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Trends Property Insight Series
The Secret Garden Investment: Why Professional Landscaping Adds More Than Beauty with Janet Clarke
Season 2
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You can watch this episode by visiting Trendsproperty.com/podcast
In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Janet Clarke, Chairperson of Registered Master Landscapers and Director of Auckland landscaping company Second Nature, to explore why great landscaping is about much more than planting, paving or presentation.
Janet’s own journey into the industry began as a client. After having her garden designed and built, she later used Second Nature as the case study for a postgraduate marketing paper, before becoming more involved in the business through strategic planning, systems and administration. That pathway, combined with her earlier experience in construction project management, gives Janet a unique view of landscaping from both the client and business side.
The conversation explores the role of Registered Master Landscapers, why accreditation matters, and how homeowners can make more informed decisions when choosing who to trust with their outdoor spaces. Janet explains why professional landscaping includes not only design and planting, but also construction knowledge, contracts, health and safety, insurance, communication, maintenance, and long-term care.
We also look at the value of good landscape design for homeowners preparing to sell, renovating to stay, or simply wanting to make better use of their outdoor environment. From first impressions at the front door to the importance of maintenance, staging, seasonal timing, sustainability and green spaces, Janet shares practical advice on how thoughtful landscaping can support lifestyle, wellbeing and property value.
Whether you are planning a full garden transformation, preparing your home for market, or looking for a trusted professional to help bring structure and confidence to your project, this episode offers a clear guide to why the right landscaping advice can be one of the most valuable investments you make in your property.
You can watch this episode by visiting Trendsproperty.com/podcast
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Beyond the Sale: How Connected Property Services Help Owners, Sellers and Investors with Rick Meros
53:31||Season 2You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcastIn this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we welcome back Rick Meros, Managing Director of Meros Group, for a wide-ranging conversation about what happens beyond the sale itself. For many people, buying or selling a property can feel like a single transaction.Rick argues that the real value often lies in the wider journey, from preparing well before going to market, through to buying with long-term maintenance in mind, properly managing rental properties, and understanding how property can support future financial goals.We explore how Meros Group has developed into a connected property platform across real estate, property management, property services and technology, and what that can mean for everyday homeowners, sellers, landlords and investors. Rick discusses why sellers should start preparing earlier, how presentation and cosmetic improvements can influence buyer perception, and why strong advice can help people avoid spending money in the wrong places.The conversation also looks closely at investment properties and property management. Rick shares his view on why many landlords are everyday New Zealanders planning for retirement, why compliance and tenant rights matter, and how professional property management can help protect both the owner and the people living in the home.From long-term asset care and short-term rental opportunities to technology, service partnerships and the importance of doing things the right way, this episode offers practical insight for anyone thinking about property not just as a transaction, but as part of a bigger life and investment journey.You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast
The High-Performance Mortgage: How Better Preparation Builds Borrowing Confidence
53:17||Season 2Watch this episode and more at TrendsProperty.com/PodcastIn this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Stephen Jones, Mortgage Adviser at Mortgage Express Waikato and two-time Olympic rower, to explore how homeowners can approach borrowing with greater confidence, clarity, and preparation.For many people, conversations about money can feel intimidating. Whether you’re buying your first home, renovating, refinancing, or planning your next move, uncertainty around lending often becomes one of the biggest barriers to progress. Stephen explains why successful property decisions are rarely about chasing the largest possible loan but rather about understanding your options, preparing early, and aligning financial decisions with long-term goals.Drawing on lessons from elite sport and his experience helping clients navigate the lending process, Stephen shares practical insights into what banks are looking for, how borrowers can become “bank-ready”, and why preparation often creates more opportunities than people realise. He also discusses the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team and how the collective experience at Mortgage Express helps clients navigate what is often a stressful and emotional process.Whether you’re planning a renovation, preparing to purchase a home, reviewing your lending structure, or simply trying to better understand your financial position, this episode offers a practical and reassuring perspective on how thoughtful preparation can help build confidence and create better property outcomes.Watch this episode and more at TrendsProperty.com/Podcast
Designing Together: Rogan Nash on Award-Winning Kitchens, Architecture, and the Power of Partnership
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Creating Bathroom Sanctuary: Kate Gardham on Planning, Layout, and Materials
28:28|You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcastIn this episode of the TIDA Designer Series, host Paul Taylor sits down with Kate Gardham of Suede + Stone to explore her TIDA award-winning bathroom and the journey that led her from a career in fashion to becoming a recognised interior designer.Kate shares how her early creative instincts evolved through formal training and hands-on site experience, highlighting the importance of real-world problem-solving in shaping her design approach. She reflects on building her business, taking on increasingly complex projects, and why collaboration with clients, builders, and architects is central to achieving successful outcomes.At the heart of the conversation is her award-winning bathroom, set within a unique pavilion-style home surrounded by nature. Kate explains how the space was completely reimagined after an initial misstep, reinforcing the critical role of planning, layout, and timing in any renovation. The final design balances privacy and openness, creating a series of connected zones that enhance daily rituals while maintaining a strong connection to the landscape.The discussion also explores material selection and emerging design trends, including the use of natural finishes such as marble, timber, and Venetian plaster to create warmth, texture, and depth. Kate shares practical advice on budgeting, working with trades, and making smart decisions around layout and fittings to avoid costly mistakes.You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast
