Avenues - July 2019

avenues.

THE MAGAZINE CHRISTCHURCH LIVES BY

KAITIAKITANGA : GUARDIANS OF OUR CITY URBAN DWELLING | BIC IS BACK | SOME PLACE KINDA WONDERFUL ISSUE 173 | JULY / HÅŒNGONGOI 2019

FRESH SHIITAKE IN-STORE NOW

Introducing the latest addition to the Meadow Mushrooms range, fresh shiitake mushrooms.

A staple of Asian cooking for centuries.

Now, thanks to Meadow Mushrooms, fresh shiitake can be added to anything from mid-week staples like chicken pies to luxurious weekend brunches.

Whatever you’re making, our shiitake’s the secret.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Wherever I lay my hat…

B

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES SUBDIVISIONS

Now located at new premises: Level 4, Te Uruti Building, 48 Hereford St Christchurch

03 366 8181 kamomarsh.co.nz

oy, have I lived in a lot of places.

I’ve ticked every box there is, in terms of places to live in.

A New York style warehouse. A dusty Dunedin manor. An Auckland Art Deco apartment. A cosy Wellington bungalow. A Christchurch High Street apartment (with dubious walls and a distinct lack of windows). You name it, I’ve called it home.

The most endearing place I’ve hung my hat up in was mere seconds from the centre of town. Yes, it was a terribly dated sage green and cream disaster, but I made it my own and hosted many a night of laughter, fun, and music. Living in the middle of a city meant I could forgive the Formica bench from the early 90s, and slightly worn carpet – because the pay-off was just outside those rustic wrought iron doors… the city was at my fingertips. Granted, with four chickens and a teenage daughter, this definitely wouldn’t suit these days, but for a good year, I was living an urban dream, right here in New Zealand.

I’ve owned my own home now since 2011, and although I haven’t exactly stayed put post-earthquakes, and the house has had as many residents as I’ve had houses, I’ve settled into the notion of owning my space and making it mine. What makes a space is not necessarily the colour of the walls or the surface on the bench, but the effort and the care you put into that space to make it yours. We have a garden full of natives, wonderful neighbours who surprise us with fresh vegetables, and we are still close to town, Sumner beach, and more.

Christchurch is on the verge of a new layer of our unique metamorphosis – the growing cityscape is now peppered with inner-city housing. It only takes a short stroll around the CBD to see these lit up at night, and one can imagine with the introduction of lush greenery and innovative designs that Ōtautahi will be the city to live in. If only we’d re-introduced a train system… or is that too controversial to bring up so flippantly in an editorial?!

I’m so excited to see where we’re heading. Who knows, you may see me reliving my urban dwelling dream, if I can find a rooftop gig for my chooks.

Joshua Brosnahan Editor

2

Dentures which make you feel like

‘YOU’

Getting new or replacement dentures can pose all sorts of questions. Will my new dentures look good and fit well? Will I like the smile I see reflected back in the mirror?

Will I still feel like me?

With expertly crafted dentures from internationally renowned clinical dental technician Richard Greenlees of LOVEBITE, you can confidently answer yes to all of these questions!

Staff from The George hotel tending to their “front lawn” – the banks of the River Avon. Photograph by Sarah Rowlands.

avenues.

THE MAGAZINE CHRISTCHURCH LIVES BY

SUBSCRIPTION $77 (inc postage and packaging), 11 issues, New Zealand only Email subscribe@avenues.net.nz

THE TEAM Publisher Lisa Phelan Editor Joshua Brosnahan Art Director Lucy Arnold Accounts & Admin Hilary Armstrong Sub-editor Liam Stretch Advertising

lisa@27publishers.co.nz joshua@27publishers.co.nz lucy@27publishers.co.nz accounts@27publishers.co.nz liam@27publishers.co.nz advertising@27publishers.co.nz

PRINT Blueprint, Christchurch

CONTRIBUTORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Rosie’s bespoke teeth from LOVEBITE have recreated the stunning smile of her youth, and restored her natural beauty and confidence.

The combination of Richard’s skill, experience (including 15 years in London’s prestigious Harley Street), knowledge, and revolutionary techniques allow him to create beautiful dentures, which truly resemble teeth found in nature, and reflect each patient’s individuality and unique character.

Kim Newth / Sarah Rowlands / Anna Scaife / Sue Hoffart / Josh Orton Neil Macbeth / Dennis Radermacher / Kathy Catton / Kallum Harris

CONTACT US hello@27publishers.co.nz Facebook.com/avenuesmagazine Instagram.com/avenuesmagazine Avenues.net.nz Produced by Twenty Seven Publishers Limited 69 St Albans Street, St Albans, Christchurch, 8014 PO Box 36753, Merivale, Christchurch, 8146

Are you ready for the LOVEBITE experience?

lovebite.com 402 Montreal Street, Christchurch 03 379 1222 By appointment only | Consultation fee applies

Avenues is published 11 times a year, and is a registered trademark. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter contained herein. The reader assumes all responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Any perceived slight of any person or organisation is completely unintentional. Avenues asserts copyright on all material published within, and none of it shall be reproduced, wholly or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Avenues reserves the right to edit or abridge all letters or other material, whether solicited or otherwise, prior to publication.

NOW OPEN

EST 1981

76 CASHEL STREET CHRISTCHURCH

03 375 4490

shop@sergios.co.nz

Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm

www.sergios.co.nz

CONTENTS

19 20

39

26

28

In detail

8

CHIT CHAT

10

CULTURE CLUB

12

COUTURE

14

PAMPER

19

KAITIAKITANGA

16

YEAH NAH

26

FULL CIRCLE

28

TORQUE TALK

32

CARING FOR CANTERBURY HOMES

30

CITY SCENE

39

IN ESSENCE

34

BY THE BOOK

43

SOME PLACE KINDA WONDERFUL

36

IN GOOD COMPANY

46

PALATE

48

HUMANS OF ÅŒTAUTAHI

6

Saturday 27 July 7:30pm

L A M B & H AY W A R D M A S T E R W O R K S In Association with the Christchurch Arts Festival

Spirit of Adventure BENJAMIN NORTHEY Chief Conductor LEV SIVKOV Cello

LILBURN Aotearoa Overture

ELGAR Cello Concerto in E Minor

FARR Roar of a Thousand Tigers (World Premiere)

Christchurch Town Hall Tickets from $33* Book now at eventfinda.co.nz or 0800 289 849 SERIES SPONSOR

PRINCIPAL PARTNERS

CORE FUNDERS

cso.co.nz

*Concession and student pricing available. Service fees may apply.

CHIT CHAT

OCEANGREEN Hand harvested from the Southern New Zealand shores, Oceangreen Organics Seaweed capsules are the latest all in one multivitamin from Mother Nature! A supplement for better gut health, boosting energy levels, strengthening the immune system, regulating hormones and stimulating healthier hair, skin and nails. oceangreenorganics.com

TIMELESS TIMEPIECE

WINTER WARMER There comes a time when we have to admit that summer is well and truly gone. That doesn’t mean you can’t dress cool while keeping warm! Bring a pop of colour to winter with the WORLD ZigZag snood/scarf in merino wool. It’s available in various colours to suit your style!

