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News, photos, life in Canterbury and the South Island from The Press. Email reporters@press.co.nz
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Cover photo by Peter Meecham/The Press
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Cover photo by Peter Meecham/The Press
A fur seal has delighted Christchurch passersby by finding lunch in a suburban neighbourhood - kilometres from the coast.
Residents did a double-take as the NZ fur seal feasted on an eel in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River in St Martins.
“They can really pop up anywhere if there’s water they can…
Residents did a double-take as the NZ fur seal feasted on an eel in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River in St Martins.
“They can really pop up anywhere if there’s water they can…
November 24, 2025 at 2:03 AM
A fur seal has delighted Christchurch passersby by finding lunch in a suburban neighbourhood - kilometres from the coast.
Residents did a double-take as the NZ fur seal feasted on an eel in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River in St Martins.
“They can really pop up anywhere if there’s water they can…
Residents did a double-take as the NZ fur seal feasted on an eel in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River in St Martins.
“They can really pop up anywhere if there’s water they can…
Robyn Mathisen spent two terrifying hours trapped under her ute on a remote Hanmer Springs farm, unsure if she would survive. A daring late-night rescue and a Westpac helicopter saved her life. Now she’s supporting her community’s push for a new helipad to help others in need.
Click the link in…
Click the link in…
November 23, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Robyn Mathisen spent two terrifying hours trapped under her ute on a remote Hanmer Springs farm, unsure if she would survive. A daring late-night rescue and a Westpac helicopter saved her life. Now she’s supporting her community’s push for a new helipad to help others in need.
Click the link in…
Click the link in…
Hobby horsing is making its first appearance at the Courtenay A&P Show in Kirwee, NZ, with organisers hoping the quirky new event will help draw bigger crowds for the show’s 150th year. With dozens of young entrants already signed up, the sport’s growing profile is adding fresh appeal to one of…
November 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Hobby horsing is making its first appearance at the Courtenay A&P Show in Kirwee, NZ, with organisers hoping the quirky new event will help draw bigger crowds for the show’s 150th year. With dozens of young entrants already signed up, the sport’s growing profile is adding fresh appeal to one of…
Sweet treats meet speed at @apex_cafe_chch in St Albans, Christchurch - where owner Wendy Chin bakes everything herself and adds a dash of Formula One flair.
🔒️Click the link in our bio to see the full story. 📸Photos by @kai_schwoerer
🔒️Click the link in our bio to see the full story. 📸Photos by @kai_schwoerer
November 22, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Sweet treats meet speed at @apex_cafe_chch in St Albans, Christchurch - where owner Wendy Chin bakes everything herself and adds a dash of Formula One flair.
🔒️Click the link in our bio to see the full story. 📸Photos by @kai_schwoerer
🔒️Click the link in our bio to see the full story. 📸Photos by @kai_schwoerer
A couple faced with the decision of returning their disabled puppy to the breeder or euthanising it vowed to love it no matter what - and with some Kiwi ingenuity, a disability has become a super power.
November 21, 2025 at 10:26 PM
A couple faced with the decision of returning their disabled puppy to the breeder or euthanising it vowed to love it no matter what - and with some Kiwi ingenuity, a disability has become a super power.
Fluffy, white bread is a Kiwi favourite for sandwiches or toast slathered with butter and jam, but in Mexico bread is quite different – and it’s what Diego Chellet missed when he left his home for New Zealand.
Now Chellet has brought his taste of home to Christchurch, making tortillas under the…
Now Chellet has brought his taste of home to Christchurch, making tortillas under the…
November 21, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Fluffy, white bread is a Kiwi favourite for sandwiches or toast slathered with butter and jam, but in Mexico bread is quite different – and it’s what Diego Chellet missed when he left his home for New Zealand.
