Couch envy
A couch is one of the biggest interior investments we’ll make in a lifetime – and it’s an investment in a different kind of living. On a couch we gather, lounge, nap, de-stress, read, watch, knit – it’s our happy place for better or worse, and winter only dials up the time we […]
Frame & fortune
Summoning nostalgia Nigel Buxton is a Christchurch based artist who is known to often explore the painting tradition of trompe l’oeil, beautifully capturing depth in his luscious oil paintings. Find this piece at PG gallery192, 192 Bealey Ave, Christchurch. Mountainous allure Jane Riley paints with flair, as illustrated in Colourful Coast – Mt […]
An evening with the Cowboy Junkies: Isaac Theatre Royal
Canadian alt-country pioneers Cowboy Junkies return to Christchurch this November to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen caught up with songwriter Michael Timmins. In 1988, when Canadian alt-country legends Cowboy Junkies released their slow, haunting version of Velvet Underground’s Sweet Jane, little did they know they’d still be playing it […]
Lounge around
Is there a time and place to be unapologetically lazy? Don’t judge a couch by its cover. A striking pattern, bold colour or chic neutral exterior might be your ultimate in aesthetics – but put your future self first and consider how it will perform at home. When you do grant yourself time […]
Behind Nyree Huyser’s sound
Christchurch-based vocalist Nyree Huyser is no stranger to the stage. Her rich, soulful sound commands attention and powerhouse vocals are her signature. Behind the spotlight is a story that spans continents, careers, and a powerful reconnection with the music that first moved her, Metropol writer Hannah Brown discovers. It wasn’t until Nyree Huyser […]
Little India’s legacy
A rogan josh experiment one Friday night in 1988 Dunedin was the seed of Little India, a family-owned group of Indian restaurants that now spans the country. This isn’t just a business story though; Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen discovers a legacy built on hard work, migration, and an unshakable belief in family. […]
Instant pick-me-up: Chocolate mug cake
Need instant indulgence? This microwave chocolate mug cake steps in to serve our sugar cravings when we need a quick lift. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup flour 1/8 cup sugar 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 1/8 tsp baking powder 3 Tbsp milk 2 Tbsp oil (such as avocado, rice bran or coconut). 1/2 tsp vanilla 1-2 […]
Gingerbread cookies: Good Bitches Baking cookbook recipe
From the Good Bitches Baking cookbook, local baker Judith Varga shares her recipe for Mézeskalács – often translated as ‘gingerbread’ but directly translating to ‘honey cake’. INGREDIENTS | Makes 100 250g honey 300g butter 300g light brown sugar 3+1 eggs (keep the last egg for glazing, optional) 1kg flour 2 tsp baking soda […]
4 family-friendly snow spots
Ski, snowboard, or spectate while beautiful white peaks watch over you – discover the places Canterbury families favour when it comes to enjoying the snow. Mt Hutt Crowned New Zealand’s best ski resort at the World Ski Awards for 10 consecutive years, Mt Hutt understands the importance of a family-friendly snow experience. Four […]
Birds of our backyard
Birds act as backyard barometers, indicating the health of the environment surrounding us. How does Canterbury shape up? Thousands of garden birds were counted in last year’s longest running citizen science project, the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey. After months of number-crunching, Manaaki Whenua has released the findings. Across the region, a record […]