Surprise accolade for Christchurch rugby club's Finnish recruit
Just as Kalle Valimaki was embarking on his first pre-season with new club Sumner, the promising prop was surprised to learn he was named Finland’s latest rugby player of the year.
Chris Barclay
NZTA monitoring new motorway transit lane
'Fines will be the final stage': NZTA monitoring Northern Corridor T2 lane for breaches
Motorists are being warned not to use the new Northern Corridor motorway's congestion-relieving T2 lane to pass vehicles.
Alcohol-fuelled death sparks plea
Alcohol addiction leads to death: How family tried in vain to curb Christchurch woman's self-destruction
A progressively heavy drinker since the age of 15, a pensive young Christchurch woman took her last drink in November when she succumbed to alcohol addiction.
Champion of children's rights recognised with New Year's Honour
Champion of children's rights recognised with New Year's Honour
A speech language therapist who has devoted more than four decades to help remedy a child’s learning difficulties struggled to comprehend her inclusion in the New Year’s Honours list.
Tech boost for 87-year-old cyclist
Tech boost for 87-year-old cyclist
Eric Hunter has never been the breed of cyclist to take shortcuts on the road, but at 87 years-old the evergreen rider from Governors Bay is reluctantly in the saddle with modern technology.
Rugg snares Canty cap - 16 years after debut
Rugg snares Canty cap - 16 years after debut
Short of promotion to the Black Caps, celebrating a title or playing a match-winning hand, receiving a provincial cap can be a career highlight for a first class cricketer.
'A bunch of flowers and a wheelchair'
'A bunch of flowers and a wheelchair': Record-breaking runner surprised at airport
Record-setting marathon runner Judy Brock had a wheelchair waiting for her on the tarmac when her flight landed at Christchurch Airport.
CBHS claim another Gillette Cup 1st XI cricket crown
CBHS claim another Gillette Cup 1st XI cricket crown
Christchurch Boys’ High School have returned to the pinnacle of 1st XI cricket in New Zealand by claiming the Gillette Cup for the 11th time since the competition began in 1990.
Netflix series boosts city chess club
Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit gives Christchurch chess club big boost
A fictional seven-episode Netflix drama has been a game changer for the Canterbury Chess Club, which has seen a big increase in numbers - and people using the Sicilian Defence.
City angle in classic rags-to-riches production
Cinderella comes to life with 'huge, beautiful and sparkling' ball gown
A grateful Cinderella - aka What Now presenter Erin Wells - has had her costume fitting for the upcoming pantomime set in the mythical village of Hay Hoon, south of Addingtoon, Hilmortoon and Spreydoon.
Old league mates toast Ged Stokes
Old mates toast Ged Stokes' who passed away at his Christchurch home this week
Ged Stokes' former league teammates caught up at a Christchurch pub recently to talk about the glory days and, in a way, toast the late former Kiwis prop and father of England cricket star Ben.
From the chalkboard to coaching future Black Caps
From the chalkboard to coaching future Black Caps: Shirley Boys' teacher retires after 42 years
A 42-year teaching stint at Shirley Boys’ High School enabled Steve Garland - who retires this week - to help shape the careers of several future Black Caps.
Dutch solution urged to counter flooding risk
'You can’t just keep building sea walls': Dutch solution urged to counter Christchurch flooding risk
Christchurch must consider replicating flood prevention measures pioneered in Holland as homeowners in coastal suburbs risk massive insurance hikes to safeguard their properties.
The big bet that went to the dogs
The big Christchurch bet that went to the dogs
A high-rolling Christchurch punter experienced the vagaries of betting when he made New Zealand’s biggest wager on greyhounds this year at Addington - and lost.
Judy’s bid to be ‘fastest’ to 100 marathons
Judy’s bid to be ‘fastest’ to 100 marathons: ‘I’d crawl to the end, I want that bling’
A Christchurch marathon runner is two certified race finishes - or 84.39km - away from reaching the 100 marathon milestone.
Rams sign another star on the comeback trail from injury
Rams sign another star on the comeback trail from injury
The Canterbury Rams have re-signed a second player on the comeback trail from injury, with Joe Cook-Green joining Jack Salt in targeting a return to the NBL in 2021.
Cricket still holds appeal for umpire
Milestone: Cricket still holds appeal for Chch umpire who officiated 500th game
Long-standing is an apt means of describing veteran cricket umpire David Stuthridge - he has spent countless hours positioned at the bowlers end or square leg.
Legal aid bill almost $200k
Legal aid bill for convicted murderer cost almost $200k
Taxpayers have forked out almost $200,000 to fund the convicted murderer of a Christchurch sex worker’s failed bid for freedom, sparking outrage from a victims’ advocacy group.
Life with Highland dancing no short fling
Life with Highland dancing no short fling: ‘I’m always there to be called upon if needed’
Colleen Cole started Highland dancing as a five-year-old and 76 years later she is still immersed in a quintessentially Scottish passion in Christchurch.
Hostels face first summer without backpackers, closures likely
Hostels face first summer without backpackers, closures likely
Backpackers often lead a hand-to-mouth existence - and now the hostels that accommodate them in Christchurch are facing a similar predicament with closures likely.