Coromind

In this feature, Gaylene Lonergan shares her love of colour, storytelling, and silk painting. Working with dyes and gutta on silk, she creates vibrant, whimsical works inspired by coastal life at Opito Bay, travel, and everyday moments of joy. A celebration of creativity, imagination, and the simple pleasure of art that makes people smile.

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The KAURI 2000 project had its humble beginnings, more than 25 years ago, with a scattering of kauri seedlings in the Kūaotunu garden of Cliff Heraud. As Cliff contemplated what to do with these baby kauri, the ‘seed’ of an idea came about.

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Voting isn’t just for older generations. Gabriel Johnston encourages young New Zealanders to get informed, enrol, and have their say. A timely reminder that the decisions made in Parliament today help shape the future we all live in tomorrow.

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In this thoughtful reflection from Wāhi Tukurua, a pile of donated clothing becomes the starting point for a bigger conversation about waste, abundance, and the choices we make. Inspired by the spirit of Matariki, this piece invites us to consider not just what we throw away, but what we choose to bring into our lives.

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Cuppa Words is a space dedicated to expression. In this edition: KUPU by WORDsmith and Sir Barren Church by Paul Cate

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Charlene Scott shares a personal reflection on clay, creativity, and connection to Papatūānuku. She speaks about her journey into ceramics, the influence of motherhood, myth, and the feminine form, and how working with earth-based materials has reshaped her practice. A quiet, grounded piece about art, land, and returning to creative purpose.

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Proud to be Local is our inspirational feature, highlighting homegrown Coromandel Peninsula folks doing wonderful things out in the world. In this edition, Clinton Edward. Brought to you by Rob Holding.

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In this reflective instalment of Ross’ Ramblings, Ross Liggins explores the blurred line between habit and addiction. From a lifelong “addiction” to surfing, to reflections on alcohol, relationships, and modern digital dependence, he asks what we really mean when we use the word addiction, and how context shapes its impact on our lives.

Honest, personal, and at times confronting, this piece moves between humour and hard truth, offering a lived perspective on behaviour, consequence, and self-awareness.

Written and narrated by Ross Liggins.

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A heartfelt journey back to India, this story follows Niharika “Nira” Giri as she returns to her ancestral village in Bihar to celebrate her Dhadhi Ma’s 100th birthday. Blending memory, whakapapa, and family tradition, she reflects on migration, cultural rituals, and the meaning of whānau across generations. From Delhi to Gopalganj, and from shared meals to a gathering of thousands, this is a story of roots, love, and coming home.

Written and Narrated by Niharika Giri

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Inspired by a school mural and a lifelong love of fairy art, Emma Evangeline reimagines Aotearoa’s medicinal plants as magical beings. This enchanting article explores the stories, healing properties, and cultural significance of native plants through the lens of rongoā Māori, inviting us to reconnect with the living world growing all around us.

Written by Emma Evangeline. Narrated by Lana Garland.

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