Stories

In July 1970, the South Island Zoological Society (SIZS) was formed with a vision to create a major wildlife park in Christchurch - 50 years later, Orana Wildlife Park is thriving. The ambitious idea captured the imagination of the people of Canterbury. Within weeks of the Society's formation, it had grown from the eight founding members to over 100 people. Vice-President of SIZS, David Laughlin, says: “The Society set out to develop an open range, drive-through, zoo. Starting with almost unusable land - a dry, stony riverbed - volunteers cleared the site, initially with just hand tools. It was backbreaking work! As fundraising results increased, second hand equipment was purchased resulting in significant progress.”   On 10 September 1976, Orana’s first animals - 18 lions (including six cubs), two tiger cubs, two donkeys, two camels, two water buffalo and two Shetland ponies - arrived from Australia.  Orana’s main trump card was the...

The Breast Cancer Foundation is taking to the streets this Friday and Saturday to collect donations at 145 different sites around Canterbury. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and there's no better time to show your support to the thousands of Kiwis diagnosed with breast cancer per year, around 400 in Canterbury alone. The money raised in the Breast Cancer Foundation's Pink Ribbon appeal helps to support women going through breast cancer, fund scientific research and spread the word about the importance of early detection and regular mammograms. Chief Executive Evangelia Henderson says that while the foundation never expected to be launching the annual appeal in the midst of a pandemic, the team hope that Christchurch will show some love by donating generously to women and their families needing more support than ever. "We've been blown away by the community spirit New Zealanders have shown this year," she says. "It's their...

It's a short, one-woman performance that packs a palette of emotions into a small space. “Do I sound like someone who’s really got something to hide?" the protagonist of The Human Voice asks. She's asking the ex-lover on the other end of the phone line, and she's asking us, her audience, whether we trust her. Her demeanour tells us not to. We're so close we can see her every twitch, wry smile and tear. CSI-style, we interrogate these tells in our heads and ask ourselves whether they mean something, and what. Before we enter the hotel room where the opera takes place, the audience gathers in the bar at The George. "I'm wondering how an opera will be, in a hotel room," one woman muses aloud. "Will 20 of us absorb all the sound?" The tour manager takes us up the elevator in groups and installs us in the room, where...

If there’s only one product you invest in for your skin this spring, make it a good quality mineral sunscreen, according to Probeauty. The sun’s harmful rays are the number one cause of our skin’s ageing, (even more so than smoking or ageing itself), and these UVA and UVB rays can still reach our skin even through clouds and windows. Add to this the fact that New Zealand has the highest rate of skin cancer, and that’s more than enough reason for us to apply daily.  The majority of the cheap sunscreens found in supermarkets use ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone to create a chemical reaction in the skin that absorbs rays, converting them to heat. However, studies have shown some of these chemicals are damaging coral reefs and could be toxic, and in addition they don’t always prevent UVA rays. Physical (mineral) sunscreens usually use zinc oxide as...

The Terrace just keeps getting better and better, with premium menswear (and now womenswear) store Working Style the latest to open. The made-to-fit menswear store has launched its first womenswear range to coincide with opening its newest site: 'W by Working Style'. The range complements Working Style's menswear options, presenting workwear and smart casual for women, ready to be tailored to each woman's exact fit and customised to her preferences. At 102 Oxford Terrace next to the bustling Riverside Market, the new Working Style store is the stunning work of award-winning Canterbury-based architecture firm Prau Studio. Design elements in the new store include carefully-considered use of Travertine marble, rolled steel walls, milled brass fittings and handmade concrete plinths. Mid-century light fittings and furniture, beautiful walnut veneer and limestone chip sit easily alongside the contemporary polished concrete flooring and digital displays. As much material as possible has been recycled from the former...

Earth Organic Hair Salon believes that beautiful hair can be achieved without the use of harmful chemicals or animal cruetly. Cityscape caught up with Traci Aylmer from Earth Organic to chat about what's possible with plant-based products. What are your hair dyes made of? Our hair colours are botanical based, the product is 100% biodegradable, and the packaging is recyclable. They incorporate certified organic herbs, plants, fruit acids, vitamins, vegetable oils and phytoprotein complex. They do have chemicals in them like all hair dyes do without which they wouldn’t work, but our colours have substituted the more toxic for alternatives that are better for us and our planet. Are there any limitations in colour when using plant-based dyes? There are no limitations at all when using plant based colour. This is absolutely the biggest misconception. I worked with L’Oreal and taught L’Oreal for many years and there is nothing I cannot do now using plant-based, organic and cruelty-free vegan colour....

