Enjoy the outdoors

Adding a pergola or a gazebo (pictured above) to your property is a terrific way to make the most of the outdoors at home. If you’re organised, there is still time to add one before the festive season starts. As a permanent structure, both have multiple benefitss, will add value to your property, […]

No ordinary Christmas: The Vintro Room

Have yourself a very merry little Christmas this year and say goodbye to the totally predictable thanks to The Vintro Room’s eclectic mix of art, antiques, and collectables. With prices ranging from as little as $5 to more than $1000, it specialises in unique and hard to find pieces. “We keep our stock […]

Look after your batteries

Swedish vehicle charging specialists CTEK say that regular battery charging can triple your battery’s life. HERE IS CTEK’S GUIDE TO MAINTAINING BATTERY HEALTH: It takes 150−350A of battery power just to start a car, so nipping out on lots of short journeys, drains the battery because the alternator doesn’t have time to replace […]

Need for speed

In a New Zealand first, University of Canterbury Engineering students, inspired by legendary Kiwi racer Burt Munro, are taking on a world land-speed record in a rocket-shaped electric car they’ve designed and built. Members of the University of Canterbury Motorsport (UCM) club, (pictured), have spent 2022 building a 7.5-metre-long car they hope will […]

Skincare Successor

If you had told Brigit Blair that her solution to soothing her children’s eczema would one day become an internationally recognised brand, she might not have believed you. Twenty seven years later her daughter Juliet speaks to Metropol’s Georgia Summerton about taking on the CEO role of that very brand. Born in England […]

Joy Reid: One mother to another

A familiar face to many Cantabrians, and a recipient of a KiwiBank 2023 Local Hero Award, Joy Reid has long been a trusted voice reporting on many New Zealand moments. Broadcasting is one of her many hats – Georgia Summerton chats to her about her story, including her incredible charity and the personal […]

Life is precious: Cancer Society

When dealing with cancer, having a place for support, advice and information is paramount. “More precious” is the catchphrase for the Cancer Society’s campaign to raise the $3.5 million required to complete its new cancer centre in Papanui. “Over a decade after losing our old premises in the earthquakes, our new centre is […]

Delicious Culverden cuisine: Red Post Cafe

We are definitely looking forward to some warm sunny days over the summer. Spring has been cool and unpredictable and to be able to dine outdoors in lovely surroundings will be a boost to many spirits. A special place to dine is in the garden of the Red Post Cafe in Culverden. The […]

Trek to Hanmer

Heading to Hanmer Springs means all types of adventures pop up on your radar. Trekking is one of them. You can experience the Hanmer Basin via a horse trek, which will offer a unique panoramic view of the surrounding outback from up high in your saddle. Or you could pick a llama to […]

Sharing & Celebrating

Neighbours Day Aotearoa is gearing up for a whole month of activities, from 1 to 31 March 2023, sporting the new name, Neighbours Aotearoa. The name change supports the vision to see locally driven year-round activities, participation and organising around ‘Sharing, Growing and Celebrating’ in Aotearoa. Streets, apartment blocks, rural communities, neighbourhoods, and […]