Latest Articles
Leaps and bounds: Mayor Phil Mauger
From floods to earthquake anniversaries, resilience and spirit remain core to the future of our city. Iwant to take the opportunity to reflect on the month we’ve had – February is a short month, but one that carries real weight for Christchurch. The 15th anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquakes reminded us […]
Love our neighbours: Alison Adams
Why Australia matters to Christchurch’s economy. Australia is now Christchurch’s largest international visitor market – and when Australians choose to holiday here, the benefits flow directly into our local community. It’s not just hotels that gain. More visitors mean busier cafés and restaurants, stronger retail sales, packed events, and more work for the […]
Summit to sea: Run Akaroa
What if your running resolution or step count challenge was disguised as a charming weekend getaway amongst Akaroa’s seaside spell? No tourists. No traffic. Just you and the Summit Road, with the shimmering Akaroa Harbour on one side and the vast South Pacific on the other. The inaugural Run Akaroa on Sunday 17 […]
Bed, bath & bucks
New data shows that an extra bedroom and bathroom can add $500,000 to the price of your home. In the ever-competitive New Zealand housing market, size still matters, and the numbers prove it. Fresh data from realestate.co.nz shows that extra bedrooms and bathrooms can dramatically increase a home’s asking price, with some upgrades […]
Meet the cushion queen: Becky Lee
March marks a meaningful milestone for Christchurch’s cushion couturier Becky Lee. “It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since I first began my cushion business,” says founder of The Cushion Couturier Becky Lee. “This March is particularly meaningful, it’s been one year since moving solely from an online presence into my beautiful […]
Sounds right: Bellbird Hearing
As World Hearing Month shines a spotlight on ear health, one locally-owned clinic is encouraging Cantabrians to rethink their approach to hearing care. In the heart of Canterbury, Bellbird Hearing is helping locals rediscover the sounds that shape their lives. In a region where conversations connect generations, the team at Bellbird Hearing are […]
Wear the countryside: Whistle & Pop
Born from her farm deep in the hills of Hakataramea Valley, Bex Hayman’s jewellery and accessories brand is rich in rural culture and pride. Each Whistle & Pop piece captures the essence of country living – and brings its wearer a sense of absolute freedom. Gift or keep, shop our autumn picks here. […]
Hair for good: Savvy Hair
This boutique hair salon at the foot of Cashmere Hills is the home of the South Island’s 2025 hairdresser of the year. “Savvy Hair is a refined hair salon where beautiful hair meets conscious luxury,” says founder Sarah McGuigan, crowned South Island’s best hairdresser last year, with other awards finalists in her team. […]
Rewind your skin: Skin Rejuvenation Clinic
Cosmetic doctor Brigid Lee reveals the benefits behind one of the world’s favourite aesthetic procedures. “Intense Pulsed light therapy, or IPL as it is popularly referred to, was invented in 1992 and approved by the FDA in 1995. That’s over 30 years of proven safety and efficacy,” says Dr Brigid Lee of Skin […]
Mini-golf gets bigger: Fillin’ Holes
There’s a new mini-golf course in town that is uniquely Ōtautahi… and it’s growing. From putting through the cathedral to swinging a crane, Fillin’ Holes is a mini-golf course that’s themed around Christchurch’s rich history of construction, rebuilding, and the trades. “Because of our local theme, we stand out as something you wouldn’t […]
Looking beyond seeing clearly: Anstice Optometrists
Meet the optometrists supporting Christchurch families. “When we think about children’s vision, we often ask, ‘Can they see the board clearly?’” says Dharshie Hughes of Anstice Optometrists. “But learning relies on much more than distance sight. Children spend hours reading, writing and shifting focus between books, devices and whiteboards.” Efficient visual skills – […]
Stop teeth shifting: OrthodontiX
When teeth are always moving, even after orthodontic treatment, how do you protect your investment? Teeth still shift when braces come off. The process, called relapse, commonly occurs in the first three to six months after treatment. Teeth are at their most unstable and retention is at its most important. Daily movement between […]
Living it up: Tao Meng
Hope for Christchurch’s property sector. As a developer, I see Christchurch entering its most transformative period. The city’s resilient rebuild has matured into a wave of innovation and opportunity. We are no longer just replacing what was lost; we are future-proofing a greater city. The demand for medium-density housing is surging. Young families […]
Death of the do-er upper
Is this the death of the DIY dream? Kiwi buyers are ditching the fixer-upper project for renovated and new homes. New research from Trade Me has found Kiwis are moving away from the long-held appeal of buying a ‘doer-upper’ property in favour of more turnkey convenience. A recent survey of 2200 Kiwis found […]
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Cuisine
Storm brewing: Coffee Worx
