European elegance here at home: French Farm Estate
A Mediterranean-inspired wedding venue on the beautiful Banks Peninsula. Nestled on the stunning Banks Peninsula, family-owned French Farm Estate offers a breathtaking backdrop for intimate weddings of up to 130 guests from January 2027. The venue can accommodate smaller weddings as early as this season. Currently undergoing a complete renovation, the main lodge […]
Your day, your way
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the thousands of wedding images our editorial team has been poring over in the last few weeks, it’s that Canterbury couples are ripping up the rule book. In 2026, the way people say ‘I do’ is infused with personality and pizazz. Here’s a snapshot – see […]
Cutting edge technology: Total Food Equipment
There are few things more satisfying than a knife that effortlessly slices what you want to cut, when you want to cut it. Ian Knott tries out the HORL 3 sharpener and finds he can barely put it down. Without naming brands, it’d be fair to say our home knife set is ‘mid-range’. […]
Living la vida low-tox: Cut the Crap
A personal health wake-up call led a Christchurch entrepreneur to question the ingredients in everyday beauty products and create low-tox alternatives. “Your skin is the largest organ on your body, and what you put on it goes straight into your bloodstream,” says Luana Griffin, founder of low-tox hair and skincare brand Cut the […]
Say I do in Staveley: Staveley Co-op 1916
Let your dream day take place in this hidden gem of a historic building, set in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Old world charm welcomes you within Staveley Co-op 1916, a space transformed into a unique, rustic wedding and function venue. Located beneath the Southern Alps in Staveley, Mid Canterbury, the property’s […]
Hard as nails: Dr Tom Nailcare
Autumn is the season to prep for healthy, beautiful nails that can stand up to winter. After a social summer, our nails have done more heavy lifting than we realise. From holidays and outdoor adventures to festivals and parties, they’ve been filed, painted, polished and often layered with gels or acrylics to look […]
Behind Andrea Biani
Andrea and Vern Bailey are the powerhouse duo at the helm of Christchurch’s leading legacy footwear brand Andrea Biani. In 2026 they celebrate 30 years of business and a modern chapter ahead. Metropol editor Nina Tucker catches up with the solemates over coffee. Andrea and Vern Bailey’s invisible string was perhaps instead a […]
We all scream for ice cream: The Rollin Pedaler
Ice cream can be nostalgic and comforting, sophisticated and elegant, or even seasonal. But which flavours are right for your wedding? Here’s a list of curated suggestions from Canterbury’s luxury ice cream by tricycle. “Often, couples will choose flavours that fit their colour scheme or add a fun pop of colour to their […]
Fashion’s Favourite Fabrics: OFI (Only From Italy)
When you wrap yourself up in a world of beautiful, breathable fibres, you don’t need to wonder why this natural boutique has expanded across Canterbury to meet demand. In addition to their sunlit central city location, plus three North Island stores in Havelock North, Napier, and Cambridge, OFI has introduced two new locations […]
Treasure, tailored: Westende Jewellers
Find three generations’ worth of love for fine jewellery bundled into one local Colombo St store. For the bride and groom who are searching for that dream engagement ring or wedding band, Westende Jewellers boasts the largest range of new and vintage wedding rings in the South Island. Try on a range of […]
