Stories

Personal health has long since moved on from ‘take a pill and call me in the morning’. Real health is as much about what we put into our bodies – and minds – as the physical manifestation of our lifestyle. You’ve Kondo’d your house, so now it’s time to take care of what really counts – you. Cityscape has done all the hard work researching the best treatments to get your health in order, top to bottom, body, mind and spirit. Body Why stick with Western medicine? Take a leaf (in tea, preferably) from further afield and treat your body like the temple it is. Pascha – Nourishing Body & Soul offers a wide variety of therapies, courses and classes including massage therapy, yoga and meditation and energy healing (including soul guidance/empathy sessions). Lucinda Miln at the Nikau Room is a registered acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioner – think moxibustion (burning...

The city’s buzzing live music scene spans everything from low-key, speakeasy sessions over a glass or two, to the more high-octane fuelled nights where you’re guaranteed to groove into the wee hours of the morning. Cityscape does the rounds and clues you in on the city’s top live music venues and where to catch an epic gig. Laid-back Tunes If it’s a swishy, laid-back affair you’re after, you can’t beat the endless charms of the following venues: Vesuvio Jazz & Tapas Bar is a sophisticated and intimate venue dedicated to regularly hosting gigs. With an emphasis on jazz, their stellar cast of soloists, instrumental duos, and ensembles are in action throughout the week. Dine in the lush surrounds of Botanic and lose yourself in the sweet tunes of those taking to the mic, or order a round from their Gin & Tonic lab and stay on into the evening where the ante...

Cityscape joins one of the first DJs on the scene, and Fatboy Slim support act, Craig Shaw to chat about what’s hot in town and on the music scene right now. (For NZ Music Month 2019 Craig has put together a Spotify playlist of Kiwi music gold for us. Check it out here.) What’s your favourite out-of-town venue to play? That’s a tough question as I have a few faves. Queenstown has a couple of groovy staple bars, Surreal and The Bunker, but you can’t beat an outdoor festival. Rhythm & Alps 2018/19 was the winner on this front with a superb location, production team and killer crowd! You’ve just supported Fatboy Slim here in Christchurch – was there a highlight? I was lucky enough to play one of the support slots in 1999 with Norman at the Ministry and he signed one of his records for me back then. I...

The recent reopening of our beloved Town Hall has given the city a great boost. Not to be forgotten, however, is just how much work it took to get it done. Project Story’s Olivia Spencer-Bower says the companies that worked on the Town Hall project should be proud of what they have achieved, “and we are proud to be able to share their stories”. Olivia’s images capture what is unseen and sometimes forgotten; that it takes real people to achieve outstanding results. “At the moment we are celebrating the end result of construction – as we should be,” says Olivia. “But one day, when people begin to take for granted what they can see, they will start to become curious about what they can't see. “What did it look like mid-project? Who were the people that built it? Project Story captures images that answer all of these questions. Our images are part...

Paul Lonsdale, Manager of Central City Business Association, lets Cityscape in on some of the hidden gems the city has. Why should locals come into the central city to explore? The city rebuild has taken some massive steps forward in the last year with many new stores, cafe’s, bars and restaurants opening up. You can also see major advances in the new Convention Centre project, the Riverside Market and the Town Hall. The completion of the Promenade along the river is an absolute delight to walk or even Lime scooter along. What are some of the hidden gems among the laneways as the city develops? The new laneways are a discovery mission – don’t expect to be able to see everything in one visit! Some of the gems are Sweet Soul Patisserie, Dual (Christchurch made denim clothing), chilling out on a bean bag in BNZ Centre Square or over a cold beer at Smash Palace...

ChristchurchNZ's General Manager Destination and Attraction, Loren Heaphy. Why should locals come in and explore the central city? Our CBD has returned to its bustling best in recent years, with numerous bars and restaurants as well as retail shops filling empty spaces throughout the centre. With shops opening all the time, and quality eateries popping up on every street, you’re bound to find something new you didn’t know about. The City Promenade has really opened up the Ōtakaro Avon River precinct and makes for a great stroll through the heart of the city. The two-kilometre walkway runs in front of The Terrace which has really become a gem of the CBD. The SALT District is the coolest spot in town right now, incorporating Little High, Lichfield Courtyard and the Dux Central area, as well as bars like Smash Palace and Not Without You. Sitting proud at its centre is C1 Espresso,...

