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 […]