Kelly Bertrand from Capsule Magazine takes a trip to North Canterbury and can’t believe what she finds! We all know that New Zealand’s wine scene is absolutely world-class, and as an, err, enthusiast of trying all the different regions out, I’d like to think I’m somewhat of an expert. That’s expert in rocking up at a cellar door, not wine – just to be clear. Formerly known as the...
When it comes to lodges we have some world leaders, writes Ewan McDonald. We thought we'd set the bar pretty high when we decided to profile "some of New Zealand's greatest luxury lodges and what makes them so special". Perhaps we didn't realise how many high-end lodgings you can find in and around Aotearoa. So we decided to focus on the best of the best. Some centres have more than their share of...
The Rakaia River is calling my name: it's hot inside the car. From my window, I see a line of jet boats skimming across the river's metallic-green surface. A family have gathered at the river's edge for a picnic. I want to do that, too. But we must press on. Our goal is to drive to the Waipara Valley, taking in a chunk of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route, one of the country's newest touring routes. We'll...
For a life-enhancing experience unlike any other, New Zealand now offers a off-grid sanctuary retreat that will leave visitors spellbound. Tucked away in secluded pockets of paradise, a PurePod is much more just than a special place to stay. Imagine an abode so still and beautiful, where it’s quiet, private and spacious enough to tune into your own rhythms and desires. Picture too,...
By Alastair Paulin, Avenues Magazine Leave the trappings of civilisation behind, relax and drink wine – that's the mantra at Canterbury's latest glass pod in the Waipara Valley. We left the city behind, we left the kids behind, and – as it was midweek – we even left work behind. But it was not enough. We left the car behind and hiked the final half kilometre to the PurePod bach at Greystone...
For those hoping to escape the chaos and construction of Christchurch, Waipara offers ample opportunities for solace. A relatively new wine region, Waipara’s microclimate produces some of New Zealand’s best wine and food. After a particularly busy week, Nick and I were ready to spend quality time doing nothing, and where better than at a PurePod? If you haven’t yet heard of the PurePod concept,...