Latest Articles
Love your louvre: Louvre Solutions
Imagine having the luxury of continuing your outdoor summer soirées even after the sun goes down. Canterbury-based Louvre Solutions are experts in extending your indoor outdoor flow so you can extend your gatherings long into the evening. Whether entertaining, relaxing, or simply expanding your indoor area, the team can create a custom space […]
Tip top toes: Footprints Podiatry
Fungal toenail infections? Verrucae? Make them a thing of the past with laser technology that lets you step into summer with confidence. If the thought of baring your feet this summer makes you hesitate, help is at hand. Senior podiatrist Howard Nicholas from Footprints Podiatry recommends taking early action if possible. “The trick […]
Love is in the air: Sophie Divett Jewellery
Handmade and personalised ceremonial rings are a meaningful way to seal your lifelong commitment. Ceremonial jewellery will immortalise your wedding day, and Sophie Divett Jewellery has the perfect range of unique and handcrafted bands available to view and design from the Christchurch workroom. Reflecting natural beauty, Sophie Divett’s ceremonial collections are inspired by […]
Age-old problem: Israel Cooper
Despite looking efficient on paper, New Zealand’s retirement housing is failing communities and seniors. My grandmother is 86. She wants to live near her 30 grandchildren, her church, her doctor, and the familiar streets she has walked for decades. Yet finding an affordable, accessible home outside a retirement village proves nearly impossible. New […]
Salon supremacy: Savvy hair
South Island’s top hairdresser Sarah McGuigan and her team received 16 finalist nominations across four categories at November’s New Zealand Hair Awards. For her 2025 collection, Sarah placed second in the editorial colour concept category – a reflection of her expertise in colour work. She secured a fourth placing for both editorial cover […]
Soak up the season: The Rusty Acre
Summer’s approaching. How are you spending it? Just 25 minutes north of Christchurch by car, you’ll find The Rusty Acre – a hidden gem where creativity and nature come together. This enchanting gift store is set within an art sculpture garden that comes alive in summer. With more than 80 handmade sculptures scattered […]
Garage door maintenance hacks: Garador Christchurch
Your garage door works harder than almost any other part of your home – opening and closing day after day, year after year. Yet it’s easily overlooked until it refuses to budge. Aaron Harvey of Garador Christchurch says regular maintenance is the key to avoiding costly repairs. “A well-maintained garage door should last […]
Fine furniture: Gavin Cox Furniture
You can’t beat quality, solid timber furniture that’s made exactly as you want it, right here in Christchurch. Handcrafting beautiful bespoke furniture from solid timbers is both an art and a science, combining artistry with a deep understanding of materials. If anyone understands this, it’s the team at Sydenham-based Gavin Cox Furniture, where […]
Treasure trove: Woolston Emporium
From antiques to eclectic accessories, curiosities and vintage clothing, discover a treasure trove of unique finds from 12 businesses under one roof. By definition, an emporium is a cornucopia of discovery and local shopping gem. The Woolston Emporium, captures this spirit beautifully. “Step inside and you’ll find a carefully curated collection of vintage […]
White Christmas slice
We’ll all be dreaming of a white Christmas with this mouth-watering festive treat. INGREDIENTS 500g quality white chocolate 1 1/2 cups rice bubbles 1/2 cup red glacé cherries 1/2 cup dried apricots, quartered 3/4 cup unsalted shelled pistachio nuts 1/4 cup sultanas and/or golden raisins 1 cup desiccated coconut For the topping: 1 […]
Listen up!
Vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to hearing loss. Did you know that Vitamin B12 deficiency could accelerate hearing loss and tinnitus? Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse vitamin that supports our nerves, DNA, red blood cell production, brain function, energy, concentration, memory, and mood. Several studies from sources including the American Journal of […]
The magic of Christmas: One World
Create a space with a luxurious festive feel that shines with style and sophistication. Make your Christmas a OneWorld Christmas – find a beautiful collection curated with timeless elegance in mind in stock now. Christchurch’s home of the Hamptons, this gorgeous retail store at 114 Carlyle Street, Sydenham, is full of fabulous pieces […]
Sounds like Christmas: Soundline Audio
The best quality audio is a gift for the eyes and ears of the perfectionist in your life. How would you hit peak Christmas delight for the perfectionist in your life? You would gift them a Canvas Hi-Fi system bespoke designed to suit their favourite room in the house. The best quality audio […]
Shaking it up
Protein drinks are all the rage. Ready in a couple of minutes, tasty, and nutritious. Great for breakfast on the go. Protein drinks are increasing in popularity, valued for their convenience, rapid absorption, and low fat. Powdered protein from ingredients like hemp, whey, pea, soy, and more, are readily available in an array […]
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Cuisine
Pomegranate punch
This quinoa and pomegranate salad recipe is perfect for spring events, Christmas celebrations, and beyond. INGREDIENTS 200g tri-coloured quinoa 75g kale 1/3 cup Pepper & Me Long Lunch Dressing (or balsamic vinaigrette) 2 oranges 1 handful fresh mint 100g pomegranate arils 1 tsp Pepper & Me Man Grind Flakes 100g feta METHOD Boil […]
Escape the race: The Pedal Pusher
