peas and onions on the horizon

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Vegetables

Many types of vegetables can be sown this month, weather permitting.

Once early-sown peas are well up, fortnightly sowings of small quantities of peas can begin, to give crops over a longer period. Peas like good, firm soil, not too heavily manured, and with lime added.

Convention defied at Hidcote

Gillian Vine — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Pick up a booklet at any of England's National Trust properties and you'll find lots of details about the gardens' creators and the properties' development.

Video: How to make sticky rice

Charmian Smith — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:55:00 +1200

[video]Andrea Mei-wen Wang from Taiwan shows how to make yu-bin (Taiwanese oily or sticky rice).

BEER REVIEW: 'Shandy' fails to register

Ric Oram — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:55:00 +1200

New Zealand beer drinkers seem to be well served by local producers, according to results from last month's Brewers Guild awards, with most well-known labels being awarded medals.

WINE REVIEW: Riesling

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:55:00 +1200

Riesling can be one of the best value wines around. Good riesling is fragrant, racy, intense fruit with or without a little sweetness, but above all with a steely backbone of acidity. Good riesling will also develop with age - in fact some of these were better the following day.

Country food and its people

Charmian Smith — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:55:00 +1200

Charmian Smith talks to Allyson Gofton about her new Country Calendar Cookbook.

In season: Cauliflower croquettes

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:55:00 +1200

These moreish, light and crispy fritters are a fantastic way to use the humble cauliflower. I have simply sprinkled over some homemade cumin salt and they are
ready to enjoy. They are a great pre-dinner snack (ideal for the Rugby World Cup).

The proof of the puddings

Charmian Smith — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:55:00 +1200

"What's for pudding, Mum?" children used to ask their mothers, and the answer was often 'wait and see'. Now Alexa Johnston, author of Ladies, A Plate mines old cookbooks for favourite puds. Charmian Smith reports.

Music and Tuscan magic

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:29:00 +1200

The former director of Dunedin's Arts Festival, Nicholas McBryde, reports from the music festival at Anghiari.

Otago student reveals losing battle with pokies

Matthew Haggart — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:27:00 +1200

A head for numbers and figures initially gave Tony a "sense of control" when he started playing the pokies, until his monthly bank statements highlighted the "horrendous" amounts he was losing on a regular basis.

APNZ: News beginnings

Simon Cunliffe — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

New Zealand's news is coming from some new quarters following a shake-up of the industry, Andrew Stone, of the NZ Herald, and Simon Cunliffe, of the Otago Daily Times, report.

The not-so-private life of Sirocco the kakapo

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

The relationship between humans and birds is about to get a whole lot closer at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Karin Ludwig reports.

End of the line - closing the NZPA file

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

Long-time NZPA journalist and former editor Max Lambert files his last report for the national news agency.

Counting bites can help you cut back

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

A bite-counting device could act like a pedometer for your mouth, reports Ron Barnett, of USA Today

Winning recipe fresh and original

Kim Dungey — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:29:00 +1200

Concrete block, trestle legs and electronic doors... Kim Dungey finds that a winning Wanaka kitchen is anything but traditional.

Sought-after snowdrops herald spring

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:25:00 +1200

It seems apt, with our recent extreme weather, to talk about the snowdrop.

What's on: September 2 - September 25

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:55:00 +1200

Today, September 2
Hort Talk, Botanic Garden Centre, upper Lovelock Ave, 12 noon: "Worms at Work - vermiculture unearthed", by Robbie and Rosanna Dick, Central Wormworx. Learn how tonnes of waste can be converted into high quality soil conditioner to improve the quality, yield and vibrancy of plants. Free.

Time to get a head start on hardier vegetables

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:55:00 +1200

Vegetables
This month, a start can be made on sowing the hardier vegetables but the likes of runner beans, pumpkins and corn should be left until all likelihood of frost has gone. However, these tender vegetables can be started in seed trays in a glasshouse.

In season: Silverbeet stewed with Egyptian spices

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:55:00 +1200

You may never look at or eat silverbeet the same way after trying this wickedly spiced and aromatically sweet combination. It is worth the effort.

WINE REVIEW: Best Central Otago pinot noir

Charmian Smith — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:55:00 +1200

This unusual tasting consisted of pinot noir from Central Otago producers Rippon and Mount Edward. Like other fine winemakers, they are exploring the characters of individual blocks and vineyards, but their styles are quite different.

Ask a chef: Cilantro Cafe's pumpkin, orange and date salad

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:55:00 +1200

Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.

Cooking 101: Mille feuille

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:55:00 +1200

Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, shares some professional techniques to make your cooking easier.