This fortnight I chatted with Su Jorgensen, hairstylist of Sukha Organic Hairdressing, at 95 Leaver Terrace North New Brighton, the first hair salon I have been to where I have felt 100 percent relaxed. You'll find her tucked away in a quiet pocket of beautiful, alternative East Christchurch. Upon entry, you'll find it's like stepping into another world.

This fortnight I drop into Bonobo Cafe in Sumner for an outstanding lunch; the delicious Bononbo burger (top billing) and a chat with owners Dean and Annelies about their vegan journey, the venture, and the long-term vision to open an animal sanctuary on the Banks Peninsula.

This fortnight I chat with Alice Shopland whose passion for producing vegan cheeses here on New Zealand soil grew from an evolving perspective on environmental justice and the desire to achieve more mainstream activism. Since 2016 her business has continued to flourish, and her products are now offered as a mainstream add-on in New Zealand fast food outlets Zambrero, Hell Pizza, and Lord of The Fries.

Join me for this fortnight's edition of A Vegan Lounge, where I drop in for a chat with Steve Bush, Manager of Trees for Canterbury, an organization behind Christchurch's subsequent regeneration following the Canterbury quakes and Port Hills Fires. Trees for Canterbury provides a unique service by running a nursery open to the public for the purchase of native trees, planting activities, a social and skill-based network, training, and education on the importance of native trees.

Join me for this fortnights edition of A Vegan Lounge where i talk to Paul Ferguson of the Christchurch Vegan Society who organises and oversees the smooth running of events on behalf of CVS including the monthly night market. Paul offers a male perspective on veganism and together we traverse those counter productive and pervading gender norms which correlate masculinity with meat consumption.

This fortnight I chat to Christchurch vegan soap maker Anna the woman behind the brand Panna Soaps. Originally for Hungary, Anna has forged a successful business in the beauty industry right here in the garden city. Eliminating GMO and palm oil from her range has been the driver in the product development space so you can rest assured her range of shampoo, conditioner, lip balms and soaps are as close to nature as you can get.

Tune in as I chat with Alison Vaughan, a Scientific Officer from the SPCA about challenges facing at risk and vulnerable animals in New Zealand. How you can help these animals with a brief respite or a forever home and the knock on effects of more compact and intensified living spaces for pet owners.

Raising vegan children is a topic that is always up for debate. The media narrative focuses on those instances of children found in poor health with nutritional deficiencies. With so much negativity surrounding vegan lifestyles it is important showcase healthy examples of vegan parents who have got it right. Mel and Darren Patterson have lived the vegan lifestyle for over 25 years and have raised to very active and healthy teenage boys as vegans from birth.

Enlightening discussion with Andrew Horsbrugh owner/operator of Tunlaw Walnut Farm in Canterbury and board member of the Walnuts NZ Co-operative. Join me as Andrew discusses his 45 hectare orchard in West Melton, sustainability for the Canterbury Plains and the future growth market for the product.

Tara Jackson Executive Director of the New Zealand Antivivisection Society and founder of social media platform A Guide To Vegan drops in to chat about the charities work here in Aotearoa; helping to dispel misconceptions about the purpose of animal testing and enlighten listeners further on the limited successes of the animal model to treat human conditions.