Southern Stories

How easy is it to run a business when its surrounded by empty lots and construction work ? Katy Gosset paid a visit to find out. Audio

It's a steep climb from Riwaka to the top of Takaka Hill, and an even steeper climb from Golden Bay. But at the top of the hill popularly known as Marble Mountain, is Canaan Downs - a magical spot… Read more Audio

Sage Forest is in the thick of wine-land - the Wairau Valley, at the last block of grapes to be harvested by Patriarch Wines, with vineyard manager Hudson Steele. Audio

Katy Gosset pays a final visit to QEII park - once an emblem of the city but like so many other prominent buildings is now destined for demolition. The stadium, home to the 1974 Commonwealth Games… Read more Audio

We get the buzz on the business of leasing beehives - in Picton with Sage Forest. Audio

Katy Gosset reports on Christchurch residents who are struggling to make ends meet. How much do you spend on your grocery bill and could you make do on just forty dollars a week? Katy Gosset visits… Read more Audio

David Musgrave describes himself as a mad scientist. He has a degree in agriculture and over a dozen years' experience as a research scientist. But his motivation to get into the flax-seed oil… Read more Audio

While most people are asleep at 5am in Christchurch, the city's florists and wholesalers are already hard at it, bidding for the best blooms. The industry has struggled after the earthquakes, but Katy… Read more Audio

It's the roar - a busy time for taxidermists. Sage Forest visits three brothers continuing their father's legacy: his passion for hunting and taxidermy, at GD O'Rourke and Sons in Pleasant Point. Audio

Our Christchurch correspondent, Katy Gosset takes us on a musical journey with the help of one of the city's longest serving pianists. For 23 years Peter Lewis played the piano in the Crowne Plaza… Read more Audio

Sage Forest takes us to Erewhon Station, 35,000 stunning acres at the headwaters of the Rangitata River, country so beautiful it featured in the second Lord of the Rings movie. Audio

Our Christchurch correspondent Katy Gosset visits the Richmond Working Men's Club Pigeon division, to share their anxious wait for the birds' return. Audio

Hakatere Conservation Park is one of our largest - 60,000 hectares of mountain, tussock, rivers and lakes between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers in South Canterbury. In 2007 the Department of… Read more Audio

Sanjay Patel runs a dairy and spice emporium in Christchurch, and is understandably passionate about nuts and spices. But visitors may get more than they've bargained for, as Sanjay often converts his… Read more Audio

Sage Forest visits some of the folk who lost homes and gardens in the December 2011 storms in Golden Bay. Audio

Katy Gosset visits a local business that's got the world talking - in more ways than one. Rocket Languages offers on-line courses in everything from French to Hindi. And, despite a year of upheaval… Read more Audio

Bought as a houseboat, the 'Physalie' is now a successful cafe moored at Port Tarakohe. Seahorses and stingrays like to visit as well as tourists, and the boat has an interesting history as South… Read more Audio

As the anniversary of February's devastating earthquake approaches, we revisit one area that's seen buildings come down and people forced from their homes. Audio

We travel back in time with the Southron Gaard of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Audio

Katy Gosset pays a fresh visit to the central city Red Zone where demolition work has been underway throughout the holiday period. Audio