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 […]
Not just coasting along
After a rough 12 months battling bowel cancer, new mum Elise Cassidy is taking on the iconic Kathmandu Coast to Coast multisport event on Saturday 8 February, 2025. A stage three cancer diagnosis, two rounds of chemotherapy, major surgery to remove a bowel tumour, and the birth of her third child, are not […]
Leadership with purpose: Bridget Williams
Christchurch Bead & Proceed founder Bridget Williams explains to Metropol writer Hannah Brown how a moment of frustration sparked a creative global movement in sustainability and leadership. From courtrooms to creativity workshops, lawyer turned social enterprise founder Bridget has redefined what it means to lead with purpose. “It started with a bad day […]
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 […]
