Qestral and the Swingtown Rebels...
Qestral villages on average offer residents over 200 activities a month.
Pictured are residents at the Burlington Lifestyle Village enjoying the glitz and glamour of a 1920’s Gatsby-themed gala night… featuring the Swingtown Rebels.
New Generation Lifestyle Villages...
Qestral.co.nz | alpineview.co.nz | banburypark.co.nz
burlingtonvillage.co.nz | coastalview.co.nz | ashburyheights.co.nz
Stepping out to frosty mornings with the frozen grass crunching under your feet.
The height of indoor hobby season: knitters, model train enthusiasts, stamp collectors unite!
Bunsik in Riccarton – the best Kimbap out!
Cinnamon toast and milo after school. The best treat on a cold afternoon.
Resene Good To Go is a bitter fresh green, positive and invigorating.
Christmas marketing already. Hold your horses... and your reindeer.
When you’re too slow with the towel when the dog comes in from the rain.
Christchurch losing ring-fenced public transport funding! Surely, this shouldn’t be a political issue!
Spring bulbs already shooting out of the ground! Stay down, daf!
Telemarketers ringing on ‘private numbers’. Sneaky!
EDITOR’S NOTE
It’s all black and white
How often do you consider the ethics behind the businesses you support? Do you believe your individual choices significantly impact ethical business practices, making you an influential part of a larger movement?
My guess is, more often than not. But let’s be real – it’s a challenge. Mega-corporations can deliver cheap goods in a matter of days, with questionable practices hidden behind the curtain. It’s tempting to think, “Surely, it’s okay though? Nobody is being exploited to make my designer dupes, right?”
So, with all that noise, how do you know what to look for? How do you know if a business is putting its money where its mouth is?
That’s where B Corp comes in. The big ‘Certified B Corporation’ sticker tells you everything you need to know. That business has gone through rigorous auditing to ensure its processes are entirely transparent and, most importantly, ethical. Our guest columnist, Tim Jones, New Zealand’s first qualified B Corp consultant, affectionately known as ‘That B Corp Bloke’, breaks down how each business achieves this.
In this edition, our themed section focuses on businesses that have achieved this status: a chocolate company that started in a garage and is now taking on the world, an apparel company leading with circular fashion, and those in leadership, safety, tourism, and food. You’ll also find other similarly minded companies and B Corps peppered throughout this issue.
So next time you’re grabbing a sweet treat or checking out a wildlife tour, look for that black and white B – that way, you’ll know there are no grey areas.
Yours,
Liam Stretch Editor
NAH
YEAH
THE TEAM
Publisher Lisa Phelan lisa@27publishers.co.nz
Editor Liam Stretch liam@27publishers.co.nz
Art Director Lucy Arnold lucy@27publishers.co.nz
GM Advertising Shelley Eccleton shelley@27publishers.co.nz
Food Editor Sam Parish sam@27publishers.co.nz
Accounts & Admin Hilary Armstrong accounts@27publishers.co.nz
Blueprint, Christchurch
CONTRIBUTORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Sarah Rowlands, Kim Newth, Sarah Mankelow, Centuri Chan, Chelita Zainey, Hannah Harte, Dr Reuben Woods, Charlotte Instone, Tim Jones, Lynette McFadden, Richard Dalman, Todd Brown, Nick Hoben, Neil Macbeth, Serayah Chivers
CONTACT US hello@27publishers.co.nz Facebook.com/avenuesmagazine Instagram.com/avenuesmagazine Avenues.net.nz
Produced by Twenty Seven Publishers Limited PO Box 36753, Merivale, Christchurch, 8146
THE MAGAZINE CHRISTCHURCH LIVES BY
Untouched World’s ‘Rubbish Socks’ are an example of their approach to circular fashion. Photo by Serayah Chivers.
I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY
You’re built for adventures and so are our All-Wheel Drive Subaru® SUVs. So don’t let anything get between you and the mountains. From 1st July until 30th September 2024, get behind the wheel of a new Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek or Solterra EV and pause your payments for 6 months* not your adventures.
So, hurry into Armstrong’s Subaru to book a test drive and secure your new All-Wheel-Drive Subaru today
Book a test drive at Armstrong’s Subaru 161 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch 03 366 6933 I armstrongs.co.nz
CHEFFY BITS
Kiwi Hercules Noble is a private chef who shares his passion with viewers from kitchens in exclusive residences and resorts in New Zealand, London, New York City, and other places. He has also become famous for his series ‘Will it Sourdough?’, where he attempts to make some pretty unique variations of sourdough. @hercules_noble_food
DOGS’ DAY OUT
Match your winter fit with your pooch’s! The BLUNT Dog Jacket keeps your furry friend cosy and comfortable, whether you’re strolling in the park or jumping in puddles. Designed with fashion and functionality in mind, it features a fuzzy fleece lining, an adjustable velcro chest strap, and tip pockets for poop bags. Available in Park Green and Puddle Blue and in three sizes to fit all four-legged pals, this jacket is a thoughtful blend of design features to keep your pup comfortable and adventure-ready. Perfect for those chilly walks, ensuring your canine companion stays warm and stylish. Is a dog walk the new catwalk?
shutthefrontdoor.co.nz
THE LOOP
PAPER MATE
Elevate your space with these handcrafted geometric light shades, made from heavyweight paper. Emitting a warm, diffused light, they create an inviting atmosphere in any room. Designed to fit any pendant light, they come flat-packed with easy assembly instructions. Handmade by Blacklight in Wellington. francesnation.co.nz
Have you been around the Avon Loop lately? Set between Barbadoes Street, Oxford Terrace, and Kilmore Street, this lush parkland and neighbourhood alongside the Ōtākaro-Avon River is a joy to meander around. Following the removal of hotels and homes and the re-zoning of the land, residents now enjoy this parklike setting, with The Ōtākaro-Avon River Corridor redevelopment providing walking and cycling access through the neighbourhood and to adjoining suburbs. Take the kayak down; there are boat ramps! Also, the Avon Loop Community Cottage is available to community groups for meetings, workshops, and community events. ccc.govt.nz
Stunning Architecture for extreme environments
Enriching the way people live, work and play through architecture that melds into the landscape
+64 3 366 5445
design@dalman.co.nz dalman.co.nz
BUILDING OF THE MONTH - BUNKER HOUSE TEKAPO
CAPABLE CHARM
Nostalgia strikes again with the Fujifilm X-T50 mirrorless digital camera! Experience the future of photography with Fujifilm’s new X-T50 mirrorless camera. Compact and lightweight, it features 20 iconic film simulations accessible via an easy-to-use dial. Get the nostalgic charm of disposable cameras with superior quality. fujifilm.com
WINTER PROTECTION
Winter can be harsh, so lock in your skin’s hydration with Perfect Cream from The Facialist. A luxurious daily moisturiser, it is designed to revive, nourish, protect, and brighten the skin. Brimming with a potent blend of natural ingredients, including niacinamide, prebiotics, jojoba, ceramides, mamaku fern, red seaweed, bakuchiol, and more. This cream delivers deep hydration while improving skin texture and tone. “We didn’t compromise; Perfect Cream has everything you need from a moisturiser,” said Ashleigh, founder of The Facialist. “It is hydrating without feeling heavy, nourishing, plumping, and brimming with naturally active ingredients.”
thefacialist.co.nz
HOT HUMBLE CRUMBLE
TUMBLIN’ IN
Honey or matcha? Your choice. This limited edition Hydroflask elevates your water bottle game. The Travel Tumbler’s durable handle, TempShield insulation, and flexible, splashresistant straw fit most cup holders. For traditionalists, there’s the wide mouth with the Flex Straw. Perfect for any journey. hydroflask.com
Rollickin’s Humble Crumble is chock full of seasonal fruit, currently making the most of an abundance of apples and berries. There is nothing like that moment when you crack through the nubbly golden topping into hot cinnamony, caramelised fruity goodness! Add your favourite Rollickin meltin’ scoop, cream, and a magical cinnamon dustin’, and that’s a little bit of nana baking heaven right there. Go on, rumble on in! Rollickin is open every day 11am–10pm (a little later till 11pm on Friday and Saturday for date night). Check them out on Cashel Street and New Regent Street.
rollickin.co.nz
Introducing SMILEpro
the latest advancement in laser eye surgery
Over 20 with short sightedness, long sightedness or astigmatism? With over 27 years’ experience, trust the care and expertise of Dr Kent and his team offering visual freedom with the safety and accuracy of our laser treatment.
