From a life-altering accident to chasing swells in the Namibian desert, Travis McCoy’s journey is a testament to the authentic, adventurous lifestyle he now teaches others through his school, South Pacific Surf.

For the six generations of whānau at Te Puia, guiding is a responsibility. They’re kaitiaki of the whenua they grew up on.

Inside this performing arts centre, Laughton Kora sees more than just kids learning a few chords. In his eyes, this is the next generation of Kiwi music. They are storytellers.

What if the feeling of belonging somewhere is made up of far more than landmarks and places to shop or eat? During a recent trip to Japan, Our Place co-owner and creative director Christopher Duffy, was curious to see how routines, gestures and like-mindedness can shape a sense of place. What follows isn’t a catalogue of destinations, but a reflection on what he noticed when he looked past the obvious.

Pujan and Manisha share their personal story as part of a new series offering a glimpse behind the counter of our neighbourhood stores.