Stories

Watching The Gentlemen Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) is back with a vengeance and a pitchfork in the ground! An English drug lord wants to cash out of his weed business to a bunch of Oklahoma’s dynastic billionaires. The marvellous script (co-written by Ritchie) has the stamp of High Noon and Quentin Tarantino all in one. Hugh Grant is a screamer playing against type. He thinks he has all the chips in this poker game but nobody told Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell or Jeremy Strong. A Hidden Life It’s been a long time between drinks for oblique helmer Terrence Malick to summon the chutzpah of Days of Heaven and Badlands. His latest, A Hidden Life, based on a true story, is set in a little paradise in Austria where invading Nazis force a conscientious objector, Franz Jägerstätter, to arrive at a stark choice – to break his silence...

If Dolphin Friendly aren’t on your radar, get them there, stat! The uber-cool Christchurch outfit bring psychedelic rock vibes and will have you singing along to their catchy tunes in no time. They’ve opened for banging Aussie bands Lime Cordiale and Skeggs, plus Kiwi legends Shapeshifter, too. Their new single ‘Find Me’ has just dropped and it is full of good vibes. Lead singer Sam Mander says, “It’s basically just a summer banger that came to inception one night over a couple of tins in the garage, and with some fine-tuning we thought it had the potential to get people frothing”. Known for their high-energy onstage and messages of sustainability and “unf*ck the world”, Dolphin Friendly are kings at sweet and intimate shows. Catch them at Soundsplash Timaru on January 17 or Electric Avenue on February 22.FB/dolphinfriendly

The power of ‘search’ has delivered Icehouse and its lead singer, Iva Davies, a slew of young fans to swell its concert audiences. Iva tells Cityscape how hard it is to pick a set list to please everyone, and his favourite thing about popping over the ditch for a visit. Are you enjoying being back on the road with Icehouse? Indeed. We’re in a rather luxurious position in that we don’t play grinding, demanding schedules now so every time we play it’s a bit of a novelty. I was the one who initiated the discussions about playing in New Zealand. We always have a great time in New Zealand, it’s such a beautiful place. No doubt things are a bit more restrained on tour this time around? We were never a completely mad band although I must say that at one point on one of our tours there was an all-points...

The team at The Avo Tree are passionate about supplying Kiwis with the best avocados the Bay of Plenty can produce. Owner-director Thorley Robbins shares some tips on how to eat them at their best, and how you can get them delivered all year round. What drew you to growing avocados? I was brought up on a small avocado orchard, so essentially I was born with the trees in the backyard. As a company we don’t grow our avocados. We buy them from a large number of boutique lifestyle growers spread across the western Bay of Plenty. Generally, this results in a fruit that is less intensively farmed, which usually means less spraying and quite often no sprays. You are obviously fans – what do you love about them? Everything! Its nutritional goodness is arguably unrivalled. Combine that with the taste and texture and you have the perfect food! Its unique...

How lucky are we to have such fantastic wine country right on our doorstep? Canterbury’s vineyards make for the perfect summer get-away, either for a day or longer. Hop aboard as Cityscape tours the terroir. LONG LUNCH Several wineries in the Canterbury region have elevated their cuisine offerings to the point where they are known almost as much for their food as their wine. There’s not a lot that can beat a languid al fresco session over some top drops and outstanding fare out in the beautiful Canterbury hinterland! Draw straws for sober driver, then head for: Black Estate Crafting characterful drops, Black Estate is a family-owned and operated winery, tasting room and restaurant. Savour the sumptuous combination of fine, locally sourced fare with their exquisite wines while drinking in the equally impressive vistas across the rolling Waipara hills. Their expressive winemaking process is reflected in their spectacular seasonal dishes, which...

Do you know the sun is the No. 1 cause of skin ageing? Wrinkles, sunspots and pigmentation (and don’t even get us started on skin cancer!) are all bestowed upon us by the sun’s harmful rays, even in cloudy weather and through windows. Adding sunscreen to your daily skin routine is an absolute must, but if this brings to mind greasy, chemical-laden lotions, you may be using the wrong one. So let’s break down the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens use ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone to create a chemical reaction in the skin, absorbing the sun’s rays and converting them into heat. However, this reaction can cause skin irritations, and concerns have been raised about these chemicals after it was discovered they are toxic to coral reefs. Physical sunscreens, as the name suggests, use mineral barriers to physically shield skin from UVA and UVB rays,...

