Stories

Christchurch's iconic Court Theatre is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and along for the ride are two key people who have been there from the very beginning. Doris Barnard and Gay Peek began volunteering as ushers at the Court Theatre when it opened in 1971, and still love the vital role they play in the theatre’s life. When the theatre was first established in 1971 by Mervyn Thompson and Yvette Bromley, Doris and Gay were among the first to ask if there was any way they could be involved. They were both on duty as ushers for the theatre's very first production, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which was shown at the Court's first premises in the Durham Street Art Gallery. “The contact with the audience is always fun and I enjoy the feeling of being a link between the public and the production teams and of course I get to...

The stunning white ngutu (ceremonial entranceway), will be a prominent feature of the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. It will welcome visitors to the centre, and be the location of formal ceremonies. Construction will begin on the aluminium artwork, named Te Aika, this month. It has been designed by artists Rachael Rakena and Simon Kaan and will be produced by SCAPE Public Art in collaboration with Matapopore. Te Aika means ‘the home people’ (it is a Ngāi Tahu version of 'Te ahi kā': ‘the home fires burning’). The artwork recognises the mana of local hapu, Ngāi Tūāhuriri. The design has been inspired by the distinctive southern maihi (diagonal bargeboards) on whare on the bank of the Horotueka (Cam River). Other influences include: the kōtuku, which is considered a good omen; karanga weaving imagery as a tribute to Ngāi Tūāhuriri wāhine; the kahu huruhuru or cloak as a symbol of welcome, warmth,...

Come prepared to stock your pantry and try things you've never seen before at the 2021 Christchurch Food Show. With 120 local and national exhibitors bringing their fabulous wares to Christchurch Arena, there'll be everything from beautifully cured meats to plant-based milk bases; delicious chocolates and delectable cheese to fresh Chatham Islands seafood. An exhibition of New Zealand's cooking talent will be on show in the NEFF Cooking Theatre, with household names such as Nadia Lim, Annabelle White and Ganesh Raj joined by local legends like Jax Hamilton, Giulio Sturla and Two Raw Sisters. You won't want to miss the Wine and Cheese masterclass, new to this year's show and featuring Villa Maria wines matched with melt-in-your-mouth Castello cheese for only $15 a ticket. The La Panzanella Deli Collective provides everything you could possibly need to curate the perfect cheeseboard, and the Artisan Village has the best in small-batch handcrafted goods....

New Zealand Opera has gone full multimedia with this cinematic treat! It's Semele on the big screen, it's showing a one-off special fundraising session at Lumière Cinemas on April 15, and judging by the drama of the trailer and the awesomeness of the stage production we're pretty confident this is going to be a great night out. This stunning new opera film, directed by Rebecca Tansley (The Heart Dances), was filmed in 2020 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. It features some of New Zealand’s best voices: Emma Pearson, Amitai Pati (SOL3 MIO), Paul Whelan, Sarah Castle, Stephen Diaz, Chelsea Dolman and Sashe Angelovski along with the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Chorus and the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir. A baroque orchestra under the baton of Peter Walls ONZM brings Handel’s intricate score to life. The story explores the sensual love triangle between Jupiter (King of the Gods), his wife Juno,...

The 2020 Main Divide Rosé was harvested in the sunny days of last autumn. It’s perfect for enjoying during the warm evenings we have left in autumn 2021. With a light salmon colour, this rosy rosé has fruity aromas of strawberries, red currants, citrus blossom and white fleshed peach. On the tongue it’s delightfully dry and carries the minerality we’ve come to expect of great North Canterbury wines. The dry, hot summer of 2020 meant that perfectly ripened, small berries were able to be harvested earlier than usual, allowing them to retain a nice natural acidity. Full of intense flavour and concentration, the free run juice was given a small amount of skin contact to give this wine its beautiful colour. Main Divide sources its grapes exclusively from its namesake, the Southern Alps, with vineyards selected for their quality and unique regional flavours. maindivide.com

Sick of the same ‘swipe right, meet, small talk, ghost’ cycle? Take your next date to Dice & Slice. As we all know, board games are make or break for your relationship, so get this milestone out of the way early. And if you and your date both turn out to have a competitive streak, we're confident you'll find yourselves in harmonious agreement over the quality of the pizzas (New York-style, by the slice) and sweet sweet range of craft beer. The incredible collection of board games includes nostalgic faves, family classics and adventure games, from Guess Who to Articulate to Gloomhaven. The bar stays open late, so order your bevvy and slice of choice and roll up your sleeves for some friendly competition. FB/diceandslicechch

