Under the Pass, Issue 01, October 2026
Welcome to issue 01
from Madie
Welcome to the first edition of Under the Pass, the official Sydenham Markets newsletter!
First off, we want to thank all the vendors and stakeholders who have already been a huge part of this growing community. Getting to know you all over the last few months has been a real pleasure, and we’re always excited to see what you’re cooking up.
The market was born from a drive to build up our food community and create a “third space” where people can feel comfortable, shop local, and see how Christchurch’s food scene thrives on people backing one another.
The Sydenham Underpass has changed a lot over the years, and it’s been incredible to see what the people within it have created. A big shout-out to the building’s OG patron, Benny’s Barber, who set the tone with an epic vibe that the current vendors have since put their own spin on. The space is open Wednesday to Saturday and is home to the original barbershop, an aesthetician, a florist, and all of our permanent food vendors: Papa’s Smashies, Grumpy’s Donuts, Gussy’s Pizza, Two Bros Tacos, Kung Fu Dumplings, and Rollicious’ new venture, Crackling Bánh Mì.
We created the markets because we knew we were onto something special with the underpass and wanted to share the love even further. With an undercover car park uniquely placed under the Durham Street overpass, we couldn’t pass up the chance to give our food truck and food vendor friends a place to park up on dreary winter days, when other markets aren’t running or get cancelled. Now we can’t wait to see what summer holds for our brilliant little spot, with some exciting things in the works!
We all know how hard it can be, and there’s nothing like getting together over great food to feed the soul. We’ve already built a strong community through the markets so far, and we’re keen to grow it even wider and champion the Christchurch food scene far and wide.
Madie
Meet the team
Madie
Co-owner · Grumpy’s Donuts
I’m Madie, one of the two owners of Grumpy’s Donuts, a donut shop inside the Sydenham Underpass. My business partner Iain and I started out doing pop-ups and the market circuit, before we got very lucky with some epic timing and found our first home with a roof at the Underpass.
We were so grateful for the opportunity and jumped on it straight away, but I couldn’t help missing our market community. So I floated the idea of a food market in the car park under the bridge to the others at the Underpass, and here we are today, heading into our ninth market!
Grumpy’s was born from a drive to build community and make hospitality welcoming, fun, and a little bit silly. I’ve been in hospitality since I was 15, and even with a few breaks along the way, I always found my way back. I still can’t believe this is what I get to do every day, and getting to know our foodie community has been a big part of that journey. We’re not just a two-person show: we’ve got a whole village of supporters behind us, and an amazing team who make it all happen.
Ché
Co-owner · Operations Director
Kia ora koutou katoa,
You’re meeting Ché, I am the Operations Director and member of the Sydenham Markets team. We’ve most likely met during a pack-in, or you’ve seen me running around like crazy on a market day sometime over the last six months.
Originally hailing from the Eastern Bay of Plenty, I moved to Ōtautahi just over two years ago and have been blown away by this town and its people. The city itself and the surrounding landscapes are beautiful, and I very much love the unique community events and rich food culture.
The markets to date have been so much fun. Working within our small but exceptional markets crew, I feel we are growing into a tight-knit lil’ community all of our own.
This has been such an amazing opportunity to meet locals, out-of-towners, vendors and other small business owners, and I have massively enjoyed getting to know some fascinating people.
Thanks for coming along and building this space that is the Sydenham Underpass Markets. We couldn’t have done it without you!
He aha te nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
Meri Ngāroto, Te Aupōuri
Zazi
Co-owner · Marketing
Hey, I’m Zazi. You might know me from my food page, @zazi_was_taken, or from running around on market day with a camera.
Making food content and putting on this market are honestly my two favourite things to do, and it’s for the same reason: the people. Between filming vendors and the market every month, I’ve met so many new people and made some amazing friends. Watching a whole community grow under a bridge has been the best part of all of it.
I also run Cerebria AI, where we help businesses get set up with AI, and I look after the marketing here. A lot of my own business gets run by AI now. Yes, I use it a lot, but really what it does is free up my time and my headspace, so I can spend more of it connecting with people. That’s been the real unlock for me.
If you want that for your business too, I can help you do the same. Come say hi on market day.
Josh
Co-owner · Gussy’s Pizza
Kia ora! I’m Josh Robles McGill, and I’m the other slice of Gussy’s Pizza. I started the Sydenham Markets alongside Madie when she had floated the idea of doing something cool with the space that we were both in, and because I’ve always enjoyed bringing people together through great food, local businesses, and community events.
What I love most about the market is the atmosphere: it’s a place where people can catch up with friends, discover something new, support local vendors, and enjoy a relaxed day out. Every market has its own buzz, and it’s rewarding to be part of creating that for the community.
Outside of the market, I’m interested in way too many things, so the hobbies list is a long one, but you can catch me roaming around town and saying hello to some of the usual faces around the hospitality scene. I’m passionate about helping Sydenham Markets continue to grow into a welcoming and vibrant space for stallholders, local organisations, and everyone who comes along.
I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season and seeing more familiar faces, as well as welcoming plenty of new ones, at the market.
We work for you, so if something at the market isn’t working, tell any of us.
