Latest Articles
Your personalised holiday holy grail: Discover Travel
“We’ve seen it all, and so can you,” – the team behind this boutique travel agency have explored every destination worth visiting to become experts in sending you to your dream destination. Discover Travel is more than just a travel agency – this team of six is dedicated to their community of discerning Kiwi travellers. […]
Winter wellness starts with sleep
Sleeping on it is the overlooked key to achieving exercise goals. As the colder months settle in across Aotearoa, ExerciseNZ is encouraging Kiwis to take stock of their winter wellness – with a special focus on a crucial yet often overlooked pillar of health: sleep. Just three consecutive nights of restricted sleep (about 4.25 hours […]
Christchurch City Mayor Phil Mauger: Te Kaha countdown
A big highlight for me over the last month was the ‘one year to go’ milestone until One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha opens its doors to the public in April 2026. It was great to host so many local media to mark the milestone, and the vibe was extremely positive and enthusiastic. This […]
Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma: The building sector’s turning point
As we move deeper into 2025, we are seeing small signs that could indicate the tide might be starting to slowly turn for the building and construction sector. The journey out of the downturn has been long, but we are beginning to see glimmers of recovery – in the numbers, in the policy environment, and […]
Wired for success: Barclay Electrical
When it comes to electrics, it pays to get it done right. Finding the right electrician for the job can be a challenge, and it’s not something you want to get wrong. You want someone reliable for a reasonable price who is going to complete the job to the highest possible standard. Barclay Electrical has […]
This season’s celebrity-approved shoe: ECCO
The hunt for the perfect wet weather boot has ended. The timeless ankle boot blends practicality, elegance and versatility with the celebrity street style tick of approval. Observing footwear worn by the famous, it’s clear ECCO is a favourite – and their ankle boots have become top contenders. Fashion’s most stylish it-girls, including Poppy Delevingne, […]
Destination West Coast: Golden Days on the Coast
Winter is a great time of year for a visit to the West Coast, and what would a trip to the Coast be without digging into the history of the gold fields? Six hundred kilometres top to toe, and barely eighty across at the widest bits, the Coast’s dramatic landscape holds a large slice of […]
ChristchurchNZ CEO Alison Adams: A stage for our stories
Ōtautahi Christchurch is known for innovation, bold ideas and a deep love of sport… our arts scene, though, is also worth shouting about. Yes we love our sport here in Canterbury but alongside the stadiums and startups, our arts scene is stepping back into the spotlight. The return of The Court Theatre to the central […]
Embracing change: V for Hair
Master stylist Vicki Ogden-O’Fee encourages clients to embrace change one beautiful transformation at a time. One of the most important (and often overlooked) elements in a great colour transformation is understanding your unique undertone,” says Vicki, owner of V for Hair in Merivale. Without that crucial first step, the result can fall flat, she explains. […]
Downtown: The development set to redefine Christchurch Central
‘Downtown Christchurch’ could be your ticket to New York city-style living. If you have always fantasised about the life of Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw, Mr. Big and their glamorous Fifth Avenue penthouse apartment, this might be your chance to live it. When Richard Peebles and Ben Owen of leading property development company Peebles […]
The secret to younger-looking skin: Skin Rejuvenation Clinic
A 1992 invention, 30 years of proven safety and efficacy culminates in the form of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy. Popularly referred to as IPL, this treatment is exactly that: popular. “Nowadays it is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures worldwide. However, there are far too many people still not benefiting from the […]
Restoring memories: McDonald & Hartshorne
From the refresh of an important family heirloom to the complete rebuild of furniture passed down through generations, restoring such pieces preserves special memories. Even better, it’s a commitment to sustainability, reducing waste by returning beautiful pieces to their former glory. The bones of most antiques are solid and sturdy, so it makes sense to […]
Editor’s note: What it means to be a Cantab
Some people truly radiate the spirit and tenacity of a Cantabrian. Others, we collectively cherish as a country. I’d argue both Dame Sophie Pascoe and Tiki Taane fall into those categories. Metropol, at its core, exists to champion our region and those within it, so you can imagine my delight when these two national treasures […]
Winter wonders await in Hurunui
Where alpine adventure meets fireside indulgence. When winter wraps its snow-dusted arms around the Hurunui region, the landscape transforms into a serene alpine escape just a few hours from Christchurch. Whether you’re carving up mountain trails, soaking in mineral-rich thermal pools, or gazing at galaxies light-years away, this is where winter is done properly – […]
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Cuisine
Down to earth eats: Purple Weka Cafe
Seasonal food crafted with love into healthy and delicious taste sensations – can you get any closer to classic Kiwi cuisine? The holy grail of a full licence means bubbles with brunch or a beer with your burger. Find all of this and more at Purple Weka Cafe and Bar, a Fitzgerald Ave favourite for […]
A season to celebrate: Chateau on the Park
