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.
Our People
Supporting the well-being of everyone
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'
'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.
Wannabe tradesman spent lifetime as an optician
Wannabe tradesman who spent a lifetime as an optician in Christchurch heads into retirement
John Veale closed his optometry business in Shirley on Friday but the 74-year-old will not lose sight of a profession he has been devoted to since abandoning plans to be a tradesman at his father’s insistence.
Our people: Gary Stead's path to the Black Caps
From backyard cricket growing up in a Canterbury orchard to coaching the Black Caps
Black Caps coach Gary Stead opens up about his own cricket playing career, the infamous 2019 World Cup final, and whether he has ever fiddled with Kane Williamson’s set-up.
From the chalkboard to coaching future Black Caps
From the chalkboard to coaching future Black Caps: Shirley Boys' teacher retires after 42 years
A 42-year teaching stint at Shirley Boys’ High School enabled Steve Garland - who retires this week - to help shape the careers of several future Black Caps.
Life with Highland dancing no short fling
Life with Highland dancing no short fling: ‘I’m always there to be called upon if needed’
Colleen Cole started Highland dancing as a five-year-old and 76 years later she is still immersed in a quintessentially Scottish passion in Christchurch.
New Ilam MP on beating cancer and her road to the Beehive
New Ilam MP on beating cancer and her road to the Beehive
Sarah Pallett opens up about beating cancer and then Gerry Brownlee on her way to winning the Ilam electorate race.
UC lecturer heads back home to the US
UC lecturer forced to return home to the US in the era of Trump and Covid
Canterbury Uni associate professor Amy Fletcher has been living in Christchurch since 1999 - but the Covid pandemic and its potential impact on her family and friends has forced her to return home to the United States.
Bringing rugby talent to the top
Bringing rugby talent to the top: Canterbury co-coach on job sharing with Reuben Thorne
Mark Brown never quite made the step up to provincial rugby amid stiff competition for a start in Otago’s formidable loose forward trio in the 1990s - so he switched focus to helping other talented players reach the top.
Covid hero and ambulance volunteer's passion for medicine
Covid hero and ambulance volunteer's passion for medicine
Canterbury woman Jane Potts was recognised as a ‘Covid hero’ for her work volunteering as a St John ambulance officer during the lockdown.
Our people: Finding the right balance to be a successful principal
Our people: Finding the right balance to be a successful principal
Bernadette May is the first female principal at Tai Tapu School in the Selwyn district. She spoke to Devon Bolger about her passion for education and well-being.
Behind the Darkroom: No featherweight when it comes to performing on stage
Behind the Darkroom: No featherweight when it comes to performing on stage
Feather Shaw is the co-owner of Christchurch venue, Darkroom. Matt Slaughter spoke to her about supporting Christchurch musicians and her background in the arts.
Boyhood skydiving dream comes true
Boyhood skydiving dream comes true
Lee Barraclough talks about his business Skydiving Kiwis, which is set to launch a new attraction soon that will see people skydive out of a helicopter onto Sumner Beach.
A hilly haven for herbs: Family business keeps growing
A hilly haven for herbs: Family business keeps growing
A goal of becoming self-sufficient in food and natural medicines has grown into a burgeoning business for a Banks Peninsula family.
Our People: Reality of becoming a police officer from an early age
Our People: Reality of becoming a police officer from an early age
David Harvey served for 40 years in the police, retiring in 2017, and has now been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The former detective senior sergeant spoke to Matt Slaughter.
Man behind Bully Hayes restaurant
Man behind Bully Hayes restaurant
Iconic Akaroa restaurant Bully Hayes will be renamed after the recent controversy over claims the name honours slavery. Jess Gibson talked to owner Wayne Jones about the future of the business.
A life-long passion for wildlife
A life-long passion for wildlife
Anne Richardson has been protecting and breeding native flora and fauna at the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in Canterbury for 28 years.
Activist takes up fight against Canterbury coal mine
Activist takes up fight against Canterbury coal mine
Siana Fitzjohn talks about her work with Extinction Rebellion and mounting opposition to a coal mine expansion in Canterbury.
Random acts of kindness: Helping Canterbury families
Random acts of kindness: Helping Canterbury families
Natasha Oliver has been managing donations for struggling families for three years. The Rakaia resident speaks about her work with the Selwyn Kindness Initiatives group and her passion...