Maggie Wicks is a Food Editor and Writer for New Zealand's Herald.
My first role in media was as the editorial assistant to the New Zealand Herald in 2001, while I was still studying towards becoming a journalist. I answered phones, ran errands, and trawled online forums for stories, but my favourite part of the role was being sent down to the central library to look up old stories on microfiche (how can I get that job back?). After graduating I came up through community newspapers, and then magazines with roles at Metro, North & South, before moving to the UK in 2006. I’ve always gravitated towards lifestyle content – over 12 years in London I held senior roles at ASOS, Net-a-Porter and British Elle magazine, as well as property and lifestyle titles such as IKEA’s in-house magazine, and as a hotel reviewer for The Telegraph - an absolute dream job. Food and travel (particularly when combined) are my true passions, so it’s been a pleasure to explore these topics further since returning to New Zealand and the Herald in 2020. I love meeting people, getting to know them and being able to tell their stories, and shouting about the awesome work they are doing. In the past few years, with travel and hospitality so hard hit by the pandemic, this has been particularly important to me, and it’s been very satisfying to play a part in helping NZ industries back on their feet.

9 reasons Gdańsk should be on your travel wish list
This pretty Polish portside town has a dark and fascinating history.

Solo travel: 5 tips for cruising alone
Got no one to cruise with? Here's how to have a fabulous time alone.

Testing 1, 2, 3... Christmas meal kits
Give yourself the gift of outsourcing the Christmas lunch this year

Testing 1, 2, 3... treats for a picnic
Shake out the rugs - here are three essentials to elevate your picnic

Testing 1, 2, 3... products made from Kiwi grains
Grains for energy and good health - grown in New Zealand

What it's like aboard on one of the world's most luxurious cruise ships
From white linen room service to endless martinis, the Splendor is a fine way to travel

Testing 1, 2, 3... masterclasses for foodies
Passionate about food and drink? Join a class or evening dedicated to teaching you more

How to mix a classic Gibson cocktail
Mix up a cocktail to get you in the mood for ATC's North by Northwest

Long weekend cooking: the perfect meat and vegetarian burgers
Here are three delicious options for the carnivores, the herbivores and the flexitarians.

Winetopia is back, and a Diwali feast: this week in food
Peter Gordon's Indian feast, and Winetopia finally returns!

$15 Fakeaway Friday: Okonomiyaki - the savoury Japanese pancake
With a few simple ingredients you probably already have, you can have authentic Japanese.

Mindfulness and me time: a wellness retreat in Glenorchy
An indulgent but guilt-free retreat in picturesque Glenorchy

Where can you eat Fiordland's wild wapiti?
Wapiti roam free in Fiordland - now you can get a taste of this game pest on your plate

Testing 1, 2, 3... Auckland Restaurant Month menus to try
Three price points, each a great deal

An enormous south Indian thali, melting lamb ribs and oat milk chocolate: These are the best things we ate this week
The tastiest morsels our editors tried this week

Auckland's best fruit and veg box deliveries, we tried them all
5-plus a day, delivered direct to your door

Is this NZ's most beautiful walk?
Here's where to find the largest little penguin colony on mainland New Zealand.

Where to eat, drink and stay in Akaroa
Picturesque but not at all sleepy, historic Akaroa is an ideal weekend getaway.

The best things we ate this week: crispy fried kumara, melting wagyu with truffle and a quick okonomiyaki
A K Rd collab with Stella Artois, a whimsical Japanese festival, and a one-pan dinner

Colour me happy: Immune boosters for winter
Brighten up winter with these colourful foodie treats

Baby, it's warm inside: NZ's cosiest restaurants to hunker down in
Step out to enjoy the cosiest food and drink establishments around New Zealand

This week's food news: NZ's first booze-free bottle store opens & more
A champion vegan sausage, a champion toastie, and NZ's first booze-free bottle store

3 special food experiences that celebrate Matariki
Celebrate New Zealand's first Matariki public holiday in three delicious ways

Hotel review: Staying at the Hilton Queenstown
Alpine lodge warmth with stunning lake views completely accessible to town.

How to build a plant-based burger
How to make classic American burgers without any animal products