On the Guest list: Steve Guest
Steve Guest has an impressive career as an international music publicist and consultant, which is why his daughter Gracie calls Dolly Parton ‘Aunty Dolly’. It begs the question: is he the coolest father ever? Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker finds out. He laughs, sharing more stories of how his work means Gracie has […]
Animal antics with Mark & Kirsty
Three generations of Cantabrians have grown up with special memories of furry and feathered friends at Willowbank. Metropol Editor Lynda Papesch catches up with founding family siblings Kirsty and Mark Willis to look back on its first 50 years. Naturalist, photographer, and writer, Edwin Way Teale once wrote, “Those who wish to pet […]
Sharing Christmas magic
Christmas cheer is near, and blissful holiday memory-making has begun. We asked four of our 2024 interviewees to share the way they will spend the festive season. “I absolutely love Christmas. Living much of the year in America has made me fully embrace the idea of celebrating holidays. Not in the commercial sense, […]
BOSS LADY: Abbey Dickson
Abbey Dickson is the brains behind Christchurch’s Fashion Society boutiques. She shares the pivotal moment in becoming her own boss and the journey she has embarked on with Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker. Returning from a fleeting Sydney work trip just the day before, Abbey was wearing a chic Onte vest, straight-cut jeans, […]
On a mission with Corinne Haines
Christchurch’s City Mission CEO Corinne Haines knows all about giving, spending most of her waking moments helping those less fortunate. She talks to Metropol Editor Lynda Papesch about her role, and why. Retirement didn’t last long for Corinne Haines. After 45 years in finance and management, mostly in the IT sector, Corinne did […]
Choice over chance: Karen Hattaway
Karen Hattaway was the visionary behind Queenstown hospitality establishments Blue Kanu, Pier, and Captains, and is now at the helm of one of Christchurch’s top-rated restaurants just three months in: Manu. She tells Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker about the force of choice and a movement powered by personal trauma. Not long ago, […]
Running with Jo Ryder
“Children are our future,” sang Whitney Houston. “Teach them well, and let them lead the way…” Among those helping teach Christchurch’s young people so they can look forward to a better future is Police Youth Services officer Jo Ryder, as Metropol Editor Lynda Papesch explains. Mother, mentor, and enthusiastic runner all describe Jo […]
Style, smile: Becks Mason
Becks Mason isn’t in it for the colour or beautiful clothes her life as a stylist allows her. It’s the women she works with and their fear she helps conquer. The founder of Style4U presented at Apt Collections’ VIP Shopping Night in early November, and Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker finds her […]
Paddy Gower: vulnerability and positivity
Paddy Gower has been in the (news) game for 25 years. He’s done a lot, lived through a lot, and dropped many F-bombs along the way. Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker catches up with the journalist and now author-on-life, bringing a positive lens to news. Paddy started his career on the graveyard […]
MAMMA MIA: Sophie Harris
Sophie Harris was born with a passion to perform. Christchurch’s favourite rising theatre chameleon, who landed the lead of Sophie Sheridan in Showbiz’s MAMMA MIA! and Charlie’s love interest Lauren in Kinky Boots, shares stories of the stage with Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker. Every childhood dream placed Sophie in front of an […]
