Play Stuff

Brydie and Bryce McKenzie, toddler Maeve and Chief the dog have sold their house and taken to the road in a caravan.

Eva Smith got her first houseplant when she was 11 years old. Now, the teenager's growing collection has inspired others to start growing too.

Shannon Crombie from Whanganui shares her experience buying her first home.

'My family of six lives in a toolshed, use a bucket as a toilet and love it'

A secondary dwelling on a Coatesville property is almost up to "Passive House" standard, but is more affordable

John and Kate Coe's sprawling estate near Queenstown is spectacular at any time of the year.

This 1979 build looks like something from Little House on the Prairie.

With only a handful of items and some milk, you can create a very cool and colourful effects to entertain your little ones. Teach them about colour and chemistry with this simple and fun experiment.

A one-bed flat in this block could give you panoramic views of the mountain and sea, all within walking distance of town.

A Lower Hutt villa is making way for more housing, but it's only shifting 11 metres.

Elaine Ferguson's compact cottage is a treasure trove of artworks and ceramics collected over a lifetime.

Amey Bell-Booth loves living close to family.

It can be tough to get your finances ready to impress the bank manager - here's some things which can help.

It's a rare offering - an original waterfront bach on a full site for sale in Mount Maunganui.

The idea of a glory box is pretty outdated, but what if we brought it back for renters?

The Block NZ: Redemption townhouses are taking shape in Orewa.

Friends, family and even animals are encouraged to stop by historic Glen Aros Estate near Hastings.

Special memories are tucked away amid the structure and simplicity of this Tauranga garden.

This little 60s built home has a charming, and hip secret.

These are the six stunning NZIA Wellington Housing Awards winners for 2022.

Life has been a roller coaster for this gardening Northland family.

Built in the 1890s, this Wellington home is crisp and modern without losing any of it's character and historical details.

Landscape architect Frank Boffa knew he wanted a unique garden, so he dug in.

You don't need expensive commercial cleaners to cut through the gunge on your stove, just use these items and add elbow grease.

Upstairs and downstairs - this huge home-and-income renovation project in Dunedin by Sophia Greene was a way to fund her eventual retirement.

Mike Rowe built this purpose-made drying cupboard in his home which can fit two loads and dry clothes within 12 hours.

Having enough wall space to display their extensive art collection was key for this couple’s Wellington relocation and renovation.

Jacob Leaf takes a log and turns it into a lamp. 

There were grand plans for this astonishing site overlooking Cheltenham beach in Devonport, Auckland, but now the owner is looking to sell.

With $6.3million to spend on a home you could have just about anything you want.

It may be a quiet housing market, but around 50 bids were received for this abandoned, rundown house in a prime parkside position in Remuera. It sold for $1.07 million.

This little cottage is across the road from Mornington Gold Course.

Make this stylish ply trestle table that's easy to transport and set up.

This cabin was built by its owners by hand. It took them 12 years to complete.

The beds are asleep for the winter and the fruit trees are losing their leaves - it's a peaceful, reflective space to relax in.

A great gardening partnership results in a pretty Nelson sanctuary.

Two Auckland architects have turned their backs on bland in their own family home.

There’s nothing coy about this bold Whitianga Waterways home.

Good instincts and taking a few risks paid off with this Wānaka house

This Bay of Plenty garden has a history of loving owners – meet its latest caretakers.

Inside Alexander Skarsgård's NYC apartment, on sale for US$2.6M

The family selling this classic Ian Burrows-designed 1970s house in Hillcrest, Auckland, have owned the property for 35 years.

Much celebrated architect John Sutherland is still going strong at 88, but a move to a retirement home means his modernist Auckland home is on the market.

Simon Slade mows his lawn in Mt Pleasant three times a week.

Catherine Marshall's childhood curiosity about the natural world has grown into an enduring passion for gardening that is evident in every carefully selected tree and shrub.

It was in OK condition when its owners bought it, but they had big dreams for turning it into a sweet home.

Suzi Stevens studied ceramics and jewellery – and ended up making models for King Kong for Wētā Workshop. But while she considers herself a maker, she’s happy to be representing other artists through her Nelson business, Red Art Gallery and Café.

Make this charming hanging basket for your plants with NZ Gardener's easy step-by-step guide.

Are you ready for Easter? Here are some baskets you can make to put your eggs in.