From the opening chords of Fatboy Slim’s late 90s British dance anthem ‘Right Here, Right Now’, Christchurch Arena erupted in a sea of glow sticks, raised hands, whoops and partying like it was 1999 (and a decade either side) and didn’t let up until the last strains of Darude’s ‘Standstorm’ some 75 sweaty minutes later – and it only let up for mere seconds as legendary Kiwi DJ Greg Churchill came on stage to rock the late shift. Sufficiently primed by our own DJ extraordinaire Craig ‘Shawsy’ Shaw, Christchurch came out in force to relive the dance anthems that defined a generation (or two) at the now iconic Synthony, a genius melding of electronic dance hits backed by Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in badass mode and a retina-dazzling lighting display. George FM’s DJ General Lee kept the hosting short and sweet, amping up the crowd with enough energy to power the city...

More than just food, Maharaja is about presentation. Our meals are all mouth-wateringly beautiful, steaming fresh from the kitchen, and smell amazing. Massive chunks of marinated paneer, spiced chicken straight from the tandoor, and curries garnished with the little extra bits that really make a difference. Maharaja is a destination Indian restaurant, located in a renovated villa on the eastern side of Papanui Road. You’re unlikely to stumble across it by accident and it is absolutely worth seeking out. The attention to detail is clear from the second we walk through the old-skool heavy timber front door. The restaurant has a welcoming feel and is divided into dining rooms that can accommodate groups and small tables. The manager Gagan cheerfully talks us through what’s on offer while taking drinks orders (the Cityscape group somehow unanimously bypasses the extensive cocktail menu to order a round of mango lassi). The lunch menu is...

Local legend and pioneering small ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions is making waves with the introduction of the swanky new 18-guest expedition yacht Heritage Explorer. With details around itineraries still on the DL, we understand lucky guests can expect in-depth explorations of the Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands, Marlborough Sounds, Stewart Island and Fiordland, as well as options for private charters for those seeking the full Below Deck experience. On board, new levels of bespoke comfort will meld a contemporary wood-finished interior with well-appointed accommodation including the Owner’s Suite up on the bridge deck, a multitasking dining room boasting 180-degree views, and a sleek lounge and cocktail bar featuring a flight of inclusive New Zealand regional wines, beers and spirits. Between adventures, lounge under the covered deck or head up to the flybridge – perfect for wildlife spotting, sunrises and sunsets, watching your voyage unfold, or a sneaky recreation of...

The ‘80s are coming around again, reinterpreted in a new collection of styles at Mod’s Hair in Merivale. The new range, Connexion, developed by the Mod’s Hair trendsetters in Paris, is about naturalness, subtlety of colours, and a search for wellbeing. After a period when time stood still, we have never been so connected than we are right now. People are showing more of a desire to return to the essentials, and we're finding ways to connect through video and digital, expanding our reach through the need to get closer to each other. It is in this new era that Mod’s Hair imagines Connexion, an avant-garde style collection where the beauty of the hair showcases the know-how of hairdressers. The Connexion styles are designed to be an expression of oneself; a search for wellbeing where the subtlety of colors gives a softness to assertive cuts. Architectural, frank, spontaneous. modshair.co.nz

Be wowed by weekly screenings of top-quality art house, international, classic, cult, documentary films and more the way nature intended: on the big screen. An integral part of the city’s cultural art beat, Canterbury Film Society is an almost-300 strong, diverse group of film lovers with whom you can watch this season’s 42-film programme and weekly pre-film talks. Arrive early to meet old friends, or make new ones through Meetup or post-film coffee and chats. This season is ambitious - including modern gothic faves (Zombi Child, Border), ‘screen queen’ performances (Tokyo Story, Bombshell), South American gems (Birds of Passage, The Clan) and two post-Soviet dramas (In the Fog, Leviathan). In July, Matariki brings a sure-to-satisfy Aotearoa Film Festival as a ‘winter warmer’. The festival is open to the public for free or koha, as is Tokyo Story on August 16. Full membership provides access to all screenings (less than $4 per...

We've got the lowdown on the latest and greatest in the Garden City. Stranges Lane has had a complete overhaul, saying goodbye to Strange & Co, Orleans and Capa to make room for Soul Quarter restaurant, Cascade cocktail bar and Rascal café. Up the street, basement bar Austin Club has set up shop with a killer selection of cocktails and a late-night post-war vibe. Pre-quake nightclub and restaurant Viaduct has returned to Oxford Terrace with new views, new menus and a new outlook on life. Riverside Market has launched the Riverside Jazz Club, where you can grab a drink, tune in, and dance to live jazz every Thursday night. On the fashion front, Briarwood has launched a clothing and accessories boutique in Strowan, and Juliette Hogan has opened up in The Crossing. Coming soon to Moorhouse Avenue is Christchurch branch of direct-from-the-manufacturer furniture retailer Interior Warehouse. In case you missed it,...