You will want to check the time a lot more with this elegant timepiece on your wrist. This watch by BOSS is simply stylish in cool, gold-plated stainless steel. Featuring a sleek black dial and discreet chronograph counters, this innovative watch is designed with luminous hour/minute hands and a modern mesh bracelet for ultimate comfort. Seal off impeccable looks with this distinctively refined design. Whether you’re a corporate or casual kind of guy, this is the perfect addition to your wardrobe this winter. sergios.co.nz

worldbrand.co.nz

TEE TIME During the off-season when the strain of winter lessens the desire to be out on a New Zealand golf course, Premium Golf NZ offers luxury golf tours to New Zealand and selects international golf destinations, with a focus on providing unique and experiential golf travel opportunities. All of its premium tours are curated and refined to the travel needs and desires of its clients. Best of all, the team arranges all accommodation, transport, and transfers to the golf courses, green fees, tee times and carts, plus add on sightseeing. It’s about time you got out on the green. premiumgolf.co.nz

CHIT CHAT

ART ON A CAN Garage Project’s unique approach to design and brewing hasn’t gone unnoticed. You can now read all about this iconic brewery in their book, The Art of Beer, which features over 100 cans and bottles from popular Garage Project brews. It is beautifully illustrated from cover to cover and available to buy on July 16. garageproject.co.nz

BAR CART REVIVAL The bar cart has been enjoying a rather glamorous revival as of late. Taking permanent pride of place in the living room, seen here in phenomenal antique brass glory, you can have your martini shaken or stirred on your demand.

Impress your guests at a dinner party when you bring out the drinks on the positively vogue Roger Wagon Bar from Corso Merivale. The Corso collection has a distinctly European tone. Whether it’s ceramics, glassware, homeware, linen, furniture, clothing or luxury gifts – Corso has it all. corsomerivale.nz

A BARK AT THE BACH Finding a pet-friendly holiday house to stay in can be difficult and no-one knows this better than the team behind ‘Pets Can Come Too’.

Now you can locate good quality, pet-friendly holiday homes in New Zealand quickly and easily. You’ll find a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and holiday styles. petscancometoo.co.nz

POCKET-SIZED REFRESHMENT The battle against plastic is on, fight it with the memobottle™ available at Untouched World. The memobottle™ is a premium, reusable, flat water bottle designed to fit where other bottles don’t – in your bag alongside computers, books, and valuables. Every element of the memobottle™ has been carefully considered, from its innovative shape to the premium grade packaging. The memobottle™ aims to challenge how we as a society think about water consumption, and to educate about the environmental costs of our modern conveniences. untouchedworld.co.nz

Not sure if he's

‘Mr Right’?

Egg freezing is an option to preserve your fertility now for the best chance of a family in the future.

If you’re single, in a new relationship, or just not ready to try for a baby yet, talk to one of our experts about how egg freezing could fit into your fertility plan.

Book a free fertility nurse phone consultation on 0800 255 522 or fertilityassociates.co.nz

CULTURE CLUB

THE RETURN OF NZTRIO

11

The newly reformed NZTrio – founding member and cellist Ashley Brown, violinist Amalia Hall and pianist Somi Kim take the stage for their first Christchurch concert and present a musical contemplation of worlds colliding. The Kiwi musicians will present Tectonic Shift, a programme that tells stories of empires and superpowers through the lens of music.

Embark on a voyage of discovery across oceans with the sounds of English parlour music, arriving on these shores to the sounds of taonga pūoro – a melding of cultures that contemplates those first encounters between Māori and Europeans. Then it’s a musical arm wrestle between master works from Cold War superpowers – USA & Russia. A must see!

11 July, The Arts Centre te Matatiki Toi Ora, artscentre.org.nz

5 BIC RUNGA

FILM FESTIVAL

LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

Join the critically acclaimed Kiwi musician in the Great Hall as she performs old favourites and new material written during her residency to raise funds for The Arts Centre’s ongoing restoration. For an extraspecial experience, Meet the Artist tickets give you front row concert seats and entry into an exclusive, catered post-concert event with Bic.

The Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival is coming to Christchurch this winter, following sell-out sessions in Auckland and Wellington.

21 films will be screened including Frank Lloyd Wright: The Man Who Built America, Bauhaus Spirit: 100 years of Bauhaus, and Renzo Piano Architect of Light. One of the biggest environmental films of the year, Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, will also be screened.

The Court’s Ross Gumbley dons his director’s hat with a take on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ eighteenth-century satirical novel that has lost none of its power and bite. A depiction of a society lost in itself and about to be cleansed by the French Revolution is one of the great cautionary tales of all time. It warns that, in spite of a sumptuous surface, things can be rotten underneath.

5 July, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora artscentre.org.nz

Until 10 July, The Alice and Deluxe Cinemas resene.co.nz/filmfestival

Until 20 July, The Court Theatre courttheatre.org.nz

Thurs 11 July, 7pm

The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora 2 Worcester Blvd | Christchurch Central Tickets via Eventfinda | Adults $40 TAC Friends $30 | Students $20 Booking fees apply

FUNDERS

nztrio.com

NZTrio’s first Christchurch concert with Ashley Brown (cello) and new members Amalia Hall (violin) and Somi Kim (piano) features musical story-telling of the fundamental forces that shape Aotearoa.

SUSTAINING PARTNER

tectonic shift

Bridge Whitehead Norris MacMillan Higdon Arensky

CULTURE CLUB

POP UP GLOBE Auckland’s smash-hit sensation Pop-up Globe hits the road in New Zealand for the first time, bringing its critically-acclaimed productions of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Measure for Measure to the Isaac Theatre Royal. Hamlet promises a night full of ‘revenge, grief, madness and catharsis’ culminating in a breath-taking duel in the blood-drenched finale. Measure for Measure will take you on a wild romp through the seedy streets of 17th century Vienna. Featuring stunning bespoke Jacobean costumes, a specially-designed touring set, and the extraordinary lively performances of Shakespeare’s masterworks by a highly-experienced cast of local and international actors.

12

12 July, Isaac Theatre Royal, isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

27 POLAR ADVENTURE

ARTS FEST

SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE

Looking for something for the kids to do this school break? Take them along to Canterbury Museum to figure out a mystery.

Penguins don’t live in the Arctic – so what’s Pere the Penguin doing at the North Pole?

Wear a polar-themed costume and explore the Museum by torchlight to find clues that will help Pere come home. A boredombusting school holiday KidsFest event.

The Christchurch Arts Festival is back for 2019, “Bold, dynamic and unashamedly local, this is the dawn of a reimagined festival that lights up the heart of the city and brings warmth, soul and togetherness to the depths of winter”.

Enjoy experiences of art, food, light, movement, and sound from artists and producers that aim to reimagine the place we call home. Big things are coming to this year’s festival.

Let Christchurch Symphony Orchestra take you on a journey with a new show Spirit of Adventure.

Strap in for Gareth Farr’s newly commissioned orchestral work, Roar of a Thousand Tigers, based on the violent, high altitude icy winds that buffet the uppermost slopes of Mount Everest.

Douglas Lilburn’s Aotearoa Overture captures the shimmer of light on the sea surrounding the New Zealand coastline.

