Stories

Little Andromeda is the wee spot to be if you’re looking for professional theatre in the riverside bar district. It’s fun, it’s got a ton of great shows, and Cityscape can tell you why we should all be heading there for the next show. Little Andromeda has a rad spot on The Terrace, surrounded by some of the coolest of Christchurch’s cool establishments. It’s a real asset to the area, adding another dimension of entertainment to the live music on offer in nearby bars. The theatre began when director Michael Bell wanted somewhere to put on his own shows, beginning with a production called Andromeda. “I had a lot of mates that needed a space too, so I thought I could share it with them on off days,” he says. “As I went on I realised that I could probably fill two theatres’ worth of shows full time so it just...

After dark, Mod’s Hair takes on a whole new aspect. It’s a haven of style and good times, and Cityscape steps out to learn more. The new night out is so much more than a drink at a bar or a boogie on a crowded dance floor. The ladies at Mod’s Hair in Merivale have their own after-dark experience that brings a whole new level of fun and luxe to a girls’ night on the town. It’s warm, it’s safe, it’s stylish as hell, and there’s a fully licensed bar. As you step in from the chilly night air, you’re greeted by a warm bubble, the sweet aroma of a well-kept salon, and the sound of mood-setting evening music. Grab yourself a G&T, or perhaps a Negroni, or a glass of French Champagne. Settle in and prepare to be pampered. This is the perfect setting to meet for pre-drinks and styling...

What can you do in Christchurch when it's chilly out? Plenty! 1. Make the most of your weekend and have a good old-fashioned Sunday Lunch Roast at The Pantry at Mona Vale – a classy affair with soup, beautifully roasted meat, and dessert. 2. Get central. There’s seriously cool stuff going on in the four avenues and if you haven’t checked it lately you’re missing out. Read more: Centre of attention: Living in the Christchurch central city 3. Watch a Cinema Italiano Festival movie at Lumière Cinemas, whether it be an absurd Sardinian film, or a classic Sicilian flick. Read more: Journey through Italy with the Cinema Italiano Festival 4. Rest your mind and get that well-deserved break with a restorative yoga class at Grassroots Yoga & Health. Read more: Breath of life: Breath work tips from Grassroots Yoga & Health 5. Catch a performance at Little Andromeda – there are...

We've got the lowdown on the latest and greatest happening around Christchurch this winter. For the freshest art space in town, check out Xgaleri at the Guthrey Centre in Cashel Street. The newly opened gallery is run by mother-and-son duo Sheila and Max Brown. They’re both super-talented artists – Sheila’s painting focuses heavily on New Zealand birdlife in action, and Max offsets this with his abstract art style, as well as his own jewellery line. Saffron Café & Restaurant is Colombo Street’s latest eatery, with authentic Middle Eastern dishes, tea, coffee and desserts. Hopefully you had a chance to say goodbye to Universo Brasserie & Bar before it got new owners, a new look, and a new name: The Thirsty Peacock. The new owners are continuing the fine tradition of combined café, restaurant and bar. Over in Victoria Street, new men’s fashion boutique Man About Town has set up shop with...

Part of a Cityscape series presenting the opinions of real people who live in Christchurch's central city: Peter Wells. How would you describe the vibe in your neighbourhood? A quiet buzz, punctuated by construction. Your neighbours are… A great mingle of people. Many 20-plus year residents which is a big plus and interspersed with young people, some rental properties, and commercial businesses. It would be great to see more diverse and long-term residents over time. Why do you choose to live in the four aves? Community. I live with 19 others in a Victorian backpackers (closed for COVID) that we've converted into a community house. It's a beautiful space to live and remarkably well organised. Read more of Cityscape's central city living coverage here Biggest drawcard? The proximity to green space and happenings in the city centre are brilliant. Being able to walk or cycle to Tūranga, the Arts Centre, or...

The Kiwi Spirit Distillery is distilling spirits made with Kiwi spirit. Cityscape talks to Kiwi Spirit’s founder and head distiller Terry Knight about what makes his Waitui Whiskey uniquely New Zealand. Terry is a passionate self-taught distiller who has been pushing the limits in the world of spirits for the last twenty years. His distillery, the Kiwi Spirit Distillery in Golden Bay, is renowned for creating spirits that tell a uniquely New Zealand story. Take his Waitui Whiskey – it may be based on an old world tradition, but it doesn’t pretend to be Scotch, or Irish or bourbon, for that matter. To start with, Waitui Whiskey is aged in the very barrels Terry uses to make his mānuka honey mead. Scotch whisky, by comparison, is aged in barrels formerly used for making sherry or bourbon. “The Scots believe that whisky was invented in 1494 by a man called John Cor,...

