PONSONBY NEWS - SEPTEMBER'13

+ PUBLISHED 6 SEPTEMBER, 2013

Established: OCTOBER 1989 – CELEBRATING 22 YEARS OF PUBLISHING HISTORY!

ponsonbynews.co.nz

SEPTEMBER 2013

HERNE BAY RESIDENT ANGELA BEER’S CAMPAIGN TO STOP PARTY PILL TESTING ON ANIMALS - P33 Angela Beer and Shane Carruthers pictured with Dunhill and Georgie

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WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH

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P36; The draft PONSONBY ROAD MASTERPLAN has been developed though a unique, collaborative process made up of Waitemata Local Board members, the Ponsonby Business Association, community organisations, stakeholders and mana whenua representatives. P42; NOM*D wowed the crowd at Golden Dawn at THE MARR FACTORY show last month.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD NIKKI KAYE, AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS MIKE LEE: LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND COVER STORY DRAFT PONSONBY ROAD MASTER PLAN

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PIPPA COOM: GREY LYNN 2030 U3A PONSONBY FASHION + STYLE ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE GAEL BALDOCK: STYLE, NOT FASHION EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY LAURAINE JACOBS: THE SEASONED PALATE PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY LIVING, THINKING + BEING

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SHEENA SHUVANI: STARDUST ASTROLOGY JOHN APPLETON ON HEALTH PONSONBY PEOPLE & THEIR PETS FUTURE GENERATION SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY LOOK WHO IS IN THE ZOO HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS STREET NAMES ARTS + CULTURE PONSONBY PINK PAGES COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Michael McClintock

PONSONBY NEWS+ is published monthly, excluding January by ALCHEMY MEDIA LIMITED, 11/386 RICHMOND ROAD, GREY LYNN POSTAL: P.O. BOX 47-282 Ponsonby, Auckland 1144. www.ponsonbynews.co.nz T: 09 378 8553 or 09 361 3356 Editor/Publisher Associate Publisher & Ad Manager Deputy Editor Business Development Manager Operations Manager Contributing Fashion Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Proof Readers Layout Designer Designer

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MARTIN LEACH; M: 021 771 147; E: martinleach@xtra.co.nz or martin@ponsonbynews.co.nz JO BARRETT; M: 021 324 510; E: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz JAY PLATT; M: 021 771 146; E: jayplatt@xtra.co.nz or jay@ponsonbynews.co.nz INGER KITE; M: 027 267 2775; E: ingerkite@xtra.co.nz GWYNNE DAVENPORT; M: 021 150 4095; E: ponsonbynews@xtra.co.nz JULIE ROULSTON; M: 027 211 7169; E: julie@ponsonbynews.co.nz PRINTED BY DEIRDRE TOHILL; M: 021 261 8439; E: deir42@vodafone.co.nz WEBSTAR, JOHN ELLIOTT; M: 021 879 054; E: johnelliott@ihug.co.nz AUCKLAND. ISSN 1177-3987 RICHARD GRAVENOR; JESSIE KOLLEN ARNA MARTIN; E: arna@cocodesign.co.nz MELISSA PAYNTER; E: melissapaynter@me.com

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LETTERS + EMAILS

Views in Ponsonby News reflect the author’s, and not those of Alchemy Media.

www.twitter.com/Ponsonby_News

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO info@ponsonbynews.co.nz Waterfront Auckland response to Charlotte Fisher PN article from July 2013 I want to set the record straight regarding an article that featured in July’s issue about the development of Wynyard Point, the area affectionately known to locals as the Tank Farm. In my role as the chairman of Waterfront Auckland, the organisation tasked with the revitalisation of the central city waterfront, the responsibility of the future of this area falls to me and my team. I was concerned that Charlotte Fisher writes about Waterfront Auckland privatising public space for generations to come. Our track record of opening up the water’s edge to Aucklanders to date is testament that her take on things couldn’t be further from the truth.

A clear part of our vision and mandate as an organisation is to re-connect Aucklanders with their waterfront and this is exactly what we are doing and what we will continue to do. Ask any Aucklander who’s visited their waterfront in the last two years and the overwhelming feedback is that this is exactly the sort of thing they’ve been calling out for years - a quality urban realm designed with people in mind.

Contrary to what Ms Fisher would have you believe, the next few years will in fact be packed with the creation of more public space including 4.5 hectares on Wynyard Point at the Tank Farm as part of integrated development with apartments and an iconic building. We’re the first to accept that Waterfront Auckland shouldn’t be the sole arbiter as to how the area develops. Its location is too important, too precious and has so much potential to reflect our aspirations as a city and a nation.

We will shortly be beginning the process for engagement with Aucklanders and corralling the multitude of voices to be heard on what happens on Wynyard Point once the bloody tanks, as Ms Fisher calls them, are removed. Planning for Wynyard Point will be based on the principles of a people-focused, place based, design lead approach and it will draw on local knowledge of the geographical context of the site and the needs and desires of Aucklanders in the first instance.

We will not rush a process of this significance. We will begin early discussions around the future of the site at the end of the year.

These are exciting times for Auckland, we have a central government who has seen the light when it comes to the city’s infrastructure needs and we finally have an agency with a focus on unleashing the potential of one our biggest assets - our waterfront. It’s time to look ahead with optimism; our waterfront is not on the slow path to privatisation some would have us believe.

Development of Wynyard Point will be widely publicised and there will be many opportunities for the public to participate. Watch this space!

SIR BOB HARVEY, Chairman, Waterfront Auckland Public spaces on the waterfront Since 2011, Waterfront Auckland has opened up 2.4 hectares of public open space on Queens Wharf, 1 hectare of public open space on Halsey Street wharf, 0.7 of public space on North Wharf, Karanga Plaza and the giant steps into the water, a hugely popular and unique playspace, a reflection pond for a piece of public art that becomes a public paddling pool in summer, Silo Park - the venue for free outdoor movies on summertime Friday nights and a new “Heritage Landing” wharf where people can see the finest heritage yachts.

David Hartnell’s New ‘Hollywood Babylon’ Column Just a short word to say even though I live in Birkenhead Point I love the Ponsonby News. I also loved David Hartnell’s column about Marilyn Monroe’s 21 secrets. As I am a Marilyn fan it was great to read bits about her that haven’t been published before in print and David does it so well! More please! Keep up the good work.

CHRISTINA WINDRAM, Birkenhead Point Wonderful Dinner at Joy Bong Thai I just wanted to tell you that my partner had a wonderful dinner at Joy Bong Thai to celebrate his 40th. We loved reading about the new Joy Bong in Ponsonby News a few months back and it inspired us to try the restaurant. Thank you Ponsonby News.

JANE SMITH, Grey Lynn Ross Thorby ‘Sea Fever’ Column Just a quick email just to tell you how much we have enjoyed Ross Thorby’s column on cruising. We have been thinking of dipping our toes into trying a cruise for some time now and it has spurred us into booking our first cruise. Ross should be pleased… it’s with CUNARD! Thanks again for your wonderful mag, it gets better and better and we will be sure to take a copy with us on our trip for any photo opportunities!

CHRISTINE SMITH, Herne Bay Thank you from Arch Hill Residents Arch Hill and Grey Lynn residents wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you to all the dedicated residents who stood out on the street counting traffic for our data gathering. Pravin, our traffic engineer, said the work was first rate and very valuable. All your efforts were greatly appreciated.

An update on the hearing and the professional team representing us; we have not yet received notice of the hearing date from Council which means it will not be before the middle of September at the very earliest. John Burns, our lawyer has had to hand over his work as he has become overcommitted. We are very grateful to him for all his advice and for the fact that he chose not to charge us for the work he has done to date!

We now have a new lawyer on board who is in the process of getting all geared up and ready to go. His name is Alan Webb and he is from the company Quay Chambers.

Alan comes to us on recommendation from our expert planner, Brian Putt, and has a strong interest in community led initiatives. Our fundraising efforts have raised a total of $3730 to date. If you have forgotten or need to break up your contribution into instalments, that is ok. Here is the account number again. Arch Hill Residents Inc 38-9014-0148242-01. We really need you!

Finally, exciting news... a date has been set for our Community Street Party (to be held in Dean Street directly behind the Summit shirt factory). Save the date for the afternoon of Sunday 22 September, midday till 4pm. This is a family friendly event with music, yummy food, amazing quickfire raffles, a book stall, a good old fashioned cake stall, candy floss and best of all - YOU! Thanks all for your support.

SUE LYONS, Arch Hill

Over the next six months work gets underway on a 2 km public promenade and cycleway around Westhaven Marina which will connect pedestrians and cyclists to the Wynyard Quarter at Daldy Street, a soon-to-be-opened boulevard which, at 38m wide, will include a slow-speed road, but will be dominated by green space, pathways and sculptured lawns along its edges.

David Hartnell’s New Column Keep up the great work with the Ponsonby News, you and your team do a great job.

I have always been a fan of David Hartnell and have read and listened to him on both radio and TV for many years. I loved his Marilyn Monroe 21 questions in the last issue.

I hope his show business column is going to be a regular.

LINDA STOPFORTH, by email

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FROM THE EDITOR

LIKE US! www.facebook.com/ponsonbynews NEXT MONTH, VOTING CLOSES ON 12 OCTOBER FOR THE LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS. Voters have 17 choices for mayor, with incumbent Len Brown a short price favourite to win again. Most of the 17 are unknowns, although most people will know veteran activists John Minto and Penny Bright. The right’s best chance is probably John Palino, a little-known American.

photography: Lincoln Davies

Councillor Mike Lee faces five rivals for the one council seat in the Waitemata Ward - the home of most Ponsonby News readers. The most serious challenge to Lee is likely to come from Independent Centrist, Greg Moyle, a current Waitemata Local Board member.

Please remember to have your vote. It’s important for the future of our city - P20.

I am very proud to feature Herne Bay residents, Angela Beer and Shane Carruthers on our front cover this month. Angela’s ‘Stop Party Pills being tested on animals’ campaign has gone nationwide - P33.

It’s amazing the affect a holiday has on the mind, body and spirit. A week’s break in Bali, last month with daily yoga, massage and Tai Chi was enough to get my mojo back. Both Jay and I have suffered poor health during the past 18 months, so seven nights at Maya Resort and Spa in Ubud was just what the doctor ordered - P82.

Recipients of the recent Mercy Hospice Newsletter will have read about my clothing and magazine donations to 300 on Ponsonby. This month, my colleague, Jo and my partner Jay, are photographed outside their shop window, which featured an old Comme des Garçons jacket and Voyage waistcoat, which I haven’t worn in years. They are calling for donations, so now would be as good a time as any to sift through your wardrobes and drawers and donate to this very worthwhile charity - P100.

My dear mum always cautioned me to never discuss religion or politics, which was once quite sensible advice. However, in my work, I need to have relationships with EVERYONE. Last month, I invited Cabinet Minister and Auckland Central MP, the Honourable Nikki Kaye to afternoon tea. It was 4pm on a Sunday and I’d been to watch the NZ Falcons down at Cox’s Bay when the heavens opened and it poured with rain. I also invited Meredith Lee and Jillian Bashford, the Grey Lynn antique “mafia”… our special guests, that afternoon were an Iranian couple, Bahman Bahmanpour and Farah Farahani, the owners of Rug Direct in Wairau Park. Despite the weather, I’ve not enjoyed myself as

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much in ages, nor have I ever seen a more excited face as Bahman’s, as he clearly regarded Miss Kaye as “political royalty” - P114.

Observant readers will notice our anti Bunnings campaign in this issue. We’ll keep saying it until we’re blue in the face. We do not want or need a “Big Box” development in Arch Hill.

Every September, the city comes alive with fashionistas with New Zealand Fashion Week.

This month, we have a very Ponsonby show on Saturday, 7 September. It kicks off at 12.30pm with Andrea Moore, Kingan Jones, Taylor and Storm.

As this issue goes to press, Ponsonby Road icon Peter Taylor is about to complete his final performance with his ‘Evening with’ show. I will be reporting on this in our October issue. My break in Bali has given me the chance to think. I am delighted to announce we will be launching LAVENDER, a new quarterly magazine next year, also next year we will be repeating Ponsonby’s Top 10 Entrepreneur Awards. Watch this space.

(MARTIN LEACH) F PN

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DAVID HARTNELL’S: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW

Andrew Whiteside Andrew Whiteside is a TV presenter and writer who lives in Newton.

What was your childhood like?

Full of imagination and daydreaming - so much so that I think the other kids thought I was very, very odd. I grew up in a rundown factory town but fortunately missed out on having to go “down the mines.”

Most annoying celebrity today?

Ben Affleck - he’s not annoying, but he’s annoyed me by portraying New Zealand badly and wrongly in Argo.

Would you ever consider having Botox?

Never! The thought of regular needles in my face freaks me out. I’m happy to grow old disgracefully.

On reflection, what was it like being one of the original presenters on the first ever gay TVNZ program?

A fantastic experience and though it was a very hard thing to do at times, I am very proud that I was with it for nine years and that a generation of gay kids grew up watching it.

Best movie you’ve ever seen?

Shirley Valentine - the story of a working class mother who goes on a fantasy trip to Greece. It reminded me so much of the marriages of my parents and their generation.

The last time you cried?

A few weeks ago, dealing with my father who has severe dementia. I’m a great believer in men crying - great way to cleanse the soul.

Give your teenaged self some advice?

Stop worrying about what people think of you, and make sure you keep moisturising, I’ll thank you for it later.

P.S. - thank you.

Your favourite book?

It has to be The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I bought it when I was five years old, and I have never forgotten the magical spell it had on me.

Any acting aspirations?

Long ago in school and late teens, but I suffered so badly from performance anxiety I gave it away.

What gizmo can you simply not live without?

My iPad! I’ve never read as many magazines or books as I have with it - it’s my new BFF. What is your greatest weakness/indulgence?

I cannot leave a box of chocolate biscuits alone - I hear them calling to me.

A handshake, hug or cheek-kiss kind of person?

All three depending on the person and situation, but I’m definitely not a kiss on the lips guy unless I really like you!

Favourite season?

Autumn in New Zealand, as we usually have the best weather.

How would you like to be remembered?

I don’t mind if I’m not, and I certainly don’t want to waste space by having a grave. Just cremate me when I’m gone and use the ashes on the rose bushes.

Favourite time of the day?

The morning just before sunrise - the day is just beginning, and while I may have a plan for it, I don’t truly know what is coming.

What CD would you take to a desert island?

Diana Ross and the Supremes.

What are you insecure about?

Trying to create answers to questions about my life!

Something that you really disapprove of?

Bars and restaurants, that still don’t prevent cigarette smoke from entering their premises.

Something very few people know about you?

I have a piercing somewhere on my body below my navel.

Describe your first pet?

Ok. Here goes. I had a very large chicken and her name was Samantha. Yes, I named her.

Your greatest fear?

Finding myself naked on a bus since that’s been the most consistent dream over my life time.

How do you take your coffee?

I can’t stand coffee, but love green tea with fresh lemon juice and grated ginger.

Your favourite hero of fiction?

Dare I say it: Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice.

A woman not willing to be constrained by society’s mores and hierarchies. Am I gay or what?

Travel light or heavy?

Nowadays, I travel light, but when I was a lot younger I packed everything I might need, including, dare I say it, an iron.

Change one thing about yourself what would it be?

My dress sense!

If you could change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be?

To go back to giving us 10 year passports! It’s really annoying to have to change them every four and a half years. (DAVID HARTNELL) F PN

A million dollars, what is the first thing you would do?

Book into a health spa in a tropical location for a month, eat healthy food and drink water with lemon juice in it every day. Either that or go on a massive shopping spree.

What motivates you?

When there is a constant stream of bad news in the media, I am motivated and reassured by witnessing the incredible creativity and positive things that human beings are capable of in all fields of endeavor: sport, science, innovation, and humanitarian acts.

What happens when we die?

I think we cease to exist completely - a hard thing to accept, but I just don’t think heaven and hell or concepts in between really exist.

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Which living person do you most admire?

Queen Elizabeth the Second. She has devoted herself to serving her country all her life and has done it remarkably well. Basically I can’t resist an old queen.

Your dream guest list for a dinner party?

Jamie Oliver - so he can actually cook the meal. Michael Bublé - to provide some entertainment. Michio Kaku so I can ask him to explain physics to me in plain English.

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SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD REPORT THE SPRING BULBS IN SYMONDS Street Cemetery signal to us all that spring is here. Community and Friends of the Cemetery volunteers, including myself and other local board members spent some pleasant hours planting them a few weeks back. The bulbs are gifts that will keep on giving over future springs.

While the community and the local board work to upgrade the cemetery after years of neglect, and rehabilitate it after the Jewish section of the cemetery was sadly recently desecrated by vandals, it is a pity that the non-elected CCO ATEED has set back the cemetery’s reputation by giving carte blanche to a private company to film there.

I was contacted by rightly upset members of the Jewish community who found a film crew had jumped over the fenced-off Jewish section and were filming macabre sculls, skeletons and banners they had placed adorning gravesites without the knowledge of the local board, council’s park rangers or the Jewish community who cares for their section of the cemetery. ATEED without the local board’s knowledge or agreement has given a profit driven organisation the right to “facilitate and permit filming activity that takes place on public open space”. The private company have a delegation that was “given” to the company by the CCO under the public places bylaw without any democratic due process.

The point is that the Waitemata Local Board is “Council” and has not delegated any landowner consent. The CCO has behind closed doors usurped a council delegation without our knowledge or agreement and allowed a profit driven private company to ride roughshod over the sensibilities of our former city fathers and mothers.

Auckland University of Technology ran a well-attended public seminar “Is the Supercity Working” last month and the role of CCOs is rightly under the microscope. Without democratic accountability they gather more influence and

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power that previously was open to public scrutiny.

Public open space is being short changed as CCOs increasingly use public open space for commercial gain. You can be assured that we as your local board intend to bring them to account, but it is sadly often after the fact when the CCOs “stuff up” that I am alerted to the private deals.

Council is presently finalising its response to the huge feedback it has received on the draft unitary plan, and preparing for notification. The local board believes this process has been too fast-tracked, but has nevertheless been reflecting on your views, and determining the important issues for our communities from your feedback as we have read them. We have had considerable input at all of council and planning officer workshops to ensure your input is reflected in amended proposals, to the extent consistent with the Auckland Plan’s vision for a compact city.

You will see some significant changes to the final plan from the earlier draft. Examples of the more specific changes you will see, in addition to those that you may have read in the media that many of you will be interested to hear are:

Thirdly, clarification that the volcanic cone view shafts over much of Newmarket trumps the standard height of a Metropolitan Centre meaning that 18 story buildings are not possible in much if not all of Newmarket.

There also remained some significant issues for resolution, especially for Grey Lynn and Westmere, and in the City Centre; the Wynyard Quarter and for heritage and character protection of our communities, and these were the subject of on-going active discussion between the local board, governing body and council officers. These will now have been resolved by the time you read this.

When you receive your ballot papers in the local election later this month, local board member Jesse Chalmers will not be amongst the names for re-election on the City Vision ticket.

First, a down zoning of the Herne Bay and Parnell coastlines from the more intensive Terraced Housing and Apartment zone to the lower Mixed Housing zone, effectively the status quo of the current zoning for those communities.

Jesse has shifted to West Auckland and we will deeply miss her sharp and political mind, and frankly unique set of significant skills for such a young community leader.

The new Myers Park amongst other projects will proudly stand as one of her legacies. Our loss will hopefully be the West’s gain. (SHALE CHAMBERS) F PN

Secondly, the removal of the proposed Tertiary Overlay over historic privately owned residential houses in Grafton.

Contact me: shale.chambers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP

Better protecting vulnerable children THERE ARE MANY THINGS WE CAN BE PROUD OF AS NEW Zealanders. However, for decades there have been too many cases where Kiwi children have been abused or have died - frequently at the hands of close relatives. All too often we see heart-breaking pictures of little ones on the front of the paper who have suffered at the hands of the people who were entrusted to care for them.

Some people will say that ultimately the responsibility for these crimes lie with those who commit them. This is true, and people convicted of these crimes deserve the full force of the law. However, what is also true is that when you analyse many of these cases either a person, or an organisation, had a warning that something was not quite right.

Through my work as the MP for Auckland Central I have met people who have been abused. Often they have been severely affected by the abuse, with most saying it has affected their relationships or resulted in depression and suicidal thoughts. People in our community have been asking for some time for more to be done to protect vulnerable children, to either stop abuse or save lives.

Recently, we announced a package of laws and policies

to better protect these children. They need our help.

Already there are additional social workers in schools and hospitals - including here in central Auckland - along with increased funding and services for children in care.

We have also introduced Children’s Teams to work with at-risk children.

Last month the Minister of Social Development, Paula Bennett announced she is introducing new, tough legislation to deliver better government accountability, better vetting and screening of people working with children, and better guardianship and protection laws. The heads of the Ministry of Social Development, Education, Health, Justice, and the Police will be accountable, with new responsibilities and child protection policies, which will have a direct impact on every frontline worker.

Any person working for the government with children will be screened and vetted. This will affect around 376,000 workers. People with serious convictions will be permanently restricted from working closely with children. For those who abuse children, we are also introducing Child Harm Prevention Orders. These orders can be placed on adults who pose a serious risk to children, to prevent them from interacting with children.

Many people in our community have also expressed concern when abusive parents go on to have further children. Under the new law, these parents will have to prove they are fit parents, or their baby will be removed.

Currently, the State has to prove the new-born baby is in danger, which can put innocent young lives at risk. The courts will also have the ability to step in and restrict guardianship rights of birth parents in extreme cases, so abusive parents who have had their children removed cannot disrupt the children’s new, safe, and stable home with Home for Life carers. While these measures are tough, they are long overdue. We are committed to creating safer environments for our children, to help each and every one of them thrive and access every opportunity available. Sadly some children have never had that chance. While some of these changes are tough, I believe this is about saving lives and standing up for some of our most vulnerable children.

(NIKKI KAYE) F PN HON NIKKI KAYE, MP for Auckland Central www.nikkikaye.co.nz

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Nominations Have Closed THE TIMETABLE Voting documents sent out - 20 September Election Day - 12 October-voting closes at noon The vote is postal-post your votes in good time before 12 October THE CANDIDATES Mayor Voters have 17 choices for mayor, with incumbent Len Brown a short price favourite to win again. Most of the 17 are unknowns, although most people will know veteran activists John Minto and Penny Bright. The right’s best chance is probably John Palino, a little-known American.

Prediction - An easy win for Len Brown Waitemata Ward Councillor Sitting left leaning Councillor Mike Lee faces five rivals for the one council seat in the Waitemata Ward - the home of most Ponsonby News readers. The most serious challenge to Lee is likely to come from Independent Centrist, Greg Moyle, a current Waitemata Local Board member. Waitemata Ward has gentrified steadily in the last few years, allowing National’s Nikki Kaye to win Auckland Central, so this should give Greg Moyle a good shot at it. Moyle was a city councillor on the old Auckland City Council, chairing the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, and has experience as current chairman of the Mount Albert Grammar School Board of Trustees.

Shale Chambers - yes.

Yes, a unified Auckland with an agreed Auckland Plan needs a single planning rule book. The challenge for our inner city communities is to get a better balance between preservation of our heritage and character and quality intensification, all aimed at providing more housing choices for Aucklanders.

Christopher Dempsey - yes.

But the power context of plan is highly political and sells everybody short regardless.

Genuine collaborative processes without naked capitalism is best for ourselves and our children. I want a liveable city, not a soulless city that services profitable greed.

Charlotte Fisher - yes.

I support the unitary plan in so far as the plan works to enable Auckland’s communities to grow and thrive. A plan must serve the needs of residents and business people and visitors. A plan is not put in place for developers or the National Government, it is about communities, and the process so far has been very lively.

Gerry Hill - yes.

With so many submissions it’s time to taihoa. People have legitimate concerns. Open rebellion has occurred. Council continues rolling along like a panzer division. Council employees have refused to release documents to elected councillors - that must stop.

I say no. Democracy must take its course and people will be served.

Fellow board member Rob Thomas is campaigning hard, knocking on thousands of doors. Thomas has worked hard on the board, but he may be seen as too young and inexperienced to unseat Lee, or to beat Moyle. The other three candidates, including sculptor Charlotte Fisher, are expected to have little chance.

Russell Hoban - yes.

I support this planning within its full estimated three year submission-notified-appeal process. My issues: 1. Adequate infrastructure support, 2. Protection of existing heritage and residential amenity, 3. Danger of central government interference and 4. Ensuring full council design/standard control of apartments/terrace housing.

Mike Lee has been an outspoken advocate for the protection of historic heritage in our city’s oldest suburbs. In a New Zealand Herald performance survey of councillors, Mike was one of only two to be awarded an “A”. The New Zealand Herald called Mike Lee, “The former ARC chairman is a political heavyweight - who leaves people in no doubt where he stands.” Lee is a strong supporter of retaining public ownership of our public assets, and calls for a “no surprises” agreement with the people of Auckland over planning and development.

Kris MacPherson - yes.

Auckland’s unitary plan sets out development rules. Important. We need confidence it will achieve high quality outcomes - that takes time and dialogue. Developments’ effects on communities should be assessed. The colonial heritage must be robustly protected.

As a designer I know liveability can only be achieved through safe, inclusive streets.

Greg Moyle supports the need for the unitary plan to manage future growth, but says it must not adversely affect private property rights. Moyle says we need to “make haste more slowly.” He is critical of secrecy and haste with regard to the plan’s development.

Among Moyle’s policy planks are support for a second (tunnel) harbour crossing for rail and commercial vehicles, rates relief for heritage property owners, and a CBD 30,000 seat indoor sports stadium.

Prediction - Mike Lee to hold on.

Waitemata Local Board 20 candidates for seven seats This is the real grass roots election. Six of the current board members - Shale Chambers, Pippa Coom, Christopher Dempsey, and Tricia Reade (all four are City Vision candidates), Greg Moyle, headlining a Team Waitemata this time, and Rob Thomas, an independent.

City Vision has put up three new candidates - Russell Hoban, Vernon Tava, and Deborah Yates. Little is known about Greg Moyle’s Team Waitemata candidates Mark Beckett, Mark Davey, Peter Meads and Beth O’Loughlin.

Of the rest of the 20, Gerry Hill, co-owner of the Ponsonby Art Hotel and a heritage lover, is well-known in Ponsonby, and has a genuine chance. Allan Matson, another heritage advocate, is standing again. Charlotte Fisher, local award-winning sculptor, is a new candidate.

Ponsonby News asked candidates to say whether they supported the council’s draft/proposed unitary plan - Yes or No - and to write a short explanation of their stance. Not all candidates had time to respond. Those who did, have their responses below.

Pippa Coom - yes.

I support one planning rule book for Auckland that provides the tools to implement the Auckland Plan and manages growth appropriately. The current district plan is doing a poor job of protecting heritage, encouraging quality design and creating housing affordability.

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Deborah Yates - yes.

Moving from sprawling town to city is inevitable and exciting. But it’s more than just buildings and roads. It’s about learning to live equitably in closer proximity while treasuring our natural environment and heritage. The plan is an opportunity to work collectively and wisely to shape our future.

Tricia Reade - yes.

I support the unitary plan, key to delivering the Auckland Plan and affordable housing choice. BUT priorities are: protection of heritage, assessment of character heritage before any up-zoning to terraced/mixed housing/apartments; well designed, energyefficient apartments with active streetscapes; infrastructure upgrade balanced with intensification; a slower process to consider our communities’ concerns.

Team Waitemata - gave a joint statement; Greg Moyle, Peter Meads, Beth O’Loughlin, Mark Davey, Mark Beckett - yes.

There is a need for a unified regulatory plan for all of Auckland which reflects the community’s aspirations and enables the effective management of future growth and development in the region. The draft plan falls short - due process has not occurred - e.g. costs, benefits, and alternatives, for example how and where we will accommodate the increased population.

Team Waitemata opposes the speed up which aims to have the Plan notified prior to the October 2013 election. There should be a more pragmatic and robust process given the significance of the changes to Aucklanders, and the millions of dollars being spent on the development of the new plan.

Vernon Tava - yes.

I support the unitary plan and its completion within the estimated three-year timeframe for notifications and appeals. My concerns are adequate investment in infrastructure, proper provision of walking and cycling options, maintenance of existing heritage protections, and careful oversight of design and standard control of new dwellings.

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L to R: Pippa Coom; Shale Chambers; Christopher Dempsey; Charlotte Fisher

L to R: Gerry Hill; Russell Hoban; Kris MacPherson; Deborah Yates

L to R: Tricia Reade; Greg Moyle; Vernon Tava; Rob Thomas Rob Thomas - yes.

I support that Auckland needs a single planning template, that’s very logical. However, I don’t agree that we should be creating more urban sprawl with another 170,000 households on the green belt of the city. I’m supportive of the 1940s character overlay for our neighbourhoods and maintaining the volcanic view-shafts in Newmarket.

Who to vote for? Up to seven candidates Most of the candidates have phone and email contact, so get in touch and ask them for their policy on your favourite issues. Otherwise it’s like “pin the tail” on the donkey, with

very little known about many candidates, especially those standing for the first time. It’s a well known fact that candidates with names near the beginning of the alphabet often fare best. It shouldn’t be that way if they’re not the best candidates. So please check on policies before you vote.

It is quite likely that the sixth and seventh successful candidates may have only a handful more votes than unsuccessful candidates in eighth and ninth.

SO PLEASE VOTE. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

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LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS 2013 GREG MOYLE TAKING WAITEMATA FROM GOOD TO GREAT Greg is an interesting mix. A successful businessman, father of four children and passionate about getting it right for Auckland this time as councillor for the Waitemata Ward.

“We need fresh thinking on the council and I believe Waitemata deserves someone who is committed to representing all the people of the Waitemata Ward with no bias and in their best interests.”

He is an art collector/art sharer with collections at Mt Albert Grammar and the War Memorial Museum, a keen sportsman, an avid gardener. He is also an inner city farmer at his home in Herne Bay growing enough vegetables to live a “garden to table” life with chooks and also water tanks providing water for his home.

A long term resident of the Waitemata Ward he has been active in his community for 24 years. At present he is chair of Mt Albert Grammar Board, finance spokesperson for Waitemata Local Board, assistant governor of his Rotary District and trustee of a number of foundations.

Greg Moyle with pumpkin from his home garden home in Herne Bay and the cat During his time on the council from 2007 he was the chairperson of the Arts Culture and Recreation Committee involved in projects including the renovation of Aotea Square, St Patrick Square, Pah Homestead, Tepid Baths, Auckland Art Gallery, Victoria Park Skate park and re-sanding of the inner city beaches including Judges Bay. An overview of some of his “front of mind” projects for Waitemata are preserving the historic suburbs, rates relief for heritage home owners, removing the Cloud to create an urban space on Queens Wharf, getting Ponsonby road right, enhancing Pt Erin pool and preserving the “village” environment of our local shopping centres. F PN www.gregmoyle.co.nz

PERSONAL STATEMENTS: Mark Davey My name is Mark Davey. I offer an energetic and fresh approach. I believe that through pragmatic and robust decision-making processes better outcomes for the communities of the Waitemata Local Board can be accomplished. I am a resident of Emily Place in the CBD which I have called home for the last seven years. I bring specialist knowledge surrounding the planning and urban related issues facing the community of the Waitemata Local Board area. I am a practicing urban planner whilst also lecturing and tutoring in the Department of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

I am in the final stages of finishing my PhD in planning.

I look forward to the opportunity to represent and serve the people of this area ensuring its continued prosperity.

Grammar School. I believe that this gives me very good understanding of the local issues and shows interest in local activities. I am a proud member of Ngai Tahu.

Peter Meads My family and I have lived in the Ponsonby area since 1976 and on Summer Street since 1982. Our four children have attended all of the local schools.

Mark Becket I have lived in Auckland city for nearly 50 years, and have an absolute passion for the heritage of the city, and the protection of our harbour. My main interest is in advocating for small to medium businesses.

I am an accountant whose practice is located on Jervois Road and I either walk or ride my scooter to work.

I have been the treasurer of Grafton United Cricket Club for the last nine years and have recently completed a term of four years as board chair of Auckland Girls

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Auckland is one of the greatest cities on the planet with great blend of cultures and people and we must work to preserve that. The city is uniquely situated between two oceans and I believe our development programmes must account for all of these factors.

However, I strongly believe that we cannot operate on the policy of “spend now and mortgage the future generations”. I believe that our children are our future and we must make sure that the next generation is not saddled with our debt.

For the last four years I have been a board member of the Newmarket Business Association and have found that very rewarding. Working to help the people of Newmarket, and their local issues with council. As

well as helping to create iconic works of art in the Newmarket area. I have worked most of my career in the Newmarket area and have run my own jewellery business for 16 years. I was chairman of the Jewellery Association of New Zealand for six years.

Beth O’Loughlin I am an energetic, passionate Aucklander. I have a keen interest in local issues, and strong involvement in a number of community groups.

I have lived in Parnell for the past 10 years. I am currently chair of the Parnell Branch of the National Party and treasurer of Parnell Heritage.

As a former business owner I understand the challenges that small businesses face. I have worked for a range of local firms using my skills in administration, accountancy and event management.

I choose not to own a motor vehicle. I commute by walking, cycling or using public transport.

I have two adult children, and I currently work as office administrator for a firm of civil and structural engineers in Newmarket. F PN

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MIKE LEE: LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Walking and cycling on the harbour bridge – let’s do it

LOCAL ELECTION CANDIDATES STEP FORWARD

The 1954 decision by the government of the day to build an Auckland Harbour bridge with only four lanes was one of Auckland’s original ‘sins of the fathers’.

A total of 470 candidates have stepped forward to contest Auckland Council seats at the 2013 local body elections.

Well, transport sins anyway. The others were the cancellation of rail electrification the same year and - the most mortal sin of all - the termination and destruction of Auckland’s highly successful electric tramway in 1956.

With the nomination process closed, and the breakdown of candidates is: • Mayor (17 candidates) • Councillors (60 candidates for 20 governing body seats) • Local Boards (393 candidates for 149 seats, across 21 local boards).

The original penny-pinching on the Harbour Bridge resulted in the “Nippon Clip-On”, but the short-sighted exclusion of walking and cycling has lasted to this day.

In May 2009 I was one of thousands of Aucklanders who walked and cycled across the bridge to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its opening. The authorities at first tried to stop the crowd but sensibly soon gave up.

Since that time the organiser of that “Get Across” rally, Bevan Woodward, has come up with an exciting proposal he calls “SkyPath”. This is a specially built enclosed walking and cycling lane on the eastern side of the bridge. The $30m proposal has been ticked off technically by the bridge owners NZTA, and backed by private money (Morrison & Co and the PIP Fund). But it needs a council underwrite to work.

Over the last couple of years SkyPath has worked its way through the council bureaucracy, periodically pushed along by my Transport Committee. The council has given leadership of SkyPath to Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s “can-do” chief executive Brett O’Riley, and due diligence work is now underway. There are technical issues to be sorted out with the approaches on both sides of the Harbour and our council transport staff and SkyPath will be working through them with the St Mary’s Bay Association, the Northcote residents Association and the Westhaven Users.

