In an unprecedented peek behind the closed doors of NZ's hospital wards, a junior doctor reveals the delays, duplication…

1. Long waits a hard pill to swallow

1. US court quashes attempt to patent human genes

1. Science says size does matter

Rare and old trees in parks inspire and console Meg Liptrot.

1. Gardening: Flowers that light up July

Need a cool school desk? Greig Morgan has the answers.

1. Sunday DIY: Branch out and make a stand

Aficionado Don Kavanagh puts his reputation as a beer lover on the line.

1. Don Kavanagh: In beer nirvana

Grant Allen conjures up a banquet on the road.

1. Winter warmers in the Bay (+recipes)

The materially successful but spiritually bereft Janine Harding finds herself, in her early 40s, living…

1. Book Review: Lots Of Candles, Plenty Of Cake

Much of the "fresh" fruit and veges in our supermarkets and greengrocers is being freighted from around the world this winter…

1. Winter greens (+recipes)

My happy place is seeing the Matariki constellation rise for the first time in the Maori New Year.

1. My happy place: Ben Sanders - crime writer

The Dutch baker at the market gave me some of his fruit bread to try, so that gave me the idea for one very easy dessert…

1. Recipe: Dean's bush baby leeks and whitestone blue

I felt like I was going to be cooking for the Queen, as one of Greg's guests was restaurant royalty, Fleur Sullivan of Fleurs…

1. Recipe: Duck breast and beetroot salad

Southland is rightly famous for its swedes and spuds so I had to use these.

1. Recipe: Spicy blue cod

I really miss blue cod that Southerners are so proud of, it seems hard to find "up North"

1. Recipe: Grilled fish, red wine and mushroom ragout

1. Winter greens (+recipes)

1. Review: The Birdcage, Freemans Bay (2 comments)

By the time you read this, I'll be gone. I will have ended it, I'll have popped my clogs, cashed in my chips. That's right…

1. The Diary: What I know about Twitter...

1. Health: Some floss with your Viagra?

1. Rupert Murdoch files for divorce

The book I love most is ... Roald Dahl's Matilda , the story of a genius 5-year-old girl who overcomes all odds.

1. Book lover: Leon Wadham

1. Book Review: Lots Of Candles, Plenty Of Cake