Clothing candy: FashionWorks

Spring is just days away – a celebrated time for renewal, and preparing for the occasions of the season. From restaurant dates to the races, the calendar once again fills with fun. Dressing for each event means finding the right outfit for you and the occasion, whether you’re a wedding guest or heading […]

Editor’s note: Events & being ‘extra’

It’s August – that means Christmas is just around the corner. Yes, I have already asked around the Metropol office how early is too early to put the tree up. The answer? Not yet. I’ll persevere. The time in between now and December flies like a rocket as the social calendar comes back […]

Bringing the fun: Chipmunks Playland Wigram

Wigram is home to one family hub celebrating seven years as a destination for fun, learning and play for children in Christchurch. Recognised as a place to make special memories with friends and whānau, duty manager Charmaine Abalos believes Chipmunks Wigram is so much more than just a play centre. “What makes Chipmunks […]

Bespoke & beautiful:
Dandelion and Clover

A thriving café at its core, this West Melton venue has evolved to host the milestones and memorable moments of its community thanks to an owner with a particularly big heart. Heralding from South Africa, Dandelion and Clover’s Jenny Swift feels at home during celebrations of all kinds. “I’m no stranger to that […]

Christchurch charm:
Christchurch Attractions

Activities that capture the area’s energy make an ordinary event thrive. Christchurch is home to a variety of options that exude the city’s classic charm. Thanks to Christchurch Attractions, filling a day of fun for delegates or guests in and around the city can be done with the help of one friendly team. […]

Plan your Christmas party:
Chateau on the Park

Yes, it’s time to get your booking confirmed for celebrating the festive season. It might seem like a long way off but plans for Christmas parties have already begun. To avoid scrambling around at the last minute only to find that everything in the city is already booked, start planning now. Happily the […]

The hardest goodbye:
Peppers Clearwater Resort

Can a conference venue be so dreamy that delegates hope their flight home is cancelled? Peppers Clearwater Resort is just minutes from Christchurch Airport. Don’t be fooled, heading home is the hardest part for guests. “Conference delegates quite regularly wish for flight disruptions so they can stay on,” laughs conference sales manager Meg […]

A place for every occasion:
The Old Vicarage

From casual coffees to the most significant of life’s milestones – no moment is too big or small for a venue that caters to every need of its community. The historic charm and warmth of The Old Vicarage’s beautifully restored exterior and award-winning gardens extends to the ambience within. “There’s always a familiar […]

Jake Bailey’s top tips for public speaking

Ten years ago, an 18-year-old Jake Bailey sat in a wheelchair in front of his classmates at Christchurch Boys’ High School and delivered a prizegiving speech that would go viral and be seen by millions. Days earlier, he’d been diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive cancer, and given just weeks to live without […]

Serving special times: House of Hop

Hosting comes easy to one restaurant and brewery just outside of Geraldine – a place known for the brewing some of the best craft beer and good times. “Big groups are so much fun,” says Lisa Dawson, owner of House of Hop, and keen enthusiast of hosting large functions. “We specialise in parties […]