Metropol Magazine

28/09/2025

Christchurch glows pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🩷🩷🩷

The city will turn pink this October, sending a message of support and hope during Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and reminding everyone that early detection is the best way to save lives from breast cancer.

Fourteen of the city’s prominent landmarks and buildings are joining more than 90 sites around the country lighting up in pink as part of the Global Illuminations campaign. They are the Christchurch Town Hall, Christ Church Cathedral, Christchurch Airport and Airways tower, Vaka ‘A Hina, Botanical Gardens, The Bridge of Remembrance, Robert Falcon Scott Memorial, Fanfare Sculpture, New Brighton Pier, The Bowker Fountain, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, “Everything is going to be alright” sign, Belfast Road Bridge, and Prestons Road Bridge.

The Breast Cancer Foundation NZ's Pink Ribbon Street Appeal will take place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October, so if you see one of the thousands of volunteers shaking pink buckets, donate!

The Foundation is still looking for volunteers to take part in its Pink Ribbon Street Appeal. For more information on this and other ways to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/bcam

27/09/2025

Know someone who quietly makes Canterbury better? Harcourts gold want you to nominate - see below for details ❤️

26/09/2025

The glasses were clinking and bubbles flowing at yesterday's celebration of the Holliday and Sons' new showroom and workshop at 7 Elgin Street in Sydenham.
Holliday and Sons has been dealing in antiquities since 1848. Current owners, father Barry and son Jason, are the 5th and 6th generations of the Hollidays involved in the family business. The move to the new premises is the latest major milestone in the business's history. More than a display, the new rooms are a space to explore, touch, and experience the stories behind each restored piece. Head along to discover treasures that could become part of your home.

See anyone you know in the photos? Give them a tag 😁

Photos by Jane Wyles Photography. For copies, or to see the full selection, email [email protected]

25/09/2025

Advice and techniques that may help men lose weight often don’t work, or can backfire, for women. Here are nine things to consider according to exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Dr. Stacy Sims. 🏋️🏋️‍♂️🏋️‍♀️

Read the full story at the link below:

Print this storyThings that may help men lose weight often don’t work, or can backfire, for women. Here are nine things to consider according to exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Dr. Stacy Sims. ‘Women are not small men.’ This is the mantra of Dr. Stacy Sims, an exercise physiolo...

24/09/2025

“How do we help people who may be struggling to flourish? Who are the people missing out in society? Who are the most disadvantaged or the most marginalised? What actually needs to change for them to have a good life?”

These questions have guided Jill Hawkey long into her tenure as Christchurch Methodist Mission’s executive director, writes Metropol editor Nina Tucker.

Read the full story at the link below:

Print this story“How do we help people who may be struggling to flourish?” That one question has guided Jill Hawkey long into her tenure as Christchurch Methodist Mission’s executive director, writes Metropol editor Nina Tucker. “Who are the people missing out in society? Who are the most di...

24/09/2025

It's almost here! - Another exciting to addition to our City. Christchurch City Council this is going to be super fun!

23/09/2025

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 all walks of life, but most share a common feeling: they’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. 🧹🫧

In this story, Helen shares her tips and anecdotes from helping people declutter and take back control of their lives.

Read the full story at the link below:

Print this storyA 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 overf...

23/09/2025

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 bookshelf mural was designed and painted by Ōtautahi artists Dcypher () and Drows (). Image by Centuri Chan

Read the full story at the link below:

Print this storyThe 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 buildi...

22/09/2025

What if you could travel the country, celebrating New Zealand’s best in fashion, to save lives? Metropol editor Nina Tucker caught up with Sonja de Mari, the woman behind charitable trust Breast Cancer Cure, who has spent a decade striving to reduce our one-in-nine breast cancer statistic. 💗

Read the full story at the link below:

https://metropol.co.nz/sonja-de-mari/

21/09/2025

What a night it was! Opening night of the Blood Brothers musical at the Isaac Theatre Royal was a stormer in the best possible way. Two and a half hours to lose yourself in this powerful and deeply human story delivered by a cast of brilliant local talent. Don't miss out, it runs till the 27th of this month. Get your tickets now.

See anyone you know in the photos from opening night on Thursday 18 September? Tag them.

Photos by Jane Wyles Photography, for copies, email [email protected]

Blood Brothers
Book, music and lyrics by W***y Russell
Directed by Ben Freeth
Musical direction by Caelan Thomas
Choreography by Reylene Rose Hilaga
Produced by Showbiz Christchurch
Isaac Theatre Royal until 27 September
Duration: 2.5 hours

19/09/2025

Whoop! $15,000 raised in one night for Ōtautahi arts at Boosted NZ

Big up if you made it down to the Great Hall at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora on Wednesday 17 Sept. The Metropol team was there, and it was a blast to see some of the incredible kaupapa of local creative talent and their exciting projects coming up in our city.

Fourteen imaginative arts projects were pitched and the audience was asked for help in bringing these projects to life. Happily, Cantabrians rallied to do just that... and it's not too late to donate now!

Take a look at the projects at this link: https://www.thearts.co.nz/boosted/projects?query=&location=&discipline=&topic=boost-otautahi&range=&page=1&sortBy=

We also want to shout to the funding partners who make Boost Ōtautahi possible by matching the donations - Rātā Foundation, Creative New Zealand and the Christchurch City Council.

Finally, if you see any faces you recognise in these social pix, give them a tag and help spread the word about Boosted Ōtautahi.

Photos by Wyles Photography. For copies, email [email protected]