The online support club that helps the newly redundant through a scary time

Covid-19 has shoved New Zealand’s economy into recession, prompting a whole lot of businesses to downsize and slash their workforce. That’s why a support club has been formed to help the newly unemployed to get back on their feet. Redundancy can hit like a ton of bricks. The shock, uncertainty, the loss of income, that … Read more

The backyard furniture business with big plans for NZ’s sustainable building future

A success story of the New Zealand Made Products Facebook page, this Christchurch start-up has grown from a backyard workshop to a centre for sustainable architecture and building all in the space of a few months. Two Christchurch guys needed a table for their flat. So they built one out of scraps of timber in … Read more

The Christchurch businesses breathing life into New Brighton

New business ventures are trying to jump-start the economy of New Brighton, the Christchurch beachside suburb that locals say is on the cusp of greatness – if it can just maintain some momentum post-Covid.  Green Bear Coffee runs on a simple concept: good coffee, community and sustainability. But what isn’t simple is opening a week … Read more

The founder of a failed cannabis museum sounds a warning for similar startups

Cannabis legalisation could present a valuable opportunity for small businesses and startups looking to be part of a growing global industry. But will stigma around cannabis use stand in the way? Around the world, cannabis is blooming. In the US, Canada and Europe, law changes have brought about partial or full legalisation of medical and … Read more

The perfect dish: Tahdig, the crispy, crunchy, life-affirming Persian soul food

Think rice is nothing special? Try tahdig, the golden, crispy rice crust that’s a way of life for Iranians. As Iranians, we are obsessed with the crunchy bits. The oily, crispy bits. The layers upon layers of starch. True love is at the bottom of a non-stick Persian rice cooker. Have you always thought of rice … Read more