Be prepared! Terra Viva Home and Garden
The original motto of the scout movement started by Robert Baden-Powell applies to most situations in life. For gardeners, preparation is the starting point and key to success – and it’s all about the soil. “The better the soil, the better the results,” says Peter Worsp of the iconic home and garden destination […]
Adrenaline adventures: Hanmer Springs
From quad bikes to mountain bikes, bungy jumping, or blasting through narrow gorges on a jet boat, Hanmer has the adventure activities to put the spring back in your step. Forget candles and spa sessions, sometimes the best way to relax and unwind is to get wet, muddy, and physical in the great […]
What’s on in Wellington
When the capital calls, you pick up. A compact and walkable destination city, Wellington offers everything from wildlife and culture to a thriving culinary landscape – and some blockbuster events. If you’re heading to Wellington but procrastinating the itinerary planning, or impulse-booking a last-minute trip, let us offer a steer. 13 SEP: Watch […]
Power, purpose, & the gift of midlife: Petra Bagust & Niki Bezzant
Midlife gets a bad rap – often portrayed as a slow descent into elastic waistbands and forgetting why you walked into a room. Television personality Petra Bagust and acclaimed journalist Niki Bezzant tell Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen that finding yourself in your fifties might be the best chapter yet. Midlife is a […]
Read or rust: Novelist Kate De Goldi says books are critical to our wellbeing in an AI age
Award-winning author and Aotearoa’s new Te Awhi Rito reading ambassador Kate De Goldi says our brains are under siege – by screens, algorithms, and the distraction of ever-pinging phones. The WORD Festival guest tells Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen that the solution is beautifully simple: sustained reading to rebuild attention, empathy and imagination, […]
6 ways to reduce sugar
(and tackle meno belly)
Are you struggling with perimenopause or menopause belly? You’re not alone. Fellow menopausal belly battler and Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen goes in search of the villains. Top of the list? Sugar. There you are, going about your business, getting on with living your life when suddenly, from seemingly out of nowhere, a […]
MORE IS MORE
Move over, minimalists. A new wave has reached us – and it’s all things ‘extra’. More than a loud shirt or bright blazer, I’m talking matching sets engulfed in prints that serenade without sound, or a combination of colours that only makes sense to you. Maximalism is about being bold and authentically expressive. […]
The cuddle chemical:
The healing power of hugging
A hug lasting 20 seconds can have a therapeutic effect on the body and mind. The average length of a hug between two people is three seconds. Researchers, though, have discovered something amazing. When a hug lasts 20 seconds or more, it stimulates the release of oxytocin, lowers cortisol levels, and helps regulate […]
Itchy, dry skin this winter?
As colder temperatures continue and heaters remain on high, many people experience itchy, dry skin. Suffering from dry, itchy skin in winter is a common condition that can affect anyone. Often called ‘winter itch’ or pruritus hiemalis, older adults with naturally drier skin are more susceptible. Why ‘winter’ itch? Because when temperatures drop, […]
Jake Bailey’s top tips for public speaking
Ten years ago, an 18-year-old Jake Bailey sat in a wheelchair in front of his classmates at Christchurch Boys’ High School and delivered a prizegiving speech that would go viral and be seen by millions. Days earlier, he’d been diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive cancer, and given just weeks to live without […]