For Louise Highet, good skin treatment should be undetectable but effective. At her clinic, Louise Highet Aesthetics, she prides herself on natural results for her clients. Describe your approach to cosmetic medicine? Natural is key. My main goal is to ensure my clients look and feel rejuvenated and refreshed, but the treatment should be undetectable. I take a holistic approach to cosmetic medicine, looking at the total face and addressing all elements of the ageing process. I take my time and pride myself on attention to detail. Skin health is also incredibly important to me when working with clients to achieve skin confidence. Why are the treatments important? Feeling good about yourself is incredibly important. Feeling confident and the best version of you is something everyone deserves to prioritise. Cosmetic treatments can work to enhance what you have already been gifted, or soften the signs of ageing and wind back the...

You know a Deadly Ponies bag as soon as you see it. Cityscape talks to designer Liam Bowden about what inspires him, and about his label’s fab new space in Ballantynes. How did you get into making bags? I fell into it really. I studied graphic design but really also wanted to study sculpture. I enjoyed using my hands and creating something a bit more tactile using interesting materials. We had a tannery near our house and they had a scrap bin where you could take anything you wanted, so I started making things and selling them at a university market. I started off making coin purses, key rings and mouse pads – anything that would be small enough to make out of a little scrap piece of leather. The biggest piece would be about the size of an envelope. I didn’t know anything to begin with. I taught myself how...

Fashion Society’s Abbey Dickson brings her inimitable sense of style to her Christchurch boutiques. She prides herself on helping her clients reignite their passion for fashion. How did Fashion Society get started? I have always envisioned running and owning my very own boutique. In February last year the opportunity arose to buy Deval in Christchurch. To make it feel more like my own, we decided to rebrand to Fashion Society to give the business a refresh and new light. What’s the vision for your brand? I want my clients to feel like they can be elegant and edgy with their style. The labels in Fashion Society are all timeless and pieces I love to wear myself. What do your boutiques specialise in? We have a large range of international labels you can choose from, like Camilla, SAM New York, Anine Bing, Cami NYC, and Zadig et Voltaire to name a few....

Cabaret Superstar and world-class entertainer Sven Ratzke is joining the out-of-this-world lineup for the Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival. He’ll be rocking The Spiegeltent from January 28 until February 1. Ratzke is bringing his brand new show Where Are We Now to town, which will dive into the universe of iconic pop legend David Bowie in an intimate setting of piano and voice. Through Ratzke’s poetic and unique storytelling and the sweet sounds of acclaimed piano man Christian Pabst, you’ll be taken to another universe. Where Are We Now is arriving on the heels of sell-out shows in Berlin, New York, Amsterdam and London – receiving rave reviews and standing ovations. You can expect an evening that is soulful, surprising and highly entertaining. Tickets for the show are available now. breadandcircus.co.nz

Resene consultant Rebecca Long previews the smoky, sunset colours of 2020, perfect for your home sanctuary. Spicy terracottas, enduring blues, soothing neutrals and ornate golds are some of the glorious hues in Resene’s The Range Fashion Colours 2020. Colours are becoming smokier and we’re seeing a continued rise in sunset hues. Resene Cleopatra Rich, ornate, timeless and regal, the gold of Resene Cleopatra will provide a warm, inviting backdrop on the dullest days. Full of personality, it celebrates our continued desire to express our individuality. Resene Cleopatra is the perfect vibrant hue to inject into a custom geometric mural, half-and-half wall or even your front door. Resene Fast Forward With an increase in fast-paced lifestyles, we’re seeking further comfort from our homes. Brooding, deep-sea blues such as Resene Fast Forward allow us to feel grounded and are perfect hues to build a timeless sanctuary. Resene Fast Forward is supremely versatile and...

The versatile jet ski has become a summer holiday staple for many Kiwis due to the combination of stability, value for money and – OK, we admit it – the need for speed. Advances in hull construction mean the latest models of personal watercraft from industry leader Sea-Doo are even more stable and resistant to scratches and hull damage. The 2020 GTI models also gain a larger 152-litre storage area thanks to a redesigned top deck and nose, an 8.8-litre storage pocket with a waterproof compartment for phones, and for the first time the option of a factory-fitted Bluetooth audio system. One thing that hasn’t changed is the Sea-Doo ‘closed-loop’ engine cooling system. Other brands of personal watercraft take in water for cooling, so if you’re in the sea you have saltwater all through your engine. Salt corrodes, and the inside of an engine’s cooling system is no place for that....

