Star Our People

Members of the Death Cafe meet monthly at the Lincoln Event Centre. Photo: Supplied

Our People: Weddings, funerals and talking about death over tea and cake

Talking about death is not morbid or depressing - it is liberating and helps people prepare for the inevitable. So says Lincoln funeral and wedding celebrant, Richard Marchant, who founded the Death Cafe in Lincoln.

Cancer survivor making 'women feel whole again'

'I lost a lot of beautiful humans': Cancer survivor making 'women feel whole again'

Debbie Casson from Lady Ink Cosmetic Tattooing enjoys making women feel whole again. It was her own experience with sinus and breast cancer that drew the 55-year-old into the industry.

Lifelong Lincoln pharmacist a mad rugby fan

Our People: Lifelong Lincoln pharmacist a mad rugby fan

Dave Wyatt has no plans to retire as he continues to build his thriving pharmacy in Lincoln. The 63-year-old talks about his guardianship of the Bledisloe Cup and facing competition from big discount operators.

Lifestyle change down to body-building competition

'Lifestyle change instead of just a phase': Canterbury mum's body-building transformation

A 43-year-old Leeston mother of two and early childhood teacher transformed her life after training for a body-building competition.

Promising young artist won't do blue

Henry Turner began showing his work in solo exhibitions as a teenager. Photo: Star News

Promising young West Melton artist won't do blue

Henry Turner is one of the youngest artists to feature in Christchurch Art Gallery's permanent collection. Susan Sandys spoke to the 22yo about his achievements - and why blue is a "terrifying" colour.

Striking a balance between family and cricket

Tom Latham on the iconic Greek island, Santorini, with wife Nicole. Photo: Supplied

Latham strikes right balance between family life and international cricket

Before the second test against South Africa got underway, Black Caps batsman Tom Latham sat down with reporter Chris Barclay to run through his career and life off the pitch.

Ex-pro rugby player revitalising Samoan language

Jason Tiatia teaches Samoan at Ara in a bid to help keep the language alive in Christchurch....

Former pro rugby player revitalising Samoan language in Canterbury

Once Jason Tiatia ended a career that saw him travel the world with the NZ Sevens team, the Ara Institute of Canterbury academic rekindled his desire to keep the Samoan language relevant.

Passion for making a positive difference

Coastal ties go back to childhood for Celeste Donovan

Celeste Donovan might not have a Pier People bumper sticker on her car, but New Brighton and the rest of the Coastal Ward are close to the ear of the city's newest elected representative.

Stargazing professor and his far-sighted vision

Ekant Veer is an award-winning lecturing at the University of Canterbury. Photo: UC

Stargazing Canterbury Uni professor and his far-sighted academic vision

Ekant Veer arrived in NZ midway through the fifth form and, inspired by his late grandfather’s ground-breaking education, he has built a formidable reputation among lecturers at Canterbury University.

Nor’west wind inspires author after family tragedy

Canterbury author rediscovers her inspiration in the nor'west wind after family tragedy

Writing has been a big part of award-winning novelist Sandra Arnold's life. She tells Susan Sandys how it helped her overcome family tragedy and fall in love with the Canterbury Plains.

Michael Plank on Covid modelling and moving to NZ

Covid-19 modeller Michael Plank. Photo: UC

UC professor Michael Plank on Covid modelling, mathematics and life in his adopted homeland

High-profile Covid-19 modeller and Canterbury Uni mathematician, Michael Plank, opens up about life in the spotlight, advising the government, disinformation and exploring the Southern Alps.

Mastering the needle

New technology makes Brad Raven's job less painful for him - and his client - when working in his...

Mastering the needle: From the dark side to Buddhism and beyond for Christchurch tattooist

Career tattoo artist Brad Raven’s journey through life is mirrored by the images he inks onto clients in the serene confines of his Christchurch studio - and by the artwork on his own body.

Muldoon to movie stars: Driving dignitaries around the capital

Muldoon to movie stars: Driving dignitaries around the capital

Christchurch roading contractor Trevor Bond went to Wellington as a teenager to work on a telephone exchange but soon found himself driving Rob Muldoon, judges, royals and Hollywood pin-ups around the capital.

Farmer interviewed days before his death

Gavin King started small but built up a large family farming enterprise. Photo: Geoff Sloan

Farmer killed by falling tree interviewed days before his death

Well-known Canterbury farmer Gavin King was killed on Friday after being trapped by a tree. The week before his death he spoke to reporter Susan Sandys about his love of mountain climbing, farming and Mt Everest.

UC professor reaching beyond the stars

Award-winning theoretical physicist Jenni Adams with a sensor once used in the multi-national...

Unravelling the universe's mysteries: UC professor reaching beyond the stars

The first woman to receive the prestigious Dan Walls Medal, Canterbury University theoretical physicist Jenni Adams, puts her career under the microscope.

Building pot people to help deal with depression

Canterbury truck driver building pot people to help deal with depression

Dean Rockhouse suffers from depression. But the 47-year-old truck driver and craftsman from Rolleston has found a way to deal with it.

Retelling stories of the Southern Alps

Tales from the Southern Alps: Christchurch author follows historic routes through the mountains

Nic Low nearly died on one of his journeys over the Southern Alps while researching his new book Uprising. Matt Slaughter spoke to him about traversing the greenstone trails.

Taking the green grass of home to the world

Turf expert Mark Shaw gets down to earth with a grid pattern of grasses at PGG Wrightson Seeds...

Turf expert takes the green grass of Canterbury to the world

Volunteering to look after his club’s cricket pitch led to Christchurch turf expert Mark Shaw venturing to some of the world’s busiest airports and biggest stadiums.

Supporting the well-being of everyone

The Green Lab programme director Khye Hitchcock. Photo: Supplied

Life experience motivation for supporting well-being of everyone in Christchurch

Khye Hitchcock is programme director of The Green Lab - a charitable trust that creates green spaces across Christchurch. They talk to reporter Bea Gooding about community connections and well-being.

Mark Jackson: 'Feminine, loud and super campy'

Mark Jackson is a supermarket worker and business operator by day, and a drag queen by night....

'Very feminine, loud and super campy': Life as a drag queen from Lincoln

Mark Jackson, a supermarket worker from Lincoln, bought his first pair of heels seven years ago - and never looked back. He talks to reporter Susan Sandys about his life as Lady Bubbles.

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