This article takes you behind the scenes at The National Distillery Company in Ahuriri, revealing the passion, creativity, and craftsmanship that go into producing award-winning spirits. From the hands-on journey of Head Distiller Sean Hughes to the challenges and innovations shaping New Zealand’s distilling scene, discover how tradition and experimentation blend to create unique flavours that are gaining international recognition.

Do you remember as a child that numb feeling in your bottom and legs from sitting too long in class, or the scratches on the back of your thighs from the slivers of wood that pierced your skin as you slid off your chair? David takes you back to those school days of wriggling in your seat and walks us through the welcome improvements in ergonomics that began in Hastings and have spread worldwide.

St Georges Restaurant has become an iconic landmark for its previous wine production, unique Dutch architectural design, and transformation over time. What began as a family-owned vineyard is now a notable restaurant with its own vegetable garden, rich in history and on the brink of a new Hawke’s Bay legacy.