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 […]

Blankets for better: a local mission

Studies suggest one-third of New Zealand homes drop below the minimum healthy indoor temperature in winter. Bundling up in blankets and bedding is a quick solution, and Christchurch Methodist Mission’s Fionna Chapman tells Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker she’s gearing up again for the cooler months with one goal: Every Child Warm This […]

Editor’s Note: Dance like no one’s watching

As Tom Cochrane once sang, “Life is a highway” and to my way of thinking life may be likened to just that. Speed bumps along the way make us slow down, stop, or take a different direction. The journey is usually enjoyable for those who believe in themselves, and have the confidence to […]

Barbara Dreaver: fighting injustices

News correspondent Barbara Dreaver has spent years in journalistic trenches – fighting against injustices across the Pacific. She’s earned her “veteran journalist” title, and the respect of countless communities, writes Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker. A veteran journalist? “That can’t be me,” TVNZ’s Barbara says. “Then when I think about it, I realise […]

Life’s a stage for Michael Hurst & Jennifer Ward-Lealand

Navigating love, loss, and the lasting power of music, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst explore the realities of dementia in their latest production. Metropol Editor Lynda Papesch catches up with them ahead of the play’s Christchurch season. Avisit to Christchurch usually brings back a raft of fond memories for celebrated Kiwi actors and […]

Talking with Tuscany

Tuscany Hamel is forging her path in the hair industry: she’s worked at Australian Fashion Week and now has her sights firmly set on the rest of the world. She sits down with Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker to talk brand building, boundary-pushing, and a pivotal career shift. Over summer, Tuscany Hamel spent […]

Olé: Edrick Corban-Banks

In Canterbury’s Charteris Bay, acclaimed international paella master Edrick Corban-Banks passionately serves up this iconic dish. Metropol writer Sue Kingham explores his enduring love for Spanish cuisine and the reasons locals keep returning for more. On a clear blue-sky day, the café at Orton Bradley Park in Charteris Bay offers a slice of […]

Here, there, and everywhere: Simon Barnett

Like a child heading to school on his first day, Simon Barnett couldn’t sleep the night before returning to More FM’s Breakfast Club after a six-year hiatus. Metropol Editor Lynda Papesch caught up with Simon about life after the death of a dearly loved one. Open about the intense loss of his late […]

Darel Hall’s homecoming

Hundreds aged five to 12 visit Canterbury’s Cholmondeley Children’s Centre each year, a place of respite care for families and their children. A young Darel Hall was one of them. Late last year, the roles reversed when Darel returned as general manager, writes Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker. Darel Hall valued every moment […]