9, 11, 16 & 18 July, Canterbury Museum canterburymuseum.com

26 July–4 August, various locations artsfestival.co.nz

27 July, Christchurch Town Hall cso.co.nz

Les Liaisons

Dangereuses 22 JUNE - 20 JULY PRINCIPAL SPONSOR

SE ASON SPONSOR

CORE FUNDER

SHOW SPONSOR

COUTURE

COLOUR ME PRETTY H Brand red Elle fox jacket lynnwoodsonlinestore.co.nz | Moochi chartreuse yellow plex top moochi.co.nz | Saba raspberry Claudia wool roll neck knit saba.com.au | Hot pink high neck fluffy knit jumper prettylittlething.com.au | WORLDman funk hoodie worldbrand.co.nz | Country Road cropped orange sweater countryroad.co.nz | Elle + Riley Stevie ribbed crew neck elleandriley.com Cooper It’s a Real Steal green coat lynnwoodsonlinestore.co.nz | Curate turquoise That’s All She Coat ballantynes.co.nz

12

Introducing our stunning new Kapua 19 Collection...

A coveted Cashmere and possum blend combining nature’s most luxurious natural fibres with timeless styling and unprecedented durability. Pill resistant, exquisitely warm and so silky soft you can wear it next to bare skin, this is Cashmere reimagined.

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PAMPER

25 YEARS OF CARE When you think of laser hair removal – you will probably think of Caci. That is because they were one of the first clinics in the world to offer this revolutionary treatment, giving them a definite edge.

T

he skin treatment and appearance medicine provider is celebrating 25 years in the business, delivering great results since it started out at its Auckland store in 1994. The New Zealand owned brand is a market leader with over 50 clinics throughout the county. Each clinic is franchise owned, when you come to Caci you are supporting local business people.

Twenty-five years on and Caci has helped multitudes of customers achieve great results with laser hair removal, and while it’s still a large part of the business, delivering great skin is their real passion.

Co-founders David and Jackie Smith explain that Caci is built on a passion for delivering, what they call ‘skin confidence’.

“Skin confidence is hugely powerful and can be truly life-changing. We are not here to judge if your skin concern is good or bad, big or small; we just want to help,” Jackie says.

The Caci philosophy and purpose is clear; they firmly believe great skin should be simple, accessible and achievable. With over two decades leading the industry, they have helped thousands of people achieve great results – and they’re not stopping anytime soon.

With a range of treatments including skin rejuvenation, appearance medicine, and body shaping, Caci has a variety of options for all customers. caci.co.nz

14

IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU GET THE GIFT

Receive a birthday gift set when you sign up to a Treatment Plan before July 31st!*

A

ONFIDE NC IN C SK E N SIO IS M

-O N

caci.co.nz

-

SIN C E 19 9

4

*Birthday gift sets available while stocks last for all new Treatment Plans signed up between June 18 - July 31 2019.

Does not include Amerase. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

NAH

YEAH

1 2 3 4 5

Century-old fruitcake on display at the Museum. Just like mum used to make.

Monster Chicken, Riccarton Road – seriously good fried chicken. Seriously. Good.

Christchurch Airport’s new mural featuring New Zealand native birds.

Kiwi Bryce Langston’s YouTube channel Living Big In A Tiny House. Fascinating!

Resene I Dare You – a spark of sunshine to break through our winter solstice.

1 2 3 4 5

The millions of litres of local water being bottled and exported – let’s put more value on our most precious resource.

Tepid coffee from a barista – it’s just not the season for it.

Swiss balls in offices.

Good for the spine, bad for aesthetics.

Smug tropical getaways in winter – yes Karen, we see you in Fiji, thanks.

Saturday night early closing.

Come on Christchurch restaurants, we want to support you!

Whatever you’re into enjoying this winter, you really don't want glasses or contact lenses holding you back.

Give our experienced and proven team at Laservision a call and find out if one of our leading technology laser eye procedures could precisely and effectively remove the need to rely on glasses or contacts - for good.

Break boundaries. Life’s waiting.

Go on, see for yourself.

Call us today on

0800 52 73 71 for a FREE ASSESSMENT

269 Papanui Rd, Christchurch. www.laservision.co.nz

Burlington Village is now open!

Tour the first architecturally designed, stand-alone houses at Christchurch’s new, premier retirement village, Burlington!

Houses in the first stage are available for occupation now and interest is high, with a number of units already signed up. Contact us today to find out how to secure your new home.

Contact Lynn Hill now on 027 430 4622 171 Prestons Road, Redwood

www.burlingtonvillage.co.nz A subsidiary of

The personal touch Shopping online may have taken us to new heights of comfort and convenience, but we still love connecting with another human being.

T

hat personal connection is something that Christchurch-based online marketplace Felt has built in. The website showcases high quality, beautifully made goods, all listed for sale by New Zealand artists, designers, and craftspeople.

When you buy something on Felt, you’re connecting directly with the person whose time, skill, and creativity went into making that product.

It makes an everyday transaction into a meaningful experience.

Since launching in 2007, Felt has grown to encompass an impressive array of gifts, homewares, toys, jewellery, art, accessories, childrenswear and more.

Shopping on Felt means you’re part of a community that nurtures local creativity and celebrates Kiwi ingenuity. Buying New Zealand made online doesn’t just mean faster shipping. Through Felt, you’re connecting directly with makers who care.

Felt keeps it simple: one website for you to buy direct from more than 1500 Kiwi makers, 24/7.

felt.co.nz

FEATURE

Kaitiakitanga The shape of Christchurch continues to change and develop. Fewer empty lots remain and the city is starting to seem like a true cosmopolitan centre – the people are returning too.

There’s an old Māori concept called Kaitiakitanga. It stems from a belief that humans have a kinship with the land; that we have a responsibility to manage and take care of our place. The following trio of articles features kaitiaki who are guardians and conservers of our city.

These Cantabrians have realised the responsibility we hold as citizens of this city, and how, if we work together and have a vision for the future, we can make Christchurch a place where people want to go to work, visit, live, eat, and play.

From cleaning up the banks of the Avon to guiding visitors around laneways and restaurants, to building the new face of Ōtautahi, they’re all doing their bit to ensure this city flourishes – we owe these people a pat on the back.

19

FINDING HIDDEN TAONGA WORDS Sue Hoffart PHOTOS Neil Macbeth

U

nlikely career choices are Cate Grace’s specialty.

The former investment bank employee worked as a construction project manager before becoming a wellness coach who is fiercely determined to live well with her many chronic illnesses.

Her latest venture, in partnership with husband Riwai Grace, involves a Christchurch city walking tour business. Not an obvious side-line for a woman whose rheumatoid arthritis-induced mobility issues mean she needs crutches when walking.

But it all makes perfect sense to Cate.

“Every part of my crazy world involves caring for people,” the qualified nutritionist and part-time motivational speaker says.

The Hidden Gems business aims to show tourists and locals where to find the city’s lesser-known treasures. These might include a particularly good cocktail, an intriguing piece of Māori history or hidden poetry that has been etched into concrete and is revealed only when sprayed with water.

The tour concept sprang from numerous encounters with lost people trying to negotiate their way around the city’s ever-changing, quake-damaged streets. The staunch Christchurch advocates were also fed up with hearing their city was boring.

“Riwai and I made a point of going out in the weekends and discovering really cool things to do, where to eat, places to go downtown.

“But other people don’t know about them.

We’d be out walking our dogs and constantly meet tourists who couldn’t find their way around, or locals saying they didn’t know where to find a decent coffee now.”

So the couple decided to kill two birds with one stone; promote the city they adore and turn their weekend hobby into a business.

“And when I have a bee in my bonnet, I’m going to make a thing work.”

For five years, while working full-time in her own business, Cate has spent spare hours talking to friends’ parents and grandparents or fossicking through library archives, seeking stories and facts. She is the researcher and booking agent, while Riwai – who works for the New Zealand Fire Service and also on another business with Cate – is the tour guide.

