BEACH BABE – by Nina Tucker
Who needs a Euro summer when you can dress the part? These breezy seaside staples will have you feeling beach-babe-beautiful for days on the boat, at the bach, in the sand or on the sea. SHORE-BOUND STYLE Don’t sleep on accessories this summer – from sandals, sarongs, straw hats and sunscreen to a […]
Blue space: The healing power of water
Metropol contributor Cosette Calder dives into blue space and its emergence as a powerful, practical tool for mental health. While ‘green space’ signifies natural environments like parks, forests and gardens, a blue space refers to any natural or manmade water body, such as oceans, estuaries lakes, rivers, dams, canals and even smaller bodies […]
Simplicity at its best: Fraemohs Homes
Clean lines, natural timber, and homes built to last never go out of style – and when we talk about style, Scandinavians do it best. For sixty years, one Scandinavian name has been synonymous with blending craftsmanship and innovation to create spaces that both inspire and endure. We can thank Monni Fraemohs who […]
Hanoi joy: Hanoi 90s
Keen for a taste of Vietnamese without having to leave the country? Ethnic restaurants bring us the opportunity to enjoy the culture and cuisine of different countries from the comfort of our city. Take Vietnam for example. The taste of its vibrant street food culture is now available in Rolleston with Hanoi 90s, […]
The bees nees: Colony at the Crossing
Close your eyes and imagine a honey crème liqueur with the maltiness of West Coast’s native forests. Drooling yet? Summer calls for socialising and charcuterie board platters. Show your foodie skills with New Zealand-made products that make a scrumptious addition to alfresco dining, as well as the perfect gifts for those hard to […]
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 […]
Hot kitchens: M F Turnbull
Giving your kitchen a complete facelift will elevate your whole house – and it doesn’t have to cost the Earth. A new kitchen sharpens up the whole house, but the investment involved in buying a new one doesn’t always make good sense. The better option is a cabinet surface refresh. It is much […]
Home away from home: Last minute local getaways
Didn’t get around to booking a holiday home? Or have you only just decided you need a change of scene over the holidays? No problem… It’s the ‘avocado conundrum’ of holiday planning. For months, you have loads of time to book somewhere to stay over the Christmas break, until suddenly it’s all too […]
Pairing wine & seafood
You’ve probably heard the old saying, ‘white wine with white meat, and red wine with red meat’ but what kind of wine should you pair with fish or shellfish? Summer is the perfect time for seafood, and in New Zealand, we enjoy an incredible bounty of kaimoana from cod to crab and everything […]
Keep it in the family: Holliday and Sons
Six generations of knowledge and hands-on experience is an instant tick of approval. Founded in the United Kingdom, Holliday and Sons has been restoring, repairing and selling furniture since 1848. Jason Holliday is the sixth generation to run the workshop, moving the business into a brand new contemporary space. “The workshop is now […]











