Popular pastry: Gorgeous Food
How do you spot a popular bakery? Find one with a door constantly opening and closing as a steady unstoppable stream of customers enters. T hat is certainly the case at Gorgeous Food, the family-run specialty bakery on Springs Road. Home to the same tried and tested home recipes for nearly 20 years, […]
Summer fun – camping tips
There’s something about summer in North Canterbury that makes packing the tent, lighting the camp stove and slowing right down feel like second nature. The Good Camping Guide Camping comes with its challenges, but it’s always worth the effort. In North Canterbury, find a range of fabulous spots to set up camp during […]
NZ greenshell mussels in coconut broth
Like most seafood dishes, mussels are best prepared simply, with a flavourful broth for dipping. INGREDIENTS 20 greenshell mussels, scrubbed with beards removed 1 Tbsp oil 3 spring onions, sliced 1 large garlic clove, crushed 1/2 a red chilli, seeded and finely chopped 1 cup coconut cream 1/2 cup of water (more for […]
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 […]
Understanding SPF
Warm weather means the topic of sunscreen loops back into everyday life. Contributor Ellie Lovegrove breaks it down – slip, slop, slap and wrap just got simpler. Yes, we should be applying SPF 365 days a year, but selecting the right one can be an overwhelming experience amidst a sea of options. Staring […]
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 […]
What defined fashion in 2025
Metropol editor Nina Tucker recaps the year that was, sartorially of course. I t’s been penned the ‘year of musical chairs’ – 2025 has been hard to keep up with for those designing at luxury fashion houses. With more than 20 leading brands changing creative hands, some directorships lasting just one season (think […]
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 […]
Collector’s edition – Aston Martin Vanquish
The first-generation Aston Martin Vanquish stands out in the back catalogue of one of the most coveted brands in motoring, writes Ben Selby. This is one luxurious drive. The Vanquish marks a transition period for Astons of old, teasing where the company would be headed with the dawn of the 21st century. Adding […]