Book online for your face to face or virtual free laser assessment with a member of our experienced team.
10 Otara St, Fendalton, Christchurch (Adjacent to Fendalton Mall)
Untitled Artist Jessie Rawcliffe (@jessie.e.r)
Date March 2022
Location The BOXed Quarter, St Asaph Street
Located deep inside the maze-like spaces of the BOXed Quarter, Jessie Rawcliffe’s striking portrait is yet another example of the growing array of street art found in the St Asaph Street setting. Painted for the Wāhine Takeover component of the 2022 Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival, Rawcliffe selected a discreet location within the BOXed Quarter to ensure the work met people as they turned the nearby corner, rendering the encounter, marked by the subject’s direct gaze, unexpected and startling. The intensity of the encounter is heightened by the experimental tonal palette, the artist using the complementary colours of red and green to create a striking gradient map, an effect that complements Rawcliffe’s brilliant, buzzing, dry brushwork. The placement next to the glass shopfront adds an additional quality, the mirror-image of the work echoing the multiple pathways available inside the BOXed Quarter and offering a sense of pleasant confusion.
Explore more of Ōtautahi’s urban art on a Watch This Space guided street art tour! Email tours@watchthisspace.org.nz for booking information.
watchthisspace.org.nz/artwork/1140
8 17
8
ORB
In Orb by Fleur de Thier, professional dancers Julia McKerrow and Aleasha Seaward delve into the concept of orbs. Is it contemporary dance, cabaret, or disco? After a sold-out premiere in March, don’t miss its return. If you have seen it before, come experience the new extended version, where the funny bits are funnier, and the moving bits will touch you even more.
8 August, Little Andromeda littleandromeda.co.nz
THE SUPPER CLUB
Experience glamour and sophistication with a twist in The Supper Club, starring renowned songstress Ali Harper and the Jazz Hot Supper Club Band. Step back in time to a secluded hotspot celebrating a 100-year anniversary with a sumptuous smorgasbord of song! Gather your favourite guys and gals, don your glad rags, and grab the hottest ticket In town. Set in the acoustically fantastic The Piano, there are only 11 shows, so you don’t want to miss out! This is the show of the season and sure to be a delightful, delicious, de-lovely escape.
8–17 August, The Piano aliharper.com
17
GO LIVE
With 15 acts performing on four stages, this year’s Go Live Festival will showcase local talent from Ōtautahi and beyond. The festival will feature an impressive mix of music from some of the best-emerging indie, rock, and pop bands. The headline acts are One Drop Nation, The Bats, and more! This event is recommended for ages 16-plus and tickets are on sale now.
17 August, Christchurch Town Hall ccc.govt.nz
WORD FESTIVAL
Over 100 writers, thinkers, and performers from around the world will create a literary wonderland at the WORD Christchurch Festival. Kicking off with a celebration of Janet Frame’s 100th year, the festival charges five writers to share imaginative moments. Other highlights include The Savage Coloniser Show by Tusiata Avia, Isaac Martyn’s He Māori?, and a reading of Oscar Kightley’s Dawn Raids 27 August–1 September, various locations wordchristchurch.co.nz
Plan your Waitaki
adventure
With the snowcapped Alps, outdoor adventures, and a history rich in art and culture, head to Waitaki for your winter escape.
Three reasons to visit this winter
Ōhau Snow Fields
Ski and snowboarders unite for a trip to one of the South Island’s most scenic snow fields. With views up the Waitaki Valley to Aoraki Mount Cook, perch on a mountain and look out to Lake Ōhau and the Southern Alps as you ski down a perfectly powdery slope. After the kids enjoy a day or more at the school holiday programme, head to the après-ski only 20 minutes away at Lake Ōhau Lodge. Soak in a hot spa or relax with a cold beer at the bar. Pure bliss!
Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail
This spectacular journey traverses wild and snow-capped landscapes, from the majestic Southern Alps to the scenic Ōamaru coastline. Cycle through snowy mountains, limestone valleys, and charming coastal towns on this unforgettable 300-kilometre trail. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just up for the weekend, this promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. www.alps2ocean.com
Penguin Encounters
Witness the world’s smallest little blue penguins / kororā at the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony. Visit the penguins in their natural habitat and watch the little creatures waddle up the cliff at dusk after a long day foraging at sea. Find out more about the kororā from the resident experts or browse for some penguin-inspired gifts at the entrance. All proceeds go towards continued research and conservation.
waitakinz.com
CHCH’S COLDPLAY
Castaway, a Christchurch-based poprock band, has just released its new single, Daisy. This mellow, melancholic track takes the listener on an emotional journey, but the pumping chorus brings them right back up. This band has an anthem-like Coldplay feel with a quintessentially local sound. Catch them onstage for Selwyn Sounds 2025.
KEANU READS
Yes, you read that cover correctly. The legendary Keanu Reeves and inimitable writer China Miéville have teamed up on this genre-bending epic of ancient powers, modern war, and an outcast who cannot die. This is an utterly good read, sure to have you gripped from start to finish. It’s paced well enough to capture the interest of all types of readers.
GHOSTS ON EVERY CORNER THE DOG HOUSE
THE BRITISH DO IT BEST
The Responder, on TVNZ+, is a gritty cop drama that is perfect for hunkering down in bed as a winter watch. This edge-ofyour-seat series follows Chris Carson (Martin Freeman), a cop under pressure, fraying at the edges, forced to work with rookie Racheal Hargreaves (Adelayo Adedayo) on the unrelenting Liverpool night shift.
Many people will have a memory of The Dog House, a notorious Cathedral Square eatery. When taking on a ghost of Christchurch’s past, Ghostcat (Mike Beer) researches his builds. Mike said this was a divisive project. “The main thing that kept coming up was that kids were always quite scared to go to The Doghouse because of its reputation of being a place where you could potentially get into trouble. My favourite feature to create was the really oilywalled, yellow-lit fish and chip shop we all remember from back in the day.”
@ghostcat_mb
Support the Christ’s College USA Basketball Tour 2025 fundraiser
Christ’s College NEW ZEALAND ARTISTS @
13–15 SEPTEMBER 2024
Christ’s College Auditorium
Book your exhibition tickets now at eventfinda.co.nz to view more than 40 works by New Zealand artists.
