Latest Articles

The golden touch: Golden Homes

Current building costs could have you resigned to compromises. You might be thinking the beautiful kitchen and bathroom you dreamed of are destined to remain a dream. Happily, the Golden Homes team has solutions. “We have huge capability under our brand,” says local branch co-owner Dean McGuigan. “We have the advantage of suppliers who are […]

Preserving brain health

Our brains are deeply interconnected with our social, spiritual, and physical health, making good brain function or brain health essential to quality of life and longevity. Sadly, as the population ages, the number of people suffering neurological disorders increases, and so too do the challenges for the preservation of brain health. In the coming decades, […]

Wooden it be lovely

In the ever-evolving world of interior design, one trend forecast for 2024 points towards a resurgence of exposed woodgrain. The natural beauty of wood surfaces are captivating homeowners and designers alike, bringing a touch of authenticity, warmth, and rustic charm to living spaces. To make the most of this trend, consider incorporating raw or reclaimed […]

Absolutely awesome builds: Absolute Homes

Building a new home is not for everyone. A decision to build brings the need for an experienced team to see it through to completion. Essential to any successful build is a proven team that knows what it is doing. “Building a home shouldn’t be a stressful process,” says Christchurch based Absolute Homes owner and […]

Anytime fun: Christchurch Attractions

Visit the Christchurch Gondola for loads of fun with friends and family. Offering stunning 360-degree views of Christchurch, Lyttelton, and beyond to the Southern Alps from the viewing decks after a 10-minute cableway journey, the summit station complex also provides access to various walking tracks throughout the Port Hills. You’ll find a child-friendly café, an […]

Nailing the difference: Aura Nail Studio

Ask any time-pressed person what they could not live without and often the answer is a manicure or pedicure. One recently established nail studio steadily building its clientele believes success stems from its point of difference. Aura Nail Studio promotes the “aesthetic manicure and pedicure” – four words which underline the purpose of the business […]

Torque Talk: Road User Charges

So, it’s finally happened. From April 1st, owners of light EVs and Plug in Hybrids (PHEVs) will have to pay Road User Chargers as part of the Government’s RUC for electric vehicles legislation. That means that if you plug your car, van, or SUV, into the mains or fast charger, you will have to pay […]

Editor’s picks with Lynda Papesch

Here at Metropol, our team is lucky enough to receive some of the latest beauty and fashion products to try, so we thought we’d share some with our readers. My first picks are both serums, which as I get older, I find I’m turning to more often. In a skincare regime, it is best to […]

Experienced experts: Marshall Automotive and Tyres

Having peace of mind when it comes to your ride of choice, whether it is your daily driver or weekend cruiser, is essential. You want to be safe in the knowledge that said vehicle has been thoroughly kept in check by a team of professionals who know their stuff. This brings us on to Marshall […]

Making the most of show time

Browsing and buying at a home show comes with many benefits. A one-stop shop, full of experts, opportunities, fun, and free things. To keep you covered, Metropol has thought up an easy-to-remember acronym to ensure you get the most out of the Canterbury Home Show. Don’t forget to PLIMP: Prepare for a long day and […]

Terrific Tesla: Eyrewell Forest Motor Company

Have you ever had the experience of launch control in a Tesla Model S? Ben Selby reports. Thanks to Andrew Farrow of Eyrewell Forest Motor Company, I was able to experience the equivalent of interstellar warp drive on tarmac. The Tesla Model S was the first mainstream offering from Elon Musk. The twin electric motor […]

Catching winter sun: DGI Morgan

An advantage to living on the 45th Parallel South is the set of four distinct seasons. Each encourages a unique set of moods and behaviours. The autumn shortening of daylight brings thoughts of cosy indoor living. We aspire to a home environment that both protects us from, and prepares us for, the daily adventure that […]

Radiology at its best: Beyond Radiology

Warm, inviting, modern, professional and at the forefront of radiology in Canterbury. Words such as these instil confidence, and that’s essential when dealing with medical matters. The team at New Zealand-owned clinician-led radiology practice Beyond Radiology, in Merivale, know that and they deliver on all counts. The practice is indeed “beyond” the concept many patients […]

Sophisticated shade solutions: Shade Smart

Do you have an outdoor area space at home, or the office, that’s a little run down and possibly an eye-sore? Maybe it’s time for a revamp. Why not take the opportunity to create a little slice of paradise in your backyard or professional workspace with an upgraded, shaded outdoor area. Think great get-togethers or […]

Cuisine

Well pickle me

Autumn is a time of bountiful fruit and vegetable harvests, and stocking up for winter. One age-old method of doing this is pickling. Pickling with vinegar likely originated in ancient Mesopotamia around 2400 BCE. Archaeological evidence points to cucumbers being pickled in the Tigris Valley in 2030 BCE. Throughout history, pickling vegetables in vinegar continued […]

Host with the most: Cashmere Club

When searching for a venue to host an event, a long established and well-renowned venue cannot be overlooked. If the venue holds a proud record of serving its community well, the search ends here. Cashmere Club boasts a rich history of over 45 years hosting weddings, private and corporate functions, fundraisers and seminars. With four […]

Addictive whole foods: Whole Harry Wholefoods

It all began only a few years ago with maple syrup—the very best quality organic-certified maple syrup from family farms in Canada and Vermont, imported into New Zealand. It’s now stocked by the major New Zealand supermarket chains. Entrepreneur Isaac Firestone of Whole Harry Wholefoods wanted more. He wanted a way of utilising the maple […]