Once these are sorted, hopefully by December the new council will be able to sign off on the underwrite and work can begin at last to make walking and cycling on the Auckland Harbour Bridge a reality. The SkyPath will add value to our Harbour Bridge and enhance quality of life for Aucklanders and our visitors.

Postal voting takes place from 20 September to 12 October and Aucklanders will be able to view full candidate profiles and find other important election information at www.voteauckland.co.nz from Saturday 7 September.

“This is an exciting time for Auckland as we enter council’s second term and it’s good to see strong representation across the region from people who want to make a difference in their communities,” says Electoral Officer Bruce Thomas. “There was the usual lastminute dash from some candidates to get nominations in, and overall I am pleased with the numbers we have received.

“The final figure is lower than in 2010, but that was the first election after the amalgamation of the eight legacy councils and interest at that time was particularly strong.”

At the 2010 election - the first for the new Auckland Council after amalgamation of the eight legacy councils - there were 23 nominations for mayor, 102 for councillor positions PN and 420 for local board spots. F

In terms of dealing with the other “sins” - Auckland’s first electric train arrived in the Port on 25 August, the first of a whole fleet. As for the trams, if we can extend the tramway to Britomart Auckland can look forward to a light rail renaissance in the 21st PN century. (MIKE LEE) F www.mikelee.co.nz/2010/05/sins-of-the-fathers-the-decline-and-rise-ofrail-transit-in-auckland/

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LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS 2013 GERRY HILL - A STRONG LOCAL VOICE I have been involved in the community within our ward for more than 20 years, including being chairman of the Ponsonby Community Centre 2004-2009, and currently treasurer of the Western Bays Community Group and the Ponsonby Business Association.

My community and business experience will bring real benefits to the Waitemata ward.

My partner and I established and have operated the Great Ponsonby Arthotel since 1994, which has provided me with commercial skills and strategic planning abilities.

I am also a member of the Sustainable Business Network.

I am aware of the cultures and communities that make our ward so vibrant and exciting.

Tourism supports our ward significantly and can deliver more without compromising our quality of life, building communities that are strong both culturally and business-wise while ensuring the protection of our environment.

I will provide on-going support for cultural, sporting and music programmes in our local area. Improvements need to be made to the public transport system and in developing

with central government an affordable housing plan for those that work in the service -related industries.

We live in a great place and should all be able to celebrate it, and so I will advocate for improved access to assistance for those who are impaired or disabled. I strongly believe in maintaining good public services and a fair rating system, and will advocate for more involvement of the local community in decision making. I will put local back into local and PN community back into community. F GERRY HILL, T: 09 376 5989 M: 021 659 111 gerryhill@gmail.com www.gerryhill.co.nz

CITY VISION - CONTINUITY EXPERIENCE AND FRESH IDEAS There was a lot of uncertainty at the first super city elections in 2010 about what the new Auckland Council would mean for our local communities. City Vision promised to make the new structure work effectively for local democracy and decision making.

Over the last three years the City Vision-led Waitemata Local Board (covering the central suburbs and CBD) has delivered on a range of projects including artificial playing turfs at Seddon Fields, a draft Ponsonby Road master plan, re-opened the Leys Institute Hall, installed the Three Lamps, successfully advocated for the St Mary’s Bay parking trial, replaced the boardwalk at Cox’s Bay, and extended library hours.

And we have only just started. There is still much to do to for our communities. City Vision is committed to listening and effective community engagement. We know there is demand to make our streets safer, provide transport choice, improve services, protect our heritage and ensure the city is well planned for future growth.

The City Vision team offers continuity, experience, fresh ideas and the skills to deliver.

We are also committed to serving you as local board members working alongside Councillor Mike Lee. Mike is City Vision endorsed and stands on his record of leadership, experience and results. He is a tireless advocate for the people of Waitemata and Auckland. Mike Lee and City Vision ask for your vote when you receive your ballot PN papers on 21 September. F Sign up to our campaign update at www.cityvision.org.nz or email admin@cityvision.org.nz to get in touch.

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LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS 2013 TRICIA READE - CANDIDATE FOR RE-ELECTION TO LOCAL BOARD Incumbency can be a mixed blessing. Candidates who have performed well in the previous term, been seen to work hard, and who have developed a good public profile, are likely to be re-elected. Those who are perceived as having been lazy, and not particularly effective, are liable to be thrown out.

Tricia has a long history in education, both here and in Britain. She secured her BA at Victoria University, and trained as a secondary teacher. She spent much of the 70s and 80s in Britain, married an Englishman, and returned to New Zealand with husband and two young children in 1985.

While in Britain, Tricia worked at all levels of education - pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary. On her return to New Zealand, she became Director, International Centre, Manukau Institute of Technology.

to see artists of all ages and abilities housed in the Artstation, and to make it more user friendly.

The upgrade, and a plan for better use of Ellen Melville Hall in the inner city is another pet project. This hall should be servicing the needs of inner city residents.

Tricia Reade enjoys working with community groups - her enthusiasm is infectious.

Tricia Reade is driven by a set of core values, and has a passion for helping the socially disadvantaged. She is driven to create better communities, more equal, and to working collaboratively with all residents.

If Tricia Reade has her way, Auckland and particularly the Waitemata Ward which is her patch, will have strong engaged communities, with a good public transport service, places for people, and an innovative economic hub. She also calls for respect for our natural environment.

Among the multitude of projects Tricia backs, she has several priorities for the next three years. One is the refurbishment of the Artstation in Ponsonby Road. She wants

There are 20 keen candidates for the Waitemata Local Board, but Tricia’s involvement PN would be sadly missed if she was not re-elected. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

After flirting with Pakuranga, Tricia made the wise choice to buy in Ponsonby, and she has loved inner city Auckland ever since.

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photography: Martin Leach

Tricia Reade falls clearly into the first category, and should be easily re-elected to the Waitemata Local Board. She has worked hard at her portfolio responsibilities - arts, community, and urban design planning and heritage in her first three-year term, and told Ponsonby News she has much unfinished business which she hopes to get done in the next three years if she is re-elected.

JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Alternative Transport Plan for Auckland The Auckland transport blog, edited by Patrick Reynolds, a well known Auckland architectural photographer, in conjunction with the youth movement Generation Zero, has proposed a drastically different transport policy for Auckland, based much more strongly on rail and bus than road.

They propose a Congestion Free Network. This alternative proposes much less emphasis on roads, and much more on public transport. As blog editor Patrick Reynolds says, “You get what you build for.”

The network is a system that by 2030 would include some railway extensions, including a finger out to Mt Roskill from Mt Albert, a comprehensive network of busways, and ferry links between Hobsonville and Half Moon Bay.

Reynolds is not completely anti roads. But he does say, “If you build more roads you will get more cars and eventually clog up those roads.”

Mr Reynolds says a good transport network offers two things: options other than driving and a way of avoiding driving altogether. “We should do rail,” he says, “but only where we can justify the expenditure, for example in the city where there is no more space for roads. On the edges it’s a lot better to use buses.”

“Auckland is growing and congestion will just grow if we don’t change,” says Reynolds.

He wants to see a liveable city.

So the Auckland Transport Blog and youth movement Generation Zero have put forward a comprehensive plan for getting around Auckland. Using a series of stylised maps like the classic London Underground ones, the Congestion Free Network shows how the two organisations see the future of Auckland transport.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

The great news, according to Patrick Reynolds is that Auckland is really fixable. It’s small enough for that to be possible but big enough that there is the money around to do it.

For more information on the network proposals go to transportblog.co.nz (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

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ROB THOMAS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD MEMBER

Vote Rob Thomas for Councillor EVERY WEEKEND FOR THE LAST FIVE MONTHS I’VE been door knocking our neighbourhoods listening to your views.

Thank you to all those people from Ponsonby, Freeman’s Bay, Grey Lynn, Arch Hill, Parnell, Newmarket and Grafton for welcoming me at your doorstep. It has been a phenomenal response to say the least. I’ve been blown away to meet so many people passionate for our city and our neighbourhoods.

As the inner-city continues to grow we are starting to see its stretch marks ripple throughout our community.

There’s so much that needs to be done. Vote for me so we can build safe dedicated cycling links, roll out a resident only parking scheme to push commuters out of residential streets, have buses that turn up on time and clean out the storm water contaminates in the Cox’s Bay catchment area. At this point in time, it’s the residents

in Arch Hill that face the biggest challenge with the foreshadowed BUNNINGS big box development proposal.

It’s this type of activity that we want stomped out of the Auckland Unitary Plan for our area.

It has been a humbling experience and great pleasure to represent you on the Waitemata Local Board. Over the last three years I’ve been able to deliver the Cox’s Bay Boardwalk for walking and cycling, I revived the regional programme for Movies in Parks, established the new business district “Uptown” in Eden Terrace and gave a stronger voice to our community by founding the Newmarket Community Association.

There’s a massive smile across my face when I think of the 3,000 people I’ve met door knocking. Door knocking is a mammoth undertaking but it’s critical to understand what people are saying and reconnect once elected.

There are so many inspiring people in our community, it’s

extraordinary, and we need to be doing more to connect with you in your neighbourhood.

With your vote for me, as your councillor for the Waitemata and Gulf Ward, our community can achieve so much more. We need an experienced young and non-partisan voice that can work with our community and between different political party lines at a local and central government level.

So, when the voting papers come out in September, I want you to help me change our community by ticking Rob Thomas on your ballot for councillor for Waitemata and Gulf. (ROB THOMAS) F PN WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD MEMBER www.VoteRobThomas.co.nz

LET’S TALK WATCH MY ADVERT COME ALIVE If you own a smart phone, which it’s safe to say that most of us do, download a free app called “Layar”, open the app, point it at the Vote Rob Thomas logo in my advert and click scan. It’s a little freaky, but the advert will come alive. Each week in September, I will upload a new video to engage with you on different issues in our community. This innovative technology is also available on all of my campaign signs or anywhere where you see the logo Vote Rob Thomas. F PN Rob Thomas Waitemata and Gulf Ward Council Candidate Let’s Talk - 021 704423 www.VoteRobThomas.co.nz

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JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND

DEIRDRE TOHILL: LANDMARK BUILDINGS

Making sure every child is a well child

The Ponsonby Post Office

A few years ago now, I found myself in Texas as part of a programme the US State Department runs for young politicians, business leaders and journalists.

Being stuck in a tornado at Dallas Airport was probably one of the more memorable parts of the trip, but it was a conversation with a nurse that really got me thinking.

Midway through the Texas trip, I managed to sneak away to visit a programme called Nurse Family Partnerships. It’s been running in the UK and the USA for over 30 years, and the results are amazing. Essentially, they send nurses into the homes of vulnerable new mums to give them not just health support, but to link them into education, social services, housing support - whatever it is they need to give their baby the best start in life.

I remember midway through the meeting, the nurse I was chatting to asked me, “So what do you do in New Zealand?” Her jaw dropped as I told her about the amazing resource that is Plunket and our Well Child providers, with every mum getting seven visits from a nurse after their baby is born. It’s an amazing asset, but one we could do so much more with.

A little closer to home, a team in the Hawke’s Bay had heard about Nurse Family Partnerships, and started using some of the same principles for teenage mums. They found that by bringing a Plunket nurse in before baby was born, and making sure it was the same nurse visiting every time, they formed relationships that helped them to be an even better form of support for that family.

We spend a lot of time talking about the fact that we need to invest more in early intervention, but we’re often slow to change the way we do things, even when we have such great examples of what we should be doing.

Last week though, Labour announced the first of many steps in doing things differently.

Labour will ensure that for 18,000 of our most vulnerable mums, Plunket will start visiting them, in the home, before baby is even born. We’re also going to fund them to make more visits whenever mum needs a little extra help and support. In total, Plunket will be able to make an extra 57,000 visits per annum to those families who need it most.

And the total cost of our policy per annum? $6 million. When you think about the fact that we currently spend about $6 billion on children who have a poor start in life, these are the kind of policy ideas we should be rushing to implement. And we will.

We have a long way to go to bring down some of our poor statistics around child well being, but a good place to start is supporting parents to do the best job they can, at the most critical time in a child’s life, and that beats a tornado tale hands down.

(JACINDA ARDERN) F PN JACINDA ARDERN, Labour List MP based in Auckland Central www.jacinda.co.nz

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The former Ponsonby Post Office was designed by John Campbell, the architect who changed the style of government buildings from Queen Anne to Edwardian Baroque for police stations, courthouses and post offices throughout New Zealand.

Our post office was constructed in 1912 and a clock tower added the following year to highlight the building’s prominent site. The building was an important public facility for 75 years. During the first world war it was especially important to womenfolk in the community as they waited anxiously for news of their men serving overseas.

Ponsonby residents contributed half the cost of the actual clock which is still rewound once a week and maintained by the city Council. Mind you, on two occasions the tower was threatened with destruction. In the 1940s and 1970s it was rated an earthquake risk. The Ministry of Works advised demolition but vigorous opposition from the council, residents and the Historic Places Trust saved the day and the Postmaster-General finally earmarked $11,000 be spent on renovations. Even though it has been described as somewhat ill-proportioned, residents were, and still are, proud of its architectural significance as one of the best preserved and most heavily ornamented early suburban post offices in New Zealand.

The post office also has a darker historic significance. On a sunny Saturday morning in March 1920, the postmaster, Edward Braithwaite took some time off. He spent most of the day with a friend then entered the post office at 7.00pm and left an hour later, carefully locking up behind him. Mrs Braithwaite arrived home about 9.00pm and found her husband lying outside the back door. He didn’t move when she cried out to him but when she touched his body it was still warm so she immediately phoned doctor Ussher.

He arrived within half an hour and pronounced the unfortunate man dead from two bullet wounds, one in the throat and the other in the abdomen. The police were called and a Constable Devereux found the post office keys were missing. Later he and officers from the detective branch discovered the post office had been burgled and cash boxes lying open in the safe carried clear fingerprints. Detective sergeant Issell dispatched them to Police Headquarters in Wellington for analysis.

On the Monday, a former prison warder told the police he had seen Dennis Gunn loitering near the post office the day of the murder. He recognised Gunn when the latter was imprisoned for evading military service. During the Great War, this was against the law and offenders had their fingerprints taken. Gunn found defaulting a preferable option and failed to enrol, unaware his prints might incriminate him for a worse crime. In a gully near where Gunn lived with his mother, police searchers found a bag containing money, Braithwaite’s keys, and three revolvers, one which had been recently fired. On Tuesday the fingerprints on the cash boxes and the gun were found to match Gunn’s. He was arrested the next day, and charged with burglary and murder.

The trial is interesting in that it was a world first for gaining a conviction based on fingerprint evidence alone. Reed, the defence lawyer produced witnesses who all provided alibis for the accused, claiming that on the day of the murder Gunn was nowhere near the scene of the crime. They were his mother, brother and a family friend. When Gunn stood in the box he refused to have his prints taken again and said the witnesses who saw him near the post office on Saturday were mistaken. Reed argued that apart from the fingerprint evidence, which was scientifically too recent to be conclusive, the case against his client was circumstantial.

The jury returned very quickly, and had no qualms about finding Gunn guilty and he was sentenced to death.

In order to save his life he admitted to the robbery but said two other men, also involved, had committed the murder. The police immediately interviewed them and were able to convince the Minister of Justice they were not guilty of killing Braithwaite at all. So much so for honour among thieves! Gunn was duly sentenced and went to the gallows for a particularly PN brutal murder. (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F

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NIKI WRIGHT: LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY NEWS Spring is here and we have lots of exciting news and events to share with you.

Extended opening hours We are excited to let you know that from Monday 2 September the Leys Institute Library will be open until 6pm Monday to Friday. Pop in and see us on your way home from work!

Thanks to the Waitamata Local Board for their support.

Our new hours from Monday 2 September will be: Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Comic book month Discover the world of comics and graphic novels through events, talks and workshops at libraries across the city.

At the Leys Institute Library we will be having a series of events for children.

Friday 6 September 10.30-11 Superhero story time - come dressed as your favourite superhero and join us for super stories.

Thursday 12 September 3.30 - 4.30 - create a superhero comic strip bookmark.

Wednesday 25 September 2013 All day Star Wars dress up day - come in your best Star Wars costume and join the Leys Rebel Alliance.

The Auckland Heritage Festival Auckland Heritage Festival 2013 will run from Saturday 28 September until Sunday 13 October 2013.

It is an opportunity to celebrate our natural, cultural and built heritage at events across the region, including fun activities for children and families, tours of historic sites, concerts, local festivals, family-tree workshops, heritage walks, film screenings and more.

Angela Beer and Shane Carruthers pictured with Dunhill and Georgie

It is scheduled to coincide with the September school holidays to encourage family participation and family friendly events.

We will be holding a series of talks and tours at the Leys Institute Library. The Heritage Festival booklet will be available in the library in September and further information will also be on the available on the Auckland libraries website www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz There is so much going on we recommend checking out our Facebook page, Leys Institute Library Ponsonby, where we will be updating you on new events, display and other exciting things happing at Leys and in Auckland libraries. F PN (NIKI WRIGHT RLIANZA) LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY, 20 St Mary’s Road T: 09 374 1315 www.facebook.com/LeysInstituteLibraryPonsonby

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

photography: Michael McClintock

Tuesday 17 September 10.30-11 Superhero story time - come dressed as your favourite superhero and join us for super stories.

LOCAL NEWS STOP PARTY PILL TESTING ON ANIMALS ‘RESOLUTE CHALLENGER’ CLIMBING MT KILIMANJARO FOR GREY LYNN CHARITY

Herne Bay resident and “petreprenuer” Angela Beer is running a very successful campaign to stop party pill testing on animals.

What is your business Pets and Pats all about?

Pets and Pats is a premium, boutique doggie daycare and walking service. We are personal and discerning. Unlike other large daycares with hundreds of dogs who don’t get to go outside, we have small numbers, trained staff and wide open spaces. We are like a private school versus a public school, we take small numbers to ensure individual care. We only employ vet nurses and trainers and we pick up and drop off to make life easier. We also look after the occasional pussycat by request.

When you become part of the Pets and Pats family we also offer our one on one home -boarding and house-sitting services. While you are away your pet gets a luxurious vacation. I set up Pets and Pats after selling my last business and wanting a change.

My world is Dunhill my 14 year old Jack Russell rescue and his baby sister Georgie the 7 month old Mini Schnauzer. I am very fussy about who I trust them with.

I created Pets and Pats because I wanted a personal, professional and loving service, one I would use and be proud to offer others. Somewhere my kids weren’t one of hundreds and enjoyed the same loving care they get at home. I thoroughly enjoy the animals and people I now have the privilege of sharing my life with.

Why were you so concerned about party pill testing on animals?

I’m concerned because animal testing is scientifically outdated and immoral. Many other countries such as the UK in 1997 have banned testing alcohol, tobacco and legal highs on animals on both moral and scientific grounds.

This law is morally wrong. How can we justify killing animals for people to get high?

Ghandi summed it up when he said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals”. This law is an international embarrassment, up there with Japanese whaling and a huge step backwards for our green reputation.

Secondly, even if you don’t give a rat’s about rats, scientifically testing party pills on animals doesn’t keep our kids or our pets safe. The politicians and the media believe you have to sacrifice one for the other. You don’t. Today where we can replicate human DNA easily, we have many more sophisticated and scientifically robust ways of testing that can keep our kids safe. Animals are used because they are cheap. More profit for party-pill pushers.

Finally, I am concerned about animal rights in New Zealand. We criticise countries like China and India but we aren’t much better, lagging behind our western counterparts. In 2011 327,000 animals were unnecessarily tested and tortured in New Zealand. Our numbers each year are growing where others are decreasing. Again an international embarrassment. I fear if we can’t draw the line at stopping party pill testing on animals what else will we continue to allow?

What did your campaign consist of?

It started as a Facebook page, I’ve now been joined by thousands of others and it is now a grassroots movement. Together we are working on getting this law changed through upcoming events, keeping the issue in the media and lobbying government.

bracing himself for the climb of a lifetime.

Brent will be scaling Mt Kilimanjaro in August 2014 to benefit the local Grey Lynn charity he runs for young people with disabilities, Recreate NZ. He says it will be a real challenge because 40 per cent of people who attempt to reach the summit fail. “Due to the altitude it’s going to be like walking uphill breathing through a straw.”

Mr Jenkin wants to raise $13,000 to buy Recreate a new van to take children on camps, respite weekends and day trips. The charity offers 170 social, educational and recreational programmes and works with more than 300 disabled youth aged 9 to 29 in Auckland, Waikato and Christchurch.

Recreate NZ programmes offered range from 4-day adventure camps with kayaking, abseiling and rock climbing to weekends away snow skiing or white water rafting (as featured in the April 2013 edition of Ponsonby News!). Other programmes include life -skills courses and workshops, respite weekends for mothers, and holiday programmes.

Participants benefit from Recreate programmes through increased self esteem, independence and confidence, as well as trying many new things for the first time, but in a safe and supportive environment.

Mr Jenkin is paying for his trip to Tanzania himself, so 100 per cent of the money he raises will go to Recreate NZ. He has already started running, visiting Okura for long treks and hitting the gym to build up his fitness. “I’m enjoying it, it’s a really good reason to get out there,” he says.

At 5895 metres Mt Kilimanjaro is the fourth highest of the “Seven Summits”, the tallest peaks of the seven continents. It is the highest point in Africa and is twice as high as Mt Ruapehu. Mr Jenkin will climb with about 15 others from various countries, who are each fundraising for a charity close to their hearts. They will travel through thick forest and traverse sub-alpine and alpine terrains on the six to seven-day trek, in temperatures ranging from 20 degrees to -20 degrees.

In the lead up to his trip Mr Jenkin will be taking on a number of smaller challenges, including climbing the eight highest North Island volcanoes in eight days. Well-known Kiwis Boh Runga, Kerre McIvor (née Woodham), Mahe Drysdale, Juliette Haigh, Rob Stock and Rhys Darby tackled Mt Kilimanjaro in June to raise money for World Vision.

Mrs McIvor described the challenge as harder than childbirth or running a marathon.

Mr Jenkin would like to acknowledge and thank current sponsors Julianne Harvey of the Harvey Centre for her amazing massages and WorldNZ of Newmarket for donating the website, currently under construction www.challenge4charitynz.org.nz He has also set up a Facebook page Challenge 4 Charity NZ to document his journey.

For any other companies or individuals wishing to join Brent’s team as a sponsor (product, coaching, medical or financial) they can contact him at challenge4charitynz@gmail.com or visit givealittle.co.nz/org/recreate to donate.

photography: Martin Leach

What is happening next?

We are getting traction politically. John Key appears sensitive to popular opinion so I urge everyone to write to him as well as your local national MP as National were the only party who voted against the amendment that would have seen this law stopped.

Half excited, half nervous! This time next year Brent Jenkin will be

Please also continue to like and share the Facebook page, there are regular updates on there on what we are planning and how you can get involved. Rest assured we won’t stop until party pill testing on animals is stopped. F PN www.petsandpats.com www.facebook.com/stoppartypilltestingonanimalsnz

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A 30 YEAR CELEBRATION COMPETITION Jerry Clayton BMW is celebrating 30 years since BMW started business in New Zealand. As part of the celebration, together with our brand partner Workshop, we invite you to enter to win this exclusive prize:

BMW Edition 30 to drive for 30 days from Jerry Clayton BMW

The prize package brings together a luxurious selection of gifts from our brand partners.

The Blue Breeze Inn is one of Auckland’s newest and most talked about restaurants located just around the corner from Workshop’s flagship store in Ponsonby; in fact it was during the course of a lunch there that the idea for this promotion came together.

$1000 WORKSHOP wardrobe

Begin the party season with a fresh new $1000 wardrobe from Workshop; be spoiled for choice with Helen Cherry’s latest luxurious fabrics and impeccable tailoring, Workshop Denim’s exclusively designed prints and authentic denim as well as a sophisticated stable of international collections.

Stephen Marr’s Ponsonby salon is also situated in the heart of the buzzing Ponsonby district. Prepare yourself ready for a night out with the Just Peachy package; an express facial, brow and lash tint and your choice of express manicure or express pedicure and a shampoo and blow wave.

Visit Workshop Ponsonby during the month of September to view the Spring / Summer collections along with the Edition 30 BMW that you could be driving for a month. Also on display in the courtyard of the store will be the first ever BMW sold in New Zealand by the grandfather of Jerry Clayton BMW Marketing Manager Kate Coveny.

Imagine driving the Edition 30 to Eagle’s Nest in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand’s premiere six star retreat. Enjoy two nights of luxury accommodation for up to two guests in the First Light Villa featuring a Jacuzzi, cinema system, gourmet kitchen, bottle of Louis Roederer champagne and daily breakfast provision.

Enter the draw to win this fantastic prize via the Workshop or Jerry Clayton BMW Facebook pages, Workshop stores and the Jerry Clayton BMW dealership from 1 September 2013.

www.facebook.com/workshopnz www.facebook.com Jerry Clayton BMW Takapuna Beach Terms and conditions are available at point of entry.

Two nights luxury accommodation for two at EAGLE’S NEST Bay of Islands

Dinner for two at THE BLUE BREEZE INN

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‘Just Peachy’ package from STEPHEN MARR & LUCY AND THE POWDER ROOM PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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LOCAL NEWS

THE DRAFT PONSONBY ROAD MASTER PLAN We all have a personal connection to Ponsonby Road. It is far more than just a thoroughfare. It is a celebrated destination and home to many residents and businesses.

Over the years plans have been discussed as to how to fulfil the potential of Ponsonby Road while protecting the unique character and heritage. There have been some notable successes with the lowering of the speed limit and the return of the symbolic Three Lamps. The “hippest neighbourhood” of Ponsonby was recently listed as the 8th reason out of 20 to visit Auckland by visiting Australian journalists. However the strip has suffered from a lack of people spaces, cohesive planning and transport choices.

A draft Ponsonby Road masterplan has been developed through a unique, collaborative process by a working group made up of Waitemata Local Board members, the Ponsonby Business Association, community organisations, stakeholders and mana whenua representatives. The draft seeks to provide a vision of how Ponsonby Road can be developed over the next 30 years as a key shopping and entertainment destination, vibrant and connected to people. The proposals in the plan are themed around Land Use, Arts, Culture & Heritage, Transport & Movement and Natural Environment & Open Space.

The draft has kicked off intense discussion and many passionate responses have already been submitted.

One of the more debated aspects of the plan is over the options for making Ponsonby road safer for pedestrians

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and cyclists along its length. To achieve this outcome while balancing the needs of all road users will require decisions around the prioritisation of the road space.

The transport experts have told us that 28,000 vehicles a day use Ponsonby Road. This is significant but it doesn’t tell the full picture. The number is actually dropping now that the north western motorway is connected to the bridge and per capita car use is on the decrease. Only 10-15% of traffic is actually through-traffic travelling the entire road from top to bottom. The large proportion of local traffic creates big opportunities. With most trips being less than 5km more locals might chose to leave the car behind if there was a frequent, reliable bus service and safe cycle lanes.

The draft sets out different road design options including a “Copenhagen” or separated cycle lane. Business owners have voiced concerns that cycle lanes are not good for business and is only for “greenies”. However all the most recent research demonstrates that bike lanes significantly increase economic activity. In New York after the construction of a protected cycle lane on 9th Avenue, local businesses saw a 49% increase in retail sales. In comparison, local businesses throughout Manhattan only saw a 3% increase in retail sales.

There is also a perception that there is very little parking serving Ponsonby Road. In fact there are thousands of car parks nearby (on roads and in car parks) that are currently very poorly managed. A residents’ parking scheme like the St Mary’s Bay one would overnight give priority to residents and free up parking to short term visitors coming to the area to spend.

At the public meeting on the masterplan the Freeman’s Bay Girl Guides gave their feedback on the draft. Their priorities: 1. A playground. 2. Bikelanes (and hire bikes) 3. More trees. It really could be this simple. We just need to listen to all the feedback and plan with a 30 year vision that develops Ponsonby Road for future generations.

Copies of the plan are available at the Ponsonby Community Centre and online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz (current consultations page).

The deadline for feedback has been extended to Monday 16 September.

Pippa Coom, Deputy Chair, Waitemata Local Board (the board’s representative on the Ponsonby Road working group with Tricia Reade) F PN

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

DEIRDRE TOHILL: LOCAL NEWS

LOCAL ARTIST SHOWS IN TAKAPUNA'S LAKE HOUSE PONSONBY ARTIST JANET WILLIAMSON’S EXHIBITION NOW SHOWING AT TAKAPUNA’S Lake House is inspired by the colours of the kilim rugs on the floors throughout her historic Ponsonby home. When she and husband Doug moved into the hundred year old house on Richmond Road a year ago, they covered the varnished floors with kilims. “The colours of the rugs looked so good against the wooden floors.” says Janet.

Janet regularly exhibits with her friend Lib Steward. They both love colour and use a variety of media including fabric, clay, acrylic and oils. “Last year Lib showed landscapes and I showed portraits. For this exhibition Lib decided on tablescapes, so with the inspiration from the colours of the rugs I settled on floorscapes.” Thinking at floor level she decided she wanted to paint the kilim rugs. She set up a still life on the floor. Unbidden, the cat wandered in and settled into the picture. The cat stayed and appears in two of the paintings. One painting from the floor is a cat’s eye view. Feet were an obvious choice for the floor theme. “My son has lovely soccer legs which appear in a painting, as do my grandson’s feet as he lies reading on a rug made 50 years ago by me and Doug, when we lived in Canada. We spent two winters hooking the rug, which I designed. Today it looks as fresh as when we made it.”

Two special works in the exhibition are a bronze ceramic bust of Janet’s husband Doug and a beautiful painted screen - “The Bluebird of Happiness” - in kilim colours, which was designed to break up the large area in the living room of their house. Janet has painted all her life. She attended art school in Glasgow. She and Doug lived in Canada for many years before settling in New Zealand in 1974. She had a successful career in theatre design in Canada and New Zealand, followed by 11 years as creative director of Television New Zealand, then at Auckland University of Technology as a senior lecturer where she developed the Spatial Design Course for senior students.

In retirement she paints and freelances as a designer. She is a tutor in painting at the Lake House. As if that’s not enough to keep her busy, Janet has recently been appointed secretary of the Robert Burns Association. She is a committee member of Ponsonby U3A and convenor of the special interest group Antiques and Collectables. She attends Senior Net as a student of genealogy and iPad classes.

Photography: Martin Leach

Artists’ talk: Janet Williamson and Lib Steward will talk about their work with curator Lisa Rogers at 1pm on Friday 6 September. Two Painters - Lib Steward and Janet Williamson, Lake House Art Centre, Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna. Until 15 September.

PN (PHILIPPA TAIT) F

GCSB BILL PROTEST IN THREE LAMPS Last month, Penny Bright and Jax Taylor erected a protest banner in Three Lamps and were asking members of the public to sign their petition against the GCSB spy bill. F PN

Janet Williamson with her painted screen ‘The Bluebird of Happiness.’

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

The Ah Kuoi Family Dynasty The Ah Kuoi family are household names in the Grey Lynn area, thanks at least partly, to the Rugby League exploits of several generations.

But theirs is a rich history, particularly the origin of the family name-Ah Kuoi.

Siutu is, rightly, extremely proud of all her childrens’ success, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren too.

Ponsonby News visited the family matriarch, Siutu, at her Avondale home. Siutu Ah Kuoi is a sprightly 82-year-old, who lives alone (her husband Fred died some 20 years ago). She still drives, and her mind is as sharp as a tack. Her home is packed with family photos, dating back to her marriage to Fred in Samoa in 1956.

“It was my idea to come to New Zealand,” she told us. “My husband did not want to come”. Siutu was, and still is, a strong, intelligent woman. As a teacher herself, she knew the importance of education, but she could hardly have imagined the success the Ah Kuoi family would enjoy in the intervening 50 years in their newly adopted New Zealand.

Fred, named after his father, was head boy, at Mt Albert Grammar, and went on to captain the Kiwi Rugby League team. He is now an evangelical pastor at a large American Sports Ministry. Peter was a prefect at MAGS, and captained the First XV. Paul was also head boy at MAGS, and captained the first XV, while not to be outdone, Liz was head girl and dux at Auckland Girls’. Most of the children are university educated too, Liz perhaps attaining the highest honours, with an honours degree in Law and Commerce.

We asked her about her husband’s legendary father, Fung Kuoi Kee (1877-1951), who came to Samoa from China around the beginning of the 20th century. Although not yet married to Fung’s son Fred Ah Kuoi when her future father-in-law died in 1951, Siutu knew Fung Kuoi Kee, who had become known as Ah Kuoi Ah Kuoi. His was an interesting, but controversial history - being deported back to China for a time, where he founded a second family. This was a time of strong Samoan Nationalism, and some foreigners, especially Chinese had done “too well” for their own good. Eventually forgiven, Ah Kuoi returned to Samoa, made a tidy fortune in business-general stores, restaurants and other commercial ventures.

Siutu trained as a teacher in Samoa, but she longed to come to New Zealand to educate her children, and to escape the large family that, although well off, still kept a strong hand on the whole family. Siutu wanted to get away from that claustrophobic environment. While many Samoans came to New Zealand for jobs, the Ah Kuois came to educate their children.

Fred and Siutu married in Samoa in 1956, and came to New Zealand late in 1962 with three young children, Fred (six), Peter( four), and Afi ( just two), with Siutu seven months pregnant with soon to be born Andrew. Fred and Siutu went on to have two more children, Elizabeth (known as Liz) and Paul.

But family honours don’t end there. The grandchildren have excelled too. The latest is Liz’s boy Keneti, head boy last year at MAGS. The dynasty continues, and proud grandmother Siutu is surrounded by the photographic evidence of this success.

Not only photos though. Siutu showed us two photos of her youngest grandchildren, Paul’s boys Kaemon and Kairo (ages 7 and 8). “These two are always visiting,” Siutu tells us lovingly. “I am really blessed, and the Lord has been good to me.”

Tragically, Siutu lost son Afi to cancer some years ago, but the rest of the family is intact, and they are close knit. However, while proud of son Pastor Fred, Siutu misses not seeing much of Fred’s children, and now great grandchildren Talia and Matthew. She does however have four more great grandchildren in New Zealand to dote over.

This is a family that is a credit to the strength and foresight of Siutu and her late husband Fred. What a wonderful contribution they have made to their adopted country PN New Zealand. God bless you Siutu Ah Kuoi. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

Sustainable Coastlines Charity Ball Ponsonby News talked to Sustainable Coastlines multi-award winning CEO Sam Judd about their upcoming Charity Ball.

The ball has been cleverly tagged - Let’s Get Cleaned Up - a pun on cleaning up the coast and then shaving, showering, putting on the glad rags and having a fun night. The ball will be held at the Hilton Hotel on Saturday 21 September.

Sustainable Coastlines is a charity, has some government funding for specific projects, but relies heavily on sponsorship and donations. Money raised from the ball will go to their education projects.

Sam and his team already do a lot in schools, including local school, Ponsonby Intermediate. “We have seen some amazing behavioural changes among our young helpers,” Sam told us. “Litter is a gateway to good behaviour.”

