Stories

You have it now, Cityscapers, the rarest of the rare – a round tuit. In fact you have weeks of them, and you can use them to get around to doing all manner of things. But what? Here’s our list: 1 / Declutter Marie Kondo created a sensation last year with her Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo but who actually got around to doing anything? Here’s your chance to clear out the clutter and choose joy. Remember though that one person’s trash is another’s treasure, so be sure to fully consult with your bubble buddies before biffing anything. konmari.com 2 / Deep clean your car Bring back that new-car smell with the mother of all cleans. Get out an old toothbrush and some cotton buds and go deep into every crevice and fold. Go hard with the glass cleaner as well – you’ll be amazed at the difference it...

There are so many podcasts that it can be overwhelming at times to even know where to start. Here at Cityscape we are focusing on our 5 Ways to Wellbeing and have uncovered some primo podcasts to have you well on your way to smashing these goals. Check out our top 20 picks. 1 / Happier Author and host Gretchen Rubin relentlessly explores human nature to understand how each of us can make our lives better. She discusses daily habits and the role they play, giving simple tips along the way to help you be happier. Some of the topics she covers include keeping a stress diary, the effect music can have and the joys of movement. 2 / StartUp A look into entrepreneurial life, this series follows the starting of various businesses and was turned into a TV series. The first season is all about the start-up of Gimlet Media,...

We’ve pulled together our top picks of films and bingeworthy shows to keep you entertained. We’ve include what’s hot right now, some golden oldies and others that will inspire you to be active and expand your mind. Check out our top 20 picks. 1 / Babies This six-part series explores how infants discover life during their first year. From nature to nurture and everything in between, learn about the biology of bonding, the transitional phase of crawling, the breakdown of linguistics, the importance of sleep and the ways that walking change a baby’s world. 2 / Formula 1 Drive to Survive This series pulls back the chequered flag and shows the life in the fast lane of the drivers, managers and team owners of Formula 1. Each season of racing is cut-throat, and there’s many hands involved in getting the cars on the track – see what happens on and off...

The Royal New Zealand Ballet knows how keenly its loyal followers are missing their dose of pirouettes and pas de deux so starting on Friday April 3, it will offer free broadcasts of recent performances via Facebook Premiere. The move follows the decision by RNZ Ballet to postpone its May – July season of Venus Rising to August – September 2020 and to cancel its season of Dangerous Liaisons to accommodate this. If you have tickets for either ballet, you will be contacted after April 20 to discuss options for re-booking, exchanges, donations and refunds. If you do not yet have tickets to Venus Rising, RNZB asks you to check in with them after April 20 for an update on the rescheduled performances. In the meantime, gather up the ballet fans in your bubble and tune in to Facebook Premiere over the weekend. The first ballet for broadcast is Christmas 2019’s...

Here’s a great idea from our friends at Juno Gin – join them at Easter for the first pour of their 2020 Autumn Seasonal Gin. The venue? Your place, of course! How does it work? The clue is in the name. Juno has called it a ‘Virtual Release Event: The First Pour’ – the team at the distillery invite you to celebrate the release of their 2020 Autumn Seasonal Gin with a delicious cocktail pack and recipes delivered to your door in time for Easter Weekend. On top of a 200ml bottle of Autumn 2020 Gin and another of Juno Gin Extra Fine, you will receive a cocktail tutorial to make both a cold and hot autumn cocktail, two bottles of Fever Tree tonic and insight from the makers as to what makes this Autumn Gin so spectacular. (Spoiler alert: expect your taste-buds to sing with Taranaki oranges, mountain horopito and...

Start planning your post-lockdown escape with our guide to New Zealand’s ultimate ‘staycation’ venues. We have tracked down the South Island’s finest, where you can enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and famous and soak up some of our most iconic scenery. ANNANDALE, BANKS PENINSULA You’re spoiled for choice at this super lux 4,000-acre sheep and cattle farm escape on the coast, with four award-winning world-class villas up for grabs. It’s steeped in history (it’s one of the South Island’s earliest and most regarded farms), and spans 10-kilometres of wild rugged coastline along Banks Peninsula’s Pigeon Bay. Accommodation options include the property’s lovingly-restored centrepiece, the five-bedroom 1880s Annandale Homestead, complete with infinity and spa pools; the charming rustic lux of the historic Shepherd’s Cottage for two, boasting uninterrupted views of the sea, Scrubby Bay’s cedar-clad bucolic beach house in a private bay setting for larger groups, and the jaw-on-the-floor inducing, glass...

