Award-winning Christchurch writer Tusiata Avia remembers standing in front of the bathroom mirror as a 7-year-old, patting her face with talcum powder to see what she would look like with white skin.
US actress Shannen Doherty - who died on Saturday aged 53 - has been remembered as "the iconic 'bad girl' of the 90s" with a reputation for partying, turning up late and feuding with actors.
Rising opera star Olivia Pike has waited several years to win the Christchurch Vocal Competition, but finally took out the top spot over the Matariki weekend.
The organisers of the Alpine Winter Festival in Hanmer say they have everything ready to go - and now all they need is for the weather to play ball and dump some snow on the surrounding mountains.