Everyone loves the beach, and it is easy to motivate people of all ages to help with cleanups. Sam Judd is particularly proud of the work they have done with offenders - what used to be called periodic detention. These offenders enjoy focussing on something worthwhile, something they can be proud of. None of those who have worked with Sustainable Coastlines has re-offended.

Since Ponsonby News did a profile on Sam Judd several years ago, his organisation has gone from strength to strength.

Just this year, they have won two prestigious awards. The highlight for Sustainable Coastlines was to be announced as the Supreme Winner of the 2013 Green Ribbon Awards, by Environment Minister, Amy Adams.

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The Minister said “The trust has adopted an innovative and broad-reaching approach to environmental education and outreach. Its methods are highly engaging and effective.”

And then to cap the year off for CEO and co-founder Sam Judd, he was named Young New Zealander of the Year, 2013. Sam was also named a Good Citizen 2013 by the Waitemata Local Board.

This incredibly worthy organisation runs by the seat of its pants. They are roll up your sleeves and get into it types, and they deserve community support.

Get a group together and go to the ball. It will be a fun night, for a great cause.

Sustainable Coastlines welcomes volunteer helpers too. Says Sam, “Wherever we work our goal is to put ourselves out of a job.” He jokes of course that isn’t going to happen soon, but he does say that the biggest impact they have is by changing people’s behaviour and making them champions of the cause.

This is an apolitical organisation focussing on education, and as Sam poetically says, “motivating people to get off their arses to clean up the coastlines they love.”

Get a group together - go to the ball, or contact Sustainable Coastlines and offer them help. Special early bird tickets are now available at $135. Organise a table of 10 and get a discount. Email Sam at sam@sustainablecoastlines.org. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

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PIPPA COOM: GREY LYNN 2030 NEWS

PONSONBY U3A: JULY 2013

ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRANSITION TOWN MOVEMENT (of which Grey Lynn 2030 is part) is recognition of the need to develop a positive and productive relationship with local government.

NORMAN STANHOPE AND WINIFRED Lamb live in the heart of Ponsonby. They love where they live. They are involved in local organizations and are concerned about the character and heritage of the area.

This relationship is seen as essential to progressing plans, projects and securing funding for local initiatives. Since being established in 2008 Grey Lynn 2030 has taken this approach. First with the Western Bays Community Board and more recently engaging with Auckland Council on the Auckland Plan and establishing the Grey Lynn Urban Environment group to feed into the recent draft Unitary Plan. We are taking the vision of transition towns to the town hall!

At the first super city elections in 2010, I was fortunate to be elected with the support of Grey Lynn 2030 which provided the opportunity to shape the agenda of the first Waitemata Local Board. Drafting the local board plan was one of the initial tasks of the Board to guide decision making and actions over the three year term. You can see Grey Lynn 2030’s contribution throughout the plan and reflected in the vision of the board to foster and develop vibrant, connected and sustainable communities.

The priorities in the plan include waste minimisation with projects such as the development of a resource recovery centre and drinking fountains to reduce waste from plastic bottles. There is a focus on caring for the environment including ecological restoration of our urban bush and one of Grey Lynn 2030’s first projects to daylight Edgars stream. Supporting urban food production through community gardens and fruit trees in parks is in the plan as well as the development of a local plan for cutting carbon emissions that will be focused on energy use, sustainable transport options and waste reduction.

Heading into the Auckland Council elections that get underway on September 21 (when voting papers are sent out for a three week postal ballot ending on 12 October) the Grey Lynn 2030 Trustees have reconfirmed their endorsement (I am standing as a community independent with City Vision). There is still much to do to in response to the challenges of our time. I am privileged to have this opportunity to take grass roots priorities and initiatives directly into the heart of local government. Other members of the transition towns network are also standing. Founder of Grow Sandringham and the Sandringham Farmers Market, Lisa Loveday has put herself forward for the Albert-Eden Local Board.

Local boards have extensive responsibilities for local facilities, services and a million dollar budget that can have a positive impact on our neighbourhoods. Want to hear the Waitemata candidates commitment to a sustainable future? Come along to the Grey Lynn Meet the Candidates evening. Check out www.greylynn2030.co.nz for details.

PN (PIPPA COOM) F

So it wasn’t surprising that they joined the Western Bays Community Group, representing heritage and character interests in Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Freeman’s Bay, St Mary’s Bay, Arch Hill, Herne Bay and Cox’s Bay. In October last year the Western Bays Community Group group organized a sign waving demonstration in front of the Erawan Thai Restaurant on Jervois Road. It was understood that the council was about to Norman Stanhope give approval for the historic house to be from policing to protesting pulled down to make way for apartments.

Norman and Winifred were part of the demonstration, as was Winifred’s daughter and a number of local residents. Nothing unusual in that, except that for Norman taking part in a demonstration was a radical new experience. As a policeman for 37 years, culminating in the position of district commander for Auckland City, his life had been taken up with controlling protesters at many significant events in New Zealand’s recent history, not waving the flag for a cause.

The irony of his protesting, albeit in an event not requiring a police presence and with no chance of him being arrested for disturbing the peace, wasn’t lost on Norman. He smiles at the memory and knows that he would do it again if called upon to help preserve the unique character of his neighbourhood.

Norman and Winifred are examples of retired people who have come back to the centre of the city, with everything it has to offer, for their later years.

In 1997 Norman compulsorily retired from the Police after 37 years, at what would now be considered a young age, at 60. Full of energy, he and Winifred moved to a seven acre block at Redvale and spent happy years developing the property. Eleven years ago they sold up and moved back to Ponsonby, where Winifred was born and where Norman’s police career began.

After training at Trentham in 1960, Norman was based at Auckland Central Station in Princes Street as a constable on the beat. He recalls that the young constables were required to clean the cells at the station. He lived with other young constables in the barracks above the Newton Station on Ponsonby Road. Downstairs was a 24-hour station with cells, which are still there. The historic building is now Artstation toi tu, which for the past 30 years has provided visual art programmes for the community and is home to some leading arts organizations.

His next posting was to the Freemans Bay station housed in an old villa, opposite today’s New World. There were five constables and a sergeant, who lived above the station.

It was in the days of six o’clock closing and the young constables policed the local notorious pubs, including the Empire, Robert Burns, Rob Roy (now Birdcage) and the Freeman, to see that the often drunk clientele got safely on their way home without too many fights.

Significant events he was involved with during his career include: 1965 Mt Eden Prison Riot; 1960s Vietnam War protests; 1978 Bastion Point Occupation; 1979 Erebus Disaster; Springbok Tour 1981; 1981 Timaru Foot and Mouth Outbreak; and the 1984 Queen Street Riots. He has many stories of those events and plans to include them in his own history he will write for his family.

Norman held command posts at Nelson and Tauranga and was eventually promoted to Auckland City District Commander until his retirement.

As well as the Western Bays Community Group, he and Winifred are keen members of Ponsonby U3A. He was president for two years and convenes two special interest groups. Winifred is treasurer of U3A and is currently writing her own story for future generations. They are both keen members of the Herne Bay Petanque Club and they love to travel.

PN ENQUIRIES: Jane Jones, President, Ponsonby U3A. T: 09 378 7628 (PHILIPPA TAIT) F

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FASHION + STYLE KATE HENRY DESIGNS SPRING/SUMMER 13 - CUSTOM DESIGNED TO FIT “Sourcing a range of fabrics, it’s always fun to work out my collection,” says Kate.

Strong, bold, even prints are perfect for a statement piece in your wardrobe, and would look great as trousers or a skirt with a little fitted jacket.

Zambesi

The shift dress is a must have, and looks fabulous in navy sequin and would make any occasion special, also available in lace and plain or printed jersey knits.

Soft Blush pink is so classic but Kate likes to give it a modern twist by mixing it with the navy large hounds tooth print in silk crepe as a bias cut top teamed with wide leg trousers. Also Kate has a huge selection of designer fabrics or if not, she will source fabric to suit the design.

Kate will design you an outfit for any occasion, from mother of the bride and groom, outfits suitable for second marriages to tailored women’s suits.

Blush sequin bodice top as featured with long skirt and the same bodice top with wide leg trousers, designing you something special that you can wear again, yet has a completely different look. So if you have a special occasion coming up or just want something a bit different, call Kate for an appointment. F PN KATE HENRY DESIGNS, T: 0800 543 477 or M: 021 678 891 www.katehenrydesigns.com

Karen Walker

THE MARR FACTORY Five top New Zealand brands showed across five nights at The Marr Factory events at Golden Dawn late last month.

Karen Walker, Zambesi, NomD, Helen Cherry/Workshop and Zambesi each headed up evenings which saw up to 150 very happy ticket holders enjoy Courvoisier and Hallertau -style hospitality, before and after each evening’s show. Stephen Marr did the hair using O&M product, and MAC the makeup.

A highlight was Zambesi’s use of ‘Zambassadors’ as models - longtime friends of the brand like MAC’s Tatum Savage, Red 11’s Amanda Betts, Noelle McCarthy, Jordan Rondel aka The Caker, and Stefan Sinclair hitting the catwalk alongside professional models.

“I think it’s really important to take an opportunity to celebrate what we do and love and have some fun,” said organiser Stephen Marr. “It’s honest and real and importantly it’s available now.” F PN

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ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE The monthly jottings of a free-spirited Ponsonby dressmaker of the 1920s, as imagined by Angela Lassig.

VERMONT STREET, PONSONBY 15 SEPTEMBER 1925

Dearest Violet at carpentry knows his walnut from his oak, I don’t believe that I trust his taste in fabrics. Hmm… it will take some thinking to devise a way of pointing out some nice upholstery fabrics without giving away to him that I suspect his plans. I’m sure however that I’ll think of something!

Both Tiger and Pusskins seem quite content and none the worse for my absence.

George was such a dear to offer to feed and spend some time with them each day. And wasn’t he a dear to send me those postcards from “Tiger” telling me all about his daily walk to Herne Bay for an afternoon with George, and what the butcher had given him for his supper on his walk home. I do believe that they have become very good friends!

This afternoon (after I see dear George for lunch), I intend to start designing some ensembles to offer to my customers for their spring garden parties. My favourite boot maker, Mr. Williams [iv], will be very pleased that for summer, London has decreed the need for silk shoes that match the ensemble.

Just as will be the McCabe[v]sisters whom, as you know, make all my hats… London also demands a return to picture hats. I know that shall please you! I can see that I shall be very busy indeed. Sadly I don’t think that I shall have time to come and visit you again until the New Year. You know though that you are always a most welcome visitor although I might have to put your talent for embroidery to good use if you do!

Didn’t we have fun! I must say that I could become most accustomed to both jazz clubs and martinis! Is this a bad thing I ask myself ? I must send you the clipping I recently found about the martini diet that is so popular in Paris at present… a most enjoyable way of losing a few pounds before the summer, wouldn’t you agree?

I wonder what George would say if I asked him to take me to a jazz club on Saturday night?

While I’m on the subject of beaus, it was strangely enjoyable to glimpse “the cad”[ii] in Lambton Quay. Gone was his athletic physique and clean-shaven beauty, replaced with a too skinny frame and rakish moustache… and he was smoking! I’m pleased that you completely agreed that the hussy on his arm matched him not only in silhouette but also in manners. I have no doubt that she would have a moustache too if she didn’t shave! And her sense of colour was appalling! Who would ever think to combine purple and orange!

Aren’t I lucky that he never contacted me once I was back in Auckland! I may never have met my George.

Speaking of George… do you remember how I have yearned for a lounge swing for the garden for simply ages? I’ve been saving up for it but getting nowhere, what with all the expense of the new workroom and fabric purchases for the spring and summer season. Well dearest, don’t breathe a word of this to anyone, but I suspect that George may be making me one for Christmas! I have a little chintz-covered box in my sitting room in which I keep newspaper and magazine cuttings of the things that I “need” to make the cottage even cosier and the garden more delightful.

This morning, as I was having my breakfast, I tipped out the contents to have a sort through. Do you think that I could find the picture of the swinging daybed that I clipped from the Mirror?[iii] I suspect George may have taken it! Come to think of it, he had mentioned only the week before I came down to Wellington that he had popped into Le Roy’s (the maker) last week for something. I wager that he took his tape measure and notebook with him to take some details, as I happen to know that it is currently on display in their Queen Street window! The squab and cushions are covered in very pretty flowery cretonne. While George is a wonder

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Even if you don’t visit, may I send you some camisoles to work in those Russian peasant designs before Christmas? I do rather think that I shall be making one or two versions of that lovely dress that you purchased at Abrahams[vi]. A similar style that I saw in the Mirror this morning had a very wide boat neck instead of a cowl, and a deep narrow armhole that showed off the camisole embroidery at the sides, rather than the neckline. It had the same split sleeves though that your dress has.

Quite an inventive idea don’t you think?

Well my dear, I must have a bath and dress for the day. As you may have guessed from this letter, I’ve given myself the morning off to sort out my life before I leap into it once again… after lunch though!

With much love,

Maudie xx [i] Daniel Duncan, Crockery & Fancy Goods dealer, 116 Ponsonby Road [ii] “The cad” is a young athlete that Maudie fell for one summer holiday in Wellington [iii] The “Roylete” hanging lounge by E. Le Roy, 81 Queen Street, Auckland, illustrated in The Ladies’ Mirror 1 September 1922 [iv] J W Williams, boot maker, 89 Ponsonby Road [v] Misses McCabe, Milliners, 103 Karangahape Road, Newton [vi] S. Abrahams Ltd, Willis St, Wellington

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illustration: Michael McClintock

I’ve just returned from the most happy holiday in Wellington. Thank you dear for making it so enjoyable! I still have my shopping to unpack and have, as you advised, thrown away all the receipts. Now I shall enjoy all my new purchases without regrets or second thoughts. While I shall save up the pleasure of looking at my silks this afternoon, I have unwrapped (and in fact already used) the delightful chintz ware breakfast cup and saucer that I found in a pretty box in my carpetbag. How you managed to slip that in without me seeing, goodness only knows. And how I managed to get it back to Ponsonby without breaking it is an even bigger mystery.

You must have seen me lingering over the impressive collection of chintzy china at Kirkaldies? I’ve never seen such a range! By coincidence, Duncan’s[i] has just started stocking some pretty chintz china styles that they have been displaying in their windows, artfully placed on lengths of gorgeous Liberty linens printed with overblown florals. Such a wonderful combination! A lovely harbinger of spring! I suspect that my lonesome breakfast cup will be acquiring some friends before too long!

‘SMART AND FABULOUS’ PONSONBY LABELS ON SHOW Ponsonby labels tkstore, taylor and moochi showed their new season collections in celebration of the new Audi A3 at a 1 August show at The Nathan Club.

FASHION + STYLE NZFW AND BMW SUPPORT EMERGING NZ FASHION BMW and New Zealand Fashion Week have reunited for the second time, in a partnership created to support local fashion talent through the New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW)New Generation programme.

This collaboration ensured 2013’s New Generation designers, Crooked Seven, Nara Paz and Beverley Riverina had their designs seen on the catwalk, but also on the streets of Auckland. Each designer was given the opportunity to transform an “Ultimate Driving Machine” into a unique symbol of their collection.

The New Generation programme also included a Boot Camp where the designers received mentoring from some of the biggest names in the business, including Dan Gosling, owner of Black Box Boutique and co-owner of Stolen Girlfriend’s Club and New Generation alumni Nick Clegg, owner of fashion label Federation.

photography: © Won at W Studios

Following Boot Camp, the New Gen designers revealed their personal design work, each wrapped around the body of an all-new BMW 3 Series Touring or X1. The three vehicles spearheaded the official NZFW Fleet and were seen around Auckland in the build up to and during this year’s event, transporting VIPs around the city.

“We are proud to once again be the driving force behind the nation’s premier fashion event, and support the New Generation designers to help raise the profile of these aspiring designers,” said Managing Director of BMW New Zealand, Nina Englert. moochi at Audi’s

This year BMW also added a BMW People’s Choice award to NZFW. A piece from each New Gen designer’s collection and their vehicle wrap design was on display inside the Viaduct Events Centre throughout NZFW. Voting for this award ran throughout the event with everyone attending having the chance to vote At the time of writing the winner was to have been announced at the conclusion of the New Generation show on 5 September, and presented with $5,000 from BMW to go towards further developing their business career.

BMW MD Nina Englert, Dan Gosling, Dame Pieter Stewart and Josh Emmett with the NZFW New Gen Designers. (JULIE ROULSTON) F PN www.facebook.com/FashionProJR www.twitter.com/JulsNZ

moochi at Audi’s

taylor at Audi’s The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

BMW MD Nina Englert, Dan Gosling, Dame Pieter Stewart and Josh Emmett with the NZFW New Gen Designers DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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FASHION + STYLE BIGGER, BRIGHTER, MORE BEAUTIFUL ICONIC BOUTIQUE ‘THE CUPBOARD’ FOR ENCORE DESIGNER RECYCLE NOW IN PONSONBY AND PARNELL After bursting at the seams for quite a while, relief has come for owner, Siddhi Smith of Encore Designer Fashion Recycle, with the move to bigger, brighter and more beautiful premises.

305 Ponsonby Road was the old National Bank in Three Lamps, but it is now Encore’s new home. With wide open spaces and room to spread out, the clothes are now shown off to better advantage and are much easier to look through.

“It’s the shop I’ve been wanting for quite a while with lots of light, high ceilings and plenty of room to move. I really wanted to stay in Three Lamps as it’s got a great village feel with plenty of foot traffic and parking. Also, the shop has been here for over 35 years now. I think my staff are even more excited than me, as they’ve had to work undertight space requirements for way too long. They’ve been very patient.

With more space, we will have more trans-seasonal pieces for women who travel to the northern hemisphere. We will be stocking a lot more new samples and ends-of-lines too.

We also are looking to collaborate with training institutions to showcase some of their students’ work to check out its commercial viability which will be very exciting.”

As the longest running fashion store on Ponsonby Road, Encore continues to attract the best fashion labels from an ever expanding customer base to sell on their behalf. Encore is now accepting your spring/summer clothes, shoes and accessories.

There are two 15 minute drop-off carparks available with entry at the top of College Hill under the ASB, if you can’t find a park nearby. F PN

Fashion trends come and go.

Good style is perennial and ageless.

For nearly four decades, The Cupboard has crafted an enduring statement in design excellence. New Zealand women and international clientele have visited our sophisticated fashion boutique to choose custom-made clothes and accessories, as well as unique prêt-à-porter styles.

Many buy two or three pieces a season, investing in an enduring wardrobe which can be stylishly blended for years and worn with poise. These women love our exclusive labels, our professional staff, and a fit that perfectly suits their body. Until now, these things were only available at their iconic Parnell boutique. Now, The Cupboard is also at 14 St Mary’s Road in Ponsonby!

Designer/director Diane Burkhardt says “I truly love our new boutique, and the huge design studio! It gives me more creative working space, and I can better offer customers immediate advice and consults. I can’t wait to show you our new shop and our spring designs!” F PN THE CUPBOARD, Ponsonby T: 09 378 4770 Parnell T: 09 379 9870 www.thecupboard.co.nz

ENCORE DESIGNER RECYCLE, 305 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby (near ASB Bank) T: 09 376 1667 www.fashion-recycle.co.nz

BIGGER, BRIGHTER, BEAUTIFUL...

WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR NEW STORE AT

305 PONSONBY RD (OLD NATIONAL BANK)

Gucci to Armani Margiela to Dries Walker to Cooper, Verge to Loobies Sylvester to Hogan as well as New Samples to One-offs...

305 PONSONBY ROAD, PONSONBY PH 376 1667

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FASHION + STYLE THE BUBBLE LAUNCH - HERNE BAY Richmond Road resident Jenna Hewitt’s new app, The Bubble, offers users a hand-picked selection of the best in cafés, shops, restaurants and bars - aimed at your location as given by your phone, “like having a local guru in your pocket that has the answers.”

L to R: Liam and Kathryn, Dan and Emma, The Ridges and Helen (Mum) and Jenna

NZFW COCKTAIL COMPETITION New Zealand Fashion Week and Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour held Fashion Week’s annual cocktail competition in The Cellar at Sofitel on Thursday 8 August.

L to R: Dame Pieter Stewart and Neville Findlay of Zambesi and Steve Dunstan (Huffer) and Adrian Hailwood

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FASHION + STYLE ANDREA MOORE DEBUTS IN LOS ANGELES A pop-up store is less than newsworthy these days, but a pop-up store in Los Angeles rates a few column centimetres!

Andrea Moore’s spring summer 2013/2013 The Looking Glass Tour has popped up at membership-only Stylehaüs boutique located at the Grove - a huge open air mall, and one of America’s busiest shopping destinations attracting over 25 million visitors per year.

Stylehaüs is owned by Marina Munro, who was introduced to Andrea by the designer’s newly appointed publicist Gemma Ross of Ponsonby-based Hustle & Bustle. The Moore/ Monroe collaboration began with Stylehaüs featuring the Andrea Moore collection in a runway show at the boutique’s second anniversary celebration at new LA hotspot Riviera 31 (at The Sofitel Hotel).

Andrea Moore on the runway at the Stylehaus second anniversary celebrations in LA

Andrea flew to LA to attend the show and says, “It was really amazing for me to go to LA and check out the different environment and what works over there. They love our prints - their exclusivity and their humour. We design our prints ourselves or buy them with exclusivity from a Sydney print house.” This season you will see adorable Scottie dogs and Indian Riders among The Looking Glass Tour’s myriad prints and textures.

Munro is equally enthusiastic. “Andrea Moore has a busy future in LA if the successes of our runway show and pop-up collection are any indication!” she says. “LA women of all ages are going crazy over her unique prints, bold colour and impeccable tailoring.”

Andrea Moore’s US debut comes at a time when the brand is enjoying strong growth locally. The label reported double-digit same-store sales increases across five stores nationwide and a 200% increase in online sales on the previous year. The label’s wholesale sales are also seeing strong growth with 100% increase year-on-year.

“This is an exciting time for the Andrea Moore label. The team has worked hard over the past decade to build a premium New Zealand-made product. We’re excited about the next phase of the label’s journey,” said Moore.

In a next step, at the time of writing Marina Munro was due to travel to New Zealand to style and creative direct Andrea Moore’s show at New Zealand Fashion Week on Tuesday 3 September. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Marina...[to get] her fresh perspective on our collection and our export business,” continues Moore. “We’re looking forward to sharing our new collection and styling philosophy with our customers PN at Fashion Week.” F ANDREA MOORE, 63 Mackelvie Street, T: 09 360 0473 www.andreamooreboutique.com

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FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON

Retail Superstar of the Month Name: Mandy Randall.

Works at: Heavenly Soles.

How did you come to be a retail salesperson?

I began as a Saturday girl in the UK at age 16 selling Levi’s at a jeans store and loved it!

What brought you to Heavenly Soles?

I was already working on Jervois Road and had heard that Heavenly Soles were coming into the area, so I basically stalked and hounded them until they gave me a job.

STEP INTO GEORGE HARRISON AND STEP OUT IN STYLE Check out this unique destination store! George Harrison is well known for its huge range of fashion business collections and trendy European labels like Versace, Energie, Gaudi, and more.

Versace is still one of the world’s leading international fashion houses and George Harrison is the only New Zealand stockist for the high end Versace label, “Versace Collection”.

They also stock global fashion brands like Ted Baker, Civil Society, Peter Werth, Bertigo and many more carefully selected pieces of exquisite quality and fashion fits. Stylish, unique garments are available in the latest season’s fashion summer colours and trends.

It’s also the perfect fashion store for grooms, groomsmen and father of the bride, with over 300 ties and 1000 shirts available in slim, regular and tall.

Surrounded by CBD offices, they are the go to store for all your fashion business needs or just a great ambience to clear the working man’s mind. Most of the collections carry a distinctive European edge which allows for customers to have their much wanted unique style.

George Harrison is centrally located only 10 minutes from Ponsonby, with plenty of parking above the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Atrium car park. You do not want to miss PN out on their new spring/summer collection which is now available in store. F GEORGE HARRISON, Level 3, Atrium on Elliott, CBD, T: 09 366 7788 www.georgeharrison.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

What do you love about your store?

Everything! I actually do, I am a total shoe-aholic so I am in exactly the right place.

Kerry who owns the store does an amazing job with the buying, which means we have a fantastic range in store.

What makes a standout retail salesperson?

I think to be a great retail salesperson you really need to know your product, and also your customer. We are huge on customer service at Heavenly Soles; we want all of our customers to return so sending them out with great shoes and a smile is what makes it for us.

Tell us about a memorable sale you’ve made this year...

I had a gorgeous lady in the store with a prosthetic leg, she said that even though she adored shoes she actually only really owned one pair! OMG! I managed to change her perception of shoe shopping and she left with two fabulous pairs of boots and promised to be back in the summer.

If you could wave your wand and have anyone in the world walk into your store right now, who would it be?

Hmmmm, I think it has to be Imelda Marcos armed with her platinum Amex card.

Where do you enjoy shopping?

I love Divine Goddess just a few doors along. They have some fabulous pieces in there and Caroline who owns the store is just fantastic at helping me put a look together.

Name a great greater Ponsonby store...

I think Yvonne Benetti is a standout store. They have some amazing prints on silk designed by Yvonne herself, and the store always looks amazing. F PN HEAVENLY SOLES, 14 Jervois Road, T: 09 3600225 www.heavenlysoles.co.nz

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DAVID HARTNELL’S: HOLLYWOOD BABYLON I’m not one to gossip but… was Elvis Presley a closet gay?

Elvis was totally besotted with James Dean and would endlessly watch the movie ‘Rebel Without a Cause’. So the moment James arrived in Hollywood, Elvis sought out and befriended a young actor, Nick Adams, who had been James’ best friend.

After only a few weeks, Nick and Elvis were best friends, launching a troubled relationship that witnesses claimed turned sexual. Nick himself proclaimed to anyone who’d listen that he’d had affairs with both James, and later Elvis.

Elvis even accepted an offer to be Nick’s so called “date” for a preview of the movie ‘The Last Wagon’ (1956). Nick was known to go to bed with any star - male or female - who might advance his career. Rock Hudson - John Ford - Natalie Wood and of course Elvis and James Dean.

Nick was found dead on 6 February, 1968 in his house in Coldwater Canyon. An autopsy revealed that he had overdosed on a cocktail of the anti-anxiety medications Paraldehyde and Promazine. A coroner’s report determined that the death was “accidental, suicidal and undetermined.” But persistent reports of foul play continue to this day. No drugs or needles were found in the bedroom, and there was no suicide note.

A new book titled ‘Those Glamorous Gabor’s, Bombshells from Budapest’, by Darwin Porter, published by Bloodmoon, seems to have set Buckingham Palace and the Queen into a tailspin. It boldly states that Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 65 years, cheated with Hollywood sexpot Zsa Zsa Gabor! The forbidden fling, according to insiders, pushed the frail 92-year-old Prince Philip into confessing all to the Queen just days after their new great grandson, Prince George, was born. “There have been rumours that Philip wasn’t always faithful,” says an insider. “But the revelations in this new book forced him to clear his conscience before it’s too late.”

Elizabeth was not amused. She abruptly left him at their country house at Sandringham and flew to Balmoral Castle, her retreat in the Scottish Highlands. While there

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have been whispers about Philip’s indiscretions over the decades, she ignored the talk and remained convinced he was faithful, say sources.

“She’s endured the scandal of other royal men cheating including her own son, Prince Charles,” says the royal insider. “She never thought she’d have to face this herself.”

According to Porter’s explosive book, Zsa Zsa denied the royal liaison for years until she giddily confessed the illicit sexual affair to her pal, US TV host and media mogul Merv Griffin, who dated her younger sister, Eva. “I seriously considered, for a time, becoming the Royal Mistress of Buckingham Palace,” Zsa Zsa is quoted as saying.

She even hoped the Prince would divorce Queen Elizabeth and marry her, according to the man she was wed to at the time - third husband, actor George Sanders, writes the author. Certainly back in 1950s, it would have rocked the British monarchy if word ever leaked that the Queen’s new husband was sleeping with the Hungarian bombshell. Zsa Zsa was perfect for the role of royal plaything. While growing up in Budapest, her mother Jolie taught the beauty how to charm men. In the 1930s, Zsa Zsa and her sisters Magda and Eva left Hungary to pursue rich lovers, wealthier husbands, diamonds, mink coats and palaces around the globe, says the author. Throughout her life in the United States, England and France, Zsa Zsa, “actively pursued men and women with titles,” the author writes.

Apparently, Zsa Zsa got her chance in London while filming Moulin Rouge in 1952. Arriving for a voice lesson, the book says her vocal coach told her, “His Royal Highness wants to arrange a private rendezvous… just the two of you. You’re to go alone to the address he will provide to you. The Queen will not be there. No one must know of this intimate meeting.

When he’s serving as the Queen’s royal consort, Philip is, of course, stiff and formal,” the author says. Zsa Zsa replied. “But when the lights are dimmed, he feels comfortable, and in safe surroundings, he’s a hell

of a lot of fun, with a wicked sense of humour.” She confessed they’d made love “repeatedly” during the 1950s, the author says. By the early 1960s, the secret affair was over - although they did see each other at social functions.

Incredibly, the author says Zsa Zsa wasn’t content with bedding the Queen’s husband. She also had a secret tryst with Philip’s uncle, Lord Mountbatten - in the four -poster bed where Philip and Elizabeth spent part of their honeymoon! Now wed to her ninth and final husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, 70, since 1986, Zsa Zsa is 96. The Hollywood legend is largely confined to her Bel Air mansion after losing much of her right leg to gangrene. She continues to battle a slew of health woes that have plagued her since a devastating car PN wreck more than 10 years ago. (DAVID HARTNELL) F

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FASHION + STYLE JANE DANIELS - NEW SPRING SUMMER 2013/2014 COLLECTION Jane Daniels’ new spring/summer collection has been inspired by her recent trip to Morocco.

“Everyone who has seen this collection comments that the fabrics are extraordinary,” says Jane. “The textures, the colours, the beading, the cut-outs and the appliqué…”

“In Morocco I was fascinated by the intricately carved white-on-white plaster work of the riads, all set against a brilliant blue sky. It made me think of summer and wonder how I could represent the idea in my own work. I found Italian cottons embroidered white-on-white in geometric patterns and patch-working several fabrics together, and sometimes adding French cotton laces, I have created a fresh white group of garments for summer.”

On his first voyage to Morocco, Matisse discovered a different quality of light which inspired him to paint brilliant rich colours together to extraordinary effect. Jane searched for, and found, glorious richly coloured silks as well as cut-out fabrics and appliqués that reminded her of Matisse’s later work. She also commissioned European mills to dye to her own special colours in stretch cotton. These are in the form of a great range of dresses.

There is also a subtly elegant neutral palette of white, stone, silvery and quartz greys with smokey ink. This can be integrated with her fresh blue-based lime, sherbet pink or versatile holiday red. There are also some wonderful graphic prints in neutral colours from Italy.

The local loose clothing in Morocco inspired some garments with voluminous fabric swirling around the body. Some of the origami-type folded and draped garments are so complex to construct that the patterns for them look like jigsaw puzzles.

There is a collection of dresses using French lace and beading to great effect and jackets using appliqués, some of which are in stretch lace. The duster coat has evolved into a one-button cutaway shape in Italian prints, in hand-painted looking linens, in textured weaves and fresh Barbados linen.

Jane has always made her garments in New Zealand and proudly continues to do so.

She has three retail stores located in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and is stocked in 12 independent boutiques nationwide. To view her latest collection online go to www.janedaniels.co.nz F PN

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FASHION + STYLE ‘GIVE A GIRL THE RIGHT SHOES, AND SHE CAN CONQUER THE WORLD’ MARILYN MONROE Bring on spring/summer ‘14! At Heavenly Soles’ Ponsonby Store, they are welcoming in spring with three amazing new styles of Manas boots straight from Italy!

One addition is the gorgeous buttery soft leather Catarina ankle boot. The sunkissed yellow colour sits in perfect contrast to the fantastic details that make up this fabulous boot, guaranteeing it’s an absolute must have for summer! Come into store to try on this wonderful range, as stock is limited. Colour is strong too this summer and the brighter the better! They have a range of heels, flats and boots in fantastic leathers and amazing prints. We are stocking numerous brands from Europe, Brazil and Asia.

Espadrilles are high fashion and fantastic for the summer. They have a large selection from Spain, with fabulous heels and are perfect for beach weddings, BBQs and just looking fantastic.

Don’t forget Heavenly Soles also stock great accessories. Fascinators, handbags, leather belts and a large selection of summer hats. They can accessorise you ready for the races. Stock is arriving in store daily so come and see the Heavenly Soles girls and you will certainly leave the store looking amazing. Nothing like a new pair of shoes to brighten the day. F PN HEAVENLY SOLES, Ponsonby and Matakana www.heavenlysoles.co.nz

KILT - PONSONBY’S FASHION FAMILY Founded over 13 years ago at the home of owner Melissa Williams-Lamb, KILT has now grown to eight boutiques throughout NZ, including an Online Boutique.

There is a real passion amongst all KILTies, a very close knit bunch, who refer to themselves as family.

From the get-go KILT has involved staff, (our KILTies), and customers, in the decision making process. “We love hearing from our customers.”

Each Boutique emails a weekly report to the Design Team; it is full of ideas from our KILTies and customers. Our Design Team and Management use this feedback for inspiration for future designs and to evolve the company.

Our Design Team, a highly motivated and talented team, also take their inspiration from retro themes, op shop expeditions or simply what they want to wear. Each new design goes through a wear-ability test before it is launched in the boutiques.

KILT is very proud to have all of their clothing designed and made in New Zealand. The Design Team create new designs weekly to keep things fresh. An added bonus of being New Zealand Made is we can have a new design in the boutiques within a few weeks of receiving customer feedback.

We also pride ourselves on excellent customer service. KILTies are trained to assist you in finding the best possible style for you. We are very lucky to have such wonderful KILTies who are so passionate and dedicated to our Brand. F PN Come and visit the KILTies on Ponsonby Road today. Monday - Thursday 9am - 5.30pm Friday 9am- 6.30pm, Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 11am - 3pm KILT, 271a Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 1222 www.kilt.co.nz

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FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON

A short rave in praise of Tanya Carlson SUMMER 2013/2014 COLLECTION “Maybe we could write something about Tanya Carlson?” asked the esteemed publisher.

“Sure!” I replied with gusto - this season’s collection from Dunedin-born, St Mary’s Bay -resident, surfer chick and lover of Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen - is a knockout.

The only challenge will be to stop raving about it, before I exceed the word count.

The collection is called LA Dreaming, and was inspired by New Zealand’s seemingly endless summer 2012/2013. Apparently it set designer Tanya Carlson dreaming of Los Angeles in the late 1970s and early 1980s - as depicted by some of the biggest names in art, fashion photography and film.

Artist David Hockney depicted the city as a lush paradise filled with luxurious swimming pools, brightly coloured, sun-drenched landscapes and beautiful people. Carlson brings this vision to life via bold cobalt floral separates.

In contrast, the designer’s summer suiting has a sharp, more edgy feel. Inspired by the iconic, often fetish-like fashion images of Helmut Newton, these pieces purport to celebrate women in positions of power and dominance - “a perfect, untouchable blend of strength and suggestiveness”.