Their customers can choose a ‘hidden taonga’ walk that unveils Māori and European history or one that focusses on offbeat culinary. Their guide will also tailor suggestions to his audience.

“We might promote the street art app or we can show them the oak tree planted from an acorn brought back from Gallipoli.

If someone’s really interested in the James Cook statue, we can tell them where the marble came from and why a bookmaker gave money to have it built.

“Eventually I’m going to have a knee brace so then, hopefully, I’ll be able to lead a tour for people with disabilities.”

The business has relied on word of mouth promotion but its founders have recently launched an online booking system and website and are developing online apps.

They have also trained additional guides in anticipation of growth.

In May, Hidden Gems was named among seven fledgling tourism businesses accepted into a prestigious national business accelerator programme, with Lightning Lab. For Cate, business growth means being able to spread the word about her city’s charms.

“Imagine if people wanted to go to Christchurch like people go to New York. Then I could leave the planet happy.”

20

IN HIS ELEMENT WORDS Joshua Brosnahan PHOTO Supplied

S

teve Rosling is the man behind Element 17 – a company bringing character and style back to our city centre.

Steve trained at the Wellington School of Design in the 90s, before embarking on the quintessential ‘Kiwi OE’. This is where he picked up a raft of experience in Japan, Ireland and all over Europe, working on large-scale interior projects.

On his return to Christchurch, Element 17 came into being. With a focus on commercial projects, the team has proudly completed the outfitting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Plato Creative, and Quest Manchester to name a few.

Steve mentions how excited he is to see our city ‘awaken from the nightmare’ of the events in recent years.

“Christchurch is starting to become the city that you want to be in again. There’s still a need to keep evolving – with the forever changing retail environment, working habits in the office environment and our expectations of a good night out or service in a weekend café. We can now each discover an environment in the city that suits our feeling or desire at any given time. It is nice to have Discovery Lanes, a mix of modern architecture and heritage buildings. This evolution is definitely taking shape rapidly.” Ōtautahi mixes the sun and nature with man-made textures and structure. It’s a place you can grab a good coffee, sit close by, and watch the city’s ebbs and flows right in front of you. A public place also is attractive where there is discovery, thought and experience-driven triggers.”

Steve and the team at Element 17 recently completed work on the fit-out of the new Winnie Bagoes on Welles Street. Here, he was fortunate to chat with a local neighbour to discuss the ease of life in the city. It’s a short walk to many great entertainment offerings – cafés and eateries, with supermarkets a stone’s throw away, and more.

“It is so rewarding for me to know we are creating great locations for the city dweller to play or work in. Listening to this ‘new breed’ in the city, you learn pretty quick that one of the key reasons they are in the city is for diversity. Diversity in food, entertainment, working style, and activities. I’ve enjoyed the urban community, which I have always felt I am a part of. We root for each other.”

When prompted to comment on the imposed height restrictions on new builds in the city, Steve had mixed thoughts.

“You go to any other city around the world, and the growth is towards the sky.

“I do like the idea that the height restriction allows sunlight in. As humans, we are instinctually comfortable with the height of trees, so fundamentally it feels good to walk around a city with that height relatively. You can see the sky, feel the sun and taste the wind.

We need to constantly evolve, and over time I think we will revert to building upwards to protect our landscape, but for now this suits.

We are lucky in some ways; being forced to go through a process of rebirth, growth, and discovery. By going out and enjoying a meal, visiting a store, or enjoying a coffee – each of us have an opportunity to be part of this evolution and support the growth of our urban community.”

23

BY GEORGE! WORDS Sue Hoffart PHOTOS Sarah Rowlands

W

hat began as a post-quake clean-up has developed into a fierce monthly contest for staff from The George hotel in Christchurch.

For eight years, employees at the five-star hotel have been clearing rubbish alongside a one-kilometre stretch of the Avon River, in a bid to help wildlife and ensure the riverbank and surrounds look pristine.

The environmental competition pits housekeepers and senior managers against chefs and reservation staff, with each hotel department trying to outdo the other’s monthly clean-up tally.

“Our staff get into all sorts of contortions to scale the bank to get that last little scrap of paper,” says Bruce Garrett, Managing Director of boutique hotel group Brook Serene. “Some bring fishing waders so they can get right in the water. So far nobody’s fallen in but one of the accounts team came dangerously close to sliding in.”

While the Park Terrace establishment was able to continue operating after the 2011 earthquake, hotel employees were horrified by the mass of debris in and around their beloved river and started the project after seeing ducks nesting among litter and liquifaction.

“It’s basically our front lawn,” Bruce says of the riverbank. “So we just started clearing a section. That first time, we collected 35kg of rubbish. Now, we’re struggling to get anything more than two or 2.5kg along that same stretch, which is great. We’d love it if there was none but we’re still picking up everything from beer bottles to postage [stamp] sized pieces of plastic.”

He says the welcome change in water quality is bringing wildlife back; hotel staff are now spotting eels and trout as they hunt for litter.

“The other day, we saw two people out there fly fishing. That was fantastic.”

But he admits the litter project has sparked some competitive spirit between colleagues. Several have been caught straying from their designated location on both sides of the river between Armagh Street and Harper Avenue, sneaking down side streets to collect additional pieces of discarded waste.

While most employees leave their desks to help during a scheduled break, some come into the city on their day off, to don matching hotel t-shirts and grab their litter-picking tools.

“We do get some funny looks. Before we started putting everyone in the black The George t-shirts, I think some people thought we were PD workers.

“Confused council workers come down with their weed eaters and gloves on, to clean up, and you can see them standing there scratching their heads, wondering why there’s no rubbish over our stretch of the Avon.”

The initiative is one of a host of wastebusting innovations the hotel and its four sister properties – all part of the Brook Serene boutique hotel group – have seized on. Their latest initiative is a bid to recycle all aluminium products in all five hotels.

The George kitchen staff now wash used aluminium foil and fold it into tiny squares, to be stashed alongside squashed aluminium cans and all screw caps from wine bottles.

A Lions Club service group collects the aluminium, sells it and the proceeds go to a charity for children with kidney disease.

Bruce hopes other establishments will follow suit with the aluminium project.

“I’m trying to rally all Christchurch hotels to do the same.”

Clockwise from top: Full bags – Scot Montgomery, John Etheridge, Natalie McKibbin, Allie Bircham cleaning up the banks of the Avon. Managing Director Bruce Garrett keeps an eye on things from his kayak. It’s not pretty work – Scot Montgomery empties his gumboot. In the thick of it – no piece of rubbish is too small to escape Allie Bircham and Scot Montgomery.

24

IN DETAIL

Full circle WORDS Anna Scaife PHOTOS Supplied

I

have a very strong connection with the Arts Centre, it’s where I learned to sing. I remember playing at Annie’s wine bar. This has been a very nostalgic time, and I have just loved it,” says musician and singer-songwriter, Bic Runga, back home in Auckland after spending most of April and May cocooned at the Christchurch Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, as the first artist to participate in the revitalised creative residencies programme since the earthquakes.

Following the shootings in Christchurch on March 15, Bic felt compelled to return to her hometown to show her support, “In my heart, I had a powerful feeling of wanting to come home and being part of the Aroha Nui benefit meant I could do that. It was very moving, working with all those artists who’d donated their time. It was an amazing occasion, and I was just incredibly impressed with how the city responded to what happened. Then the creative residency timing happened to coincide, and so I was able to stay on.”

