The heart & soul of Dame Sophie Pascoe

Compassionate, gracious, not to mention gorgeous – Dame Sophie Pascoe radiates the resilience you would expect from someone who built their life and career proving just how wrong stereotypes can be. Metropol editor Nina Tucker caught up with our most decorated athlete on motherhood and the word ‘retirement’. Dame Sophie’s dream was always […]

Clothing speaks with Morghan Bradshaw

Morghan Ariki Bradshaw creates a ‘second skin’ for people who wear her clothes. With a newly-launched space in the heart of the city, the Ōtautahi designer catches up with Metropol editor Nina Tucker ahead of her fashion show at Majestic on Durham come 24 May. Morghan Bradshaw’s favourite thing about Ōtautahi is the […]

Racewear reign: Interview with Danni Alfeld

Danni Alfeld attended her first Cup Day at three weeks old. Was becoming New Zealand’s most fashionable racegoer her destiny all along? Metropol editor Nina Tucker finds out. New Zealand’s best is Canterbury’s own – Danni Alfeld took out The Ned Prix de Fashion at Ellerslie in March. Her winning look was a […]

Homegrown success story: Kate Macdonald of Davaar

Kate Macdonald is the female face ushering in a new age of appreciation for strong wool jerseys. From farm to fashion, the founder and creative director of Davaar & Co., now Davaar, chats with Metropol editor Nina Tucker. “Wool was all we wore,” Kate says of a childhood surrounded by it with sister […]

Richard Aindow: Courting the arts in Christchurch

Music, theatre, dance and visual art have all played a significant role in Richard Aindow’s life. The incoming chief executive of The Court Theatre, Richard explains to Metropol writer Lynda Papesch how culture has shaped his life and career. On 23 June 2025, Richard will take over the reins of The Court Theatre […]

Renowned filmmaker: Turning failure into success

Among the University of Canterbury honorary autumn graduates was internationally acclaimed filmmaker Dame Gaylene Preston. Metropol editor Lynda Papesch looks into the story behind the university’s new Doctor of Letters. Gaining a degree at age 77 adds another episode to Dame Gaylene’s successes, although it is not her final chapter. She’s already under […]

Designing with purpose: Jenny Joblin

Jenny Joblin, founder and creative director of urban streetwear label Federation, was 17 when she lost her mother to breast cancer. Today, it’s what drives her to support research funding through fashion, writes Metropol Editor Nina Tucker. “I have no words for the ramifications of losing our mum as teenagers,” Jenny says, her […]

Jeweller Sophie Divett: An artist’s evolution

Stepping out as a Christchurch entrepreneur and artist, Sophie Divett’s journey into jewellery wasn’t planned – it evolved. Metropol writer Hannah Brown finds what started as a side hustle to fine arts studies became a full-time business, Sophie’s collections now synonymous with timeless elegance and conscientious design. Looking back, Sophie’s path into jewellery […]

Catch him if you can: Andy Ellis

Moving Houses host and former All Black Andy Ellis doesn’t like to sit still. Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker discovers what he does instead. Andy Ellis’ life is like chaos in a wonderful way. Fresh from a stint in Bali at an All Blacks High Performance Lab, and thrilled to be taking off […]

Netball’s favourite name: Anna Galvan

Without Kiwi female sporting legends to admire on the world stage, a young Anna Veronese may have never become a Silver Fern. Now, as Anna Galvan, she’s an icon of New Zealand netball, dedicated to ensuring young wāhine in sport always have role models, discovers Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker. Fostering passion and […]