Editor's Note

Overseas travel is stimulating for the chance to see fresh things and indulge in new experiences. But we've probably all heard people return to New Zealand only to say that time spent away makes them appreciate even more the riches of this country - the clear air, crisp light and wide, open spaces. Even for the 45 percent of New Zealanders who live in cities of 250,000 people or more, the beach or country is never far away. And with it, the restorative powers that come from climbing a grassy slope or diving into crashing waves. So this issue we've chosen to celebrate homes that offer their owners a unique encounter with this country's extraordinary landscape. From a Central Otago hideaway with spectacular alpine vistas to a bush-enveloped 'tree house' on the fringe of the city, each of these special dwellings responds to its natural surroundings in a way that's arresting. Isn't that something to take heart from after a winter of economic discontent?