Part of a Cityscape series presenting the opinions of real people who live in Christchurch's central city: Dale Deavoll. Which neighbourhood do you live in? Kilmore Street near Margaret Mahy Playground. How’s the vibe there? Increasingly residential. A people place. The playground has been a real game changer around here – it just brings so many people in on the weekends. New Regent Street is also just such a hive of activity. The businesses there are really doing a fantastic job using that space. The natural elements are great too. The river promenade from our place to the hospital is the nicest stretch of central city walkable space in the country. Your neighbours are... Great. Apartment living is very misunderstood. You share some things but you have the same level of privacy as you do in the suburbs. I'd even say people are actually more considerate when you share a wall...

Black Burger is slinging a simple concept: cheeseburgers made with top-notch Wagyu beef. Cityscape takes a big juicy bite. Black Burgers are a premium version of a classic LA-style cheeseburger. It’s a timeless recipe, perfected. Start with a soft, pillowy bun and fill it with a beef patty, cheese, pickles and burger sauce. The difference here is the pure quality of the ingredients. The milk buns are from the Christchurch bread aficionados at Grizzly Baked Goods, and the fillings are high-quality locally sourced produce including New Zealand smoked cheddar cheese. But the real secret weapon here is the beef patty, made from Black Origin’s grain-fed Wagyu mince, AKA the world’s tastiest beef. These cows come from purebred Japanese Kobe Wagyu stock, raised in Canterbury with soothing music and daily massages. The beef patties are cooked on the grill in a smash style. The cooks make them into a ball and squash...

Part of a Cityscape series presenting the opinions of real people who live in Christchurch's central city: Max Lucas Which neighbourhood do you live in? SALT district, Atlas Quarter. How’s the vibe there? Urban. Secure. Private. Great community. Your neighbours are... Winnie Bagos, The Welder, South City, Pak’nSave. Read more of Cityscape's central city living coverage here Why do you choose to live in the four aves? The excitement of a ‘new’ city. Biggest drawcard? Access, by foot mostly, to virtually everything we need. Biggest drawback? None that i can think of. Fave local coffee? Unkown Chapter but wow! What a choice we have! Food? Soooo many choices! The Clever Trevor at Joe's Garage, liver & bacon at The Butcher’s Mistress. Entertainment? A Rolling Stone, or falling asleep in front of the telly. Retail? Not really into retail as we have everything we need plus there's not a lot of room...

Part of a Cityscape series presenting the opinions of real people who live in Christchurch's central city: Gwyn Guanzon. Which neighbourhood do you live in? I live in the northeast side of the four avenues. How would you describe the vibe there? It is pretty convenient and laid-back. It is mainly a residential area which is a stone’s throw away from the business district. It has the feel of a quiet village that is pretty near one’s place of work. Your neighbours are... Chester Street East is a very supportive community. It has a Facebook page that can keep everybody in the loop. Read more of Cityscape's central city living coverage here Why do you choose to live in the four aves? When I moved here in Christchurch three and a half years ago, I was enrolled in Ara and I preferred to walk to school. Biggest drawcard? The convenience of...

Cityscape checks out Streamside Organics, a spearhead of the Canterbury organic growing scene. On the outskirts of Christchurch there’s a little farm making a big difference. Streamside Organics is a haven for happy people and healthy vegetables, and it’s delivering the goods direct. Founders Dominique Schacherer and Logan Kerr started the farm on just 1 acre in 2014. Since then it has expanded to 50 acres, with a big team of passionate organic farmers. The Leeston business supplies produce to cafés, restaurants, wholefood shops and local supermarkets, and delivers weekly seasonal veggie boxes to homes around Christchurch and surrounding areas. Everything grown at Streamside Organics is, unsurprisingly, organic. You won’t find any pesticides or chemically produced fertilisers here. The farmers use regenerative farming techniques, and work hard to maintain quality soils that are dense with nutrients. Good for the environment, good for the veggies, and good for the person who ends...

Cityscape takes a look over the fence at the best back yard in town. As far as back yards go, this one’s pretty sweet. It’s got a big lawn, wicked water feature, curated gardens, and trees as far as you can see. We’re a city full of people who love to get out and do things, and we demand an outside area that fills our needs. Luckily, Ōtautahi central delivers in droves. The central city’s shared space is so much more than a private garden could ever be. Hagley Park is the foremost part of our classic Kiwi plot – an enormous open space that plays home to all sorts of publicly and privately organised activities, sports, festivals, concerts and good old fashioned picnics. And it really puts things in perspective when “watching a bit of BYC” really means watching the Black Caps take on a touring team at Hagley Oval....

