Mark Rocket: The first Kiwi in space

Print this storyFrom playing in a band called Planet Blue to working at an internet startup named Planet, the clues to Mark Rocket’s future were always hiding in plain sight. Now, the Christchurch entrepreneur has become the first New Zealander to travel to space. He sat down with Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen to talk […]

Daisy Dagg

Print this storyDaisy Dagg tends to fill every pocket of spare time. A mother, interior designer, author and lifestyle blogger, her life is a game of tug-of-war. Metropol editor Nina Tucker discovers that despite health issues and a fear of failure, Daisy’s winning. I’ve always had this little voice in my head saying ‘don’t mess […]

Cowboy core

Print this storyIt’s not fashion’s first rodeo – the Western influence feels like it’s one to stay. If it’s your first time styling ‘cowboy core’, I suggest you start simple: boots, a hat, and the mode’s key colours and textures.

Move that body

Print this storyThe bad news is that daily exercise alone may not be enough to combat a sedentary lifestyle. The good news is that regular exercise ‘snacks’ and active breaks can be literal lifesavers. A few years ago, the headline being shouted across the globe was ‘sitting is the new smoking’. These articles warned us […]

Couch envy

Print this storyA couch is one of the biggest interior investments we’ll make in a lifetime – and it’s an investment in a different kind of living. On a couch we gather, lounge, nap, de-stress, read, watch, knit – it’s our happy place for better or worse, and winter only dials up the time we […]

Frame & fortune

Print this storySummoning nostalgia Nigel Buxton is a Christchurch based artist who is known to often explore the painting tradition of trompe l’oeil, beautifully capturing depth in his luscious oil paintings. Find this piece at PG gallery192, 192 Bealey Ave, Christchurch. Mountainous allure Jane Riley paints with flair, as illustrated in Colourful Coast – Mt […]

An evening with the Cowboy Junkies: Isaac Theatre Royal

Print this storyCanadian alt-country pioneers Cowboy Junkies return to Christchurch this November to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen caught up with songwriter Michael Timmins. In 1988, when Canadian alt-country legends Cowboy Junkies released their slow, haunting version of Velvet Underground’s Sweet Jane, little did they know they’d still be playing it […]

Lounge around

Print this storyIs there a time and place to be unapologetically lazy? Don’t judge a couch by its cover. A striking pattern, bold colour or chic neutral exterior might be your ultimate in aesthetics – but put your future self first and consider how it will perform at home. When you do grant yourself time […]

Behind Nyree Huyser’s sound

Print this storyChristchurch-based vocalist Nyree Huyser is no stranger to the stage. Her rich, soulful sound commands attention and powerhouse vocals are her signature. Behind the spotlight is a story that spans continents, careers, and a powerful reconnection with the music that first moved her, Metropol writer Hannah Brown discovers. It wasn’t until Nyree Huyser […]

Little India’s legacy

Print this storyA rogan josh experiment one Friday night in 1988 Dunedin was the seed of Little India, a family-owned group of Indian restaurants that now spans the country. This isn’t just a business story though; Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen discovers a legacy built on hard work, migration, and an unshakable belief in family. […]