Renske Grant at Simply Envision is a master nail artist, and she knows that looking after your nails is essential if you want them to act as fantastic canvases for creative designs. Her recommended treatment is IBX Nail Repair, and she told Cityscape all about it. How does IBX work? It's a nail repair and strengthening treatment that repairs severe nail damage and toughens the upper layers of the nail plate allowing nail growth. It is applied to the natural nail after a tidy up (shape, buff and pushing back the cuticle). Gentle heat is used to help transfer the treatment into the upper layers of the nail plate, which fuses them together to strengthen your nails from the inside. How do you know if you need a nail repair treatment? If you have thin, weak, damaged, splitting or peeling nails, an IBX treatment would be a good option, as IBX repairs the delaminated and...

Your wedding day is a time to look timeless and true to who you are, whereas events are an opportunity to go bold. Rebecca from Mint Hair explains how to pick a style. Rebecca and Mint Hair loves making people look fabulous for their big days; whether it's the biggest day in this year's party season calendar, or the biggest day of your life. But the choices you make in each situation are different. In terms of this year's trends, Rebecca is seeing the boho style bridal hair with a focus on braids start to fade, and it's giving way to more sleek, sophisticated styles - think centre parts with smooth sides. But most importantly, bridal is a lot about the person, and less about what's hot. She wants people to pick timeless styles that fit with their personalities - styles that they'll love looking back on for the rest of...

Kylie Jenner rocked leopard print French tips this year, and Hollywood went wild for it. Millie O'Grady at Shape of Elegance, a home-based nail salon in Parklands, is an expert on the trend. Cityscape caught up with her about creating purrr-fect prints. How do you create the animal prints? All of my animal prints are painted by hand with gel polish, and sometimes include glitters and foils to add a little sparkle. The prints can be added to a gel polish manicure or gel extensions. What occasions are people getting these prints for? For every day! You can choose softer colours for a more subtle look, or go bold and choose bright, contrasting colours to really make a statement. How long do they last? Nail art will last as long as your gel manicure, which on average is about two to three weeks. Invest in a good cuticle oil and use...

We're heading into the fun-filled and carefree months of spring and summer, which means maintenance is out. For a beauty treatment that stands the test of time, sun, sand and late nights out, Nirvana Beauty Lounge recommends microblading. Defined, natural-looking brows frame the face and emphasise expressions, so a semi-permanent brow treatment is an investment worth making, and for that, the team at Nirvana recommend microblading. Microblading creates filled-in brows using a hair stroke tattoo technique, and they'll save your hours in front of the mirror. Natural-look fans will be happy to know that the goal is to make the brows look as natural as possible, and it works. If you haven't been down the microblading Instagram rabbit hole yet, give it a search; it's convincing. The natural look is achieved by using a tiny tattooing device to follow the flow of your brow hairs, and the natural shape of your...

Christchurch’s Saturday market game is getting even stronger with the addition of Green Lane Christchurch. Green Lane is an urban community market with a focus on sustainability and supporting small businesses, running every Saturday from 10am to 2pm just south of the SALT district on Southwark Street. It's a hub for plant lovers, foodies, artists, thrifters, upcyclers, bakers and makers, all unified by a desire to work locally, sustainably and ethically. The market was built on the desire to create a collaborative, community-driven environment for people who do what they love and love what they do. Sustainability highlight: The indoor plant specialists at Monstera & Men run a 'pot exchange' at Green Lane where you can turn in your old plastic plant pots. These get returned to the nurseries for reuse. greenlane.co.nz

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, we were sad to have to say goodbye, even temporarily, to gin gin. But just like the weather, we’re perking up again, as this lovely little cocktail bar is set to reopen in its brand new digs on New Regent Street this spring. The bar's previous Victoria Street location was a cosy, comfortable, feel-good hideaway in which it was all too easy to lose oneself in a pleasant evening of conversation, top-notch snacks and delectable gin-based concoctions (as well as a selection of other drinks). The new location promises to deliver the same good vibes, with a larger floor plan in a beautiful heritage New Regent Street building. New Regent Street is often called Christchurch's prettiest street, and gin gin. will be right at home alongside other iconic establishments such as The Last Word, 27 Steps, Institution, Story,...