Fletcher Living is forging ahead with its plush One Central development in the heart of the city. The latest homes to come to market are in Liverpool Terraces, nestled between Rauora Park and Hereford, Cashel and Madras streets. Pedestrian-friendly green spaces frame this selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, which are close to the hospo and retail hotspots of Lichfield Courtyard, The Crossing, Little High Eatery, The Terrace, Riverside Market and EntX. Each of the 58 homes in the development has its own balcony and/or courtyard, and the high acoustic ratings of the double-glazing and insulation keeps them quiet and warm. Prices range from $429,000 for a one-bedroom home with a car park (these have all sold) to $849,000 for three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a garage. The high-spec construction includes distinctive Italian veneer bricks, which bring a touch of Tuscany to the whole vibe. fletcherliving.co.nz

It’s the time of year when feet get itchy and change is in the air. Whatever property move you are considering, be sure to consult the experts. New Zealand’s traditional summer shutdown can make for a slow real estate market as people head away to their holiday haunts and enjoy time with family and friends. Beneath the surface, though, there’s a lot going on – as people finally get a chance to draw a breath and relax, they get to reflect on their life and circumstances and whether the time is right for a change. There’s nothing like checking out the window of the local real estate agent in your favourite holiday hotspot to get the feet feeling itchy. Chilling out and chatting with partners and friends also gets people thinking about the year ahead. Refreshed and relaxed, we’re in a good space to set some goals for the new year....

‘Rewilding’ our urban landscape benefits flora and fauna. Canopy Landscape Architects’ Julie Greenslade and Paul Roper-Gee explore options for a tidy mess. Contemporary landscapes in Christchurch are often minimalist in design, with clean crisp lines, large lawns and a reduced palette of plant species set out in massed blocks. This design approach is very effective visually and practically, but it can be lacking in biodiversity and is of limited benefit to our urban wildlife. In recent years there has been growing awareness of the importance of encouraging nature within our urban landscape, and a move towards “rewilding” public landscapes and private gardens, with a looser, less manicured aesthetic. However, this wild approach can be perceived as messy and undesirable, especially in publicly visible areas. A key feature of natural systems is complexity. Massed plantings and lawns are the antithesis of complexity, and are in fact biological deserts. Much more beneficial ecologically...

Daring to be different is the mantra of the new league of craft brewers delivering us an ever-expanding offering of bodacious micro-breweries, boutique fill stations, brew pubs, bars and bottle stores. To wet your whistle for the smorgasbord of suds that is the Great Kiwi Beer Festival, Cityscape talks to a four-pack of local brewers and beer merchants about what trends 2020 will bring, and their No. 1 beer and food match for summer. To round out our selection, beer guru Ralph Bungard, of Three Boys Brewery, looks at what is behind the rising tide of sour beers. Q&A: Chris Ruske - Canterbury Brewers Collective How have things been going since you opened in Riverside Market? The market has been awesome. We've had great support from our local and international customers. The various breweries that make up the Canterbury Brewers Collective have been a huge help as well. As well as...

Nicola and Rosie Dempsey are the real sisters behind musical comedy duo Flo & Joan. Their Buskers Festival show promises to be a scream. When did you first start performing together and how did it go? We started four years ago and the first show wasn’t a disaster, so we did another show. That wasn’t so great. And now we’re coming to New Zealand. Is there any inspiration for your music? We just keep our ears and mouths open and let the inspiration find us. Then we swallow the nice bits and shout it back out as songs. We also listen to a lot of Bette Midler and Billy Joel. What can fans expect at your Before the Screaming Starts performance? No screaming, mostly music, gags – fingers crossed. We will be wearing clothes. We will have washed our hair. We don’t move a lot so if you find move-y comedy...

So many acts, so little time – the buskers are in town from January 23. To help you choose from the action-packed programme, Cityscape brings you our top 10 picks. Blanc de Blanc A cabaret show like no other, Blanc de Blanc brings acrobatics, vintage glamour and titillating acts that will infatuate and delight you. This high-end spectacle will have you wowing. Modern Māori Quartet They’re suave, seductive and smooth as silk. Prepare to be spellbound by the Modern Māori Quartet, who channel the revival of ‘rat pack’ showband entertainment of bygone eras with a proud heritage of Māori traditions. Frickin Dangerous Bro Bringing classic Kiwi humour to the table, this cocky comedy trio will bring together their well-crafted writing, poor acting skills and hilarious wit. Expect a unique, multi-cultural and funny point of view. Buskers Brewery Tour Less of a performance and more of a tiki tour of the city’s...