Explore the enchanting beauty of New Zealand this season, dressed in thoughtfully chosen, ethical attire from head to toe. Panache Allure Full Cup Bra and Brief, $94.99 and $54.99 Diamond Earrings in 9k Yellow Gold, $1,100 monarcjewellery.com | Athena Organic Cotton Pant, $299 nz.kowtowclothing.com | EcoTree™ Iona Cardi, $499 untouchedworld.com | Indigo Suede Mr Bello Midi Clutch, $669 deadlyponies.com | Tree Runner Go Sneaker, $240 allbirds.co.nz | Crosson Duffle, $569 duffleandco.com | Verde Licia Florio Vegan Nail Polish, $28 monarcjewellery.com
A WILD BLEND OF LUXURY IN EVERY THREAD
1 FRENCH FRIEND
The team behind MONDAY Haircare has released Châlon Paris, an affordable luxury hand and body care line crafted by a top Parisian perfumer. Each unique scent uses patented, long-lasting fragrance technology. Infused with hyaluronic acid and pure essential oils, it soothes, hydrates, and enhances your mood.
chalonparis.com
2 TAKE ON AGEING
New from Antipodes is the Glory Vitamin C Triple-Action Glow Toner. This natural toner features three key brightening ingredients – Kakadu plum, tone-correcting peptides, and lime caviar AHA – to target pigmentation and promote an even-toned glow.
antipodesnature.com
3 NATURAL REMEDY
Kawakawa balm from Aotea is thick and enriched and can be used to rescue chapped lips, soothe acne, and relieve a range of skin irritations. It consists of kawakawa, mānuka oil, and beeswax and is packed with anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, antibacterial and analgesic compounds, linoleic acid, vitamins A, C, E, and omegas 3, 6, 9. aoteamade.co.nz
4
WAKE UP YOUR EYES
The area around the eye is one of the first areas to show signs of ageing with fine lines and wrinkles and loose, sagging skin. Are you sick of people saying you look tired? The Skin Rejuvenation Clinic has several treatment options to rejuvenate and refresh the skin around the eyes, which can be done in a lunch hour and have no downtime. Check out this month’s special! skinrejuvenationclinic.co.nz
LIFE-CHANGING DECISION
Whether you have short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism, these focusing errors need not hold you back from doing what you want to in life. Playing sports or swimming with glasses or contact lenses can be a challenge. Establishing Fendalton Eye Clinic in 1996, eye surgeon Dr David Kent and optometrist Jane Patterson brought laser eye surgery to the South Island and have been leaders in the field ever since. Dr Kent and his dedicated team have helped improve the quality of life for thousands of people by offering corrective laser eye surgery.
Dr Kent offers state-of-the-art laser procedures SMILEpro, LASIK, and PRK to ensure your treatment is personalised. Recognised internationally by his colleagues in the field of laser eye surgery correction, Dr Kent is the New Zealand representative to the Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and has recently been awarded Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences.
Fendalton Eye Clinic has a team of eye care professionals. To determine if you are a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery and
to further discuss the best treatment option for your eyes, Fendalton Eye Clinic offers half-hour free screening assessments for laser eye surgery with a member of the technical team. If laser eye surgery is not right for you, the team may be able to offer alternative options. Complimentary laser suitability screening assessments can be booked online through the website. In addition to these free laser screening assessments in Christchurch, clinics are periodically run in Invercargill, Queenstown, Dunedin, Nelson, and Timaru to advise people regarding their suitability for laser eye surgery.
If you are over 20 years old, long-sighted, short-sighted, or have astigmatism, corrective laser eye surgery may be an option.
“The overwhelming reward for the entire team, in carrying out laser treatments, is seeing the transformation in people’s lives, giving people the opportunity to experience things in their life that they have been restricted in doing due to glasses or contact lenses,” says Jane Patterson.
“For many people, laser eye surgery is quite literally life-changing. Time and again, people tell us they wish they had done it sooner.”
To book your obligation-free screening assessments for corrective laser eye surgery, visit lasik.co.nz
Fleur by DK Floral Design is a boutique florist with a European feel, creating beautiful bouquets and stocking a unique range of gifts. 186 Papanui Road | fleurdk.co.nz
Special Co-host MIKE KING
The Existential Wet Fish to the Face Moment
Tim Jones
That B Corp Bloke | growgood.co
Tim Jones is a leading global B Corp consultant (and New Zealand’s first qualified) based in Christchurch. To date, he has assisted a third of the New Zealand B Corp community on their journey to certification.
We’ve all probably experienced that moment in time when out of nowhere the universe comes and gives you one right in the guts.
It’s what I call the ‘Existential Wet Fish To The Face Moment’ (EWFFM). After the sale of the basketball apparel company AND1 in 2005, Jay Coen-Gilbert consolidated his EWFFM that had started in 2001.
The near-miss of his sister being pulled out of the rubble on 9/11, followed by one of his team members at AND1 and then his father passing away, were the EWFFMs that made him stop and think.
Reflection led him to see that profit maximisation in business didn’t make sense. The damage that can do wasn’t worth it.
He sought a way for businesses to be more accountable for their actions. In 2006, he launched B Corp in the United States – a new form of business that seeks to balance purpose and profit and is willing to be held accountable for this.
Rather than solely focusing on profit maximisation, they must consider the impact of their operations on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
That’s why the B stands for Benefit. What benefit do you provide beyond making money?
Today, B Corps are leaders of a global movement of business committed to being a force for good.
To get the B Certification, businesses must meet verified higher levels of transparency and accountability regarding their social and environmental performance.
However, beyond this, it’s also a movement, community, and guide for maximising your business’s positive impact.
A recent insights report demonstrated that B Corps outperformed ‘ordinary’ businesses in terms of topline growth, and around the world, B Corps were significantly more likely to survive the pandemic.
It’s great to see such an amazing selection of my fellow local ‘Bs’ showcased in this edition, as Christchurch is the spiritual home of B Corp in Aotearoa.
That’s perhaps due to the large number of Cantabrians who had an EWFFM in 2010/2011. I certainly know I did.
It’s what led me to discover B Corp and reach out to Steve Ardagh (CEO of New Zealand’s first B Corp, Christchurch-based Eagle Protect) so I could understand more about B. Hopefully this edition of Avenues will help you also understand the benefits of being a B Corp.
Learn more about B Corp through Tim’s free e-book 2B or Not 2B, The What, Why & How of B Corp available from growgood.co/bcorp-ebook
FEATURE
Be the change
What exactly is a B Corp?
B Corps are businesses that meet high social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency. Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, envision a better economic system where businesses benefit people, communities, and the planet.
The following companies have met these rigorous standards and have opened their doors and books to B Corp to become certified: Bennetto, a chocolate company that started in a garage and is now conquering the global market; Untouched World, a leader in circular fashion; and pioneers in leadership, safety, and food.
RAISING THE BAR
Lucy Bennetto’s journey to creating a global chocolate brand – a story that mirrors many Kiwi success tales – began in a humble extension of her garage.
In 2010, when Lucy was a high school teacher, her diet led her on a new path. “I really love chocolate, but I always got migraines from it, and I have sensitivities to foods. So, I tried to make chocolate healthier.”
“So that’s how it started; I actually tried to make chocolate healthier because I discovered that the cocoa itself has got a really high percentage of antioxidants.”
Following experimentations, Lucy started by making “raw chocolate as a functional health product” for herself. In 2013, she began selling bars at the Christchurch Farmers’ Market, and Bennetto Natural Foods Co was born.
As the products developed further, Lucy scaled up, and her products developed into more of a classic treat food, but organic, vegan, and with the idea that ‘less is best’ in mind.
Lucy mentions that the intention with Bennetto Natural Foods was never to stay within a small niche.
“The whole idea was to build something to scale up that had a platform for impact.”
Now, in 2024, Bennetto is on the shelves of retailers throughout New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The product is made by Switzerland’s leading sustainable chocolate manufacturer, and product development is still happening at her St Albans home.
An unexpected side effect of growing her chocolate brand was the development of a deep passion for cocoa. Lucy travelled to some of the places of origin of her cocoa, like the Dominican Republic, and several trips to Peru.
“I just found everything about cocoa really interesting. The social side of it, the supply chain is interesting, the taste is interesting, the fact that it’s so universal.”
While overseas, she saw how ethical sourcing from an organic and Fairtrade cocoa supplier was aligned with her vision of making chocolate and how these practices improve lives and the quality and flavour of cocoa.
“Fairtrade was why I started in the beginning. When I saw it on the ground and listened to the farmers and their raw stories, I found happy farmers. Fairtrade supported them with education for their families, financing, and post-harvesting techniques. It has many positive aspects that cover cocoa’s social, environmental, and financial aspects.”