The Art of Bathroom Design: Natalie Du Bois on Texture, Light, and Atmosphere
33:55|You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/PodcastIn this episode of the TIDA Designer Series, host Paul Taylor sits down with Natalie du Bois of Du Bois Design to explore the thinking behind her TIDA award-winning bathroom suite and her journey from international design beginnings to building a successful New Zealand studio.Natalie shares how her passion for design began at a young age and evolved through formal training, early career experiences in London, and eventually establishing her own practice. She reflects on the realities of running a design business, the importance of understanding client personalities, and why great design is as much about people as it is about products.At the centre of the conversation is her award-winning bathroom — a highly detailed, layered space that combines bold mural tiles, natural textures, and carefully balanced materials to create a truly immersive environment. Natalie explains the design thinking behind the space, the technical challenges involved, and how each element was carefully considered to deliver both impact and harmony.The episode also explores broader bathroom design trends, including the shift toward bathrooms as restorative, sensory spaces, the growing importance of lighting and materials, and the increasing demand for bespoke craftsmanship. Natalie shares practical insights into working with clients, common renovation pitfalls, and how thoughtful design can transform even compact spaces into something exceptional.You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/Podcast
Inside an Award-Winning Kitchen: Celia Visser on Design, Detail, and Innovation
40:53|You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/PodcastIn this episode of the TIDA Designer Series, host Paul Taylor sits down with Celia Visser of Celia Visser Design to explore the thinking behind her TIDA award-winning kitchen and her remarkable journey through more than 30 years in kitchen and interior design.Celia shares how her career began through renovating homes of her own, how she built her practice from New Plymouth to Auckland, and why kitchen design continues to excite her through its combination of technical precision, creativity, and deeply personal client relationships. She reflects on what it means to design spaces that are not only beautiful, but tailored to the way people actually live.At the centre of the conversation is Celia’s own renovated 1870s colonial cottage and the award-winning kitchen she designed for it. She talks Paul through the challenges of living through a major renovation, the importance of connecting old and new architecture, and the clever detailing that allows the kitchen to shift between a highly functional workspace and a calm, furniture-like presence within the home.The episode also explores wider kitchen design trends, from concealed appliances and innovative induction technology to materials, colour, indoor-outdoor living, and the changing way New Zealanders use their kitchens. Along the way, Celia shares practical advice for clients starting a renovation, thoughts on balancing trends with longevity, and why New Zealand designers are increasingly leading the way on the international stage.You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/Podcast
The Honest Property Questions: What Buyers And Sellers Really Want To Know with Vanessa Williams
01:01:50||Season 2You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcastIn this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Vanessa Williams, spokesperson and long-time industry voice at realestate.co.nz, to unpack what property data is really telling us about how New Zealanders buy, sell, and search.Vanessa draws on nearly a decade of market insight to explain how buyer behaviour has changed, why people are arriving more informed than ever, and how search habits, pricing visibility, and sold data shape the property journey. From bedrooms and bathrooms to layout, lifestyle, and liveability, this conversation explores what actually adds value — and why the answer is often more nuanced than people expect.We also tackle the questions buyers and sellers are often too embarrassed to ask: who pays the agent, what a LIM really is, whether you need a lawyer or mortgage adviser, what settlement day means, and how asking prices, valuations, and sales data all differ. Along the way, Vanessa offers practical insight into marketing spend, renovation choices, buyer psychology, and why waiting for the “perfect market” is one of the biggest myths in property.Whether you’re buying your first home, preparing to sell, or trying to better understand what the numbers are really saying, this episode is a clear, empowering guide to making smarter property decisions.You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast
The Future Of Property Search: How Technology Is Making Better Decisions Easier with Sarah Wood
30:06||Season 2You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcastIn this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Sarah Wood, CEO of realestate.co.nz, to explore how technology is reshaping the property journey for everyday New Zealanders.Drawing on her background across marketing, digital commerce, and classified platforms, Sarah explains how realestate.co.nz has evolved into a technology-driven marketplace that helps connect buyers and sellers with the right information at the right time. From instant notifications and mobile-first search to saved properties, market insights, and price-change tracking, this episode explores the practical tools that reduce friction and make the search process more responsive and user-friendly.Sarah also shares how data is being used to improve confidence and transparency for both buyers and sellers — from suburb-level asking prices and sold values through to property tracking and future-facing tools like My Home. Along the way, she unpacks how the platform balances innovation with simplicity, why trust matters so much in property, and how great ideas often come from inside the team rather than from the top down.We also look ahead to the future of property search, including the role of AI, predictive tools, better personalisation, and the growing importance of making complex decisions easier in one of the most emotional and financially significant journeys people undertake.Whether you’re buying, selling, researching, or simply fascinated by how digital platforms influence the way we find and understand homes, this episode is an insightful look at the technology shaping the future of property in New Zealand.You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast