CITY SCENE

CITY SCENE

Imagine standing on a small platform three storeys high, in a chamber a little wider than your shoulders, waiting for that platform to drop out from underneath you, as the howls of other people ring in your ears.

Sound like your idea of fun?

Well, the team behind the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is counting on it, with this 32,000m2 central Christchurch attraction rapidly revealing more and more of itself behind the fences on Moorhouse Avenue.

The false floor forms part of what is known as a Looping Rocket hydroslide. This a first for New Zealand and one of five slides that will allow Parakiore to boast the biggest and best indoor hydroslide collection in the country once construction is completed around the end of next year.

Crown company Ōtākaro Limited is delivering the facility. It will be operated by Christchurch City Council, who has worked closely with Matapopore on the design of the distinctive black and grey slides that are currently being assembled on the site.

When they are strategically lifted into place on the St Asaph Street and Antigua Street corner in the coming months, these 800 pieces of fibreglass will resemble silver bellied eels in an eel pot. They will serve as visual indicators of Ngāi Tūāhuriri/Ngāi Tahu identity within the city and ensure that Parakiore becomes another iconic Christchurch building.

Formerly known as the Metro Sports Facility, the name Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre also draws on the rich cultural heritage of the region it will serve.

Parakiore was the son of a Ngāi Tahu chief of Kaiapoi Pa. He is described as a man of great strength and amazing speed as a runner. An apt name for the largest sports and recreation facility of its kind in the country. A facility specifically designed to offer the opportunity for everyone to get active, from toddlers learning to swim to top shot putter Tom Walsh.

And they do mean everyone. Parakiore will also be home to the Aquatic Sensory Experience.

The high-tech multi-sensory environment has been specially designed to cater for people of all ages and abilities.

Multi-sensory spaces are known to significantly benefit people with disabilities. This is because the design of the facility encourages fun, relaxation, intellectual activity, language and social skills in a fun and explorative way. Water-based examples like this are hard to find elsewhere in the world.

So whether you’re an adrenaline junkie plummeting in the Looping Rocket, or after a more soothing and sedate aquatic experience, or perhaps you’re an elite athlete at the top of your game or a battling weekend warrior, Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre will have something for everyone.

otakaroltd.co.nz

Dyrberg/Kern is a unique international brand from Copenhagen, with a real focus on quality, affordable fashion accessories. The brand has a 20-year history in Merivale Mall and has a focus on a wide range of accessories and brands, such as Joidart jewellery from Spain, Sweden’s Edblad jewellery, Bella Ballou scarves and Markberg quality leather bags and gloves from Denmark.

Owner Penny Wilson bought the rights to the brand three years ago, but initially, the brand started off as a shop within a shop and was located inside a local clothing store. The quakes meant the crew quickly established a kiosk in the middle of the mall (operational all within 24 hours, no less) and, after a couple more moves, established their own branded store in the centre in 2018. The feedback from their customers is they love the fashion focus, the style, and the quieter feel of the mall. It makes it a really intimate shopping experience.

Penny made the smart decision to expand the reach across a range of products and to establish a real presence in the mall with the store.

“We are not a chain store, so Merivale Mall is one of only two destinations in New Zealand that is dedicated to the brands we offer. We also distribute the product to a number of fashion and department stores around the county. But it is only Merivale and Wellington where you can experience the unique ‘DK experience’.”

Penny says her team are ‘fabulous’ – and they’re often long-serving staff members.

“Our legendary retail guru is Sandra McCann, who has been with the brand as long as it has existed in New Zealand. She is as passionate about the brand now as she was when she started and is a world authority on Dyrberg/ Kern, having seen the changes over the years.”

Sandra recalls how Dyrberg/Kern was the only brand around 20 years ago that put a real emphasis on quality costume jewellery.

“Over the years, I’ve seen the brand’s popularity grow with the Merivale locals. I often fondly reminisce on the friendships and bonds I’ve developed with customers over the years. Particularly after the earthquakes, where the Mall was one of the few places still open. It became a destination for people who could come into a warm, welcoming environment, even if it was just for a chat.”

Fashion changes and Dyrberg/Kern is right up to speed. Sandra reflects that the styles have become ‘less ostentatious and more refined’. The strength of Dyrberg/Kern is that their designers understand trends and colours. The use of gold plating, stainless steel, and Swarovski crystals is affordable but looks like a million dollars – for every woman, every day.

Penny, Sandra, and the team love to see new people and regular customers.

“We have a motto that our customers are our family. We pride ourselves on taking the time to listen and talk with you about jewellery and accessories, or anything else at all.”

merivalemall.co.nz

Have you experienced all that The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora has to offer? With a raft of new tenants and a massive heritage restoration project currently underway – with more than twothirds of the site reopened so far – it’s fast becoming a thriving central city hub of all things that represent our city.

Restoration work is currently taking place on the Biology, Physics, and Observatory buildings along Hereford Street, where they are restoring the Observatory Tower and creating a 33-room boutique-style Observatory Hotel which is on track to open mid-2022.

As New Zealand’s largest collection of Category 1 listed heritage buildings – an entire city block – The Arts Centre is a charity that relies on fundraising, grants, and donations to keep the restoration work going and the centre alive, providing education, creativity, and entertainment for all.

In addition to the new offices for Brown Bread, Frank Film, and Everyone an Artist Trust, the centre now has Fragranzi, an artisan perfumery, Adventure Books bookstore, Frances Nation has expanded their offerings to a grocer on the ground floor, and Maxine Burney’s Art Studio and Paint & Sip Studio have moved in. It’s a growing and eventful place.

Speaking of events, settle in at Lumière Cinemas for the French Film Festival Aotearoa 2021 that’s happening between 24 June till 10 July, and do keep an eye out for Heritage Festival events happening between 9 and 25 October.

There has been a recent change in direction with the weekly Sunday Arts Centre Mākete going into hibernation, now the focus is on creating fun themed market events such as the Matariki Night Mākete (Friday 9 and Saturday 10 July), Monster Spring Clean Mākete (Sunday 3 October), and Christmas Mākete (Sunday 5 December). Note these in your diary!

Matariki celebrates the start of a new dawn, and from the 5–18 July, there will be a range of events for your friends and whanaū to enjoy, from OneOne (a cinema dance and VR experience), the Matariki Night Mākete, Cousins at Lumière Cinemas, Nigel Borell’s presentation Thinking through the big picture, Calling on the Stars/Karanga mai ngā whetu concert by Lisa Tui and her band Toroa, and much more.

With so much going on, The Arts Centre really is worth a visit, so gather your crew and support your local creative hot spot.

• 2 - storey elegant townhouses with their own internal lift, north-facing private garden courtyard and outdoor gas fireplace • Three luxurious bedrooms with two ensuites plus study • Top of the line appliances, large flat screen TV and Wifi • Close to Merivale shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment • Community centre with swimming pool coming soon

• 3 - bedroom single storey villas with 2 full bathrooms • Available for purchase from the plans • Add your personal touch by selecting your own finishes • Close to Merivale shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment • Community centre with swimming pool coming soon

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