The packaging nods to these places of origin. Each flavour is adorned with bird artwork by Auckland-based artist Henrietta Harris, each bird native to the country where the cocoa was grown.
Knowing the positive impact chocolate could have, Lucy has remained steadfast in growing a transparent, ethical brand.
Getting a B Corp certification seemed like a natural step to Lucy.
“Something inside of me was just never comfortable with making claims without backing them. We want people to trust us. We decided to get verified. We’ve done everything we can to ensure that our supply chain and products are as clean as they can be, and we’re creating a good impact rather than a negative one.”
Since certification, Lucy has aimed to improve their B Corp score year after year.
“Now that we’re aware of the changes we can make, we’re constantly adjusting.”
Lucy has hopes to grow the brand further, with more natural foods in the pipeline, no doubt with those planning stages beginning in her garage.
bennetto.co.nz
SOCKS WITH PURPOSE
Christchurch-based conscious clothing producer Untouched World is driving new standards in fashion through circular products, like its ‘Rubbish Socks’.
At their best, brands can encourage collaboration, innovation, and mutual well-being and help people live more vibrant and fulfilling lives. At their worst, they maximise short-term profits, destroying the communities that make their products and the environment that gives them the resources to do so.
For the past 43 years, Untouched World has been dedicated to driving better industry standards and creating more beautiful and lasting products, in innovative ways that work with the planet’s best interest in mind.
The fashion industry consumes over 100 billion cubic metres of water annually and emits over one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. It also produces over 92 million metric tonnes of textile waste every year. At Untouched World, their commitment to transitioning to a Circular Economy is not just a choice, it is a pledge to the generations that follow.
In the current economy, brands take materials from the Earth, make products, and eventually throw them away as waste – the process is linear. In a circular economy, by contrast, waste is eradicated by intentional design in the first place. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.
Untouched World considers the whole life cycle of everything they make, from the fibres and fabrics they select to how long a garment will last, how it can be cared for, and whether it can naturally return to the Earth at the end of its life.
By embracing responsible production locally in Christchurch, they can work directly with their own team to reduce, reuse, and recycle from design through to manufacturing.
Being a B Corp means that Untouched World is always striving to be better. Their business practices prioritise people and the planet, and their relentless pursuit of effecting positive change means that the Untouched World team is continuously researching and developing new yarns, fabrics, and ways to further reduce their footprint.
Their aim is to create zero textile waste to landfill by the end of 2024. Any excess yarns or fabrics are either used to create homeware and kids’ collections, or are recycled back into new yarn, woollen insulation, and products used for interiors and construction.
In 2023 alone, Untouched World saved over one tonne of fabric waste through their waste reduction initiatives.
One initiative that has contributed to diverting this textile waste is their ‘Rubbish Socks’. Over time, Untouched World has been collecting left-over knitwear pieces from their production runs and cutting them into smaller pieces, which are sent to a local spinner in Wellington. The recycling process is completely water- and dye-free. The colours of these unique repurposed yarns are derived naturally from the colours of their offcuts.
Untouched World launched their Rubbish Socks in collaboration with Ethically Kate to encourage others to think circularly and support products and brands with a higher purpose. The range can be viewed at their retail stores or online.
untouchedworld.com
PRESSURE AND CARE
Boma, founded and led by Kalia Colbin, offers transformational learning experiences for leaders. One of its specialised development courses is the Crusaders Leadership Programme™.
Kaila Colbin never expected to be involved with rugby. Originally from the USA, she trained with Brené Brown and Al Gore and built her business, Boma, to focus on intentional, intelligent, courageous leadership.
But when she connected with the Crusaders franchise, she was surprised – and delighted.
“I spent so much time in boardrooms and C-suites helping people better understand how to bring individuals together to perform as a team. Turns out there’s no daylight between what’s needed in a business context and what’s needed on the rugby field.”
Boma joined forces with the Crusaders to create the Crusaders Leadership Programme™, a two-week virtual course for any coach or team leader. They knew it had to be special, reflecting the best of the best in the club’s legacy.
“We get to share insights from real legends: Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Sir Wayne Smith, Robbie Deans, and Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson.
And it’s amazing how generous they are – they go into a huge amount of detail and specificity about how they build winning teams.”
As a Certified B Corp, Boma needed to make sure the values of the club were aligned.
“Razor talks about ‘pressure and care’: the idea that we can strive to perform at our absolute best while also caring deeply for one another. This idea is at the heart of what Boma stands for and at the heart of our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal #4, quality education,” Kalia says.
So far, more than 900 people from more than 30 countries have participated in the programme. And it hasn’t been just rugby coaches either: they’ve had people from other sports, IT managers, CEOs, youth workers, and more. “The insights about how to get the best out of people, how to support your people to thrive, how to see the person first and the performer second... These aren’t about rugby. They’re about leadership.”
nz.boma.global
GLOVED UP
Christchurch’s Eagle Protect™ is cleaning up the world’s food and medical industries, one glove at a time, by revealing a shocking truth.
Steve Ardagh is known in the United States as ‘the Glove Guy’. A Lincoln University graduate who worked in marketing, Steve sought to start a business in a category that was global, massive – and ripe for improvement. He chose gloves.
Each year in the US, over a hundred billion disposable gloves are used across food handling, medical, law enforcement, industrial, and cannabis industries.
In 2006, Steve and partner Lynda Ronaldson founded Eagle Protect to supply New Zealand industries. Today, Eagle supplies about 80 per cent of the local primary processing companies and, for the past decade, has made inroads into iconic US food brands and sectors such as sheriff departments for Eagle’s fentanyl-resistant gloves.
Along the way, Steve made a shocking observation when visiting factories in Southeast Asia, that manufacture most of the world’s glove supply. Water used in manufacturing was being drawn from polluted streams and combined with cheap ingredients. The result is that a substantial proportion of gloves contain
chemical and microbial contaminants that could pose risks to food safety and public health.
“Something was very wrong with this picture,” says Steve. “Gloves are meant to protect, not infect.”
His next step, to ensure differentiation for Eagle Protect, was to become the first NZ B Corp™ certified company in 2012, and the world’s first and only glove specialist until last year.
“The values of B Corp of inclusion, accountability, and transparency strongly aligned with our values,” says Steve.
Eagle’s years of research into glove contamination culminated this month in a breakthrough paper in the prestigious Journal of Food Protection, highlighting hazardous chemical and pathogenic glove contamination. Eagle has developed a proprietary, patented glove quality verification programme to ensure a line of Eagle gloves adhere to the highest level of consistent glove safety and performance.
Steve spends a good deal of his time in the US working with distributors and corporate purchasers, as well as speaking at food safety conferences about the hidden truth of gloves.
eagleprotect.co.nz
Imagine crafting learning experiences that crackle with creativity and ignite curiosity! Like-Minded Learning partners with passionate learning professionals in progressive organisations to design interactive learning delivered through robust learning platforms. They don’t just deliver knowledge; they make it explode with life. Do you want to achieve real behavioural change sparked by your expertise? They’ll help you develop content that fosters engagement and ignites a love of learning. If you are ready to take your training to the next level, then contact them at info@likeminded.co.nz and together, you’ll unlock the potential of your learning content. likeminded.co.nz
Hugh and Pip Waghorn are fifth and sixth-generation locals with a deep connection to Akaroa and Banks Peninsula. In 2004, after years of farming the peninsula, they started Akaroa Dolphins. Right from the outset, a passion for safeguarding the natural environment and giving back to the community while giving visitors an authentic experience was vital. In 2014, the Waghorns helped establish the Akaroa Marine Reserve, which has seen an increase in species returning to the area. They have won plenty of awards and are rated as TripAdvisor’s #1 boat tour and New Zealand’s first tourism experience to be certified as a B Corp. akaroadolphins.co.nz
In 1993, Cleanery founder Mark Sorenson wrote a school essay about the packaging problem. Decades later, plastic pollution remains a critical issue. Cleanery aims to create effective, low-waste cleaning products. Their patented formulations use eco-friendly ingredients and cut down on packaging.
cleaneryonline.com
Three friends founded Karma Drinks on Piha Beach, focusing on the meaning of their name ‘Karma’, forming a company that uses ingredients good for the land, growers, and consumers. After starting with Karma Cola, the range has grown and they became B Corp Certified in 2022. karmadrinks.co.nz
Food for thought
Lynette McFadden
Business Owner & Mentor, Harcourts gold @lynette_mcfadden
Family memories have always been a focus with food and celebration at the centre of things. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember and I still cook and prepare many of those family favourites.
