Latest Articles
In the heart of the city: Rose Historic Chapel
One of the few remaining heritage buildings left within the Four Avenues, the Rose Historic Chapel is a unique, central city setting for small, intimate weddings. With a secluded rose garden and beautiful circular stained glass chapel window, the scene is set for unforgettable nuptials. The picturesque Victorian stone building with high ceilings and a treasure-trove […]
For a flawless fit
Get your off-the-rack, pre-loved or vintage wedding gowns looking amazing and fitting perfectly with skilful alterations. Having your gown altered by an expert bridal designer will add the ‘wow’ factor, ensuring it fits in all the right places. Jenny Lea Designs in Christchurch creates unique wedding dresses, evening gowns, and occasion wear, and specialises in […]
Beautiful & boutique in Harewood: Omarino Estate
Do you have a vision for a wedding in a rural setting, without the hassle of driving into the country, away from amenities such as Christchurch Airport? That may sound like a mission impossible, yet actually it is mission possible when you choose Omarino Estate as your venue. This family-run boutique venue sits on five […]
Putt, play, roar: Jurassic Adventure
With school holidays fast approaching, finding activities to entertain children can be challenging. Jurassic Adventure is the perfect school holiday activity. Not only is it the best value for fun in Christchurch, this micro theme park also offers a range of activities immersed in a Jurassic dinosaur theme. With services including mini golf, Dino Dig, […]
Sweets and treats
At Easter, chocolates fill the home or garden, hidden from eager eyes for a short time. While traditional, egg hunts fail to cater to diabetics and others who don’t enjoy chocolate. Consider an alternative when organising Easter gifts for friends and family: fill baskets with other personalised gifts to excite, and avoid the inevitable sugar […]
Doors to adore: Garador Christchurch
A quality garage door adds value to your property, and offers greater protection for your family. Good looks, robust construction, and modern technology are part of that quality. Luxury lies in the little tools, services, and processes that make up our days. That’s where garage doors come in. “Your garage door should run so smoothly […]
Blooming bridal bouquets: Victoria Florists
Flowers add to the magic of weddings in so many ways, making it essential they’re on trend and on theme. From boutonnière or buttonholes to corsages, bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets to headpieces, and table arrangements to venue decorations, beautiful blooms help to set the scene for a magical day. Just as bridal fashion is subject […]
Cake and its customs: Twisted Flour & Sugar Merchants
A wedding cake is more than a dessert, it symbolises tradition, love, and prosperity. The custom of wedding cakes dates back to ancient Rome where breaking a cake of wheat or barley over the bride’s head was believed to bring good fortune. Fast forward a few centuries to 1840 when the wedding of Queen Victoria […]
Pucker up
Considered the ‘frame’ of a smile, lips deserve the same attention as teeth, skin and other essential aspects of a face. By Nina Tucker. They say that the majority of people notice someone’s smile first. Trustworthiness, approachability, and positive energy manifest in our smiles. Healthy, hydrated lips make up one half of that first impression, […]
Seasonal dressing with flair: Apt Collections
This season showcases gorgeous floral prints and stylish outerwear for effortless transitional dressing. Luxurious textures take centre stage, with velvet-touch fabrics and brushed cord adding elegance. Pants embrace a more flared silhouette – not quite bootcut, they lean toward straight or wide-leg styles, offering a modern, flattering shape. Looking back Apt Collections opened its doors […]
Step into elegance: Mikko Shoes
Explore luxurious new-season women’s styles at this family-owned footwear destination. Mikko Shoes curates collections to bring a welcome dose of joy to everyday dressing. “With a reflective nod to bygone times, AW25 brings a thoughtful shift away from the uber-casual and towards everyday elegance, complemented by a palette drawn from wintery landscapes,” says founder Michaela […]
Fees overhaul
Property Council New Zealand believes an overhaul of development contribution fees will pave the way for more commercial viability, and the construction of much-needed homes across the country. Leonie Freeman, council chief executive, says with housing affordability an increasingly pressing issue, this reform could go a long way in ensuring that development is not unnecessarily […]
Expo brings dreams to life: Christchurch Wedding Expo
Planning your dream wedding should be one of the most special times in life, not stress-filled months spent liaising with wedding suppliers, and keeping track of deposits and appointments. Morgan Tracy-Mines from Elysium Planning and Events believes wedding planning should be relaxed and fun so the bridal couple, their friends, and family can enjoy the […]
A space that captivates: Peppers Clearwater Resort
Your dream wedding is in easy reach just out of Christchurch. Breathtaking scenery is the backdrop for wedding portraits that will hang proudly in your home. Let visitors admire the views before they query the location, one so beautiful it couldn’t possibly be in Christchurch, or could it? The answer? Peppers Clearwater Resort, just seven […]
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Cuisine
Sweets and treats
At Easter, chocolates fill the home or garden, hidden from eager eyes for a short time. While traditional, egg hunts fail to cater to diabetics and others who don’t enjoy chocolate. Consider an alternative when organising Easter gifts for friends and family: fill baskets with other personalised gifts to excite, and avoid the inevitable sugar […]