It needs a little tlc, but there's room to expand, pul up a caravan or pitch a tent at this classic Kiwi bach.

This 1910 bungalow in Dunedin has been extensively restored, and would make an ideal first home.

You can walk home from the races, or a show, and stroll to the park for a picnic under the trees.

There's nothing quite like it - Earnscleugh Station Homestead is a Category 1 heritage-listed property for sale near Clyde.

Each pollinator faces a challenge as they navigate the vast diversity in flower architecture.

You could live the Good Lion this lifestyle block just 17 minutes for Wellington's CBD.

With the price of building materials on the rise, you might have a goldmine sitting untapped in your garage.

Caught between plants and fungi, lichens have long been misunderstood. Here’s an introduction to their wonderful realm.

Tiny homes are increasingly popular, and budget is often an issue, but the amount you'll need to pay can vary hugely.

The home from Bluey has been recreated in real life for one lucky fan of the show to stay at.

Skips-full of hoarded belongings had to be removed before they could start

This contemporary home in the bush near Puhoi is an ADNZ award-winning project that has been listed as a private sale.

Designed by architect William Gummer for his own family in the 1920s, Stoneways is a heritage-listed house that has been fully restored.

Make this space-saving potting bench out of old pallets.

A handful of the world's richest families are locked in a bidding war over an LA mansion expected to smash US property records.

Hydro-dipping looks like a fancy technique but it's actually so easy. Try customise some jars and vases to turn them into home decor.

Use this hydro-dipped board to put your cheese and finger foods. It will be the center of your party.

This step-by-step guide will help you upcycle an old pallet into a gorgeous and useful container for seeds.

Concrete planters can be a bit boring to look at sometimes. Why not spice it up with hydro dipping?

Richard Gere lists longtime upstate NY compound for $28M

Here's how to maximise your growing space and elevate your gardening to new heights with this clever suspended pot stack.

This Karekare, Auckland house has had some unwelcome visitors, but the listing agent says there's a lot of interest in the property.

This 1970s house designed by the late Sir Ian Athfield steps up the hill like a small village, maximising a great view.

Jo and Craig Inch have planted more than 100 roses, dozens of trees and shrubs, herbaceous borders and lots more.

More than one gardener has stamped their mark on this nearly 150-year-old property.

This Piha home for sale has been rebuilt to meet certified Passivhaus standards - with no expense spared.

Ahoy there! Navigate your way around the garden at night with the help of this whimsical maritime-themed light.

This guy lives in a tiny house with a lizard, 2 cats, a tarantula and a snake. Here is how it all started.

Grant Douglas can now spend more time in his "messy" "abstract" garden.

This Auckland garden has evolved from a sloping bog to a subtropical oasis.

The Lee House in Titirangi has been listed for the first time, and there are parallels to the later Brake House designed in the '70s. (Video first screened on 8 December, 2021)

Plant trends with garden designer and landscaper Jules Moore.

This stylish house gives new meaning to a single colour.

Tropical Fruit Growers chairman Hugh Rose says New Zealanders can grow all sorts of tropical fruit, especially popular bananas and heat-loving pineapples. (First published December 22, 2021)

Maree Wiki has seen the popularity of indoor plants grow massively.

Jack Hobbs, long-serving curator manager of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, has put in every plant in his own private garden in Pukekohe.

These are the houses you loved in 2021

Built in 1906, this house preceded the state house of the 30s by nearly 30 years, but it was built in the same spirit.

Ben Master's 1910 villa is filled with his own screenprinting handiwork.

This Franklin home combines heritage looks with modern living.

Central Otago meets Auckland in soaring designer home

Biggie Smalls' iconic Brooklyn apartment sells for over asking price

Surrounded by period homes and heritage builds, these new townhouses want to be the character homes of the future.

Some garden lights can have a huge impact on wildlife. Here's how to light with them in mind.

Wellingtonian Kat Spears has been collecting 50s and 60s art and furniture since she was a teen.

Spectacular Wellington garden walks on the wild side.

Canterbury homeowner get crazily creative for Christmas

Expat Kiwi and his technicolour Amsterdam apartment

This Wellington home proves there is no barrier to building on unusual, steep sections.

They've gardened together for more than 50 years. This is Arthur and Patsy Sherman's Waiheke paradise.