International awards and new bar for Christchurch spirit makers
It started with four mates sitting around having a drink, bouncing ideas off one another.
The Spirits Workshop brands Curiosity Gin and Divergence Whisky are the joint brain-children of four former dairy industry workers, Rod Quinn, Bernard May, Sam Toucek and Antony Michalik.
The quartet quit their various management roles at Westland Milk Products in 2016 and took a leap of faith by buying a whisky distillery, with the hope of running their own consumer-led business where they saw a potential gap in the market.
Early gin-making success has allowed both brands to expand, particularly in the past year, with the opening of the Curiosity Gin cocktail bar in Christchurch’s most popular hospitality space, Riverside Market, in November.
The bar offers specially-infused cocktails with five varieties of gin and three kinds of whisky, with various tasting notes and flight cards.
Are you a fan of whisky or gin?
Read more by clicking the link below.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.5% Yes
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14.1% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.