Art for all eyes

The city’s public art offering has a new show-stopping addition, an incredible bookshelf mural in Upper Riccarton. Fast becoming the national capital of street art, the identity of Christchurch is increasingly shaped and reflected by its numerous colourful and bold murals on buildings across the city. The latest addition to the ever-growing collection […]

6-ingredient sugar cookies

Some might say sugar and butter is sure to sweeten up a sour child. If so, then keep this easy sugar cookie recipe in your arsenal for a rainy day during the school holidays. Ingredients 1 cup butter, softened 2/3 cup sugar + 1/2 cup for rolling 2 cups flour 1 tsp vanilla […]

Blood Brothers is back: Isaac Theatre Royal

Packed with humour, heartbreak, and haunting twists, Blood Brothers is the musical that will pull your heart in all directions. Known worldwide as ‘the standing ovation musical,’ the iconic British musical Blood Brothers is now on stage until 27 September at the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal. Set in 1950s and 1980s Liverpool, Willy […]

The joy of less

A professional organiser reveals how to reclaim space and sanity through decluttering and spring cleaning. Helen Pidwerbesky, a professional organiser and decluttering consultant from Neat Spaces in Christchurch, has seen it all. From dining tables buried under laundry to homes overflowing with sentimental belongings and wardrobes packed to bursting. Her clients come from […]

Bedrooms bring big gains

A new real estate study has revealed that Kiwis are prepared to pay for extra bedrooms. New data from realestate.co.nz highlights the additional value that extra bedrooms can add to a property’s asking price, showing that the number of bedrooms is one of the clearest indicators of price difference in New Zealand’s property […]

Clever clogs: The evolution of the Croc

Metropol editor Nina Tucker investigates… are Crocs cool again? I didn’t want to believe it either. That was, until deputy editor Tamara Pitelen and I were in Merivale research-gathering – otherwise known as window shopping – and there they were. A pair of sparkling, embellished, platform Crocs sitting on the shelf of a […]

Spot on: Fashion has gone dotty

Word, or pattern, on the street is polka dot. Subtle specks, bold spots – we’ve seen them on everything from the international runway to the recent collections from New Zealand brands like Sylvester, RUBY, and Moochi. Adorably flirtatious and terribly timeless, polka dot has looped back once again to the centre of fashion’s […]

The making of the South Island’s top hairdresser: Sarah McGuigan

What does it take to become the South Island’s top hairdresser? Metropol editor Nina Tucker asks Sarah McGuigan, who was recently crowned with the title at the Australian and New Zealand hair industry’s biggest celebration of creativity and excellence, the 2025 AHIA Creative Awards. Sarah McGuigan’s day will always begin at 5am. That […]

Rachel Sloane’s light-filled legacy

Co-founder of luxury jewellery house Naveya & Sloane, Rachel Sloane chats with Metropol writer Hannah Brown about sentiment, her creative process, and a new chapter in Christchurch. Rachel Sloane’s love of jewellery began with a fascination for how a small object can carry deep meaning. “I was drawn to the emotional weight it […]

It must be love: Snapshots of Canterbury newlyweds

Tying the knot, getting hitched, conscious coupling, walking down the aisle… whatever you call it, Canterbury couples are putting their own stamp on weddings – from smiling pups to matching slippers.