Then there is its association with friends, hospitality, and giving, the Māori term for this being manaakitanga. I think of this fundamental act as one of life’s great pleasures, so the fact that a growing number of people in our society don’t have access to enough food is deeply alarming to me.
There’s been a proliferation of food banks throughout the country, and Christchurch has both a large central food bank and distribution centres as well as numerous community pantries set up in local neighbourhoods. Their function is to provide food and offer respite from the situations families find themselves in, usually due to increases in the cost of living and unemployment worries.
Although the need keeps growing, the generosity of many businesses and individuals is a massive help, and it is heartening to live in a region where people prioritise the support of others.
Some people and organisations really stand out, such as Full Bellies.
Having the opportunity to support this group through our company is an ongoing privilege. It is currently responsible for 1,023 lunches per week, which are distributed to various schools throughout Christchurch.
These lunches are based around sensible nutritional fare, and having helped make some, they remind me of what I used to make before the days of everything coming in a packet with a barcode attached and a sugar warning.
So, whilst the celebration of food is, for many, a feature of a life worth living, so too is the opportunity to help others achieve just that.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed when there’s a lot of need. Still, a simple start could be popping a box of Weetbix in the grocery donation bin at the supermarket, placing additional fruit and vegetable supplies from your home garden – like my parents do – into a little neighbourhood pantry box (like our local one, which is handily placed outside a kindergarten) or thinking about how not to waste so much food personally. A 2023 study found that in New Zealand, we waste 100,000 tonnes of perfectly good food!
Food waste is one of the things I’m trying to tackle, and although this no longer includes the reality of finding a week’s worth of school lunches under my son’s bed, as with most people, there are still too many things that get thrown out despite my good intentions. So, this deep intention will remain an important part of how I want to live. I’m hoping that as we all move forward into a more sustainable future, others will, too.
Finally, I read recently that ‘food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate’ and on reflection I hold this to be true.
Golden retreat
The textural warmth of the Flight Lounger and Flight Ottoman from Nood Furniture is complemented by the deep orange of the wall in Resene Kombucha, lines in Resene Liquid Gold, and background in Resene Tequila.
This textural, modular look would be completely at home in a mid-century sunken lounge but is equally at ease in a contemporary setting. Textural soft furnishings from Nood Furniture in natural shades stand out from the mix of Resene Kombucha, Resene Liquid Gold, and Resene Tequila. Natural colours don’t need to be tonal to match. Add interest to your natural colour scheme by pairing opposites like burnt orange and dark olive green.
Flight Lounger Burnt Orange; Flight Ottoman Burnt Orange; Maddox Shag Rug Olive; Hudson Velvet Cushion Lichen; Marsha Cushion Rust; Sheepskin Mink; Marley Check Throw Moss from Nood Furniture; Resene Kombucha; Resene Liquid Gold and Resene Tequila from Resene ColorShop.
Resene Tequila
Resene Kombucha
Resene Liquid Gold
The architecture of bathrooms
Richard Dalman Managing Director, Dalman Architects dalman.co.nz
Bathrooms, once hidden away or even located at the bottom of the garden, now receive considerable attention from architects.
Here are my top ten tips for creating stunning bathroom spaces where you can refresh and revitalise, or just relax and chill out.
Think about how you want to feel when in the bathroom and work with light, colour, and materials to achieve this. We have designed both light and bright bathrooms, dark and more intimate bathrooms, and also bathrooms with raw concrete walls and ceilings.
Encompass nature. If there is a view to the outside and the bathroom can be screened, open out to it. Try to reflect the local environment in your material selection, whether by using natural materials such as stone or timber or by bringing in natural light through windows and even from the roof above.
Include a walk-in shower. If it’s welldesigned and large enough, it doesn’t need a door. It could even combine with an adjacent bath to create a ‘wet room’. But make it easy to access and clean, and ensure you have good waterproofing under the tiled areas that will stop water leaks and meet the Building Code. If including a bath, think about who could be using it and design accordingly. For
example, it could be used for bathing young children or shared romantic evenings.
Use mirrors to enhance the décor or to expand the perception of space in small bathrooms.
Make sure the space is well ventilated via opening windows and an extract fan that is vented to the outside.
Don’t be afraid to open up your ensuite bathroom to the bedroom, but if you do, always have the WC out of sight in a separate space.
Think carefully about the lighting. While a dimly lit space could be good for the evening and latenight visits to the loo, provide good task lighting for activities like shaving and applying makeup.
Don’t be afraid to go over the top, incorporating features usually reserved for living spaces, such as an open fire, a chandelier, or a sculpture.
Lastly, bathrooms need to be functional. Plan the spaces well, use easy-to-clean and durable surfaces, and use good-quality fittings. And don’t forget the storage! While minimalist bathrooms might look on point, we live with a lot of stuff that needs to be put somewhere. Either hide it all away or make a feature of it.
Bathrooms can be simple or extravagant. Whatever approach you take with your new bathroom or refurbishment, try to bring some of your own personality to the design so that you feel enriched every time you use it.
kamomarsh.co.nz
03 366 8181
Kamo Marsh is a landscape architecture practice based in Central Christchurch and Queenstown. As well as residential design, we have worked and collaborated on a variety of subdivisions, educational and commercial projects throughout our 40 years in business.
Kamo Marsh provides a professional service in landscape planning, design and project management and we take pride in offering a friendly and personal approach to each project we are involved in. Our talented team look forward to working with you on your next residential or commercial project.
Spartherm Double Sided wood fireplace exclusively at Stoke Fireplace Studio
95 Byron St, Sydenham, Christchurch | 03 365 3685 stokefires.com
Heat Pumps
Ducted Heat Pumps
Hot Water Heat Pumps
Ventilation Systems
Visit our showroom
95 Byron Sreet, Sydenham
Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm
Saturday 9am – 1pm 03 365 3685 | info@simplyheat.co.nz simplyheat.co.nz
BY DESIGN
OUT OF THE BOX
WORDS Liam Stretch PHOTOS Sarah Rowlands ARCHITECT Sheppard & Rout
Step inside a former commercial warehouse building in Northcote and prepare to be amazed. Where forklifts once roamed is now a unique school campus, complete with covered sports courts and a wondrous timber chapel. Welcome to the new Marian College.
Having spent years looking for a permanent replacement site after their school was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquakes, this Catholic girls’ college eventually found a great spot close to St Bede’s College and St Joseph’s School for their new home. The only problem was their chosen site already had a big old warehouse on it. Rather than opting for demolition, the college hit upon an audacious alternative – building the school inside the warehouse. Sheppard & Rout Architects designed the award-winning transformation that has delivered a school that is quite unlike any other.
Jasper van der Lingen, Director of Sheppard & Rout, recalls feeling slightly intimidated on his first visit to the warehouse.
“Here was this massive 17,000 square metre space that a school needed to go into,” says Jasper. “Toll Logistics were still moving out. Originally, it was a Foodstuffs warehouse. From what I understand, it was the largest warehouse in the Southern Hemisphere at that time. It was built in a series of bays from the 1950s and had quite a chaotic interior in terms of how it was structured.”
