Nicole Barratt started her career in news journalism, working for one of New Zealand’s leading newspapers. Post her news stint, she freelanced for outlets including The Sunday Star Times and NZ Life & Leisure Magazine. More recently, she’s applied her research and writing skills to the world of finance for Canstar.
Posted by May 5th 2021
Life would be hard without the all the appliances and gadgets that make our modern lifestyles such as breeze. From kitchen basics, like cookers, fridges and dishwashers, to laundry essentials and heat pumps, our homes …
Posted by May 25th 2021
Netflix Netflix is no newcomer in New Zealand, but the popular streaming service continuously adds new shows and movies to its platform. Netflix has built a reputation for creating entertaining originals, too, which keep fans hooked. …
Posted by April 19th 2021
Now that the clocks have gone back and the days are getting noticeably shorter, it's a sure sign that colder weather on its way. But before winter sets in, it pays to do an annual …
Posted by April 7th 2021
Dehumidifiers are relatively cheap to run, easy to use, and can save you plenty of discomfort. They’re not just for winter months, either. Throughout the year, a dehumidifier can tackle mould and damp by ridding …
Posted by March 30th 2021
Here in Aotearoa the production and sale of alcohol is a multi-billion dollar industry. According to figures from Statistics New Zealand, 495m litres of alcoholic drinks were available for domestic consumption in 2020. As a …
Posted by March 24th 2021
Summer is drawing to a close across NZ and autumn days are setting in. Farewell sunscreen and togs. Hello woolly sweaters and hot chocolate. But with cosiness and warmth comes a noticeable increase in power …
Posted by March 16th 2021
Government stats show a third of New Zealand homes are too cold in winter. As part of a year-long survey, Stats NZ took temperature measurements in approximately 6700 homes. The top concern was that in …
Posted by March 12th 2021
Has the time come to finally update that gorgeous '70s linoleum in the kitchen? Like windows and a front door, flooring's a universal and essential part of any home. And whether you’re after smooth wooden …
Posted by March 11th 2021
Author: Dean Heckscher Cooking in an oven should be a breeze. Most oven dishes need only minimum attention, leaving you time to get on with life. But despite carefully written recipes, ideal cooking temperatures can vary, …
Posted by March 5th 2021
If you’ve ever spent hours in the sun painting your home, you'll know the feeling of satisfaction that comes with finally putting down the brush, stepping back and admiring the result. Yes, you could pay …