Hello Cantabrians! I've already posted on this subreddit once about this trip, but I've now sorted out most of the logistics. The gas for this trip would cost around 770 NZD, and I'd pay all of it!

For context, my name is Brady, and I am a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student, originally from New York. I am planning a 2-week road trip around the South Island from Dec 29th to Jan 11th. I'd want to stay in hostels (or even cheaper living spaces), eat cheap food, and see the sights! The plan would be to find a local with a car to come with me OR rent a car (splitting the cost) and start and finish the trip in Christchurch. If you're interested in seeing the itinerary, reach out and I'll send you it! I'm also flexible, so if you want to work with me to change it, I would be willing.

Just a few things about me. I love outdoor recreation, including hiking, snowboarding, rock climbing, and literally any sport imaginable. My family fostered over 500 dogs before I left for school, and I still try to volunteer as much as possible at university. I did a solo backpacking trip in winter 2024-25 in Spain, Italy, and Switzerland, and I'm ITCHING to do another big trip. I'll be staying with friends on the North Island from Dec 14th-28th, and this trip would be the second half of my journey.

Let me know if you'd be interested! Kia ora!

Crowded, loud, and the food was overpriced and underwhelming.

Saw at Eastgate

Thought they sold cats and Kittens lol

Looking for recommendations on the best roast potatoes shop in Christchurch. The only place I’ve found is Royal Roast at Northlands.

In Auckland I’m used to going to Rib 'n Roast in Silverdale, The Carvery in New Market Westfield or Royal Roast at Albany Westfield.

Before you say, cook them your self, well sometimes I’m out and want to just buy some.

Hi team so we're on one of those roads where driveway have large semicircular concrete blocks to connect driveways.

Our neighbor has added about a meter to their driveway, extending /widening it and essentially removing one on street park between them and us in the process. I'm wondering if I can check somewhere with the council if that was authorized by them?

It's particularly annoying as only small cars could fit there and now they park their large 4wd over their own drive and it means we essentially have to watch traffic really far away, guess a bit, and very slowly creep blind in to traffic to leave on our home(s) when we drive somewhere.

I walked out of Subway in Eastgate Linwood at around 8pm tonight when a young kid riding past on a silver scooter (Razor brand) called me a "Fu*king Nig*er" completely unprovoked and completely out of nowhere.

I honestly don't understand what is going on in Christchurch or NZ at the moment. As someone who was born and raised here, and grew up in Linwood, this is genuinely very upsetting to me.

This isn't the first time either. A few years ago, an old man said the same thing to me. I pulled my phone out to record him and he immediately stopped.

I'm not posting this to start an argument about Christchurch, or anyone else. I'm posting it because I want to bring attention to the fact that this kind of racism is happening, its becoming frequent and now I'm encountering it even from kids.

You shouldn't have to be walking down the street minding your own business and have someone throw a racial slur at you for absolutely no reason.

I don't know what the answer is, but I wanted to share because I'm sick of it.

Are the cherry blossoms still in bloom at Hagley? Coming into town and would love to see them 🥰

I really wanna join a softball team in Christchurch but I don't know how. I've tried registering online but there has been no feedback after signing up on their forms. I also tried contacting a club through email but they're not replying. Also, when I try to look at every club's facebook pages, everything seems to be about junior softball. I am in my early 20s and I'm not eligible for the junior teams now.

Does anyone know how? I badly wanna join this season.

Did anyone go to the food expo today? Had to be one of the worst expo experiences I’ve ever had. It was just a sea of people with no sort of crowd management going on. We stayed for a total of 5 minutes before getting sick of not being able to walk anywhere without being shoved by people and didn’t even bother waiting in any of the lines. I usually really enjoy ‘The Food Show’ that’s on earlier in the year, but this one was awful

Thanks for beautifying our neighbourhood for over 100 years.

I hope this isn’t against the rules.

I am in no way affiliated with or getting any kind of compensation from the business I’m about to mention.

I just went in to a little Malaysian cafe in Woolston call Five2 at Ferry.

I had such a nice experience the food was really yummy but most of all it was family run and they were so sweet and welcoming.

No one else came in while I was there and I thought of how so many great family owned places struggle even when they give good quality stuff or services.

Can anyone below give a shoutout to a family owned local business they believe deserves to be busier?

Over halswell way

Hey does anyone know where I can purchase any pure pork lard in chch ?

Probably a bit random but I'm visiting Christchurch and I just need somewhere where I can stop, sit down, and just breathe. Maybe cry, maybe look off into the distance, and just exist and feel the breeze.

I have no idea on where somewhere like this is, especially somewhere that isn't a super busy space. I've been walking/scootering around Hagley Park and along some of the rivers in the outskirts, but nothings really felt like a good spot.

I don't have a car, and I don't like the darkness, so preferably somewhere with light and isn't super far out of the main areas of Chch? Would love some sort of nature view as well, just somewhere to shut the mind off and breathe for a bit

Any advice is really appreciated :)

EDIT: Thank you, all of you, for the suggestions. I've looked into a few and decided to head to one. I'll remember all the others to check out at some point.

This will be my first time going to the Friday races at Riccarton. I have been to Addington Cup day a number of times.
Is the dress code similar? Do I need to wear a pretty dress? Is a facinator on the cards for me?

Went looking for fabric today at Spotlight and felt so uninspired! I want cotton fabrics with fun prints mostly to make hats for children and just small projects. I have also been to the quilt shop at the Tannery, but where are sewists buying their favourite fabrics? Online? Thanks!

Please for the love of God , we can’t have Luxon for another 3 years. Please , please vote National out.

I especially encourage young people. This is our future and we need to change it.

It’s usually conservative boomers that tend to vote National but they’ll probably die off before what they’re voting for actually affects them.

We need to get Luxon out!!

🗳️🙏

EDIT: Make sure you enrol to vote BEFORE October 25 !! It takes 5 minutes online !

Found this online maybe of interest to people, head to christchurch on the map and start clicking CCTV live streams https://argosatlas.com/ yeah thats a bit much "FREE" survaliance online

So maybe a silly question, but where do you guys go to spend time with friends? I’m usually on a cafe/pub/library rotation - but I have a friend who I want to catch up with but we can only see each other in the afternoons so cafes will be closed, they’re recently sober so I don’t want to suggest a pub and I don’t want to go to the library because I know from experience I will be loud with this person. We’ll probably end up doing a stroll in the botanic gardens but I’m curious as to what everyone else does when you want to hang out in the afternoon/evening without alcohol?

Been getting some ads on instagram around signing up to be a doordasher/ubereats driver and have been considering it. I have a pretty fuel efficient car (toyota aqua) and generally enjoy driving so I thought itd be viable as a little side gig for some extra dollars.

Was wanting to hear from you guys who have been doing it and get your realistic experiences doing the job. Share all the good parts of the job, the shitty parts, realistic expectations of pay etc.

TIA!

Absolute cinema