The commitment to the residency meant a prolonged absence from her young family which Bic says helped to motivate her to make the most of the time, as well as being a rare opportunity to dedicate herself fully to her work. “As an artist and mother, I really needed to stake my claim for my time, and the residency gave me that opportunity. When artists become mothers, that kind of support from the arts community goes a long way.”

Following earthquake damage to the residency apartments, the flourishing programme had to be sidelined while the

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buildings were repaired. The reinvigoration of the artists’ apartments and the residency programme is a warmly welcomed step in the progressive reopening of the Arts Centre’s facilities, and a unique opportunity for artists like Bic. “The residency gifted me piano lessons every day. I really wanted to learn more, and so I spent time with Chris Archer, an amazing music educator. It’s given me the tools to write again; otherwise, I think I might have just kept on writing the same songs,” she says.

In July, Bic will return to Christchurch to host a series of songwriting workshops aimed at supporting the city’s thriving music scene, “There is some amazing talent in Christchurch, and I am very keen to spend time with songwriters and help where I can.”

Bic’s time as artist in residence culminates in a fundraising performance in the Great Hall on July 5, with all proceeds going towards ongoing restoration work at the Arts Centre. She is pleased to be able to support the venue she sees as an essential hub for creative talent in the city, saying, “The arts eco-system just doesn’t sustain itself.”

Participating in the creative residencies programme represented the realisation of long-held aspirations for Bic, “There’s a child in me that always wanted to be an artist in residence at the Arts Centre. When I was about twenty, I ran into Mahingarangi Tocker when she was there as a songwriter in residence. I remember thinking – wow, I really want to do that one day! Fulfilling that dream was a full circle moment for me.”

TORQUE TALK

CITY-SIZED AUDI WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOS Kallum Harris

S

ometimes everything just falls into place. With a mission to find a new scooter and the newly arrived Audi A1 on the drive, I was ticking two boxes in one.

My mission: to see what a compact Audi really feels like to drive in and around the streets of Christchurch. My 8-year-old son’s mission: to find and buy a new scooter for whizzing to and from school on.

The “supermini” Audi is anything but mini.

This is the second-generation of the compact model, and lucky for us Cantabrians, it has just arrived at Archibalds. And arrived with impact. The new bold and sporty colour range (ten in total) is a sight to behold. I drove a ‘turbo blue’ – a blue on steroids, some might say. Other colours include ‘Misano red’, ‘glacier white’, ‘mythos black’ and I can’t wait to see ‘python yellow’. I love these colour names. For me, they capture the essence of this car: a bit of ‘bold’, a lot of ‘wild’ and a whole bunch of ‘fun to drive’. Either way, these totally ‘on trend’ colours really make a small car stand out with pride.

Call me smitten, but there is so much to like about this Audi. It’s not too small, not too big – just right, as Goldilocks said. While it may be the entry point for the Audi range, they certainly haven’t skimped on quality.

Everything has a premium and well-built feel, familiar to Audi Drivers. I felt like I was driving a sports car, with that low to the ground seating (which can be pumped up if you so desire) and digital dials, all of which are super easy to read. It’s nippy and responsive and when I did put my foot down a little on the curves of the Port Hills, I felt safely glued to the road.

The new car is slightly longer and wider than the previous model and has full-size worthy infotainment and driver assistance

systems. There’s a multifunction steering wheel and a high-resolution screen with smartphone interface. It’s not just the screen but the reversing camera as well that helped me reverse into those narrow city parking spots as we zipped between scooter-selling shops. The touchscreen display has none of this ‘wedging an iPad into the dashboard’ as some car manufacturers do; this is a stylish, neatly integrated and functional screen just beautifully tilted a couple of degrees towards the driver. Everything’s been thoroughly thought through. Right down to the non-slip phone box lining, next to the gear stick.

There’s also more luggage capacity than the first generation A1, which is great when it comes to loading in scooter boxes – or Mum’s market produce from the Christchurch Farmers’ Market in Riccarton or a couple of suitcases for those trips further afield.

This is the perfect Audi for the city – it’s cool, funky, but not over the top. If you’re looking for a smaller car and want to stay ahead of the curve, but you don’t want to give up on the premium brand, I think you’ve found your match.

For my son and me it was both missions accomplished, and guess what colour scooter he chose? Turbo blue! Young and old will love this new ‘little-big’ Audi A1 with its dynamic design and solid stance on the road. With the cool colours, a great driving experience and attractive exterior, everything is brighter, more colourful, bigger, a lot smarter, and a whole lot more fun for an urban setting. The new A1 is available in three spec levels starting at a very competitive $39,400.

Archibalds would be delighted to show you the sportiest cars in the compact range. archibalds.co.nz 29

CITY SCENE

CBD LIVING – WHY WOULDN”T YOU?

I

n the heart of Christchurch, you’ll find residents passionate about the attractions of central city living.

There’s the young art director who says that living centrally gives her more time to do the things she loves. “It is a quick commute to work and I have a whole city full of green spaces and entertainment to enjoy, rather than a backyard to look after at the weekends.

“When I lived in the suburbs I tended to stick to my immediate area, but now I feel like I take advantage of everything that is great about Christchurch – our city, beaches and the hills.”

Then there’s a recently retired school teacher who likes the buzz of the central city and the close proximity of eateries and shops.

He enjoys his active lifestyle, cycling to the gym and walking with friends around the CBD, keeping track of progress with key projects and watching the city re-emerge.

In the suburbs, he used to drive his car to a supermarket once a week and fill the boot with groceries. “Now I grab a bag or two of groceries on my walk most days. I’m fitter than I’ve been in a long time.”

The new promenade along the river, the Botanic Gardens, and Rauora Park are all his “backyard”. Ōtākaro General Manager Property and Operations, Keith Beal says these two people reflect the two strongest markets for inner-city housing: single people or young couples without children and, to a lesser extent, older but still active people looking to downsize.

A recent survey of 700 locals showed Christchurch doesn’t have a strong urban metropolitan lifestyle culture, with less than one-third even considering owning or renting a centrally-located property in the next five years.

“While CBD living isn’t for everyone, it’s clear from the research that many survey participants were thinking about it from a suburban living mindset,” says Keith. “For example, there were concerns about car parking, security, and privacy which aren’t significant issues for most people currently living there.

“But perception is reality so those reservations need to be addressed in the home designs. With security, it can be as simple as the location of the front entrance or internal garage access for those homes with garages.”

Keith says more locals embracing innercity living is a key to creating a more vibrant city centre.

“We need to be realistic about the rate at which that will occur. CBD living is largely about convenience and in Christchurch, we don’t have inconveniently long commuting times, and of course, many jobs aren’t actually in the central city. For others, it’s just a bit too soon. They say they’re more likely to consider living centrally when the CBD regeneration is more complete.”

For those who are interested, Keith says plenty of choices are emerging. “In One Central, Fletcher Living has options from studio apartments to large townhouses, while there are other mixed-use developments that include some housing, and innovative proposals like Madras Square where residents could share facilities like laundries and workshops that they don’t need to own outright. That choice – and competitive pricing – is healthy.

“I think we also need to help locals who are potential inner-city residents understand and appreciate the lifestyle on offer. Many suburban dwellers I talk to ask: ‘Why would I want to live in the city?’ when those who already live here ask: ‘Why wouldn’t you?!’”

