A “serendipitous finding” by a team of researchers at the University of Auckland could shed light on why women tend to live longer and healthier lives than men. Dr Trevor Sherwin, Professor of Ophthalmology in the Faculty of Medical and Health Scienc

Giving to charity has more benefits than you might think. As well as allowing worthwhile organisations to keep doing their valuable work, the act of making a donation can give the donor a happiness boost. But when you’re ready to open your wallet, th

Coming up in future issues: Health tips: how much salt is too much? • Sustainability myth-busting • Fun fitness ideas to get you moving Gardening for our changing climate • Creative makers, environmental wins and clever upcycling ideas FREE DELIVERY

1. FRANKI MINI PERIOD CUP, $45.95. Franki Period Care was founded by Chloe Ridge, a mother and entrepreneur who is on a mission to create a safe, educational, positive approach to periods. These cups last up to five years, are made from medical-grade

HOW DO YOU MOVE? MARIA: We go to roller skating classes every Monday at Grey Lynn Community Centre in Auckland through a group called Hey Macarena. WHEN DID YOU START DOING THIS? BEN: Earlier this year. It was actually on Maria’s birthday. She had se

A great salad can easily become a satisfying meal on its own if you follow a few simple rules. Aim for texture: use salad ingredients that have a variety of textures from juicy (think tomatoes, beets, nectarines) to crisp and crunchy (lettuce, cabbag

Fast-growing, hardy basil is a gift for newbie gardeners. Just pop one in a pot or in your vege garden and look forward to an abundance of this gloriously fragrant herb. Basil prefers a sunny spot, and grows best in well-drained soil, but it needs re

Loneliness is on the rise in Aotearoa and around the world. Human beings are social creatures who crave connection, and when that need is not met, loneliness can be deeply painful. Loneliness not only makes us sad; scientists now know it also threate

There’s nothing subtle about Lissy Robin-son-Cole – she’s larger than life, fluorescently adorned and radiating a joy that she’s determined to share. “The neon colours say – I’m here, I’m loud, I’m proud and I’m not going anywhere.” Lissy’s take on l

Pea straw is much loved by vege gardeners as mulch for good reason – it keeps weeds down, improves soil structure and adds nitrogen as it breaks down. Most importantly, it stops soil drying out and can reduce the need for watering by two-thirds. For

A skinny boy of five, I go to the chopping blockHack at dry pieces of wood with a blunt tomahawkFill a box with mangled kindling I watch my father with his axeA single hit, splits a mighty round of woodSticky resin seeps through wine red grainA lumpy

It’s been a challenging few years for many of us, as wave upon wave of bad news has swept the world – the pandemic, war and the climate emergency engulfing us all with feelings of fear and disconnection. As a psychiatrist, Dr Hinemoa Elder (Ngāti Kur

‘‘In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” Yes please, Margaret Atwood! If her novel-turned-TV series The Handmaid’s Tale has proved to be too much of a slightly prophetic, depressing feminist dystopia for you, her command t

Does money buy you happiness? Before you read the evidence I’ve uncovered, what is your gut reaction to this question? An optimistic answer is: “No, of course not,” which expresses the hope that how happy we feel is affected by other factors such as

A change of season and the welcome arrival of warmer weather is the perfect time to overhaul your beauty regime. A yearly audit gives you the opportunity to reassess your make-up and skincare, and decide if you need to tweak your beauty routine. And

We all need the boost vitamin C can give us – whether you’re a marathon runner pushing your body to its limits, a businesswoman with a gruelling international travel schedule or a mum who’s permanently short of sleep. Vitamin C supports your immune s

One of my fridge staples is a container of marinated tofu – see the recipe below for directions. This is handy for a quick dinner with rice and vegetables, or I simply cook up a few slices to add to an at-home lunch bowl. I will admit that I have had

Life is for living, not for suffering through the seasons – hot and bothered in summer, battling Jack Frost in winter. And an energy-efficient house, where the comforts of heating and cooling don’t send you bankrupt, is your BFF (best friend forever)

Here’s a Sudoku with a twist! Instead of numbers, each of the given nine letters must be placed once into each row, column and three-by-three square. When the puzzle is complete, one of the horizontal lines will reveal a hidden word. Look for the wor

Making wine has taught Erica Crawford a lot of things, including the importance of tenacity, resilience and strong relationships. Most of all though, it’s taught her patience. “I’ve learned to follow the rhythm of the vines, to observe and listen, an

IF YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED with advice on how to stay fit and healthy, the best place to start is with easy health hacks that are scientifically proven to make a difference. Everything from picking up the pace on your daily stroll to the houseplants you

Designed to be planet, people and animal-friendly, Nevé candles are hand-poured in New Zealand using natural soy wax and phthalate-free fragrances, with FSC-certified wood wicks for that wonderful crackling sound. Plus, they do refills, so you can us

Frances Shoemack and her husband Dave moved back to New Zealand with their sons Rufus, eight, and Arthur, six, in 2019, after eight years in Amsterdam. Frances is from South Canterbury, Dave is from Tauranga, and they had lived in Auckland for seven

• Resene drop cloth • Resene MacGyver paintbrush • Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer • Your chosen Resene paint colours tinted into Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene testpots. We used Resene Aqua, Resene Suzie Q, Resene Peppermint and Resene Ball