Stories

Remaining engaged, active and happy is the key to enjoying retirement, Bill McDonald, CEO of Arvida Group, tells Cityscape. Why should people consider moving into one of your villages? At Arvida we believe remaining engaged, active and happy is the key to enjoying retirement. We strive to help every one of our residents stay active for longer by understanding their lives and how we can encourage and facilitate their continued engagement with what is important to them. We call this “the Arvida attitude of living well”. What is the most common misconception people have about retirement villages? A common misconception is that a retirement village is only a rest home, when really there is so much more to a retirement village than just aged care. Do you specialise in a particular type of village? Every Arvida community has the same philosophy. Each village is unique in format, but all offer great...

Natalie Gallagher loves “the Beemer”. The Park Lane Retirement Village resident moved in to her Living Well apartment early this year and brought her trusty Honda Jazz with her. But that’s gathering dust now that she can take one of the retirement village’s electric cars for a spin instead. There’s four to choose from – two Hyundai Ioniqs, a Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid, and Natalie’s favourite, the BMW i3. It’s a long way from the Holden sedan of her parents. She got her licence in that in 1957, not long after turning 15. She already knew the basics, having learned to drive her dad’s tractor on their farm near Lincoln. Park Lane’s EV fleet is part of a push by parent company Arvida to reduce its carbon footprint and also that of its residents. Benefits go beyond that, though – access to the vehicles allows residents to save the considerable costs of...

When it comes to the future, it’s never too early to start planning. Whether you are part of the ‘sandwich generation’ dealing with the demands of parenting as well as caring for ageing parents, or are just keen to make the most of your own retirement, it’s all about knowing the options. To help, Cityscape has canvassed what empty nesters need to think about before downsizing to a city pad, and what those considering independent living in a gated community or lifestyle village need to know. Downsizing For those rattling around in the suburban family home with beds still made up for offspring who have long since sprung, downsizing to a smaller address closer to all those central-city attractions like great cafés and restaurants, art galleries, parks and other urban delights is a logical next step. In fact, research shows that living in medium-density developments in the city is healthier than...

Tobin Smith of CoLab Architecture reflects on the emerging central city and champions the need for more small-scale developments to ‘join the dots’ between the big glass boxes. As the city rebuilds and vacant lots are replaced by large-scale developments and precincts, it is important to remember that we need small buildings as well as big ones. While it is good to see these large developments – the Justice Precinct, the Convention Centre and the like – give the city a sense of permanence, smaller tenancies get a little lost within the branding of the major tenant. Before the earthquakes, many Christchurch streets, including Colombo, Manchester and High Street, were lined with two and three-storey Victorian buildings that were home to many tenants that needed only a small workspace. This finer grain of development gave tenants a strong individual identity, allowing them to build their brand. If all that is available...

Through his work with event and lifestyle guide Neat Places and street festival Nostalgia, Johnny Gibson has been a big influence in getting Christchurch people out and about after the earthquakes. Cityscape puts the questions to Johnny and finds out a secret or two. The annual Nostalgia festival has struck a chord with audiences – why do you think that is? A big part is that it’s a festival for all ages. Different aspects attract different people, whether it’s the creative activation of the 1900s replica township at Ferrymead Heritage Park, the high quality pop-up eateries, food vendors and bars or vintage market, and of course, the great curated lineup of New Zealand and international musicians! Really it’s a street festival – people just love spending the day wandering the streets exploring and maybe catching the steam train too! What’s exciting you about the February 2020 festival? Using more of the buildings...

Take a bow, Cityscapers – it’s the support of conscious Christchurch consumers that has led second-hand consignment chain Recycle Boutique to open a second store in the city. First there was its store in The Tannery; now there is also a store in Little High Lanes in the SALT District. The deal’s the same – bring in the high-quality clothing and accessories that no longer spark joy in your life and give them a chance to find a new forever home that’s not the landfill. You’ll get 50 percent of the sale price and a dose of good karma as well. That’s one side of it; the other, of course, are the canny fashionistas who come in and shop at Recycle Boutique. For prices on a par with fast fashion, they get to buy designer pieces instead, lifting their look and helping to save the planet as well. The team at...

