Web Only: Letters to the Editor - Issue 31

MY HUSBAND AND I had the most fantastic experience in the world as winners of the Wine and Roses Weekend which recently featured in NZ Life & Leisure magazine. This fabulous weekend has created a long-lasting and romantic memory, including a love for Havelock North.  The prize package was exceptional and so much fun!  We enjoyed absolutely everything:  the flights, the beautiful red roses and gift basket crammed with vouchers, the stunning shops, the personal treats and the movie, the fabulous boutique hideaway cottage and, of course, the delicious food and wine.  Most of all, we met some inspirational and talented people and we've shared the Havelock North experience with many friends and family.

The Wine and Roses prize package experience was like living some of the beautiful pages from NZ Life & Leisure for a few days.
Maureen Crombie

I HAVE JUST RETURNED from my first visit to New Zealand. I travelled alone which, although it has its drawbacks, enabled me to take in the experiences of your country at a very personal level.  Not knowing what to expect from such a close neighbour, I was amazed and astounded by the beautiful landscapes, the friendliness of the people and the strength of your culture. Your magazine caught my attention on the very first day and I purchased it on my last day to take home with me. 

Every time I look at it I see a way of life that I have been trying to find for myself and it helps me understand the values I place on family and friends and, as an architect, the pleasures that come from the uniqueness of individual style. While I know I'll be returning to New Zealand more often now, I'm so happy to be able to continue enjoying the experience through your beautiful pages.
Mandy Matthews, Australia

IT IS NEARLY THREE YEARS since you published my letter (May / June 07) about driving my wife to distraction with my desire to live in New Zealand every time I read your magazine.

Well, as they say, everything comes to he who waits…

I am writing this note from sunny Hawke’s Bay as we embark on what we hope will be a minimum of a three-year adventure, maybe longer. I think our UK friends regarded our talk of New Zealand as pie in the sky and I dare say we bored them to tears with our ponderings. But, as with most things in life, fate played its part.

Last July, no sooner had we secured our visas and a letting on our house, two magazines landed on our doormat – our weekly English literary staple of Country Life featuring “the guide for the ultimate family trip to New Zealand” which set the imaginations racing, and your wonderful magazine. And what a coincidence! You had a feature on Tom Pinckney and his family. Tom was a fabulous host at Northburn when we backpacked around New Zealand supporting the British Lions in 1993 – the trip that sowed the seed! It looks from your article as if he has worked wonders with it. Seventeen years later we are back, this time with seven, eight and 10-year-old kids.
Thanks to a fabulous network of Kiwi mates, we have rented a beautiful house in Havelock North and the kids have settled into school without a care in the world.  We are in New Zealand to develop my wife’s business (www.woolsheddesigns.co.nz) which designs and manufactures (amongst other things) beautiful beanbags and interiors products from New Zealand sheepskin.

It already feels like home from home; the kids are avid All Blacks, Magpies and Black Caps fans (against everyone except England, of course); we have caught and eaten our first trout, snapper and tarakihi (we threw the shark back); the mountain-bike tyres have been pumped up after years of neglect and every day seems like a new adventure.  Most importantly, your magazine, which has a lot to answer for, has been redirected to our new address. It now has a much smaller carbon footprint so we have helped save the planet as well.  We might have to arrange a subscription for our friends to help entice them out here!
James and Nessie Lamb

WHILE PET-SITTING FOR MY DAUGHTER last year I came across a large pile of your magazines.  I thought, this will tell me what she is into these days. I’ll just glance through them and then get back to my own magazines. Well, I did not put them down for the whole three days. I enjoyed every article. I felt ENTHUSED, so informative, creative and inspirational were they. I asked to borrow some. “Yes, sure Mum, but please return them. I want to collect them.” Acutely aware that my little girl was developing a taste for the finer things in life, I felt thrilled that there was a magazine we could share. Of course I’ve since subscribed. I have it sent to her and she passes it on.
Imagine my delight when I opened Issue 29 and saw the images and read the article on Rakino Island. I showed the photos to my father, who is now in his 80s. We used to own that very spot. There were many fond memories he wished to share and reminisce about. On 10 acres, he single-handedly built a bach, with us carting bits from demo yards all over Auckland to the launch weekend after weekend. He would row ashore and lug them up the hill to the spot – a spot I still go to in my dreams when the world gets too hard to deal with. We even took an old copper for heating water from the stream to have moonlit baths in the open air. Often when we arrived the following week we would have to lug the tin bathtub up to its platform again. The old yachties would have borrowed it to have a play and paddle in the bay. That tin bath was great entertainment for many when marooned by the south-westerly blows.