Cityscape meets four stylists from True Grit hair salon, each at a different stage of their career and each with a unique perspective. Casey Roxburgh - Advanced Style Director My role involves being a busy senior stylist, pampering and creating gorgeous hair for clients. It is the most amazing feeling when my clients look and feel incredible with their new ‘dos. Natalie Anne is an industry favourite of mine. She does great tutorials online and just creates beautiful hair that is achievable. I always wanted to be a hairdresser, and the only way I could finish school early was to get an apprenticeship, so that’s what I did! I’m really into the ‘70s-’80s vibe, all the shaggy textured haircuts, curtain bangs and rich soft colours. If I were trapped on a desert island, I’d bring my wee family, red wine, and a music player. My favourite treatments are any of the...

What does the Christchurch CBD look like in the future? Cityscape hazards some uneducated guesses. The vibe tour The central city has become a mosaic of little neighbourhoods, each with its own personality. The retail district has become the heart of the city – walking streets and mixed-use zones have spread out from Cashel Street, filled with large and small stores ranging from hyperlocal boutiques to high-end international brands, and dotted with spots of activity gathered around live musicians, street food and artists. Across the river, an arts and heritage district has fully fledged. Its staples are The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora and the fully redeveloped Canterbury Museum, but its crowning glory is a brand new high-rise in Cambridge Terrace – a controversial development that houses a goldmine of contemporary international art and projects 3D installations onto the footpath outside. The Victoria district has become an inner-city extension of...

Resene consultant Rebecca Long tells Cityscape all about bringing some DIY design into your home office setup. Whether you need an organised area for your DIY supplies or a space to work from home, chances are you don’t actually need four walls surrounding you to get the job done. You can put a workspace just about anywhere, and paint can help you define the space. Creative use of colour is one way to create boundaries beyond walls and it is an opportunity to add enthusiasm and boost productivity. Interactive Whiteboards can easily take on many shapes, forms and colours with the help of Resene FX Write-on Wall Paint. This special paint works with your existing décor by allowing the colour of your walls to show through the clear finish. Experiment with a variety of shapes and create a feature that is creative, fun and interactive as well. Complement with a vibrant...

What’s warm, colourful, perfect for winter and you can wear it anywhere? The smart new line of Italian jewellery landing at Roccabella. Fresh on the shelves at Cashel Street jewellery trailblazer Roccabella, you’ll find the new line of pieces from Italian fine jewellery house Gioielliamo (that’s pronounced ‘joy-ee-arm-oh’). Roccabella has a long relationship with Gioielliamo, spanning back to the pre-earthquake days when Roccabella had a different location and was run by current jeweller Vikki’s mum, Margaret. “This is a special partnership we’ve developed, and there’s a lot of trust both ways,” Vikki says. As well as viewing what’s on display, Roccabella visitors have the opportunity to design a custom-made Gioielliamo piece with Vikki. “You can talk to me, see the colours, stones and designs that are available, and I collaborate with Gioielliamo to get your very own piece made in Italy and shipped to Roccabella,” she says. Gioielliamo has been in...

Cityscape talks dystopian future, dramatic backdrops and modern ballet with The Firebird choreographer Loughlan Prior. “This production of The Firebird takes Stravinsky’s original music and tells a different story with it,” says Loughlan Prior. “A story that is steeped in an environmental message, and more connected with the issues of today.” He calls it “ballet with grit”, and that’s definitely a double entendre. The choreography and the story certainly have grit, and the kicker is that this production is set in the decidedly gritty desert landscape of a dystopian wasteland. Well, we say dystopian, but it may be more of a not-so-distant future. “I’ve been working with set designer Tracy Grant Lord to create this world, and it really is a world that exists in the future, kind of a civilisation on the edge,” Loughlan says. “The choreography is raw and athletic, and there’s urgency to all the actions on stage....

There’s been a sea change in the central city – not just the buildings popping up and the gravel carparks disappearing. The feel of the place is changing, and we think it’s got something to do with the switch of gear in the residential scene. We’re seeing SOLD signs all over the show, and an attitude to the people who live in the four avenues, that they’re proud central citizens. Cityscape’s taking a close look at central Christchurch living, the tropes, the developments, the people and what (we hope) is to come. Central citizens Cityscape sticks its tongue in its cheek with a satirical take on some of the personalities who live between the four avenues, from the Hospo Hero who hangs out in Welles Street and communicates exclusively vie WhatsApp and Insta stories, to the Empty Nesters who sold up their drafty villa to live that Botanic Garden life. Read...