Next market: Sunday 25 October
from Ché
Market operations news and updates
To introduce this new section of our monthly newsletter: this is where we’ll address any upcoming changes or evolutions at the market that we’re working on. Alongside operational news, I’ll also be talking about any special events, local happenings, or operational matters that we think will interest you.
We’re keen to use this newsletter as a conduit of connection, to deepen our relationships with our local vendors, community stakeholders and the wider public. The goal is to generate discussion and feedback on how we can keep improving and growing the market.
My role is largely handling venue and vendor operations and requirements, both in the lead-up to and during our market days.
As your point of contact for general operational needs at the Underpass Market, I’m always available for a chat about any queries or ideas for how we can better accommodate our vendors and guests.
We love you guys: our vendors, inner city folk, visitors, and everyone becoming a regular at the Sydenham Underpass Markets. Thanks for joining us once a month to celebrate delicious food, great vibes and local community connection!
Updates for this month’s market
Sunday 25 October 2026, 11am to 7pm, at the Sydenham Underpass, 15 Sandyford Street.
We’re aware there were a few power issues at the last market while we trialled a new setup. We learned a lot, and we have a new power setup sorted for this month.
Make sure we know your power requirements. Confirm in your application or by email how many outlets, what type and how many amps. The deadline is always at least 7 days before the market, so for this one it’s Sunday 18 October.
Do you have a trailer or truck? We’re building up our database with as much info on your setup as possible, to make it easier to site you here and so we can keep our ears open for other opportunities that might suit your offering. We’d love to hear the overall dimensions of your trailer (including the drawbar), and where your service window and doors are.
Book ahead
- Sunday 29 November: our last market of 2026, an early Christmas one.
- No market in December.
- Sunday 31 January: our one year anniversary, a big blowout celebration.
Want to lock in your spot? Just reply to the newsletter email with “book ahead” and the dates you’d like, and we’ll come back to you. New to the market? Apply to be a vendor.
Marketing, with Zazi
from Zazi
This newsletter was designed with AI, but every word in it was written by us. Behind the scenes, a lot of the market runs on AI too: invoicing a whole market used to take five hours. Now it’s ten minutes.
Curious what AI could do for your business? Drop me a DM on Instagram at @zazi_was_taken.
This month: our Instagram is yours
For the two weeks after each market, post a video from your stall and tag @sydenhammarkets or send us a collab, and we’ll reshare the best ones to our 7,000 followers. We check quality before anything goes up, so real footage of you and your food beats an AI poster every time.
What makes a video work
- Show people. You, your team, a customer’s face on the first bite. People stop scrolling for people.
- Get close to the food. The sizzle, the pour, the cheese pull, the steam coming off the box.
- Open on the best bit. The first second decides whether anyone keeps watching.
- Say one thing. What it is and why it’s good, in your own words.
- Keep it short and upright. 10 to 30 seconds, filmed vertical, in good light.
Go hard.
Local happenings
from Josh
What’s on in Christchurch and Canterbury
October is a busy month across Ōtautahi Christchurch and wider Canterbury, with Labour Day approaching, major sport, live entertainment, heritage events and plenty of family-friendly activities on offer.
Holidays and heritage
- Labour Day: Monday 26 October is a public holiday, creating a long weekend for families, visitors and people looking for things to do around Christchurch and Canterbury.
- Christchurch Heritage Festival: Friday 16 October through to Labour Day. Heritage walks, tours, talks, exhibitions, family activities and events across the city, including a substantial programme at The Arts Centre.
Markets and food events
- Halloween Mākete at The Arts Centre: Garden City Market is holding two special Halloween market nights on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October in Market Square.
- Vintage Market at Avebury House: a spring market with stalls, food vendors and live music, a local community-focused option for people looking to support makers and small businesses.
- Parklands Market Day and Car Boot Sale: crafts, homewares, gifts, pre-loved goods and food, bringing together local stallholders and the wider community.
- Hakatere Food Festival, Ashburton: a Mid-Canterbury community food event celebrating culture, food and local connection, with dishes from around the world and family-friendly activities.
Gigs and live entertainment
- The Pearl Fishers: opera at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 October.
- Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival: Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October, showcasing New Zealand fashion, creativity and design across four days in the city.
- Fletch, Vaughan and Hayley, The Genuine Friends Tour: Friday 16 October.
- Greg Davies, Full Fat Legend: Wednesday 21 October.
- Midge Ure, Catalogue: The Hits Tour: Thursday 22 October.
Sport and large events
- Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds: Wednesday 21 October at Wolfbrook Arena, part of the Constellation Cup.
- BLACKCAPS v India T20 Internationals: Thursday 22 and Saturday 24 October at Hagley Oval, 8pm. These matches are likely to bring strong visitor numbers and activity around the city.
- Rugby League World Cup: Sunday 25 October at One NZ Stadium, Kiwi Ferns v France at 4pm and Kiwis v Cook Islands at 6pm. The only World Cup games in New Zealand, on our market day, just down the road. Come eat with us before kick off.
- Black Ferns v France: Saturday 31 October at One NZ Stadium, 7:10pm, a strong finish to a very busy month of major sport.
Cheers, Josh Robles McGill
Notice board
Free for anything non-commercial: staff wanted, gear for sale, lost and found, a community event. Running a community initiative or a local sports team? We’ll give that a free spot too.
Send yours in by Tuesday 10 November for issue 02.
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