Softer, lingerie-inspired styles - all in take-no-prisoners black - in satin-backed crepe with scalloped lace edging are just drop dead gorgeous. When I challenge designer Tanya to name a favourite, this group is her pick. “It’s got that vintage lingerie look which has used some of my patterns from the ‘90s, but also I really like that new skinny leg, bustier/peplum silhouette.” But don’t stop there: an ivory and gold linen brocade is one of the most beautiful base cloths we’ve seen in a while.

I’m one of those loyal Carlson fans that its “people” accurately predict will be delighted with the collection, and I’m betting they’e on target when they say, “as will those who are new to the Carlson aesthetic.”

FYI: Carlson has made a permanent move to the site next door to its original Ponsonby Road premises. Looks like the interminable construction on that part of Ponsonby Road PN will be finished for Christmas. F

Mullholland Top $299 Hockney Pant $355

CARLSON, 120 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 2137, www.tanyacarlson-shop.co.nz

Exhibition Top $325 Director Skirt $389

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Kodak Dress $485 PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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GAEL BALDOCK: STYLE, NOT FASHION. UNIQUENESS AND INDIVIDUALITY There is a big difference between style and fashion. While fashion follows trends of colour, cut, shape and length, style is determined by individuality, creativity, personality, colour perception and passion.

My style base is European with a dash of Bollywood, a dollop of drag queen and Pacifika hairwear. Without flowers and a jewelled butterfly in my hair I feel naked.

I don’t wear clothes, I wear themed outfits that match. All my diamonds have their own story, I’ll tell those stories another day.

I always thought that I had added diamonds to an Andy Warhol quote that came from his fascination with shoes but I was wrong. I went to a function at the Auckland Art Gallery, the Andy Warhol exhibition, “The Warhol Look: Glamour, Fashion, Style” which ran from August to November 1999.

I now remember saying there were two things missing, a drag queen and that line in large blue letters on a pink wall. It was too late to add the words ‘“a gal can never have to many pairs of shoes”, but not too late to take Bambi to another function there.

Maybe it comes from Patsy Stone of ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ fame when she was too boozed to remember the word accessories and said, “You can never have too many hats, gloves, and shoes”.

French and Saunders starred in the 1983 BBC series that was a satirical parody on Enid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ which included another one of my favourite shoe lines, “You’re so sensible, just like your shoes.”

When socialising with Trish Bartleet and Doris de Pont, I will often look at their shoes before saying hello, these ladies of style and panache. My style is definitely more flamboyant and colourful. I asked them to show case their favourite shoes. Proving that

well made shoes pass the test of time, those featured date back to the 1980s to present day from Europe and New Zealand. Sadly, only Minnie Cooper and a few artisan cobblers are making shoes in New Zealand now.

Trish Bartleet, Landscape Architect, is careful when choosing shoes as she has a larger than the average size foot, she is more restricted in her choice. “I only buy shoes I LOVE so it takes me ages to find the right ones and I get pretty excited when I do. They also have to be comfortable.” Trish would love a shoe room like Carey Bradshaw from Sex in the City, “but I haven’t so I keep them stacked in boxes or bags and sometimes forget about them for a few years and then I rediscover them, which is exciting all over again.”

Doris de Pont is a fashion designer and curator of the Fashion Museum. “Just like a great hair cut, great shoes are the punctuation to a fashion statement. I find it really disappointing to see people dressed in beautiful clothes and poor shoes. I have to confess to always looking down - you can see if someone has real love and passion for clothes, not by what they are wearing on their body, but what they are wearing on their feet”. “It is not necessary to make an either/or choice, you can have both - comfort and good looks - no excuses”. www.fashionmuseum.co.nz I am a sculptor, architectural designer and style columnist. I buy shoes that make a statement. If they don’t go with an existing ensemble or look then they will become the catalyst for a whole new look. My duck boots inspired me to buy a tartan coat and then decorate it over the next year by embroidering felt ducks, umbrellas, clouds and diamante raindrops to match. While my rose shoes are my favourite and are my version of “home”, they go with many outfits. (GAEL BALDOCK) F PN

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photography: Martin Leach

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TRISH BARTLEET; Paul Smith Circus tent boots by Emma Hope

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DORIS DE PONT; Black Geta sandals, Trippen Berlin

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“Really and truly, you can never have too many pairs; they are all different. You need a pair for every mood - and everyone knows that women have a lot of moods.”

FASHION + STYLE

“A gal can never have too many pairs of shoes... or diamonds.”

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photography: Martin Leach

“You’re so sensible, just like your shoes.”

GAEL BALDOCK; Duck boots Ras, Spain from Step Inn 2004

“If the shoe fits.... buy it in every colour.”

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1. Black sandals Thierry Rabotin from Scarpa 2. Cerise casual boots, Ecco from Scarpa 3. Black & white art shoes, United Nude from Scarpa 4. Red lacquer Geisha Girl slides, Gucci, Italy from Dadley 5. Yellow shoes, Melissa, Brazil 6. Metallic snake print sandals, Sarah Riley (NZ 2006) 7. Green & black pony skin boots, Cesare Casadei, Italy 8. Scarpa lime, lemon & cerise shoes, Antonio Berardi 9. Dr Martin with B&W faces, (1980s) 10. Dr look-a-like purple boots de Prada, from Future Feet 11. Red rose shoes Molly N by June Niven, (NZ 2002) 12. Leopard boots Roberto Cavalli, Mortimers (2012).

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DEIRDRE TOHILL: LOCAL NEWS

Dress for success Back in 1995 a New Yorker, Nancy Lublin inherited $5,000 from her grandfather.

She knew of some low-income women who were out of work but couldn’t afford to buy an outfit suitable for a job interview.

Appalled at this catch-22 situation, the 23 year-old used her inheritance to found Dress for Success, just by persuading her friends to donate clothes to her worthy cause. Well, the rest is history. The concept caught on like wildfire and within a few years it grew to be a thriving international not-for-profit organisation with 120 affiliates worldwide.

Auckland joined nine years ago and subsequently Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Whangarei and New Plymouth became affiliated as well. Libby Young, who has a background in journalism and television production took on the role of Executive Director in July 2012. Angela Bevan joined her as external relations manager this year and Angela Smith works part-time as internal relations manager, so there are only three of them managing the whole Auckland area. Fortunately, they have a wonderful group of 90 volunteers who help with dressing and many other tasks.

Dress for Success has a showroom in Mt Eden where women referred by WINZ, the Ministry of Social Development, Church groups, or like organisations receive advice from volunteers who are professionally trained stylists. Each woman has a one-on-one hour long consultation and leaves dressed from top to toe in a complete outfit, and it’s all free. The purpose is to make them feel fantastic before going to an interview.

They need to ooze confidence because it takes only seven seconds to make a good first impression, which is incredibly important. Feedback from the referring agencies is very positive so Libby and her small team know their success rate is high.

Nancy’s simple but amazingly successful concept generates an enormous amount of good will but Libby says with no government funding there’s not much awareness of the need to raise funds and sponsorship. To this end she is planning on raising the Dress for Success profile with a number of events. First she will be leading a charge down Ponsonby Road asking the eateries to donate one cup of coffee for an online

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Libby Young - Dress for success

raffle. Volunteers will help distribute fliers and Facebook followers will be asked to text a $3 donation to win a free coffee at any of the participating cafés or restaurants for a whole year.

The fashion industry has been very supportive so the team now plan to approach every fashion store in Ponsonby, Remuera and Newmarket, asking them to donate just one garment for a ritzy designer sale that will be held in an upmarket venue where patrons will be served canapés and bubbly. Maxwell Drycleaners are already on side.

They collect clothes their patrons no longer wear, dry clean them for free, then pass the garments on to Dress for Success.

Once a candidate is employed, she then receives a second outfit and qualifies to attend the programmes run by Dress for Success. Once a month they get the chance to network with other women and listen to guest speakers who are professionals in their fields and willing to mentor other women on a one-to-one basis if required. All this costs money to organise and administer but Libby has calculated that if 3000 women in well paid employment were to pay a sponsorship of $160 a year for one woman, Dress for Success would be funded for an entire year. That is only $3 a week, less than the price of one coffee.

One woman’s story could apply to anyone. This person was in a great job, a whizz at marketing and an achieving athlete. She was made redundant so took time out to compete in an event overseas before returning, confident she would soon find employment. After a year of unemployment her confidence became eroded even though she had plenty of ability. Attending a Dress for Success session is not a condescending experience. It’s an enabling one and benefits entire families when a PN woman is helped regain a feeling of self worth. (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FASHION + STYLE DRESS FOR SUCCESS BLACK SWAN COCKTAIL PARTY, 8 AUGUST Dress for Success held their Black Swan cocktail party at Westpac on Takutai Square, with ballet performance of the Black Swan dance.

Kathryn Wilson was guest of honour at the annual fundraiser, and spoke about her “incredible journey of success.”

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1. Jill and Francesca Blomfield; 2. Andrea Moore and Andrea Bright; 3. Wendy Francis-Ching and Ashleigh Kearsley; 4. Julia Ford and Kathryn Wilson; 5. Karen Spires and Libby Young (DFS Auckland Executive Director); 6. Nicky Gadsdon and Lulu Wilcox; 7. Amanda Betts and Rebecca Barry Hill

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GARY STEEL: VEG FRIENDLY

Meatless eating comes of age in Auckland NOT SO LONG AGO, ESCHEWING MEAT MEANT CHOWING DOWN ON THE KIND OF unappetising lentil slop that hilarious hippy character Neil always served up to his derisive flatmates in that great English sitcom from the ‘80s, ‘The Young Ones’.

At least, that was the stereotypical picture of vegetarianism; one that came about via the whole foods movement and the advent of health food shops catering to alternative lifestylers and commune dwellers, for whom good health and kicking against “the establishment” was more important than culinary sophistication.

The reality of eating a plant-based diet has always been somewhat more complex and interesting than that, but it’s true that in New Zealand - a country whose economic wellbeing has always revolved around the production of meat - it’s taken the comparatively recent influx of immigrants from India and Asia to give us a vegetarian shot in the arm.

The truth is at the turn of the century, with the demise of the legendary Musical Knives, that there wasn’t even one dedicated vegetarian restaurant to be found in the greater Ponsonby/Grey Lynn area. Happily, over the past 13 years, vegetarianism in its almost endless manifestations has gone ballistic in our community.

Our immediate area is blessed with the world-class Kokako, and over in Newton there’s the extraordinary raw vegan “unbakery” Little Bird. The CBD boasts several Asian “mock meat” vegan restaurants and salad bars like Revive, while a quick trip to Sandringham or Mt Roskill avails to the spice-stimulated gourmand a variety of superb cheap Gujarati and South Indian vegetarian eating establishments.

But why would we care about vegetarianism? Well, there’s now plenty of evidence in a variety of authoritative studies that the benefits of a plant-based diet are numerous, both to our personal health and to the health of the planet’s eco-system. And for those who can’t imagine life without meat, there’s plenty to be gained from cutting back on the quantity of animal products in a meal.

In this new column, my aim isn’t to evangelise or criticise, but to provide useful information (and hopefully inspiration) to full or part-time vegetarians, or those exploring the complex sub-set of non-meat diets, as well as to help parents figure out what their vegetarian or vegan children need to replace the protein punch of meat. (It’s not hard, and it’s not scary, it really isn’t - it just takes a bit of time and knowledge). And as well, we’ll be encouraging local restaurants to offer healthy and tasty vegetarian choices, and rewarding those who do with our plaudits.

We’re living in a world of dietary choice, where some make food decisions to allay the effects of allergies and intolerance, others simply look towards good high performance tucker, and others still are primarily concerned with the ethics of meat consumption, whether it’s the killing of sentient beings or the environmental impact of meat production, or both.

Whatever the reason, or whether the reader is already vegetarian or simply interested in food options, Veg Friendly hopes to provide an insight into the dizzying variety of plant-based options… options which are gaining more traction in Auckland with every passing week. At last count, there were more than 50 vegetarian restaurants and cafes in Auckland, with more on the way, and plenty of others with “veg friendly” menus, and even one of our top hotels is getting in on the act: Hectors restaurant at the Heritage in Hobson St prides itself on its vegan selections, which chef Jinu Abraham hand-prepares from scratch in a dedicated space in the kitchen to avoid any cross-contamination from animal products.

Once the corporate world gets interested, you know that a trend has legs, and veganism is quickly losing its rather extreme image, as more and more Hollywood celebrities and sports achievers ‘come out’ as vegans. Locally, some of our top restaurants are now offering vegetarian degustation menus, which even some meat-loving food critics have proclaimed as having the famous “wow” factor. I look forward to expanding on all this in coming months, and if there’s a topic you would like raised, or if you’re a commercial operation with an accent on vegetarianism, please feel free to get in touch.

Gary Steel is an Auckland-based journalist who runs online vegetarian resource www.doctorfeelgood.co.nz. He can be contacted via beautmusic@gmail.com PN (GARY STEEL) F

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THE FOOD OF ANGELS Alice Shopland has been a vegan for nine years and she is going to throw a big party when it’s been a decade.

She was a semi-vegetarian throughout most of her 20s simply because she felt uncomfortable about handling meat, but by the time she had two children to feed, felt it was unfair to change their diet to suit hers. By chance, in 2004 she met someone who had been a vegan for 30 years and was inspired to go down the same pathway. She stopped eating meat straight away and within six weeks, dairy products.

Her children accepted a vegan diet at home but when out and about were allowed to eat whatever they liked.

Now, Alice found it a struggle to go without cheese but at the time there was no non dairy equivalent available in New Zealand, so she did her research and discovered a soya based product called Cheezly that was manufactured in the UK. She imported it and sold the product through the organic food and gluten free stores all around the country. Now, six years later she’s just stopped importing and is developing her own products and having them manufactured locally. Angel Foods has just launched a toasted coconut variety that has a delicious salty, smokey flavour and is exporting it along with a dairy free cheesey sauce mix. The first pallet was sent off to Australia a couple of weeks ago.

Vegans, strangely enough, are only a minor component of Alice’s market. Most of her customers are lactose intolerant and have eczema, heart problems or suffer migraines, and have been told by their doctor to cut down on dairy products. With the Fonterra debacle raging it’s certainly a good time to be promoting alternatives. Animal products are more risky and prone to bacterial infestation across the board. After all, bacteria is used to manufacture yoghurt. Those on a vegan diet are not likely to ever endure a bout of food poisoning. According to Alice, 80% of that beleaguered company’s Asian market is lactose intolerant anyway. She had a meeting with some Chinese business men recently where no deal was actually struck, but there was definite interest in her enterprise, so much so that one side of her business card is now printed in Mandarin.

Before getting involved in the food industry, Alice earned her living freelance writing for House and Garden, Holiday Magazine, the Listener - to mention just a few. She loved it for the first ten years, plugged away at it for another four, then became more interested in her new venture. She discovered she had a talent for product development even though she hasn’t a science background, but people in that field have been very helpful.

Her work now is all encompassing and involves many different disciplines; accounting, recipe formulation, talking to clients, branding and understanding the psychology of what makes people say, “Yes, I’ll try that”.

Her partner, Colin works with her quite a bit and they run stalls at the gluten free shows where they have the opportunity to talk to customers. Their designer creates all the labels which don’t have vegan plastered all over them but emphasise the dairy free aspect that catches the eye of those they need to reach. They have a connection with a UK company that is testing their products with a view to distributing them at home, and throughout Europe. This association is hugely important, because Angel Foods is a niche market in New Zealand, so it needs to go global.

Presently there are seven Angel Food products on the market and more are going through the development stage. A vegan cheese will be available in a couple of months and Alice has created a recipe for egg free meringues that a food manufacturer is testing before it’s released for sale. Alice is a vegan because she doesn’t believe we have a right to take animals and use them for our food. She says virtually every plant food contains some protein and by eating a variety through the course of a day the body also absorbs PN all the amino acids needed for a healthy diet. (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY MAMA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN & PIZZA Italian food nourishes body and soul by celebrating fresh ingredients prepared with love - best enjoyed surrounded by loved ones!

If you haven’t eaten your way across Italy yet, don’t despair, as located on Richmond is Mama’s Italian Kitchen & Pizza and it’s definitely worth a visit!

They say when something is great don’t change it! So, when the new owners (Aaron and Stella) purchased the business formerly known as Covo they didn’t change much at all.

The name has changed, obviously, but they still have the same wonderful team of restaurant manager, a very skilled chef (ex Toto’s) and wait staff that are dedicated to ensuring you have not only a wonderful meal but also an experience to remember.

The old favorites are either still on the menu or have been slightly modified to include fresh quality ingredients and they have added some superb new dishes including Pappardelle with Rabbit (a delicious rabbit dish with mushroom, bacon, mustard and a white wine sauce), Spicy crusted Scotch Fillet (Fresh Scotch fillet with a peanut, honey and chilli crust served on roast potatoes, spinach and bacon with marsala jus) and a fabulous vegetarian ravioli (stuffed with pumpkin and walnut, served with sage butter).

The menu is filled to bursting with authentic mouth- watering dishes to tantalise your taste buds. Wholesome dishes made with quality ingredients prepared by experienced chefs and Aaron has just finished working on a new wine list including wines from New Zealand and Italy.

Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday for an intimate dining experience not easily PN forgotten. Bookings essential for weekend dining. F MAMA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN & PIZZA, 137A Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland T: 09 378 4500

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY JAKE AND ELLE HARRISON CREATE HIGH TEA AT THE STAMFORD PLAZA JAKE AND ELLE HARRISON, AUSTRALIA’S CULINARY SIBLINGS ARE PACKING UP THEIR CAKE mixer this September and heading to the Stamford Plaza Auckland. The brother and sister team both still in their early 20s, wowed viewers on Australia and New Zealand’s highest rating television series My Kitchen Rules. At the Stamford Plaza they will be treating guests to a high tea inspired by the colours and flavours of spring. Renowned for their adventurous style, this is High Tea as only Jake and Elle can do it.

“Welcoming Jake and Elle to the Stamford Plaza is fantastic for the hotel” says general manager Paul Evans, “They are both so vivacious and cheeky and their food speaks for itself. Our High Tea is really popular but we like to keep it current and fresh, so we are delighted that Jake and Elle will be the new High Tea experience.”

The Stamford Plaza is getting a reputation for pushing the boundaries when it comes to the ‘traditional high tea.’ Award winning chef Michael Meredith has had his high tea menu in the hotel for the past four months, attracting thousands of guests to dine in the elegant lobby of the hotel since early May. “Our menu is a true collaboration of our cooking styles,” says Elle. “Jake tends to be more laid back and enjoys entertaining guests as much as the actual cooking.”

“Elle is definitely more, straight down the line than me” says Jake “Her dishes are presented beautifully, with real detail given to the colour and the composition of what’s on the plate.

“Jake can be a little more controversial than me, but he always pulls out show stopping dishes” adds Elle.

PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE: Maureen Tomlinson and Larissa Park enjoying a Volcanic Hills wine, in the new wine tasting room, at Skyline in ROTORUA.

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Launching on 14 and 15 September, at $39 per head, guests will have the chance to meet and have their food prepared by Jake and Elle over this weekend only. Reservations are PN essential and can be made by booking at www.knightsonalbert.co.nz F

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY NEWS FROM GEOFF SCOTT AND VINNIES THIS MONTH AT VINNIES BY GEOFF SCOTT THERE SOME NEW THINGS IN THE COOKING pot! September is a great time to spring clean, take stock of things and get ready for the summer, and prepare for Christmas. Our new spring menu has some unexpected culinary treats, featuring taste combinations you may not have tried before and served by our wait team with a playful Vinnies twist! As always our spring menu features both a seven and five course degustation tasting menu, as well as a complete vegetarian tasting menu. We also like to create dishes specifically for any dietary requirements, no matter how challenging.

If you are a whitebait fan and haven’t had your fill yet, then look no further! We have been cooking superb quality fresh Port Waikato bait as well as receiving special deliveries of Haast and Cascade River - we’ll let you know as soon as these arrive in our kitchen with updates on Facebook on Twitter! There are two special events coming up that will sell out fast and we are very excited about…

On Friday October 4 Dr Tim Cooper is hosting a Coopers Beer and food matched four course dinner and tasting. Dr Tim, as he is affectionately known, is a fifth generation Cooper. He initially studied medicine specialising in cardiology then took time off to study brewing science. As managing director of the 1881 family run Australian brewery he still keeps a very close eye on the quality of his beer in his role dual role as chief brewer.

Dr Tim was recently dining at Vinnies and it will be a pleasure to welcome him back as he is a great speaker. He is very entertaining and has one of the most wicked laughs on him. Join us for a superb evening of craft beer and great cuisine.

Ever thought about catching up with some of your long lost business or varsity buddies?

Then this is the perfect excuse. On Friday October 18 we welcome back renowned business journalist Rod Oram. This will be his third guest visit to Vinnies, for another peek into the business world, this time from the Australasian perspective. Rod has more than 30 years experience as an international business journalist. He is currently a columnist for the Sunday Star-Times, and a regular broadcaster on radio and television.

The concept for the lunch initially came from Rod’s time whilst working in London, and how important it was to socialise over lunch, and share in confidence topical business issues. After an initial introduction by Rod, the idea is to have lively discussion, under Chatham House rules, while being served a delicious lunch with matching fine wines. We PN look forward to looking after you Geoff Scott and the Vinnies Team. F

LOVE SUMMER LOVE ZOMER ZOMER CAFÉ & CASUAL NIGHT BISTRO, SITUATED IN THE MCKENZIES PRECINCT Takapuna just off Takapuna Beach, is the newest venture for Clare & Joost van den Berg, also the first owners of local Herne Bay café, Zus & Zo. Zomer meaning summer in Dutch exudes a light and breezy feel with being just back from the beach. A yellow and white awning gives the entrance a touch of zest and the entire décor could be somewhat compared to a Scandinavian feel, also mixed in with hints of soft greys and blues. As you walk in, a long central bench has a selection of ever changing sweet treats on display for your temptation. The menu is fresh, creating wonderful flavours, using only the finest ingredients.

With being such a fantastic sunny and charming spot, Zomer has decided to branch out and open in the evenings as well, starting September. They will be adding to their delicious breakfast and lunch menu, still keeping the Dutch twist feel within the menu.

Zomer’s menu also includes a selection of delicious fresh juices and smoothies for when you come off the beach, or small bites pre dinner. Soak up the evening sun with a glass of Rosé or be cosy inside in the winter months, with a ginger and lemon tea in hand.

Pop by and try Zomer out. It’s the perfect place to meet with friends or mingle with the locals on the communal table. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, PN Monday-Sunday 8am-11pm Sunday and Monday Evenings Closed. Liquor Licence. F ZOMER CAFÉ & CASUAL NIGHT BISTRO, 21 Hurstmere Road Takapuna Beach.

(Also Accessed at No.4 The Strand) T: 09 488 7594 www.zomer.co.nz

VINNIES, 166 Jervois Road T: 09 376 5597 www.vinnies.co.nz

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY

REAL PASIFIK: TV ONE 7 September - 19 October 4pm Pacific Food Revolution!

Hot on the heels of the success of their World Kitchen television series, production studio Zoomslide and Robert Oliver are finally bringing New Zealand a food show with a conscience.

‘DINE ON US IN TOKYO’ Tokyo Club, Ponsonby Central, will be offering one lucky couple the opportunity to spend a long weekend in Tokyo for two.

All diners up until November 30 2013, will be given the opportunity to enter the draw to win a return trip for two to Tokyo, flying Air New Zealand, with transfers, three nights quality accommodation, and a guided dining tour through the food lanes of Tokyo, with NZ$200 as spending money. Terms & conditions apply. With special thanks to Mondo Travel & Air New Zealand.

Real Pasifik doesn't just pay lip-service. This series is set to bring about real change.

Real Pasifik forms part of a movement aiming to drastically reduce the amount of imported food used within the tourism industry throughout the Pacific. At present, 70% of food for tourists is imported. Real Pasifik aims to turn this on its head so that within five years 70% of food is grown locally instead. This might be viewed as a fairly lofty ambition, but it's one that suddenly seems a whole lot more achievable when you learn a bit more about the credentials of the man who is to become the face of Real Pasifik.

New Zealand's very own celebrated chef, Robert Oliver is back home to present the series. Oliver is working hard to ensure that Real Pasfik's ambitions are met while at the same time, proving to New Zealand and the rest of the world that there is much more to Pacific food than just corned beef and taro.

Oliver's first cookbook - Me'a Kai: The Food and Flavours of the Pacific - was named “Best Cookbook in the World” at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris in 2010. Not only will Robert Oliver and Real Pasifik kick-start much needed change across the Pacific, the show is also set to entertain its audience with some seriously amazing food, people and locations.

Each episode of Real Pasifik showcases a different country and its cuisine with series one visiting Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, The Cook Islands, Vanuatu and New Zealand.

“I was utterly blown away with the stories that emerged during our travels for Real Pasifik. It's been a fabulous and eye opening journey. I simply can't wait to share it with New Zealand and the rest of the world”, states Oliver proudly.

Oliver's book Me'a Kai was lauded as introducing the last undiscovered cuisine to the world and the food featured on Real Pasifik will demonstrate exactly what had the culinary world all in a whirl. Oliver and the local chefs' unique approaches and amazing skills help elevate common place, traditional or indigenous foods from the Pacific, like PN good old corned beef and taro, right up into the realm of fine dining. F Episodes: 7 September: The Cook Islands, 14 September: Samoa, 21 September: Vanuatu, 28 September: Fiji, 5 October: New Zealand

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CELIA HAY: NZ SCHOOL OF FOOD & WINE Renee Anaki is passionate about good food and her career in hospitality.

After leaving school, she did number of jobs including administration roles and working in Australia, but she returned home to Auckland to pursue her dream of refining her culinary skills so that she could work in hospitality.

In 2012, Renee completed the Foundation Certificate in Cooking and Hospitality at the New Zealand School of Food and Wine and then went on to do the Certificate in Cookery.

“I first studied the foundation course which was a great introduction to how restaurants and cafés work. We studied restaurant service and barista which I really loved. I did not really appreciate the skill that goes behind making each coffee taste great and look fantastic”. “We went on to learn culinary terms and about all the different ingredients that contribute to cooking great food. The cooking course also taught us a range of dishes suitable for preparing in cafés. There was a module on Superyacht interior training and we learnt to make cocktails as well as all about the different spirits and liqueurs. As part of the course we had work experience to build our confidence and customer service skills and my first placement was at Euro.“I then went on to do the 16 week Certificate in Cookery where I learnt about what it takes to cook fine food. This was a fantastic course. We started with classic stocks and then the special sauces that come from them. Each week had a its own theme for instance we had bread week where we learnt to make standard breads to ciabatta and sourdough. In fish week, we learnt to fillet fish and pan-sear as well as poach fish. In another week we learnt

cake making and all about chocolate. “Now I am work at Celia’s Pies in the Viaduct

where we make our own pies with this healthy pastry. Every day I put into practice so many of the things that I have learnt during my study.”

Recipe for Smoked Fish pies - makes 6 pies.

Use this as a base to multiply out the quantities required to make more.

600g béchamel - or enough béchamel to generously half fill each pie tin.

120g hot smoked salmon or other fish 6 tablespoon vegetable mixture 12 spinach leaves (2 per pie) squeeze of lemon juice whisked egg yolk or milk to glaze pastry lid Vegetable mixture 1 tablespoon oil, 1 carrot diced, 1 onion diced 1. Place the oil in a small pot. Add the diced carrot and onion. Season with salt.

2. Cover with a lid and cook until translucent - 4 - 5 minutes. Cool.

3. The vegetables should be just firm but not soggy as they will cook again inside the pie.

To make the pie 1. Preheat the oven to 220C. 2. Prepare the pastry tins (see last week).

3. In a bowl, place the béchamel and vegetable mixture.

4. Add smoked fish - break it up with your fingers. Squeeze of lemon. Stir. Season to taste.

5. Spoon the pie mix into each pie tin. Press the spinach leaves on top.

6. Cover with pastry lid. Glaze with egg or milk. Stab the lid to make air holes.

7. Bake for around 15 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden.

For further information about these courses contact: New Zealand School of Food and Wine, Level 3, 104 Custom Street West, Viaduct, Auckland, 09 377 7961, www.foodandwine.co.nz (CELIA HAY) F PN

NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL OF FOOD & WINE, Level 3, 104 Customs Street West www.foodandwine.co.nz Email me: celia@foodandwine.co.nz

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LAURAINE JACOBS: THE SEASONED PALATE

THE SUGAR CLUB What a view! As you step out of the extraordinarily terrifying lift that whisks you to the 53rd floor of the Sky Tower, the whole of the Auckland harbour lies in front of you.

photography: Manja Wachsmuth

But within seconds your attention shifts to the comforting, cosseting entry foyer that is cool, sophisticated and very welcoming. Decorated in moody blues with the most fascinating silken textured walls it shrieks thoughtful design and delight.

At first I pondered the decision to move Peter Gordon away from Federal Street and install him, his fusion cuisine and The Sugar Club, high in the sky. But having eaten up there and revelled in the ambience, the menu, the attention and the wines, I think this is a master stroke on Sky City’s part.

The Sugar Club first became popular in Wellington when Peter plied his fusion cuisine to that city’s appreciative audience well back into the last century. So good it was, that it upped-sticks and moved to London, where it enjoyed two reincarnations before closing.

Peter Gordon, with restaurants in London and consultant chef in such places as Istanbul, has become a household name in both New Zealand and London. And, as anyone who knows him well will attest, he is one of the nicest guys ever let near a kitchen. He is the master, the inventor and the most recognised chef on earth of fusion cuisine, and in his new place he is at the top of his game.

If anyone thinks Sky City rules the roost with their restaurants and celebrity-style chefs, think again. Once the decision was made to move Peter Gordon from his “dine

by Peter Gordon” - that restaurant lurking well back in Sky City Grand’s foyer - the chef himself has made all the major decisions. Inspired by the Luca Guadagnino film I Am Love (which sets producer and star Tilda Swinton in the Art Deco era of the 1930s) he charged designers Jonathon Goss and Judy Court with capturing a little of that magic he loved so much. It is gorgeous, and enhanced by some stunning glass art Peter picked up in Venice.

Peter Gordon of course, still has Providores and Kopapa restaurants in London and will continue to jet backwards and forwards. He’s worked closely with his new head chef here, Neil Brazier, to create a menu that suits the surroundings. It’s filled with classic Peter Gordon fusion dishes and some, like the beef pesto, hark back to his very first menu in Wellington. That beef is tenderly marinated in soy and spices and then sautéed and served with the fresh surprise of Italian style pesto on top. He also has included his very famous take on laksa, this time a spiced smoky version crammed with duck, pumpkin and a golden egg, and vattalapam - palm sugar and coconut baked custard with mango sorbet and coconut praline, the essence of Asian-influenced dessert and about as moreish as you get.

Some of the enticing things about The Sugar Club are the weekend brunches, and the express lunch menu where you can score a $46 tab for two courses or at $56 you will

get three courses. The bargain of the city when you consider the view, especially as all the tables have a view over Ponsonby and the western aspect of our city. You can spend your lunch time watching the poor folks at home.

A much fuller a la carte lunch menu is offered too, where the dishes are more complex and more fully garnished. There’s an Otago saffron linguine with crab, pinenuts and aged parmigiano which I cannot get out of memory as it was so light and airy I almost felt it might lift off the plate. The other dish I adored was Yellow Brick Road’s day boat fish (snapper) with red tuatua, fregola, green sauce and miso beurre blanc.

Here’s the thing about Peter Gordon’s food. It is refreshingly different, remarkably audacious at times, and combines all the things we love to like in New Zealand.

At night of course, unless it is inclement weather, the lights sparkle, the menu changes and there’s a frisson of even greater sophistication. The dinner menu is made up of ever so slightly smaller plates, designed to give guests the experience of tasting more than just the usual old starter and main. Two courses $60, three courses $80, four courses $95, and five courses $105. And that’s probably as much as anyone could or should eat!

Other things not to miss on the menu include the seared yellow fin tuna (garnished with truffled yuzu, umeboshi dressing, goji berries, arami and a beer battered Bluff oyster), the tender merino lamb rack, a wonderfully aromatic five spice duck breast, and the extraordinarily daring peanut butter parfait with salted caramel, chocolate sorbet and crunchy bits.

Some fine staff have been lured from elsewhere to pamper diners, and as the first thing you see is the cocktail bar and a small wine library well stocked with some fabulous New Zealand favourites, there’s a good chance of excellent imbibing both pre-dinner and to accompany the food. This is a great addition to Auckland City’s dining scene.

THE SUGAR CLUB, Sky Tower, T: 09 363 6365 www.skycityauckland.co.nz/restaurants/the-sugar-club (LAURAINE JACOBS MNZM) F PN www.laurainejacobs.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

WHAT’S HOT AT SABATO A SPRING IN OUR STEP… The days are finally getting longer, warmer and brighter and though we all love delicious and hearty winter fare, the imminent arrival of warmer months is certainly putting a spring in our foodie footsteps!

What better way to make the most of spring food than with our new spring/summer recipe card set? Following on from the fabulous autumn/winter set, these cards make the most of the new seasons produce and our favourite Sabato ingredients.

Each of the 12 delicious dishes you will find in this savvy set has been designed by talented chef and food writer Julie le Clerc. With recipes such as the Ultimate Salade Niçoise, Spicy Cherry Tomato and Prawn Risotto, and Spanish Peach and Marzipan Tart there is something special for every occasion.

The clever collapsible stand, wipeable laminate, step-by-step instructions and beautiful pictures make these cards a great addition to any cook book collection. With Christmas just around the corner these are a great gift idea for all your foodie friends and family - especially with a few gourmet goodies to get the lucky recipient started!

Available instore, online and through selected retailers.

Don’t forget Sabato’s free weekend cooking demonstrations. Drop by the showroom from 11.30am on Saturdays and Sundays to see the team cooking up delicious dishes, taste test the results and pick up the recipe to try at home.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for details each week PN www.facebook.com/sabato.nz F SABATO Limited, 57 Normanby Road T: 09 630 8751 www.sabato.co.nz

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LIZ WHEADON: WINE, GLORIOUS WINE

What’s new and hot?

Rosé - and it’s not just a summer thing!

Go back a few years and as a wine retailer you’d be hoping that you did not have a single bottle of Rosé left come end of summer - but no longer - the quality and styles of Rosé available have increased, as has our attention span for them. Rosé has broken out of its stereotype of being a summer wine and it’s now firmly in the all year round league. This trend has not just been seen in New Zealand, there’s worldwide growth in Rosé sales. We have a great range in store right now; all the different styles, ranging from full bodied tannic Rosé to the lighter prettier types. Some of these stylistic differences come from the way Rosé is made, some from the varieties used and some from the part of the world in which they are made.

There are three main ways to produce Rosé wines; Through skin contact; Soignée method and blending. The first is most commonly used when the aim from the start to the finish is to make Rosé. Red skinned grapes are picked and then crushed; the skin and the juice are left together for a short period of time.

