Life as Christchurch’s leading event stylist
From the foothills of Aoraki Mount Cook to the top of China’s Great Wall, Christchurch event stylist Kim Chan is a veteran of many venues. With Metropol editor Nina Tucker, Kim talks about styling, sustainability and who she can’t live without. “I’m not a minimalist.” Kim Chan darts between tables in Te Pae’s […]
Cabbages and kings
Want to cook cabbage like a chef from a Michelin restaurant? Try this recipe from Simon Levy of Michelin-star Christchurch restaurant Inati. Author Lewis Carroll wrote the now-famous “cabbages and kings” line into his poem, ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter’. In China, the cabbage is a symbol of prosperity, and two cities boast […]
Suits you
Curated by Nina Tucker ‘Androgynous chic’ has long been my answer to how I describe my style. A balance of masculine and feminine shapes where ease meets elegance – perhaps because I grew up reading every book I could find about Coco Chanel and her design principles (she famously revolutionised 20th century fashion […]
Supermarket superman Craig Grant
What does it take to create Christchurch’s most aesthetic (and award-winning) supermarket? Award-winning businessman Craig Grant of FreshChoice Merivale reveals the stories of success he’s always been too humble to tell with Metropol editor Nina Tucker. FreshChoice Merivale is the first-class plane flight equivalent to grocery shopping. Each piece of fruit and vegetable […]
The fight against homelessness: Christchurch leaders swap warm beds for cardboard
On one of winter’s coldest nights, 13 August 2026, more than 40 leaders and key figures in the Christchurch community will swap warm beds for cardboard at an inaugural sleepout inside One New Zealand Stadium, in a bid for public donations and to raise awareness for Ōtautahi’s alarming homelessness figures. The Big Sleepout […]
Canterbury’s winning homes
Located in Cashmere and Loburn, two of Canterbury’s finest home builds have been honoured in this year’s Master Builders House of the Year awards. The results are in for the winners of the Master Builders House of the Year 2026 Awards, a prestigious competition that celebrates building excellence in Aotearoa. While many Canterbury […]
Creative to her core. Waimate’s Emma Heppell
“When we care about something, we’re much more likely to protect it,” says Waimate-based artist, author, business owner and ice cream scooper Emma Heppell. Passing that passion to the next generation, Emma encourages children to nurture their creativity in a digital world with her community art studio, and hopes her new children’s book […]
Finding harmony Mel Parsons
Award-winning Ōtautahi indie-folk singer-songwriter Mel Parsons has spent 17 years building a loyal following. With a seventh album on the way, four young children, and a career built on her own terms, she talks to Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about the beautiful chaos of balancing family, creativity and life in Lyttelton prior […]
Speed meets style
Sharp silhouettes, playful poise and power poses from both pooch and person command attention against a thriving city backdrop. High end but not high maintenance, life in Christchurch is more stylish with a ‘pawtner’ in crime. Photography ANGELICA DUMAGUIN of SONDER MEDIA. Styling SKYE ZÖFIA MARRYATT. Editorial direction NINA TUCKER, TAMARA PITELEN. […]
Lisa Philp on homing hounds
With the ban on greyhound racing coming into effect from 1 August, about 1600 ex-racing greyhounds are looking for homes. Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen spoke to the national manager of Greyhounds As Pets Lisa Philp about rehoming Aotearoa’s great hounds. Lisa Philp has five greyhounds at home. As the national manager for […]
