Winter is the perfect time to refresh, repair and reimagine your home. Whether you're planning a renovation, tackling a DIY project or giving your garden some seasonal care, there's plenty of inspiration to be found close to home. This month, we chat with North Shore businesses that know homes, gardens and DIY best. They share their expert tips, seasonal advice and fresh ideas to help you make the most of the months ahead.
Newhaven Gardens
Amanda Graham owns Newhaven Gardens, a local gardening and plant care business that she started after moving from England with her husband, Paul, in 2003. After more than a decade working in the finance and insurance industry, a move from Sandringham across the bridge in 2012, and welcoming her daughter, Matilda, in 2015 (the family now also includes rescue cats Yuzu and Noodle), Amanda was ready for a change. Gardening had always been a lifelong passion, so she began studying horticulture with the goal of starting her own business.
Channel Mag: Tell us about your business and what you love most about working on the North Shore.
Amanda Graham: I started Newhaven Gardens in 2018. We're a boutique garden care company with an organic approach, committed to using environmentally friendly tools and practices. We cover the entire North Shore, from Devonport to Orewa, so I get to drive through our lovely neighbourhoods every day, meeting wonderful clients and visiting truly stunning gardens.
How does winter typically shape the kind of work or projects you're involved in at this time of year?
Winter is typically all about pruning and planting for us. We clear away old, damaged or diseased wood, shape and reinvigorate existing plants, and add new plants while the ground isn't too dry and the temperatures aren't too harsh for them to establish.
What are the top garden projects readers should tackle now to be ready for spring?
With a 'Super' El Niño forecast for spring and summer, it's potentially going to be a very dry, hot season. Installing drip irrigation or ollas is a great investment. At home, we're installing a rainwater harvesting system from our roof. It's a little tricky because you need to estimate the roof area feeding each downpipe and calculate average rainwater flows, but it will make a huge difference if we experience drought conditions this summer.
Are there any common mistakes you see people making when preparing their homes or gardens during winter?
Adjusting irrigation timers always seems to catch people out. We have such a contrast between dry summers and wet winters that it's easy to accidentally waterlog your garden beds if you forget to reduce watering times. Skipping pruning is another common issue. Problems can quickly compound if pruning is neglected for a year, and pruning also gives you the chance to get up close to your plants and spot early signs of pests or disease.
What small, achievable projects can make a big difference before the warmer months arrive?
Mulching your garden beds to help conserve moisture would be top of my list. If you have heavy clay soil, it's a good idea to spread some gypsum and compost first to help improve the soil structure. When mulching, aim for a generous layer of at least 60mm, and please don't use weed mat, as it reduces airflow and water penetration into the soil.
Are there any trends or popular upgrades you're seeing locally this season?
Native plants continue to be popular, and more and more varieties are coming onto the market, giving us some fantastic choices. We're also noticing that clients are becoming much more knowledgeable about – and more open to – organic gardening practices, with a stronger focus on soil health and plant resilience.
When you're not working, what are your favourite ways to enjoy winter on the Shore with family or friends?
Mairangi Arts Centre always has something happening, and its gift shop is excellent for finding thoughtful little presents. November Café is a go-to for brunch. Of course, we love walking along the beautiful beaches, but somehow the wind often seems to blow us into Papa Brizio or Paper Moon on the way home for a bite to eat or a nightcap.
Covers 4 Pools
With more than 25 years of experience in the pool industry, Paulene Olliver is part of the family team behind Covers 4 Pools and G.B. Pool Supplies, specialists in the supply and installation of automatic pool covers for both new and existing pools.
Channel Mag: Tell us about your business and what you love most about working on the North Shore.
Paulene Olliver: We travel throughout New Zealand installing our automatic pool covers, but our business is based in Helensville, where we manufacture and supply our products. The North Shore is such an easy area to work in, especially with our close proximity to Helensville, and we enjoy working with so many local customers.
How does winter typically shape the kind of work or projects you're involved in at this time of year?
Winter is a busy time for installations, and it also gives us the opportunity to catch up on all those smaller jobs before spring arrives.
What are the top projects readers should tackle now to be ready for spring?
For pool owners, winter is the perfect time to clean your pool and cover so everything is ready to go for the warmer months.
Are there any common mistakes you see people making when preparing their homes or gardens during winter?
Yes. A lot of clients leave their pools in winter mode for too long, which means there's a lot more work to do when spring arrives.
What small, achievable projects can make a big difference before the warmer months arrive?
Tidy up around the pool area and keep your pool and cover well maintained throughout winter.
Are there any trends or popular upgrades you're seeing locally this season?
We're seeing plenty of new builds, as well as existing pool owners choosing to upgrade to automatic pool covers. With the touch of a button, you can open and close the cover – no more manually winding it in or dealing with cumbersome roller systems.