Cityscape sits down with Mike Percasky and gets the scoop on new developments and the new laneways popping up around the city. Why should locals come into the central city to explore? It amazes me to hear some local Cantabrians still haven’t made it back into the CBD yet after the earthquakes. Thousands of people have worked so hard over the past eight years and have turned a pile of rubble into one of the coolest cities. There is so much going on and every day something new opens up. All we need now is for locals to embrace their new city and to start using it on a daily basis. What are some of the hidden gems among the laneways as the city develops? I really like the Box Quarter. It is such an interesting concept for a building and not something you will find anywhere else in the country. It houses such...

Riverside Market, the development rapidly taking shape on the banks of the Avon by the Bridge of Remembrance, promises to be a real jewel in the central city crown. But unlike some of the city’s pioneering post-quake projects, it won’t be an oasis in a desert of demolition and construction sites. That’s because it will be plugged into a network of laneways – some already buzzing with life, others more embryonic – that over time will revive central Christchurch as a fantastic place to live, work and play. Riverside Market, tapped to open in August, will house a seven-day-a-week indoor farmers’ market, boutique shopping and space for events, festivals and music. Providing a reliable source of fresh, organic, locally grown food, Riverside will be a community of local independent traders, showcasing the best food producers and creators in our city and region. The development’s market square is a grand space, with a mezzanine...

We all know those bulky modems which allow us to connect to the online world can be an eyesore, so the cool cats at Slingshot have teamed up with four well-known Kiwis – Megan Annear, Jason Gunn, Mel Bracewell and Sir Tim Shadbolt – to bring us four options, each with their own unique design. We’re especially partial to Jason Gunn’s design which is a mix of quirky illustrations and features the statement message ‘Stay Connected’. With only 500 limited editions of each modem available, Slingshot will donate profits to each of the celebrity’s nominated charity – Gunn’s charity of choice is Cholmondeley Children’s Centre which provides short-term emergency and planned respite care and education to children whose families are experiencing stress or crisis. Get behind this initiative and not only will you rock a great modem but also support an excellent cause. slingshot.co.nz/charityseries

Since winning the coveted title, the young designer has had “a pretty crazy couple of months” of sewing and learning, learning and sewing that has culminated in the launch of her own collection for Ballantynes Contemporary Lounge and online. The Millie Askew collection is “rural, retro, farmer”, says its creator. Like all her designs, it draws inspiration from the people around her. “I might see something a friend is wearing and take parts of that, or get inspired by their creative practices. My designs start with a bit of a feeling or a mood develops, taking bits of things from everyday life and talking to people.” Pux-Askew certainly didn’t expect to win when she entered the Ballantynes Emerging Designer competition. “I entered on a whim, really, and got the project together two weeks before it was due.” Since then, the biggest challenge has been managing the many other people involved in taking...

Cityscape talks to globe-trotting violin virtuoso Benjamin Morrison.  What sparked your passion to play the violin? Two experiences stand out to me: the first when I was 10 years old. I had the opportunity to perform Albinoni's Adagio with orchestra and Robert Tait conducting. During the performance I felt a powerful desire to share the passion and emotions within the piece with the audience. The second was at 13 years old when I discovered the joy of chamber music and playing music together. I was a first-year student at Burnside High School and was put into an octet with seven other members all older and more experienced than I was. Seeing how much fun and love they had for music really inspired me and ignited my passion for being a part of a larger whole. Being appointed to the Vienna Philharmonic’s (renowned as one of the world’s finest orchestras) 1st violin...

The Melbourne-esque nooks and crannies of Christchurch are rapidly becoming an explorer’s paradise. Sizzling style, tiny treasures, mystical make-overs and classy culinary creations lie in wait around every corner. So don your best Dr Livingstone pith helmet and get out and explore the wilds of the inner city. You won’t need to tie a string to a pole to find your way out … you may not actually want to come out again! The best way to navigate the central city is by foot – find your ‘sole mate’ at one of the many great boot-iques. Sure, you can climb aboard a Lime, but there’s a lot to miss if you whizz by at 25kph. If you haven’t swung by Christchurch institution Ballantynes for a while, it’s worth a good nosey around – it’s not the Ballys your Nana knew (well, not all of it. Nana will still be quite happy in the...

