Masking disruption: Ricoh Pandemic Pivot

Christchurch-based apparel maker, Cactus Outdoor, has added a new product to its repertoire: Locally made face masks which use bacteria-busting natural wool filters.   Originally developed for dust protection before Covid-19 made face masks an essential item, Cactus Outdoors have manufactured tens of thousands of the mouth and nose coverings from its […]

Are routine blood tests helpful for your pet? Wigram Vet and the Good Dog Spa

Wigram Vet and the Good Dog Spa’s Geoff Mehrtens tells Metropol how screening blood tests can greatly enhance a vet’s understanding of your pet’s health and uncover many underlying illnesses. Blood tests make a difference to cats’ and dogs’ wellbeing, sometimes a lifesaving difference. “Blood tests are great value for money and […]

Building workplace wellbeing

As lives – and livelihoods – remain disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, a new platform to help small business owners monitor their team’s wellbeing has been launched.   The Check In is an online tool for small business leaders to help them facilitate free activities to support their teams and empower team […]

Making success happen: Harcourts Gold Kathryn Picton-Warlow

Synonymous with multi-million-dollar listings, Kathryn Picton-Warlow forged her successful real estate career while bringing up two sons as a single mother – and wants other women to know they can do the same.   One of the top performing real estate agents at the number one Harcourts internationally for revenue, Harcourts Gold […]

Eighty and still racing

Eighty years. It’s a milestone held by a cyclist, his bicycle, and a challenging race across Banks Peninsula. Octogenarian John Winkie is aiming to raise $80,000 for research to help those with debilitating spinal cord injuries get back in the saddle again.   John will be cycling on his trusty 1940s bicycle […]

From the Editor: 17 September 2020

We’re living in a uniquely stressful time. Between the fluctuating number of community Covid-19 transmissions, oscillating government alert levels and a general air of uncertainty – the bright side can seem hard to find.   At Metropol we’re all about celebrating and supporting the community, and this raison d’être has taken on […]

Explore Antarctica from home

Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut is the coldest new hotspot to open its virtual doors. The Antarctic Heritage Trust, in partnership with Auckland University of Technology (AUT), has developed a unique virtual experience that transports viewers to the chilly continent.     The project came about to celebrate New Zealand’s first presence in […]

Your own blank canvas: Rossendale Vineyard

“Each bridal couple we work with has unique tastes and ideas. They just have to tell us what they want and we will make it happen,” says Rossendale Vineyard’s events manager Graham Jones.     “We have such an adaptable canvas here in our venue, it can be dressed and themed to […]

From the Editor: 03 September 2020

“Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions basked on hope and possibility.” Michelle Obama.   Biking through the Christchurch CBD on a balmy Sunday afternoon, it was uplifting to see so many others out and about. I waited in a long line for my Rollickin’ Gelato and had to dodge […]

Super Summer Sound

The wide appeal of Kiwi supergroup L.A.B is making waves here and abroad. Metropol catches up with lead guitarist and vocalist Joel Shadbolt ahead of their Christchurch show. L .A.B, pronounced as each letter, but representative of a laboratory where pioneering ideas are cooked up, is behind one of the country’s most […]