The builders cabin
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

The builders cabin

Discover the inspiring journey of realising a family's holiday home dream in the picturesque landscapes of Mangawhai. A masterful transformation of their initial plans culminating in the coupling of two transportable pods to create their ideal haven, all while blending functionality, style and affordability.

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Taylored for kitchens and beyond
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Taylored for kitchens and beyond

Local cabinetmaker, Neil Taylor, has a wealth of knowledge and years of experience behind him; becoming interested in woodwork at a young age in his granddad’s shed, Neil went on to graduate as an award-winning apprentice and opened Neil Taylor Cabinetmaker & Design (NTCD) in 2011.

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Transferring interiors with luxe linens
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Transferring interiors with luxe linens

Enjoying a few gins on Omaha Beach as the sun dipped low on the horizon, was the laid-back setting that Sharon Elsmore, the mastermind behind The Linen Trader, found her inspiration.

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Painting with purpose
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Painting with purpose

Meet Bianca and Sam, the duo behind Better House Painters, a bespoke house painting business with a green twist.

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Bringing desert flare to kiwi shores
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Bringing desert flare to kiwi shores

Based out of her home studio in Maungaturoto, Vivian is combining her passion for Western and Americana style with her love of fashion, art and photography to share a unique aesthetic with fellow Kiwis via lifestyle brand, Desert Fiend.

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Flourishing ventures
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Flourishing ventures

Having spent her childhood visiting Point Wells, florist Wendy Hart and her husband Richard dreamed of raising their children amidst its idyllic charm. Over the last 25 years, they cherished their waterside Point Wells bach, until two years ago when they decided to deepen their ties to the beloved community.

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Celestial festival
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Celestial festival

A three-day festival, three stages, 31 acts, including DJs, performers, live music, yoga, breathwork, meditation and Qigong, and of course a wedding ceremony. Wendy and Brett celebrated their wedding with 300 guests in attendance and personal touches co-created by 85 plus people from their community. A celestial festival with a framework intention of love, connection and oneness, guests gathered to explore these themes while an ethereal aesthetic was created with extensive use of fabrics, from golds in lounging areas to cobalt blues in ceremonial spaces, and at night creative lighting and lasers.

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Embracing heritage, crafting future
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Embracing heritage, crafting future

Nestled gracefully on a crest along the stunning Matakana coast, this exceptional property seamlessly blends heritage charm and modern luxury. The journey of this remarkable home, now known as Te Wairua, unfolds around the dedication of its owners, Pat and Ginny, who approached their first major renovation with respect and vision.

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Rural luxury meets urban proximity
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Rural luxury meets urban proximity

A remarkable journey of resilience and adventure culminates in an unforgettable off-grid glamping experience nestled in a secluded grove of mature Kauri forest, just 12 minutes north of Matakana.

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Making waves in fashion
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Making waves in fashion

Beloved local surf brand, Gypsea Sol, made waves earlier this year with the launch of their inaugural Capsule Collection. Danica shares her vision for the collection and the success of the brand's debut into clothing and accessories.

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Black Swamp coastal oasis
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Black Swamp coastal oasis

When Maris and Logan Holt purchased land on the infamous Black Swamp Road in Mangawhai they knew they needed to design a home that would showcase and enhance the pristine beauty of the section's all-encompassing protected native bush.

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The untold story of the feijoa
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

The untold story of the feijoa

Nature writer, Kate Evans, transforms her unwavering obsession and nostalgic yearning for feijoa into a captivating narrative with her first book, FEIJOA: A Story of Obsession and Belonging – published by Moa Press with a release date of March 2024.

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A creative haven
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

A creative haven

Transcending from a shared vision into a vibrant reality, Umi in Matakana is not only a retail store selling beautiful objects, but also a space to gather and connect.

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Matakana to London, and beyond!
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Matakana to London, and beyond!

In the hallowed shopping halls of Harrods department store in London, locally-owned pillow brand, Hyoumankind, can now be found gracing its shelves. The journey to this prestigious retail destination began far from the elegant displays and bustling crowds. It started with a simple holiday among friends, where one woman's quest for a restful night's sleep sparked a revolution in pillow design.

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Fostering connections via creative expression
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Fostering connections via creative expression

Exploring human connection through painting, photography, and more with Mangawhai's Jess Holdaway - with a focus on social good, Jess's work reflects her belief in the power of human stories to drive positive change.

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Art & Alchemy - a glass exhibition
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Art & Alchemy - a glass exhibition

Artform Gallery in Matakana hosts an exciting new exhibition entitled ‘Art & Alchemy’, featuring the works of five local artists: Christine Cathie, Elizabeth McClure, Vicki Fanning, Kim Logue, and Kathryn Bartlett.

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Textile printing - from studio to community
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Textile printing - from studio to community

Ingrid Anderson has long been printed on the fabric of our national art and textile world. Her work has appeared in some of our most treasured places such as Te Papa and The Auckland Museum.

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Modernism on the fairway
Bianca Howlett Bianca Howlett

Modernism on the fairway

Some sites are blessed with an unbeatable backdrop and this particular site, located just minutes from Tara Iti Golf Club in Mangawhai, is one such place.

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