Now Chellet has brought his taste of home to Christchurch, making tortillas under the…
Now Chellet has brought his taste of home to Christchurch, making tortillas under the…
Padel has landed in Christchurch. The fast-growing racket sport blends elements of tennis and squash and has already drawn strong interest, with local players, long-time fans and newcomers are calling it accessible, fast-paced and highly addictive, and more South Island courts are on the way.…
November 20, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Padel has landed in Christchurch. The fast-growing racket sport blends elements of tennis and squash and has already drawn strong interest, with local players, long-time fans and newcomers are calling it accessible, fast-paced and highly addictive, and more South Island courts are on the way.…
Entertainment icons Sir Cliff Richard and Priscilla Presley gave staff at central Christchurch restaurant @kingofsnake.chch and “unforgettable evening” when they dined there this week.
The pair dined Tuesday evening before supporting each other's separate shows on Wednesday.
An hour before…
The pair dined Tuesday evening before supporting each other's separate shows on Wednesday.
An hour before…
November 19, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Entertainment icons Sir Cliff Richard and Priscilla Presley gave staff at central Christchurch restaurant @kingofsnake.chch and “unforgettable evening” when they dined there this week.
The pair dined Tuesday evening before supporting each other's separate shows on Wednesday.
An hour before…
The pair dined Tuesday evening before supporting each other's separate shows on Wednesday.
An hour before…
For 24 hours, we’re opening thepress.co.nz to everyone so you can enjoy the stories our subscribers read every day.
Explore the stories, insights, and features shaping life in the South Island, and share the ones you love. Scroll like a subscriber, free for a day.
Explore the stories, insights, and features shaping life in the South Island, and share the ones you love. Scroll like a subscriber, free for a day.
November 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
For 24 hours, we’re opening thepress.co.nz to everyone so you can enjoy the stories our subscribers read every day.
Explore the stories, insights, and features shaping life in the South Island, and share the ones you love. Scroll like a subscriber, free for a day.
Explore the stories, insights, and features shaping life in the South Island, and share the ones you love. Scroll like a subscriber, free for a day.
Christchurch is gearing up for 10 days of world-class street performance, with the 33rd World Buskers Festival aiming to make the city the “circus capital of New Zealand”.
Buskers from 12 countries including Switzerland, Chile and Canada will take over the city’s streets from January 23 to February…
Buskers from 12 countries including Switzerland, Chile and Canada will take over the city’s streets from January 23 to February…
November 19, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Christchurch is gearing up for 10 days of world-class street performance, with the 33rd World Buskers Festival aiming to make the city the “circus capital of New Zealand”.
Buskers from 12 countries including Switzerland, Chile and Canada will take over the city’s streets from January 23 to February…
Buskers from 12 countries including Switzerland, Chile and Canada will take over the city’s streets from January 23 to February…
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? The Christchurch Christmas Show Parade is happening on Sunday, with little elves, 45 floats, brass and pipe bands, dance schools and dragon dancers. Does this put you in the Christmas mood?
Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz to see the full…
Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz to see the full…
November 18, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? The Christchurch Christmas Show Parade is happening on Sunday, with little elves, 45 floats, brass and pipe bands, dance schools and dragon dancers. Does this put you in the Christmas mood?
Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz to see the full…
Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz to see the full…
Great style, well put together, or just someone who catches our eye. Every week, reporter Carly Gooch gets out and about to discover the people behind the clothes in Canterbury.
Harriet Coates, left and Emily Whittaker are looking forward to starting a Christmas tradition of getting their group…
Harriet Coates, left and Emily Whittaker are looking forward to starting a Christmas tradition of getting their group…
November 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Great style, well put together, or just someone who catches our eye. Every week, reporter Carly Gooch gets out and about to discover the people behind the clothes in Canterbury.
Harriet Coates, left and Emily Whittaker are looking forward to starting a Christmas tradition of getting their group…
Harriet Coates, left and Emily Whittaker are looking forward to starting a Christmas tradition of getting their group…
Swedish furniture giant Ikea is taking over Christchurch’s Cathedral Square with a colourful pop-up showcasing its products – and giving Cantabrians their first glimpse of what they’ll pay for them.
Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for the full story.
Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for the full story.
November 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Swedish furniture giant Ikea is taking over Christchurch’s Cathedral Square with a colourful pop-up showcasing its products – and giving Cantabrians their first glimpse of what they’ll pay for them.
Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for the full story.
Click the link in our bio or go to thepress.co.nz for the full story.
Successful trials that saw wildflowers blooming in Christchurch’s Hagley Park and near the Antigua Boatsheds have since been expanded to more than 30 citywide locations in the past two years.
“We’ve received heaps of feedback – mostly positive. People love the colour, variety, and benefits for…
“We’ve received heaps of feedback – mostly positive. People love the colour, variety, and benefits for…
November 17, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Successful trials that saw wildflowers blooming in Christchurch’s Hagley Park and near the Antigua Boatsheds have since been expanded to more than 30 citywide locations in the past two years.
“We’ve received heaps of feedback – mostly positive. People love the colour, variety, and benefits for…
“We’ve received heaps of feedback – mostly positive. People love the colour, variety, and benefits for…
Cake-making aficionados and novices alike came together to bond over their shared love of all things cake at Christchurch’s second Cake-nic event in Opawa on Sunday.
Not sure what a cake-nic is? Think of a picnic for those with a sweet-tooth.
Serial events and hospitality entrepreneur Lisa Tran…
Not sure what a cake-nic is? Think of a picnic for those with a sweet-tooth.
Serial events and hospitality entrepreneur Lisa Tran…
November 16, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Cake-making aficionados and novices alike came together to bond over their shared love of all things cake at Christchurch’s second Cake-nic event in Opawa on Sunday.
Not sure what a cake-nic is? Think of a picnic for those with a sweet-tooth.
Serial events and hospitality entrepreneur Lisa Tran…
Not sure what a cake-nic is? Think of a picnic for those with a sweet-tooth.
Serial events and hospitality entrepreneur Lisa Tran…
At Primo e Secundo (@primocafemethven) in Methven, almost everything you see - from the chairs to the lamps - is for sale. Owner Marya McDiarmid has turned her love of vintage finds into a café where the décor is constantly changing and the menu remains a local favourite.
🔒️Click the link in…
🔒️Click the link in…
November 14, 2025 at 4:00 AM
At Primo e Secundo (@primocafemethven) in Methven, almost everything you see - from the chairs to the lamps - is for sale. Owner Marya McDiarmid has turned her love of vintage finds into a café where the décor is constantly changing and the menu remains a local favourite.
🔒️Click the link in…
🔒️Click the link in…
The Royal Canterbury A&P Show kicked off in Christchurch with loyal crowds braving a wet start. From woodchopping to wine judging and farriers at work, the three-day event celebrates rural life and craftsmanship.
November 13, 2025 at 12:03 AM
The Royal Canterbury A&P Show kicked off in Christchurch with loyal crowds braving a wet start. From woodchopping to wine judging and farriers at work, the three-day event celebrates rural life and craftsmanship.
@stationcoffee.nz in Methven is a true family venture, run by Donna and Jace Elliot and their five adult children. After starting from a small coffee cart, the family has expanded into a café and home décor store complete with a play area designed for parents and kids alike.
🔒️Click the link in…
🔒️Click the link in…
November 12, 2025 at 6:01 AM
@stationcoffee.nz in Methven is a true family venture, run by Donna and Jace Elliot and their five adult children. After starting from a small coffee cart, the family has expanded into a café and home décor store complete with a play area designed for parents and kids alike.
🔒️Click the link in…
🔒️Click the link in…
Great style, well put together, or just someone who catches our eye. Every week, reporter Carly Gooch gets out and about to discover the people behind the clothes in Canterbury.
Phillipa Shepherd retired in her 50s when she and her husband unexpectedly sold their business.
Leah Kahika was…
Phillipa Shepherd retired in her 50s when she and her husband unexpectedly sold their business.
