Welcome home

The new stadium is the last of the 16 anchor projects considered necessary to regenerate the city centre. It will add to the city’s vitality, catalyse further development, and help re-establish Christchurch as a sporting and cultural capital. With the rain hosing down outside and gale-force winds buffeting the city, the decision to […]

Sip, swim, stroll, cycle in Kaikōura

From breathtaking scenery best discovered by bike to local brews and marine life encounters, Kaikōura is born to excite the senses. SIP Between boutique distilleries and brewhouses, the taste and tipple of Kaikōura is inspired by its surroundings. Take yourself on a drink crawl, or test a different tipple each night. SWIM Meet […]

Te Kaha the home of local food

It’s no longer a question of ‘should I eat before the game?’ Now the big question is ‘which of the 25 local food and beverage stadium eateries should I choose?’ The stadium’s open concourse will feature local favourites, including Bacon Bros, Pedro’s Lamb, and Lyttleton-based Arbour Woodfired Pizza. With views of the field […]

Texture takeover

Texture is your cheat code to getting dressed. It adds character from afar and tactile interest up close – texture becomes the hero and saves you all the hassle. New Zealand fashion greats have given their stamp of approval; the latest from Trelise Cooper, Juliette Hogan and Karen Walker prove the texture takeover. […]

Mini lemon thyme polenta cakes

From the baking book called You Had Me At Cake by Emelia Jackson, these little cakes are a riff on the classic pound cake – a pound of this, a pound of that – which is why you’ll find very rounded amounts in the ingredients list. Emelia says she used lemon thyme to […]

How to find your dream dress: Brides of Merivale

Owner of South Island’s leading bridal boutique Brides of Merivale, Lisa Dermott answers your burning questions to guide your dress shopping experience. When should I start looking for my dress? Start the search for your gown at least 10 to 12 months prior to your wedding – some brides begin up to 18 […]

You’ve got the look

From Crocs to cigars, Canterbury couples are world-class when it comes to wedding fashion, putting their own personal spin on both trends and traditions on everything from shoes to flowers and bow ties. Enjoy this curation of fashionable moments from recent Canterbury weddings.

Surviving the unsurvivable: Sheena Hemens

In the space of a few weeks, Christchurch businesswoman Sheena Hemens lost her business, her relationship, her home and, worst of all, her daughter. She sat down with Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen to reveal how she endured and why she now speaks openly about grief and resilience. “Losing a child, or any […]

Top of the South foodie’s tour

From character-rich cafés serving up classic Kiwi fare to beautifully restored taverns oozing with historic charm and hearty pub grub, and uber-modern eateries, dining at the top of the South Island is an exploration of sensational flavours, textures and artisanal food aroha. Here’s our guide to a foodie’s tour of the top of […]

Your day, your way

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the thousands of wedding images our editorial team has been poring over in the last few weeks, it’s that Canterbury couples are ripping up the rule book. In 2026, the way people say ‘I do’ is infused with personality and pizazz. Here’s a snapshot – see […]