The clever design solution involved carefully placing two-storey, prefabricated
timber forms inside, not touching the warehouse structure but winding through it.
“That really unlocked it. Another huge bonus of this warehouse was how much covered space we had at our disposal: the layout includes four covered sports courts, lots of breakout areas, and a communal atrium space that functions as the social heart of the school.”
Undoubtedly, the school’s spiritual heart is the new timber chapel that lies right at the front of the building, which is what people see first when going inside. Sheppard & Rout won the design commission for this chapel separately from the main school design. Judges at the 2024 Interior Awards, where Sheppard & Rout recently won the Education Award for the Marian College project, have described this jewel-like chapel as ‘the taonga’ of the space, serving as a place of reflection for akonga and hapori alike.
The school’s cultural narrative, gifted by local iwi, is based around Te Pae Māhutonga or the Southern Cross constellation. Look up at the chapel ceiling today and that constellation can be seen, floating there as part of a laser-cut celestial display that also represents the night sky as it would have looked on the day Marian College first opened in 1982. The spine of the chapel is open to the warehouse canopy, nicely contrasting the sacred space with the surrounding raw industrial aesthetic.
“From what I hear, the chapel has been a huge success. A lot of students go in there in the morning to spend a few moments decompressing and leaving the outside world behind. It is a calm, safe place – it feels like a sanctuary.”
Sustainability was a key priority for the college. Saving the warehouse in the first place speaks to that ethos. It also drove Sheppard & Rout’s
Structural Steel Fabrication & Erector
selection of timber for the school buildings. “What’s more, we chose locally made timber products drawing on local forestry sources.”
The repurposed interior feels light and modern and the school’s strong primary colours set a pleasing palette. All the new classroom and admin spaces are fully heated, air conditioned, and ventilated. In the main warehouse space, ceiling-mounted radiant heaters have been selectively placed where needed, such as above the main assembly area.
It has been an exciting year for Marian College since fully opening here at the start of this year. The awards keep coming for their highly innovative school in a warehouse. As well as the 2024 Interior Award, Sheppard & Rout Architects has won a 2024 Local
Architecture Award for this project and a merit at the 2024 Property Industry Awards.
Jasper says it has been a big team effort involving Armitage Williams (construction), Powell Fenwick Consultants (engineering), TSA (project management), and Rawlinsons (QS), along with the Sheppard & Rout team. “I wish to particularly acknowledge Joff Kennedy and Chris Murphy as well as the Catholic Diocese. This project simply could not have happened without their courageous vision.”
Sheppard & Rout is a multi-award-winning practice, excelling in both local and national architecture awards. “We are proud to be acknowledged for best architecture spanning a wide diversity of projects over many years.”
sheprout.com
Green Dog proudly insulated Marion College alongside Armitage Williams.
THE ROAD
CAR SALES WITH CARE
Wheeler Motor Group’s newest showroom is WMC Premium at 99 Harman Street in Addington. Like all Wheeler outlets, you’ll find the same excellent service they’re known for. What makes this new offering special is its emphasis on higher-end vehicles.
Step into the former steelworkers’ warehouse, now transformed into an industrial chic space, and you’ll be surrounded by a stunning collection of luxury cars, from Range Rovers to Porsches, Polestars to BMWs.
Manager Will Hayde says the intention with the new site was to make them stand out.
“We want to be put on the map and known as a used dealership that offers high-quality stock at a good price.”
“Our primary aim is to offer a positive experience when buying a car. We understand that it isn’t something everyone enjoys, and we want to make the entire process enjoyable from the moment you step into the dealership,” he says.
Owner and founder Nick Wheeler mentions that there is more to its point of difference.
“We were looking for a destination that was interesting. We intentionally chose this spot because it isn’t perfect; it’s accessible and has a welcoming feel. It’s not sterile.”
This new yard means they have more options for potential buyers too, bringing the total visible stock to over 400 and the total available stock to 1000 units.
Owner Nick Wheeler has been in car sales since he was 19 years old. These days, he is still as excited as he was the day it all began
and says he now has the opportunity to make a positive impact.
“It’s such a great business to be in. I love the opportunity to solve people’s problems and improve their experience.”
With WMC now 20 years old, Nick employs 75 staff across five locations: Wheeler Motor Company on Moorhouse Avenue, WMC Premium on Harman Street, and workshops and an autocentre on Disraeli Street.
Nick also values giving back to the community. They sponsor the Canterbury Rams and Mainland Pouākai, the men’s and women’s New Zealand National Basketball League local teams. WMC provides the squads and management with fleet vehicles and servicing.
This connection was brought to centre stage with the opening gala of their Harman Street facility, which also hosted the WMC Canterbury Rams Premium Awards. This year also happens to be the 10th anniversary of the Canterbury Rams. Over 200 guests attended the gala, with the showroom transformed for a cocktail evening.
Nick says the aim of the event was to bring all the sponsors together in one room.
“It was a chance for us to get to know each other. And as we’re all Cantabrians, we should support one another.”
Alongside basketball, WMC also sponsors several other individuals and groups, including marine biologists, schools, and grassroots sports teams.
“We’re working on a sponsorship fund at the moment, where a lot of the people that we give our business to give back to the community via our sponsoring community portal, like jerseys for sports teams.”
wheelermotors.co.nz
Our food scene
Sam Parish, Food Editor @sam.parish.food
Christchurch, as a city along with its food scene, is currently on the cusp of something bigger, braver, and bolder.
The population is growing, tourism is happening, and bigger plans are in place with stadiums, hotels, and events. These are all forcing change. There is reinvestment and, most importantly, there is hope, something this city has been striving for since the awful earthquakes of 2011. It’s no coincidence that we were the only city in New Zealand to make it on the happiest cities in the world list.
Despite my excitement, I owe my second home an apology.
My ignorance as someone who grew up in Sydney, Australia, who never understood what is required to build and rebuild a city from scratch, has made me impatient and naïve to the sacrifice and risk involved in making a city the vibrant one it is today.
When we first moved here, I walked through the centre of town, and I found the quietness of Christchurch unnerving and uncomfortable.
Little did I know business owners and inspired culinary entrepreneurs were soon to flood the empty buildings with their food and breathe the very thing this city needed back into its veins: food.
To me, food, in all its versions, has been the driving force to revive this city and layer it in endless ways for those who are thinking of making the move to confirm it as a place to call home.
Yes, the cost of housing is a helpful pedlar; sure, even the bike-ability of the streets and proximity to both beachside towns, hills filled with wineries, and snow-drenched mountains have their benefits, but I, hand on heart, believe it is the food and the culture it provides that makes this place the best city in New Zealand. I think this is something we can all agree on. How many of you have a list of new favourite restaurants and are excited to show off what we have to visitors from out of town? I know I do.
To all the people of hospitality who have played a role in bringing this city to life, I salute you. It is you who have made this city a liveable, happy place we can call home. Cafés to casual eateries, food trucks to market holders, farmers to wineries, and all the incredible restaurants that have let this city go from surviving to thriving one service and plate at a time, thank you.
This city would be nothing without you and your passions; in fact, it truly wouldn’t be a city at all. Good things take time, and this life lesson has truly been learned from living here.
CHRISTCHURCH BY TRAM
This September, Avenues Eats will take over Christchurch Attraction’s trams, offering a unique and unparalleled culinary experience hosted by Avenues Food Editor Sam Parish.
This exclusive gastronomic adventure, with limited tickets available, will guide attendees through some of the city’s finest restaurants and bars, all while riding the iconic Christchurch tram. This is not just a night out; it’s a degustation with a difference.
At each stop along the custom tram route, diners will be treated to specially crafted dishes by some of Christchurch’s top chefs, many renowned not just locally but internationally. Dining in various distinguished restaurants across the city, the journey is designed to tantalise taste buds and showcase the diversity and creativity that Christchurch has to offer within our exciting and developing culinary scene.