Cabbage kimchi

Anyone who loves Korean food will be familiar with kimchi. Mild or fiery, it’s your choice depending on how much chilli you add. This is a basic recipe using cabbage, although other vegetables—such as carrots, capsicum, cucumber—may also be added. Ingredients: (makes 4 cups), Prep Time: 30-40 minutes 1 medium cabbage 1/4 cup sea salt […]

Fashion & Beauty

Preserving brain health

Our brains are deeply interconnected with our social, spiritual, and physical health, making good brain function or brain health essential to quality of life and longevity. Sadly, as the population ages, the number of people suffering neurological disorders increases, and so too do the challenges for the preservation of brain health. In the coming decades, […]

Nailing the difference: Aura Nail Studio

Ask any time-pressed person what they could not live without and often the answer is a manicure or pedicure. One recently established nail studio steadily building its clientele believes success stems from its point of difference. Aura Nail Studio promotes the “aesthetic manicure and pedicure” – four words which underline the purpose of the business […]

Editor’s picks with Lynda Papesch

Here at Metropol, our team is lucky enough to receive some of the latest beauty and fashion products to try, so we thought we’d share some with our readers. My first picks are both serums, which as I get older, I find I’m turning to more often. In a skincare regime, it is best to […]

Radiology at its best: Beyond Radiology

Warm, inviting, modern, professional and at the forefront of radiology in Canterbury. Words such as these instil confidence, and that’s essential when dealing with medical matters. The team at New Zealand-owned clinician-led radiology practice Beyond Radiology, in Merivale, know that and they deliver on all counts. The practice is indeed “beyond” the concept many patients […]

Home & Living

The golden touch: Golden Homes

Current building costs could have you resigned to compromises. You might be thinking the beautiful kitchen and bathroom you dreamed of are destined to remain a dream. Happily, the Golden Homes team has solutions. “We have huge capability under our brand,” says local branch co-owner Dean McGuigan. “We have the advantage of suppliers who are […]

Wooden it be lovely

In the ever-evolving world of interior design, one trend forecast for 2024 points towards a resurgence of exposed woodgrain. The natural beauty of wood surfaces are captivating homeowners and designers alike, bringing a touch of authenticity, warmth, and rustic charm to living spaces. To make the most of this trend, consider incorporating raw or reclaimed […]

Absolutely awesome builds: Absolute Homes

Building a new home is not for everyone. A decision to build brings the need for an experienced team to see it through to completion. Essential to any successful build is a proven team that knows what it is doing. “Building a home shouldn’t be a stressful process,” says Christchurch based Absolute Homes owner and […]

Making the most of show time

Browsing and buying at a home show comes with many benefits. A one-stop shop, full of experts, opportunities, fun, and free things. To keep you covered, Metropol has thought up an easy-to-remember acronym to ensure you get the most out of the Canterbury Home Show. Don’t forget to PLIMP: Prepare for a long day and […]

Build

Enjoy a new kitchen: Kitchen Concepts

The kitchen is somewhere we spend a lot of time and is the heart of the home – you should love what you see. There’s nothing better than having a kitchen that both works well and looks great. With 2024 underway, it’s a great time to update your kitchen and create something that you’ll love […]

Bespoke Canterbury furniture: Gavin Cox Furniture

When it comes to purchasing a new item of furniture, you want something that has been hand-crafted and built with the highest attention to detail – a piece that will stand the test of time. In their Sydenham showroom, the expert team at Gavin Cox Furniture lovingly craft solid timber furniture—offering a range of contemporary […]

Passionate plasterers: Redrock Plastering

With any construction or renovation project, plastering often emerges as the unsung hero, shaping the essence of architectural design aesthetics. Carefully balancing tradition and innovation, plastering remains a craft that can transform mere walls into masterpieces. Aprecise craft, it demands perfection and luckily the passionate team at RedRock Plastering do too. “Customers can engage with […]

Enjoy a taste of Te Pae: Ross Steele

It has been fantastic to see the influx of visitors around our city over summer. Our city is now welcoming a wide variety of visitors, including cruise ship passengers, leisure travellers and those visiting for business. In recent weeks, it has been great to see the support for our “Taste of Te Pae” Food Truck, […]

ArtScene

Long live the art industry

Art is a creative medium, reflected in numerous ways, throughout the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. Paintings or prints, weaving, sculpture, pottery, and much more come to life thanks to the artistic endeavours of Kiwis. Many people, while not actively involved in the arts, support the industry in other ways such as […]

New public art

A monumental-sized steel toki has a new home in New Brighton, Christchurch. SCAPE Public Art commissioned artist Jon Jeet to create the piece in 2022, and until recently it was on temporary display at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre. The artwork, He Toki Maitai 2022, now has a permanent home next to the […]

An exhibition with H’art: Christchurch Art Gallery

View the provocative ‘Springtime is Heart-break: Contemporary Art in Aotearoa’ exhibition where a diverse range of art explores ideas from nature’s renewal to emotional turmoil. Christchurch Art Gallery, Te Puna o Waiwhetū showcases 24 innovative artists in this dynamic body of work, on display until 19 March 2024. Curator Melanie Oliver invites us to be […]

Walking his talk: Art Metro

Jack Walsh says it was procrastination that prompted him to finally begin his art journey seven months ago. Coming here stopped me from procrastinating. If it wasn’t for these classes, I wouldn’t be drawing and learning in the first place.” Jack found Art Metro by Googling art classes, and called in one day for a […]