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IN DETAIL

Half a century caring for Canterbury homes

A

lot can happen in fifty years. One personalised and responsive approach to thing is for certain: the locallyproperty management. based team at Whittle Knight and “With the advances in communication and Boatwood Ltd have been there for our city, technology over the years, people’s thirst every step of the way. for instant information is at an all-time Tania Ellis has been in the property game high and as such, we need to be able to for some time now and has led a team of meet that expectation. Therefore being experienced, knowledgeable and trusted easily accessible and forthcoming with property managers at Whittle Knight and information is important.”

Boatwood Ltd for close to 10 years. From Jo Going the extra mile, the team has on the front desk at reception, through to all an independent auditing service for an the property management team – including individual’s portfolio on offer. A property Tania herself – they have managed many is monitored and reviewed every three properties, all over Christchurch. months, and although this is not a legal “Working together as a cohesive team is one requirement for property management, of the key elements of a successful property Tania believes it is a ‘best-practice management division. Most of us have worked procedure’ in the interests of offering together for at least ten years, so we have a good transparency and reassurance to owners understanding of each other and how we work, and tenants. and this allows us to play to our strengths.”

Your property is in good hands – as it has The Real Estate Institute of New been for fifty years.

Zealand (REINZ) accredited Whittle Knight and Boatwood Ltd aim to offer a very wkb.co.nz

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Stress-free retirement Maryville Courts Retirement Village has been making life easier for retirees for over 35 years. The ethos of the village – to provide security, companionship and affordable housing to retirees – is as strong today as it was at the beginning.

Maryville continues to be a thriving, independent community with 65 villas and apartments, offering residents the convenience of inner-city living without the price tag.

It is attracting younger retirees who see the merits of downsizing into a retirement village, potentially freeing up some capital as they rid themselves of the maintenance of a larger home.

They appreciate the extra time – time, that most important of assets – to pursue and continue an active retirement. They also recognise the peace of mind it affords their children, who know their parents have a maintenance-free lifestyle, more security and staff on hand should help be needed.

The decision to move to a retirement community is something many retirees are considering and it is perhaps one of the most important decisions they will make.

Maryville recognises this and adopts a ‘don’t rush, in your own time’ approach, encouraging would-be residents to visit on several occasions, perhaps meet some of the residents or attend a happy hour, before making a final decision.

Manager Suzanne Reynen explains that creating a strong sense of community is a priority at Maryville Courts, as is fostering a strong rapport between management and the residents.

“We have welcomed many new residents over the years, all of whom have immediately added something to the village – their sense of humour, their style, their varied interests; who, in turn, have enjoyed the many aspects of the village,” she says.

Currently, the village is almost halfway through re-cladding and painting the villas and community centre.

“It’s important to refresh the villas and to maintain our high standards of accommodation and presentation,” Suzanne says.

So, if you’re over 65 and thinking of downsizing, you might consider a visit to Maryville Courts.

To find out more about Maryville Courts, call Suzanne or Ann on 03 379 0357, or visit maryvillecourts.org.nz

BY THE BOOK

Commercial leasing considerations

T Josh Orton, Partner, Wynn Williams

here is a lot happening in the central city. Whether you work in town or are just visiting on an evening or a weekend, there are plenty of good spots for shopping, entertainment or dining out; The Crossing, Hoyts EntX and The Terrace to name a few.

There is still more to come, with the Convention Centre – Te Pae, plenty of new office buildings, and retail and hospitality space being constructed.

For any person looking to establish a business in the central city, the issue of a lease for your chosen premises will need to be addressed.

There are various commercial considerations for you when entering a lease. I will provide you with three examples: Firstly, you will want to understand the occupancy cost under the lease. This will include the rent and any additional expenses you are required to pay to the landlord (these are usually referred to as opex or outgoings and would include the landlord’s rates and insurance premiums). Also, rent reviews are usually provided for the term of a lease and any review will affect your occupancy cost moving forward. Different rent review

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mechanisms can be used, including market rent reviews, reviews to movements in CPI and fixed increases.

To eliminate the risk of future surprises, it is useful to plan and consider what could happen to your occupancy cost following a rent review.

Secondly, the term of the lease is important.

What fixed term are you going to commit to, and will you have the right to extend the lease for a further term if you want to continue your occupation of the premises?

Thirdly, you should be talking to the landlord about whether there is an incentive for entering into the lease. An incentive can take on many forms and can assist with establishing yourself in your new premises; the most common options being a rent-free period, a discounted rent period or a contribution from the landlord to your fit-out costs.

These three key tips should put you in good stead for taking on a lease. A lease sets out the terms of your occupation for the years to come – it is important to take the time and understand the terms of the lease from the start. wynnwilliams.co.nz

wonderful windmill

work shop

Make your own working windmill FREE these school holidays* 8 – 21 July, 10am – 4pm daily Located near Muffin Break

*See northlands.co.nz for terms and conditions. While stocks last.

IN GOOD COMPANY

Brewing by the river WORDS Kim Newth PHOTOS Sarah Rowlands

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t has been five years since Avenues last caught up with craft beer brewer Dave Gaughan, owner of Eagle Brewing NZ. Much has happened since our last interview alongside a stainless-steel tank in shared brewery premises in Riccarton. Today’s interview is at the Port & Eagle, his smart new riverside brewpub in Kaiapoi.

Dave hails from northern England and enjoys nothing better than a good porter or stout at this time of year. Wanting to recreate the dark beers from home is what first led him to try his hand at micro-brewing after moving to New Zealand in 2006. He has come a long way since producing his first home-brewed ales from a garage in Rolleston.

By 2016, Eagle had entered the annals of craft beer fame with Dave’s intensely dark Coalface Stout winning the top trophy in its class at the New World Beer and Cider Awards.

The following year, Eagle Dry Hopped Pilsner took out the Lager Trophy in the Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards. Today, Eagle Brewing is an established national brand, also exporting to Taiwan. There are shelf-loads of awards at the brewpub, denoting the quality of Eagles’ many champion brews.

The sheer growth in demand helped propel the move to Kaiapoi, where the scars of the September 2010 earthquake are fading fast as the town’s commercial rebuild gathers momentum. The Port & Eagle stands on prime riverside land left vacant after the earthquake, with a new boutique retail development now also under construction on an adjacent site.

Crowdfunding raised more than $300,000 towards the brewpub venture and has also helped build a community of support throughout New Zealand.

“We needed more brewing capacity and my dream had always been to have a brewpub like this,” Dave says. “I wanted something that felt right and had character. When the opportunity to build in a growing town by the river came up, we recognised it as the ideal place to showcase what we do.”

Brewing capacity is not something Eagle Brewing is likely to run out of anytime soon, with potential capacity now sitting at one million litres a year. (By comparison, the brand was brewing around 200,000 litres a year at peak in Riccarton.)

The pub part of the venture has an inviting ambience, boasting a boatshed design, glass frontage to the river and extensive courtyard space. A pizza oven is in the pipeline to add to existing food options. Being able to take a look at the working brewery, from a purposebuilt function area, is a smart inclusion that caters to a growing craft beer tourism market.

“There’s a lot of excitement for us right now around being able to tie in brewing with events and making the most of this fantastic place by the river.”

Dave is assisted by a small, hardworking team that includes his partner Marilyn Yosores, who is the operations manager, and stepdaughter Shermane, who is a management and marketing graduate taking care of administration and sales. They have barely had time to reflect on what has been achieved since opening in March. An initial spate of vandalism has mercifully abated, and the mood now is one of optimism heading towards their first spring and summer by the river.

