National treasure Gavin Bishop
Multi-award-winning children’s book writer and illustrator Gavin Bishop is a man who enjoys Zumba and can trace his whakapapa back to Māori royalty. On the cusp of his 80th birthday, he spoke to Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about life, art, and cheese scones. “It is a very strange experience, turning 80 and […]
SIX60 music and mana
Six60’s Matiu Walters and Marlon Gerbes would tell you that the coolest thing they could be doing right now is opening Christchurch’s brand new stadium. That’s what they told Metropol editor Nina Tucker, just two weeks before the concert – their latest in a string of sold-out stadium shows. “You have to set […]
“My life is a joke” – David Correos
From Burger King ads to Celebrity Treasure Island, Christchurch boy David Correos talks to Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about building a career in jokes. David Correos, by his own admission, is not everyone’s cup of tea. Probably most well-known from being on TVNZ’s Taskmaster New Zealand and the Burger King ads, his […]
Q&A Move it Mama
Fitness by mothers, for mothers, Christchurch entrepreneur and mum of four boys Lisa Fong turned a passion for exercise into a multi-million dollar business. Then her husband Dan was given two weeks to live. She tells her story to Metropol editor Nina Tucker. Lisa turned the weekly 20-minute workouts used to reclaim her […]
Hayden Paddon: A driving force
From small-town sponsorships to world-stage victories and electric innovation, New Zealand’s most successful rally driver Hayden Paddon is driven less by what he’s achieved than by what still lies ahead. Next on his to-do list? A New Zealand world rally team, Kiwi-built and Kiwi-run. At 38, Hayden Paddon has nothing left to prove, […]
Surviving the unsurvivable: Sheena Hemens
In the space of a few weeks, Christchurch businesswoman Sheena Hemens lost her business, her relationship, her home and, worst of all, her daughter. She sat down with Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen to reveal how she endured and why she now speaks openly about grief and resilience. “Losing a child, or any […]
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 […]
When there’s a Will, there’s a way: Will Jordan
You could argue that the 400-year-old proverb was made for Will Jordan. Each try he scores for the Crusaders plants a seed for change. Each dive over the try line is a $1000 donation to Youth Hub Christchurch, a local ‘safe haven’ for rangatahi in need. The rugby star tells Metropol editor Nina […]
Becoming Cassie Henderson
The first concert at One New Zealand Stadium, aptly named ‘Once in a Lifetime’, will be just that for Christchurch born singer-songwriter and 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards’ Best Pop Artist Cassie Henderson. The velvety vocalist and The Voice Australia finalist sat down with Metropol editor Nina Tucker after a whirlwind 12 months and […]
Sway my way: Bic Runga
On the release of her latest album and upcoming tour, Ōtautahi’s own Bic Runga chats with Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about empty nesting pains, AI and the future of Kiwi music. “Bloody technology queens, that’s what we are,” Bic Runga [Ngāti Kahungunu] laughs, as our interview begins, drops out, resumes, and then […]
