Canterbury’s local heroes
Meet Canterbury’s local heroes – each a force for good in their community. An extraordinary group of 100 Kiwis making a positive difference in their communities have been announced as the Local Hero Medallists for the 2026 Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau. With […]
Rasberry Cardamom Frozen Yoghurt
Tart raspberries blended with creamy Greek yoghurt, a whisper of rosewater, and the gentle warmth of cardamom, this frozen yoghurt from the latest book by Cantabrian Kate William, Floral Abundance, is a beautiful finish to a summer meal or a refreshing afternoon treat. INGREDIENTS – SERVES 8 2 cups frozen raspberries 2 cups […]
Christmas Meringue Wreath recipe
From North Canterbury foodie and author Angela Clifford, this Christmas Meringue Wreath from her book The Food Farm is the perfect blend of wow and yum. It serves eight to 12, Angela says – based on the size of your Christmas meal leading up to dessert. INGREDIENTS MERINGUE 6 egg whites 1 1/2 […]
Nadia Lim’s Merry Cherry Trifle
“My Aunty Pippa makes a bloody good trifle,” Nadia writes in her latest book, Nadia’s Farm Kitchen. The key, she says, is homemade (not bought) sponge, homemade custard (made with cream), and a good dry sherry (lots of it). This recipe leans into the beauty of homemade food, and is sure to please […]
A beautiful Britten life
Lifestyle content creator, entertaining whizz, home makeover maestro, keen green thumb, and the daughter of the legendary John Britten, Isabelle Weston is on a quest to make every moment beautiful – especially during Christmases she can’t spend with the late visionary engineer. She shares lessons learned with Metropol editor Nina Tucker. The time […]
Treat me!
You’ve probably heard of the foliage wreath, the meringue wreath, and maybe even the antipasto wreath, but have you discovered the treat wreath? The treat wreath is perfect for all things Christmas, whether you need to bring a plate for a shared lunch, use it as a feature dessert, or wrap it in […]
Dux Dine’s new gameplan
Aaron and Amy Mauger’s journey together is one of resilience and hard work, Metropol editor Nina Tucker discovers. While the former All Black travelled nationally and internationally for test matches or coaching gigs, Amy was the rock at home raising their four children. Now they look down the barrel of a brand new […]
Fudge, fast & fabulous
Who doesn’t love fudge? It’s a rich, versatile, indulgent treat, perfect for gifting. With Christmas fast approaching, gift this Russian Fudge to your loved ones, or enjoy it for yourself – we won’t tell. INGREDIENTS 3 1/2 cups white sugar 200g sweetened condensed milk 125g butter 1/2 cup milk 3 Tbsp golden syrup […]
Eat, drink, & be merry!
Before we merry make, we decorate. These key elements still leave room for personal preference and make styling your festive tablescape simple. REMEMBER: Christmas isn’t one size fits all – it’s entirely interpretive. Ignore the traditional customs and ask what Christmas could look like if it was all up to you. Utilise […]
5 great foods for gut health
From the moment we’re born, our gut microbiome’s role in the body begins. There’s still much to learn about the trillions of micro-organisms – bacteria, viruses and fungi – that exist in our gastrointestinal tract, but the science has already revealed some fascinating associations between them and the healthy functioning of just about […]
