About us

Green Ideas is a guide to living more sustainably, and is packed full of great ideas for things you can do as well as inspirational stories of people making a difference. 

The Green Ideas website provides loads of great information and guides to help you live more sustainably as well as a directory of green products and services to help you find what you need. It also gives you a place to share your own thoughts and ideas. (Please always abide by our terms of use.)

If you have any burning questions, ask them via the ask an expert form, and we’ll do our best to find the answer for you.

The company and team

Green Ideas is owned by Healthy Life Media Limited, a private company founded in 2004. The aim and purpose of the company is to provide relevant, useful and credible information to consumers wanting to live healthier lives and live in a healthier environment.

Healthy Life Media began publishing Healthy Food Guide magazine in early 2005. This multi-award winning title has become the premier magazine in its category within New Zealand, and is now also published under license in Australia and the UK, with syndications completed in Holland and Greece. Healthy Food Guide has several integrated brand extensions including digital, television and event offerings. In particular, the healthy food ideas television commercials and nationwide Gluten Free Food & Allergy Shows are in high demand.

Green Ideas is a consumers' guide to living a more sustainable life, which Healthy Life Media began publishing in 2012 and is breaking new ground in helping consumers care for the environment.

Healthy Life Media is staffed by a dedicated, tight-knit team of professionals with many years' experience across most media sectors and platforms. They are passionate about helping people by delivering useful, practical information that makes it easy to live more healthily and sustainably.

Phil Ryan, Director

Phil is an experienced magazine publisher who founded the award-winning NetGuide magazine in NZ and Australia. He was named NZ Publisher of the Year at the 2002 Magazine Publishing Association Awards.

Pip Mehrtens, Publisher/General Manager

Pip has led teams across all areas of business and held a variety of management roles including customer service, operations, business development and general management.

Jen de Montalk, Digital Editor/Producer

After a number of years working as a journalist and online content manager for the health sector, Jenny has joined the team at Green Ideas, bringing together her passion for sustainability with her fascination for digital media. During her career she has worked across both print and online publications but specially enjoys the challenges and opportunities for innovation generated in the digital realm.

Kate Van den Bergh, Graphic Designer

Kate studied a Bachelor of Art and Design at AUT and has worked on various magazine and newspaper titles in NZ over the last six years. Her role at Healthy Life Media combines her passion for all things design and living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Kate enjoys running and indoor netball.

Christine Fairgray, Customer Service Coordinator

With 27 years' experience in customer service (covering everything from hotels and television to airlines, and many more between!), Christine is armed extremely well for her interface role at Healthy Life Media. She truly believes it’s the little things that mean a lot when it comes to customer service, and is committed to ensuring your experience with us is as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Dave Smith, Finance Manager

A fully qualified chartered accountant, Dave has over 17 years' accountancy experience dealing with NZ businesses. He has a young family and wants a clean, green environment for them to enjoy.