Warm up winter with indulgent dining and great company by the park in the heart of the city. When the days are short and the nights are crisp, there’s no better time to gather the people you love. Mid-winter is the perfect excuse to press pause, reconnect, and celebrate at Chateau on the Park – […]
The perfect match beer & fries: Makikihi Fries and Wigram Brewing Co
Beer and fries: a classic pairing that offers a delicious contrast of flavours and textures, and a favourite treat for peckish punters. So you could say that Makikihi Fries and Wigram Brewing Company neighbouring each other is a match made in culinary heaven. Wigram’s Hangar 57 Fillery and Taproom, which has been in production since […]
Hassle-free hosting: The Good Home Pegasus
Kicking up your heels and basking in compliments for food, beverages, service, and ambience – that’s the feeling every host dreams of at their function. It’s a feeling hard to come by, yet easy for The Good Home Pegasus to create. For every event on the calendar – family gatherings, work dos, celebrations, and fundraisers […]
Fashion & Beauty
This season’s celebrity-approved shoe: ECCO
The hunt for the perfect wet weather boot has ended. The timeless ankle boot blends practicality, elegance and versatility with the celebrity street style tick of approval. Observing footwear worn by the famous, it’s clear ECCO is a favourite – and their ankle boots have become top contenders. Fashion’s most stylish it-girls, including Poppy Delevingne, […]
Embracing change: V for Hair
Master stylist Vicki Ogden-O’Fee encourages clients to embrace change one beautiful transformation at a time. One of the most important (and often overlooked) elements in a great colour transformation is understanding your unique undertone,” says Vicki, owner of V for Hair in Merivale. Without that crucial first step, the result can fall flat, she explains. […]
The secret to younger-looking skin: Skin Rejuvenation Clinic
A 1992 invention, 30 years of proven safety and efficacy culminates in the form of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy. Popularly referred to as IPL, this treatment is exactly that: popular. “Nowadays it is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures worldwide. However, there are far too many people still not benefiting from the […]
Dame Sophie Pascoe’s sartorial influence
For Dame Sophie, living a life in the public eye has meant being subject to constant assessment of her appearance. Over time, she learnt to use it to her advantage, developing an eye for the best pieces in local fashion. I used to utilise fashion to hide my disability at times. Now I very much […]
Health
Winter wellness starts with sleep
Sleeping on it is the overlooked key to achieving exercise goals. As the colder months settle in across Aotearoa, ExerciseNZ is encouraging Kiwis to take stock of their winter wellness – with a special focus on a crucial yet often overlooked pillar of health: sleep. Just three consecutive nights of restricted sleep (about 4.25 hours […]
How to regain FODMAP-food freedom: Fodwise
Garlic and onions: the flavour-enhancing favourites that can restrict food freedom. Anyone who struggles with FODMAP-triggering foods such as garlic and onions knows how restrictive food intolerances can be. Mixing socialising and meals becomes a real challenge. Bailey Kinvig understood that challenge all too well. It wasn’t until he contracted gastroenteritis and glandular fever that […]
Figuring out fertility
A Kiwi fertility coach reveals the missing piece in infertility. One in four New Zealanders experience infertility during their lifetime, and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) success rates average just 30% per cycle. This leaves couples emotionally and financially drained, and still without answers. To coincide with World Infertility Month this June, New Zealand-based fertility energetics […]
Escape the vape
The jury is back on vaping – it’s not good news. A major international study has confirmed what health experts in New Zealand have long warned: vaping is not a harmless habit. Published in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research Journal, the groundbreaking study tracked over 250,000 people and found a strong link between vaping and […]
Home & Living
Wired for success: Barclay Electrical
When it comes to electrics, it pays to get it done right. Finding the right electrician for the job can be a challenge, and it’s not something you want to get wrong. You want someone reliable for a reasonable price who is going to complete the job to the highest possible standard. Barclay Electrical has […]
Restoring memories: McDonald & Hartshorne
From the refresh of an important family heirloom to the complete rebuild of furniture passed down through generations, restoring such pieces preserves special memories. Even better, it’s a commitment to sustainability, reducing waste by returning beautiful pieces to their former glory. The bones of most antiques are solid and sturdy, so it makes sense to […]
The return of wallpaper and pattern
Wallpaper is back – and it’s bolder than ever. After years of minimalist, all-white interiors dominating the design world, pattern is making a confident comeback – and nowhere is it more expressive than on our walls. From lush botanicals to striking geometrics, wallpaper is once again a hero of interior styling, bringing drama, texture, and […]
The styling method to supplement wallpaper
Combining wallpaper, artwork, textures, and decorative accents might seem excessive, yet there is a method to the madness. For cohesion that flows from colour to mood, consider these tips. Textures: Introduce varying textures to invite depth and dimension. Artwork: To anchor wallpaper, hang art, but don’t overdo it. Frames with negative space and borders harmonise […]
One on One
Tiki Taane: Digital gods, deep roots, and a South Island homecoming
Since going solo from Salmonella Dub, he’s helped Rihanna get a Polynesian tattoo, gifted pounamu to The Prodigy, and released a music documentary that’s won more than 40 international awards. Now he’s coming home with his latest project, Mai Te Uira. By Tamara Pitelen. Local-boy-done-very-good Tiki Taane is bringing home his latest work next month, […]
