metropol THE SHOWCASE MAGAZINE FOR THE BEST
K
eeping connected with all that our chic little city has on offer is what makes a life of living here one of quality, excitement and style. Metropol explores our city’s local talent, innovative businesses and entertainment hot spots. It encapsulates our city’s unique culture from fashion to food, destinations to designers, socialising to services and more. Metropol is quintessential Christchurch designed to inspire the discerning. A massive 30% increase in circulation over the last quarter brings Metropol readership to an est.* 180,000 readers.
Publisher Metros Publishing Group Ltd Managing Director Trevor Laplanche trevor@metros.co.nz
We welcome all new readers and businesses to the ‘Metropol Experience’. *Est. x 4 per copy.
EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Advertising : Tracey Prince advertising@metros.co.nz Editorial : Angela Bennett angela@metros.co.nz Production : Julian Laplanche production@metros.co.nz Administration : Emma Dyer admin@metros.co.nz Photography : Wendy Cook wendy@metros.co.nz
Angela Bennett
Ph: (03) 343 3669 Fax: (03) 343 3659 16 Leslie Hills Drive, Riccarton, P.O. Box 9362 Christchurch, NZ
Like us on Facebook
ISSN 2382-1841
Metropol Circulation
45,000
www.metropol.co.nz
L
ast time I flew into Christchurch from overseas I was greeted with an air bridge featuring all-over imagery of a native forest in Fiordland, accompanied by distinctive birdsong and scents – it immediately reminded me of a moment in time trekking the Hollyford Track. There are a number of themed air bridges including the Mackenzie Night Sky, the West Coast, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman, Fiordland, a Canterbury sheep farm, the Mackenzie country and a Marlborough vineyard. Visitors walk from their planes through the air bridges and apparently many go directly to the travel information desk to ask how to get to the place they've just sampled! It has just been announced that the Chinese New Year sparked a big jump in visitors from China in February, in fact the numbers doubled on February last year and total visitor arrivals are up 14 percent (hitting 343,500) compared to the same time last year. Given that the increase of visitors from China has been influenced by the timing of Chinese New Year, which is a popular time to travel, and the fact that this year is the Chinese Year of the Sheep, I am sure Christchurch Airport would have rolled out the Canterbury sheep farm bridge along with the associated sounds of baaing and, I guess, the scents of the farmyard! Whilst charming for the Chinese, I can only imagine the jokes the bridge evokes from Aussie arrivals, and I have to say that one time when I arrived to the sheep bridge I felt like I was being herded into a pen. But good on the airport for the bold variety of themed bridges, they certainly get people talking and their first impressions of the country are no doubt ones of intrigue. Charter flights from China arriving in February were also very popular, and as visitors walked into the specially decorated terminal they were welcomed with performances by the Christchurch Pops Choir and the opportunity to have a photo taken with a Canterbury sheep! The Year of the Sheep (or goat or ram as it is variously named) is a favourite year for the Chinese, sheep being among the animals that they like most. Sheep are, they say, gentle and calm, useful for their fleece, soft, white and cute. Chinese astrologists say the Year of the Sheep follows a tumultuous Year of the Horse, and heralds a calmer atmosphere. Apparently last year was the Horse's year to gallop and take off, and this year will be the year for contemplating and appreciating what has already been accomplished; to think about bringing goodness to others, to take a deep breath and calmly look at what's ahead. A steady path, generosity, and keeping the peace are this year's mantra, they say.
Think about it…
“Eagles fly alone, but sheep flock together.” – Polish proverb
Metropol is published every fortnight and delivered to the best addresses in the Christchurch and Canterbury region. It is also available from many selected stores, Malls, stands, waiting rooms and offices. Metropol is subject to copyright in its entirety. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission will result in legal action.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and correctness of the information contained within this magazine, however Metros Publishing Group Ltd can accept no liability for the accuracy of all the information. The information and views expressed anywhere in this magazine are not necessarily the views or opinion of Metros Publishing Group Ltd, its editorial contributors, freelancers, associates or information providers.
NATIONAL MULTI AWARD WINNING MAGAZINE
6 March 26, 2015 Metropol