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MY MOTHER RECENTLY moved into a rest home at 83 years of age, but while she was still living in her own home, I would pass on my copy of NZ Life & Leisure for her to enjoy. (I would have to make sure I read it first as it was pretty hard to get it back as she always just had one more story to read.)

Her first Christmas away from home was not easy but deciding on a gift for Mum was obvious. I gave her a subscription, which goes directly to the rest home, and she was absolutely delighted.

Mum always has her magazines nearby. She loves the stories and likes to read each issue from cover to cover. As her health has deteriorated, the only reading that she does now is the newspaper and your magazine. It gives her much joy and is the gift that keeps on giving. Theresa Managh, Dunedin

AS THERE ARE ENOUGH brickbats thrown in this world, I thought it would be nice for your writers to receive a bouquet.

What an interesting job they must have and how well they report on their assignments. To us — the readers — it makes receiving the magazine worth the wait.

The articles are interesting and well- composed and, with the photos, really do make us understand what a great country we live in. We may not have centuries or history behind us, but as your magazine exposes what we have, we all get to realize how lucky we are. Having spent several years doing our big OE, realizing what is in our own country (per your magazine) makes us see that we really do live in paradise. Deryck Brown, Blenheim

HOLIDAYING AT A FRIEND’S idyllic rural property over summer and past issues of NZ Life & Leisure are pulled from a stack of reading material and passed around the large outdoor table. Like a parcel used in a children’s birthday party game, each reader finds their own personal prize; a profile on a beach bach sends one reminiscing about family summer holidays spent there as a youngster. Another is drawn to a feature on a well- known winemaker (her husband once helped the vintner through a business deal). One article explores the delightful horsefocused home of a New Zealand music comedy icon. The property is not far from where we’re staying, adding further dimension and depth to our time here. And wasn’t that middle- aged motorbike, music and renovation enthusiast once in a rowdy teenage band with family members?

Connect. Only connect.

Further reminiscences are shared. More conversations spring up, and intentions are announced; new places to visit, recipes to try, interesting products to sample.

What a treat it is to see our exquisite country reflected in such light, to keep brief company with a selection of its cleverest makers and shapers. Compendium and treasury: these magazines are keepers. Megan Jennings, Auckland

I HAVE BEEN SUBSCRIBING to your magazine for about two years since I bought one off the shelf at a petrol station and thought, ‘ Finally I’ve found a magazine that’s not full of *insert acceptable word here*!’ My partner loves to see my reaction when he brings in a new mag from the letterbox and knows that’ll be me for the next while. I get to read little snippets at a time when our toddler is down for a nap, so it’s my relax/treat time.

It’s the only magazine I read every page of, and I actually order the advertised products because I know they will be of decent quality. I loved reading Nesting in the Haka Valley ( NZ

Life & Leisure, January/February) as we were on a dairy farm when our son was born, and Liz Hayes in the story commented that “when

women have babies, they lose a part of their identity, and it’s a real struggle”.

I completely related to that — as I’m sure many would — and it was nice to read I’m not alone in feeling that way. All the New Zealand- grown businesses I read about in the magazine are such an inspiration that I hope one day our dairy farm (which we move to in June) could be featured — or who knows, even possibly my future creative side gig? Thanks for producing a quality, inspirational and engaging New Zealand magazine. Vanessa Jones, Pāpāmoa

WE’VE JUST WALKED to the Manganuku Hut in the Waioeka Gorge (a 16- kilometre round trip) and for the first hour along the bush track, we spotted the many pest traps that Sam Gibson and Geoff McLaughlan and their team ( A duck to water, NZ Life & Leisure, January/February) had set to help protect the whio (blue duck). Living proof of their hard work came a few kilometres up this beautiful crystal- clear stream when we spotted several whio playing in the gentle rapids.

Thank you, team, not only for protecting our delicate environment but also encouraging our next generation to share your passion and vision. Sam, along with Kauri (Karen “Kauri” Forno of the Women’s Native

Tree Project Trust, see NZ Life & Leisure, September/October 2021) and others are supporting interested senior students on the WaiRestoration programme, and some of them will go on to forge rewarding careers in this field. Jo Graham, Gisborne

I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING your magazine for about a year and wanted to thank you. This month, I was compelled to write after seeing the cabin in the Mackenzie with space to breathe, and where the stars can be pulled through your fingertips ( NZ Life & Leisure, March/April).

I have read the articles at least three times and poured over photos in case I missed something. I cannot put your magazines away. They pile up on the coffee table until I can release them to share with my sisters and friends, so they can delve into the beauty of our country and our people.

The green glass on the benchtop reminds me of days at Aunty Chrissy’s house, dusting the china cabinet and twisting her glassware to glimpse the light.

The story took me back to living in Twizel and Aoraki/Mount Cook; the vast landscape sweltering in summer and hoar frosts biting the fence line in winter.

Mount Cook, on our one day off, sliding down the hillside, taking the shortcut and landing in mānuka up to our chests. Cuts and scratches over our arms, we raced out to the open fields of wildflowers and threw ourselves down. The sun scorched us until we felt see-through.

Each time I sit and read NZ Life & Leisure, the memories return and new dreams are created. For now, I will watch the rose flowers drift in my tea, breathe in the bergamot, sip the delicate liquid, then scan the magazine for another delight. The colours, the stories... Thank you for bringing the pages to life and showing us how precious our country is. Christmas was spent at Mount Cook with the magazine. Now it is time to renew my subscription before I miss out on the next issue. Judy Port, Christchurch

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2022-05-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

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https://thisnzlife.pressreader.com/article/281771337732064

NZ Lifestyle Magazine Group