Some of you know him as a Cityscape account manager but did you know he has a funky wee side hustle? Derek Thorp is mad about fixed-gear bicycles and is bringing them to NZ with his new company, Bespoked Cycles. Favourite YouTube clip? At the moment I’m watching lots of fixed-gear documentaries and clips but I’m a bit of an erratic YouTube user – I always end up heading off in different directions. Celebrity crush? Mila Kunis. What you're reading? I have just picked up Snap by Belinda Bauer. Your vice? I would have to say that tattoos are my wee vice. Your secret shame? I’m addicted to shoes. Favourite drink? I have been knocking back the ciders at the moment due to the good weather. Fave material possession? Would have to be my new track bike that I have just built. I’m loving getting out there and smashing it at...

Cityscape caught up with local songstress Theia to talk inspiration, her upcoming EP Not Your Princess and working with Mike Elizondo. We’re loving your track ‘Not Your Princess’. What was the inspo behind that? It’s a sassy song – a declaration of independence. It came about when I was in Sydney late last year and feeling really inspired from working with new people. After a pretty full on and challenging year, it was just really liberating to feel that sense of freedom. You wrote ‘Bye Bye’ with the legendary Mike Elizondo (whose résumé includes working with the likes of Eminem and Dr Dre), and other top-notch musos – what was that experience like and did you have any fan girl moments? Mike is the kindest guy and so talented. I loved working with him. We just got stuck in and wrote ‘Bye Bye’ in a day. A few months later, I...

Cityscape took a look over some of the The Central Art Gallery's pieces and chatted with its director, Jonathan Smart. Tell us more about the families behind the gallery – who are they, how did it come about? There are five Christchurch families behind the Gallery – all wishing to see a sustainable commercial gallery for contemporary art established within the new city centre. And although the Arts Centre is a gem of an historical precinct, the graceful context of the old University library is a pretty good one for contemporary NZ art. What exciting exhibitions are coming? Anything you can tease us with? Exciting exhibitions in the coming months include solo shows by much loved Christchurch sculptors Neil Dawson and Bing Dawe, with local printmaker Fiona van Oyen and celebrated artist John Pule sharing the space between – both presenting vibrant new flora-based work. A good example of what Fiona...

Get away from all the hustle and bustle in… the middle of Christchurch? The Tack Rooms at the corner of Montreal and Peterborough streets are a quiet refuge and perfect for a weekend away. What began as an army barracks in 1967 is now a place for people who are looking for more than a sterile hotel room. A short stroll to the west lands you in Hagley Park, or an even shorter stroll to the east will find you in the heart of Victoria Street, ready to wine, dine, and forget about a sober driver. The rooms themselves are simultaneously minimal and luxurious, open and intimate. The Tack Rooms offer large guest rooms, gorgeous gathering areas and an eye firmly on design. A place to stay and a place to play, the Tack Rooms are for people with a weakness for a good time. tackrooms.co.nz

Heads have been turning down the western end of Moorhouse Ave, with the opening of the new BMW/MINI showroom at 104. The first dedicated MINI showroom in the South Island has a tactile wall of colours and trims, so you can actually run your fingers across the leather to get a real feel for what awaits you in your beautiful new vehicle and see what that racing green will actually look like in the sun. The entire showroom is massive, and kitted out with all the latest toys – and, of course, some of the coolest cars in the world. The new BMW M2 Competition is a star in the showroom, and one of only a few available in the country. It’s been hailed as the successor to the legendary M3 Evo because it’s such a balanced driver’s car. Secure a test drive today. christchurchbmw.co.nz

A boutique eatery in the heart of the South Frame is the latest project from developers Box 112 to open. The Yard, at 173 St Asaph Street, houses eight artisan food producers in a large hall that was once home to bookbinders McHargs. The development retains the semi-industrial feel of the 1950s building and complements it with architectural features recycled from the former air force base at Wigram, including distinctive large green doors from the base’s hangars. Deliberately bringing a group of small operators under one roof, The Yard is bound to sate your hunger for international eats, whether that be Korean pancakes, Chinese crepes, or Sri Lankan, Thai or Malaysian fare. theyardchch.nz