Lounge around

Print this storyIs there a time and place to be unapologetically lazy? Don’t judge a couch by its cover. A striking pattern, bold colour or chic neutral exterior might be your ultimate in aesthetics – but put your future self first and consider how it will perform at home. When you do grant yourself time […]

The next generation: The Piano

Print this storyIt’s now more important than ever to uplift Canterbury’s creative rangatahi. Music and the arts enrich the lives of many, and contribute to a vibrant and resilient city,” says Marcus Norman, Director of The Piano. “That’s why it’s so important our young people from all walks of life have access to great music […]

Daytime delicacies: Easteat

Print this storyIs lunch the new dinner? This time of year can see us leaving for work before the sun rises and returning home after it has set. It stands to reason that the middle of the day needs to be the highlight. Lunch should be a delicious interlude that jolts us out of our […]

All that Jazz: The Isaac Theatre

Print this storyChristchurch, you’re in for a razzle-dazzle treat. Get ready to paint the town rouge. The sexiest, sassiest, most scandalous musical of all time, Chicago, is strutting its way onto the Isaac Theatre Royal stage this August. Set in the smoky underworld of 1920s Chicago, this Broadway and West End juggernaut has it all: […]

Bowls of comfort: Tanoshi

Print this storyFinding an inner-city sanctuary that offers a cosy, homey feeling is a great way to press pause on the hustle and find your zen again. Located in Christchurch’s city centre, Tanoshi is a Japanese restaurant offering an authentic Osaka-style dining experience. The range of traditional meals includes donburi and ramen to bento boxes […]

Behind Nyree Huyser’s sound

Print this storyChristchurch-based vocalist Nyree Huyser is no stranger to the stage. Her rich, soulful sound commands attention and powerhouse vocals are her signature. Behind the spotlight is a story that spans continents, careers, and a powerful reconnection with the music that first moved her, Metropol writer Hannah Brown discovers. It wasn’t until Nyree Huyser […]

Little India’s legacy

Print this storyA rogan josh experiment one Friday night in 1988 Dunedin was the seed of Little India, a family-owned group of Indian restaurants that now spans the country. This isn’t just a business story though; Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen discovers a legacy built on hard work, migration, and an unshakable belief in family. […]

Instant pick-me-up: Chocolate mug cake

Print this storyNeed instant indulgence? This microwave chocolate mug cake steps in to serve our sugar cravings when we need a quick lift. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup flour 1/8 cup sugar 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 1/8 tsp baking powder 3 Tbsp milk 2 Tbsp oil (such as avocado, rice bran or coconut). 1/2 tsp vanilla 1-2 […]

Gingerbread cookies: Good Bitches Baking cookbook recipe

Print this storyFrom the Good Bitches Baking cookbook, local baker Judith Varga shares her recipe for Mézeskalács – often translated as ‘gingerbread’ but directly translating to ‘honey cake’. INGREDIENTS | Makes 100 250g honey 300g butter 300g light brown sugar 3+1 eggs (keep the last egg for glazing, optional) 1kg flour 2 tsp baking soda […]

Christchurch City Mayor Phil Mauger: Local election countdown

Print this storyThis will be my last Metropol column for the current mayoral term as we head into the local body election period. Ihave thoroughly enjoyed my last three years in the role of Mayor. It seems fitting that we are currently celebrating Matariki – a chance to connect with the past, celebrate the present […]