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Who lived there?
By Nicola McCloy
The stories behind historic New Zealand buildings.
This collection of stories gathered from across the length and breadth of New Zealand could easily have been called “If only these walls could talk”. The author Nicola McCloy has dug deep into NZ’s history to record the people and events that make some of our most iconic buildings, as well as many lesser-known structures, more than just bricks and mortar.
Her stories include both public and private buildings, ranging from a sparsely furnished hunter’s hut on a remote station in the South Island to the warm and homely Brian Watkins House in Tauranga and the landmark Pompallier Mission in Russell.
The only local entry is Couldrey House at Wenderholm where readers meet Annabella Mary Geddes, known as Mary. The kauri home, built by Waiwera Springs founder Robert Graham, was originally called Wenderholm, which is Swedish for ‘winter home’. The Couldrey family was the last owner before the Auckland Regional Authority bought the land for a regional park – the first regional park in Auckland.
The buildings are far from all domestic. There are stories about the construction of the impressive Mangahao Power Station near Whanganui, a fire engine house in Nelson and the Cass railway station between Christchurch and Greymouth
Shed Couture
By Peta Mathias
A passion for fashion
While Peta Mathias is better known as a chef, author, entertainer and broadcaster, who writes about food and travel and hosts gastronomic tours, she is also an avid fashionista. She brings her passion for fashion to the fore in her latest book Shed Couture, where she shares style ideas for all shapes, sizes and ages. The book is a fun read as she rediscovers clothes, shoes and accessories bought over her lifetime and stored in her shed. Many have a story of their own to tell and readers also get to visit Paris and New York where food and fashion intermingle. Not surprisingly, there are chapters on colour, mixing and matching, and fabrics but she also covers show fashion and sustainability and shopping and preserving clothes. In her own words, “Fashion is mysterious, irresistible and alluring … they are not just frocks – they are beauty, art, history, emotion, memory, identity and, above all, joy.” Approach this book with joy and you won’t be disappointed.
In the Company of Gardeners
By Juliet Nicholas & Sue Allison
Inspirational gardens & inspired gardeners of New Zealand
Judging by the skyrocketing sales at garden centres during the recent Covid lockdowns, gardens all over Auckland should be full of fruit and vegetables, and gorgeous shrubs and flowers. If these budding gardeners find themselves looking for inspiration or perhaps something more challenging, then In the Company of Gardeners is the perfect place to start. Or may be not! Perhaps these stunning gardens would be too intimidating.
From the dry plains of Cromwell to the historic far north, the 18 gardens featured in this collection represent the blood, sweat and tears of botanists, horticulturalists, food foresters and conservationists. As diverse as they might be, the gardens all reflect the love and care their creators have invested in them. Some hark back to English tradition, while others have embraced Aotearoa’s native flora, while others are a mix of both, but all designed to suit their climates and environments. Nicholas’ photographs are stunning and journalist Allison does a fine job of telling each garden’s story.
Book Giveaways
We have one copy of each of these books to give away. If you’d like to go into the draw, email editor@localmatters.co.nz with the tile of the book in the subject line. Closes January 26.