However, the adventure doesn’t stop there. While on board the tram, passengers can sample wines from North Canterbury winery Dancing Water Winery. As the tram winds its way through the city’s streets, you’ll be able to take in the cityscape from a different perspective. This event promises to be a first for Christchurch and possibly New Zealand.
We want to see you in your glad rags, as we all need a chance to dress up, so attendees are encouraged to dress to impress for an evening of elegance and sophistication. With Avenues Eats handling all the details, all that’s left for you to do is sit back and enjoy.
Tickets for this extraordinary event are priced at $195. This includes wine tasting and pairing, four bespoke courses, a nightcap cocktail, and a city tour via tram starting at 5.45pm. Given the uniqueness of these experiences, you might find it hard to choose between the two available weeks, and it’s perfectly understandable if you decide to buy tickets for both!
Week one, ‘Fusion with Flair,’ is all about appreciating the best fusion flavours the city has to offer. Setting off on Wednesday, 4 September, this week’s stops include top city spots, with a surprise canapé, dishes from Earl and Brewda, and a nightcap bespoke cocktail Austin Club, with Table Bloom serving desserts.
Week two (Wednesday, 11 September) takes passengers on a ‘Mediterranean Spring Fling’. Again, there will be a bespoke canapé on arrival, dishes from the creative minds behind Odeon and The Monday Room, and a cocktail at the Austin Club with dessert from Sweet Soul Patisserie.
Each evening promises a unique culinary journey featuring the best in local cuisine and hospitality. You’ll experience the best of Christchurch’s dining scene from one of the most iconic pieces of Christchurch’s identity – our trams.
Brought to you by Avenues with support from Christchurch Attractions and Dancing Water Winery
Wednesday 4 and 11 September, starting at 5.45pm | Tickets available at avenues.net.nz
Terms & Conditions We are not able to accommodate specific dietary requirements for this event. Due to the nature of this event, communal-style dining will be used in some restaurants. Seating will be at the discretion of the restaurants, with parties seated together. We will not be providing refunds for this event. If you cannot attend, please find someone who can take your place. Food and beverage providers are also subject to change.
Food nomads
Find the locations on their socials for the nomads of the Christchurch food scene feeding the city. Venturing all over to accompany festivities and community hangs, surely every chef on earth dreams of owning one of these: the freedom to serve food where you choose! Delicious, inspired food is coming out of these vans – here are Avenues’ Food Editor Sam Parish’s top pics for tacos!
BIRRIA BOSS
@birriabossnz
Birria Boss has taken the local food scene by storm with its mouth-watering, flavour-packed offerings. Specialising in authentic Mexican birria, this food van serves up succulent beef slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, spicy broth. I stumbled across these guys on my Instagram feed with their viral Birria ramen blending Japanese and Mexican cuisines into a steaming bowl dripping with flavour. Noodles served with the famous birria consommé (beef broth) delicious, shredded beef and topped with cheese, fresh coriander, onion, and their and special orange sauce. It’s a cup of flavourpacked deliciousness, so I needed to try the OG taco, and I can say I wasn’t disappointed. Their creative menu and vibrant branding make them a standout in Christchurch’s food truck scene. Follow Birria Boss on social media to catch them at their next location.
JAEJU
@jaeju_chch
The Jaeju Food Van is feeding our love for Korean street food. Their menu ranges and changes, featuring spicy Korean fried chicken, cybpob rice bowls, and tacos loaded with fresh vegetables and your choice of bulgogi beef, jeyuk-spicy pork, or cauliflower. They’ve also just launched their bulgogi beef smash burger, which has my name all over it. Regular specials like tteok bokki – spicy rice and fish cakes – are a must-try. Chewy rice sticks coated in saucy deliciousness you’ll never want to live without! Also, the saewoo burger is like a fillet-o-fish taken to the next level with gochujang mayo and a brioche bun. These guys have a regular gig at the Arts Centre, but check their socials to see where to find them next! Cian Curtin and Yebitna Hong are the amazing couple behind the food here. Cian is also part of the team at Brewda, which explains why the food is so delicious!
ROMA
@roma_streetfood
Tacos with a difference! In case the bright pink van didn’t give it all away, Roma is here to be loud and proud of the food it’s putting out into the world. Frequenting venues and events all over the city, these guys are a busy bunch and always down for a party! Stacey Newfield, the owner, is on a mission to put Roma quite literally on your map. Menu options include Rangoon nachos with a wonton crisp crunch, salsa, and an Asian-inspired medley of prawn and crab that is a taste sensation. You can’t beat their ceviche – dripping in citrus and served with corn chips. Shreddy beef, tofu, and brined chicken tacos keep the punters happy, but who can forget the Birria spring roll with consommé dipping sauce? These guys tick all the boxes. Make sure to get a photo in front of that van, though – it’s iconic!
THE FOOD DUDE
@thefooddude.chch
A roaming van and a permanent fixture at the Two Thumbs Brewery on Manchester Street (go here for tasty beers, casual vibes, comfy chairs, and twinkly lights), The Food Dude is turning it on when it comes to flavour-packed food. A birria taco institution, they’re giving this version of a taco its moment in our humble city. Matched with a grilled cheese beef number and a taco-loaded fry situation you’ll need to get your mouth around ASAP, it’s safe to say I’ll be returning for more eats from these guys! I can’t wait for the city to warm up to make use of the outdoor seating at the Two Thumbs Brewery. It’s such a good spot to wind down in the afternoon sun. Get here ASAP and experience The Food Dude’s delicious offerings for yourself!
HIGH STEAKS
Bloody Mary’s restaurant and Greenstone Creek prove the vital role of supplier relationships in beefing up performance.
Nestled in the heart of Christchurch at Rydges Latimer Hotel, Bloody Mary’s restaurant has made a name for itself as an iconic premier steakhouse and whisky lounge, renowned for its extensive grill menu, perfectly executed sides, and sophisticated but comfortable ambience.
But what makes an establishment iconic? Chef Chris Walker argues that while a beautiful space and a talented team are key ingredients, what ultimately sets the good apart from the great is one thing: consistency.
To ensure consistent quality in his ingredients, Chris places a lot of value on the importance of personal relationships with the suppliers, saying, “It goes beyond reliability of quality product, although that’s important, too. When I’m looking for suppliers for the restaurant, I want to have a deeper understanding of where the product comes from, how it’s cultivated, and the journey it takes before showing up here.
“But beyond that, I want to be able to pick up the phone and share a vision for a dish and let the suppliers contribute to its execution. The experience we create for diners is so much greater than the sum of its parts if we treat it more like a collaboration rather than simply placing an order.”
And Greenstone Creek, who supply the kitchen with grass-fed, free-range beef, feels the same.
“People tend to think of the supplier relationship as a very one-way, transactional affair,” says Greenstone Creek National Account Manager Rachel Chamberlain. “But it doesn’t have to be – in fact, it shouldn’t be. That’s why we like working with Chris and the team at
Bloody Mary’s, because we’re invited into the process of creating dishes, so we can supply them with the best cuts for the job. In return, we trust them to really hero the product, and to do it justice on the plate. We know our exceptional cuts will be handled with expertise, so the customer experiences our product in the very best light, the way it was intended.”
Greenstone Creek is ANZCO Foods’ awardwinning, premium grass-fed New Zealand beef brand, hand-selected and aged for exceptional tenderness and taste. Their Master Graders choose only the best grass-fed beef to wear the Greenstone Creek name, following a stringent selection process that considers marbling score (must be 4+ on selected steak cuts), pH levels, fat cover, and fat colour to deliver the ultimate eating experience to consumers every time.
Because so little beef meets the brand’s criteria, it is sold exclusively in the New Zealand domestic market and, even then, can only be found on the menu of a selection of New Zealand’s top restaurants, including Bloody Mary’s.
