The rest of the world may be queuing for the latest iPhone and solar powered cars but here in the Bay it's the little things, the small pleasures and the most simple of pastimes that we're all turning towards in complex times, writes Natalie Bridges.
Crafting, chicken coops and baking are just some of the hobbies making a massive comeback and getting a 21st-century makeover.
Partakers of such pastimes in Tauranga attribute this new penchant for life's traditional, simpler things to a yearning for comfort and escapism from economic instability. These age-old hobbies fill the gap left by the materialism of the current climate, a retreat from the pressures of life.
"Crafting and stamping are all about giving something from the heart. Making something with your hands that takes you away from the outside world is just so satisfying and brings so much joy to others," says Karen Williamson, a local Stampin' Up! enthusiast and demonstrator who lives in Greerton.
Stampin' Up! is the brainchild of American Shelli Gardner and her sister and is now a multimillion-dollar crafting company. Stampin' Up! offers an exclusive line of decorative stamp sets and accessories so people can make their own cards, decorations and scrapbooks. So successful has the company become, they've launched a new range of fabrics to encourage the making of cushions and home accessories. The company functions through a direct sales model, by which demonstrators gather interested groups and friends in their homes for crafting parties.
Stamping is a traditional hobby that took off as an art form in the 1970s. The Stampin' Up! company launched in New Zealand in 2007, but its popularity and success have soared in recent years. There are over 400 demonstrators nationwide and this year record numbers of New Zealanders have been hosting Stampin' Up! workshops - 1000 since June alone.
"It's not just about the making of the crafts," says Karen. "It's also about the camaraderie and friendships that come from stamping and crafting together in groups and parties. In times like these, when the economy is a bit scary and there's lots of negativity flying around, it's great to be involved in something so positive that brings people together."
Karen believes people are turning to simpler, more traditional hobbies like crafting, gardening, home baking and knitting as a result of the materialistic climate we live in.
"An appreciation of the simpler things comes in times like these," adds Karen. "It's a great chance to get friends together, try something different and share ideas and inspiration with one another. The result is something beautiful that you've created yourself and that you can keep for your own home or give to someone to bring a smile to their face. It's wonderful."
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Kerry McKay discovered her passion for baking while she was jobless.
"I realised one day while I was jobless that all I wanted to do was bake. Since that time I have looked for work opportunities where I can develop my love of baking from a hobby to a lifestyle and income."
Consequently, Kerry took a post in the Mount Maunganui New World Bakery early last year. "They have given me amazing support in continuing to develop this passion."
Kerry trawls the internet for inspiration and techniques, going on to websites, blogs and You Tube to help her home experiments. She's been amazed at her own creativity when challenged to be so. "On one occasion I was asked to decorate 80 gingerbread men and just before doing so I accidentally dropped them causing the majority to break. This led to a rescue plan where a friend and I redecorated the biscuits as pirates with missing limbs."
It is for reasons similar to Karen's that Kerry is so enchanted with baking,
"Baking makes people happy, so it is always very social. Any social gatherings I go to I try to bake something to take along. I've hosted dessert nights just for the excuse of trying new recipes and getting opinions of my friends."
Cake decorating often has Kerry on her feet for hours, meticulously crafting her edible art.
"The results are always worth it just to see the smile on the face of the person who is so happy with their cake. My favourite thing is the reactions of people genuinely appreciating what I have made for them. One of my greatest pleasures is seeing a person go in for seconds or, even better, thirds."
She believes there is something to be said for turning to the simpler things in life during tougher economic times.
"People are always going to be looking for ways to save money and find ways they can create income from home by doing things they get enjoyment out of. There's always a feeling of satisfaction when you have made something yourself and others want to pay you for what you enjoy doing."
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In Te Puna, Coraleigh Parker finds retreat and restoration in tending to her chickens. Mother to 5-year-old Max, Coraleigh got her first three pullets (baby chicks) four years ago. Within about four months she was also "mother" to 60 chickens. She's now whittled her brood to a manageable 25.
As you might expect, Coraleigh is also an enthusiastic baker, custard-maker and her son always has two eggs for breakfast.
"It made sense to invest in chickens as I refuse to buy cage eggs. Everyone needs a healthy obsession and I don't like cats, so I can't be a crazy cat lady. So I thought chickens would be a good alternative."
Perfecting the chicken enclosure is a constant work in progress. Now that the chicks are all grown up, the chick-rearing enclosure has been converted into a vegetable patch where Christmas dinner is being grown. "I am constantly working to the end goal of chicken paradise. I enjoy fussing over them."
The chickens are part of a wider lifestyle choice for Coraleigh, which provides much satisfaction and enjoyment, especially when showing off to her "towny" friends. "I have some chickens that don't lay many eggs, but they look amazing, so I keep them around to cheer up the ugly few who do all the work. We get eggs out of this, a hobby, cool stuff to show Max, like baby chicks hatching. But I also get satisfaction from impressing my towny friends."
Equally, Coraleigh thinks quality and integrity are values more people are increasingly striving for in today's materialistic environment. She believes more people are actually living perceived ideals and an environmentally-aware life now, not just dreaming about it.
"As the quality of products is compromised by cheaper and cheaper production, the coolness of maker-to-buyer increases. I think there is an increasing demand for visible integrity, not just statements of integrity.
"It's very satisfying and creates a safe feeling to see where something you are eating comes from."
So, what next? Maybe it's ducks ... "Max and I just got some ducklings, so we spent the last few days digging a pond for them," says Coraleigh.