The cool cats at Untouched World have always had a focus on sustainability and zero waste, and that ethos extends to their kids’ range. The savvy team use the small amount of fabric left over from creating their adult apparel to create some gorgeous pieces that will have your kids looking totally stylin’. The garments have been designed to last the long haul, so they can be passed on to younger siblings or friends, which stops them from entering the landfills and helps to reduce waste. These timeless pieces are made from hard-wearing, long-lasting, easy-care, machine-washable natural fibres with no nasties. untouchedworld.com

If you’re looking for some Insta inspo or pretty Pinterest projects, we’ve pulled together our faves to keep you smiling and busy – from home DIY to funky fashion, learning a new skill or loads of recipes to mix things up in the kitchen. 1 / Ugly_Ink Sam Moore, the man behind the Ugly_Ink moniker, is delivering the goods on Instagram. He has inked a book called People of New Zealand and his page features many of these illustrations. Expect to find Self-Checkout Amy, Ollie the Lad and Festival Briony – we all know at least one! See Moore. 2 / Happsters Promoting positivity and puppies, you won't be able to hold back your smile – who doesn’t love puppies? You’ll find tips on practising gratitude, affirmations to repeat daily and ways to be more mindful. Happsters on Instagram. 3 / Ted This Insta features key takeaways from the oh-so-cool TED...

Here are 10 ingredients to put on the list for your next trip to the supermarket. We guarantee they will not only give your home cooking a flavour boost, many will also improve your diet and boost your immunity. 1 / CHILLI FLAKES A good sprinkle of these will add piquancy to any meal. Use as a condiment as you would salt and pepper, or add them to simmering dishes. Like all members of the pepper family, chilli and chilli flakes contain vitamin A, which boosts immunity and keeps your immune system strong. If you have your own chillis, you can make your own flakes, with the internet a goldmine of advice and recipes on this – as it is with everything else! 2 / LEMONS As well as being a great source of vitamin C, lemons and their juice add a citrus kick to everything from dressings and marinades to...

Christchurch’s businesses are coming up with any number of imaginative responses to events. Keep an eye on their websites and keep supporting them as they deal with these tough times. Remember, when you buy from a small business, a real person does a happy dance. If you can get out to spend time in our local businesses and it's safe for you to do so, we encourage you to show your city some love and have a wonderful time while helping those who may be struggling. But if you're stuck at home and not able to enjoy those things, we're going to help you bring them into your own living and dining room. Here are several Christchurch eateries that are still open for dining but are also offering takeaway and delivery options for those who would prefer to eat at home: Barberra has a limited takeaway menu on offer so customers...

The velvet-draped, gin-soaked songstress will bring her wit and wisdom to Christchurch for the Jazz & Cabaret Festival. She tells Cityscape why she loves jazz, kaftans and visiting seals at the zoo. What can audiences expect from your show? Music, comedy and entertainment! The best reason to leave the house! Booze, if you are that way inclined. I like to refer to the show as an intimate concert with your drunk Aunty Tina. Everyone has that one in their family at the Christmas do, but this show allows you to laugh at it – ie, me! There is some darkness in there too and I touch on some social anxieties. It’s not interactive – you don’t have to move out of your seat, you just have to laugh and listen, have a good time and watch us in the room with your eyes, ears and mouth. Basically I consent to you enjoying the...

There’s a brand new BMW turning heads in the motoring world. From its distinctive front to the frameless doors and along its slightly sloping roofline to the sporty rear, elegance meets extravagance in the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé. Seen here in Snapper Rocks Blue Metallic, one of seven colours in the range, the 2-series Gran Coupé is an all-new model in the BMW lineup. The four-door uses the same platform as the X1 and the X2 subcompact SUVs. The 218i comes in Sport Line Edition or the super slick M Sport, both putting out 103kW and 220Nm of torque with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The M235i comes with a turbocharged 2-litre four-cylinder engine making 301 horsepower, as well as all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The boot is roomy enough for grocery runs and weekend road trips, and the rear seats fold down to accommodate bulkier cargo. The 2...