Cityscape has the answers to all your questions about sake. Say it right It’s pronounced ‘sah-kay’ not ‘sah-key’. What’s in a cup? Japanese people use a lot of different vessels to drink sake. It may be served in ceramic choko, wide-mouthed sakazuki cups, glasses, metal chirori, small bowls and even wooden or plastic boxes called masu. Sip, don’t shoot Sake is an important drink in certain Japanese cultures, and tossing it back like a Jäger bomb may cause offence. Treat it like a small glass of wine, and get to know the flavour. Know when to drink it Traditionally, sake is imbibed during appetizers or small plates – izakaya. You can also enjoy it with sushi, sashimi or nigiri. Pour for others, never yourself Offer to pour sake for others at your table, but when it’s time to fill your own vessel someone else should do the honours. If someone important...

Christchurch is full of farmers’ markets teeming with fresh, locally grown produce, artisan goodies and awesome handmade trinkets. Ditch the supermarket and score some local foodie finds. Riverside Market Your central-city farmers market bringing small producers together under one roof. 7 days, 96 Oxford Terrace. The Riccarton Market The grandpappy of Christchurch markets is the biggest of its kind in New Zealand. Sunday 9am – 2pm, Riccarton Racecourse. Christchurch Farmers’ Market Established in 2003, this market is a scenic affair by the river at Riccarton Bush. Saturday 9am – 1pm, Riccarton House. Lyttelton Farmers’ Market All the best fresh organic produce and delicious eats Lyttelton has to offer. Saturday 10am – 1pm, London Street. Opawa Farmers’ Market This friendly down-to-earth market hosts well-known and trusted growers. Sunday 9am – 2pm, 275 Fifield Terrace. Mt Pleasant Farmers’ Market Find the freshest produce available next door to McCormacks Bay. Saturday 9.30am – 12.30pm,...

Let Cityscape be your party planner. Here are our favourite events spaces in all of Ōtautahi. DEDICATED VENUES Pegasus Bay Winery’s restaurant and gardens are open for private events. The setting is bound to wow your guests, and you know the tipple will be delicious. With an entire floor dedicated to function and conference spaces, the seriously swanky Rydges Latimer can host up to 500 guests. This glam inner-city hotspot is the place for lavish weddings and sophisticated soirées, with expert event planners on standby to handle all the logistics. A unique space in the heart of Christchurch, The Tack Rooms host long lunches, dinners and events. The buildings that were once army barracks are now sophisticated boutique accommodation, perfect for an al fresco dining experience for your guests. Mingle in the chic space at Riverside Kitchen in Riverside Market, which is available for private functions as well as being a...

Here’s a little-known secret for Ōtautahi foodies: the team that provide Christchurch’s best restaurants with premium seafood can deliver the catch of the day to your door. The seafood connoisseurs at Oceans North Seafood travel the country visiting their delicious seafood sources, and their location list looks like the most epic Kiwi scavenger hunt: salmon from the glacier-fed waterways below Mt Cook, organic oysters from the Clevedon coast, pāua from the Chathams, and lobster from the depths of Fiordland. The family-owned company was keen to let home cooks loose with this premium produce, so, lucky for us, it’s opened the fishing nets up to the public. It’s Oceans North’s ethos that makes us most excited to order up some prawns to slap on the BBQ. The team is committed to protecting New Zealand’s ocean bounty, so they source their seafood ethically, only working with companies who use sustainable fishing practices and...

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...

Touted by many sinners as the cure for a painful Sunday morning, the Bloody Mary is just as good over a spectacular steak dinner as it is with a seedy brunch. Tomato juice, a slosh of vodka, a squeeze of lemon juice, a generous few drops of tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, topped with cracked pepper and served with a celery stick – these are the fundamentals of the Bloody Mary. But if you want to take your savoury spicy cocktail experience to the next level, where better to go than the Bloody Mary’s steakhouse at the Rydges Latimer? The talented mixologists at this swanky establishment make their base Bloody Mary with chilli-infused vodka for an extra kick, and they’ve got a couple of variations up their sleeves for blood-red cocktail lovers looking to explore. Get a hook into the Bloody Red Snapper, made with Rutte Celery Gin in the place of...