Office design has come a long way from the boss in a box in the corner, with a whole science springing up around how layout influences workplace culture and productivity. Helen Dennis, national workplace strategy manager at Europlan Ltd, has been in the commercial office furniture industry for 14 years and in that time has seen a big shift in workspace design, away from a hierarchical approach to a culture of increased collaboration. Technology has been a key driver of that change. In response, Europlan partners with their clients right at the start of the office design process in order to shape a new culture as well as a new floor layout. Through workshops for a business’s leaders and team members, Helen and her team build an understanding of work styles and long-term goals. This then enables them to create a space that reflects the culture and brand as well as...

From the people who brought you the rocking central-city pump track, basketball court and forest of hammocks comes another two super-cool projects – a Tool Lendery and a pair of giant swings that double as a photo frame. The projects, a collab between Fletcher Living and Gap Filler, aim to build central-city communities – and the Tool Lendery is nailing it (geddit!). Since it opened in August at 178 Cashel Street, local residents have been dropping in to hire tools they would otherwise have to buy, and while there they are sharing skills, learning new ones, and making friends. The Lendery is a sweet bonus for those who have made the move to living in higher-density inner-city neighbourhoods such as Fletcher Living’s One Central development. It’s cool living so close to all that the central city has to offer but with that does come less space than ‘downsizers’ may have had...

Looking for a bike ride and a good deed to start your day? Most mornings, as the city wakes up and smells the coffee, a team of volunteers cycle around cafés collecting left-over food. They then drop it off at the City Mission in Hereford Street, where it becomes morning tea for those who turn for support to the Mission’s day programme. Michele Hollis is one of those volunteers. The scheme is called The Mish and she joined it 2½ years ago after spotting a flyer at Boat Shed Café, which is one of the eateries that donate. There’s 21 in all, including Boulevard Café and Bar, Laneway Espresso and The Sushi Ninja.  Michele now regularly adds an early morning sweep around cafés and bakeries to her commute from New Brighton. This morning’s been a good haul – Michele has bags of rolls and scones to drop off.  Sometimes there’s a...

It’s been two years in the making, and on October 18, Ballantynes will reopen its Lichfield Street entrance. Cityscapers heading down to explore the new homewares department will be stoked to see exclusive concept stores Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm also calling the department store home. The Florist at Ballantynes will have you sorted for whatever occasion life throws at you, while the sweet offerings at the swanky new Chocolate Library are a great excuse to treat your favourite person – as well as yourself! Ballantynes’ lux Lichfield Street offering is rounded out by Kin, an elegant new café and wine bar. Each item on the expertly crafted menu has a wine match to boot, all of which can be purchased from the store on your way out (assuming you’re within their opening hours!). The café’s deli is also serving up a selection of take-home meals to free...

Tim Rookes, managing director of CBRE, tells Cityscape how returning to the central city has given his team’s energy levels a real boost. How did you approach moving from out of town back to the central city? We moved back in mid-August. It was always the master plan to move back but location and profile were key. What process did you follow? There were limited locations to fit the bill that aligned with our lease expiry. Tim Glasson spoke to us about his planned building on the former Stewart Dawsons corner – fantastic location, great aspect down Cashel and High with great presence and signage available. The floor plates were irregular but we saw an opportunity for a focused working floor and a dedicated client suite on the top floor with a balcony and unimpeded views to the Port Hills and evening sun. Perfect. What factors were important for you in...

What’s a city without people? It’s empty, like Christchurch after the quakes. All that is changing as businesses and their teams head back inside the Four Avenues and bring life to lunchtime streets. First up, let’s celebrate how far we’ve come. It’s six years since the last central-city cordon came down in June 2013 and since then growth has been phenomenal. Hundreds of office staff from the BNZ Centre and ANZ Centre bring life to the surrounding streets every lunchtime. Thousands of public servants log on and off every workday in the Justice and Emergency Services or Health precincts. And all those shiny new office blocks between the Avon River and Hagley Park are now filled with lawyers and accountants. That’s a lot of people who need to meet, eat and stay caffeinated. There are now 40,000 people working inside the Four Avenues during the week, more than 16,000 of whom...

