Built to thrill

Streamlined meets sporty in the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, writes Metropol’s motoring man Ben Selby. The whole SUV-come-coupe segment was not really something I could get excited about. My attitude changed when I sampled this new offering from Mercedes-Benz. The coupe’s flowing rear section and slippery-looking accents are the most obvious cues to […]

Potato crisps

Crunchy to the bite and smothered in salt, are potato chips the most snackable thing around? You tell us – try these easy air fryer chips. INGREDIENTS | SERVES 2 •  2 large Agria potatoes •  1 sweet potato •  1 Tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil •  Salt, to taste METHOD Carefully cut […]

Rainbow beef

Crispy, flavourful stir-fry with thin slices of beef coated in a sweet and tangy sauce, rainbow beef is a crowd favourite for its bold flavours and vibrant look. INGREDIENTS (serves 3) BEEF – 250g of your favourite cut of steak, thinly sliced – 120g cornflour – Vegetable oil, for deep-frying SAUCE – 160ml […]

Lady of the Court: Eilish Moran

After four decades and 80 professional plays, Ōtautahi actor Eilish Moran tells Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about a lifetime helping shape theatre in Canterbury and her upcoming show, Divas of Theatre. Is she a diva? “Well, kind of, yes, maybe a bit… I suppose I’ve lived a lot, been around a long […]

From survive to thrive: Christchurch Methodist Mission

“He lived unseen in plain sight – an over-65 kaumātua surviving on the streets of Ōtautahi, sheltering himself in a makeshift, man-made hut, with no income, no identification, and no clear pathway to help.” Metropol editor Nina Tucker uncovers the city’s harsh homelessness epidemic in conversation with local social services organisation Christchurch Methodist […]

HORSEPOWER. Curated by Nina Tucker

Take a risk. That’s what the Year of the Fire Horse means for fashion – bold, fiery, and adventurous sartorial choices that show the world you mean business. Fuse the stallion’s power with fire’s intense, passionate spirit to create sharp silhouettes, expressively style accessories and channel red energy.      

Prawn toast with chilli crisp mayo

Author of Lucky Dragon Supper Club Stephanie Feher shares this recipe for her delicious prawn toast. I love a prawn toast that’s made with buttery-sweet brioche slices, light on the sesame seeds and generously filled. I use peeled and deveined frozen prawns or shrimp to save time, but fresh prawns work just as […]

Laura Frankenschmidt behind Lyttelton Lights

Meet Lyttelton Lights founder Laura Frankenschmidt. In 2026, the mother of three (plus a brand you could liken to a fourth child) marks 10 years of business and a whole hoard of hurdles jumped. Metropol editor Nina Tucker finds out how Laura’s first candle crafted over the stove in her cosy Lyttelton cottage […]

Tattoo takeover: Auckland Tattoo Convention

Almost 200 world-class national and international tattoo artists will meet under one roof in March at Auckland’s first-ever international tattoo convention. Whether it’s a dream piece or just curiosity that beckons, don’t miss this opportunity. Auckland’s cultural calendar is set to become striking with the launch of the city’s first-ever international tattoo convention, […]

SWAN SONS

Tom, Ike and Cosmo Sylvester are the sons of one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated fashion designers – Kate Sylvester. More than that, they’re a trio moulding their parents’ thirty-year-old fashion house into its contemporary future. They chat with Metropol editor Nina Tucker about imposter syndrome, a life-changing accident, and their new store in […]