Cake and its customs: Twisted Flour & Sugar Merchants
A wedding cake is more than a dessert, it symbolises tradition, love, and prosperity. The custom of wedding cakes dates back to ancient Rome where breaking a cake of wheat or barley over the bride’s head was believed to bring good fortune. Fast forward a few centuries to 1840 when the wedding of Queen Victoria […]
When life gives you lemons: Sovrano Limoncello
It’s almost impossible to be downhearted with a glass of limoncello in hand. Its cheerful yellow hue, derived from lemon zest, conjures up images of balmy, sunshine days on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. It’s little wonder it is such a popular after-dinner digestif liqueur. Limoncello distilleries aren’t exclusive to Italy. Many Italian families migrated to New […]
Cake couture: The Sugar Room
Discover the sweet trends in wedding day showstoppers. Several stand-out moments at a wedding elicit oohs and aahs from the crowd. One of those is when the bride first steps on to the aisle – cue gasps and tears – and another is when the cake is revealed. A showstopper of a wedding cake is […]
Fashion & Beauty
Blooming bridal bouquets: Victoria Florists
Flowers add to the magic of weddings in so many ways, making it essential they’re on trend and on theme. From boutonnière or buttonholes to corsages, bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets to headpieces, and table arrangements to venue decorations, beautiful blooms help to set the scene for a magical day. Just as bridal fashion is subject […]
Pucker up
Considered the ‘frame’ of a smile, lips deserve the same attention as teeth, skin and other essential aspects of a face. By Nina Tucker. They say that the majority of people notice someone’s smile first. Trustworthiness, approachability, and positive energy manifest in our smiles. Healthy, hydrated lips make up one half of that first impression, […]
Seasonal dressing with flair: Apt Collections
This season showcases gorgeous floral prints and stylish outerwear for effortless transitional dressing. Luxurious textures take centre stage, with velvet-touch fabrics and brushed cord adding elegance. Pants embrace a more flared silhouette – not quite bootcut, they lean toward straight or wide-leg styles, offering a modern, flattering shape. Looking back Apt Collections opened its doors […]
Step into elegance: Mikko Shoes
Explore luxurious new-season women’s styles at this family-owned footwear destination. Mikko Shoes curates collections to bring a welcome dose of joy to everyday dressing. “With a reflective nod to bygone times, AW25 brings a thoughtful shift away from the uber-casual and towards everyday elegance, complemented by a palette drawn from wintery landscapes,” says founder Michaela […]
Health
Seek help from the experts: Reform Radiology
If you experience a sports-related injury, imaging diagnostics can provide critical information and help with effective treatment and recovery. Sports medical imaging uses specialised imaging techniques such as MRI, CT scans, ultrasound, and x-rays to diagnose and assess sports-related injuries. This can provide detailed insights into the type and extent of the injury, aiding in […]
Switch off
New research has revealed many Kiwis are checking notifications on their devices up to 50 times an hour, contributing to a whopping 88% feeling stressed by bedtime. The pressure to stay connected is constant, with at least a quarter (27%) of Kiwis receiving notifications until the moment they go to sleep, according to new research. Amazon Kindle […]
Eying up education: Anstice Optometrists
A recent study on New Zealand school children showed that 30 percent of Year 2 children suffered from a visual condition likely affecting their academic performance. Pre-school vision screening, while effective at detecting severe visual conditions, does not screen children for reading vision. Problems with close-range focus can lead to decreased reading rate, accuracy and […]
The hidden risks of hearing loss
Creeping in at a gradual pace, hearing loss eventually impacts us all – with alarming side effects that can overpower our ‘she’ll be right’ mindset. So why does the social stigma remain? An August 2024 report quotes the New Zealand Audiological Society saying that hearing loss has significant implications for an individual’s social, vocational, educational […]
Home & Living
Blooming bridal bouquets: Victoria Florists
Flowers add to the magic of weddings in so many ways, making it essential they’re on trend and on theme. From boutonnière or buttonholes to corsages, bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets to headpieces, and table arrangements to venue decorations, beautiful blooms help to set the scene for a magical day. Just as bridal fashion is subject […]
Totally lit: Exquisite Gifts
Looking for wedding gift ideas? The gorgeous new range of New Zealand-made Slice of Heaven candles, diffusers and soaps might be just the thing. Ideal as a smaller gift when bought individually or perfect for an extra special gift occasion when a range of products are packaged together. Available now at Exquisite Gifts by AJ, […]
Embrace coastal Hamptons living: OneWorld
Fans of Hamptons style are in for a treat. Christchurch’s coastal living specialists, Heather and David of home and living haven OneWorld have just received another shipment of their beautiful Hamptons inspired sofas. The foundation of Hamptons style is a soft, neutral colour scheme. Think whites, creams, soft greys and muted blues, all designed to […]
Styling Easter
Transform a simple Easter get-together with a well-decorated and personalised tablescape. Elegant and refined or whimsical and cute, adding themed décor to table settings greatly enhances the dining experience. Festive ambience comes easy and the backdrop to each photo looks beautiful. Be creative, using it as a way to incorporate personal expression and your interior […]