If the price of your daily flat white has you wincing, you’re not alone, but your local roasters are doing their best to keep things affordable. Coffee prices are climbing across New Zealand, and it might be tempting to blame coffee roasters for the rising cost of your favourite coffee. But Coffee Worx […]
Chinese fire water: Taizi
In China, a colourless liquor called baijiu outsells whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, and tequila combined, and now it’s being made here in Christchurch. It’s the most popular alcoholic drink you’ve probably never heard of. Known as Chinese fire water, baijiu is a colourless liquor usually distilled in China from fermented sorghum and wheat. […]
Where community comes together: The Sterling
Walk into this friendly Kaiapoi café, and you’re greeted by warmth before anything else. Not just the temperature – though the café is beautifully heated – but the kind of warmth that comes from genuine welcome. Behind the counter, friendly baristas are chatting with regulars, laughing at inside jokes, remembering orders without being […]
Stay cool: Bealey Quarter
Your next trip to the city made easy. Whether you are visiting for business, a family getaway, or a sports tournament, The Bealey Quarter offers one of Christchurch’s most versatile accommodation options. “Perfectly positioned on Bealey Avenue, we’re just a short stroll from the vibrant Victoria Street precinct and the beautiful Botanic Gardens. […]
Fashion & Beauty
Wear the countryside: Whistle & Pop
Born from her farm deep in the hills of Hakataramea Valley, Bex Hayman’s jewellery and accessories brand is rich in rural culture and pride. Each Whistle & Pop piece captures the essence of country living – and brings its wearer a sense of absolute freedom. Gift or keep, shop our autumn picks here. […]
Hair for good: Savvy Hair
This boutique hair salon at the foot of Cashmere Hills is the home of the South Island’s 2025 hairdresser of the year. “Savvy Hair is a refined hair salon where beautiful hair meets conscious luxury,” says founder Sarah McGuigan, crowned South Island’s best hairdresser last year, with other awards finalists in her team. […]
Rewind your skin: Skin Rejuvenation Clinic
Cosmetic doctor Brigid Lee reveals the benefits behind one of the world’s favourite aesthetic procedures. “Intense Pulsed light therapy, or IPL as it is popularly referred to, was invented in 1992 and approved by the FDA in 1995. That’s over 30 years of proven safety and efficacy,” says Dr Brigid Lee of Skin […]
Holistic skin Healed soul: Beauty Is
Can skincare be soul-soothing? Can it impact more than your appearance? Christchurch beauty therapist Julie Donohoe blends the latest (and safest) skin technology with a holistic approach to address skin from the inside out. “I became a beauty therapist because it meant I could make a difference in someone’s life and their skin,” […]
Health
Sounds right: Bellbird Hearing
As World Hearing Month shines a spotlight on ear health, one locally-owned clinic is encouraging Cantabrians to rethink their approach to hearing care. In the heart of Canterbury, Bellbird Hearing is helping locals rediscover the sounds that shape their lives. In a region where conversations connect generations, the team at Bellbird Hearing are […]
Stop teeth shifting: OrthodontiX
When teeth are always moving, even after orthodontic treatment, how do you protect your investment? Teeth still shift when braces come off. The process, called relapse, commonly occurs in the first three to six months after treatment. Teeth are at their most unstable and retention is at its most important. Daily movement between […]
Resilient bodies for Christchurch lives: Muscle People Physiotherapy
Christchurch is a city that moves. We walk the hills. We paddle, cycle, garden, renovate, rebuild, and work long hours. We juggle family life with sport and community. “Increasingly, we’re seeing the physical impact of all that movement – and sometimes lack of it,” says practice manager for Muscle People Physiotherapy, Nicholas Moore. […]
The magic window with breast cancer and lymphoedema: Hands on Clinic
For women facing breast cancer surgery, a little-known risk after treatment is lymphoedema. Thanks to early detection through new technology, there is now a powerful window of opportunity to dramatically reduce that risk before it takes hold. “I’m now getting new referrals for lymphoedema every week, most of which are due to breast […]
Home & Living
Meet the cushion queen: Becky Lee
March marks a meaningful milestone for Christchurch’s cushion couturier Becky Lee. “It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since I first began my cushion business,” says founder of The Cushion Couturier Becky Lee. “This March is particularly meaningful, it’s been one year since moving solely from an online presence into my beautiful […]
Welcoming whimsy
Curated by Nina Tucker I’ll take any opportunity to celebrate with friends around a beautiful tablescape. Easter is one of my favourite occasions, inviting such nostalgic joy into our interiors. This year, I’m balancing Easter’s cute pastel colours with elegant accents – think cottage garden meets rustic farmhouse. So bake a carrot cake, […]
Need for needlepoint
In need of a low-effort way to add a charming pop of personality to your home? With cheeky messaging and vibrant colours, it’s hard not to fall in love with the small-but-mighty needlepoint cushions when decorating your home. For some, the idea of needlepoint may conjure up images of ancient European, but the […]
