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Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Field of a soldier's dreams
Like many in Ōtepoti Dunedin, I'm finally coming up for air after a whirlwind season celebrating Matariki and the Māori New Year. Or more truthfully, I'm curled up on the couch in front of the fire...
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Comforting food for winter
A pot of pumpkin soup is simmering away on the stove as I write this. The comfort of a pot of soup or a stew cooking away goes a long way as winter hits. Our columnists certainly think so, with plenty of inspiration for slow cooks and comfort food to cheer us up as the temperatures drop. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Jo Elwin enjoys cooking with proceeds from local hunters so has shared a great tasty venison stew and goat curry. She also solves the problem of what to serve alongside such hearty casseroles with a kale salad to cut through the richness. If you are planning a Matariki gathering, Alison Lambert has put together a perfect sharing menu including a seafood chowder and a slow-cooker hāngī with a serving of fry bread on the side. For those with a sweet tooth, winter puds are a joy and Sam Sinclair's sticky ginger steamed pud will hit the spot. We have also pulled together a few baking recipes with a distinctly Kiwi flavour from some top New Zealand cooks including a couple featuring kūmera, a traditional vegetable to highlight during Matariki. As winter progresses it can start to get hard to keep positive and when a holiday in the sun is not possible, food is a great way to cheer yourself up and Melanie Jenkins and Jo Wilcox's Take Me to Spain does just that. It brings the sunshine and Mediterranean flavours right to your table. Meanwhile, our wine writer Mark Henderson looks at the increasing popularity of Central Otago chardonnay with wines that will suit both heavy and light dishes. Keep warm and happy. Rebecca Fox Lifestyle editor
Otago Daily Times
04-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Light show back for Matariki event
Ōtepoti Dunedin is set to sparkle for Matariki once more, as the drone light show returns as part of a celebration of Māori culture, reflection and renewal. The free community event will take place from 3pm to 9pm on June 21 at Logan Park. It will feature two drone light shows, weaving art and storytelling. Enterprise Dunedin event producer Allison Wallace said the festival reflected the city's commitment to higher-quality, accessible events that celebrated local culture and brought communities together. "In response to feedback and the popularity of last year's drone show event, which saw 15,000 people there, we have extended the event footprint across Logan Park and have a large food truck and dining area. "We have an earlier drone show for our younger audiences at 6pm, followed by a later show for our teens and adults at 8.30pm. Drones light up the sky at last year's Matariki celebrations at Logan Park. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN "We're excited to announce our headline act as 1 Drop Nation, one of Aotearoa's must-see acts, whose music is a unique blend of roots, rock, funk and reggae." Meanwhile, Ōtepoti Dunedin is preparing to welcome the Māori New Year with the Puaka Matariki Festival — a month-long celebration of renewal, reflection and connection. The festival, now in its 15th year in Ōtepoti, runs from June 14 to July 12. The programme includes 26 events across Ōtepoti Dunedin, from a traditional hautapu ceremony, to the sharing of kai and kapa haka performances along with the return of the festival's drone show. Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, of Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou, said as a community, people had been celebrating both Puaka and Matariki for many years. Enterprise Dunedin Destination Manager Sian Sutton said the upcoming programme of events across the city was a chance to deepen our connection to te ao Māori. "Puaka Matariki is a uniquely powerful time of reflection and unity. "We're thrilled to bring this to life for our city and we're particularly excited by the collaborative process with mana whenua to ensure the event is culturally appropriate and reflective of Matariki values." — APL
