Latest Articles
Driveway wins: Affordable Concrete
From brand-new builds to upgrading tired surfaces, a well-designed driveway elevates street appeal, improves functionality, and delivers lasting value to any property. Asmooth, well-crafted driveway can quietly transform a property. In a new build, it completes the vision, turning a house into a home with a polished first impression. On existing properties, replacing […]
Harnessing opportunity: ChristchurchNZ CEO Alison Adams
Why global challenge is Christchurch’s opportunity. In a world defined by uncertainty, standing still is the biggest risk. Geopolitical tension, rising costs and rapid technological change are forcing cities everywhere to think seriously about resilience. For New Zealand, longstanding productivity challenges only sharpen that focus. For Christchurch, they create an opportunity. Ōtautahi is […]
Build a kitset home: Heartland Homes
A loyal following tells the tale better than any publicity material ever could. Stylish and practical homes constructed with ease mean the build process itself becomes part of the happily ever after story. In their quest to provide fantastic homes at a great price with minimum fuss, the team at Heartland Homes have […]
Super success
Local architecture heavyweight Warren and Mahoney reflects on the scale and significance of delivering One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha together with lead architecture practice Populous. “Architecture of this scale isn’t achieved overnight. It’s the result of years spent refining details and working through the sheer scale and complexity that a project […]
5 best places to invest in Christchurch
If you’re wondering which suburb across the city is the best investment, Opes Partners managing director Andrew Nicol shares rental yields, growth data and expert insights for 2026 in order of how fast prices have grown. 1. Addington Median house value: $564,100 Yield (rental return): 4.6% How fast prices have grown: 6.1% One […]
Half a billion for Hornby
Is a half-billion dollar investment into Hornby the answer to commercial land shortages and snowballing prices? Intensifying commercial land shortages and prices doubling to nearly $500/m2 have called constraints on future large-scale investment into question at a critical time in Canterbury’s growth. Yet a Hornby project will unlock one of the last remaining […]
How to find your perfect colour: Savvy hair
Award-winning hairstylist Sarah McGuigan says confidence comes from choosing a colour that feels authentic to your personal style. We sat down with the owner of Cashmere’s Savvy Hair to find out how to choose and wear your next colour with flair. Q. Sarah, how can readers find out which hair colour is right […]
Fridge fritters
Cook Rhiannon Baldock isn’t the only one with vegetables looking a little worse for wear in the fridge. Her take on the classic corn fritters with a garlicky chilli yoghurt is the best way to make the most of those not-so-pretty vegetables while you still can. Ingredients | serves 4 Fritters 1/4 cup […]
Building Canterbury’s future: Tao Homes
Christchurch has a healthy real estate market, with townhouses, apartments and new developments aplenty. One developer stands above the rest when it comes to quality. Local developer Tao Homes is making its mark, offering design-led, high-quality housing tailored for everyone from first-timers to savvy investors and those looking to downsize, but without sacrificing […]
For the paint-hearted
The finalists for the 40th annual Dulux Colour Awards have been announced, including two stand-out properties from Christchurch. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the prestigious Dulux Colour Awards, which is New Zealand and Australia’s premier showcase of inspirational colour application in interior and exterior residential, commercial or industrial builds. The awards […]
Merivale’s most exclusive address: The Mansfield
A sophisticated collection of 38 apartments and penthouses, The Mansfield invites a new way to live in Merivale. The first of its kind in the destination suburb, 24 Mansfield Avenue is an address that will earn its reputation in residential living from day one, and, like fine wine, only get better with time. […]
Blue-chip postcodes: Trade Me Property Customer Director Gavin Lloyd
Christchurch is outperforming the national narrative. As we move into the cooler months, the Christchurch property market continues to prove its resilience. Recent year-on-year figures show the average asking price for properties in the Canterbury region is sitting two per cent ahead of the same time last year, with Ōtautahi’s performance perfectly in […]
A race of resilience