Leah Kahika was…
November 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Great style, well put together, or just someone who catches our eye. Every week, reporter Carly Gooch gets out and about to discover the people behind the clothes in Canterbury.
Phillipa Shepherd retired in her 50s when she and her husband unexpectedly sold their business.
Leah Kahika was…
Phillipa Shepherd retired in her 50s when she and her husband unexpectedly sold their business.
Leah Kahika was…
Meet Denis the emotional support pony. Racehorses can get a bit stressed and that's where little Denis comes into things. The minature pony hitched aride to @addingtonraceway for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day with his pal Walkinonsunshine, who needed Denis' calming influence. Trainer Tom…
November 11, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Meet Denis the emotional support pony. Racehorses can get a bit stressed and that's where little Denis comes into things. The minature pony hitched aride to @addingtonraceway for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day with his pal Walkinonsunshine, who needed Denis' calming influence. Trainer Tom…
Cup Day in Christchurch was for the fashionistas. The Press' photographers @petemeech and @kai_schwoerer were at the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day in Christchurch, NZ, to capture all the looks.
November 11, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Cup Day in Christchurch was for the fashionistas. The Press' photographers @petemeech and @kai_schwoerer were at the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day in Christchurch, NZ, to capture all the looks.
Nine hundred punnets of strawberries, a tonne of lamb, and more than 1000 bottles of champagne await punters at Christchurch’s @addingtonraceway as the nation’s biggest harness racing day of the year begins.
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Nine hundred punnets of strawberries, a tonne of lamb, and more than 1000 bottles of champagne await punters at Christchurch’s @addingtonraceway as the nation’s biggest harness racing day of the year begins.
Contactless payment for public transport has launched in Canterbury - and so far it’s been smooth sailing.
The new system, Motu Move, enables bus, train and ferry users to ditch their Metrocards and instead use their debit, credit or digital cards to pay for standard fares.
The $1.3 billion…
The new system, Motu Move, enables bus, train and ferry users to ditch their Metrocards and instead use their debit, credit or digital cards to pay for standard fares.
The $1.3 billion…
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Contactless payment for public transport has launched in Canterbury - and so far it’s been smooth sailing.
The new system, Motu Move, enables bus, train and ferry users to ditch their Metrocards and instead use their debit, credit or digital cards to pay for standard fares.
The $1.3 billion…
The new system, Motu Move, enables bus, train and ferry users to ditch their Metrocards and instead use their debit, credit or digital cards to pay for standard fares.
The $1.3 billion…
After eight years as an electrician, Christchurch local Jonathan Burnard has swapped wiring for whisky with the opening of his new venture, @tailscocktailbar, in Sydenham.
Tails keeps things simple, serving classic cocktails and bar bites in a relaxed, speakeasy-style space.
Burnard says the…
Tails keeps things simple, serving classic cocktails and bar bites in a relaxed, speakeasy-style space.
Burnard says the…
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 AM
After eight years as an electrician, Christchurch local Jonathan Burnard has swapped wiring for whisky with the opening of his new venture, @tailscocktailbar, in Sydenham.
Tails keeps things simple, serving classic cocktails and bar bites in a relaxed, speakeasy-style space.
Burnard says the…
Tails keeps things simple, serving classic cocktails and bar bites in a relaxed, speakeasy-style space.
Burnard says the…
Sixteen-year-old Natasha Thornton proved size means nothing at the ISKA World Amateur Championships in Brisbane. The South Island Lee Gar fighter moved up a weight class to take on bigger opponents - and fought her way to a silver medal. Her coach says she showed “the heart of a Kiwi” by never…
November 9, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Sixteen-year-old Natasha Thornton proved size means nothing at the ISKA World Amateur Championships in Brisbane. The South Island Lee Gar fighter moved up a weight class to take on bigger opponents - and fought her way to a silver medal. Her coach says she showed “the heart of a Kiwi” by never…