Out of office: off!
“After more than a decade of tragedy, Christchurch emerges as New Zealand’s most vibrant city,” read an article last month in UK newspaper The Guardian.
I kept returning to that story over the summer holidays – and it takes a lot to pull me away from the blissful pages of Vogue or cuddles with my nieces. After the years of pain Christchurch has endured, the recognition felt like validation for the thousands who never gave up on our city. In this issue, we revisit Christchurch’s transformation from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 with a ‘then and now’ feature from page 58, thanks to dedicated documenting by a passionate local woman.
While us Cantabrians don’t need any convincing, it’s nice to hear one of Britain’s most trusted media voices singing Christchurch’s praises. Even better, it’s not the only global pat
on the back that Christchurch has had this summer.
Muralist Jacob Yikes received a nomination for ‘Best Mural of 2025’ by international organisation Street Art Cities, for his work Narcissa, on the side of the Distinction Hotel. Plus, we were named the most bicycle-friendly city in Asia and Oceania, and 38th globally, in an international ranking index. There’s more about that in this issue, and I’m reminded of the phrase: “We didn’t come this far just to come this far.”
It’s only fitting that our first issue of 2026 should pay homage to one of Christchurch’s original record-breakers, motorcyle engineer and innovator John Britten, and that the man honouring him is Canterbury’s Mike Pero. Entrepreneur, businessman, father, grandfather, and dog dad to five pooches, (oh, and six-time national motorcycle racing champion), Mike is a class act. His highly-anticipated Britten Museum on Cambridge Terrace invites the public into John’s life and legacy from 18 February at 10am.
Now, if you’re looking to live a little healthier this year (because it’s January and that’s human nature), this issue leans into the world of wellness. Start with three feel-good and back-to-work-tailored recipes, tips from the influencers, and the scoop on where your personal energy wants to go in 2026 as revealed by a Christchurch numerologist.
The return to to work doesn’t mean summer’s over, so remember to make time to relax, read, and reflect. Let your love of local lead you outdoors to everything Christchurch and its communities provide this time of year.