How to create a seasonal home
Colour analysis helps people determine whether they’re best suited to warm autumn tones, cool winter hues, or the brightness of spring and summer palettes. When similar thinking sneaks into interiors, how do you discover your personal colour ‘season’? Christchurch colour analyst and stylist Abby Button says the principles behind colour analysis translate surprisingly […]
One on One
When there’s a Will, there’s a way: Will Jordan
You could argue that the 400-year-old proverb was made for Will Jordan. Each try he scores for the Crusaders plants a seed for change. Each dive over the try line is a $1000 donation to Youth Hub Christchurch, a local ‘safe haven’ for rangatahi in need. The rugby star tells Metropol editor Nina […]
Becoming Cassie Henderson
The first concert at One New Zealand Stadium, aptly named ‘Once in a Lifetime’, will be just that for Christchurch born singer-songwriter and 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards’ Best Pop Artist Cassie Henderson. The velvety vocalist and The Voice Australia finalist sat down with Metropol editor Nina Tucker after a whirlwind 12 months and […]
Sway my way: Bic Runga
On the release of her latest album and upcoming tour, Ōtautahi’s own Bic Runga chats with Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about empty nesting pains, AI and the future of Kiwi music. “Bloody technology queens, that’s what we are,” Bic Runga [Ngāti Kahungunu] laughs, as our interview begins, drops out, resumes, and then […]
Lady of the Court: Eilish Moran
After four decades and 80 professional plays, Ōtautahi actor Eilish Moran tells Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about a lifetime helping shape theatre in Canterbury and her upcoming show, Divas of Theatre. Is she a diva? “Well, kind of, yes, maybe a bit… I suppose I’ve lived a lot, been around a long […]
Build
New look New Brighton
A wave of revitalisation is moving through New Brighton, reshaping the beachside suburb into a vibrant, people-focused destination. Things are changing over in New Brighton. Once known primarily for its windswept beach and slightly faded mall, the seaside suburb is experiencing a wave of investment that is steadily transforming it from a quiet […]
Leaps and bounds: Mayor Phil Mauger
From floods to earthquake anniversaries, resilience and spirit remain core to the future of our city. Iwant to take the opportunity to reflect on the month we’ve had – February is a short month, but one that carries real weight for Christchurch. The 15th anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquakes reminded us […]
Love our neighbours: Alison Adams
Why Australia matters to Christchurch’s economy. Australia is now Christchurch’s largest international visitor market – and when Australians choose to holiday here, the benefits flow directly into our local community. It’s not just hotels that gain. More visitors mean busier cafés and restaurants, stronger retail sales, packed events, and more work for the […]
Bed, bath & bucks
New data shows that an extra bedroom and bathroom can add $500,000 to the price of your home. In the ever-competitive New Zealand housing market, size still matters, and the numbers prove it. Fresh data from realestate.co.nz shows that extra bedrooms and bathrooms can dramatically increase a home’s asking price, with some upgrades […]
ArtScene
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, […]
Steve’s scene
Your culture roundup from global music consultant, and Dolly Parton’s local publicist, Steve Guest. S ummer is in full swing and Christchurch’s entertainment scene is proving it. Jimmy (not for the faint-hearted) Carr sent audiences into hysterics with two sold out comedy shows at the Town Hall last month, and Ed Sheeran performed […]
Business
Fixing the basics for a better future: MP Vanessa Weenink
Changes coming making it easier to get ahead and get things done. National has been getting on with the job of implementing a new planning system to replace the Resource Management Act. The RMA has been broken for a long time. It makes it too hard to get things done, like building the […]
Food rescue entrepreneurs
Two new businesses have just launched in Christchurch, both focused on addressing food waste. “This is not just another business announcement,” says cofounder of Misfit Garden Jen Long. “It’s about sustainability, climate-scale food waste, local growers, community resilience, and rethinking how we value produce. All themes that land with everyday New Zealanders battling […]
Ready, steady, retirement: phwealth
When it comes to a comfortable retirement, planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give your future self. Turning 40 or 50 can feel a long way off. And 65? That can seem almost unimaginable for people still in early or mid-career. Yet the day you decide you’re ready to […]
Women decide what gets bought: EBI – Murray Dempsey
Metropol is where businesses earn trust. Here’s a simple truth many businesses still overlook: women run household spending. Globally, women influence around 80% of consumer spending. That’s not just groceries and clothes – it’s homes, cars, renovations, travel, healthcare, financial services and lifestyle purchases. In many households, they are the researcher, the comparator, […]
