Can Do Catering

Catering with a purpose: Can Do Catering are the social enterprise business you need to hire to do your next work morning tea

Stefan Freuding’s passion for cuisine has taken him to kitchens around the globe. The 32-year-old chef has worked in Europe, Australia and the Middle East – but it’s a little kitchen in Christchurch that has captured his heart. He’s landed the perfect job that combines his flair for food and his love for helping others. […]

the Ministry of Awesome

An awesome enterprise: Q&A with the Ministry of Awesome’s Chief Awesome Officer Marian Johnson

A social enterprise established in the dark days post-quake to encourage positivity, collaboration, activation and support for a city that was struggling to survive, the Ministry of Awesome is a creative crew making some pretty cool moves. We talk to the organisation’s Chief Awesome Officer, Marian Johnson about the awesome work of this clever collaboration. […]

philanthropic endeavours

Charity starts in the city: Metropol’s guide to some of the many amazing philanthropic endeavours to watch out for in the near future

We share our city with some incredible people who put heart, mind and soul into the support of philanthropic endeavours, so much so that we couldn’t possibly hope to list them all. What we can do however, is list some of the upcoming events on the local social calendar which have been formed to support […]

Maree Lucas

A fashionable crusade: Q&A with Maree Lucas of M Factor Events

Maree Lucas brought tears to the eyes of some of the biggest fashion followers last month at one of the city’s most covetable fashion shows of the year. Supporting a cause very close to her heart, the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Fashion Show is her annual contribution to a charitable cause which has done so […]

Dr Sue Bagshaw

Champion of city’s youth: Interview with Dr Sue Bagshaw

The physical scars of the Canterbury quakes are almost fully healed. But below the surface, the mental scars remain. In line with international research showing the long term mental health effects of natural disasters, demand for mental health, addiction and domestic violence services has skyrocketed in Canterbury post-quake. As demand for child and youth mental […]

Nurse Maude Hospice Shops

Winter demand for hospice shops: Nurse Maude Hospice Shops wants your last season warm winter clothing

With winter nearly upon us, the city’s Nurse Maude Hospice Shops are desperately short of warm jackets, tops and jerseys in good condition. “Every jacket, jersey, pair of boots or winter top donated is directly supporting the Nurse Maude Hospice,” says Sue Bramwell, Nurse Maude’s General Manager Marketing. “And with good quality winter clothing selling […]

The charitable social calendar

The charitable social calendar: local events with a community or charitable trust

We share our city with some incredible people who put heart, mind and soul into the support of philanthropic endeavours, so much so that we couldn’t possibly hope to list them all. What we can do however, is list some of the upcoming events on the local social calendar which have been formed to support […]

Metropol Editor Melinda Collins

Editor’s Perspective: on getting teary-eyed at the M Factor Events for Ronald McDonald fashion show

Tears may not be what you’d expect from one of the city’s most covetable fashion shows. But when the benefactor of the event is a worthy charitable cause such as Ronald McDonald House South Island, which has supported the likes of Paula and Alex Moore, it’s not surprising there wasn’t a dry eye in the […]

Mike King

Mike King’s mission: this funny family man has tasked himself with making a serious difference to New Zealand’s youth

Popular New Zealand personality Mike King may have made his name as a comedian, but these day’s you’ll find him delivering a much more serious message. He’s been heading up and down the country – a 4000km journey – on a 50cc scooter for the past five years, addressing youth suicide. We talk to the […]

American Express Openair Cinema

Events guide: Five things well worth leaving home for

The temperatures may have begun their downward descent, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to lock yourselves inside! We’ve gone in search of some of the hottest events around that will be sure to bring some warmth to your autumn. Food, fun and flicks: American Express is bringing the Openair Cinema festival of food, fun […]