Good—simple choices for a better life

Good start

8 Editorial

Francesca Price on joining in

24 Going up

The good, the bad and the ugly

25 Bottles vs cans

Good choice: Unlike plastic, aluminium and glass can be recycled again and again and again, with no loss of quality. So, which should you drink your beer from?

25 The global food crisis

Convenient truths about: Since 2005, the price of many staple foods has surged. The cost of maize increased over 80%, milk powder by 90%, wheat by 70% and rice by about 25%

26 Love hummus, hate plastic?

Good question: We find solutions to your dip dilemma. Plus: our advertising policy explained

30 Good reads

Good reads: Four books for adults, two for kids, a magazine and a movie

32 Carbon vignette

Eco-worrier: Emily Perkins offsets her carbon by braving a talk on peak oil

33 Town and country

Business: We’re here, we care; farmers, get used to it. Rod Oram takes on the town and country divide

35 Smoke gets in my eyes

Good housekeeping: Reader’s cleaning tips; vinegar and baking soda not included

37 Who's got the power?

The green room: Nandor Tanczos, Member of Parliament for nine years, tells us why he entered politics, why he left and how we can make a difference

38 Rhys Darby

My green journey: Comedian Rhys Darby reveals his true colours

40 Radio DJ

Local heroes: Sam Tucker, animal rights activist

41 Hunter

Local heroes: Herta Jakle, possum hunter

Features

42 A-Z of eco-renovating

From allergy prevention to zero waste, we help you through your 21st-century home renovation. Make sure your home ends up healthier and comfier after your do-up: start here

56 The real dirt on dairy farms

Surprise! It’s not all bad. Dave Hansford talks to farmers up and down the country who are determined to get sustainability right

64 Baxter basics

Seed saviour Kay Baxter founded the Koanga Institute, beloved by Kiwi gardeners for reviving New Zealand’s almost-lost food plants. Francesca Price heads east to meet a 60s chick who is still trying to change the world

70 Black gold of the sun

Six bedrooms, three bathrooms and an infinity pool—living off the power grid doesn’t have to mean losing your luxuries. Annabel McAleer heads to Takou Bay, where the Far North sun really is all you need to get by

The goods

77 Love it, keep it

Style: Furniture designer Tim Wigmore on loving stuff

82 The Italian stallion

Food: Broccoli, the Italian stallion of health and taste

85 Well preserved

Food: The almost forgotten art of chutney, jam and jelly is being rediscovered. Francesca Price meets two women who found that domesticity wasn’t such a chore, after all

86 Well preserved

Food: You’ll no doubt know a citrus tree groaning under the weight of its currently ripe fruit. Don’t let good grapefruits and oranges rot into the ground. Grab an armful or two and turn them into a delicious preserve

88 Diary of a veggie garden

Garden: A DIY veggie garden for the whole family, from the ground up—literally

93 Planetary pension plans

Consumer guide: Kiwisaver: do you know where your money goes?

94 Ethical Kiwisaver picks

Consumer guide: Kiwisaver: Do you know where your money goes?

96 Fair 'n' square

Business: Trading fair is trading fast. Plus: 12 tips from Trade Aid’s Vi Cottrell

99 Meet you on the web

Technology: Videoconferencing: when business travel feels like home

101 Twist and go

Transport: Forget petrol. Dump diesel. Think electric scooter

102 Get on the good foot

Health: Sit back, put your feet up and relax for reflexology

105 Powder to the people

Travel: Catch the snow while it lasts, at club fields around eco-chic Christchurch

106 Eco-chic ... Christchurch

Travel: Eco-chic in the garden city

108 We are mothers, hear us roar

Family: Eco-mums take on the world

110 Spring is here

Family: Spring activities for your kids

Good bits

111 Talk politics

Action: Who does your local MP represent? You! Don't wait for a national election to let a cabinet minister or your local MP know what’s on your mind

112 Te Rawhitiroa Bosch

The good life: Enviroschools leader