Relax. Unwind. Recharge. Break free of the daily demands and incessant hustle. Easier said than done, right? Here’s a tip: head to The Pedal Pusher Rolleston – a contemporary gastro pub grounded in the values of slowing down. Inspired by the journey on wheels or through life, this is your place to pause, […]
Season to celebrate: The Old Vicarage
With Christmas and the new year fast approaching, end-of-year work functions are in the planning stage, and finding the perfect place can be a challenge. Specialising in group bookings, The Old Vicarage has been hosting some of Christchurch’s finest companies’ work functions over the past 20 years. Offering a range of private rooms […]
Masterclass: Riverside Kitchen
Gifting experiences is the way to win Christmas – and the way to win hearts and minds. Perched above the hum of Riverside Market, Riverside Kitchen feels like a hidden world of its own. Light streams through the windows as guests chop, stir, and taste their way through recipes that allow them to […]
Fashion & Beauty
What women want: Everee Women
Fresh from the popular nationwide Hot Mess Tour hosted by presenters Niki Bezzant and Petra Bagust, one women’s health company is doubling down on something long overdue: straight talk about perimenopause. For too many women, midlife arrives with sleepless nights, brain fog, mood swings, stubborn weight gain, and the all-too-familiar ‘you’re too young’ […]
Get your togs on: LifeStyles Hanmer
It’s swimwear season, and one bathing suit just isn’t going to be enough. Just like other types of clothing, different swimsuits are needed for different situations. For example, if you do a lot of active swimming for exercise, then you need chlorine-resistant swimwear specifically for that. After all, you wouldn’t wear a party […]
Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival
When the city becomes a sartorial spectacle from 7 to 9 November for Christchurch’s first Spring Fashion Festival, will you be seated in the front row? Tickets to the packed three-day schedule are selling fast. Public-facing fashion shows, designer hosted events and inspiring panel talks make up this weekend-long celebration, thanks to a […]
Cosmetic tattoos: KM Surgical
From defining eyebrows and lips to eyeliner and hiding scars, cosmetic tattooing can be a game-changer. For many people, the daily ritual of applying makeup, along with the cost of buying products, can add unnecessary stress to an already busy life. Cosmetic tattooing offers a long-lasting solution. It’s also a game-changer for those […]
Health
Migrant health: Christchurch Immigration Health
Expert end-to-end medical and multilingual support for immigration needs. Applying to work or live in New Zealand can be a daunting process, particularly proving that you and your family meet visa health requirements. From its central city location, Christchurch Immigration Health can be your one-stop-shop for visa medicals and certification. As an accredited […]
Care without conditions: Christchurch Methodist Mission
In an aged care community, ceiling hoists become a holy grail, ensuring the smooth, safe transfer of residents to and from bed. What happens when such crucial specialised medical equipment is not funded by Te Whatu Ora? WesleyCare, a branch of the Christchurch Methodist Mission, is a not-for-profit providing care to people transitioning […]
Modern makeover: Fendalton Dental
Servicing the teeth and smiles of Canterbury for more than 15 years, this Fendalton-based dental practice finally got its own makeover. Reopening with an intimate celebration in early October, Fendalton Dental welcomed its loyal community to their newly-renovated premises. Same location, same expert dentistry, but a cutting-edge upgrade to match. A third-generation dentist […]
Why we need to talk about death
The struggles with terminal illness of beloved New Zealanders like Nigel Latta and Dai Henwood have highlighted the need for better conversations about grief, death and dying. For Western cultures, the concept of death is uncomfortable. Unlike other cultures, which have woven the honouring of death and dying into every day custom and […]
Home & Living
Adversity to elegance: Maree Hynes
Now a thriving design destination, Maree Hynes Interiors has come a long way from its beginnings in a mobile curtains van. The woman behind it all looks back on a 30-year South Canterbury legacy. From humble beginnings to building one of the South Island’s most admired interior design brands, Maree Hynes’ story is […]
Find Christmas cheer here: Terra Viva
Deck the halls, decorate the tree and table, and become everyone’s favourite family member. Here’s how. Peter Worsp’s staff at Terra Viva don’t hesitate when it comes to a late night in the shop setting up for Christmas. “Each year we hunt out new designs we haven’t stocked before and, apart from a […]
Benchmark
A three-step guide to styling one of the most used and most visible features of the kitchen – the humble bench. Don’t throw everything and the kitchen sink at making your bench look pretty. Start with the type of stone and adjoining cabinetry. Ideally, you want contrasting yet complementary hues – a dark […]
Kitchen class: Kitchen Studio
The future of kitchen renovation lies in creating a personalised journey from imagining your new kitchen to enjoying it. Renovating a kitchen is more than a project; it’s an investment of time, energy, and emotion, and the process should honour that, says Jo Tozer, owner of Kitchen Studio in Merivale. “Exceptional service goes […]
One on One
Meet the Fullers
If there’s any pair who know how to host, it’s Marty and Naomi Fuller, and it’s not all they can do. The trophy cabinet of one of Christchurch’s best hospitality duos holds more than a few shiny awards – it’s home to something you can only win after running all seven of the […]
