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Saddle up: By Chris Korako, Inspire Me Women

This Year of the Horse arrives at full gallop. Late December left me with great sadness with the passing of a loved family member, then swept me away to sea-blue horizons. January followed with white-sand beaches and forests where the noise of the world faded to a hum. By late January, I had […]

Off the leash

Got a dog with some energy to burn? Here’s our pick of the 10 best places in Christchurch to take your dog for a good untethered, free run-around. Christchurch and Canterbury offer great dog spots, with Bottle Lake Forest Park being a top pick for off-leash running (on trails), while The Groynes has […]

Laura Frankenschmidt behind Lyttelton Lights

Meet Lyttelton Lights founder Laura Frankenschmidt. In 2026, the mother of three (plus a brand you could liken to a fourth child) marks 10 years of business and a whole hoard of hurdles jumped. Metropol editor Nina Tucker finds out how Laura’s first candle crafted over the stove in her cosy Lyttelton cottage […]