During a charge against German forces at Polderhoek Chateau in Belgium, Lincoln-born carpenter Henry Nicholas almost singlehandedly overcame 16 German soldiers, took four prisoners, and captured an enemy machine gun. For this momentous effort, Nicholas was awarded the Victoria Cross for his “most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack”. King George V presented this medal – now displayed in Canterbury Museum’s Mountfort Gallery – to the 26-year-old in 1918. It was one of only 11 awarded to New Zealand soldiers during the First World War. Nicholas volunteered for service in the First World War on 8 February 1916. It was the second time he had put his hand up, having been turned down the first time due to the poor condition of his teeth. He trained at Sling Camp in Salisbury, England, before going on to fight in well-known battles in France, such as The Battle of the Somme...

Christchurch’s beauty experts on the au courant, the cool, and the regimens that get results. BEAUTY What’s a girl (or guy) gotta do for great skin? The sun’s out and we’re once again showing our arms, legs and everything else that we’ve been hiding all winter, including our actual faces. It’s time to stop covering problem skin with makeup and invest in a treatment to let us rock the natural look with confidence. Needling is like building muscle; do a little damage, and everything comes back stronger. Nik at Mojo Beauty calls this process a “total game changer”. Dermal needling involves using a small electric pen with disposable needles to puncture the top layer of skin (not as deep or painful as a tattoo), triggering the body’s natural healing response. You naturally form new collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother and more youthful skin. Once you’ve recovered, slap on some good...

Node, a design-focused houseplant boutique, community hub and events space has just opened in Lyttelton. The space, which looks like a cross between a trendy loft and your grandmother's house, is run by Young Adventuress Liz Carlson and former Roots Restaurant owner Giulio Sturla with his new bespoke test kitchen Mapu. The London Street store is full of fantastic succulents, trailing philodendrons and monsterous monstera, as well as leafy lemon limes and pretty snow queens. Node also stocks some fabulous homeware products that all fit with the high-on-hygge philosophy, like luxurious Wilson and Dorset New Zealand sheepskin bean bags and cushions. Node is running hands-on workshops on topics like houseplant propogation and succulent-wreath-making. There are also upcoming workshops on building your own website, starting a blog and photography - after all, owner Liz Carlson is a travel blogger with over 200K instagram followers. The building was originally Roots, the only three...

We’re mixing the latest exercise trends with hints for a happy mind. This is all about discovering what puts a smile on your face and a burn in your booty, finding ways to free up your body so it’s not holding you back, and seeking out self-care that leaves you feeling light as a bird. GET FLEXY Cityscape checks out where you can relax your mind and lengthen your limbs. Grassroots Yoga & Health Owner Veronica King, who has been practicing yoga for more than 20 years, believes yoga can be your personal sanctuary in this modern world; and that’s exactly what she’s created. Natural light filters into the airy studio, and the room’s historic exposed beams crown the space. Grassroots’ team have yoga for everyone, with specialised classes for over 65s, prenatal yoga classes, yoga restore, and Zoom yoga nidra, a deeply relaxing guided meditation practice you can enjoy from...

Cityscape tries on some street fashion advice from Christchurch’s trend-setting boutiques. Welcome to spring 2020. It’s time to get obsessed with soft tones, popping colour, trans-seasonal shapes and ever-evolving sustainable threads. You’re on the cutting edge of trend, looking for practical chunky heels, versatile blazers, and punchy natural colours like green, mustard and tan. We’re obsessed with these street and casual fashion boutiques, and the experts picking what’s on the shelves this season. Infinite Definite Infinite Definite hosts a carefully-selected eclectic range of fashion and homewares made in New Zealand and sourced from afar. Jono Moran says the store’s big focus is on design, quality and community. "We love all our New Zealand designers like Penny Sage, Twenty-Seven Names, Kowtow and Marle, as well as some exciting international brands including Paloma Wool, Veja, New Balance, Gramicci and more. "Quality linen pieces help keep everything nice and cool in spring and summer,...

Untouched World is the only lifestyle fashion company in the world recognised by the UN for sustainability, so for founder and CEO Peri Drysdale, fashion and sustainability go hand-in-hand. It’s been a pretty crazy year, a lot of it spent in our work-at-home wardrobe. It’s nice to be able to dress up a little in something that makes you feel great, like a floaty summer dress that can be dressed up for silly season festivities and down for lazy days at the beach, or a luxurious linen shirt for guys. Pare it back with a pair of chinos or shorts for a smart yet relaxed look. We love spring’s soft seascape-inspired blues with pops of pink shrimp and gentle coral tones, and timeless neutrals like light silver, and deep inky navies. This season I’m excited about our new CoolTree™ knitwear range made from 50% Tencel (derived from eucalyptus trees) and 50%...