Comedian Dylan Moran has moved on from Black Books to riffing on ‘everything’ in his new show, Dr Cosmos. He tells Cityscape he’s planning some sightseeing when he hits town in October. You’ve become a regular visitor to New Zealand over the years – what keeps bringing you back? You don’t think about it when you first start out, you know, you just go somewhere. I’ve been bouncing up and down the road now for a while, one way or another, without much of a plan. It’s a funny thing – some places and some countries you go to and you get them straight away and then there’s other ones where you go back and they’re very elusive. New Zealand’s one of the most enigmatic places there is, actually. Are we a bit hard to work out? Yes, I think so. You’re not like anywhere else. You have echoes of lots...

October is all about the bike. It’s the month we take to the streets to celebrate the city’s annual festival of cycling. Those of us who love a challenge will lap up the destinations on this year’s Biketober Passport Challenge, which encourages people to cycle to more than 40 destinations across the city, using a unique code to check in at each location. Destinations for the challenge (Oct 1 - 25) can be viewed on Biketober’s website. Share in the spirit of the event on social media, where riders are encouraged to post about their adventures using the hashtag #biketoberchchpassport. Believe us when we say it’s some of the best fun you’ll have on a bike! A score of epic events will run alongside the Biketober Passport Challenge, allowing people to pick and choose the times and places that suit them. Of course, this is on top of the cycling action...

If you’re looking for a laugh, you’re in the right place. Cityscape has the inside scoop on the booming local comedy scene and we’re dishing it out for you. After dark, the streets of Christchurch come alive as venues across the city fill with laughter and show how our local comedy scene is a hotbed of talent. With one of the biggest comedy scenes in New Zealand per capita, we Cityscapers are spoilt for choice and are able to get our comedy fix seven nights a week. If you’re new to the scene, here’s where you’ll find the funnies. The art of improv is always entertaining. If you love watching performers think on their feet as they come up with all kinds of wacky scenarios, Scared Scriptless is a must-see. It has run continuously for the past 28 years and is sure to have you in stitches. The show goes down...

Christchurch has launched some hilarious Kiwi comics, including the sharp-witted and oh-so-entertaining Eli Matthewson. You may know Eli Matthewson from 7 Days, Short Poppies, AotearoHA: Rising Stars or any one of his many stand-up shows, but what you may not know about Eli is that he got his start in the 03. We caught up with him while he was living his best life in Scotland and taking on Edinburgh Festival Fringe. How did Christchurch help you get your start? I first got into comedy by doing the High School Theatresports competition – I was obsessed! My team would practise way too much and we went to watch Scared Scriptless almost every week, and were constantly in awe of the legends of the Court Jesters that performed there. I was lucky enough – or maybe just persistent enough with my emails – to get a place in their company in my...

Jonty Bennett is fresh on the scene. He made his comedy debut in 2017 when he was runner-up for the Best Newcomer award and won Spirit of the Festival at the Comedy Carnival. Since then he has produced his own show, taken it down to Dunedin and found his feet in the world of dry, cynical humour. How did you stumble into comedy? I've been comedy-adjacent for a long time, with some friends involved in the scene egging me on to give it a crack. I eventually entered the inaugural Fresh Comedy Competition in 2017, where I forgot my closing bit and was hooked immediately. What’s your day job and how does that fit in with your comedy? I currently work in retail, which has offered some flexibility when it comes to performing out of town. It can be a good source of material in some ways. What words of advice...

Witty queen Georgie Sivier runs The PlaySpace Theatre Company, which focuses on making accessible, innovative and honest theatre. She’s started dabbling in the world of drag artistry, and her alter ego, Tony Chestnut, will have you chuckling along with his scandalous and sexy performances. How did you stumble into comedy? I studied at the New Zealand College of Performing Arts in Wellington and after I finished I worked on a pilot TV show. While I was working on that I was dared to try stand-up. What’s your day job and how does that fit in with your comedy? Comedy is actually my day job. I’m very lucky I run a theatre company called The PlaySpace Theatre Company. What words of advice do you have for aspiring comics out there? Your audience is so important – it doesn’t matter how funny you think your joke is, listen to the audience, they’ll tell...