Rhubarb, raspberry & ginger strudel braid
A beautifully braided pastry, bursting with tart rhubarb, juicy raspberries and warming ginger, all wrapped in golden puff pastry with a sweet almond crunch. From Nadia Lim’s latest book, it’s an eye-catching dessert or morning-tea treat that’s easier to make than it looks. SERVES 6 to 8 Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: […]
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 […]
Homegrown fashion
Christchurch’s inaugural Spring Fashion Festival just wrapped. It wouldn’t be a fashion week without a trend report, writes Metropol editor Nina Tucker. In its three days of glory, the festival uplevelled our city’s sartorial spirit. If not for the energised street style I witnessed on the ground, it left inspiration for the art […]
Sir Dave Dobbyn: Selected Songs
Sir Dave Dobbyn – Selected Songs At the Christchurch Town Hall Auditorium, 9 November 2025 Reviewed by Ian Knott. Photo credit: George Thomson / Live Nation Aotearoa – @Georgetommo / @livenationaotearoa When it comes to New Zealand music legends, few come bigger than the somewhat ironically diminutive Sir Dave Dobbyn. With a career […]
Matilda’s mental health movement
On 29 November at Rolleston’s Foster Park, Matilda Green will be one of thousands attempting to break the world record for the largest high intensity interval training (HIIT) class ever – raising awareness and funds for mental health. The media personality talks to Metropol editor Nina Tucker about HIIT for Hope, motherhood, and […]
Afterlife hotline. Inside the life of a Kiwi psychic medium.
With a two-year waiting list, Rangiora-based Jacqueline Mitchell is one of New Zealand’s most in-demand psychic mediums. She talks to deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about life with dead people. I have a ghost in my house. This didn’t come as a big shock, to be honest. Weird things have been happening since we […]
Magic slice
An easy and delicious slice from the gorgeous new Beautiful Baking book by Sue Heazlewood. INGREDIENTS Makes 16 pieces 250g plain biscuits, blitzed 170g butter, melted 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup dessicated coconut 1 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup slivered almonds 395g can sweetened condensed milk METHOD Preheat the oven to 190°C […]
Pure Dark Horse
The term ‘dark horse’ refers to an underdog or a surprise winner, which is how Ford has positioned its first new Mustang brand in 21 years. Metropol writer Ben Selby saddles up for a test ride. Referred to as the Mustang ‘you never saw coming’, the Dark Horse by Ford is a hardcore, […]
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 […]
Cottage cheese & spinach bake
From her third cookbook Seasoned, foodie and chef Cherie Metcalfe’s cottage cheese and spinach bake has a high level of protein and an equally high level of yum – a staple when on an end-of-year health kick between events. INGREDIENTS 600g frozen spinach 6 eggs 500g cottage cheese 1/3 cup grated parmesan 1 […]