The heart & soul of Dame Sophie Pascoe
Compassionate, gracious, not to mention gorgeous – Dame Sophie Pascoe radiates the resilience you would expect from someone who built their life and career proving just how wrong stereotypes can be. Metropol editor Nina Tucker caught up with our most decorated athlete on motherhood and the word ‘retirement’. Dame Sophie’s dream was always a colossal […]
Clothing speaks with Morghan Bradshaw
Morghan Ariki Bradshaw creates a ‘second skin’ for people who wear her clothes. With a newly-launched space in the heart of the city, the Ōtautahi designer catches up with Metropol editor Nina Tucker ahead of her fashion show at Majestic on Durham come 24 May. Morghan Bradshaw’s favourite thing about Ōtautahi is the people within […]
Racewear reign: Interview with Danni Alfeld
Danni Alfeld attended her first Cup Day at three weeks old. Was becoming New Zealand’s most fashionable racegoer her destiny all along? Metropol editor Nina Tucker finds out. New Zealand’s best is Canterbury’s own – Danni Alfeld took out The Ned Prix de Fashion at Ellerslie in March. Her winning look was a striking bronze […]
Build
Christchurch City Mayor Phil Mauger: Te Kaha countdown
A big highlight for me over the last month was the ‘one year to go’ milestone until One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha opens its doors to the public in April 2026. It was great to host so many local media to mark the milestone, and the vibe was extremely positive and enthusiastic. This […]
Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma: The building sector’s turning point
As we move deeper into 2025, we are seeing small signs that could indicate the tide might be starting to slowly turn for the building and construction sector. The journey out of the downturn has been long, but we are beginning to see glimmers of recovery – in the numbers, in the policy environment, and […]
Wired for success: Barclay Electrical
When it comes to electrics, it pays to get it done right. Finding the right electrician for the job can be a challenge, and it’s not something you want to get wrong. You want someone reliable for a reasonable price who is going to complete the job to the highest possible standard. Barclay Electrical has […]
ChristchurchNZ CEO Alison Adams: A stage for our stories
Ōtautahi Christchurch is known for innovation, bold ideas and a deep love of sport… our arts scene, though, is also worth shouting about. Yes we love our sport here in Canterbury but alongside the stadiums and startups, our arts scene is stepping back into the spotlight. The return of The Court Theatre to the central […]
ArtScene
The curation of a legendary career
The work of esteemed contemporary Māori sculptor, the late Fred Graham, is being showcased in Toi Whakaata / Reflections, an exhibition coming to Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū in late May. A touring exhibition provides a rare opportunity for Ōtautahi to see wood, stone and steel sculpture works made by a legend of […]
Recognising resilience
It’s only mid-April, and 2025 is already shaping up to be a huge year for Christchurch’s arts industry – a welcome reminder of our strength and creativity. By Nina Tucker. Let’s reflect. Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival animated the streets as bare buildings became beautiful murals. Painting the city, artists and historians shared stories, while […]
Colour, form, & bold abstraction: PG gallery192
Two new exhibitions from visionary artists Thomas Hancock and Janna van Hasselt explore form and colour – exclusive to view at this leading Christchurch gallery from 18 March to 12 April. Ōtautahi-based, Janna’s exhibition Flop on Pop at PG gallery192 presents porcelain structures that ooze with tactile exuberance. Woven and flowing ceramic paintings glow from […]
Squash takes centre stage: Isaac Theatre Royal
The New Zealand Squash Open saw an iconic heritage venue transform into an electrifying sporting arena in early March. A world first at the Isaac Theatre Royal, history was made as the professional squash tournament was played inside the famed theatre, captivating audiences and making headlines nationwide. The event was nothing short of spectacular, Isaac […]
Business
Canterbury’s gender pay gap
How does Canterbury compare to the rest of New Zealand regarding pay parity for women? Recent controversy around the government’s proposed changes to the Equal Pay Act has put a spotlight on a distinct lack of progress in achieving gender pay parity across New Zealand. Expressed as a percentage, the gender pay gap is the […]
Family legacy meets fresh perspective: Alistair Bean & Associates – Financial Advisers
A well-known local financial advising firm is keeping it in the family. There’s a new face stepping into the spotlight at Christchurch firm Alistair Bean & Associates – Financial Advisers. Alistair’s daughter, Jordan Bean, who has been an integral part of the firm since its beginnings in 2013, has now officially joined the ranks as […]
Execute with focus: EBI Business Improvement Specialists
Why the Top 5 approach is the ruthless focus your business needs. In today’s noisy, over-complicated business landscape, the biggest threat to success isn’t failure – it’s distraction. Endless to-do lists, unclear or ineffective strategies, and ‘urgent’ tasks kill momentum. If you want focus, clarity, impact, and real progress, it’s time to embrace the Top […]
Homegrown success story: Kate Macdonald of Davaar
Kate Macdonald is the female face ushering in a new age of appreciation for strong wool jerseys. From farm to fashion, the founder and creative director of Davaar & Co., now Davaar, chats with Metropol editor Nina Tucker. “Wool was all we wore,” Kate says of a childhood surrounded by it with sister Anna, brother […]