Catching up with Lianne Dalziel
On the fifth anniversary of her husband Rob’s death, former Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel was back by the tree where she married him for another milestone moment. She tells Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about life at the golden age. She might be eligible for her bus pass, but former Christchurch mayor Lianne […]
Sonja De Mari: Fashion for a cure
What if you could travel the country celebrating New Zealand’s best in fashion, to save lives? Metropol editor Nina Tucker caught up with Sonja de Mari, the woman behind charitable trust Breast Cancer Cure, who has spent a decade striving to reduce our one-in-nine breast cancer statistic. Sonja de Mari has spent the […]
Jill’s journey with the Christchurch Methodist Mission
“How do we help people who may be struggling to flourish?” That one question has guided Jill Hawkey long into her tenure as Christchurch Methodist Mission’s executive director, writes Metropol editor Nina Tucker. “Who are the people missing out in society? Who are the most disadvantaged or the most marginalised? What actually needs […]
Build
Hurunui’s $25 million climate adaptation loan
In a first for New Zealand, Amberley Beach residents are to be relocated in response to sea level rise driven by climate change. The Hurunui District Council has secured a loan of $23.5 million from the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) for climate change adaptation and relocation of residents from Amberley Beach, due […]
Riverside lifestyle with Greymouth’s new boom: Smart Project Management
Be part of Greymouth’s new chapter in a high-quality development built for prestige and performance. Greymouth Mawhera is undergoing a bold revitalisation. A resurgence of mining with proposed port infrastructure enabling Trans-Tasman trade, has seen the town diversifying into new sectors of health, medical, hospitality and tourism services. At the heart of the […]
Beautiful. Healthier. More efficient: Superhome Movement
Don’t miss the opportunity to get behind the scenes of the Superhome Movement at the upcoming pop-up tour and expo on 6 December. It’s your chance to learn about the design and construction of cutting-edge, low carbon, zero carbon, resource-efficient and sustainable homes. The Superhome Movement has been inspiring beautiful, healthier, more energy […]
Trade Me Property Gavin Lloyd: App happy
Our new property app reveals your home’s value. Arecent Trade Me Property survey of more than 2500 Kiwis found 90 per cent consider their home’s value to be a key part of their overall financial security. The survey also revealed 32 per cent of Kiwis wonder what their property is worth at least […]
ArtScene
Paint your resolutions: Art Metro
For many, new year’s resolutions aspire towards new hobbies and trying new things. We have all heard the phrase: ‘New year, new me’. Between goals in work or sport, some strive to instead rediscover a long-lost creative vein. “It is great to be creative, to develop our skills,” says Art Metro’s Simon Walmisley. […]
Dive into the spotlight: Isaac Theatre Royal
Think exclusive access, thrilling perks, extraordinary entertainment, and the ultimate theatre giveaway for 2025. The iconic Isaac Theatre Royal has all that and more in store for the year ahead. Rolling out the red carpet for theatre lovers across Canterbury, the launch of their new Backstage Club Membership and Patron Programmes are designed […]
Glass masterpiece
Since late last year, Cardrona Distillery has been home to a chandelier of over 1000 handcrafted glass feathers. The award-winning Crystal Chain Gang, Martinborough glass artists Jim Dennison and Leanne Williams, installed their largest-ever piece in terms of the number of feathers and width of the creation, in Cardrona Distillery’s restaurant in December. […]
A night to remember: Isaac Theatre Royal
Monumental, captivating, history-making. That is how you might describe the celebration that marked 10 years of standing strong once again, for one of Christchurch’s renowned arts establishments. The Isaac Theatre Royal’s Anniversary Variety Gala was an unforgettable celebration of resilience, creativity, and community, marketing and deveolopment manager Bianca Lindstrom says. Opening the evening […]
Business
Turning the tide together
Backing local business is the key to economic recovery. New Zealand has a powerful opportunity to turn the tide on rising business closures simply by choosing to support local. That’s the message from Buy NZ Made, which is calling on Kiwis to unite behind homegrown businesses during a time of economic pressure and […]
People, process and performance: EBI
Why culture, trust, and collaboration are the real drivers of efficient systems. When it comes to building an efficient and effective business, processes are often placed under the microscope. Flowcharts, checklists, and systems can give an impression of control and order – these are necessary, no doubt. Yet, the truth is that no […]
How to hire from overseas: Pier Law
One local law firm specialises in guiding Kiwi businesses through immigration compliance. Navigating New Zealand’s immigration system can be daunting for employers looking to hire talent from overseas. If that’s you, Pier Law is here to help. A general practice local law firm that has offices located in Northwood, New Brighton and Kaiapoi, […]
All that glitters: PH Wealth
Is gold bullion really the golden ticket? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket; diversification matters more, writes financial adviser Shiree Hembrow. For centuries, gold has captured our imagination. From ancient coins to family heirlooms, it has symbolised wealth, security, and even love. Today, many investors still ask the same question: ‘Should […]