Featured Articles

The Tai Tapu Hotel

Historically Unique: The Tai Tapu Hotel’s rich heritage

The Tai Tapu Hotel, or ‘The Tap’ as it is better known, has been at the forefront of social activity within Tai Tapu ever since inception way back in 1856. Strongly rooted in the history of Canterbury, The Tap has been the definitive place for eats, drinks and functions. Talking of functions, the […]

The Cranford Alehouse

A Top Spot: The Cranford Ale House

If you’re heading north down Cranford Street, there’s a great place to stop in for some great food, spend time with friends, and enjoy a beverage or two at 305 Cranford Street. The Cranford Ale House ticks all those boxes and more. Frequented by locals who take full advantage of the spacious garden […]

Beach Cafe

Service with a smile: heading out to the Beach Cafe

Beach Café, by Waimairi Beach, lets you kill a few birds with one stone, so to speak. “Take the dog for a walk, a romantic stroll with your partner and then a couple of wines – perfect,” says Manager, Frank Tamati. Frank and his brother, Mike, recently reopened the Beach Café. They grew […]

Cafe Vivo

The place to go: a visit to Cafe Vivo

There’s more than one good reason to visit Café Vivo in Bishopdale shopping centre. It’s not just the amazing amount of parking that gives you great access to the el fresco dining area. It’s also not just because it’s on the way to the airport, just off Harewood Road, making it your meeting […]

Enter a world of wicker: Woven Veranda

Waikuku’s Old School Collective houses the next thing you’ll add to your wishlist: wicker. Easy, elegant, and low-effort, homes citywide are adopting wicker furniture to upgrade indoor and outdoor living spaces. Where are they sourcing their beloved new pieces? The WovenVeranda showroom, of course. A captivating selection of stylish, Scandinavian-designed cane furniture from […]

Lady of the Court: Eilish Moran

After four decades and 80 professional plays, Ōtautahi actor Eilish Moran tells Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about a lifetime helping shape theatre in Canterbury and her upcoming show, Divas of Theatre. Is she a diva? “Well, kind of, yes, maybe a bit… I suppose I’ve lived a lot, been around a long […]

From survive to thrive: Christchurch Methodist Mission

“He lived unseen in plain sight – an over-65 kaumātua surviving on the streets of Ōtautahi, sheltering himself in a makeshift, man-made hut, with no income, no identification, and no clear pathway to help.” Metropol editor Nina Tucker uncovers the city’s harsh homelessness epidemic in conversation with local social services organisation Christchurch Methodist […]

HORSEPOWER. Curated by Nina Tucker

Take a risk. That’s what the Year of the Fire Horse means for fashion – bold, fiery, and adventurous sartorial choices that show the world you mean business. Fuse the stallion’s power with fire’s intense, passionate spirit to create sharp silhouettes, expressively style accessories and channel red energy.      

Pump fiction

Landing just in time for a powerful Year of the Fire Horse (or May’s The Devil Wears Prada 2 release, perhaps), the pump is powering back through the office halls and city malls. The style is technically classified by its closed heel and toe form, but the pump has become a loose term […]

Styled seasonally: Maxwell Fashion

Summer is passing by, and the winter months are coming fast. Finding fashion that looks stylish but also keeps you warm can be a challenge. Your home for winter pieces this season, Maxwell Fashion in Halswell introduces its 2026 winter collection. Specialising in high-quality ladies’ fashion, the new season collection features premium merinos […]