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9 of 9 with Mel Young from Martinborough Apothecary

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why?My qualifications in natural health.  I began my studies in 2013 to support my own health journey, now I am helping others to grow wellness with plant wisdom. 2. What is one place you really want to visit and why?The Amazon.  I was interested in a research program there prior to Covid-19, learning traditional healing from local Shamans. I would love to connect with indigenous healers and learn more a...

9 of 9 with Sheryl Rooderkirk of ICIB Brokerweb Insurance & Risk Advisory

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why?Being nominated as Emerging Insurance Broker of the Year back in 2012 and being in the top 4 in NZ2. What is one place you really want to visit and why?I want to spend a Christmas in New Year in New York City to see how people spend their Christmas on the other side of the world, plus it reminds me of my favourite childhood movie – Home Alone, Lost in NYC3. If you had a million dollars to spend what would you do ...

9 of 9 with Rewa & Andy from Goodtimes Food

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why? Making our first business happen, and making the food we love for people. 2.  What is one place you really want to visit and why?  Egypt. Because history. 3.  If you had a million dollars to spend what would you do with it? A house. And invest the rest. 4. If you had one super power what would it be? Being in 2 places at once. Then I could work and hang out with my family all the...

9 of 9 with Janice Macgee of Meridian General Brokers Limited

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why? Taking out the title of Women’s Pipe Band World Solo Drumming Champion three times (in Scotland)2. What is one place you really want to visit and why? I would love to go to Alaska at some stage for the stunning scenery.3. If you had a million dollars to spend what would you do with it? Sounds boring, but I would probably invest most of it, so we can live more comfortably. However, would definitely...

9 of 9 with Rachel Hall of Lighthouse Gin

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why? Becoming New Zealand’s first female head gin distiller 2. What is one place you really want to visit and why? Mexico ‘Hola’  - I’d love to learn how to make tequila  3. If you had a million dollars to spend what would you do with it? Travel the world tasting and learning about all the different gins and botanicals  4. If you had one super power what would it be? This is a hard one.....I thin...

9 of 9 with Nathan Maynard of Peppers Parehua

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why?I am extremely proud of my family. I have a beautiful wife, 5 amazing children and a super cute granddaughter. 2. What is one place you really want to visit and why?Mohaka – this is where my father grew up and I have never been there. 3. If you had a million dollars to spend what would you do with it?Use it wisely 4. If you had one super power what would it be?Being Ironman would be pretty cool 5. Who has been th...

9 of 9 with Alisha Oldridge of Nocturnal NZ

 1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of? Nocturnal NZ Boutique Store  - Creating, planning, developing, progressing forward our third business Nocturnal NZ in Martinborough. We are super proud of this great achievement and excited to establish and grow our future business developments at Nocturnal NZ. Nocturnal NZ is a unique boutique concept store space that is always sourcing unique pieces internationally and also from New Zealand, it continues to e...

9 of 9 with Dudley from Neighbourhood & Knucklebone

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why? My 3 Kids, I marvel at how I manage to wing motherhood and end up with such a bunch of well-rounded cool cats, they crack me up every-day!2. What is one place you really want to visit and why? Raglan – Coffee Roasters3. If you had a million dollars to spend what would you do with it? Create a glow in the dark street art tour in Marty to support the Night Sky Tourism and attract artist from around New Zealand to ...

9 of 9 with Louise Jolliffe from Bloomin' Lou

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why? We have three daughters between us ranging in age from 32 - 10 and they've all turned out to be the kind of people you want on your life team. Each has had a completely different  set of challenges and each has dug deep, particularly our two elder girls. I'm proudly biased when I declare them to be great human beings with strong, kind souls. 2. What is one place you really want to visit and why? For me it's m...

Paula Peters from Kiwi Coffee & Kai Catering

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of and why? Securing the catering job to feed the pink floyd experience band and crew for their 2019 NZ tour2. What is one place you really want to visit and why? Maldives why wouldn't you?3. If you had a million dollars to spend what would you do with it?Pay off bills & grow our business4. If you had one super power what would it be?To be in two places at once5. Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why? Our pa...

9 of 9 with Amanda Ritchie

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of?The most recent thing is having the community support of Boomerang Bags, which has enabled us to take one massive leap towards becoming Plastic Bag Free!2. What is one place you really want to visit and why? Wellington! I studied in Wellington and moved here because it was close. I don't get anywhere near enough time to explore and absorb the Wellington vibe, and I've got friends there who I'd love to catch up with. I...

9 of 9 with Rowena Reay of Union Square

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of?Bringing my 13 yo son up reasonably unscathed with a genuine appreciation for humanity and the world we live in....

9 of 9 with Melissa Philips of Cartel Food Co.

1. What is something that you have achieved that you’re really proud of?Quitting my corporate life in the city, downsizing and moving to Martinborough with my wee family.... best place ever to raise kids! Then starting our business the Cartel Food Co. I haven’t worked for anyone else for 4 years. 2. What is one place you really want to visit and why? Vietnam.... the food the culture. Hopefully going there next year with my Dad on a Father, Daughter jaunt. 3. If you had a million do...

9 of 9 with Karina Hailwood of Martinborough Village

My 4 children Kayleigh (24), Madi (21), Lola (7) and wee Poppy (5)....

9 of 9 with Daniel Phillips

Becoming the vineyard manager at Luna Estate ...

9 of 9 with Michelle Hight

My 3 beautiful children are all strong minded and independent beings each with their own individual spirit....

9 of 9 with Shawn Brown from Muirlea Rise

My Daughter Rachel...

9 of 9 with Lisa Coney from Coney Wines

Three healthy, happy children....

Summer Pix Competition 2018

Thank you so much to everyone who entered, without you this wouldnt happen!   It was a great turnout last night - wow!  Thank you so much to the Judges, Karen Gordy, Lance Redgwell, Fiona Couchman and Auriga Martin - They had a hard job but got there in the end!  Took them a couple of hours, had dinner (Thank you Fiona - Lamb Roast) then another two hours and a couple of bottles of wine later... presto we have our winners!  Their selections were fair and had no names or votes...

9 of 9 with Baptist Sieber - Colombo Winemakers

Having morals and standing by them, no matter the consequences....

9 of 9 with Rachel Priestley - Prodigal Daughter

Mastering the art of cured meats....

9 of 9 with Kurt Portas - Palliser Ridge

Buying a piece of land in Pirinoa....

9 of 9 with Jackie Woodhams from Micro Wine Bar

Making Micro a friendly local bar and managing to work with my husband 24/7 and still both have a sense of humour....

9 of 9 with Shelley Siemonek

Owning my own business. Has had many ups and downs but after 12 years, I am very content and I guess proud of what I have achieved. It is good to provide as such a service to Martinborough. I have met a lot of great people....

Bloomin' Lou does it again!

Just be one thing Oh the irony of me uttering the phrase ' just be one thing '. At this time of year we're all in serious debt to the sleep bank, Christmas, end of year at school, retail in overdrive - all of which conspire to make us... fairly foul.  At best. Driving over the hill to deliver Bloomin' Lou bunches to city folk (cue banjo strumming) gives me quite a bit of head space to ponder and self-reflect. These are not necessarily constructive actions. Too much of those and one tends to...