Really? All I can think about is trying to relax while my, generally well-behaved, sproglets run in, out and around the house over the summer holidays. With school…
Back in the spring when the garden was still mostly an idea and good intentions, seeds, pots and a good quality seed raising mix were gathered together. Some…
Over the last few months I have been fortunate to try out some new exercise equipment all with different fitness benefits.
“Creativity” – what comes to mind? Inner dialogue such as “I don’t have time for creativity,” or “my kids have time for creativity but I don’t, I have…
Permanently bored people are a bit terrifying. Not, as many may fear, because they might cause trouble of some sort. But because someone, somewhere along the line, has…
These raw cake pops are seriously impressive and are a treat that is guilt-free and surprisingly good for you! Containing no processed sugar, gluten and dairy, they are…
New Year is usually a mix of celebrations, well wishes and New Year’s resolutions. New Year’s resolutions are typically something like: “I want to lose weight”,” I want…
Do you keep hearing the kids and teens talking about “Geocaching,” but don’t really know what it’s about? Or wonder why they think it’s so cool?
I thought I was dumb. That university and a ‘dream job’ with a salary was for other people but not for me. Until I learned about Mahatma Gandhi. A peaceful man…
In this early thirties, Stephen Fry – writer, comedian, star of stage and screen – had, as they say, ‘made it’. Much loved in A Bit of Fry…
Little Poppets is your quality pre-loved children’s clothing store, stocking from Maternity clothing, right through to 14 years. Little Poppets collect top-quality children’s clothing from reputable brands and…
Come and explore New Zealand’s seafaring history at the Maritime Museum on Auckland’s waterfront. You can try your hand at yacht design, hear the cannon fire, and test…
Postie’s adorable new range of children’s dancewear has arrived. Get your kids excited about exercise with Postie’s sweet leotards, skirts and dance pants. Win one of 3 $50…
Family Holidays Made Easy at CQ! CQ Hotels Wellington has excellent facilities well suited to families and is located in close proximately to many family-friendly Wellington attractions. The…
Be one of the first in the country to use a more environmentally friendly liquid laundry pod, courtesy of Earthwise. Natural, kind on clothes but powerful enough to…
Mustela New Zealand is giving Kiwi Families the chance to win three packs, each containing a Mustela High Protection Sunscreen RRP$ 39.99 and a HydraBebe Body Lotion RRP$24.99. A…
Win one of five DVD copies of The BoxTrolls The BoxTrolls are monsters who live underneath the charming streets of Cheesebridge, who crawl out of the sewers at…
Win one of five DVD bundles including both Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Renegade Rampage The city needs heroes. Darkness has settled over New…
How to make really good coffee is a book for coffee lovers who want to know more and make even better coffee. It gives a brief outline of how…
In Journey to a Hanging, Peter Wells writes about two key hangings in New Zealand history – those of Carl Sylvius Völkner and Kereopa Te Rau, in the…
Stand By Me is all in the sub-title really: “Helping Your Teens Through Tough Times”. Co-written by John Kirwan (former All Black turned poster-boy for depression awareness) and clinical…
Reading Eggs is the multi-award winning online reading programme that has launched the reading journey for over 3.4 million children worldwide. The programme progresses at your child’s pace…
Specsavers is encouraging parents to put an eye exam on their back to school checklist with its nationwide ‘Kids Go Free’ campaign. For the whole month of January…
Alligator in an Anorak is a classic alphabet book with a twist – each letter features an animal in something wacky!
Cooper Bartholomew is Dead is an expertly woven thriller that is a suspenseful and gripping read, where supposed friendships are tested, deep seated secrets come to light and…
NZ Nutrition expert and TV personality Claire Turnbull has written ‘the ultimate guide to feeling good and looking fabulous’. This book contains all that you need to know…
NZ interior design queen LeeAnn Yare together with photographer Larnie Nicholson have compiled room ideas for every area of your house in Rooms To Love. With 238 pages…
Convoconnect is a NZ based online language tuition website. Simply sign up for free, book a lesson, and take the private lesson online from the comfort of your…
Is your 2-6 year old learning their months? Do you want them to learn them by seasons we experience in New Zealand? Then you might find this little…
Fast is the very popular The Food Truck chef Michael Van De Elzen’s book that’s all about cooking for family and friends.