While the beef is undoubtedly the hero, it’s in good company; wild venison striploin, Akaroa salmon, and Canterbury lamb rump round out the menu. Each dish that comes from the kitchen can be expertly matched with a wine or whisky from the restaurant’s extensive beverage list. Not to be overlooked, the dessert menu holds its own, with the 70 per cent dark chocolate Rocher developing its own cult following amongst locals.
You’ll find Bloody Mary’s on the ground floor of the Rydges Latimer Hotel, 30 Latimer Square, Christchurch Central.
bloodymarys.co.nz
A LITTLE BIT OF COMFORT
PASTA NIGHT AT EARL
We’re right in the thick of winter now, and that means one thing: it’s carb-loading season! Tapping into
SHERRY CHERRY
Sherry was the choice of our grandparents, and Zodiac’s barman Nick is bringing it back to the
MAKE A CHANGE
27Seconds’ Pinot Noir from Waipara features dark cherry, spice, toasted almond, and a hint of dark mushroom. It offers a silky-smooth experience. 27Seconds goes beyond the wine; it is named for the 1.2 million children sold into slavery every 27 seconds, according to UNICEF. The winemakers donate their profits to those working to end this modern-day travesty. 27seconds.co.nz
Your turn to live the good life.
Blending country lifestyle and modern living, The Clearing offers fully serviced and pre-fenced sections in the thriving town of Amberley in North Canterbury. Only 40 minutes from Christchurch and available from $199K, this is your escape from the city bustle, a chance to pursue the quarter acre dream, and relish a flat, low-maintenance section surrounded by a breathtaking landscape within a community that embodies the essence of a good life.
Come on in...
Opportunity calls
Hannah Harte
Patreon: HRMNZ | @hannah_harte_
To say I was into op shopping long before it was cool is the understatement of the year. Back in the mid-1990s, I was a nerdy, broke teenager who had long given up on being accepted by my peers. My wardrobe was sparse and I couldn’t find anything unique, interesting, and affordable to wear. You couldn’t buy vintage clothing online or in specialist shops back then, and the only second-hand clothes trading occurred sporadically in the local buy/ sell/trade papers. One day, I acutely recall wandering into a tiny local church-based op shop and finding perfectly clean, slightly eccentric, barely worn shirts and pants with a lot of personality for 50 cents. I was hooked.
I loved putting together outfits from different eras, such as the 1970s aesthetic of tight t-shirts and huge flares, which my mother kindly assisted with by sewing inserts into my thrifted jeans. It soon became a habit; I couldn’t walk past a second-hand shop without having a browse and finding overflowing wardrobes of wonderful clothes and accessories (including an impressive army of ’80s earrings) over the years. Sometimes, you must wade through mountains of rubbish to find the good stuff, but that is part of the thrill of it all, akin to a miner digging for opals. One of my favourite scores from the ’90s is a bright blue
sleeveless mini dress with a gold buckle, a genuine 1960s darling in mint condition, which I still have. In retrospect, thrifting provides a fascinating glimpse into the wide variety of fashion that existed in Aotearoa from the early 20th century onwards.
These days, op shopping has finally been accepted by the public for a wide variety of reasons: sustainability, a solution to fast fashion, quality, and an aesthetic choice. It is increasingly difficult (and expensive) to source ethical, well-made clothing that doesn’t fall apart in a few washes, but the clothes we wore decades ago still hold up well.
The only downside to this wonderful thriving industry is the sellers who swoop into second-hand shops like hungry vultures, with the time, energy, and income to commit to regular raids to sell for inflated prices. I think it’s wonderful that people can make an independent income this way, but it has meant that thrift shops have put their prices up as well, and there are far fewer uncut gems to be found than there used to be. However, 90 per cent of my clothing remains thrifted, and I couldn’t be happier; I revel in an abundance of cotton, wool, merino, and beautifully tailored pieces I could never afford otherwise. Though I don’t do it as much as I used to, I am certain I’ll be an avid and enthusiastic thrifter ‘til the day I die.
Love life on your terms.
At Summerset Prebbleton there are fewer chores and more choice. So if you’re done with gardening, you can hang up your gloves. But if you’re a big fan of getting amongst the flowerbeds, there’s a community of green-thumbs just waiting to meet you.
Love the life you choose.
Visit Our Sales Office Today
Open Monday to Sunday, 10am - 4pm Summerset Prebbleton 578 Springs Road, Prebbleton 03 353 6312 | summerset.co.nz/prebbleton
Conversations with the body
Chelita Kahutianui o-te-Rangi Zainey, Waitaha/Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Kahu/Ngāti Haua
Chelita is a māmā, writer, Kai Rongoā, spiritual mentor, and certified breathwork facilitator. Her passion activates and inspires others to heal and transform their lives into one of aligned purpose, love, and joy.
Ispend a great deal of time having ‘conversations with the body’, both my own and many others.
Over the past decade of service, there have been many bodies and thousands of conversations: breathwork that gets into the bones, somatics that get under the skin, and mirimiri that stirs and agitates te tinana, te wairua, and te hinengaro.
In the realms of the Māori healing arts, our mission is to always whakapapa back to the cause of the mamae, the illness, injury, or emotional state that is presenting itself.
“The physical symptoms are always the last thing to present itself” is something I find myself saying often when engaging in conversations with the body.
Recently, my knees started playing up… ‘old lady knees,’ I call them. The first one to play up is the right, which in our diagnostics relates to the whatukura or masculine side and the area of the body, the knee, which relates to grandparents and further back in the whakapapa.
I decided to engage in a process that views this physical disruption as an invitation.
I open a conversation with my body and ask it to show me what it needs, what it wants to reveal through this pain. I don’t label
the injury as good or bad as we often do by default, but instead, I take a neutral position.
As I sit in deep listening, my body begins to whisper to me of a distant past trauma, since forgotten. It reveals to me what has been hiding in the bones, flashbacks formed in the fascia. At one point in my life, these memories would have spun me into a void, but these days, after many conversations with my body, I know the process and engage willingly.
We always say the body keeps the score, and sometimes the soma will decide which cellular memory it wishes to reveal and force forward for you to process and heal.
The body, in its infinite intelligence, is always signalling, guiding, pointing us to new depths and inviting us to reveal a richness in every opportunity to explore, regain safety, and heal within and without.
But how do we access that intelligence? We must enter these conversations and listen deeply to our flesh and bones.
We must take deep breaths and drop into deep listening. We must reframe the lens through which we engage with ourselves and quit labelling things as ‘good or bad’. We must get curious about what’s happening within so we can heal all the way back to the source of the issues that plague us.
CASHMERE
“Sports and travelling run in the family, and that’s kind of what’s led me to come to New Zealand.
“I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life. He was a shot putter, discus thrower, and powerlifter; we travelled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘Never play the sport; it’s crazy’.
“I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014; we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
“I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here, and they were like, ‘What do you do for work?’ I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We’ll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef; you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I’m in’.
“I’ve always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook and still is. When I was studying tourism, I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chefs worked.
I just loved the kitchen vibe, and I was like, ‘Yeah, that’d be something I’d love to do’.
“I’ve had more of a culinary journey in New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, and after that, I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months, then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza’s Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then, the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
“We’re privileged to have a busy atmosphere; we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TVs. Just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, and socialise.
“I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don’t mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it’s supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it’s pub food, but I feel like it’s elevated.
“I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand, and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team whenever they can fly me over to play.”
facebook.com/humansofchch
At ROCA, we source ingredients from local and regional growers who are committed to being the very best. From Spain to the Middle East, ROCA is a contemporary tribute cooked with fire and smoke
Probably the most delicious meal I’ve ever had E. Jayn
Best food ever in Christchurch. Highly recommended for the beautiful environment and service also. R. Reed
Amazing food great service my favourite restaurant in Christchurch M. Brown
Contact us at www.rocabar.co.nz