Rakino every Friday, lug up the building materials and tools and live the good life from 1965 to 1969... The selling price my father put on the bach and land was $5000 (he even offered terms). I’d give anything to have had him keep it for his grandchildren. The stories we could tell! What a laugh how things have changed and what a thrill to share them with my father. He is now keen to subscribe – that’s three generations. Not bad, NZ Life & Leisure. Thanks for the memories.
J. Davies, Orewa

I LOVED THE FEATURES in the Totally Mad issue.  From my perspective, these people are think-outside-the-square individuals, innovative and hugely successful.  It was fascinating to read about the extent of their talents and abilities and how they came to be experts at what they do best. Josie Martin's ability to create a world of beauty around her, in her artwork, clothing and the decor of her home, was a visual delight. I was also inspired by Emilia Wickstead's injection of glamour into everyday dress and agree with Kate Coughlan's view – why not make an effort to look fabulous every day?

It was refreshing to read about people who aren't just inspiring for what they have achieved, but have achieved it by taking a road less travelled.  Well done.
Mary Shirley

IT WAS ONLY IN JANUARY I found out about the Giant's Garden in Akaroa (Issue30) from a friend. I was surprised that living in Christchurch I had never heard of it. Off our family went and had several enjoyable wanders around the amazing and colourful garden. Even though your photos are wonderful it is worthwhile seeing it in person.

Then, lo and behold, the first Life & Leisure of my new subscription arrived and there was the article about Josie and her sculptures! It was great to see inside her villa which is not open to the public so now my curiosity is sated – thank you. But there is one thing Don Higgins didn't mention that is worth seeing… the toilets, or should I say the visitors’ book?
Tina Cook, Christchurch

IT HAS BEEN a wonderfully touching experience to have two issues of NZ Life & Leisure recently showcase the hard-earned successes of our family. It is a tribute to the innovative heritage of the Perriam family dating back to the late 1800s that has seen my ancestors take advantage of every opportunity available.

I grew up on what was left of the original family farm, looking over at those barren, rabbit-infested, thyme-covered hills of Bendigo Station. I have watched and learnt with inspiration from my parents John and Heather that opportunities lie in places where not many people think to look. The two articles are a great representation of this –  from John's ability to see beyond the rabbits to wine and Heather's ability to create a sense of community in a far-reaching area to Christina's ability to establish a stylish avenue for merino wool in the competitive fashion world.

Thank you for your beautiful portrayal of our family that is now a lasting legacy to the late Heather Perriam.
Sarah Perriam, Wanaka

DESPITE THE DISMAL STATE of my finances, my authorised "treat" is to find the juiciest magazine of the month in which to lose myself. How I could possibly resist the allure of your March/April edition promising eccentrics and crackpots? OK so you've sold me. Graphically your magazine is a stunning array of colour and design and a salute to the innovative.

I fell in love with Josie Martin, queen of the Giant's House, many years ago after stumbling upon it during a brief sojourn in Akaroa. I have never forgotten the thrill of entering that wonderland; I felt as if I was Sam I am from Dr Suess. The power it has to thrill an adult must be doubly intensified for a child. Thank you so much for such a  stunning article, an insight into Josie’s quirky nature and a champion and mentor for those of us who didn't always fit into the narrowly defined roles set for us from early school years. No longer will I look at my daughter's wild antics in despair. Who knows what greatness might result from her "exuberance", especially if she has even a smidgin of Josie’s great artistic stirring. In future I shall bypass all other magazines and look for your latest edition – there's no contest!
Sue Wilkinson, Glendowie

THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH information and entertainment, not to mention attractive competitions and even interesting advertisements, in the first two issues received of your NZ Life & Leisure magazine that it has all been read, admired, actioned and followed up all too soon after its arrival!  Chasing up the web sites and even making an online purchase from each issue has been a really useful exercise and the arrival of the parcels has been like having a birthday present come through the mail. 

My walking ability has been seriously deteriorating since 1992 to the point where the pain was prohibitive. Much money and many consultations later have, finally, found me a reason for the problem  –  two blocked arteries.  The affliction is shortly to be taken care of by way of two separate operations but I do want to say to you that I have so much appreciated the one year's free subscription achieved via Fly Buys and although I hope (and trust!) that my walking ability will be returned to me and with it conventional shopping made possible again, I will be taking the opportunity to indulge in a full subscription.
Nola Neas

MARCH IS A GOOD MONTH. It’s my birthday month. I know it’s known as “mad as a March hare” month  too. But you are allowed to call the March/April issue Mad – just to be different for a change.

I’ve nearly read the ink off the pages  already. I’ve had a grand time with the magazine since it came in the post last week.  My daughter gave me a subscription for Christmas so what’s she going to give me for my birthday? That was a good present.  Annabel Langbein has been one of my favourite cooking people for ages so I feast on what she has written.  I’ve asked one family member for a necklace as I’ve bought a merino jacket in a shade of grey as an autumn wardrobe addition so a nice bright necklace would complement that, wouldn't it.

I’m eating chocolate as I write – it seems to taste extra good at this time of night  I think.
Ngaire Mcgrouther