There’s no denying that Christchurch is on the rise with a wealth of boutiques, eateries and social hubs opening up shop in recent months, and it just keeps getting better with the announcement that The Welder, the first health and wellbeing centre of such a large scale, will open its doors come October 5.

Joining other players on arguably one of the city’s funkiest streets, Welles Street, The Welder is a social space where barriers are removed, balance is welcome and a meaningful experience is created that makes us think, feel, remember and understand. With health and wellness at the forefront of The Welder development, the central city hotspot will be a place where you can celebrate all parts of wellbeing, expanding further than just healthy eating into physical wellbeing, mindfulness and sociability.

Ditching all notions of “labels”, at The Welder you can participate in a yoga class and follow it up by freshly baked bread or green smoothie and a glass of natural wine can be as welcome as kale. 

Various hospitality, retail and wellbeing businesses are tapped to take up residence and include a vegetarian, vegan and organic restaurant brought to life by Hennie Murray – who has pre-quake institutions Le Plonk and The Monday Room on his résumé; GoodFor, a business that exists to aid in the clean-up of the planet, Wel Health Club who are behind Cloud 9 Float Club and Whole Foods, where you can stock up on the best organic wholefoods. The Welder will also boast a function space and art gallery, cocktail bar, Italian deli, a yoga studio and communal courtyard as well as a space where you can partake in cooking classes with more to be confirmed. How epic?!

Expect many a great thing when The Welder is primed and ready to go – it will also play host to the country’s first ever WELL – FEST, a day long festival that will celebrate all elements of wellness from sunrise to sunset.

Keep tabs on what’s happening by checking out thewelder.nz