Rustic and antique furniture bring warmth and an organic element to any room, and with a rise in its popularity Karen Walker has released a new range of Chalk Colour paints and wax with Resene, which will complement the furniture and add textural dimension. Karen Walker Chalk Colour paints create a beautiful velvety, matte finish when applied to furniture and other surfaces. An extension of the Karen Walker Paints range, this collection is full of muted and pastel tones that will add an air of decadence to any room. This hallway is the perfect example of what can be achieved. Resene Grain Brown painted on the table and finished with Vintage Wax gives an antique look, while the chair in Resene Albescent White and Soft Wax adds a bright pop. The picture frame in Resene Blanched Pink ties everything together, and Resene Half Washed Green adds a calming hue to the...

Low interest rates and choice in the market mean it’s an excellent time for first-home buyers to make their move and for investors to add to their property portfolio. lients eager to get the timing right and anticipate the housing market often ask me when is the best time to buy. I always reply: ‘When you find your dream house and you can afford it.’ That being said, 2020 is definitely shaping up to be a strong market, with all signs pointing to a year of high demand and increasing supply as sellers respond to a gradual lift in prices. Coupled with some of the lowest interest rates we’ve seen in years, it’s an excellent time for first-home buyers to enter the market and for investors to add to their property portfolio. Low interest rates and choice in the market are the kind of indicators that convince first-home buyers that now...

Starting with experiments at the kitchen sink, Antony Michalik now has his own distillery in Sydenham. He tells Cityscape how he came up with Recipe #23, and the secret to a perfect martini. What is special and different about your distillery? We are an urban distillery right on the fringe of the Christchurch CBD. All our products have a unique kiwi twist. You can visit the distillery, meet the distillers and tour the stills, taste all the products and purchase direct from our cellar door. We offer a range of gins. Each is a different style and flavour profile, so there is a gin for everyone. Why gin? How did you get interested in making it? Gin is a fabulous product that you can put your own spin on using different botanicals, base spirits and distilling methods. As with craft beer or wine, you can create products that are unique and...

Paul Roper-Gee and Julie Greenslade of Canopy Landscape Architects tell Cityscape why they love what they do, and reveal one simple tip that can help people make more of their outside area. What attracted you to landscape architecture? Julie Greenslade: Being able to work with the outdoor environment, plants, and activating spaces for people to enjoy. Paul Roper-Gee: I grew up keen on nature, gardens, architecture and design – landscape architecture seemed like a natural fit. How did you get into the industry? Julie: I didn’t know about landscape architecture growing up. I went to a university open day to find more information about interior architecture and architecture. It was there that I got talking to a lecturer about landscape architecture and I’ve been hooked ever since. Paul: I’ve worked in a range of LA businesses over the last 20 years, some small and focused on residential gardens, others large and...

Chaniele Erasmuson of Nicola Quinn Beauty & Day Spa explains the benefits of Viora Body Contouring. What is body contouring and what does it involve? Is it invasive? V-Form Viora Body Contouring is a non-invasive, safe and effective treatment. It uses the combination of radio-frequency energy and vacuum to provide body contouring and cellulite reduction. Treatments are simple and comfortable and resemble a deep tissue stimulation combined with a gentle suctioning of the skin. Who would benefit from it? What areas can be treated? Both men and women can benefit from this gentle skin-tightening and contouring treatment. It is great for those common problem areas such as the stomach, buttocks and thighs but also for those spots that are hard to budge such as the under-arm area and inner thigh. How many sessions are needed? It does depend on the individual and the body part needing to be treated but we...

Traci Aylmer of Earth Organic Hairdressing is a passionate advocate for natural, organic beauty and haircare products. She tells Cityscape why she made the switch, and what the benefits are. Why do you use products with only natural ingredients? I like to use natural products because I have discovered over the last decade that beauty and haircare products contain alarmingly harmful chemicals. Learning that parabens have been found in breast tumours was the final straw. What is the philosophy behind it? I think my philosophy is based on caring about what I pass on to others and caring deeply about animal welfare. Nothing in my salon or home is tested on animals. What do you see as the benefits? The benefits of using natural products are really a no-brainer. If I said to you ‘Would you like to absorb this carcinogenic cream through your skin to make it softer or would...