After this the skins are pressed and then discarded prior to the fermentation. In red wine production the skins would remain with the juice until after fermentation. The resulting colour of the Rosé depends on how long the skins and juice have been in contact for.

This method of producing Rosé usually results in wines with tannin and a reasonable amount of colour.

The second method, Saignée or bleeding, is a technique whereby Rosé is made as a secondary product to red wine production. This method of production involves removing some of the pink juices from the initial crushing of the red grapes. This juice is then fermented and a Rosé produced. By doing this the red wine being produced has more tannin and colour. This style of production results in very light fruity Rosé.

The third method, blending; this is where red and white wines are blended to produce a Rosé wine. This method is not as common as the first two and is in fact banned in Europe, except in Champagne, where some Rosé champagne is made this way, predominantly with Chardonnay and a little Pinot Noir added.

Rosé wines are very food friendly. The heavier, full bodied styles tend to go well with turkey, chicken and duck, the lighter style wines with fish and salads (without too much vinegar in the dressing). They are also a great match with curries and Chinese cuisine.

Here’s a few of my favourites available at Glengarry stores now.

PN www.glengarrywines.co.nz (LIZ WHEADON) F

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SPICY CABBAGE

IN-SEASON VEGETABLES GIVE THE FRESHEST FLAVOURS, GREAT NUTRITIONAL VALUE and are easy on the wallet too. This spicy colourful side will take the humble cabbage - and your next meal - to greater heights.

Serves 6 Time to make 25 minutes 2 tablespoons flavoured oil such as chilli oil small piece fresh ginger, finely chopped 1-2 teaspoons ground cumin 3 spring onions, finely chopped 6 cups shredded red or green cabbage 1/4 cup liquid salt-reduced vegetable stock 4 tablespoons sultanas 3 tablespoons walnuts 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Step 1 Heat oil in a non-stick pan for a few minutes. Add ginger and cumin. Cook for a few minutes. Add spring onions and cook for a few minutes until softened.

Step 2 Add cabbage. Stir to combine. Add stock and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sultanas and walnuts. Sprinkle with parsley to serve.

Recipe and styling Sarah Swain Photography Melanie Jenkins Recipe reprinted from Healthy Food Guide magazine with permission from Healthy Life Media Ltd. Find more easy vegetarian side dishes in Healthy Food Guide magazine ($5.90), on sale in supermarkets and bookstores or subscribe at www.healthyfood.co.nz F PN

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

JULIE BONNER: NEWS FROM FROG POND FARM

Winter things to think about …

SOMETHING WHICH I DO ALL YEAR ROUND IS FERTILISE MY VEGE GARDENS. I CAN OFTEN be seen staggering around our hillside raised beds watering can in hand, sloshing homemade fish and seaweed brew over the gardens and myself into the bargain. Does it smell? You bet!

A few weeks back, Andrew, with a bit of coaxing, loaded our beaut 60-litre sprayer into the back of our ATV, hooked it up to the battery and strapped it in. 40-litres of water and 400mls of Agrisea seaweed fertiliser into the unit and yours truly was off. The plants love this stuff… they literally stand to attention as it is sprayed liberally over their foliage. The garlic, onions, brassicas, peas, beetroot, lettuce and herbs were the lucky recipients.

Plus the citrus, five olive trees along the drive and our roses were sprayed. Wonderful!

On a sunny Sunday a few weeks ago, Andrew and I pruned the majority of our olive trees, which given we have about 40 planted on a hillside, was a damned good effort. Andrew had his pole chain saw and I had my ratchet secateurs, and as I love pruning I was in heaven! Methylated spirits to clean the equipment between trees, some pruning paste for large branch removals - not much of that mind you, plenty of sun and a light breeze - what more could you want? Plus the trimmings have been heaped in a pile waiting to be mulched. Good job!

That’s not the only thing that I am pleased about either, I’m gloating as I have at last scribbled down my summer planting plan. I have six raised beds and each year I rotate my crops so that the same vege isn’t in the same bed year after year. The logic for this is quite simple, rotating gives the soil a chance to replenish itself, plus it should lessen the need to worry about pests and disease.

Planting in general is a big thing. If you try and do it by the book the suggestion is to group plants together with similar needs. Some plants are moderate feeders while others of course are on the heavy side. So with this in mind, it is a good idea to think about what you plant before a crop i.e. beans or peas (nitrogen fixers) before brassicas, or consider a root crop after them. Ah, there is so much to remember. I’m a firm believer if you feed your soil, then it in turn will feed you, or should I say your vegetables. So at the end of each growing season, once all the spent plants have been removed, I always add back loads of organic matter - compost, animal manure, basalt rock, coffee grounds, mulch, wood ash and the list goes on. I endeavour to put back as much as possible.

How is our garden growing? Our peas are doing famously, clambering up the trellis with lots of lovely fat pods dangling from the greenery. The garlic and onions are coming along nicely and it just so happens that cauli and broccoli are still on the menu.

At long last, I have been particularly good and gone through my seed store removing seed that is well and truly past its best. It goes without saying that where possible I endeavour to “save” my own seed from flowers and vege alike. However, I do like replenishing my own stocks, something that I do from season to season poking my nose into a Kings catalogue, or chewing on a pencil as I view what’s available at Running Brook Seed or Kaiwaka Organics.

Do you like wildflowers? I just adore them and the obligatory yearly purchase of seed arrived this week from Garden Post… soon to be broadcast.

That’s it for me for another month… happy gardening! (JULIE BONNER) www.frogpondfarm.co.nz F PN

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PHIL PARKER: WHOSE WINE IS IT ANYWAY?

Naked wine The Natural Wine Movement Recently I attended a Wine Writers of New Zealand tasting and debate on Natural Wines.

So, with about 40 wines to sample and many different opinions in the room, there it was a pretty (ahem) lively event.

There is a worldwide trend in grape growing and wine making, where very few or no chemicals are used in the process. This is variously called organic, natural or sustainable. However, defining those three categories is subject to a lot of discussion - both within and outside the wine making fraternity. The word organic is obviously not copyrighted, but in New Zealand BioGro trademarked organic wines are made from grapes grown under the strict (and some would say slightly nutty) principles of Rudolph Steiner. Yet many BioGro certified wines contain sulphur dioxide (S02) as a preservative. SO2 (preservative 220) has been used since Roman times. Egg white is essentially natural, also possibly organic, but is often added as a clarifying (fining agent) for hundreds of years. But does it make a wine unnatural if you add an animal product to fermented grape juice? As someone in the debate added - it’s all very well saying that wine should have as little human intervention as possible but grapes don’t pick and squash themselves. Humans have been happily intervening with grapes for thousands of years in order to make a pleasing alcoholic beverage.

Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) aims to provide a “best practice” model of environmental practices in both the vineyard and winery. This means using very low levels of spraying, low sulphite levels and more environmental friendly vineyard management. Many of our top vineyards are SWNZ accredited: including Pernod Ricard (Montana), Nobilo, Villa Maria, Delegats, Oyster Bay, Hunters, Mudbrick and Matua.

The Natural Wine movement is credited to French winemaker Jules Chauvet. His thinking is that there must be as little human intervention as possible in growing and making wine, i.e. organic and/or biodynamic viticulture: no insecticides, no artificial fertilizers and no herbicides should ever be used on the vines. Grapes must be hand harvested, and only “indigenous” or naturally occurring vineyard yeasts are permitted to ferment the pressed juice (as opposed to more reliable commercial yeasts). Then there is the vexed issue of whether or not to add SO2 to stabilise and get rid of any remaining yeasts or bacteria in the wine. Within the natural wine movement there is wide discussion and disagreement. Some regard this as forbidden territory, others say it is vital to give the wine longevity and preserve purity of flavour. Finally when the wine is bottled, there is generally no filtering or fining, so your wine may end up slightly cloudy or with some crust of sediment.

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Among the 40 odd wines some were pretty odd, some were oxidised and vinegary. But some were outstanding. Here are some good examples of New Zealand natural wines.

Framingham ‘F-Series’ Marlborough Spätlese Riesling 2012 Medium sweet Riesling style. Flavours of lemon squash and lemonade with soft acidity.

Millton Riverpoint Gisborne Viognier 2011 Fruity but dry mineral style with stone fruit, poached pear and dried apricot flavours.

Rippon Central Otago Gamay Noir 2012 No added S02. Made from the classic grape of Beaujolais, soft with bubble gum fruity aromas and spicy flavours.

Cambridge Road Dovetail Martinborough Pinot Noir/Syrah 2011 Peppery/savoury aromas, with plummy fruit and a dry finish.

Felton Road Cornish Point Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012 Savoury, soft and fruity with a spicy richness on the palate.

Pyramid Valley Howell Hawkes Bay Cabernet Franc 2010 Big luscious, rich and ripe with intense colour and black berry fruit flavours.

(PHIL PARKER) F PN Read Phil’s blog at nzwineblogger.blogspot.co.nz Phil Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine & Food Tours in Auckland. www.insidertouring.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE 1

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1. Bonjour from local residents Natalya and Gabriella Holmes. This Ponsonby News magazine has been all over FRANCE! Natalya and Gabriella love reading the Ponsonby News and spotting familiar faces.

2. Danny O’Sullivan from Westmere, with his Grandmother Nonie from Ireland (but a frequent Ponsonby visitor), reading PN at their Villa in SEMINYAK BALI in the school hols.

3. Newly weds, Emily and Adam Harrison (the cricket legend at Cricket Wales) took a break from their novels to have a quick look through September’s issue of PN. They have been on their honeymoon and spent part of it here at Maya, UBUD, BALI. They live in Cwmbran, South Wales, near Newport.

4. Rosalba Giopp and Graciano Rossi top of Rif Lagazuoi mountain ITALY 2752 metres up, catching up on what’s happing in Ponsonby.

5. Peter and Linda Stopforth @ Riva De Milan Restaurant Valdobbiadene Treviso ITALY.

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY

By Chris Lyons, Director and Tour Host, World Journeys If group travel conjures up image of hordes of tourists following a guide’s upheld umbrella, think again! Small group travel today can be the ultimate way to travel to some of the world’s most exciting, challenging and exotic countries. I am in the enviable position of hosting small groups of Kiwi travellers each year to the likes of South America and Africa, and can honestly say it’s the way to go!

You may not have friends who share your particular “bucket list” of travel desires, but don’t like travelling alone. Perhaps tackling a foreign language is too daunting, or you simply don’t have the energy to do it all yourself. Booking a small group tour takes care of all of that. There is company to share the experiences with, all the nitty gritty details are taken care of by someone else, and your host or escort is there to smooth the way should anything unexpected happen.

World Journeys creates and operates over 20 small group tours each year, selecting our most-loved destinations such as the game parks of East Africa, the colours and culture of India, and the epic ports of the Mediterranean. Some of these journeys are based around a cruise, often including some unique touring at either end, such as a sojourn at Lake Como. Other journeys take roads less travelled, such as our tour through Japan. The Mediterranean is ever popular, as is Canada & Alaska, with its soaring Rocky Mountains and rustic coastal villages.

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New for 2014 is a “Hawaii, Oregon & Washington” itinerary, enjoying stopovers in Hawaii, a small ship cruise on the beautiful Columbia and Snake Rivers, and tastings at Oregon’s famed boutique vineyards and breweries. Food and wine is always a highlight of our travel, and we often include a farewell dinner at a hidden gem favourite restaurant enjoyed only by those “in the know”.

Most of all, I love the conviviality of travelling in, and hosting, a small group. There’s always company if you want it, or time to go and do your own thing every now and then.

And every person brings something to the mix. There may be a keen photographer in the group who you can follow to get the best shots, or a fashionista who will call upon my haggling skills to buy jewellery or textiles in the markets. Many life-long friendships have been forged on tour, and many return again to travel with us in subsequent years.

Travel is all about the journey, but it’s also about sharing the experience, and that’s the beauty of travelling with a group.

We do hope you can join us at the launch of our new Journeys 2014 brochure, in Ponsonby on 10th September - just give us a call for details and to register. Or simply ask your local travel agent for a copy of the brochure. F PN

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ROSS THORBY: SEA FEVER I love my parents don’t get me wrong, but I come from a long line of landlubbers - my father gets seasick looking at a glass of water and the closest my parents have ever gotten to a cruise was a reservation on the ill-fated Wahine, three weeks after her sinking.

I still remember being lifted up above the handrails on our subsequent crossing on the “Maori III” to see the hulk of New Zealand’s finest lying in Wellington Harbor. Enough to put most sane people off a holiday at sea.

My parents therefore, have never quite understood my fascination with the sea or ships and so the offer I made to Mother to join the QM2 for a week, topped off by a promise of smooth sailing, took some persuading. A trip along the Great Australian Bight in the height of summer should have been a doddle.

Even so, I arrived at Mother’s hotel the morning the ship berthed in Sydney, to find her armed to the gunwales with seasickness pills, Dramamine and enough patches to calm even the most highly-strung of landsmen.

I was only armed with a bottle of valium, but that is another story. The sea is a petulant mistress and completely unreliable so, despite the ship’s huge stabilizers being deployed, we spent our days and nights alternating between being massaged in a washing machine and floating about serenely on a millpond.

After some particularly rough sea-days, landfall in Melbourne and Adelaide came as a welcome relief to those onboard who were not as well prepared as Mother. She, who had frequently been seen gaily disappearing into various spas, lectures and movies, sporting a glass of mothers’ ruin in one hand and the day’s programme in the other.

Meanwhile, many of the most ardent of first timers were still clutching onto the handrails for dear life and wishing for the whole experience to end before they threw themselves over the side into the boiling seas.

Awakening at 5.30am on Mother’s last day, found us way out to sea when we should have been sitting idly alongside the Fremantle dock. The commotion in the sea had made it too dangerous to approach the very narrow entrance into the Harbour. The ship maintained our position for several hours, facing out into the winds and riding the waves.

Eventually around 10am, well after many hopefully disembarking passengers had missed flights and connections, we were advised by the captain to either sit on the floor or find a railing to hold onto as the ship was about to perform a 180 degree turn in an attempt to approach the port.

We were sitting in the café as the ship began her turn. The wind snatched at the 237 feet height of the ship that, acting like a sail, began to heel us over. Many in the room gripped harder and winced, I’m sure some praying quietly until the captain finally abandoned the attempt. I was proud of Mother as she sat calmly clutching her life jacket ... err, coffee cup.

After several unsuccessful essays over the next few hours, we were finally able to make the full turn and approach the port; only to be turned back just before the breakwater... the four tugs that had been called to help us were left hanging impotently at the entrance.

Again we hovered, waiting for the winds to abate to an acceptably safe level. After all, the Captain had the responsibility of a billion dollar ship and the lives of 2600 passengers at stake and had we been grounded against the rocks, no one wanted to be responsible for creating the world’s most beautiful and expensive breakwater. Cunard has a long history of safety at sea and it’s at times like this that it’s truly evident, and appreciated by all concerned.

Finally around 2pm, taking advantage of a brief respite in the wind, we made a break for it and the ship glided past the waving locals on the causeway and managed to dock in the salvation of Fremantle Harbor, just as the winds started up again.

Years passed, Mother was safely evacuated to the airport amongst a flurry of bags and souvenirs of her adventure and I was able to toast her safe departure, now free to empty the unopened bottle of valium safely down the loo.

I recently asked Mother if she was interested in another cruise. Funnily enough... she’s busy that week. I guess, I’m still an oddball in a long line of landlubbers.

PN (ROSS THORBY) F

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Photography: Jay Platt

Photography: Martin Leach

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6. They didn’t tell us where they were, but it looked very cold where Andrew Talbutt and Anne-Marie Keenan were photographed with our September issue.

7. Paul Blake is general manager at Maya Resort and Spa in UBUD, BALI and has 298 staff. He is originally from Pakuranga so was very keen to see the current issue of PN. 8. Dewy was a breakfast supervisor at Maya Resort and Spa in UBUD, BALI. She was so friendly and nothing was ever too much trouble.

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PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE 9

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9. John Cogan is a New Zealander now living and farming in NORTH EAST THAILAND. He lived in Kingsland, just across the road from the Kingslander, for many years and tells us: “My sister, who lives in Red Beach, sent me a copy of the Ponsonby News and I have really enjoyed reading it. Lloyd May was a good friend of mine so I was interested to see how his old Kingsland Motorcycles shop had been turned into Citizen Park. I have not been home, since 2008 and after reading about Auckland I now feel homesick.

Congratulations, a great magazine full of interesting reading. Well done.” 10. St Mary’s Bay residents Gerard Hall and Allan Horner were photographed on SUNSET BEACH, ST MAARTEN by Ponsonby resident Warwick Hutchinson. St Maarten was one of six Caribbean islands we all cruised around. Sunset beach is at the end of the runway for Juliana Airport. Beach goers feel the exhilaration as huge jet aircraft pass just meters overhead on landing. Then it’s a real blast as the engines power up for takeoff. Hats, bags, umbrellas and bathers are blown into the surf. It’s quite hilarious to watch those who cannot withstand the gale force winds. 11. Bruce Millar, brassfounder of Freemans Bay is pictured on Anse Vata beach, NEW CALEDONIA in July with the Bastille Day issue. 12. Debra Lawson and PN were photographed in the transit area at SHANGHAI AIRPORT and they were particularly amused at the Chinese spelling of “cake”!

And in more than one place - so it wasn’t just a one-off typo! They were flying from Auckland to London via Shanghai with Air New Zealand then Virgin Atlantic.

Dear readers please keep sending us your holiday snaps reading your favourite magazine, we love getting them! Photos need to be in high resolution (300dpi), so please email them to info@ponsonbynews.co.nz without reducing the size. PN

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TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

GOING TO DUNEDIN…. EXPERIENCE A DUNEDIN YOU HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE! We know you’ve heard of Larnach Castle but not everyone knows about the historic Dunedin home Olveston and Dunedin’s Jewish history.

Experience a slice of Dunedin’s history with a visit through “yesterday” with the Olveston Experience. Enjoy a three hour personally guided tour of Dunedin in chauffeur driven luxury within a classic Jaguar or Daimler limousine followed by an exclusive red carpet visit to Olveston, including access to areas of the house normally closed to the general public. A true time capsule, little has changed inside the house since it was occupied as a family home from 1906 to 1966. It is therefore an authentic and original historic house depicting the way of life of a well to do family in the early part of the twentieth century.

along the Otago Harbour, one of the most picturesque in the world, proceeds to climb the hills and cliffs and finally emerges above the Pacific Ocean and out onto the dazzling splendour of the coastal bays and surrounds of Waitati.

Olveston was built for Dunedin businessman, collector and philanthropist Mr David Theomin and his family. Designed by acclaimed English architect Sir Ernest George, David Theomin wanted to build a home that could house his family and growing collection of fine art and artefacts purchased from all around the world. His intention was that Olveston would eventually be left to his future generations to enjoy. Sadly this was not to be the case as both his children didn’t have any children of their own. Surviving the death of her father, mother and elder brother, Miss Dorothy Theomin lived at the 42 Royal Terrace residence until her death in 1966. Upon the reading of her will, it was discovered that it was her intention to gift the house and the original contents to the City of Dunedin. The gift was accepted and Olveston opened to the public in 1967.

ART OF TRAVEL, 17/386 Richmond Road T: 09 360 1456 www.artoftravel.co.nz F PN

This trip will suit everyone as it offers amazing coastal and countryside views. A great offering for those visiting Dunedin for the first time and returning visitors! This trip will run between October - April only.

Optional extras can also be added to your trip to include Larnach Castle and/or the Otago peninsula wildlife attractions including the Royal Albatross and Yellow Eyed Penguin tours.

Introducing the newest addition to Dunedin’s tourist attractions The Dunedin Silver Fern is a delightful short train trip departing from the spectacular Dunedin Railway Station on a regular basis in the summer season. The train travels

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TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

MAYA UBUD: HEAVEN FOR A PERFECT, RELAXING AND ROMANTIC BREAK The last time we’d been in Bali was December 1994, before the two terrorist attacks, and my how it has changed and developed since then. We spent the majority of our stay at Maya Resort & Spa, where Jay and I stayed for seven nights from 11 August until 18 August.

Every day I did yoga from 7am - 8am. Twice I joined their Tai Chi classes and I enjoyed spa treatments daily with my therapist, Barnawan. Sometimes I spent two hours having aromatherapy massage, as the treatment rooms overlook the river and you could hear the water outside. I had several facials and one reflexology session. This is a spa like no other, with eight couples rooms and three singles.

The Maya has not one but two stunning infinity pools, which we swam in each morning before the sun got too hot for sun bathing. You feel at one with nature in the pool. We spent hours enjoying the water.

There are two restaurants (one is more buffet style - the other is more formal) plus the River Café, which has a large vegetarian/vegan menu and a huge fresh juice selection.

Each day following yoga we enjoyed the resort’s breakfast buffet. They prepared a delicious Spanish omelette in front of me, which was enjoyed with fresh grain toast with honey and a good range of fresh juices. We filled our hungry bellies with Bircher Muesli and exotic fresh fruit.

On 16 August I met with Cath, their Australian chef, to plan my birthday dinner. She suggested a BBQ in our villa, which was totally private and looked towards the jungle.

They prepared and grilled Barramundi, with tofu, tempe and fresh veges. The dessert was delicious and included some vegan dishes, but there were lamingtons and enough food for four!

On our last Saturday we were joined by Kim Farr (Nina & Co, our florist in Ponsonby) and the three of us enjoyed lunch in the River Cafe and had a swim. Kim enjoyed a massage, as did I and afterwards the chef created a vegan cashew nut cheese cake birthday cake, which got the thumbs up from all of us.

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Paul Blake, the long serving general manager (from Pakuranga) was very helpful and friendly to us, taking us to dinner one evening as his guest. Nothing was too much trouble for him and on Thursday, the day before my birthday, they generously gave me a complimentary massage. They also delivered beautiful flowers to our villa on my big day along with a present of two sarongs. I felt very spoiled and pampered during our stay.

Our private villa, with its one plunge pool, was ideal for cooling off at any time of the day.

The rooms had everything you could ever possibly want for a comfortable stay. The staff is huge, 298 of them in total. EVERY ONE of them was friendly and most knew us as Mr Martin and Mr Jay by the end of our stay!

We went into the village of Ubud several times for lunch, shopping and more spa treatments. One restaurant not to be missed for lunch is Sari Organik, which has a huge vegetarian/vegan menu. And its location, overlooking the rice paddy fields, cannot be beaten.

Also on my birthday we planted two fruit trees in the resort grounds, as part of their eco-sustainability programme. One of these is in our names and the second is in the name of Ponsonby News. We loved their nature walk and ended up right down at the riverside. I very gingerly negotiated the mossy steps and, thankfully, had no accidents.

I’ve fallen down steps several times over the past few years, so was pleased not to have returned to Auckland with any injuries! We’ve already started planning how we can return for a slightly longer break. Maya Ubud is heaven for a perfect, relaxing and PN romantic break. Bring on the next visit. (MARTIN LEACH) F www.mayaubud.com

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HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

Elle Health & Skincare Where the facial meets Craniosacral Therapy:

I first experienced - and wrote about - the marvellous Elle Health & Skincare in Mount Eden almost a year ago, after having a beautiful Yon Ka facial and trip into their Infrared Sauna that kept me smiling for days. I was lucky enough to finally get back through their beyond-serene doors a couple of weeks ago to experience a very special double treatment that I think is set to truly put them on the beauty map.

This treatment is where the facial meets the ultra restorative properties of craniosacral work, and it is an utter joy to submit to. And then some! The magician in charge is Elle’s Senior Beauty Therapist Jeanine Chell, who has worked at some of Auckland’s most well known clinics and is a former national trainer for well-known French skincare giant, Guinot. To say that she has a very special touch would be an understatement, and that’s in the field of bodywork as well as the more traditional beauty route.

Through her intuitive nature and curiosity for natural healing Jeanine decided to further her studies and completed a two year Diploma in Craniosacral Therapy several years ago. Now she is known and loved for her “magic hands”, according to Elle’s Michelle Ackerman. The pair decided to combine facials and craniosacral therapy to showcase the best of Jeanine’s talents and because the two modalities work so well together on an emotional level. By doing a facial first the lucky client starts to relax from the get go, as it puts them into the rest and repair mode (parasympathetic state) much faster. This in turn makes the cranial work even more effective and there really is nothing else quite like it out there.

I love the fact that at Elle they aim to treat more than the temporary fix and rebalance the body from the inside (they even have a resident naturopath). The mix of facial and cranial was exactly what I needed that harried - and hurried - Tuesday afternoon.

Products chosen for the facial option are completely customised to your needs, so I opted for an Osmosis medi facial to heal and repair my weather-sensitized skin. This was just what the doctor ordered as I felt my stress melt away under the trademark Osmosis series of hot, lightly fragranced towels, after which I experienced a once again completely customised cranial treatment.

If you’ve never had it before, craniosacral therapy (CST) is a non-manipulative treatment that relieves and releases deep tensions within the body. CST also releases restrictions around the brain and spinal cord to enhance nervous system performance and allow the body to relax and self-correct, while strengthening the body’s natural healing processes to enhance resistance to disease and improve overall health. It is all about deep relaxation, greater well-being and pain relief, and is a great option for the cooler months or stressful times like the lead up to Christmas when our immunity is at its weakest. You remain fully clothed and kept warm and comfortable as the therapist contacts different parts of the body with a light touch and through various holds (such as feet, pelvic, abdominal, diaphragm, shoulders, head and neck). This totally hands on technique allows the therapist to monitor your body’s fluid rhythm around the central nervous system to locate areas of weak fluid flow or tissue movement. By locating the weak areas the practitioner can trace through the body to the original source of dysfunction - easy as that!

My experience at Elle was definitely a magical one - I left with glowing skin and a feeling of complete relaxation that carried on for days. To book one of your own go to ellebeauty.co.nz for all the details, an initial consultation and treatment (75min) will cost you $80.00, with repeat treatments (60-75min) $75.00 and a trio $180.00.

PN In my humble opinion, one is most definitely not enough! (HELENE RAVLICH) F

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING THE ROULSTON/ROPATI DIARIES In which Fashion Editor Julie Roulston endeavours to be Ponsonby News’ biggest loser, working with Mackelvie Street personal trainer and weight loss consultant Keri Ropati.

It’s been a very strange month. On the way back from holiday my back started to seize up (a recurrence of a similar issue from about this time last year) and I haven’t been able to exercise since - not very helpful in terms of reaching my goal of an 8kg loss.

However, lots of my clothing is much more comfortable and suddenly I have more of my wardrobe to wear. And loads of people have complimented me on my weight loss to date. Ain’t nothing like that to make a little deprivation feel worthwhile!

One of the things that Keri has me do is keep a diary of everything that I eat. This serves two purposes: it makes me aware of everything that is going into my mouth, and it makes me accountable to Keri. You know I don’t want to be telling her about those mini mallowpuffs left over from my seven year old’s birthday party!

I’ve also learned that in order to effectively lose weight I need to exercise four times a week, for at least 30 minutes a time. That tallies with what my sporty partner says about fitness: three times for maintenance, four times for improvement. I’m a great believer that if you can’t measure something, you can’t manage it - so knowing what it takes is comforting to me. I had already accepted that I was going to have to exercise for the rest of my life when the back injury first reared its ugly head a year ago.

I have successfully lost weight with Weight Watchers (twice) and Les Mills BodyVive classes (now defunct) - and this was really my last effort before I gave up and accepted a plump middle age. I didn’t realise how aging that figure was, even at -4kg I look more like myself. I think I will continue to avoid carbs with my dinner except on special occasions - as Keri says, after 40 we can’t afford to eat them and essentially go to sleep on them as we do. Likewise will keep my Ws together - Wine and Weekends.

Just for you, lovely Ponsonby News reader, I tried on the target red Helen Cherry size 12 dress. It doesn’t quite fit yet, but it’s close! Picture for you next issue! F PN (JULIE ROULSTON) KERI ROPATI WEIGHT LOSS AND FITNESS CENTRE, 37 Mackelvie Street T: 09 378 1410 www.keriropati.co.nz

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HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

Pure pops of colour: spring beauty is here SPRING HAS OFFICIALLY SPRUNG. ARRIVING WITH IT some brand new beauty treats to tempt the likes of me - not that I’m complaining! The pops of colour that accompany a lot of spring make up releases are a sign that its warmer sister summer is most definitely on her way, and that it’s time to step away from the dark lips and heavy eyes and get a whole lot more natural along with it.

Two multitasking products that have really won me over lately are Australian natural beauty company INIKA Cosmetics’ first organic and natural Crème Colour for cheeks, lips and eyes. They aim to deliver rich, intense shades in skin-friendly formulations with ultimate staying power, and as well as being beautiful to use are rich in skin enhancing organic antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The Crème Colour for Cheeks and Lips is an absolute wonder, and so small and perfectly formed it’s ridiculous. Infused with sweet almond oil and vitamin E, it moisturises, glides on effortlessly and lasts. Hypoallergenic organic carnauba wax helps with blendability and is kind on even the most sensitive of skin types, whilst the two shades - Vibrant Rosehip and Dusty Rose - work beautifully on lips and cheeks. The Crème Colour for Eyes isn’t a multitasker as such, but still deserves some props for being a right treat to use. The nourishing formula fuses aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba seed oil and sweet almond oil to hydrate, soothe and moisturise the eye area, whilst amazing stay-ability and ability to remain crease-proof is an added bonus.

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US beauty brand Clinique has always been synonymous with colour, and now their #1 selling lip product has just gotten a little more…INTENSE. The absolutely killer new Chubby Stick Intense is a newly formulated balm with a more intense colour pay off - but one that still keeps lips soft, supple, and hydrated. Clinique has released eight new shades of this popular formula with that extra bit of pigment you might be craving. I wouldn’t say they are completely opaque when slicked on but do meet somewhere in the middle, and they still come in the awesome swivel up pencil design that allows you to easily tote them around for applying on the go. They have a smooth, creamy feel sans shimmer or glitter of any kind, and from the play I’ve had they are very true to tube. What you see in the pencil is what you get on your lips, which gets the big tick in my book and that of anyone who doesn’t like to take a gamble when they buy a new lippy.

Late August also saw the arrival of the popping new So Supreme Collection from the ever-wondrous MAC, which brings six new shades of MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick and eight shades of MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint.

Inspired by the global trend of lipgloss with tint, So Supreme sees the triumphant arrival of Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint in popping corals, pinks, berries and nudes. It’s a lightweight formula that packs moisturising, conditioning goodness with every application, and it’s all happily housed in a clickable, pen-style brush applicator that was born handbag-friendly.

Smashbox Photo Op Eye Brightening Mascara is my new favourite for eyes - it’s a dual-benefit mascara that has been developed with what the LA-based beauty brand calls “a unique Blue Prism Technology” - a blend of Luscious Micas, Bright Titanium and Blue Pigment.

These subtle blue undertones make it more than just another shade of black, helping to accentuate eyes and make them appear brighter. As an added bonus, it also instantly curls lashes by 100% to completely open up the eyes and give some serious lash. It’s a no-rub, no-smudge formula that has been created to combat clumping, flaking, smudging and spiking. It also has the ability to repair broken bonds within lashes and it restores suppleness, so lashes stay naturally longer.

Last up, I’ve just added to my shopping list Nars’ newest version of The Multiple - Puerto Vallarta - from Mecca Cosmetica. François Nars’ iconic innovation was the original multi-purpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body, and Puerto Vallarta is the perfect shade for a warm summer glow and incredibly easy to blend.

(HELENE RAVLICH) F PN

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HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

Taking reiki to those that need it most When I first started on my reiki journey just over a year ago at Aroha Healing, it was a fortnightly treat, some ‘me’ time and something I looked forward to for days in advance. The blissful feelings post-treatment also lasted more than a few days, and I absolutely fell in love with it.

After some time I decided that I needed to learn how to make it a daily occurrence that I could practice in some small way by myself, so I took part in one of the Aroha Healing Reiki 1 workshops and had one of the most interesting and fun weekends in a long time. I emerged with a certificate, a new skill set and some great memories, and part of graduation includes the opportunity to join the Aroha Healing Community Reiki project.

The above is a complimentary healing offering that Rosanna and Ben at Aroha Healing provide to “heal people in our community, spread the word about reiki and for students to experience and journal the evolvement of your own reiki practice”.

The project was launched in June of this year, with Rosanna telling me that it is a part of “following one of my reiki teacher’s lineages. I respect the way she has taught me so much more than just the initial reiki course, by implementing the community reiki structure for my learning development. I wanted to pass this down to my own students.”

She and her partner already held “monthly group healing afternoons for our students, however, we felt this is really not enough to provide our students with the learning and contact that they need to deepen their reiki practice. Some reiki teachers do not add in this requirement - however we feel it is imperative to the development and enhancement of the student’s skill set and also a wonderful way to heal the community and allow more people to understand the benefits of reiki. A win/win situation!”

Aroha Healing Reiki students are required to complete 100 hours of community reiki after completing each initial teaching of reiki levels 1, 2 and 3. Community reiki hours are non profit there is no monetary exchange, and are designed to enhance their reiki practice and gently push them to perhaps move outside of their comfort zone. Students can practice on friends, family and pets, but also work with people in the community who are either very giving of their time to help and assist others, in high stress environments or chronically sick and unwell is a very different experience. It will hold the students in good stead for wherever they wish to take their reiki practice.

As the community reiki project is relatively new, Rosanna tells me that at first “we did not know what to expect. The feedback we have received has been amazing from both the community and our students though, and as we enter the second community reiki instalment, we are getting a great response to bookings and are very pleased with that.” She has even had some participants enquire about how to learn reiki themselves, “and the courses we hold are very unique as we have definitely incorporated the Aroha Healing touch element. We are excited that our community reiki project will spark more interest in reiki as an amazing way to self heal and heal others, as people begin to remove any preconceived ideas they may have about reiki and energy healing in general. You really do have to experience reiki before you judge it, and then it opens up the interest for learning from understanding what it is all about.”

AROHA HEALING CHAKRA BALANCING MASSAGE What is a chakra and why would I need my chakras balanced? The word “chakra” is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “wheel”. Chakras can be perceived as colourful wheels or lotus flowers with a hub in the center. The chakras begin at the base of the spine and finish over the top or crown of the head. Though fixed in the central spinal column they are located on both the front and back of the body, and work through it.

If the chakras are not balanced or if the energies are blocked, our basic life force will be slowed down. The individual may feel listless, tired, out of sorts, or depressed. Not only will physical bodily functions be affected so diseases may manifest, but the thought processes and the mind may also be affected. A negative attitude, fear, doubt, etc. may preoccupy the individual. A constant balance between the chakras promotes health and a sense of well-being.

If you are feeling out of sorts then a chakra balancing session at Aroha Healing may be just what you need! Flowing Aroha Healing fusion massage and feeling your chakras (energy centers) awakening and balancing is what one can expect from the session.

Aroha Healing launches their healing yoga classes this Thursday at Maidstone Street.

