Ashburton is the New Black - A New Look Guide to this Mid Canterbury Town

Plates of food and cocktails on a table.
Just over an hour south of Ōtautahi Christchurch sits the rural township of Hakatere Ashburton. Servicing a greater area of Mid Canterbury, this is where the coast, the mountains, the rivers and the rural landscape meet. For many Cantabrians, this is a town you pass through along journeys north or south, but scratch the surface, and you’ll find much more to Ashburton than you see along the highway.

Ashburton Art Gallery & Heritage Centre

Works of art on a white wall.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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The Ashburton Art Gallery & Heritage Centre is home to both the town's art gallery and museum.

Objectspace at Sir Miles Warren Gallery

The sloping ceiling inside Objectspace Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Objectspace is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading gallery dedicated to design, craft and architecture.

Ngaio Marsh House

A colourful bookshelf by an old bed in the Ngaio Marsh House.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Ngaio Marsh House sits in a beautiful spot on the lower slopes of Christchurch’s Cashmere Hills.

Movementor Pilates

An empty pilates studio.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Movementor is a well-known Pilates studio situated within the Beckenham hub at the corner of Christchurch’s Colombo and Tennyson Streets.

Hinewai Reserve

A view of the ocean from the Banks Peninsula.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Not far from the township of Akaroa (walking distance if you’re really game), lies an idyllic haven of regenerating native bush nestled in the wild south east corner...

Tiny Door

Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Tiny Door is New Zealand’s very first hole-in-the-wall food experience, offering restaurant quality food in a quick-as-a-flash grab-and-go manner to the hungry people...

Flow Wellbeing

A group of people in downward facing dog.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Flow Wellbeing is a stunning purpose built wellness centre on the edge of the four avenues in Central Christchurch.

Nifty

The pink block exterior of Nifty in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Driving along the industrial end of Christchurch's Cashel Street, you don’t expect to come across a pale pink pop of colour that is the Nifty building.

The Margaret Mahy Family Playground

A tower at the Margaret Mahy playground.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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If you have kids and are looking for a way to burn some energy in Christchurch’s city centre, look no further than the beloved Margaret Mahy Family Playground.

New Brighton Community Gardens

A woman crouching whilst tending to plants at New Brighton Community Gardens.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Around Christchurch Ōtautahi there are so many unique suburbs and within these, there are amazing communities and initiatives that deserve the spotlight.

The Mayfair

A dark grey and white bedroom inside The Mayfair Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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For the discerning modern traveller, The Mayfair is a rare and precious find in the typically heritage-focused city of Christchurch.

The Observatory Hotel

A Modern Gothic lounge design.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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The Observatory Hotel is a beautiful central location in Christchurch, allowing you to leave the car for your stay and explore the city on foot.

New Brighton Good Life Guide: Jenna Ingram's Picks of the Neatest Things to do in New Brighton

A woman and her son standing in front of a colourful mural painted on the exterior of a building.
Jenna Ingram is a Canadian-born, New Zealand-raised artist, mother, occasional MC/singer, and keen gardener who is slightly obsessed with growing and pickling pickles. She’s also the co-owner and Director of Fiksate Gallery, New Zealand's leading Urban Art gallery. We chatted to Jenna about her experiences in New Brighton and what makes it special.

Tussock Hill Vineyard

Interior of Tussock Hill restaurant with customers dining against the panoramic windows that look out over the Christchurch Port Hills.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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The long and winding road up to Tussock Hill Vineyard & Cellar Door is as inconspicuous as it is rewarding.

Eliza's Manor

Two white lion statues one with wings and one wearing a gold crown.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Eliza's Manor is a luxury lodge hidden in the heart of Christchurch. Providing outstanding accommodation and dining from the restaurateurs behind Miro.

He Puna Taimoana

Two friends in the sauna at He Puna Taimoana.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Nestled beside the sandy beaches of New Brighton, you’ll find He Puna Taimoana, aka the New Brighton Hot Pools, boasting five luxurious hot pools with jaw dropping...

Movement Art Practice

Woman dancing at Movement Art Practice.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Start the journey into contemporary dance without judgement.

Shafeeq Ismail's Favourite Christchurch Food Spots

A man wearing casual clothes sitting down and smiling to camera.
Chef Shafeeq Ismail gives us an insight into some of his favourite food spots in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Okuti Garden

A yurt surrounded by tables and chairs at Okuti Garden in Little River.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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A garden for creating, learning, playing and celebrating. And a garden you can stay in.

Georges Road Wines

The wine maker testing the wine at Georges Road Wines in Waipara.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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If you like great wine, stunning scenery and a quick escape from the city head to Georges Road Wines in Waipara.

O-Studio

A waiting area inside O-Studio in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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An unique concept, O-Studio is the work of three locals with a wide array of experiences in the world of sport, meditation, yoga and well-being.

The Tack Rooms

Inside the Tack Rooms.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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The Tack Rooms are one of the city’s most innovative and unique accommodation options that double as an equally spectacular event space.

Tūranga

Harry Potter stairs at Turanga.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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It’s not often that grand designs are plucked from the mind’s eye and brought to life. At Tūranga they are, every day.

Christchurch Adventure Park

A woman on a zipline Adventure Park in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Christchurch’s innately unique Adventure Park is a tranquil escape for those seeking more than just thrills.

French Bay House

Bedroom at French Bay House in Akarao, Canterbury.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Akaroa
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A sprawling, idyllic guest house steeped in local history and offering genuine hospitality in the picturesque Akaroa.

Ōtoromiro Hotel

Ōtoromiro Hotel exterior in Govenor's Bay.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Perched at its grand position on a hillside at the end of Te Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour, the historical Ōtoromiro Hotel offers hard-to-beat views, friendly service and...

Christchurch Farmers Market

Flowers with the Christchurch Farmers Market in the background.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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One of the best food markets in Christchurch.

Black Estate

View out of window at Black Estate, North Canterbury towards vines.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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A winery, tasting room and restaurant, Black Estate is famous not only for its organic and biodynamic wines but its refreshing approach to food.

Gap Filler Dance-O-Mat

Two people dancing in white clothing at Dance-o-Mat.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

If it’s a good enough dance floor for old Prince Charles and Camilla then it’s good enough for you too.

Nicola Quinn Beauty and Day Spa

Produce being applied to a face during a facial at Nicola Quinn Beauty and Day Spa in Merivale, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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For indulgence from your head down to your toes, pop along to this Merivale day spa.