On Saturday 2 May, Dave Wilmott lined up for the 2026 Four Square Hanmer Half Marathon, after being told he wouldn’t walk again. His story is what the iconic race stands for – resilience. When Christchurch runner Dave Willmott traced the trail that weaves through some of Hanmer’s most iconic landscapes, he was […]
Unstoppable in menopause: Simply Nourish
Christchurch is set to host Unstoppable – a live event focused on building strength in the peri and menopausal years. Christchurch women are being invited to step into their strength this winter with Unstoppable, an empowering evening dedicated to building healthier, more resilient bodies through menopause and beyond. Taking place on 17 June […]
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Cuisine
Top local tavern: Tavern Harewood
A family-friendly bar and restaurant at the heart of Harewood’s community is a treasure box of connection and memory-making. Harewood is lucky to host a local tavern that is designed for comfort and convenience, with plenty of on-site parking and family-friendly dining. Even better, Tavern Harewood is under new ownership and joins the […]
Fridge fritters
Cook Rhiannon Baldock isn’t the only one with vegetables looking a little worse for wear in the fridge. Her take on the classic corn fritters with a garlicky chilli yoghurt is the best way to make the most of those not-so-pretty vegetables while you still can. Ingredients | serves 4 Fritters 1/4 cup […]
Sunsets and city sights: The Arlo
For a knock-out view of the city with exceptional food and wine, this hillside bar and restaurant packs a punch. Asweeping vista paired with exceptional food and wine makes Arlo Bar and Restaurant a standout destination for both Christchurch visitors and locals. Perched high on Hackthorne Road, its outlook across the city is […]
Charming Mayfield stopover: Cafe Mayfield
Heading out of town? Don’t miss one of Canterbury’s best-kept secrets. Just a small detour off the South Island’s main north-south routes, Cafe Mayfield is a refreshing change from the usual roadside eateries. Explore Canterbury’s inland scenic route 72 and the charming rural town of Mayfield, which is home to one of the […]
Fashion & Beauty
How to find your perfect colour: Savvy hair
Award-winning hairstylist Sarah McGuigan says confidence comes from choosing a colour that feels authentic to your personal style. We sat down with the owner of Cashmere’s Savvy Hair to find out how to choose and wear your next colour with flair. Q. Sarah, how can readers find out which hair colour is right […]
What’s next for local fashion?
How does the New Zealand fashion industry hope to secure a successful, sustainable future? Leaders across the $7.8 billion dollar industry hope to find out at the Threads of Tomorrow Summit in Auckland on 16 June. This industry contributes billions to New Zealand’s economy and employs tens of thousands of people, yet it […]
Stress, hormones and women’s hair loss: Hair Mantra
More younger women and girls are seeking answers to an issue once associated with later life – hair loss. “I’m seeing young women, even in puberty, experiencing noticeable hair loss,” says Dr Padmaja Redekar, certified trichologist and owner of Hairmantra in Christchurch. “Increasingly, it’s appearing much earlier. Hair is a reflection of what’s […]
Luxe looks: Estilo Boutique
From office style to elegant evening looks, this Lincoln fashion hub has you covered. Feeling great and expressing our personal style through what we wear should be easy and fun. We all have enough on the to-do list without the added pressure of sourcing outfits for special occasions, for busy workdays, or for […]
Health
Bathing in sound
Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen comes clean about trying out a sound bath. Let’s get one thing out of the way. A gong bath, also called a sound bath, doesn’t involve water. You may laugh, but that was my initial concern when I first heard the term ‘gong bath’ a few years ago. […]
Unstoppable in menopause: Simply Nourish
Christchurch is set to host Unstoppable – a live event focused on building strength in the peri and menopausal years. Christchurch women are being invited to step into their strength this winter with Unstoppable, an empowering evening dedicated to building healthier, more resilient bodies through menopause and beyond. Taking place on 17 June […]
When the world wobbles: Chris Korako of Inspire Me Women
Connection is the new certainty, writes Chris Korako of Inspire Me Women. It’s hard to ignore the complexity of the world right now. I can’t control it but I can control how I respond to it. We are living through a time when economies are shifting in real time; strategic rivalry between major […]
Tackling lipoedema: Handson
About 11 per cent of Kiwi women are living with lipoedema, a chronic condition that is still widely misunderstood, and in many cases, undiagnosed. Lipoedema, also known as Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue (SAT) disorder, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the fatty tissue beneath the skin. It is characterised by a disproportionate buildup […]
Home & Living
5 best places to invest in Christchurch
If you’re wondering which suburb across the city is the best investment, Opes Partners managing director Andrew Nicol shares rental yields, growth data and expert insights for 2026 in order of how fast prices have grown. 1. Addington Median house value: $564,100 Yield (rental return): 4.6% How fast prices have grown: 6.1% One […]
For the paint-hearted
The finalists for the 40th annual Dulux Colour Awards have been announced, including two stand-out properties from Christchurch. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the prestigious Dulux Colour Awards, which is New Zealand and Australia’s premier showcase of inspirational colour application in interior and exterior residential, commercial or industrial builds. The awards […]
Timeless elegance: One World Collection
Introducing the brass and glass palladium range, where timeless craft meets contemporary sophistication, curated by your design experts Heather and David Fine. Elevate your space with this collection of understated luxury at OneWorld. “The palladium range elevates any home to create a sleek, sophisticated and edgy style. The range features a coffee table, […]
Christchurch designer wins on the world stage
Inside the residence that won Christchurch interior design team Detail by Davinia Sutton a coveted international award. Set against the striking alpine landscape of Wānaka, Christchurch interior designer Detail by Davinia Sutton’s Lakeside Residence has taken out the International Design Award at the Designerati Awards in London, an accolade that recognises exceptional design […]
One on One
SIX60 music and mana
Six60’s Matiu Walters and Marlon Gerbes would tell you that the coolest thing they could be doing right now is opening Christchurch’s brand new stadium. That’s what they told Metropol editor Nina Tucker, just two weeks before the concert – their latest in a string of sold-out stadium shows. “You have to set […]
National treasure Gavin Bishop
Multi-award-winning children’s book writer and illustrator Gavin Bishop is a man who enjoys Zumba and can trace his whakapapa back to Māori royalty. On the cusp of his 80th birthday, he spoke to Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about life, art, and cheese scones. “It is a very strange experience, turning 80 and […]
“My life is a joke” – David Correos
From Burger King ads to Celebrity Treasure Island, Christchurch boy David Correos talks to Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about building a career in jokes. David Correos, by his own admission, is not everyone’s cup of tea. Probably most well-known from being on TVNZ’s Taskmaster New Zealand and the Burger King ads, his […]
Q&A Move it Mama
Fitness by mothers, for mothers, Christchurch entrepreneur and mum of four boys Lisa Fong turned a passion for exercise into a multi-million dollar business. Then her husband Dan was given two weeks to live. She tells her story to Metropol editor Nina Tucker. Lisa turned the weekly 20-minute workouts used to reclaim her […]
ESSENCE
Cleaning up the lagoon
Mention Washdyke and one of the things that springs to mind is the lagoon. The Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon is a shallow, coastal lagoon north of Timaru – a wildlife sanctuary and refuge for birds, plants, and fish. The rocky reef of the lagoon was made from lava flow which turned to basalt after Mt Horrible erupted about […]
Snapped! Local street style
What inspires the style of South Canterbury’s most fashionable ladies? Essence’s Larnya Bourdot took to the streets and played paparazzo to locals that caught her eye. Karen Smith, Owner of STOMPZ My style is simple and sophisticated with a bit of edge. I love a good matching ensemble; Briarwood do that well. […]
Protect to prolong
In the season when investing in your health and safety is paramount – protecting belongings is no less important. Your home and garden is your haven, filled with gorgeous, often costly pieces accumulated over time – especially outside. Spas, garden art, dining furniture and the like, all benefit from proper protection and preservation […]
Destination Washdyke
Washdyke is a thriving hub of local business, industry, retail, and services. Home to a wide range of trusted businesses, the area continues to grow as a convenient destination for everything from trade and transport to shopping, food, and lifestyle needs. Ashbury Outdoors Ashbury Outdoors, a locally owned business in South Canterbury, is […]
Build
Driveway wins: Affordable Concrete
From brand-new builds to upgrading tired surfaces, a well-designed driveway elevates street appeal, improves functionality, and delivers lasting value to any property. Asmooth, well-crafted driveway can quietly transform a property. In a new build, it completes the vision, turning a house into a home with a polished first impression. On existing properties, replacing […]
Build a kitset home: Heartland Homes
A loyal following tells the tale better than any publicity material ever could. Stylish and practical homes constructed with ease mean the build process itself becomes part of the happily ever after story. In their quest to provide fantastic homes at a great price with minimum fuss, the team at Heartland Homes have […]
Harnessing opportunity: ChristchurchNZ CEO Alison Adams
Why global challenge is Christchurch’s opportunity. In a world defined by uncertainty, standing still is the biggest risk. Geopolitical tension, rising costs and rapid technological change are forcing cities everywhere to think seriously about resilience. For New Zealand, longstanding productivity challenges only sharpen that focus. For Christchurch, they create an opportunity. Ōtautahi is […]
Super success
Local architecture heavyweight Warren and Mahoney reflects on the scale and significance of delivering One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha together with lead architecture practice Populous. “Architecture of this scale isn’t achieved overnight. It’s the result of years spent refining details and working through the sheer scale and complexity that a project […]
ArtScene
The Pogues still raw, still powerful, still worth it
There’s always a bit of hesitation when a band like The Pogues comes back around, especially without Shane MacGowan. For many, his voice and presence was the band. So heading into this 40th anniversary tour of Rum, Sodomy & the Lash, there was a fair question: does this still work? Short answer, absolutely […]
Steve’s scene
Your women-who-rock-roundup from global music consultant and Dolly Parton’s local publicist, Steve Guest. Y ou can say you were there (if you were) at Lainey Wilson’s simply fantastic show at Wolfbrook Arena in February. She is pure country rock and such a delight. Lainey loved New Zealand – she managed to check out […]
Christchurch artist Morgan Darlison designs Google’s Waitangi Day 2026 Doodle
Did you know? Google‘s Waitangi Day 2026 Doodle is the work of Christchurch’s own Morgan Darlison. Anchored in history and guided by stars, the Waitangi Day Doodle reflects our shared histories of migration and voyage to Aotearoa’s shores. “We all came under the same stars and across the same ocean,” explains Morgan. “This […]
Saluting rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest: Isaac Theatre Royal
Hendrix! Winehouse! Cobain! For one night only, Australian rock spectacular ‘27 Club’ salutes the music legends who burned bright and left too soon. Winner of the Adelaide Fringe’s Best Music Award 2021, this electrifying tribute celebrates the legendary members of the so-called 27 Club – Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, […]
Business
Can AI replace your lawyer? Pier Law
Are you using AI to write legal contracts for your business? Be aware of the risks. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the legal sector, enabling rapid drafting of contracts, letters, and policies. “While this offers cost and time savings, it introduces significant risks around accuracy, judgment, confidentiality, and accountability,” says Christopher Connell, associate […]
Kiwi eco brand expansion
Christchurch-based Forsana is scaling up production and retail reach as demand surges for non-toxic household cleaners, plant care and water treatment solutions across New Zealand and Australia. Christchurch eco-friendly manufacturer Forsana is accelerating its growth, announcing new retail partnerships and a push into the Australian market as demand rises for safer, sustainable cleaning […]
Good as gold
“It’s not for nothing that people use the phrase, ‘good as gold’.” We sat down with Myles Chandler, general manager behind Commonwealth Vault – the ‘buy, store and protect’ bullion facility that has earned the country’s confidence. Is buying bullion a good idea to preserve the value of your savings in the 2026 […]
Merivale’s most exclusive address: The Mansfield
A sophisticated collection of 38 apartments and penthouses, The Mansfield invites a new way to live in Merivale. The first of its kind in the destination suburb, 24 Mansfield Avenue is an address that will earn its reputation in residential living from day one, and, like fine wine, only get better with time. […]