The yoga classes are another wonderful way to open and balance your chakra centres and promise to be unique and educational & true to the Aroha Healing flow. Developed

by Aroha Healing and taught by the wonderful Frances Miller-Roza, the healing yoga classes are in-line with their popular Sacred Tantra Bellydance classes. Aroha Healing yoga classes are fully booked at this stage, however Aroha Healing is looking at placing their dance and yoga classes further into the community so please contact Rosanna if you would like a class of either Aroha Healing Yoga or Sacred Tantra Bellydance, or both at your workplace or community space.

Aroha Healing Day November 2nd 11am - 4pm 2013 Aroha Healing will be having their first open day this year in November and are hoping to make this an annual event. With more details in the October issue of Ponsonby news and on their website, we can look forward to a day of reiki, bellydance, yoga and diverse healing modalities and guest healers; art and colour therapists and tarot readers. With a very reasonable door charge you will have an opportunity to experience many unique modalities under one roof. Keep a look out for more information on their website or contact Aroha Healing directly. F PN AROHA HEALING, 3 Maidstone Street, T; 0800 Mindbody info@arohahealing.co.nz www.arohahealing.co.nz

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So, how do you reach out to Rosanna and the Aroha Healing reiki group for your own team in need?“ At the moment we have one local business serving those in need and visit them once a month to give community reiki to their staff over a three hour period.

We are more than happy for businesses and community members to approach us with any enquiries about our community reiki project and reiki in general.”

With more reiki workshops happening this September and October this could be your chance to get involved too! Contact Rosanna on info@arohahealing.co.nz and to read more about Aroha Healing and reiki their website is www.arohahealing.co.nz (HELENE RAVLICH) F PN

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING FINDING OPPORTUNITY IN LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES Real Life Counselling, in Jervois Road, is a counselling practice run by Michelle Rush. Michelle is a qualified psychosynthesis counsellor and a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).

She has been in private practice for the past 10 years and is also a registered social worker and a member of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW).

Michelle works with adults, adolescents, individuals and couples, providing a confidential service following the code of ethics of the NZAC and the ANZASW. With extensive experience working with a wide range of emotional challenges including depression, anxiety and relationship difficulties and other general real life issues, Michelle is very passionate about assisting clients to overcome their difficulties.

The reason Michelle decided on the name Real Life Counselling is because in life “stuff” happens - marriage, divorce, children, miscarriage, illness, death, and many other events along the way. Real life isn’t straight forward, and working in an empathic and collaborative way provides a safe and supportive environment where you can work through difficulties to live to your full potential. Real life counselling is working through the issues in life that can affect us all.

Psychosynthesis is a holistic style of counselling that integrates all parts of a person’s personality. It offers the support to help you transform the way you live your life. Michelle can help you to understand and find opportunity in life’s difficulties, to improve your relationships, relieve emotional stress and to actively take control of your life.

Call Michelle to make an appointment.

REAL LIFE COUNSELLING, Letham Cottage, 35 Jervois Road, T: 09 360 1219 M: 021 360 063 www.aucklandcounsellor.co.nz

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LANI LOPEZ: HEALTHY LIVING Paleo is dieting’s new hot trend. Short for Paleolithic diet it directs us to the dietary habits of our stone - age ancestors.

The Theory: Our digestive systems weren’t designed for processed modern foods and food sources.

These cause health problems so Paleo promotes a diet from before farming, processing, refining, canning, frying, pasteurisation and homogenisation. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors didn’t (reputedly) suffer from modern dietary-induced illness or disease, so eat like them and live well.

Beloved by athletes, Paleo offers health gains for others. Increasing intake of vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and lean proteins while eliminating (yes completely) processed food, refined sugar, potatoes, pasta and bread can be effective for weight-loss and health by reducing salt and sugar in the blood stream. Evidence anecdotal and clinical shows shrinking waistlines and lower bad-cholesterol levels.

Potential Paleo benefits include; improved insulin, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic response, increased energy, improved weight-control, improved acid/alkaline balance, cholesterol management and improved immune response. Research suggests that Paleo followers eating less meat gain anti-cancer, breast and prostate benefits.

Are You Ready?

The improved availability of energy from eating this high protein, vegetable rich, high -fibre and dense micro-nutrient diet readily explains the enthusiasm of athletes who push their body hard, relying on optimal health to succeed.

Athletic enthusiasm is relevant in considering if you are ready for Paleo. It takes discipline to eat the high density and volume of vegetables you need and cut out sugar, bread, pasta, starches, dairy and of course alcohol.

If you like fish, lots of leafy green veges, love meat and can afford organic, great. But one barrier remains, exercise, a key part of Paleo. The hunter-gatherer lifestyle involved lots of movement to get food and this diet is balanced by exercise. You need to commit to an active lifestyle.

The Rebuttal We really don’t know what our ancestors ate. Recent study of early-man suggests that heart disease was a factor even then.

There as many variants of Paleo as there are proponents but over-all I like it and follow a low meat version myself. (LANI LOPEZ) F PN Lani Lopez BHSc, Adv.Dip.Nat is a naturopath, clinical nutritionist and top-selling author.

Founder of lanilopez.com find her and ask questions about your well-being on facebook.com/lanilopez.com or email Lani personally naturopath@lanilopez.com

PRINCIPLES OF PALEO Eat Mostly Meat but high-quality organic at best, or grass-fed at least, lots of fish, eggs, fruit, vegetables (non-starchy), herbs and spices lots of leafy greens especially spinach and kale.

Eat Moderately Nuts, seeds and oils; olive oil, fish oil, avocado (healthy fats).

Don’t Eat Dairy, grain and starch, legumes, convenience and processed food, sugars (including artificial sweeteners), alcohol.

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PLANET AYURVEDA: ASK DOCTOR AJIT Each month, DR AJIT, Australasia’s most experienced Ayurvedic practitioner answers a reader’s question.

Please e-mail yours to info@ponsonbynews.co.nz

Q:

My kids have spent almost the whole winter with runny noses, sore throats and coughs. I try to live naturally so have avoided giving them doses of antibiotics but am really at the end of my tether. J. TAYLOR, MT. EDEN

A:

You are certainly not the only parent who faces this predicament. Over the winter, I have seen many children with these symptoms and counselled worried parents. It is reasonable to ask why should winter be a time of colds, coughs and flu like symptoms and what can we do to prevent them.

According to Ayurveda, the ancient health science of India, it is important to live in harmony with the season by making changes to our diet and lifestyle to keep the body in balance. Ayurveda believes that it is this balance that is the key to health and happiness. Ayurveda recognises that each season has unique characteristics and qualities. In winter, the environment is dominated by the qualities of coldness, dampness, heaviness, dullness, slowness and sluggishness.

Because we are exposed to these qualities every day, it is natural that they will have an impact so our bodies start feeling cold, damp, sluggish, dull and heavy.

All Ayurvedic treatments are based on the simple principle of introducing lifestyle and diet changes with opposing qualities to bring the body back into balance while avoiding things that can cause further aggravation. Therefore in winter, Ayurveda recommends avoiding the following foods:

Any kind of breads - white, brown, organic or non-organic.

Breads are sticky, heavy, damp, moist and cold. When we eat bread in a sandwich or just a piece with a bit of cheese, it will increase the above qualities and cause problems. Cheese, butter, white sugar, bananas, cold meat, cold drinks and cold foods all have heavy, cold, damp and sticky qualities.

Tinned/frozen foods - these are very cold and lack prana (life force). This causes more darkness and heaviness to spread in our nervous system that makes us more gloomy, sad and lacking in motivation. Deep fried, oily foods like fish and chips and carbonated drinks. These are heavy and when we drink cold carbonated drinks on top of them it makes the oil sticky, causing it to adhere to mucous linings in the throat and lungs, causing sore throat, bronchitis, sinus and hay fever.

winter and roasted almonds, cashews, walnuts and pine nuts coated with jaggery are delicious.

You might feel panicked by reading this and think there is nothing left to eat. This is not true! You just need to come out of your comfort zone and see that, with a little effort, we can find many things to nourish us during winter.

Eat more warm cooked foods. Breakfast - porridge and pancakes are options. Add cinnamon and cardamom as these spices are known for their warming and flushing actions. They are very good for the lungs and lymphatic system, the main areas affected in winter. If eating fruit, make sure it is cooked and not eaten raw. If you must eat raw fruit, make sure it is eaten mid-morning on a warm and sunny day to minimise its adverse impact. Lunch and dinner should be simply warm and delicious! Snack on nuts and raisins. Roasted peanuts are very good in

A regular self massage with warm sesame oil or kapha oil (available at Planet Ayurveda) helps remove lymphatic stagnation and makes you feel more energetic, light and vibrant at all levels: physical, mental and emotional. Deep breathing 3-4 times a day will help break up lung congestion.

Ayurveda teaches that by incorporating these changes in to our lives we can keep these winter illnesses from occurring. The profound promise of Ayurveda is that through changes to diet and lifestyle, not only can we prevent disease but live a long, healthy life in balance and harmony. In my 35 years of clinical practice, both here and in India, I have seen the profound benefits of this health science help thousands of people achieve balance in their PN lives. (DR AJIT) F

Ayurveda also recommends a number of routines that we should incorporate into our lives during winter to keep the body in balance: brush your teeth and scrape your tongue every morning (this removes waste products that accumulate on the tongue overnight and prevent them from being re-absorbed). Every morning drink a glass of warm water with ½ tsp of fresh ginger, ½ tsp of fenugreek powder, ½ tbs of honey and ½ tbs of lemon juice. This is very effective to counter sluggishness in lymphatic system.

Apply warm medicated sesame oil drops to the nose each morning. This will prevent sinus congestion, heavy fever, runny nose and migraine.

If readers have any health concerns they are welcome to contact me at my clinic, PLANET AYURVEDA WELLNESS CENTRE, 41 Gillies Avenue T: 09 522 5390 or email info@planetayurveda.co.nz

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING PEACE CLINIC AND BODYSTORE FOR BETTER HEALTH Peace Clinic and Bodystore are located in Maidstone Street where UK trained osteopath, cranial osteopath and acupuncturist, Elaine Bennett runs the clinic and offers treatment to new born babies through to the elderly.

Elaine is highly experienced and has been in practice for 26 years, treating a variety of conditions from lower back, neck pain, sport injuries and headaches through to anxiety conditions and gastrointestinal disorders.

Where required she combines her skills of osteopathy and acupuncture to give an “all round” treatment. Elaine is currently completing a degree in herbal medicine and naturopathy. Using these three modalities together will give her the necessary qualifications and knowledge to treat every aspect of well-being.

Working alongside Elaine is massage therapist Adrienne Sinclair and Elaine’s husband Steven Bennett, who runs the online business and showroom for Bodystore.

Bodystore is the new concept of the expanded business that has developed from their brands of health products, Peace pillows and SitActive. With a new range of back cushions and supports, pillows, joint supports, muscle rubs, balms and supplements, it provides a “one stop shop” for anyone needing to improve their sleep, sit more comfortably and reduce their aches and pains.

The showroom and clinic are replicated on the North Shore in Albany where Elaine has run the Peace Clinic since she came to New Zealand, from the UK, 10 years ago.

Those who receive a treatment with Elaine Bennett can purchase a Peace Pillow Connect for $50 (usually $99) or those not requiring treatment can purchase the Peace Pillow Connect for $75. Just mention this Ponsonby News article. Offer ends 30 September 2013. F PN

CLEAN COOL WATER Looking for a wonder drug to assist with weight loss, cardiovascular function, energy levels, headaches, supple skin, smooth digestion, sporting prowess and even reduces the risk of cancer? Sounds too good to be true right? The solution is simple - water!

Phil Day of Water 4U Central Limited

Phil and Judith Day, local residents, have been running Water4u Central Ltd for just over a year. At the Ponsonby News office we can certainly vouch for their water, having one of their coolers. Their water is great, second only to their wonderful service!

We all know the importance of drinking clean healthy water and with another long hot summer expected it’s time to start planning. The Water4u brand has been around for almost 25 years and being a small team their customer service is excellent and they are only ever a phone call away.

Specialising in water coolers for your business, Water4u provides fresh, pure, filtered water. You’ll love the personal approach, competitive prices and exceptional service you’ll get at Water4u. Plus you and your staff will love feeling healthier.

Water4u offers bottle and inline water coolers, water delivery, water filters and drinking cups. All rented water coolers include full installation, maintenance and regular servicing.

The extensive range means Water4u can tailor the right water solution for your needs and your budget. All coolers are meticulously maintained to guarantee quality standards that are second to none.

Give Phil, your local water cooler specialist, a call now. Simply mention this article to PN get a month’s free no obligation trial. As Phil says; “we think our water is cool!” F WATER4U CENTRAL LTD, T: 09 378 4641 M: 0274 469 832 www.water4u.co.nz

PEACE CLINIC AND BODYSTORE, 10 Maidstone Street, T: 09 376 6429 www.peaceclinic.co.nz

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SHEENA SHUVANI STARDUST ASTROLOGY

♍

Virgo (the Virgin): 22 August - 23 September Element of earth. Symbol: The Virgin. Quality: Mutable (=flexibility)

Planetary Ruler Mercury and the hidden planet Vulcan

Your lucky Number According to Cheiro (the world’s most famous seer) the day of your birth is the luckiest of all numbers for you!

Favoured Precious Stone(s) Green jade

Character Virgos are smart, clever and often possess brilliant intelligence and analytical minds.

Ever striving for perfection, they are gentle, polite, courteous, civilised, honest, direct, determined, discriminating, sincere, dependable, thoughtful, practical and fastidious.

Also hardworking, capable and modest.

Favoured Metal(s) Pure platinum

Delightfully witty and humorous, they enjoy a little gossip. Prudent, punctual, dislikes waste. Behind their quiet, suave poise they constantly worry, but being consummate actors it’s sometimes not apparent. Virgo can be critical and sarcastic. Bitching and nagging are not unknown. Hygiene and hypochondria abound but they are pure of heart and loyal. Striving always for order, if a Virgo becomes untidy you know they are unhappy.

Helpful advice Criticising others may not achieve the desired state of perfection. Try encouragement instead. Be kind and encouraging to yourself also.

(SHEENA SHUVANI). F PN

Favoured Colour(s) Fawn, beige, tan, earth colours, white.

Career Famously it was a Virgo who compiled the world’s first dictionary, and innumerable professional writers are Virgos. They are very employable and make ideal scholars, teachers, social workers, lawyers, editors, astrologers, scientists, microbiologists, accountants, poets, actors, mentors and philanthropists.

Love and Sexuality Virgo’s romantic pursuit is subtle and cautious. They are into earthy, erotic sensuality and want an active, excitingly kinky sex life. They are often attracted to tantric sex. Virgos are often beautiful/handsome. They take good care of their appearance and bodies and will not commit themselves unless 100% sure. Then they are loyal and supportive.

94 PONSONBY NEWS+ September 2013

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS

What your stars hold this month ♌

♒ Aquarius (the Water Carrier): 21 January - 19 February

♍ Virgo (the Virgin): 22 August - 23 September

♓ Pisces (the Fish): 20 February - 20 March

♎ Libra (the Scales): 24 September - 23 October

♈ Aries (the Ram): 21 March - 20 April

Leo (the Lion): 23 July - 21 August You may or may not be aware yet but your moods are swinging wildly at the moment, and the support that you have around you is desperately trying to help but the barrier they are trying to get through is too strong.

Feeling anxious is something that you’re good at as you try to guess what others are thinking about you. Who cares, you’re wasting a lot of time and energy worrying that everything is about you, when it’s not.

You’re certainly in the mood this month for love as your optimism and positivity can turn any situation around to your satisfaction. You must remember to choose wisely though as your urgency to find a mate can lead to heartache in the future.

♏ Scorpio (the Scorpion): 24 October - 22 November

Your need to tell the truth is overwhelming but this may not seem very nice to some people as hurting someone is inevitable. You can edit what you say because too much detail isn’t always necessary.

♐ Sagittarius (the Archer): 23 November - 22 December

Try not to over indulge any of your vices this month, as you know that you will regret it later on, you have a lot of energy to burn up and it might be better expelled through physical activity.

♑ Capricorn (the Goat): 23 December - 20 January

You seem to be getting wound up a little when your opinions aren’t always the ones that are taken or acted on. You need to be aware that you’re part of a team now and all ideas are important.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

There is something being said out there especially for you but unfortunately you’re not quite tuned in yet to receive it properly. You must relax and believe in yourself and you will hear loud and clear exactly what’s being said and what you must do.

Do you feel like you have missed out on something and that it’s almost all over, you have had your chance so to speak. Well you haven’t, grasp any situation that comes along and squeeze every last ounce of fun out of it, it’s the only way to bring your spark back.

Try not to risk the happy situation around you just for a risky bit of fun, all because you are bored. You may need to get this worked out with someone who is better able to deal with you, trusting a stranger with your secrets can work out in your favour.

♉ Taurus (the Bull): 21 April - 21 May

You have finally found contentment in your personal life and that is reflected in how you feel and how you are conducting yourself. You are a changed person for the better and your energy and confidence remain very high.

♊

Gemini (the Twins): 22 May - 21 June You do tend to disagree with those in authority as you really don’t like being told what to do or how to behave, you can get away with most things but your charm is wearing a bit thin now. Try and act like you’re listening now as your future career could be in jeopardy.

♋

Cancer (the Crab): 22 June - 22 July Any protection that you have been relying on to keep you safe could come crashing down around you this month, you feel like you have to tread carefully as your future is shaky. It will be what you make of it, you can go one way or the other. It is up to you.

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

The Fascinating Story of Chris Priestley’s Great Grandmother They say truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, and that saying certainly applies to the mysterious story of the daughter of an Indian maharajah who was smuggled out of Calcutta to distant Varanasi in North East India, and finally to Britain, to escape the funeral pyre she was meant to throw herself onto with the dead maharajah to whom she was betrothed. All this at 12 years of age.

Fast forward more than a hundred years to New Zealand.

Local identity Chris Priestley, well know former owner of Atomic Cafe on Ponsonby Road, and of Java Jive and Real Groovy Records fame, used to visit his grandmother Lillian, at 68 Ardmore Road, and sit on the front steps chatting. Lillian Herbert had come to New Zealand from Portsmouth as a young single woman and married Chris’s grandfather Victor Priestley.

Victor was a kauri gum digger in the North, after returning from the first world war badly gassed. He died still a young man, leaving his wife Lillian and two of her children, Colin and Iris, living in Ardmore Rd. By this time Chris’s father Mick had been to the second world war, done a stint as a prisoner of war in a Stalag camp, and come home to marry Chris’s mother, Ivy Morris. Ivy is a sprightly 90-year-old living at Red Beach and still driving.

Nana Priestley used to play scrabble with young Chris, feed him sweet corn fritters, and she took him four times to see 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. Never did they discuss her life as a young girl in Britain, and never did Chris ever suspect she may be part Indian. She was a dark skinned Pom from Portsmouth.

After she had gone the family secret emerged. Nana Priestley’s mother was a full blooded Indian woman Maude Alice.

Maude Alice was the 12-year-old daughter of a maharajah betrothed to another maharajah, who hid when her betrothed died. She was saved by a British army Colonel’s family in Calcutta, and sent to a boarding school in Varanasi. When she was about 16 she married the army officer’s son, and they escaped to Britain. The family have located the marriage certificate dated 1895, in Varanasi. A photo of Maude Alice, her husband and children accompanies this editorial. The youngest child in the photograph is Lillian, Chris Priestley’s grandmother who lived in Ardmore Road, Herne Bay. And so, Chris discovered that he is one eighth Indian, but the subject had never been discussed by family before.

His mother Ivy confessed to him that she had known for some years, but Chris thinks his father went to his grave unaware of his Indian heritage.

He even wrote a short account of some of the highs and lows. Mick’s mother had received three telegrams from the Army during the war. The first said Mick was missing in action, often a sign that a soldier had been killed. Many months later a second telegram arrived saying Mick had been taken prisoner by the Germans.

More than a year was to elapse before the third telegram arrived announcing that Mick had escaped and reached the safety of allied ranks. A mother’s prayers were answered. Mick confessed he now believed in the power of prayer, and the strength of his army tin hat.

When Chris’s Nana Lillian died, 68 Ardmore Road was sold for $19,000. That was mid 1970s. It recently sold for $1.5 million.

That price might have caused an Indian Maharajah’s granddaughter to turn over in her grave.

(JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

In his last years Chris’s father Mick, spoke out to family about the horrors of war and his time as a soldier.

Left; 68 Ardmore Road Circa 1962 Chris Priestley with his half Indian grandmother, Lillian Priestley; Middle; Chris’s parents and grandmother Lillian; Right; Indian great grandmother, husband, and children the youngest is Chris’s grandmother.

96 PONSONBY NEWS+ September 2013

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TRISHA MARTIN: INNER DEVELOPMENT & WELLBEING

DISTRIBUTING CHOICE

The Healing Code Alexander Loyd & Ben Johnson $40.00

Goat’s milk has been widely reported to offer a number of benefits compared with cow’s milk, with the most common being it’s closer to human milk, has less allergenic proteins, is naturally homogenised and has softer curd so is more easily digested.

Discover the formula that heals the source of illness and disease, lack of success and relationship issues.

A couple of years ago when Mt Eden resident David Robb was experiencing difficulty finding goat’s milk formula in supermarkets for his baby daughter, he realised there was a need to have this product be available for New Zealand consumers.

Calling on his many years experience in dairy manufacturing, he went about finding the right supplier and manufacturer in New Zealand to make a goat’s milk infant formula. During this process, he discovered that the goat’s milk formulas that were available contained a percentage of cow’s milk ingredients.

Deciding that surely it was not an impossible challenge to manufacture a goat’s milk formula without adding any cow’s milk ingredients, David immediately set out to source the right product. He discovered Golden Fern, a company that had been manufacturing baby formula for export for four years at that stage, and he convinced them to manufacture a goat’s milk formula purely for the New Zealand market.

Over the last year working with the right technical experts he has helped Golden Fern to develop the only New Zealand made goat’s milk formula range free of any cow’s milk ingredients.

David has set up his distribution company Retail Product Matters which now takes Golden Fern Goat’s Milk Formulas (and other premium products to come) to the New PN Zealand market. These products are available in supermarkets around Auckland. F www.retailproductmatters.co.nz/contact-us/

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

The Healing Code is based on the premise that our bodies are designed to self heal, but incorrect beliefs we hold at a cellular level shut down our bodies’ innate healing systems, preventing healing and also preventing us from achieving success and happiness.

The authors claim that the one thing that can heal all illnesses and just about any problem in our lives is our immune system. And the one thing that interferes with or switches off our immune system is stress. Not just the normal stresses of life but physiological stress, which occurs when our nervous system is out of balance.

Alexander Loyd and Ben Johnson explain through science and experience that memories are stored in our cells not in our brains. Consequently, negative and traumatic memories are stored in our cells thereby creating stress and disrupting the smooth flow of energy in our bodies.

The key to removing stress is to heal what is referred to as “issues of the heart”, more commonly known as our subconscious or cellular memory. Loyd claims that by using the healing code technique he describes and has had success with, we can potentially heal any health issue we may have.

If you are at all interested in your own ability to heal yourself, read The Healing Code with an open mind. Give it a try. In a few moments of your precious time, your body may heal itself. (TRISHA MARTIN) F PN PATHFINDER BOOKSHOP, 182 Jervois Road, T: 09 378 6269, www.pathfinder.co.nz

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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JOHN APPLETON: ON HEALTH

ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH MAGNESIUM? A FEW THOUGHTS: I first heard of magnesium during chemistry classes at high school when we burned magnesium ribbon in the laboratory; but I have since discovered that there is a lot more to magnesium than one might think - a lot more and it’s a long list.

According to Julian Whitaker MD head of the Whitaker Wellness Institute in California, “magnesium relaxes and dilates blood vessels thus improving circulation and lowering blood pressure. It prevents spasms in the heart muscle and coronary arteries, a common cause of angina and heart attack. Magnesium also smoothes out cardiac arrhythmias, and helps prevent blood clots.

When it comes to myocardial infarction or heart attack several trials have demonstrated a protective effect of magnesium against heart muscle injury. A study involving 200 people given intravenous magnesium immediately after a heart attack showed a lowering of the death rate by 74% and review of seven other studies showed it cut the death rate by 50%.

In pregnancy, adequate magnesium levels are clearly important. Several studies indicate a low intake or tissue store is associated with a greater risk of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Favourable results have been reported with 80% of 3,000 women being given 200mgs of magnesium daily. In a double blind study of 255 expectant mothers randomly selected to receive 300mgs of magnesium, pre term delivery rate was significantly lower in the supplemented group versus the control group.

98 PONSONBY NEWS+ September 2013

Magnesium also comes to the rescue of migraine sufferers. Researchers from the State University of New York treated 49 patients with migraines, cluster headaches and tension headaches with an IV infusion of one gramme of magnesium. Within 15 minutes 80% of them had complete resolution of pain, nausea and sensitivity to light. Those who suffer with restless legs, Raynaud’s syndrome, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia could well find a friend in magnesium.

And then there’s diabetes. Once again magnificent magnesium comes to the rescue. Dr Jerry Nadler chief of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Virginia says that a low dietary intake of magnesium can encourage insulin resistance, the precursor to diabetes.

The human body contains approximately 25 grammes of magnesium and most of it, up to 65%, is in our bones with 34% in muscles. Only 1% of is found in plasma (the clear, yellowish fluid portion of the blood) which is why it’s not easy to test magnesium levels. This could explain why a magnesium deficiency can go undetected and is so common. A CSIRO study in Australia found that 50% of those tested had intakes below the recommended daily allowance and in the United States they put the figure at around 75%. Regardless of whether we are closer to the American or Australian figures it’s not good news and the question must be asked, why?

Shouldn’t we be able to obtain adequate magnesium in our diet? Magnesium is abundant in nature and found in leafy green vegetables nuts, seeds and grains, beans, apricots, bananas and even chocolate. Could it be though

that the foods we eat are in deficient in this important mineral? Our vegetables are grown in soils fertilised only with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium - so where does the magnesium come from and for that matter all of the other 80+ minerals that are so vital to our well-being?

Not only is it highly unlikely that we can obtain adequate magnesium from our food, there are many ways we can exacerbate the problem. Alcohol has a dramatic effect on magnesium levels. Alcohol and caffeine promote urinary excretion of magnesium as do some pharmaceutical drugs while others can inhibit its absorption. Emotional and physical stress can also deplete the body’s stores.

Excessive sweating during athletic training can cause significant mineral loss.

In New Zealand the RDA for magnesium is currently 350 mgs for men and approx 300mgs for women (but they may need more during pregnancy). The average western diet is theoretically estimated to provide 360 mgs of magnesium daily but for all the reasons above and given that magnesium deficiency is so prevalent, it is clear that many of us are not achieving this.

I take 400mgs daily after dinner in the form of magnesium citrate powder which I simply stir into a glass of water. Magnesium can exhibit laxative properties but this in itself would not be a bad thing for many people.

PN (JOHN APPLETON) F APPLETON ASSOCIATES, T: 09 489 9362 john@johnappleton.co.nz www.johnappleton.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ September 2013

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CLARE CALDWELL: THE ART OF LIVING My first exposure to live opera was around 1961.

I was 10 and my mother took me, my older sister and my cousin to a production of Puccini’s tragically beautiful ‘La Boheme’ in Wellington.

MERCY HOSPICE AUCKLAND SHOPS SAY “THANK YOU”

Much to mum’s delight, by the end of the opera there were three little girls all sobbing their hearts out!

• From Monday 2 to Saturday 14 September Mercy Hospice Shops throughout Central Auckland will be making a big deal of customers in appreciation of their generous support.

• Mercy Hospice’s seven shops are located in Ponsonby, Mt. Eden, Royal Oak, Point Chevalier, Blockhouse Bay and Ellerslie (with a second furniture shop downstairs).

• All seven shops have an important role to play in contributing towards Mercy’s Hospice Auckland’s fundraising goal of $3million every year.

• Thanks to the generosity of shoppers and donors alike, Mercy Hospice Auckland is able to offer, at no charge, a wide range of support and care services to patients dealing with life-limiting illness as well as their loved ones, 24 hours of the day, 365 days of the year.

• Shop staff and volunteers are looking forward to thanking customers for the important part they play in helping Hospice meet the growing demand for its vital services.

• Serving all people in Auckland City and Central Suburbs, Mercy Hospice’s Nurses, Doctors and Family Support staff make more than 10000 visits to patients’ homes and Aged Residential Care facilities every year.

• Last year this vital service attended to the needs of a record 1000 patients. It’s a number that is only expected to grow.

Throughout my childhood my mother exposed us to the poignancy and beauty of classical and operatic music, insisting that appreciation of them both is largely based on familiarity. I’m now eternally grateful for her intrepid insistence and realise that over the years, all this music absorbed into my psyche through a sort of musical osmosis!

The next time I experienced ‘La Boheme’ live was about 25 years later at the Sydney Opera House. I was living and working over there and was pregnant with my daughter Sarah. I remember standing in all my finery on the outer deck of this fabulous structure at half time, looking out over the glistening harbour, a glass of champagne in my hand, the faint stirrings of new life growing within me, and feeling totally and utterly blissful.

For many years my favourite soprano was Renata Tebaldi, then I discovered Maria Callas - the famous (and some would say infamous) Greek /American diva. With her combination of technical virtuosity and dramatic vocal interpretations, she breathed new life into the rather stolid operatic world of the 1950s. Early on in her career she made the decision that emotion should be expressed not only by the voice but by the whole body.

Her heavy frame now became slender and graceful. Working the angularity of her newly chiselled jawline, sculpted cheekbones and poignantly defining negative space with her long slender fingers, Maria Callas single-handedly changed the face of opera. She not only sang about love - lost and found - about pain, sensuality, joy, betrayal and abandonment, she expressed these feelings with her whole being.

Sadly her turbulent life ended as tragically as the roles she mostly portrayed. She died aged 53 of a sleeping pill overdose, alone and forgotten in her apartment. Her life and her art now irrevocably intertwined forever.

“We simply could not have achieved this milestone without the wonderful support of our community,” says Lynda Smith, Mercy Hospice Auckland CEO. • Shoppers who purchase $20 or more of goods per visit will receive one ticket to go into the draw to win a $200 credit to use in-store. Some conditions apply and details will be available in-store. All seven shops will be offering the same prize draw and with lolly jars on hand no one will go away empty handed.

Shop hours are 10AM-4PM Monday to Saturday.

PN For store location details visit hospiceshops.org.nz F

Music is considered the finest of the fine arts. It conveys nuances and subtleties of emotion that no other art form quite manages.

If we’re to achieve the art of living in this city we need to share this beauty not only within elitist venues but also within general public spaces once again. Bring back “Opera in the Park” in the Domain PLEASE! Not everyone can afford to go to concerts in the Town Hall and certainly not all of us are into the banality and forced jocularity of “Christmas in the Park”!

Clare (Claudie) Caldwell is a creative arts therapist who runs a small private practice from home. She is voluntary team leader of creative arts as therapy at Mercy Hospice Auckland, College Hill, where she has worked for the last 10 years. She is also a freelance artist.

Enquiries: T: 09 836 3618; M: 021 293 3171; E: clare.e.caldwell@gmail.com PN (CLARE CALDWELL) F

100 PONSONBY NEWS+ September 2013

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING

CARING PROFESSIONAL Sarah-Jane Attias - Principal, The Osteopathic Group Sarah-Jane Attias’ first great passion was food. She attained the London City & Guilds Culinary degree and catered at the Livery Halls all over London, such as Fishmongers on London Bridge, with a highlight being cooking for the Queen and Royal Family.

Sarah-Jane tells Ponsonby News, “After circumnavigating the world several times in my mid twenties I decided that New Zealand had just the right beat! I love going back to my family in the Sussex countryside and the pulse of London. But for me the vibrant community around Ponsonby and Western Bays coupled with the arts and theatre; the harbour of Auckland and a Piha bach - well, it’s hard to beat. I’ve found “my place”.

How did you come to be an osteopath?

I have always been very interested in sport and well-being - anything to do with enhancing the human body to enable living life to the full. So at 30 I had a career change: of all the manual therapies available to me I chose osteopathy. It fulfilled my desire for holistic health and well-being. That was 20 years ago and I have never looked back - I love osteopathy.

What do you find challenging?

Finding enough hours in the day! Hello - can we please arrange with the universe to have a 30 hour day? I have so many passions: my practice, art, sports, yoga, family, cooking, a still moment with myself, my beloved, my family and friends.

How do you differ from other osteopaths?

Positivity and laughter! And really, after 20 years’ experience, my strengths are: empathy and really hearing my patients needs. That coupled with fine-tuned diagnostic skills and hands-on treatment achieves an accelerated return to health. Some people need to relax tensions, unwind and heal. Others need stimuli, exercise and strengthening. Then of course there are pregnant mums, babies and toddlers, which my practice has always specialised in supporting.

It’s all about the individual, at all stages of life, obtaining optimum results. I have a first class, cross-referral local network of holistic GPs, yoga, pilates, acupuncture and other complementary practices.

What do you do to stay at the top of your field?

As a former president of the New Zealand Osteopathic Society, and having sat on the committee for seven years, I worked with and gained knowledge from a wide network of top notch fellow practitioners, who have all shared their unique skills.

I am like a sponge, I love attending several courses and seminars every year between here, the UK and Australia. In fact, I have created and run many seminars attracting international speakers and professors from around the world.

Can you tell us about a standout ‘case’?

Let me say, “everyone that walks through the door is a standout case!”

Jennifer heard through her GP that I offer my current clients a free wellness check for newborns. After a pre-natal assessment all was well and I gave Jennifer exercises to maintain stability of her pelvis, and recommended check-in with me in a month.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Two weeks later Geoff her husband was playing rugby and badly fractured his lower leg. With ACC I was able to treat Geoff and cross-refer with his surgeon, GP and Physio -Pilates. It was a long recovery; needless to say this put a lot of strain on the whole family. By now I was treating all three family members.

Could things get worse? Christchurch lurched again and Jennifer’s mum became homeless. Well in fact, things did get a lot better! Grandma moved north, and the whole family now lives together locally. It’s been a big journey and I have been through it with them. I’m still treating Geoff monthly and he’s now back to cycling. Mum, Grandma and Flora the new miracle baby bounce into my office. I’m caring for all four family members and I can tell you that’s a very rewarding experience!

What do you do to care for yourself?

We just built a lap pool in our Grey Lynn back yard - we’re still swimming in August it’s so exhilarating. I’m a bit of a goer and attend local classes for yoga, Pilates and power walking. I always get six-monthly bloods and a general GP check up, and top up with supplements, if I require them. On the fun side of health I’m very lucky that my partner Tanah Jane Dowdle is an amazing professional chef and creates deeply delicious, mainly organic foods from local markets, with wines and of course, more laughter!

What’s your advice to people seeking osteopathic treatment?

Just do it! For instance: our osteopathic Group offers a combined 52 years’ experience with an amazing skill set. Andy specializes within the cranial field, with a wide range of clients. My clients are pre/post natal, assisting aging gracefully and sports. Jo Fitchew loves treating the elderly and has a younger set of clients, and Jacquelyn Schirmer has an extensive background in Pilates and yoga combined with osteopathic knowledge.

That’s a power combination.