“A lot of people have thanked us for bringing the brewpub here: for them, it’s something modern and new and it’s really helping to grow this town.”

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Call Merivale Retirement Village today on 03 375 4117 or 021 971 487 to book a viewing and see for yourself why we really are the best.

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HOME

IN ESSENCE

WORDS Anna Scaife PHOTOS Dennis Radermacher

ARCHITECT Young Architects BUILDER Metzger Builders Limited (MBL)

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T

he essence of the brief for this graceful urban dwelling was clear.

The clients wished for simple forms, embodied with the natural warmth of timber, inspired by a Central Otago aesthetic. The couple’s specific request for a gable form silhouette was an intentional nod to their former home, a loved Warren and Mahoney house.

Engaged by the clients to bring these ideas to life, Greg Young, director at Young Architects says, “The brief was for simple and unadorned, and it works. My clients were very strong on wanting to bring in the Central Otago influence, so we played with that, letting the materials speak for themselves.”

Clad in Canadian red cedar, the deep black stain emphases the simplicity and symmetry of the homes’ silhouette. Inside, exposed cedar scissor trusses serve as a dramatic focal point in an interior that favours finishes mainly drawn from nature; stone, wood and steel feature strongly throughout the open interior spaces.

Built on a narrow site, the elegantly proportioned home consists of two distinct pavilions, the west comprising the open plan

living area with the master suite above, and the east pavilion housing the garage, office and three further bedrooms. The spaces are bright and airy, courtesy of the loft-like ceilings and expansive glazing. To counter the jarring acoustics that can accompany such open spaces, Greg Young recommended using acoustic plywood in the dining area and carpeting the lounge.

The handmade trusses and extensive use of plywood were two of many details that set this house apart from other builds for Mark Metzger of MBL and his team, tasked with the construction and expert carpentry required for a build of this type. Mark says, “The trusses are a key element of the design, and they had to go up first, so we had to work around them while protecting them from the weather,” he adds, “there are 500 bolts in those trusses.” The plywood interior cladding requires a steady hand too, Mark says, “Plywood is unforgiving, there’s no margin of error – if anything goes wrong it looks terrible.”

Assigned to ensure the extensive timber elements of the design were executed to the highest standard, was MBL’s foreman,

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Dusty Schad. Greg Young says of Dusty’s painstaking work, “He put his heart and soul into it. In fact, the clients’ decision to work with MBL was paramount to the end result.

They did an amazing job; the carpentry is the best I’ve seen.”

Selected through a tender process as the result of recommendations from previous clients, and on the strength of a portfolio of impressive projects, MBL focuses on building strong relationships with the architect and the client, knowing that is what makes the difference when embarking on a complex project. Mark says, “Enjoyment of the build process is as important as the product. We had not collaborated with Greg Young before and thoroughly enjoyed working with him and the clients. Greg’s designs are funky, and we love the look of this home.”

Knowing the extensive joinery and glazing was key to the successful delivery of the design, MBL contracted Rylock to supply and install high-specification windows and doors for the build. Selected to complement the architectural style and meet the clients’ requirements for functionality, the chosen product was Rylock’s 40 Pacific Architectural PRO Suite, powder coated to achieve a colour and finish called Mannex Matt Black. Colour matched hardware from the Malta range was mostly used with the addition of Chant sliding door snibs.

Warmth and noise were both factors that needed to be carefully considered given the amount of glass in the design, and Rylock suggested Viridian double glazing super clear Low-E glass for improved thermal performance plus laminate to dramatically

M 027 435 9836

“Attaining Excellence”

E admin@mbl.co.nz

MBLexcellence.co.nz

reduce UV and noise penetration into the then we continue to work on that until house. Proud to have been a part of the project we get it right. It can go through several team working on this exceptional property, iterations and that works well because we Ricky Facoory from Rylock says, “The windows know we have it before we get into the detail. and doors are an outstanding feature of this For this house our client had a very good eye home which has achieved a beautiful balance and excellent taste, so they were very easy to between form and function.” work with.”

The homeowners, who had endured a long Mark Metzger is justifiably proud of the and exhausting process to put earthquake quality finish on this stunning home, “This claims behind them, are now settled in and was very much a craftsman’s build given delighted with their new home. Greg Young attention to detail needed to get the result says, “Our process at Young Architects is to the house warranted. It was a pleasure to take a brief and create the concepts, and work on.”

When building new or renovating, make Rylock ® your NUMBER ONE choice!

P 03 373 6040 E info@rylockchch.co.nz

rylock.co.nz

Call us now on 0800 4 RYLOCK

DESTINATION

Some place kinda wonderful We walk the streets of our town, we know the names, the turns, buildings, restaurants, and cafés; the new and the old. As humans, we have an affinity with places – the ones that make us feel special, welcome, and sometimes, a little bit cool. The following is an ode to those places and spaces – some longstanding Canterbury institutions, others are new kids on the block, adding a bit of spunk to a bolder

EXPLORE

and beautiful CBD. These are the places that are, in short, kinda wonderful.

THE ARTS CENTRE TE MATATIKI TOI ORA The multi-coloured canvas stands have returned! Don’t miss the weekly Arts Centre mākete (market) in Market Square. You’ll find local artisans showcasing their quality, handmade goods – arts and crafts, freshly made delicacies and more, every Sunday, 10am to 3pm during winter. Join the team in celebrating new beginnings and kai with more than 30 events for Matariki 2019. Also, explore the Arts Centre’s growing range of galleries, museums, education spaces, artisan food outlets and boutique independent retailers. artscentre.org.nz

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A NIGHT OUT

CURATOR’S HOUSE

TERRACE TAVERN

In a 100-year-old iconic heritage building in Botanic Gardens, you’ll find Curator’s House.

It’s famous for authentic tapas, with both the co-owner Javier and head chef Albert hailing from Spain. The menu is full of top-quality dishes made with local ingredients; whether it’s slow roast lamb shoulder, seafood paella or the clams, or something from the range of vegetarian/ vegan options – the eggplant fries are delicious.

Curator’s House is the perfect place for cosy group dining or functions this winter with a choice of different dining spaces and rooms with open fires.

Taking pride of place along Oxford Terrace is a new social hot-spot in central Christchurch with a touch of Dux’s famous hospitality. As part of The Terrace development, Terrace Tavern is your go-to when looking for a sophisticated yet casual place where you can come together with friends, family, and colleagues for flavourful food and drinks. Located in the hub of Christchurch along the Avon River, Terrace Tavern is truly a transformative restaurant that goes from all-day dining to late night dancing Thursday through to Sunday.

curatorshouse.co.nz

terracetavern.co.nz

ROLLICKIN’

NOT WITHOUT YOU

Famous for its gelato, Rollickin’ now boasts two prime CBD locations – the original New Regent site and the recent addition at the refurbished Arts Centre. This cold season Rollickin’ is putting on a mid-winter Christmas light and “Christmas song bangers” show at the New Regent Street store. Running at 5.45pm every night in June and July, the show will coincide with the release of three Christmas themed gelatos (made fresh each day) including Christmas Cake, Ginger All the Way, and Merry Mess.