When you're not working, what are your favourite ways to enjoy winter on the Shore with family or friends?
Spending time with family over dinner, catching up on the gardening, and generally keeping warm!
Florienne
With decades of international experience as a floral designer, teacher and display artist, Franca Logan brings creativity and botanical expertise to every arrangement she creates. The Dutch-born owner of Florienne, the much-loved florist on Hurstmere Road in Takapuna, opened the business in 2009 and has built a loyal following through her passion for flowers and exceptional design.
Channel Mag: Tell us about your business and what you love most about working on the North Shore.
Franca Logan: Florienne is a florist in Takapuna specialising in fresh flowers and plants. We custom-make bouquets for both in-store customers and deliveries, and we create floral arrangements for weddings, events, funerals and all occasions. We love being part of the North Shore community and helping people celebrate life's special moments through flowers.
How does winter typically shape the kind of work or projects you're involved in at this time of year?
Winter often sees me teaching seminars in New Zealand and overseas. I have also just returned from participating in the Singapore Garden Festival, which is always an inspiring experience.
What are the top floral projects readers should tackle now to be ready for spring?
I like to get my planter pots cleaned, refreshed and filled with fresh soil, ready for new herbs, seeds and plants when the weather warms up. I also plan which flowers I'd like to grow for cutting so I can enjoy beautiful homegrown bouquets throughout the season.
Are there any common mistakes you see people making when preparing their homes or gardens during winter?
Not planting food sources for wildlife and pollinators throughout winter is a missed opportunity – for nature and for your own enjoyment. So many plants and trees provide year-round interest and colour.
What small, achievable projects can make a big difference before the warmer months arrive?
If you have a collection of vases, bottles or containers for cut flowers – whether they're from the florist or your own garden – give them a thorough clean. I use sterilising tablets for those that aren't easy to scrub by hand. Flower vases should always be clean enough to drink out of, as cut flowers don't thrive in bacteria-filled water.
Are there any trends or popular upgrades you're seeing locally this season?
Planting to attract pollinators, while incorporating more edible plants alongside flowers that are ideal for cutting, is becoming increasingly popular. It's something I've been developing in my own garden since we moved to our current home in 2019.
When you're not working, what are your favourite ways to enjoy winter on the Shore with family or friends?
Enjoying dinners out with friends and spending as much time as I can in the garden.
florienne.co.nz
60A Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
Lake Road Electrical
Lewis Rudall is the owner of Lake Road Electrical, a North Shore-based electrical contracting business. Originally from the UK, Lewis has called New Zealand home for many years and enjoys helping homeowners and local businesses with reliable, high-quality electrical solutions. Outside work, he’s a proud dad of two who enjoys keeping active and spending time with family.
Channel Mag: Tell us about your business and what you love most about working on the North Shore.
Lewis Rudall: Lake Road Electrical specialises in residential electrical work, renovations, maintenance, lighting upgrades, EV chargers and small commercial projects. I love working on the North Shore because of the strong sense of community. Many of our customers become repeat clients, and it’s rewarding knowing people trust us with their homes.
How does winter typically shape the kind of work or projects you’re involved in at this time of year?
Winter is one of our busiest times. We see a big increase in heating installations, extractor fan upgrades, lighting improvements and electrical faults caused by damp weather. It’s also a popular time for indoor renovations before spring arrives.
What are the top home projects readers should tackle now to be ready for spring?
Winter is a great time to upgrade old lighting to LEDs, check smoke alarms, service bathroom extractor fans and take care of any electrical jobs that have been put off. It’s also worth checking outdoor lighting and power points before everyone starts spending more time outside.
Are there any common mistakes you see people making when preparing their homes or gardens during winter?
The biggest mistake is ignoring small electrical issues. Faulty switches, ageing smoke alarms, poor ventilation and overloaded power boards are all things that should be addressed early before they become bigger or more expensive problems.
What small, achievable projects can make a big difference before the warmer months arrive?
Simple upgrades like LED lighting, sensor lights, new power points or replacing old switches can make a home feel more modern, improve safety and reduce energy costs. If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, it’s also a good time to plan for home charging.
Are there any trends or popular upgrades you’re seeing locally this season?
We’re seeing more homeowners investing in EV chargers, energy-efficient LED lighting, improved bathroom ventilation and outdoor lighting. People are also looking for practical upgrades that improve comfort while helping to reduce power bills.
When you’re not working, what are your favourite ways to enjoy winter on the Shore with family or friends?
Most of my free time is spent with my two young kids, whether that’s getting outdoors, exploring local beaches and parks, or finding a good café. I also enjoy keeping fit through the gym and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is a great way to unwind after a busy week.