The Osteopathic Group, 183 Jervois Road T: 09 9 3606026 www.livingosteopathy.co.nz

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PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

SADLY HEMI HAS CANCER! Hemi came to us from the SPCA a few months after our beloved Laki died.

Jimmi’s photo was in the paper in the Adopt Me page. I made an enquiry but he had gone. However, that owner could not cope and returned him. We took home a scared little puppy who would not get off the floor of the car. We just could not call him Jimmi which sounded like a Glaswegian thug. Hemi would sound similar to him.

The day we got him, one of the Ponsonby street people called out “that’s Jimmi” after reading the paper. I have to admit he was a handful. We sent him to Mark Vette to have him trained which made a huge difference and because we had to put in so much work and love with Hemi he helped us get over our old dog. We are rarely seen without him. He has his breakfast at a Ponsonby café every day. He has been in a bit of pain recently but our worst fears were confirmed last week, he has an aggressive cancer. He has a strong will to live and although his walks are not as long as they were he still loves Ponsonby café society.

PN (SALLY & GERRY HILL) F

SPCA AUCKLAND HAS TWO GREAT EVENTS COMING UP

SPCA Hot Rod Show & Charity Auction Sunday 29 September Do you have a passion for hot rods and custom cars? Want to help the animals at the SPCA? Supercheap Auto and Renegade Rod & Custom are proud to present the SPCA Hot Rod Show & Charity Auction. Join them at the SPCA Auckland Village in Mangere for a family-friendly day full of custom vehicles, food and activities for the whole family. There will also be a huge charity auction, with all proceeds from the day going to help protect Auckland’s animals in need.

Gates open at 10am with the charity auction starting at 12pm.

Great Animal Walk & Blessing of the Animals Sunday 6 October To celebrate all creatures great and small, join SPCA Auckland on the “Great Animal Walk” - a unique march down Queen Street. It’s a wonderful opportunity for animal lovers and their pets to celebrate the important place pets have in our hearts. The Great Animal Walk commences from Queen Elizabeth Square next to Britomart at 12pm.

Immediately following the Walk, the Blessing of the Animals service will be held at St Matthew-in-the-City. Each year SPCA Auckland celebrates the life of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, by providing a unique opportunity to have your animals blessed by the ministers at St Matthew-in-the-City. The service will commence at 12.30pm. F PN Keep your eye on the SPCA Auckland Facebook page for updates on both of these great events: www.facebook.com/SPCAFriends

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS ASK ALEX

TRAINING OUR FUTURE ANIMAL DOCTORS! The veterinary degree offered by Massey University is a jampacked course. After four years of cramming their brains with facts, the students finally put down their books and head into working veterinary clinics.

It’s during their fifth and final year that those students interested in cats and dogs spend one week with the Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) team.

The details of pet emergencies and their treatments are outlined in many reference books and academic journals. Relating that information to the sick or injured animal in front of them presents a surprisingly difficult challenge to the students. The AEC veterinarians gently prompt their budding colleagues through the arduous task of clinical decision making, allowing them to spread their fledgling wings with the security of experienced back-up. Each night presents a unique set of problems, and the students must learn to embrace this uncertainty.

Each month Dr Alex Melrose answers readers’ pet related issues. email yours to: alex@vetcare.net.nz Good Morning Dr Alex, your SPAW team visited Tonga in April this year and we took our female dog to see your vet and all was good. We have another dog who is a neutered male, of seven years old, who has developed blood blisters on his groin area. Jem has had these before but lately one has turned dark and for some reason has erupted. We have been applying dressing to it over the weekend to stop it from bleeding and as soon as it stops, he licks it again and starts the bleeding again. It doesn’t seem to coagulate until the dressing has been on there for some time. It doesn’t seem to worry him and we are trying to prevent Jem from licking the dressing and the wound. Jem is a white dog and the blood blister was raised before it burst open. I am happy to await your next visit to Tonga in September, just to check him out, in the mean time what do you think is going on and can we do anything before South Pacific Animal Welfare returns to Tongatapu? Thanks and cheers, Andy.

Q:

A:

Hi Andy, we do have a full team of vets and nurses coming up again late September and it sounds like we may need to do some surgery on Jem at that time to remove these skin masses before they spread.

By the week’s end the almost-veterinarians have edged that bit closer to realising their goal of graduating and practising as qualified veterinarians. They leave AEC with a glimpse of that caring aspect of veterinary practice which is so desperately difficult to learn from a book. F PN

Your description of these raised blood blisters leads me to consider skin growths called haemangiomas or even more destructive haemangiosarcomas. These occur more frequently on a white skinned dog as in your case. Similarly to other possible offenders such as squamaous cell carcinomas and cutaneous mast cell tumours, exposure to sun damage in dogs that love to lounge about sun-bathing is a big predisposing factor. I’ve seen quite a few of these in white English Bull Terriers. These other two skin cancers can appear similar to those described on Jem but are more commonly raw looking erosions that can bleed rather than blood filled lumps. Sometimes there will be a lot of infection involved due to invasive skin damage and self trauma. Antibiotics will help with this secondary problem. The Japanese vet stationed with the ministry will be able to provide those in the meantime. Take care and we will see you and Jem shortly.

(DR ALEX MELROSE, BVSC MRCVS)

ANIMAL EMERGENCY CENTRE, 97 Carrington Road, Mt Albert, T: 09 849 2121 www.animalemergency.co.nz

VETCARE GREY LYNN, 408 Great North Road T: 09 361 3500 PN www.vetcare.net.nz F

Each pet arriving at AEC is cherished and loved by its anxious owner. The stress for those owners as they face the unknown cannot be underestimated. Among the greatest lessons the fresh faced veterinary students take from the AEC is the importance of caring for the concerned pet owner. Empathetic, respectful support of that person is as vital as the medical treatment of their sick pet.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

GUANG HAN AND HIS WEST FOR THE LOVE OF CATS HIGHLAND TERRIERS LUCA AND TIKO Guang Han has studied and lived in New Zealand for eight years and moved to Ponsonby with his partner Jia three years ago.

They opened the H2PHONE store on Scotland Street - specialising in electronic repairs and accessories - 18 months ago.

Guang and Jia have had their two dogs since they were two months old. “I chose the West Highland Terrier breed because I liked the cute picture on the side of a bag of dog food in the supermarket,” says Guang. Tiko, male, is now three years old and Luca, female is two. Tiko’s name is a derivative of Guang’s self-created “English” name Stiko, and Luca’s name was inspired by Jia’s favorite French clothing brand.

Tiko and Luca come to the H2PHONE store every day, and are extremely friendly and well received by all the customers. The dogs like to greet new customers at the door, with Luca sitting on her hind legs giving people a wave, and Tiko likes to talk and say hello to regular customers.

Tiko was put in puppy daycare at Barkley Manor in 2011 and Luca was trained at home; both are very obedient dogs.

Guang says “Tiko and Luca are not ordinary pets, they have lots of personality. Tiko is a gentleman and has lots of dog friends, unlike Luca who is only interested in people.

Tiko also has really good ‘table manners’ - so he never ever wins a food fight with Luca.”

Tiko and Luca have a diet of dry food, plus some boiled chicken every day.

Guang continues “Both Tiko and Luca like to play with balls. Luca has a competitive gene inside her little body and she always catches the balls first, rushing to them in front of Tiko.”

The dogs both love travelling in the car and Tiko often has to be returned to the store by PN shoppers at New World, as he takes any opportunity to hop in a back seat. F

“Happy is the home with at least one cat.” If Sally Frewin and her two children, Zylah and Enzo Vivace have anything to do with it, a cat will not have to leave home when its owners need to be away for one reason or another.

The idea of offering an alternative to catteries was sparked when they helped out a friend who was taking a holiday. They went to her house to feed her pooch and give him a cuddle which he really appreciated. The friend was over the moon with gratitude at not having to transport him to a cattery then pick him up again when she returned, but above all she knew he would be happier staying at home.

Sally and her seven Sally Frewin holding Maisy with Enzo year old daughter and and Zylah Vivace six year old son held a little lemonade store at Pasifica for a bit of fun and to their surprise it made a small profit. Zylah showed particular interest, asking how much it cost them to produce the lemonade, and what the profit margin was, so Sally thought it would be neat to start up a hobby business in order to give the children an understanding of how commerce works. Her friend’s pleasure at having her cat looked after at home sparked the idea of running a service called Happy Cats. Sally and her children are prepared to feed a family’s cat, water plants, feed goldfish and clear the letterbox for a moderate fee. An added advantage is the security element, just knowing that a trusted person is visiting the house on a regular basis.

Sally has been a SPCA volunteer for more than 40 years and cats have always been an important part of her life. As a child she collected cat memorabilia and for several years that was all she received for birthday and Christmas presents. She still has about 150 cat figurines stored in a box in the garage! Her childhood love of cats has extended into adulthood and she is trained to foster them for the SPCA. Through her work for the organisation she often has abandoned kittens to bottle feed and nurture back to health, and her family are just as concerned about their welfare as she is.

She and her business partner, Pippa Lekner have run a successful PR agency for eight years called the pr shop. They have recently moved from Symonds Street into a two storied, renovated villa on 63 Great North Road. Brouder Batteries operated from there for many years and when they moved further along the road showed an interest in who was moving in after them, hoping the building would survive, well thankfully it has! Pippa lives in Westmere, Sally in Grey Lynn and both find living and working in the same area simply wonderful. For convenience, Happy Cats will initially cover the same geographical area as the Ponsonby News. The prices for the service are as follows.

photography: Martin Leach

The first visit to meet the client, exchange keys and be introduced to the furry friend is free of charge. Depending on requirements, they will visit the house once or twice daily.

A basic feed is $15 per visit. A half hour visit to feed, pat and play with puss is $20. Two feeds a day, morning and night is $25. Happy Cats can also water plants, feed goldfish, and clear the letter box for an additional nominal fee. Charges for a cattery stay vary widely as does the standard of comfort. The five star accommodation can be from $25 a night with many $30 plus, but however luxurious a cattery may be, Puss will always be happier at home. Sure, a cat will miss its owner but not to the extent a dog would. Cats don’t like change without their consent, and they are not likely to give it!

For further details you can contact Sally on sally@theprshop.co.nz or 021 333 221.

Their website, www.happycats.co.nz will soon be up and running.

PN (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION HILTON BROWN SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR TRAINING RECEIVES OFFICIAL RECOGNITION During its 40-year history, Hilton Brown Swimming has always ensured that swim instructors are trained to a consistently high standard, even though there’s no requirement for swimming teachers to have any qualifications at all in New Zealand.

GREY LYNN’S YOUNG OLI BENNETT TAKES ON NATIONAL TV ROLE Grey Lynn has a new star, Oli Bennett, who is featuring on our television screens as the voice behind a new animated character.

Oli, a 10 year old student from Grey Lynn Primary School, is the voice behind the TV character Meadow Fresh Ned, currently on television letting New Zealand school children and their families know about the Meadow Fresh “Cool Our Schools” promotion for primary and intermediate schools. Ned was developed especially to be the ambassador for Meadow Fresh milk and yoghurt, and is the result of state-of-the art animation techniques from Mighty Nice, a leading Sydney animation house - but the voice behind Ned is all Kiwi.

Oli was bitten by the acting bug at an early age, most recently appearing in the play, The Odyssey at TAPAC. The voice of Meadow Fresh Ned is his biggest role yet.

“It’s a big responsibility being the voice of a character,” says Oli. “I had to go through an audition process, of course. It was funny when I realised that no one would be seeing me, and that my voice would be coming out of someone different.” Oli admits that even though the character Ned was developed more than a year before he became the voice behind ‘Ned’, there are similar characteristics between them.

“We do look alike, but at least I’m a bit taller.”

Now the company’s commitment to excellence has been rewarded. Hilton Brown Swimming’s in-house training programme is the only one to have been officially recognised by Skills Active Aotearoa, New Zealand’s Industry Training Organisation for the recreation, sport and fitness industries.

“Recognition of our instructor training by Skills Active Aotearoa will give our parents extra reassurance that our teachers and teaching methods are the best”, says Ingrid Sharp, manager at Hilton Brown Swimming. “Swimming is a complicated motor skill that needs to be taught correctly, or the swimmer could end up with poor technique.”

When a Hilton Brown instructor completes their training, they are eligible to receive the National Certificate in Recreation and Sport - Aquatics (Swim Education) Level 3. Last year all 75 of Hilton Brown’s people achieved this qualification; this year Ingrid estimates that another 40 instructors will qualify.

“Our training for instructors focuses on teaching children to swim in a technically-correct way, but it also makes sure instructors know how to keep every lesson safe, fun and age-appropriate as well. Whether the child is an enthusiastic pre-schooler or a teenager who’s under-confident in the water, our swimming instructors know what works.”

HILTON BROWN SWIM SCHOOLS, Open 7 days, Olympic Pool and Fitness Centre, Broadway, Newmarket T: 09 5290177 www.hiltonbrownswimming.co.nz F PN

Ned is appearing now on New Zealand televisions, radio and in supermarkets through Term 3 of the school year as primary and intermediate school children, and their families, collect stickers off Meadow Fresh milk and yoghurt to get a share of $500,000 of sports gear and art equipment, for their schools.

“I got to see my voice coming out of Ned’s mouth for the first time last week, it was awesome,” says Oli. “It’s really fun to be a cartoon character but it’s even better as I know kids from schools all over New Zealand will be able to get heaps of stuff for their schools if they collect heaps of stickers.” Primary and intermediate schools must register with www.meadowfresh.co.nz before 31 August to take part, and have until 27 September to collect stickers from specially marked Meadow Fresh products.

Meadow Fresh Cool Our Schools runs from July 29 - September 27, 2013.

PN Go to www.meadowfresh.co.nz for more details. F

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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BILLY HARRIS: KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY

DEMOS MURPHY - NEW ZEALAND’S NEXT CLASS ACT? Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last 30 years, you’ll have heard of movie stars like Cliff Curtis, Tem Morrison, Sam Neill and Karl Urban. If Ponsonby Intermediate student Demos Murphy one day joins the list of Kiwi actors to make the big time, remember you read his name here first.

Demos is the lead actor in the highly acclaimed film The Weight of Elephants, a co-production between New Zealand and Denmark, directed by Daniel Borgman.

In the movie, Demos plays the role of “Adrian, 10, a sensitive and lonely boy, abandoned by his mum at an early age to live with his grandmother and his sick uncle, finds meaning in an unlikely friendship with Nicole, 10, a crazy, mysterious outsider, who just moved in across the street and who just might be one of the abducted children that they keep talking about on the telly.”

From that description alone, we can tell that the praise Demos has been getting for his performance is justified, because off screen the outgoing and extroverted 12 year old is almost the complete opposite of the role he plays.

Even more extraordinary is the fact that Demos had no previous acting experience, or even formal training. His only connection with acting is that his father works in the film industry, meaning that Demos, the oldest of three children, has spent time around people in the business and absorbed the knack by a process of osmosis. He might have picked up more than he thought. Auditioning had been going on for six months around New Zealand, and with only three days of the process remaining, Demos auditioned for the role on the suggestion of a mutual friend of the family and the director. Bingo. Demos got the job, which puts him on a journey, wherever it may lead, that most kids only dream about.

This is what the director said about Demos: “He could empathise with Adrian without ever feeling too overwhelmed. I think that was really important, and also

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why he was so hard to find. Trying to find a child who existed outside of the usual rules, who was grounded in himself, but at the same time was sensitive to the needs of the people around him. I think he’s a very special person.”

One of the perks of the job was getting three months off school to make the film in Otautau, deep in the South Island, early in 2012. And the life experience more than made up for the time lost in the classroom. The long days of filming, memorising lines, working night shifts, the one on one training with a diving instructor to prepare him for the underwater scenes, learning to turn on the water works to play the emotional scenes, and having your head shaved on camera are just some of the things you don’t normally do in maths class!

Not that he got off regular schoolwork entirely. Demos was assigned a tutor and did his lessons when time permitted. That wasn’t the only hardship. After a couple of months away, Demos started to miss home, but with an acting coach and a chaperone in close attendance, his new friends around, and regular visits from his parents, he was able to tough it out.

All the hard work paid off when the film had its world premiere at the Berlinale - the Berlin International Film Festival - in February of this year. Demos travelled to Germany with his father, the producer and the director to attend the festival, the first time he’d travelled overseas.

This was also the first time he’d seen the film on the big screen. After each screening in Berlin he stood up

in front of the audience and did a question and answer session with the director.

The film is also screening in the NZ International film Festival, and he attended screenings in Auckland and Wellington. Demos has had to get used to doing interviews, here and overseas, and was recently on The Good Morning Show. The real test comes when the movie comes out for general release. Many of Demos’ school mates will see the movie, and there are no critics as honest as your peers! They already know what to expect, as Demos and the director spoke to the school about the making of the movie. But whatever the playground reviews, Demos has decided that acting is the career for him. He loved the whole process of film making, and made a lot of new friendships, including one with director Daniel Borgman, with whom he stays in touch.

So what sort of actor will Demos be? An action hero like Karl Urban in Judge Dredd? A dramatic actor like Anthony Starr in After the Waterfall? Or a comedian like Oscar Kightley in Sione’s Wedding? In the film industry, particularly in New Zealand, actors probably can’t be choosers, but after enjoying doing his own stunts in The Weight of Elephants, the sports lover in Demos would love to do action, but he’d also like a chance to try comedy.

Whichever way he goes, movie buffs all over the world will PN be watching with interest. (BILLY HARRIS) F

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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PONSONBY PRIMARY SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION 2013 Thursday 15 August 5.30pm 1. Karen Spires of Bayleys Real Estate, Dr Anne Malcolm, principal of Ponsonby Primary School with pupils hold the sponsorship cheque donated by Bayleys Real Estate.

2. Libby and Pierce Vesty.

3. Bernadette Morrison, George Hill, Karen Spires and Dr Anne Malcolm.

4. Glenn, Liam, Andree and Ben. 5. Chris, Kerri, Lachlan, Oliver and Jarvis Hutchinson.

6. Parents, grandparents, teachers and pupils attending the exhibition. F PN

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MEET THE TEACHER Andrea Bright Bayfield, Ponsonby and Takapuna Primary Schools and Private Speld (Specific Learning Disabilities) Tutor Currently teaching Bayfield Learning Support Students How did you come to be a primary school teacher?

For several years I have relieved in class levels 0-6 at three local schools. I recently trained to be a Speld (Specific Learning Disabilities) teacher to assist those children who I could see struggling with everyday learning yet who were otherwise articulate, intelligent children. My pharmaceutical background taught me the importance of ‘evidence based’ practices and analytical skills. All these combined skills enable me to best teach students who require specialised assistance.

Where did you train?

EpsomTraining College in Auckland and Auckland University (where I completed a degree in child psychology concurrently).

What brought you to teaching?

I trained as a primary school teacher after leaving secondary school and after six years teaching primary school students I switched out of teaching and worked as a pharmaceutical product manager for 10 years. After having my own family, I was drawn back into teaching part time due to the hours and close proximity of work to home without travel.

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What are your favourite things about being a teacher?

Facing 25+ unique individuals each day who have different personalities, strengths, hopes and fears, yet who all view the world with optimism.

What has been a highlight of your teaching career?

Watching children’s faces light up when they experience success. Working with such dedicated, compassionate professionals.

What has been a low point of your teaching career?

Seeing children struggling to deal with difficult, stressful situations that adults in their world have created.

How would your principal describe you?

Flexible, professional and reliable.

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How would other teachers describe you?

Flexible, well organised and positive.

How would your students describe you?

The friendly relieving teacher with the ‘bubble and the box’- ask any child I’ve taught and they’ll tell you what this means. (It’s actually a behaviour modification programme that works well when you’re teaching different children daily).

If you could wave a magic wand in your classroom...

I would give all children the same environmental opportunities to succeed and watch those with the strongest innate desire step forward.

Five tips for mums and dads of primary school kids 1. Talk with your children a lot about everything and anything.

2. Laugh with your children and let them see your inner “child”.

3. Try not to get caught up in “parent peer pressure” as all children will succeed at something and maybe that ‘something’ is being a really nice person - and the world needs a lot of these.

4. Find out what your child’s strengths truly are and not what you want their strengths to be.

5. If you’re helping your child at home with spelling, focus on one skill at a time. Once this is mastered then move on to the next.

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ST PAUL’S COLLEGE GYMNASIUM UPGRADE My colleague Jo Barrett and I were invited to St Paul’s College in Richmond Road for a ceremony to celebrate the upgraded work completed for the college’s gymnasium.

We met Joe Cunningham, the 31-year-old PE Teacher, who will be one of many enjoying the wonderful new floor! Joe tells us that he keeps fit with regular exercise and diet.

(MARTIN LEACH) F PN 1. St Paul’s College Head Boy Semisi Havili, Principal Mark Rice and Father Bernard Dennehy; 2. St Paul’s College pupils; 3. Joe Cunningham

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FUTURE GENERATION ACG SENIOR COLLEGE WALL OF BOOKS TO HELP LITERACY IN GHANA Have you ever wondered what happened to old school text books?

Most are thrown out as they are updated. Year 13 ACG Senior College student Ruby Meagher watched the old go out with the new for two years, lamenting the waste. This year, this has changed thanks to her philanthropic thinking.

These old books will not go to waste, as they will form part of the ACG Senior College project where students bring in their used books and the aim is to build a wall of books.

All these books are going to help promote literacy in Ghana.

Ruby heard of the plight of the African Education Trust and their need for books in Ghana. “These books will be going to schools and libraries where many of the shelves are empty after years of unrest. Now the country is considered stable and these books will help build the foundations for a country in need of education,” says Ruby.

After the wall of books is complete, Ruby plans to catalogue them all before sending them onto the African Education Trust. The trust will then arrange shipping and distribution in Ghana.

“Part of our practice is to encourage students to think of new and creative ways of helping others. Ruby is very self-motivated and we’re happy to be able to get behind her and support her in this worthwhile endeavour,” says ACG Senior College Principal, Kathy Parker.

Building education and literacy from the ground up in developing nations holds significant challenges and access to books is essential. “It’s easy to forget in New Zealand, where our text books are supplied by the government, that books are actually really valuable.

And, it also costs a lot to ship them within countries and overseas. I will collect donations next term to assist with the shipping and distribution costs of the books,” says Ruby.

The redistribution of books is a simple concept, but one that takes a significant amount of organising. Think of what you have at home that’s just taking up space - it could be really useful for someone else locally or a little further afield. F PN

Ruby Meagher, Year 13, ACG Senior College student organises un-used books to be sent to Ghana

ACG SENIOR COLLEGE www.acgedu.com

ANY PAGE IN PONSONBY NEWS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE SEEN

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SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

Shotput wonder kid builds handy collection WHEN I THINK OF KIWI SHOTPUT STAR JACKO GILL, I OFTEN FIND THE TUNE FROM A Sesame Street song playing in the back of my mind, I’m not one hundred per-cent sure of all the lyrics, but the gist of the song suggests that “one of these things is not like the others,” and asks for you to identify which one is the odd one out.

No matter who you stand next to 18 year old Gill, he’s that one, that odd one out. But I mean that in the best way possible, and his recent record breaking effort to claim the world junior shot put title with a whopping 23.00 meters proves just how unique his skill set is from most others. He’s even posted a video on YouTube of him training which will only serve to further my point. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgRphH_Yuzc The Takapuna thrower recently added his name to the record books, along with the world junior titles he won back in 2010 as a 15-year-old and then retained as a 17-year -old just last year. Whilst it was at a specially organised event at the Millennium Sports Institute on the North Shore and will take a little time to be ratified by the IAAF, there’s no reason not to believe that New Zealand and Shot Put will go hand and hand for a very long time.

Gill’s dominance of the sport at junior level is showing no slowing down as he progresses to the senior ranks. He had intended on competing at this year’s World Champs in Moscow but a longer than anticipated recovery time for an injury he sustained earlier in the year meant that his debut at the event was put on ice. But the rejuvenated thrower has put that disappointment to bed by locking down every age group title on offer. The 6kg record he added his name to used to also belong to the now World Senior Champ David Storl of Germany. Gill now plans to compete at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and then at the World Champs in Beijing.

Gill’s is the second world junior athletics record held by a New Zealander. Javelin thrower Gavin Lovegrove held the world under 20 javelin record for a short time way back in 1986. (GEORGE BERRY) F PN

Boyle’s brilliance comes against the tide Wow, simply wow. What former Auckland Girls Grammar student Lauren Boyle has achieved in the pool this year is nothing short of amazing. photography: Martin Leach

Competing in a sport drowning in controversy the 25-year-old's efforts at last month’s swimming world champs in Barcelona and then the short course world cup in Berlin must surely go down as the sporting achievement of the year.

photography: Robert Barry

Funding for Swimming in New Zealand is still very much being kept at arm’s length by High Performance Sport New Zealand. I’m by no means discounting Valerie Adams fourth world championship shot put title, but if Adams were to throw the put with her left hand, I’d beg to say she may still have achieved a similar outcome. When Adams' opponents line up at the competition and see she’s there they automatically know they’re competing for the silver. Boyle on the other hand has had to fight tooth and nail all the way, and is now beginning to reap the rewards of her own almost single handed efforts. After parting ways with her national coach Mark Regan post the London Olympics, Boyle also gave serious thoughts to throwing in the towel (excuse the pun). But after some soul searching she chose to stay in the game and push forward one stroke at a time. Three bronze medals at the Spanish meet then gold and a silver two weeks later shows just how far this rising star has come since finishing outside the medals at the London games. The word “consistency” springs firmly to mind when you evaluate her successes. The 30-40 hours of training per week is obviously paying off.

Competing in events such as the fifteen, eight and four hundred metres and to back that up week upon week, reaching near world record times each outing is an effort not often replicated in any other sport. And both the mental and physical toll it has on your body, not to mention the travel, only serve to emphasise Boyle’s achievements.

Becoming the first woman in New Zealand to earn a medal in the 40 year history of the champs and just the second Kiwi to win three medals at a world champs, joining Danyon Loader in the record books, Boyle deserves every accolade coming her way.

Hopefully the judges of this years sporting awards view it the same way.

PN (GEORGE BERRY) F

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NZ FALCONS The NZ Falcons met on Sunday 25 September to play an official game as a squad in Cox’s Bay against Ponsonby Rugby.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

Auckland trip at the final hurdle If it wasn’t for a last gasp try to Brumbies Super Rugby winger Henry Speight, the Auckland 7’s team would have been crowned the inaugural Club Sevens World Champs at London’s Twickenham Stadium last month.

After trailing 12-0, the Orene Ai’i led Aucklanders, (yes that’s right Ai’i’s still playing sevens at 33 years old) regained control at 14 points to 12 as the clock counted down thanks to a Kali Hala led revival, taking the second half by storm and scoring twice in two minutes to hand his side the lead. Speight then tipped the result back in favour of the Australians as he dashed across the line to record his second five pointer of the match.

Their youth and enthusiasm was what carried the Auckland side to the final, and unfortunately for them and the vocal UK crowd they just ran out of puff when it really counted. Keep an eye out for Hala too, after his showing at the tournament I’d be surprised if National sevens coach Gordon Titchens isn’t making calls.

“It’s been awesome” said Ai’i when he came to the touchline, “the boys have really enjoyed it, especially the young ones. Running out at Twickenham is a dream come true and I just said to the young boys you need to make the most of the opportunity.”

And despite being the elder statesman of not only the Aucklanders but also the tournament Ai’i was already considering coming back again next year to try and go one better. “I always said as long as my body’s fit and I’m still enjoying it I’ll be back, I’ll just go back home and enjoy the 15’s season, the provincial season and see what happens.”

The influential playmaker also gave the thumbs up to the tournament, an event that saw teams from Russia to the USA to almost you name it competing. The inclusion of sevens at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics has seen a massive upswing in countries wanting to become involved. “I think this tournament is going to grow and it’s one to look for in the future, it’s going to get popular and a lot of teams are going to want to be involved.”

Auckland beat Kuban Krasnodar (Russia) 33-5 and the Brumbies 24-12 before losing to home side Harlequins 14-31. They breezed past San Francisco in the quarter finals before getting revenge on Harlequins in the semi 31-14. (GEORGE BERRY) F PN

Top tips for tri training After 17 years at the elite level, Olympic Games appearances and umpteen dozen times around the globe, Kiwi triathlete Kris Gemmell has decided to retire from competing.

He has hung up his onesie, wetsuit, goggles, running shoes, bike etc etc you might say.

But lucky enough for us he’s agreed to kick off our spring expert comments, where the Ponsonby News sports section will take a deeper look at a particular sport and give some tips and tricks to more success in the sport.

1. Have a goal to work towards, I was once told if you aim at nothing you’re bound to hit it, so spend some time thinking about what you’re trying to achieve then set about achieving it.

2. Design a plan to work within the time you have available, this is just as important as the goal itself, if you try to do too much then you won’t achieve it, if the goal isn’t challenging enough you’ll find it too easy and then you run the risk of giving up because it’s all too easy and no longer interesting.

3. Start slowly and don’t panic train, If you’ve designed the right plan then you’ll have no need to start like a maniac, and trust that you will feel better/ fitter gradually: it won’t happen overnight, but it will happen.

4. Recovery is as important as training itself, if you overdo it your body won’t thank you for it, just because you’re not out pounding the pavement doesn’t mean your body’s not changing and getting ready for the challenge ahead. Your body will allow you to train harder when you are training if you give it sufficient rest.

5. Good nutrition is a big part of any training program, rest, training and nutrition go hand in hand, and as they say a V8 can’t run on lighter fluid. Eat smaller meals more often to keep the body working and refuelled.

6. If you don’t feel right - it generally means you’re not, listen to the signs the body is trying to tell you. Injuries can be reduced by listening to your body. This doesn’t mean head to the hospital each time you feel your calf tighten up, but a regular massage and or physio can help a lot, prevention will aid you in being able to achieve your goals a heap more than just putting your head down and forgetting about it.

7. Companionship in training can provide great strength, but be careful of differing abilities, if you can’t find someone of similar abilities or fitness levels then you’re better off putting your favourite tunes on your iPod and getting into it on your own. If someone can’t keep up then your training will suffer as you make sacrifices to hang with them and if you’re always playing catch up it can be equally as disheartening.

8. Always look after your equipment, if something needs replacing don’t delay (like old shoes). Injuries can occur and you’ve trained too hard to waste the time you’ve put in. Enough said.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

9. Take time, and make time to spend with your family during a training program. Being excited is one thing but becoming obsessed is another and that can easily lead to fatigue and extra stress. This is also a good chance for your family to tell you how good you look and proud they are of you for sticking to your program, so don’t discount this as a priority. This doesn’t mean hang out on the couch though, you can easily go throw a frisbee or similar.

10. Great quote from a certain someone “the pain of regret is far worse than the pain of pushing yourself”, never forget that, and you’ll be smiling all the way to your goals all summer long. Don’t give up, don’t procrastinate, if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly and you thought it was worth doing once, so just keep the fire PN burning! (GEORGE BERRY) F

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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: LOGAN GRANGER

ACC - Small Business and Self Employed Tailored ACC cover for self-employed people and non-PAYE shareholder-employees ACC provides injury cover as soon as you start self -employment. You automatically get ACC Cover Plus, but have the option of ACC CoverPlus Extra. Your levy is calculated from the information in your IR3 tax return. If you are injured you can claim for help with treatment costs, medical expenses and loss of earnings compensation.

Key Benefits of CoverPlus extra:

• Income loss cannot be proven e.g. spouse receiving income but not generating it

• Proof of loss of earnings is not required at the time of the claim.

• You must apply for ACC CoverPlus Extra

ACC CoverPlus Extra is the flexible alternative to ACC CoverPlus which enables you to negotiate your level of lost earnings cover.

• ACC CoverPlus Extra continues to fully compensate you whilst returning to work gradually.

• You must earn above $22,464 OR work more than 30 hours per week to be eligible for ACC CoverPlus Extra

• Ideal if…

• The level of cover cannot be less than $22,464 or greater than $92,871. These are statutory limits and are adjusted annually

• Weekly compensation is 100% of a pre-agreed level of cover.

That way you know exactly what you’ll receive if you’re injured and can’t work - and it doesn’t matter whether the injury is work related.

Consider applying for ACC CoverPlus Extra. It gives you an agreed amount of lost earnings compensation. The compensation you get under ACC CoverPlus may be minimal if you are newly self-employed or self-employed part-time.

• Income fluctuates • Just starting out in business and have no income history

• Specific for self-employed and non-PAYE shareholder employees

• Where the level of cover applied for is greater than recent liable earnings, ACC financial underwriting may apply

• Taxable income is not representative of your actual earnings e.g. income is split with a partner or spouse or takes advantage of options to reduce your tax

How Does ACC Cover Plus extra compare with Standard options?

This table illustrates the benefits of ACC CoverPlus Extra in comparison with the standard cover option- ACC CoverPlus (for self employed people) and ACC WorkPlace Cover (for shareholder employees)

Weekly Entitlements

ACC Cover Plus Extra Pays 100% of the agreed amount.

ACC Cover Plus and ACC Workplace Cover Pays up to 80% of your previous year’s earnings (limits & conditions apply).

You receive 100% of the agreed value of the lost earnings cover, even if your business continues to generate income during your time off work or you return to work part- time.

Is reduced if your business continues to generate income during your time off work or you return work part time.

You must prove your loss of earnings.

You don’t have to prove loss of earnings.

Levies

Calculated using:

Calculated using:

Your agreed amount of cover.

Your previous earnings.

Your business and/or occupational activity.

For a self employed: levy rates specific to your individual role with the business.

For a shareholder employee: the company’s activities.

Claims

Your pre-agreed payment starts once the claim has been accepted.

The level of lost earnings cover is determined after you make a claim based on previous earnings.

A seven day stand down period applies.

A seven day stand-down period applies.

Cost: ACC CoverPlus Extra levies are calculated based on:

How to apply: To apply for ACC CoverPlus extra:

• The levy rate specific to your business and /or occupational activity. Non PAYE shareholder-employee can be classified under their individual occupation.

• Apply online at www.acc.co.nz/cpx, or • Contact one of our staff at Jacal Ph 361-6701.

• The agreed level of lost earnings cover.

Navigating ACC can be complex. If you have any further questions, or would like to discuss the options, please contact Logan Granger.

Disclaimer - While all care has been take, Johnston Associates Chartered Accountants Ltd and its staff accept no liability for the content of this article; always see your professional advisor before taking any action that you are unsure about.

PN JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, 202 Ponsonby Road T: 09 361 6701 www.jacal.co.nz F

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THE LADIES’ LITERA-TEA They laughed, they learnt, they marvelled and they ate. An absolutely delightful and indulgent Sunday afternoon was enjoyed by all at The Women’s Bookshop’s August Ladies’ Litera-Tea. 1. Authors: Anne Kennedy, Alison McCulloch, Therese Lloyd, Liz Slooten, Women’s Bookshop owner Carole Beu, Judith White, Emma Martin, Mandy Hager, Stephanie Johnson, Susan Upton and Rosemary McLeod.

2. The bookstall at The Ladies’ Litera-Tea held at The Raye Freedman Arts Centre.

L to R: Anne Whitcombe, Mary-Liz Corbett, Patricia Kaye, Tanya Gribben, Kaaren McKinstrie 3. Judith White, Rosemary McLeod and Stephanie Johnson peruse the delectable cakes.