One on One
Jeweller Sophie Divett: An artist’s evolution
Stepping out as a Christchurch entrepreneur and artist, Sophie Divett’s journey into jewellery wasn’t planned – it evolved. Metropol writer Hannah Brown finds what started as a side hustle to fine arts studies became a full-time business, Sophie’s collections now synonymous with timeless elegance and conscientious design. Looking back, Sophie’s path into jewellery was less […]
Catch him if you can: Andy Ellis
Moving Houses host and former All Black Andy Ellis doesn’t like to sit still. Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker discovers what he does instead. Andy Ellis’ life is like chaos in a wonderful way. Fresh from a stint in Bali at an All Blacks High Performance Lab, and thrilled to be taking off for another […]
Netball’s favourite name: Anna Galvan
Without Kiwi female sporting legends to admire on the world stage, a young Anna Veronese may have never become a Silver Fern. Now, as Anna Galvan, she’s an icon of New Zealand netball, dedicated to ensuring young wāhine in sport always have role models, discovers Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker. Fostering passion and talent through […]
Blankets for better: a local mission
Studies suggest one-third of New Zealand homes drop below the minimum healthy indoor temperature in winter. Bundling up in blankets and bedding is a quick solution, and Christchurch Methodist Mission’s Fionna Chapman tells Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker she’s gearing up again for the cooler months with one goal: Every Child Warm This Winter. When […]
Build
Doors to adore: Garador Christchurch
A quality garage door adds value to your property, and offers greater protection for your family. Good looks, robust construction, and modern technology are part of that quality. Luxury lies in the little tools, services, and processes that make up our days. That’s where garage doors come in. “Your garage door should run so smoothly […]
Fees overhaul
Property Council New Zealand believes an overhaul of development contribution fees will pave the way for more commercial viability, and the construction of much-needed homes across the country. Leonie Freeman, council chief executive, says with housing affordability an increasingly pressing issue, this reform could go a long way in ensuring that development is not unnecessarily […]
No success without succession: Janine Stewart
The Mainzeal case highlights the importance of board skill sets and the need for succession planning. Those points have come into sharp focus since Mainzeal because the financial situation was dire at the time. Had they reflected on whether they should have gotten expert advice, or considered stepping down, I wonder about the impact on […]
Connecting with communities: Christchurch City Mayor Phil Mauger
I really enjoyed getting out and about promoting the Neighbours Aotearoa campaign last month. The theme was Let’s Celebrate, encouraging us all to reach out to neighbours, and strengthen community connections. I love nothing more than meeting the people doing great things in the community and hearing their stories. They all help make our city […]
ArtScene
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 […]
Leave a legacy: Isaac Theatre Royal
Think of the names of your favourite stars – comedians, actors, musicians. Reminisce how you felt watching them live, and how that feeling should live on forever. With your help, it can. Thanks to the Isaac Theatre Royal – which homes the stage many of our favourites entertain on – a bequest initiative has been […]
Paint your resolutions: Art Metro
For many, new year’s resolutions aspire towards new hobbies and trying new things. We have all heard the phrase: ‘New year, new me’. Between goals in work or sport, some strive to instead rediscover a long-lost creative vein. “It is great to be creative, to develop our skills,” says Art Metro’s Simon Walmisley. Offering adult […]
Business
The bigger picture
Mid-sized businesses could boost New Zealand’s economy if limiting constraints are addressed, says a new report. Rising costs, industry competition, and business or industry regulation are the top factors that businesses believe are impacting their ability to maximise potential. According to the newly released Bigger Picture Report from accounting software firm MYOB, increased staff training […]
Moving forward together: Corcoran French & Canterbury Property Investors Association
One of Canterbury’s most trusted legal firms is on the move from Moorhouse Ave to Armagh St. This April, Corcoran French will open the doors to its new office on Armagh St, marking an exciting step forward for one of Canterbury’s most trusted legal firms. Located in the historic RSA building, now owned by Amherst […]
The finer homes in life: Suzy Hutton
Matching discerning buyers with exceptional properties calls for a unique real estate perspective. With a sophisticated international background and a deep appreciation for refined living, realtor Suzy Hutton brings this unparalleled stance to the Canterbury property market. The Harcourts Holmwood agent, originally from picturesque Buckinghamshire, England, moved to New Zealand in 2010 alongside her husband, […]
Winter property maintenance: Tradie tips to protect your home: MR Property Services
As winter approaches, preparing your home for colder months is crucial. Strong winds, heavy rain, and freezing temperatures can test your property’s integrity, making regular maintenance vital for preventing damage and protecting your home’s value. Matt Cossey, owner of MR Property Services, says that regular upkeep can prevent significant damage, reduce repair costs, and safeguard […]