Not Without You is an elegant and inviting establishment right in the heart of the Christchurch CBD. Its range of platters are designed to accompany quality New Zealand wine and craft beer. Expect local smoked salmon and mackerel, air dried and cured meats, pâté, grain-free crackers, artisan bread, boutique cheeses, and a fantastic dessert menu that promises to please any palate. The comfortable couches out the back allow you to hide with a friend and have a decent catch-up.

rollickin.co.nz

nwy.co.nz

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One of the world’s leading brands in men’s clothing, Hugo Boss has recently opened a brand-new store in the CBD. Directly opposite the Bridge of Remembrance on Cashel Mall, Boss will bring an air of sophistication to the Christchurch retail scene. From jeans to jackets and waistcoats to watches, they’ll have what you need to bring style to your life. Standing boldly on the edge of the future Riverside Market, Hugo Boss is in a prime location for you to tick off the shopping necessities. sergios.co.nz

BALLANTYNES Part of the Christchurch landscape since 1854, Ballantynes continues to provide high-quality products and is a hot-spot for shopping in the CBD. Recently, it has been undergoing major renovations to keep it as an integral part of the Christchurch retail scene – included will be an atrium on the ground floor with a new café and

a wine bar. You can get everything from pieces for your winter wardrobe to gifts and homewares.

Ballantynes is once again connected to The Crossing via a skybridge over Colombo Street, so the rest of Cashel Mall is a quick, warm walk away. ballantynes.co.nz

BOXED QUARTER Part of the emerging SALT District, BOXed Quarter is a melting pot of art and music.

Bars, cafés and eateries on the ground floor are enmeshed with music studios and gallery space – the development exudes energy and creativity. On the upper levels, office space is light, airy and integrates with the activity on the ground. Whether you fancy Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Italian, Chinese, Japanese or just a straight coffee, the crew at BOXed Quarter have you covered. There are also resident tattooists, hairdressers and a beautician. boxedquarter.co.nz

HOTEL MONTREAL

WHERE TO STAY

SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP

HUGO BOSS

Hotel Montreal is a stylish, sophisticated, and social hotel. The rooms are generous and luxuriously appointed. The food at Hotel Montreal is something else – whether you’re tucking into one of the fabulous Argentine sharing platters (delicious!) or having a breakfast with honey from the hotel’s rooftop hives, you’ll be impressed. If you insist on eating out, there’s a great range of eateries and bars on Victoria Street; the CBD is a stone’s throw away if you feel inclined to explore the Art Gallery, Botanic Gardens, and the Arts Centre. hotelmontreal.co.nz 45

PALATE

Something fishy The best in fish dishes… hook, line, and sinker.

FUSH

TRAMWAY RESTAURANT

DUX DINE

The Runway, Wigram eatatfush.com

Worcester Street facebook.com/tramwayrestaurant

Riccarton Road duxdine.co.nz

Fush has developed quite a reputation with ‘Kiwi kai and hospitality’ at the forefront of the Wigram restaurant’s philosophy, and it shows. Known for battered goods (seen in a previous issue of Avenues) Fush also pulls out the stops for some pretty impressive fresh fish dishes for a sit-down meal with the family. Make a stop in at Fush and check out the Cajun Fish.

This has a little heat behind it, but nothing to worry about for those who aren’t heatinclined. Served with creamy slaw, and on a bed of deep-fried herbed baby potatoes, you’ve got a straight forward dinner dish that takes the old F&C up a notch. Also, make sure you try some of Fush’s onion rings… they’re perfectly crispy. The team at Fush offer refreshing twists on classics – with exceptional fresh fish, ka pai, Fush.

An enduring part of this city’s cuisine identity has been on the move for many years now, the folks behind the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant have defined their own unique offering for food, and they do it very well. We hopped onboard the tram on a busy night, but the service and food were still fantastic. The Confit Salmon arrived and looked the part – well plated, with decadent flourishes of braised fennel, a delicious salsa verde, and baconnaise (it’s exactly what you’d think it is). I chose to match this with the recommended Ant Moore Chardonnay.

My pescatarian dinner date had the seared tuna, which I was told was equally as delicious, and plated beautifully. Fine dining, with a continuously changing view of our ever-changing city. It’s a concept that seems to work very well.

Dux Dine has stood the test of time and offers some of the best seafood in Ōtautahi, so it’s fitting we included this Christchurch institution in our review. To mix it up a little, on order today was the Prawn Roti dish.

Arriving beautifully plated, stacked with prawns poached in mango, and creamy chilli mayo, with a pineapple and coriander salsa.

These flavours are strong but harmonious – it’s a fresh vibe with a mix of textures to keep it interesting. The prawns were wrapped in a flaky roti pastry and dotted with micro greens and sprouts – no doubt grown in the garden on site. This is a lighter meal, so perfect to run alongside some of Dux Dine’s famous entrées (pumpkin arancini balls, anyone?) Wash it down with a glass of Sauvignon blanc and you’ve got yourself a very favourable dinner choice.

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PALATE

top pick PESCATORE Park Terrace thegeorge.com

Oh, Pescatore you know how to please.

Pescatore is one of the jewels in the crown of The George Hotel, and with two Cuisine Good Food Award hats on its proverbial head, it was clearly on the list for us to review.

This is a restaurant you would consider an experience – and what an experience we had. It’s a higher level of dining, and the entire night at Pescatore was impressive.

As part of the degustation menu, we were served a portion of the Lee Line Caught Fish, with seaweed butter, radish leaves and oyster mushrooms. This was, simply put, presented as art. The fish was well prepared, with a gentle and fresh flavour.

This dish was something to savour, and although the serving was just enough, the delicate combination of flavours worked

perfectly. The duck was equally impressive, served with pear and thyme, with Jerusalem artichokes. We ordered a bottle of the Escarpment Chardonnay between the two of us – another well-received choice. If you’re planning a night at Pescatore, do so for a celebration, or a landmark event – this is the food for it. The dishes on offer set a standard for fine dining. This is how you do it, folks.

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HUMANS OF ŌTAUTAHI

Beth HALSWELL

“It sounds pretty clichéd, but when people asking ‘what can we help you with?’ Whether asked me what I wanted to do when I was it is watering the garden or pushing the trolley older, I had no idea, but I always knew I around town to collect the food, they want to wanted to help people. be involved. The whole point was to create “I’ve been in hospitality for about 10 years a community — a relational thing — not just and I’ve seen first-hand how much food transactional. wastage there is. When I heard about the free “It’s such a diverse group of people that turn store up in Wellington, about two years ago, it up to the store, there are homeless people, was a no brainer. I went up there to volunteer students, travellers, families, single parents. and to see if it was viable to start something There’s really an eclectic bunch who are just similar down here. kind of ‘doing life’ together. You rub shoulders “It was an 18-month process setting up with people you may not normally socialise Kairos Free Store. I was really lucky; the land, with and you build strong friendships with the container, the builders and the labour people. They become regular faces and they were all donated for free. The community come down for the conversations — probably really came together to make this possible. It more than the food sometimes. was long hours and long days because I also “I’ve lived in New Zealand for 12 years and work full time, but my biggest challenge was have been in Christchurch for the last five. I actually finding volunteers to staff it. just love Christchurch, not many cities get “We’ve been running now for six months and the chance to re-invent themselves. I guess we have a really cool core team of volunteers. my part is to reinforce a sense of community.

What I think is really special is that the When I get more volunteers, I’d love to open customers are starting to volunteer as well. more nights a week. Long term plans... who People who were lining up to get food are knows? Maybe a free café?”

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Take your kids to see the world’s rarest & smallest dolphins these school holidays. Board the big Black Cat catamaran and explore Akaroa Harbour. See dolphins, penguins and seals in majestic surroundings.

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Kids cruise for

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