Metropol Magazine

29/12/2025

Calling all lovers of lawn bowls! Christchurch is set to host the Summerset Bowls New Zealand Singles and Pairs Competition from 2 to 9 January 2026. Head along and see what lawn bowls is about, while supporting some of Canterbury’s own bowlers.

Read more at the link below:

https://metropol.co.nz/bowled-over/

Print this storyChristchurch is set to host the Summerset Bowls New Zealand Singles and Pairs Competition from 2 to 9 January 2026. Head along and see what lawn bowls is about, while supporting some of Canterbury’s own bowlers. “It is an honour that bowling clubs within Canterbury have the oppor...

27/12/2025

There’s something about summer in Canterbury that makes packing the tent, lighting the camp stove and slowing right down feel like second nature.
Here's our good camping guide...

https://metropol.co.nz/summer-fun-camping-tips/

Print this storyThere’s something about summer in North Canterbury that makes packing the tent, lighting the camp stove and slowing right down feel like second nature. The Good Camping Guide Camping comes with its challenges, but it’s always worth the effort. In North Canterbury, find a range of...

26/12/2025

Once a year, Christchurch City re-elect mayor Phil Mauger trades his sixth-floor office and stretched social calendar for something much simpler – a few weeks by the sea with family. 🌊🐚🏖️🌞
Come late December, Phil will be sitting sea-side with wife Chrissy, watching a horde of grandchildren enjoy their family slice of paradise just outside Kaiteriteri. For 65 years, the 67-year-old mayor has called this place his summer home.
“The lovely thing about it is, you go up there with the grandkids, and they go and stub their toe on the same rock I stubbed my toe on when I was their age,” he laughs. Metropol editor Nina Tucker uncovers the little things that make Ōtautahi’s humble leader truly happy.

Read the story at the link below:

https://metropol.co.nz/mayor-phils-summer-uncovered/

Print this storyOnce a year, Christchurch City re-elect mayor Phil Mauger trades his sixth-floor office and stretched social calendar for something much simpler – a few weeks by the sea with family. Metropol editor Nina Tucker uncovers the little things that make Ōtautahi’s humble leader truly ...

23/12/2025

While Christmas can bring so much joy, love and connection, it’s just as easy to lose sight of the small, simple pleasures that make the season special, writes Dr Libby in the latest issue of Metropol. ⭐🤌

Instead of savouring the twinkling lights or enjoying the laughter around the dinner table, we can find ourselves obsessing over whether the house is spotless, the food is perfect or if everyone’s gifts are just right. Sound familiar?

The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t need to get caught up in the chaos or run yourself ragged to make the holidays meaningful. Read Dr Libby's full story at the link below.

Print this storyWhile Christmas can bring so much joy, love and connection, it’s just as easy to lose sight of the small, simple pleasures that make the season special. Instead of savouring the twinkling lights or enjoying the laughter around the dinner table, we can find ourselves obsessing over ...

23/12/2025

As Christmas lights twinkle across the Garden City, some of Canterbury’s brightest stars step into the spotlight once more to share their season’s magic. We gathered the festive intel from Simon Barnett, Miriamo Kamo, Dame Sophie Pascoe, Tiki Taane, Andy Ellis, Mark Rocket, and Dame Pieter Stewart. 🌟⭐🎅🧑‍🎄🕯️🤶

Read the story at the link below:

https://metropol.co.nz/famous-faces-festive-places/

22/12/2025

What's your Cathedral Square story? 🤔💭

Ōtautahi Christchurch residents are being invited to share their personal stories of Cathedral Square as part of a new community conversation launched by the Christchurch Archaeology
Project. ⛪️

“Everyone has a Cathedral Square story. What’s yours?” is the question at the heart of the initiative, which aims to gather memories, reflections, and connections to one of the city’s most significant places.

“We want to start a conversation about Cathedral Square, and the links that so many of us have with the centre of our city,” says Katharine Watson of the Christchurch Archaeology Project
Charitable Trust. “This is the perfect time of year to share memories with family and friends – it might even help people out as a conversation starter over Christmas dinner!” 🎄

The stories collected will help inform Cathedral Square Unearthed, a major exhibition of archaeology to be held in Christ Church Cathedral in February 2026. While the exhibition will bring Cathedral Square’s early history to life, organisers are keen to draw meaningful connections between the lives of the square’s early residents and merchants and the experiences of those who live in the city today.

Cathedral Square Unearthed is a new exhibition created by the Christchurch Archaeology Project and supported by the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project that explores the layered histories of Cathedral Square. The free exhibition will be held in Christ Church Cathedral from 16 to 22 February 2026, marking the 15th anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. Tickets are available online now.

To find out how to share your Cathedral Square story with Cathedral Square Unearthed, visit:

Everyone has a Cathedral Square story. What’s yours? KidsFest. Markets. Famous People. Cathedral Square Unearthed is a new exhibition created by the Christchurch Archaeology Project that brings Cathedral Square’s early history to life. This free exhibition will be held in Christ Church Cathedral...

21/12/2025

Pondering how to make your Christmas table a festive jaw-dropper? Prepare for Christmas with home décor that brings a sense of warmth, joy and festive cheer into your home. 🧑‍🎄🕯️

Print this storyPrepare for Christmas with home décor that brings a sense of warmth, joy and festive cheer into your home space.

21/12/2025

What a beauty this is! Guaranteed to cause mass gasps of delight at any Christmas celebration.

From North Canterbury foodie and author Angela Clifford, this delicious Christmas Meringue Wreath, from her book The Food Farm, is the perfect blend of wow and yum. It serves eight to 12, Angela says – based on the size of your Christmas meal leading up to dessert.

The Food Farm

Print this storyFrom North Canterbury foodie and author Angela Clifford, this Christmas Meringue Wreath from her book The Food Farm is the perfect blend of wow and yum. It serves eight to 12, Angela says – based on the size of your Christmas meal leading up to dessert. INGREDIENTS MERINGUE 6 egg w...

20/12/2025

There’s still time to get to the Ōtautahi Crafters Market at the airforce museum in Wigram! What a great venue for this, it is buzzing!

Ōtautahi Preloved Clothing Markets
Ōtautahi Crafters Market

16/12/2025

“My Aunty Pippa makes a bloody good trifle,” Nadia writes in her latest book, Nadia’s Farm Kitchen. The key, she says, is homemade (not bought) sponge, homemade custard (made with cream), and a good dry sherry (lots of it). This recipe leans into the beauty of homemade food, and is sure to please this Christmas.

Get Nadia Lim's Merry Cherry Trifle recipe at the link below!

Print this story“My Aunty Pippa makes a bloody good trifle,” Nadia writes in her latest book, Nadia’s Farm Kitchen. The key, she says, is homemade (not bought) sponge, homemade custard (made with cream), and a good dry sherry (lots of it). This recipe leans into the beauty of homemade food, an...