The old saying ''necessity is the mother of invention'' is behind New Zealand singer and performer Helen Medlyn's latest skill set. Rebecca Fox finds out how she is combining her two greatest passions: driving and music.
The first batch of students from the Otago Polytechnic's bachelor of culinary arts course graduate this weekend. Rebecca Fox talks to Rosie McLean about finding her way in the food world and winning one of the polytechnic's top four awards, the Otago Daily Times award for personal achievement.
A love of Victorian writers, and personal connections with the southwest of England led to Margaret Bannister's fascination with English author Thomas Hardy. Rebecca Fox discovers what led the Otago Daily Times book reviewer to explore Hardy's countryside in Dorset.
Learning to lay tiles and apply grout are not the usual skills one attributes to an artist but Zina Swanson does not shy away from hard work for her art, writes Rebecca Fox.
The recent importation of cocoa beans from Samoa has been an experiment Dunedin chocolate maker Liz Rowe has revelled in.
Two New Zealand choreographers and a dancer from Bosnia had one thing in common when approaching the Royal New Zealand Ballet's production of Salute, Remember World War 1: a feeling of trepidation, reports Rebecca Fox
A new Dunedin gallery is giving multi-disciplinary artist John Ward Knox a chance to showcase his latest project. Rebecca Fox discovers there is a little madness in the Frances Hodgkins Fellow's determination to get his message across.
Easter is nearly upon us and those who have not already gorged themselves on hot cross buns will be looking forward to the treat this weekend. Rebecca Fox took a look at the offerings around Dunedin.
Dunedin violinist Olive Butler will make her debut as a soloist with an orchestra later this month. Rebecca Fox asks how she prepares for such a big event.
Circus performers Jeff Robinson and Rewi Bracey are back in Dunedin to develop a new work. Rebecca Fox talks to them about the challenges of making a living from their craft.
Going to scouts is an activity many Kiwis can relate to. Former Mosgiel man Ryan Richards' positive memories of his days as a scout have inspired a comedy stage show. Rebecca Fox talks to Richards about bringing his first one-man stage show home, and where Jimmy's Pies fit in the narrative.
International opera singer Simon O'Neill has performed in some of the most famous theatres of the world, The Royal Opera House, The Metropolitan Opera and La Scala, to name a few. Rebecca Fox talks to the Dunedin-trained tenor about returning to the city to perform with his old brass band.
It is a little known fact but veteran New Zealand actress Helen Moulder had her stage debut in Balclutha.
Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet ''Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't'', a quote staff at Dunedin's Fortune Theatre will need to have in mind as they embark on a non-stop, 85-hour marathon of the great playwright's work, writes Rebecca Fox.
If asked to describe a clown, most would mention the red nose, frizzy hair and big shoes, but that is not what you get with Thomas Monckton. Rebecca Fox finds out what being a clown in the 21st century means.
Having a Chinese tourist purchase about 50 pots worth thousands of dollars in one swoop is just one of the highlights for the Stuart St Potters Co operative.
British actress Rebecca Vaughan will visit Dunedin for the first time this month, as part of the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival, to bring her unique take on the Virginia Woolf novel Mrs Dalloway to life.
Sisters Karena and Kasey Bird were audience favourites when they won the reality television cooking show MasterChef 2014 title. But as Rebecca Fox discovers, they have not rested on their laurels during the past 18 months.
To many, Singapore is just a transit stop on their way to more far-flung places. Lifestyle editor Rebecca Fox finds out there is more to the city than its airport.
The powerful feelings expressed in the poetry, songs, diaries and interviews about the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign have been set to music by Dunedin composer Anthony Ritchie. Rebecca Fox finds out how the group of songs came together.