Lucy Wallrock featured in Australian Masterchef 2013 and was hailed as ‘The Dessert Queen’. She has produced her first baking book, Simply Sweet, to encourage the inner baker…
What makes spending time with family even better? Sharing great food of course! LISA’S makes entertaining a breeze with their mouth-watering range of dips and hummus. To celebrate…
Moonman has often wondered what the glowing blue globe is that he can see from his home on the moon. But when he hitches a ride on a passing…
At the Beach: explore and discover the New Zealand seashore is a wonderfully illustrated book perfect for families who want to get more out of their time at…
Elliot and Emma-Jane Rose have a knack for finding things, and right now they are HOT on the trail of something very…B I G and very…H A I…
Find a great collection of Māori art projects for kids that you can do in your whare (home) with your tamariki (children). You’ll love these awesome Māori-inspired projects,…
On the very first Christmas Eve, so the story goes, the animals were given a very special gift to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Since then, at midnight…
Funny Girl is the latest novel from Nick Hornby. It’s the swinging 60s and England is mesmerized by unlikely comedy star Sophie Straw, the former Blackpool beauty queen…
The Children Act by Ian McEwan is a peep into the way the justice system works. It deals with England’s 1989 Children Act, which placed the welfare of…
Hot, fresh, homemade donuts? Ah, yes please! The Sweet Treats Donut Maker creates crispy, fresh, utterly delectable donuts so easily, then you can top them with your favourite…
The cover photo says it all, really. A gorgeous chocolate layer cake piled with berries, being given its finishing touches by a smiling Jo Seagar. In a brief…
Win a family pass to the KIDS FAIR event, held on January 17/18th at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland. A fun filled weekend event for all the family.…
Rainbow Springs is truly an attraction like no other in the world. Set in 22 acres of beautiful native trees and streams we are home to a huge…
Popular children’s author Michael Morpurgo brings an original take on the Pinocchio tale by telling it in the first person. It’s a chunky little book at 266 pages,…
Learn numbers – from one to one million! – with amazing art and objects from Te Papa, and fun rhyming text in this gorgeous board book. There are…
“The reason why death had such a hold on Tsukuru Tazaki was clear. One day his four closest friends, the friends he’d known for a long time, announced…
Susan Greenfield is a British neuroscientist who has presented to the House of Lords. In Mind Change, she discusses research and her concerns about what changes technology might…
The Winery Tour is proud to be back for 2015, headlined by the iconic Dave Dobbyn & Don McGlashan, performing together, followed by the legendary Supergroove and Queen…
Night Sky Watcher is a slim yet substantial 120 pages, this book comes inside a plastic case with an eye-catching silver zipped edge. It covers stars, planets, constellations,…
Sarah O’Neil (Sarah the Gardener) who wrote The Good Life, is back with her second title to motivate Kiwi gardeners – Play in the Garden. With 120 pages…
Food is a big part of our culture and traditions in New Zealand. It can be as simple as meeting up with a friend for coffee to the…
We’re heading into the Christmas / Chanukah Holiday “Silly” Season. It’s also the time of the summer solstice, when the southern hemisphere has turned its belly up towards…
I don’t know whether it’s cliché or a snippet out of a self-help seminar welcome packet, but lately every day feels like a celebration.
I remember a tale I heard years ago that has really stuck with me. It was about a two friends clearing away the possessions of an elderly mother…
Moving to a new school is hard for any kid, but it’s especially tough for students with learning and behaviour needs and we, as parents, need to be…
Yay! Advent is my favourite season in the church calendar, and it’s here! I love to celebrate Advent and so I’ve put together 11 great ways to celebrate…
Over the next couple of months, we’ll be looking at how some great kiwi families celebrate and the first family is the McAllister family. I find large families…
As a child growing up we just simply could not wait for the day when we got home from school to find our Mother had put up the…
I’ve just returned from a three-day fitness conference in Auckland. It’s always good to find out new information and have your own thoughts challenged. One particular speaker struck…
I’m very excited to write about this topic this month because I actually have a couple of recent events that I can share with you which I believe…
We love celebrating in our house, by saying woohoo to the big things and finding reasons to celebrate the little and weird things too. Being a single parent family,…
I can still remember the anticipation and excitement as the weather warmed, the days got longer and Christmas decorations and music started to appear in the shops at…
I have a huge awareness at the moment that loads of people are struggling with having a positive spirit. I recently lost someone very close to me due…
It’s that time of year again, come around before we even had time to say “Ho, ho, ho.” (Or “humbug,” depending on our attitude…).
