One year on: A celebration of past, present and future – Isaac Theatre Royal

The heart of Ōtautahi keeps beating. One year ago, on 17 November 2024, the Isaac Theatre Royal opened its doors for a once-in-a-lifetime night. “Glittering under the chandeliers, we gathered to celebrate a decade since the Grand Old Lady’s post-earthquake reopening – ten years of healing, artistry, and the unwavering aroha of Ōtautahi,” […]

Bowled over: Lawn bowls

Christchurch is set to host the Summerset Bowls New Zealand Singles and Pairs Competition from 2 to 9 January 2026. Head along and see what lawn bowls is about, while supporting some of Canterbury’s own bowlers. “It is an honour that bowling clubs within Canterbury have the opportunity to host the Bowls New […]

Play local: Lawn bowls

In New Zealand, 43,000 registered members and 126,000 casual participants across more than 450 clubs enjoy a game of lawn bowls – and you could be one of them. O riginating in ancient Egypt, and played in England since the 13th century, bowls has been a popular sport in New Zealand since 1861 […]

Steve’s scene: Is Christchurch the coolest city?

Internationally renowned music publicist and consultant, and Dolly Parton’s publicist across New Zealand and Australia, Metropol columnist Steve Guest shares the latest in our creative industry. Christchurch has been labelled the coolest city in New Zealand, and I think we can all agree. Lewis Capaldi just wowed fans at the sold out Wolfbrook […]

A social summer: Serve Social

Friendly competition – or maybe not so much – it’s what the Kiwi summer is made of. Think ping pong, darts, escape rooms, Serve Social is the home of eat, drink, and play this summer. Their interactive darts is perfect for groups of two to 32 players, complete with software to run a […]

Holiday shenanigans: Fun for all the family

There’s no reason why the holidays can’t be fun for everyone in the family – here are six activities that adults will love as much as the kids. Swimming off the Wānaka Wharf The Wānaka Wharf located on the lakefront in the centre of town, is a popular swimming spot and a family […]

Coming soon: 27 CLUB

Introducing a rock ‘n’ roll resurrection. Next March, the Isaac Theatre Royal invites you to step into rock and roll heaven with 27 Club: a powerful, spine-tingling celebration of the music legends who left us far too soon… yet who left behind songs we’ll never forget. Billed as “electrifying and magnetic”, you don’t […]

That’s a wrap!

Summer will forever be my favourite season. Not just because it welcomes the Christmas holidays and seemingly never-ending celebrations, but because it’s the blueprint for what life in Canterbury is all about. Sunshine and ocean swims sprinkled between special moments with loved ones – this is the ‘Kiwi summer’ we so fiercely protect. […]

The making of a Muay Thai misfit: Kaitlyn ‘Misfit’ Millington

Timaru’s Kaitlyn ‘Tornado’ Tucker started Muay Thai kickboxing at 21 when she needed a new challenge. Success swiftly followed, yet after a bitter defeat for a world title earlier this year, Kaitlyn took a break from fighting to work on a new version of herself – and get married. On 6 December in […]

Canterbury’s local heroes

Meet Canterbury’s local heroes – each a force for good in their community. An extraordinary group of 100 Kiwis making a positive difference in their communities have been announced as the Local Hero Medallists for the 2026 Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau. With […]