Cityscape reviews a few of Ōtautahi’s most unique and personality-heavy communities.
Down by the sea
Lyttelton
We start our journey in the funky neighbourhood of Lyttelton. It may have started off as a functional port town, but it’s taken a life of its own as a cultural hub. The out-of-the-city feel of the place seems to attract a certain hippie undercurrent, and a wander through the streets brings us past eclectic street art, friendly dog walkers, and an entrepreneurial kid peddling seedlings and flower cuttings on a wooden table in a driveway.
The steep streets might make us work hard for our oxygen, but the breathtaking views of the industrial happenings in the port and the expansive harbour are well worth it. Lyttelton’s economic hub of London Street is sprinkled with quirky businesses any day of the week, and the Saturday morning market remains a solid excuse to make the drive through the tunnel (or walk over the hill).
See: Lyttelton Harbour
Do: Walk the Bridle Path, or stand-up paddle with Airborn Paddling
Eat @: Arbour Woodfired Pizza, SUPER Restaurant, Lyttelton Market
Drink @: Civil & Naval, Wunderbar
Rating: 5 home-grown vegetables out of 5
New Brighton
With the best horizon-to-horizon views in the city, New Brighton is absolutely not to be missed. The opening of He Puna Taimoana hot salt water pools last year really topped off the New Brighton Pier area, and seems to be bringing folks in from all over Christchurch (and beyond) who previously weren’t seen much in this sometimes-neglected suburb. That can only be a good thing, because the pier – with panoramic views from Pegasus Bay to Kaikōura – is complemented by a modern library with a vantage over the beach; awesome beachside playground with a waka and whale pool; and a plethora of cafés, restaurants, and fun little shops in the Brighton Mall area. Stretching from Southshore to the mouth of the Waimakariri, the beach is a wonder of activities from hours-long meanders to surfing, kite-flying and sunbathing.
See: New Brighton Pier to watch surfers, spot marine life, or just admire the big blue
Do: Take a soothing dip at He Puna Taimoana – perch in the top pool for an ocean view!
Eat @: Switch New Brighton, The Burger Joint, Level One, Saturdays
Drink @: Salt on the Pier
Rating: 5 concrete whales out of 5
Four avenues of fun
New Regent Street
We park up and get out on foot to explore the central city, and what better place to start than with Christchurch’s cutest little walking street? Stretching the space between the cultural hubs of the Isaac Theatre Royal and The Piano, it’s also a great spot to grab a drink after a show at the Town Hall.
Daytime fun includes cafés with outdoor seating where you can wave as the tram goes by; a bangin’ good gelato shop; jewellers; and boutiques. As the sun goes down the real fun starts, with some of the city’s best little eateries and specialist bars for those who love a whisky, rum or gin.
See: The pastel frontages along the the street are Insta-worthy enough, let alone when the Christchurch Tram comes rumbling through.
Do: Take in a show at the Isaac Theatre Royal, a concert at The Piano, or rediscover your inner child at the Margaret Mahy Playground.
Eat @: Twenty Seven Steps, Café Stir, Francesca’s Italian Kitchen
Drink @: gin gin.
Rating: 5 schmancy cocktails out of 5
Riverside
We at Cityscape bang on about Riverside Market a lot, and that’s because it’s amazing. But not just the market – there’s also the laneways around it filled with yummy little eateries and boutiques, fashion and jewellery icons of Cashel Street such as the always-dazzling Roccabella, and on the far side there’s the Terrace – the new and improved Strip with a drop to suit everyone’s taste buds and vibe.
The concrete riverside terraces provide the perfect spot to sit and soak in the scenery of the Ōtākaro Avon River or feed the ducks. On the other side of the river, in between the corporate towers we find some truly spectacular cafés and restaurants.
See: Head down the river a ways to take a gander at the historical Bridge of Remembrance, or the Earthquake Memorial in the other direction. Pull up a patch of grass and watch the tame eels hang around hoping for a snack
Do: Check out the range of awesome artisan products at Riverside Collective, take a cooking class at Riverside Kitchen, or browse Debra Fallowfield’s handmade jewellery at Abode
Eat @: Malaysia Delights, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop, Castro’s Tapas & Bar, Kaiser Brew Garden, Slurp
Drink @: Espresso Studio by Fushoken, The Kombucha Girls, Canterbury Brewers Collective, Curiosity Gin
Rating: 5 architectural façades out of 5
Beyond the aves
Sydenham
Sydenham has been Christchurch’s up-and-coming ‘hood for some time and we’re confident in saying it’s now ‘here’. Southern Colombo Street is the artery of this suburb, connecting the central city to swishy Cashmere, and the branching veins hold some absolute gems. The heart of this metaphor is The Colombo – come for the exceptional and diverse food court, and stay for the boutique shops with everything from books to plants, homewares to fashion – highlights include streetwear hub Stencil and hair hotspot Black Hairdressing.
Across the road, we spot Christchurch lingerie boutique The Fitting Room’s Colombo Street branch. Up and down the street, trendy new townhouses are filling with young professionals and small families, bringing more life to a suburb that just keeps heading up and up.
See: Head to Fiksate Gallery in Hawdon Street for the raddest and baddest collection of urban art in NZ
Do: Tempt your appetite for independent booksellers, trendy homewares, streetwear and designer wear at The Colombo
Eat @: Grater Goods
Drink @: Moon Under Water, The Spirits Workshop
Rating: 5 repurposed industrial buildings out of 5
Merivale
An intersectional convergence of the city centre, Fendalton and the northern suburbs, Merivale brings together the fine with the crowd-pleasing. Cruising down Papanui Road, the most obvious sight might be the golden arches, but the nondescript cafés, shopping boutiques and beauty salons are where it’s really at.
Here we find some of the city’s most fabulous denizens quietly going about the business of maintaining the latest styles – a highlight of this scene is the trend-setting Mod’s Hair. Merivale Mall is anything but a chainstore supermall – it’s a smaller, well-thought-out arrangement in which we enjoy exploring the clothing, accessories, and delicious fresh foods and sweet treats on display.
Across the road you’ll find stylish fashion boutique Dear No One. Home to some great schools, mid-afternoon Merivale comes alive with mums and dads with students in tow, which makes it a great place to be if you like a buzzing atmosphere, but if you’re the type to avoid the crowds you’ll want to duck into a relaxing beauty spa or hair salon and treat yourself.
See: Millbrook reserve – a hidden treasure full of beautiful native and formal gardens
Do: Check out the fashion at Merivale Mall and pop in to Nicola Quinn Beauty & Day Spa afterwards for a bit of R&R
Eat @: Tutto Bene, J’aime Les Macarons
Drink @: No.4 Bar & Restaurant, Aikman’s
Rating: 5 fashion boutiques out of 5