Struggling for gift ideas? The new NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Jovia beverage machine is the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life. NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® beverage machines…
The little extras that make a difference: Some of the best Christmas gifts come in the smallest packages. To help stuff those Christmas stockings Postie have rounded up…
Baby Banz NZ has six pairs of fabulous sunglasses to give away – all for your kids! We know how uncomfortable – and damaging – bright sun in…
Every mother knows there’s nothing better for your baby than homemade, wholesome and natural food prepared in your own kitchen but actually finding the time to do that…
Jet Park Hotel is a family friendly 4-star plus hotel near Auckland Airport offering free 24 hour shuttle transfers, 14 days free car storage, and an award winning…
Win one of five copies of How to Train Your Dragon 2 The thrilling second chapter of the epic How To Train Your Dragon trilogy brings back the…
Walter and Flutter is a unique and fun rhyming tale of two friends who travel to Mt Cook. Despite their mishaps along the way, Walter always looks on…
WIN Frozen 60pc Boxed Puzzle. A boxed series for all frozen fanatics! Join your favourite Frozen characters as they battle the elements in a rave to save the…
Global travel authority Lonely Planet has two prize packs featuring from its new “Lonely Planet Kids” series of books to giveaway. Kids aged eight and over will discover…
Unwrap A Wondrous Adventure! Deck the halls and ring in the season! It may be the coldest day of winter, but it’s also the warmest, merriest adventure ever…
Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo. The Park is located within 15 minutes drive of Christchurch airport. Visitors can take part in a variety…
Winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2011, Jo Wheatley has released her second cook book: Home Baking. Jam-packed with both sweet and savoury recipes, Home Baking…
Say hello to good times this summer with Goodbye! Christmas presents and stocking stuffers sorted with 12 of the cutest and most useful tins around. Goodbye Ouch is awesomely…
Everyone loves toasty toes and if you know someone who love a pair of gorgeous moccasins from Canterbury Leather, then this is the Christmas cracker giveaway for you! Worth…
The Baby Bjorn Active is a fantastic baby carrier when your out and about or even trying to settle your little one at home. It has great back…
Keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays with this fun activity pack. Time to get crafty, wordy, reading, puzzling and, eating chocolate! Enjoy and have a happy…
Perfect for an indulgent treat this Christmas, BeeBio is a unique, premium range of skincare products that produce amazing results (even the scientists agree). Three years in development,…
Keep your children busy burning up energy this summer as they race down a hill or around the park with their friends on their Mocka Box Cart. The…
This summer, Goldair has a whole range of colourful kitchen appliances to spice up your benchtop! Whether you’re preparing a holiday feast, whipping up healthy summer breakfasts, or…
SleepDrops would like to help one amazing kiwi family with a full SleepDrops family pack valued at $230.00. The fantastic “you won’t believe it’s really your family” pack…
If you know a foodie, we’ve got the most amazing Christmas pack for them. We’ve got one pack from Danny’s, Crozier’s and Queen’s to giveaway, containing: 1 x…
Give skin an intense boost of hydration with the Neutrogena® Hydro Boost™ range. Formulated with highly purified Hyaluronic Acid, the range plumps up the skin while an innovative…
Pamper yourself with freshly painted nails with this fabulous pack from FABY. Brand new to our shores, FABY brings an extensive range of nail polishes and treatments direct…
Locks looking a little more ragged than ravishing? Fret not, Schwarzkopf Professional’s BC Fibre Force Range will have you in tip-top shape in no time. BC Fibre Force…
You’ll finds some of the best gifts in NZ at FUNKYGIFTS.co.nz! Now if you’re unfamiliar with FunkyGifts.co.nz, the massive range and scope of its treasures might come as a…
Want some original, stylish and inexpensive projects to make for your children’s rooms? Want to get creative (and a bit messy!) with your kids? Home Made Simple with…
Lego’s 2015 annual is a mix of a broad range of puzzles along with short comic stories. Each of the 59 pages is glossy, with high quality images…
The silly season is gearing up for another whirlwind of celebratory parties, parades, fairs, shows, and music. ‘Tis the season for overindulgence, letting your hair down, and being…
Alistair Wise and Teena Kearney-Wise grew up and completed their pastry and bakery apprenticeship in Hobart before heading off for cooking adventures. They have a love of things…
My son had severe eczema spots at 6 months old that were constantly oozing and bleeding, we tried a lot of steroid creams and lotions – most of…
Treat your little ones to a Santa experience they will never forget at Snowplanet. This Christmas Santa and his elves will be staying in a Magic Castle amongst…
If you read our recent post from Esther Te Aotonga, you’re were probably as fascinated as we were with the way that the Te Aotonga family organises their lives…
While the old saying says you shouldn’t judge a book by a cover, We Were Liars by E Lockart looked like it would be a fantastic book. And…
Angie Dennis is a New Zealand artist with a passion for native flora and fauna. In The Adventures of Walter Weta and Flutter the Fantail, Dennis explores new…
When it comes to cleaning, effective and affordable household products are crucial. Dot’s Disinfectant Spray is a multipurpose product that can be used as an air freshener or…
To celebrate the upcoming release of Disney’s Disney’s ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY on December 4, Walt Disney Studios has 10 x prize…