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 […]

The book of love: Romance author Rosie Richards

With 130 books published and 10 million copies sold in 30 countries, Canterbury romance writer Rosie Richards is Aotearoa’s most prolific author. Now based in Akaroa and contracted to produce a new book every 10 weeks, Rosie talks to Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about fear, love and romance shaming. Rosie Richards – […]

Inspire: Paul Wright

“Practise 20 seconds of courage every day.” That’s the advice of businessman Paul Wright to conquer every challenge in life – exemplified by his own success in a leadership team taking Harcourts from 12 branches nationwide to almost 1000 across 10 countries. Metropol editor Nina Tucker talks to the man investing all his […]

Barely coping: Dr Jo Prendergast

Juggling too many balls? Struggling to keep on top of everything? You’re not alone. Women across Canterbury are living on the brink, caught in the #coping epidemic. “I kept hearing the same phrase from clients,” says Christchurch psychiatrist and comedian Dr Jo Prendergast. “They’d say, ‘I’m coping… but only just. Not thriving. Not […]

Loco for cocoa: Mind Your Temper

Going to the dark side isn’t a bad thing when you’re talking about chocolate. From melt-in-the-mouth chocolate truffles to whipped chocolate creams, ganache, caramels, bon bons, pralines, and more, Valentine’s and Galentine’s is the perfect excuse to go chocolate crazy. Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen gets the lowdown on what’s hot in local […]

Apricot tarte tatin

Golden, sticky and best enjoyed warm, this apricot tarte tatin captures a Canterbury summer at its sweetest – sun-ripened fruit, long evenings and just enough indulgence. INGREDIENTS 6–8 ripe apricots, halved, stones removed 1/2 cup sugar (white or light brown) 50g butter 1 tsp vanilla Optional twist (choose one): lemon zest or thyme […]