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The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

A second Litera-Tea will be held on Sunday afternoon 3 November. For details, contact The Women’s Bookshop, T: 09 376 4399; books@womensbookshop; www.womensbookshop.co.nz

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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: METROLAW GOT A LEGAL QUESTION? ASK MICHAEL@METROLAW.CO.NZ

Q:

I am currently looking to purchase a house but I am not able to afford the property by myself so am planning to buy with a friend of mine. I understand that we can own it as joint tenants or as tenants in common but I am not sure what this means. Does it really make a difference how we own the house?

What else should I be thinking about when buying with a friend?

A:

As you quite rightly pointed out when you buy a house with someone else you can own the property as joint tenants or as tenants in common. Put simply, when you own property as joint tenants you do not have an allocated share of the property but as tenants in common you own a specific share (for example a ½ share).

There are a couple of important differences between owning property as joint tenants or as tenants in common. In a tenancy in common your share is your asset alone. If the property is mortgage free you will usually be able to transfer your share in the property to another person without the consent of your friend.

One of the fundamental differences between owning a property as tenants in common or as joint tenants is what happens to the property if one of you passes away. If you own the property as joint tenants then the person with whom you own the property automatically receives your share of the property. If you own the property as tenants in common, your share of the property will be distributed in accordance with your wishes in your will. This is why, when you are purchasing with a friend, it is appropriate for the property to be owned as tenants in common.

There are a number of things that you will need to consider when buying with a friend.

Will you have flatmates? Will you rent out the property? How will you pay for outgoings?

What happens if one of you wants to sell? Will you each be contributing equally to the purchase price and any mortgage repayments?

Bahman Bahmanpour, Nikki Kaye and Farah Farahani

AFTERNOON TEA WITH ‘POLITICAL ROYALTY’ My mother, RIP, usually offered sensible advice. “Never discuss religion or politics,” she cautioned. However, I regularly find myself discussing these topics with people regardless of my own opinions or views.

Last month I invited cabinet minister and Auckland Central MP, the Honourable Nikki Kaye to afternoon tea. I have never been a conservative voter, but in my work I need to “get on” with everyone, no matter if I agree with them or not. It was 4pm on a Sunday last month and I’d just been to watch the NZ Falcons, the gay rugby team down at Cox’s Bay. The heavens opened and it poured with rain. I also invited Meredith Lee and Jillian Bashford, the Grey Lynn antique “mafia” to tea… our special guests, however, that afternoon, were an Iranian couple, Bahman Bahmanpour and Farah Farahani, the owners of Rug Direct in Wairau Park, who are loyal advertisers in Ponsonby News.

Despite the weather, I’ve not enjoyed myself as much in ages, nor have I ever seen a more excited face as Bahman’s, who clearly regarded Miss Kaye as “political royalty”. He’d asked me several months ago if I “knew” Nikki and told me how much he’d love to meet her. I’d told his wife that Nikki was coming, but not to let on to him! (MARTIN LEACH) F PN

A property co-ownership agreement can record how these sorts of issues are resolved or dealt with. By entering into an agreement before completing the purchase, you and your friend will know exactly how decisions regarding the property are to be made.

This will make dealing with the property now and in the future a lot clearer and easier.

If you already own a property with a friend you can always enter into a co-ownership agreement now. When buying property you should always ask your solicitor about your ownership structure. There are many different ways in which you can own property and having it in your own name may not necessarily be the best form of ownership in the circumstances. Buying property is also a good time to review or update your will.

PN (MICHAEL HEMPHILL) F Disclaimer - This article is for general information purposes only. If you have a legal problem you should seek advice from a lawyer. Metro Law does not accept any liability other than to its clients and then only when advice is sought on specific matters.

METROLAW, Level 2, 36 Williamson Avenue T: 09 929 0800 www.metrolaw.co.nz

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Photography: Martin Leach

Email Michael with your question and include PONSONBY NEWS in the subject line. Michael Hemphill, a partner of the firm will answer one topical question each month.

LOOK... WHO IS IN THE ZOO!

KIWI CHICKS ROCK Spring means kiwi breeding season and Auckland Zoo has just received its first six kiwi eggs from Northland Department of Conservation rangers.

These precious eggs, which can take up to 70-80 days to hatch, go into custom -designed kiwi incubators in an off-display facility with an adjoining nursery. Like a mini maternity wing, it has all the necessary equipment and specialist staff.

Our NZ bird keepers turn the eggs four times a day and also take them out to cool for an hour each day during their first 55 days - mimicking dad leaving his incubation duties in the wild, to go and find food. They continue to weigh the eggs and monitor their size and growth until they’re close to hatching, and once hatched, take care of the chicks until they’re ready to leave us.

As keepers explain, a kiwi inside its egg is like a human baby moving in its mother’s womb. It’s fully formed before it comes into the world, can hear, is quite strong and active, and most definitely responds to noise and movement.

Last season, as keepers captured on video and we shared on YouTube, whistling to a kiwi egg will literally get it rocking! And once chicks are ready to hatch, they also rock about as they have to vigorously push to get themselves out of their shells.

Once hatched, the exhausted kiwi chick goes into a TLC Brooder (yes, that’s the name) to rest, and after 3-5 days is moved into a bigger brooder-box - its home until it’s time to leave the Zoo and be released into the wild.

Giving kiwi a fighting chance Why are eggs taken from the wild? The wild isn’t a safe place if you’re a kiwi chick; the chance of being killed in the first six months of life by a ferret, stoat, cat, rat or dog is a staggering 95 per cent.

Newly hatched North Island brown kiwi chick The Zoo is part of the kiwi recovery programme, BNZ Operation Nest Egg involving BNZ, Department of Conservation and facilities like us, set up in 1994 to give kiwi chicks a fighting chance against these predators. To date, Auckland Zoo has released 266 kiwi chicks to the wild.

The chicks we hatch and rear are currently being released onto pest-free Motuora Island in the Hauraki Gulf. They stay here until they reach at least 1kg in weight (strong enough to fend off all but dogs - which even adult kiwi can’t do) and are then relocated back to predator-controlled areas in the wild in Northland.

An adult kiwi can live for up to 50 years, and can breed for many of these. Keeping dogs away from areas where kiwi live is one of the best ways we can all give our national icon a future. To find out more about how you can help visit www.kiwisforkiwi.org and like Auckland Zoo on Facebook for news about kiwi hatches.

Adopt a kiwi The kiwi is one of eight iconic animals up for adoption in the Zoo’s redeveloped Adopt an Animal annual membership programme.

No parenting experience is required, just a love for wildlife. Along with the kiwi, you can become a “parent” to red panda, Asian elephant, giraffe, kea, New Zealand fur seal, orangutan, and Sumatran tiger.

Adopt crates ($50) are now available from the Zoo’s WildZone gift shop. They include a personalised adoption certificate, soft toy, ‘adult’ Zoo admission voucher, the Zoo’s magazine, Zoo Alive, and animal fact sheet. Adopters can also sign up to receive PN a quarterly email update about their adopted species. F

Kiwi chick being held by a keeper - ready to be released into a burrow in the wild The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

More details about Adopt an Animal can be found at www.aucklandzoo.co.nz DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

HOT PROPERTY RENTALS

Ponsonby/ Freemans Bay: Highgate Towers Apartment. Two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, open plan kitchen, dining and very spacious living areas. West facing balcony.

Use of the gym and swimming pool. Great location and a very popular apartment.

Phillipa Gordon M: 0274 746 507 Grey Lynn: $420 - Well presented two double bedroom downstairs flat in a split villa.

Williamson Avenue. Call Cath Williams M: 027 272 2136 Cox’s Bay: $310 - Tidy, well presented one double bedroom upstairs flat in this very quiet block in Edgars Road. Close to the park and water. Call Cath Williams M: 027 272 2136 Grey Lynn: $390 - Spacious, sunny one bedroom flat in a split villa. Newly renovated.

Suit quiet tenants. Dickens Street. Call Cath Williams M: 027 272 2136 F PN HOT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND RENTALS, 1/1 Franklin Road www.hotpropertyrentals.co.nz

Paul Titchener with some of his publications

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THE HISTORICAL BOROUGH OF PONSONBY AND GREY LYNN: STREET NAMES

DUNEDIN STREET MANY STREETS IN AUCKLAND WERE NAMED AFTER NAVAL SHIPS AND EVEN THOUGH Dunedin Street was once named Edinburgh and the name change occurred in 1883 before the HMS Dunedin was launched from Newcastle-on-Tyne, the name commemorates the old warship that played an important part in both world wars and the early connection it had with New Zealand.

The HMS Dunedin was a Danae-class cruiser commissioned to the Royal Navy in September 1919 and allocated for duty with the New Zealand Division, which preceded the Royal New Zealand Navy. HMS Dunedin was part of our force from 1924 until she returned to the United Kingdom in 1937. After the first world war she was detached from service in New Zealand and served in the Pacific, but in 1931 she formed part of the relief force that aided Napier citizens after the Hawke’s Bay earthquake.

Early in the second world war Dunedin was patrolling the Atlantic when she captured the German tanker Lothringen that was carrying some highly classified Enigma cipher machines. Subsequently she was directed to targets by British intelligence agents who had cracked the Enigma Code. While still operating in the Atlantic, two torpedos from the German submarine U-124 sent her to the ocean floor along with most of her crew. The explosions destroyed the lifeboats leaving only very basic rafts for about 200 survivors who managed to leave the ship before she sank. Many were badly wounded, but when U-124 surfaced and examined the scene it quickly departed leaving everyone of those men in dire straits.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Dire is too mild a word for what they suffered. A son of one of the survivors, Stuart Gill, has written a book ‘Blood in the Sea’ which gives a graphic account of the terrible three days the men endured. The first night on the rafts there was no rain and the men huddled together for warmth but most of the badly wounded died before dawn and a number of the uninjured suffered delusions. The second night was cold and rainy and several men went quite mad, swimming from raft to raft, thinking they were going to their mess decks for a cup of tea. Some were taken by sharks and others drowned very easily in a state of delirium.

An unknown type of very ferocious small fish was more menacing than the cruising sharks. They were less than a foot long and each successive night many men sustained deep bites from these fish, mostly on their feet. Gratings and nettings didn’t prevent the predators from attacking inside the rafts and in some cases they sprang right out of the water and bit into the men’s arms. Frequently the bites severed arteries which were fatal. The third night was dry and a little warmer but the exposure was too much for some and the death toll rose.

The fourth day was hot and many suffered from sunstroke then about an hour before sunset a steamship hove into view and the remaining survivors paddled the rafts towards the American merchant ship, Nishima. They numbered only 72, were very feeble and many required surgical and medical attention. Over the next nine days the Nishima crew gave them unfailing care and attention but there were more deaths and on December 1941 the ship disembarked only 67 men at Port of Spain, Trinidad for hospital treatment. A short burial service was held for those who had died and the last rites were read over each body before it was consigned to the sea.

Stuart Gill thoroughly researched the facts surrounding the tragedy because history had been strangely silent about the HMS Dunedin disaster and he wanted the story told. ‘Blood in the Sea’ is partly narrated by his father with personal memories of other survivors included. One wonders why an old ship well past it’s used by date, with no radar equipment or submarine detector apparatus was directed to dangerous targets by British intelligence? Well cock-ups perpetrated by controllers distanced from the action seem to be a trademark of wars. The name Dunedin died with the ship and no warship PN has carried it since. (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F

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PAUL LITTLE BOOKS’ LAUNCH OF ‘GRUMPY OLD MEN’ Grey Lynn Community Library 1. MC Kerre’s McIvor; 2. Paul Little Books founder Paul Little signing books; 3. Phil Gifford and John Hawkesby sign each other’s books; 4. Grumpy compilers Paul Little and Dorothy Vinicombe; 5. Michael Horton, Dame Rosie Horton and Sir Peter Leitch.

THERE’S A TOUCH OF LAVENDER COMING IN 2014...

AN ALCHEMY MEDIA PUBLICATION

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THINKING OF PLAYING SOME TENNIS THIS SUMMER? SUMMER IS ON THE WAY, AND WHAT BETTER PLACE TO ENJOY THIS SEASON THAN AT Auckland’s most desirable tennis venue - Pompallier Tennis Club. Over the winter the committee has been busy organising events, tournaments, and coaching for the new season which started this month. Situated in Green Street, with five courts overlooking the city, Pompallier is a small, friendly club that caters for all ages and abilities. Resident coach Tracey O’Connor and her team of expert coaches will help you get started with the basics, right through to video coaching programmes to perfect that backhand.

The club is again offering a one-off $250 first time adult membership for new members, and they have kept the prices competitive on all other categories (even reducing the family membership!) For more details go to their website and remember to like them on Facebook. There will be plenty of action off the courts this year, with special evening events around tennis (and other sports) on TV at the club.

This month sees the return of Ladies Night on Thursdays and the ever-popular Club Night returns from 6pm on Wednesdays. The junior social programme kicks off on Friday 13 September at 4.30pm followed by the senior open evening. There are also plans for junior events involving other clubs in the area targeted at players aged 11 to 17 in term 4. Junior social nights are open to everyone - and there is a charge to cover coaching and BBQ costs. Speaking of which, the club are the proud owners of a gleaming new BBQ which will be seeing plenty of action over the summer months.

With a revised Tennis Ladder, annual club champs, a vibrant interclub scene and the Caro Bowl premiere tennis competition about to start, there’s no better time to get to know PN Ponsonby’s best tennis venue - they look forward to seeing you there! F POMPALLIER TENNIS CLUB, 11 Green Street T: 09 376 5689 www.pompalliertennis.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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NINA POWIERZA

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Nina Powierza and her business partner Kim Farr opened their online floristry business Nina and Co. 10 years ago. Kim and Nina say, “We love making beautifully romantic bouquets that are wild and feminine.”

Do you have any children?

Two daughters; Josephine and Alba, studying textiles and science at Massey and Auckland Universities.

Do you have any pets?

Tintin the Persian, and Saddler the horse.

How do you keep fit?

Horse riding Your best friend would say of you...

“She never answers her phone.”

Your mother would say of you...

“Put some lipstick on would you dear?”

You are passionate about..?

Champagne, French pastries, Jimmy’s fish ‘n’ chips.

And dispassionate about..?

Tortured looking, highly structured floral art. We just don’t do it.

What’s your secret talent?

Headstands.

Where do you live?

In my head.

Where do you spend your holidays?

Whauwhau.

What’s your perfect Sunday?

Riding up the beach.

What were you going to be when you grew up?

Never thought about it, I was too busy being a kid.

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How did you come to be a florist?

I used to grow sweet peas with my neighbour in Gisborne, Mr Haxon, when I was very little. Then when we moved to Nelson I’d pick the beautiful roses where we lived and take them to school. I just loved flowers, the smell, their beauty...

What’s your favourite Ponsonby Cafe?

Santos.

Your favourite Ponsonby restaurant?

Orphan’s Kitchen, Prego, Jimmy the Fish, Swashbucklers.

Favourite Ponsonby store?

Tessuti.

And your favourite Ponsonby fashion label?

Miss Crabb, Ingrid Starnes.

What’s inspired you recently?

The Film Festival.

Name your desert island distraction..?

Game of Thrones.

The house is on fire and your family and pets are safe - what do you save?

Josephine’s art, photos, my pillows.

“I’d be lost without my...” ...horse.

One thing you have learned about life is..?

Take everything with a grain of salt; wait for the tide to come in and go out; just chill; be wary of zombies; love your animal. F PN NINA AND CO, flowers and gifts, 19 Williamson Ave T: 09 376 5812 www.ninaforflowers.co.nz

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SAFETY FIRST SOUND REDUCTION AND AESTHETIC TRANSFORMATION HUSH GLASS: Are you living near a busy road or noisy area? The team at Ponsonby Glass can replace your existing glass with sound reducing safety glass which has a perceived sound reduction of 50% without having to replace your joinery.

SAFETY GLASS: Do you have small children running around the house? Injuries from glass are easily prevented by choosing the right glass for the situation. Every year, hundreds of children have accidents involving glass and can suffer sometimes serious injuries from cuts. To keep your children and family safe, talk to Ponsonby Glass, they will offer simple guidelines to help minimise these injuries.

THERMAL SINGLE GLAZING: This thermal single glazing is also known as “LowE” or “Comfort Plus.” Thermal Solect laminate is a great alternative to double glazing because you do not have to replace or alter you existing frames. It is also a safety glass all in one product!

MIRRORS and SPLASHBACKS: A strategically placed mirror or splash-back is an easy and cost effective way to create a sense of space and create an aesthetically pleasing transform any room of the house.

PN Call Ponsonby Glass for a free no obligation quote on any of these products. F

PONSONBY GLASS, T: 09 378 4666 M: 027 378 4666 www.ponsonbyglass.co.nz

THE BIRTH OF SOMETHING NEW Ross Brownson is a local businessman who grew up in Auckland and lives in Grey Lynn.

He saw the need for a system to remove deadly bugs from our surroundings and after intensive research he discovered the AsepticSure system being developed in Canada.

He spent several weeks with the designers and manufacturers and is so convinced of the effectiveness of this system, he has imported it into New Zealand.

AsepticSure is designed by Dr Dick Zoutman and Dr Michael Shannon of Queen’s University, Ontario and is developed by San Francisco based Medizone International. It is a newly patented, state of the art disinfection and sterilising system and is Med-Safe approved in New Zealand and FDA approved in the USA. Room turnaround is only 80-90 minutes and there is a 99.9999% microbial kill rate.

The machine is highly portable and easy to use by trained technicians. Using current technology, ozone and hydrogen peroxide, a fine mist is released, which envelops everything in the room leaving it completely sterile. Because no chemicals are used, it is an environmentally friendly system that leaves a sweet oxygen-charged atmosphere smelling like the air after a thunderstorm.

Ideal for hospitals, veterinary clinics, dental surgeries, aged care, hotels, motels, restaurants and food processing facilities, the AsepticSure system can also be used to kill bacteria and allergens at home and in schools.

Ross has recently returned from India where he has been demonstrating the AsepticSure system in hospitals. The system is now available in Auckland.

Contact Ross on M: 021 923 652 or www.asepticsystems.co.nz

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THE BOYS’ BOOK CLUB WHAT WE’RE READING

These include books us blokes on the Ponsonby News team have recently enjoyed. We love reading in the bath, or in bed. A real stress buster, especially now that winter is finally here!

MARTIN LEACH DAVID BOWIE INSIDE

By Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh I was a teenager when I got front row seats to Bowie’s Earls Court Arena ‘Aladdin Sane’ concert. What a night that was. I was a huge fan and was lucky enough to meet him briefly, in 1978, when the niece of my mother’s best friend was the nanny to Nolan, the son of David Hemmings and his wife. Hemmings was the director of ‘Just a Gigolo’, in which Bowie starred. We met during a visit to their South Kensington mews house.

David Bowie Inside is the first book that grants access to the internationally acclaimed artist and performer’s personal archive of costumes, ephemera, original design artwork, and more, bringing it together to present a completely new perspective on his creative work and collaborations.

It traces Bowie’s career from its beginnings in London, through the breakthroughs of Space Oddity and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and on to his enormous impact on 20th-century avant-garde music and art. Essays

by V&A curators Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh on Bowie’s London, image, and influence on the fashion world are complemented by Christopher Frayling, Mark Kermode, and Philip Hoare on film; Howard Goodall on musicology; Camille Paglia on gender and decadence; and Jon Savage on Bowie’s relationship with William Burroughs and Bowie’s fans.

The more than 300 colour illustrations include personal and performance photographs, album covers, performance costumes, original lyric sheets, and much more.

JAY PLATT Egypt- A pocket visual Encyclopedia (Scala) The artists and craftsmen of ancient Egypt produced endless works of art that have endured extreme conditions. This is testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the people of that time that has gone into making the objects that we view today as priceless works of art. Some have survived intact for thousands of years and are on display in museums and galleries around the world for all to see and enjoy, and we can marvel at the fact that the ancient Egyptians were so ahead of their time. And this book is a truly stunning example of just a fragment of their history.

This is a wonderful visual history of ancient Egypt cataloguing imagery and sculpture sourced from museums and collections from around the world. Obviously the guide can’t include everything in complete detail and include everything there is to know about that period in Egypt’s ancient history. But it does provide you with some good solid information and the pictures are stunning to look at. It would make a good addition to any personal or academic library.

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BIRD OF THE MONTH IT WAS A DIFFICULT CHOICE PICKING ONE OF NEW ZEALAND’S NUMEROUS BIRDS TO write about. There are so many, and with so many interesting stories. But in the end, the decision was taken from me. I visited Tiritiri Matangi Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, recently and was once again left amused and in awe at the Takahe.

The takahe is one of New Zealand’s most endangered species, at present there are only about 263 individuals left. They are a large flightless bird found in alpine grassland habitats. They can be found in a few sites around the country that are not strictly alpine, but the majority of individuals still remain in the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland.

This site was the last remaining location takahe was found in, after long being thought to be extinct. Geoffrey Orbell rediscovered them in 1948, near Lake Te Anau. The numbers steadily declined from that point due to competition with deer for food, as well as the threat from introduced mammalian predators.

Measures were put in place to ensure the takahe did not join our numerous other extinct species. Control of deer in specific areas of Fiordland reduces competition with the takahe. There have been numerous relocations of the bird onto offshore predator free islands as well as a select few ‘mainland sanctuaries’. This has enabled greater breeding success and given the public access to the takahe.

Tiritiri Matangi is the best example of this, having been one of the first places in the North Island to have takahe, it is close to Auckland and provides an extremely up close and personal view of this endangered species. But do not take them lightly, they are extremely fast and have sharp claws. There have been incidents in the past of takahe jumping onto heads and causing some harm, as well as the mischievous few on Tiritiri who will steal any food left within range of their powerful beak.

My university lecturer likes to shock people by telling them he believes takahe should be at the local park or in our own backyards. Sadly, this is not likely to occur anytime in the next couple of generations but it would be wonderful if it did. If you have never experienced the pleasure of witnessing one of these birds in person, head out to Tiritiri Matangi and see one of our fattest, most flightless and fantastic native birds, the takahe.

PN (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F

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photography: Michael McClintock

MY FAVOURITE ROOM

MARTIN LEACH AND JACK When I felt sick last year and was diagniosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)* I couldn’t physically get out of bed without feeling serious pain.

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I was given medication to deal with it, but I then suffered from insomnia. At the time we ran the Ponsonby News from home and my commute to work each day involved crossing the hallway, from our bedroom to my study, which was perfect in so many ways. But I found it too easy to wake in the middle of the night and wander into my study to write editorials!

Nowadays, we have an office on Richmond Road and I often enjoy the walk home from work as it helps clear my mind and I get exercise at the same time. I’m starting to come right with my health but it’s been a tough battle. My bedroom has become my sanctuary and resting zone. It’s also where I can be with my partner, Jay, who I have been with for almost 20 years.

I love my bedroom muchly! We have a comfortable bed by Poliform, which came from our friends and good advertisers Studio Italia in Carlton Gore Road. We have added some comfortable cushions which take us back to happy memories of good old Blighty, where I lived on and off since 4 February1973. When we relocated to Auckland, in late April 2001, our first home on Crummer Road was miles too big for us. Having lived most of my time in London and Sydney in apartments, a big house was hard to get used to. Our current home in Arch Hill is smaller and more cottage like, in an apartment kind of way.

On my walls, I have artworks I have collected from around the world. Back in the early 90s I’d admired a painting hanging in Godfrey Golzen’s study (he was at the time editor of one of my magazines). It featured Godfrey done in a similar style with his favourite cat Woody, ascending to heaven. It was painted by his wife Jill, who secretly painted this for me as a gift - it features Mr Scottie, our first Scottie, with Jay and I dressed in appropriate costume! It brought us both to tears and hangs behind our bed. Both Mr Scottie and Tiger’s ashes are in a beautiful box by our bed. Jill always made us laugh... her father started the Holden dynasty and she rang me once and said, “I’ve just a call from a man called Bono, who wants me to go and paint a mural on his wall in the south of France! Should I know him?” She asked in all seriousness - she is a star and an amazing plagiarist...and a true eccentric.

I love my bed and although it may not be good feng shui, we have a big flatscreen telly PN in our boudoir, which we watch every day. F

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REAL ESTATE UPDATE: KAREN SPIRES

Maximise your home’s desirability factor When it comes to putting your property on the market for sale, it’s helpful to keep in mind how it will be viewed by potential buyers and what they consider are the most important features.

Being aware of these factors will enable you to present you home in the best possible way, and hopefully to fast track a successful sale.

So what are the top priorities for potential buyers when looking at a home?

A realestate.co.nz survey has revealed what these are. The answers may surprise you.

Orientation to the sun and good insulation topped the list of 18 features voted by 1250 buyers as the most important factors when searching for a house.

More than half listed a sunny aspect as the top feature, with insulation the second key priority - rated ‘’very important’’ by 46% of respondents.

Below are the survey results, which all home owners should keep in mind when preparing a property for viewings to potential buyers and creating marketing material.

In order of highest importance: 1. Orientated to maximise sun 2. High level of insulation 3. Three or more bedrooms 4. Garage or carport 5. Off street parking 6. Ample storage space 7. Located on quiet street 8. Good indoor-outdoor flow 9. Outdoor entertaining area 10. Large section 11. Open plan living 12. Energy efficient features 13. Attractive or updated gourmet kitchen 14. Close to amenities such as schools and doctors 15. Large or walk-in wardrobe 16. Built in a sustainable or environment friendly way 17. Water saving features (such as a rain tank) 18. Close to public transport See how many of these factors you can tick off for your property, and maximise them to their best potential.

Whatever your home type and location however, remember well presented, well priced and well promoted properties always sell. (KAREN SPIRES) F PN Karen Spires is a Bayleys Real Estate “Top Achiever” - placing her sales data among the top five percent of salespeople within the company.

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS THE FRENCH EMPORIUM A SLICE OF FRANCE ON MT EDEN ROAD Frenchman Philippe Gallais and his wife Susan, the well-known owners of Philippe’s French Antiques & Interiors have opened a second showroom in Mt Eden Road (next to what was previously Philippe’s Award Winning Chez Daniel now Bowman’s Restaurant).

As many of you will know Philippe and Susan ran their very popular Philippe’s French Antiques Showroom on Great North Road, Grey Lynn for three years. They loved the Grey Lynn location but unfortunately the lease ran out and they were unable to renew it. They moved into their new 800 square metre showroom at 268C Manukau Road, Epsom in July last year and still miss what they describe as the friendly community feel of the Grey Lynn/Ponsonby area.

You can’t miss The French Emporium Showroom. As you drive along Mt Eden Road the pink façade of the building attracts attention. Once inside you will find a warm inviting atmosphere. There are stencilled floorboards and a soft glow from at least 30 stunning French chandeliers which hang overhead.

Susan who was responsible for the concept and design of The French Emporium describes her style as eclectic. The French Emporium is a treasure trove of genuine French antiques and interior items personally sourced and imported from France by Philippe and Susan. Customers who visit their showrooms are always intrigued by their original, quirky, one-off pieces. F PN THE FRENCH EMPORIUM, 589 Mt Eden Road, T: 09 631 7239 Open Wednesday to Saturday from 11.00 to 3.00pm PHILIPPE’S FRENCH ANTIQUES & INTERIORS 268C Manukau Road, T: 09 529 1457 Open 7 Days www.philippesfrenchantiques.co.nz

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SHELTER FROM THE SUN For a long time you had two options for outdoor shade, a large umbrella bolted onto your deck or an inbuilt veranda.

Both heavily restricted how you could use your outdoor space. The new Aspen Umbrella from Empire complete with a granite base with casters, allows you to break free from those constraints and puts you in control of where you want your sun protection.

sand pit or your swimming pool, this is the perfect solution. Designed with New Zealand conditions in mind featuring aluminium and UV resistant fabric construction, with umbrella and base packages starting from $2199, available from:

The Aspen three metre square cantilever umbrella’s tapered construction references design and strength technology from super yacht mast technology and can be effortlessly manoeuvred to give you the perfect shade which ever angle your space faces the sun.

Whether you need shade over your dining table, your outdoor lounge setting, the kids

DAWSON’S FURNITURE, 1/1 Holder Place, North Shore. T: 09 476 1121 F PN www.dawsonsfurniture.co.nz

AWARD WINNING HOMEWARES STORE NOW IN PONSONBY Take yourself back 20 years to the early 90s. Imagine a quaint village styled street where the kids flitted between houses, neighbours were friends and friends were more like family.

An incredibly happy place to live, this idyllic vision was home and the inspiration for Anne and John Heng’s homeware store, Taylor Road “a place to feel welcomed the minute you walk in the door.”

In October 2012, Taylor Road was awarded the New Zealand GIA award for excellence in Housewares Retailing. In March 2013 they represented New Zealand in Chicago in a field of 22 other national winners at the International GIA Awards and won, along with four others from Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA to take home one of five Global Honouree Awards. To meet the criteria in retail excellence they had to excel in all aspects from retail merchandising, website, IT, store design through to staff involvement and customer service.

It may be an astounding achievement for such a young store but looking back on the rapid three year evolvement of this homewares gem, it is likely the first of many such achievements. The team has now opened their second store in Ponsonby Road. Although smaller than their award winning Palmerston North store, it features their top lines from around the world including a complete range of Tleaft teas and an amazing array of teapots.

One to watch, this fast growing store has something for everyone to “add a touch of beautiful to every room in your PN home.” F TAYLOR ROAD HOMEWARES, 81 Ponsonby Road T: 09 378 1948 www.taylorroad.co.nz

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SUGARTREE - A NEW CONCEPT IN APARTMENT LIVING Construction started last month on the first newly built inner city residential development since the global financial crisis.

SugarTree is a $250 million multi storey freehold complex that sits on an almost two acre site between Union and Nelson Streets. Darren Brown, SugarTree’s Director, says the development is a new concept in apartment living for inner city Auckland.

“SugarTree differs from other apartment complexes in that it offers community living, with landscaped green outdoor areas and vibrant commercial spaces including boutique bars, cafes and restaurants. It also has a mix of workspaces - all in all making the complex its own unique community. It also sits five minutes’ walk from two stations for the proposed light rail system, which makes it even more convenient for residents,” adds Darren. The development is very much in keeping with Auckland’s unitary plan to create more inner city living communities with strong urban design outcomes and will be a key catalyst for transforming the western ridge of the city.”

Auckland Mayor, Len Brown, started construction off, by breaking the ground at the site at 27 Union Street. He says the SugarTree development is an important project for Auckland. “SugarTree is a great example of how we can build quality housing for people who want to live in the inner city. It combines quality, good sized apartments with affordable options and good access to public transport.”

Photography: Martin Leach

“Aucklanders have been clear they want a range of housing choices at different points in their lives, whether it’s good quality apartments like these, close to the centre, or a standalone house further out. The SugarTree development is an important part of achieving that mix.”

Construction on the first stage of the complex is expected to be complete by the end of 2014. Already over 85% of the apartments have been sold, the majority of which will be owner occupied. Apartments in stage two will go on sale in mid-September and already there is strong demand with a large number of expressions of interest received.

SugarTree is a three building multi- level apartment complex.

The first stage, Prima, is an 11-storey, 148 apartment complex with one, two and three bedroom apartments plus 15 ground floor commercial units with mezzanine floors and two levels of underground parking. Stages two and three will be completed 18 months later. When all three stages are complete there will be a total of 580 one, two and three bedroom apartments.

The development provides urban living close to the city centre at prices attractive to those who find Grey Lynn, Ponsonby or Freemans Bay out of their reach and seek an affordable inner city alternative. The developers of the project are Lily Nelson Limited Partnership, which is a 50/50 joint venture between two parties - a consortium of established Chinese investors, and Nelson Union Ltd, which are local developers Wayne Allen and Darren Brown. F PN

WHAT’S HOT AT TRENZSEATER TRENZSEATER would like to introduce to you the internationally distinguished Andrew Martin collection of exclusive furniture designed by renowned English designer Martin Waller and distributed by TRENZSEATER. TRENZSEATER, 80 Parnell Road, T: 09 303 4151 www.trenzseater.com

CADILLAC ARMCHAIR - Brown Leather L 1400mm/ D 450mm/ H 765mm

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REBEL STAR CHEST OF DRAWERS - Brown Leather W 1150mm/ D 550mm/ H 1300mm PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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POP MOTIF YOUR LOCAL ONLINE ART PRINT STORE POP MOTIF IS A NEW ONLINE ART print store specializing in high quality pop art, vintage poster art and contemporary art prints.

Founded by Grey Lynn resident Scott Sutherland, Pop Motif offers a great selection of prints that are both highly desirable and surprisingly affordable.

“When my partner and I bought our first house in Grey Lynn, we were really excited at the prospect of purchasing a few pieces of art to brighten up the bare walls,” says Scott.

“Unfortunately though many of the prints we love were either unavailable locally or too expensive for our budget.”

This experience piqued Scott’s interest in the idea of establishing an art print store.

“The goal was always to not only showcase a range of my favourite art but also to make purchasing art prints more accessible”, says Scott.

Pop Motif stock art prints to suit every modern taste, from pop art classics by Warhol and Lichtenstein to vintage poster art including the popular Bally series through to cutting edge contemporary art from acclaimed British artists Ben Allen and Ruben Ireland. Scott and his team have even partnered with a few local framers to include framing discount vouchers with all sales to Auckland customers - the perfect finishing touch! If your walls are in need of a make over it is well worth going online to pay a visit to Pop Motif where you are sure to find that perfect piece to accentuate your PN living space. F POP MOTIF, www.popmotif.co.nz

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EMBRACE ‘THE GOOD LIFE’ WITH CITTA DESIGN A NEW DESIGNER HOME-WARE DESTINATION has opened next to Farro Fresh on Richmond Road. Citta Design’s new Grey Lynn store is their largest store to date and is a showcase for New Zealand design with an international influence.

Based on a relaxed Antipodean philosophy of life and travel, Citta Design products are designed in New Zealand to be useful, beautiful and even a little bit fun.

Their new season summer collection Greece - Under the Sun is inspired by the Greek attitude to living, focused on maximising pleasure and happiness. A good life under the sun is about squeezing every drop of joy from life’s simple, sunlit pleasures and this collection makes it easy to bring the relaxed Greek way of life into your home.

As head designer for Citta Design, Imogen Tunnicliffe oversees all aspects of the design process and is directly responsible for developing and researching the seasonal themes, colour palettes as well as producing textile and product designs.

With a Masters in Fine Arts, majoring in print, Imogen has lived and worked as an artist in both the UK and New York. She joined the Citta Design team in 2003 as the first in-house designer for the brand, which has since grown to include five full-time and two part-time designers.

After in-depth research into the city or country the design team will focus on, it’s Imogen’s job to finalise the angle and colour palette for the new season. “When one thinks of Greece, blue and white spring to mind so naturally it was important for us to include this colour combination in our palette.”

But there is another side to Greece and the Greek way of life - a more colourful one that reflects the people and their attitude towards life and living. We wanted our palette to reflect both points of view - the classic visual landscape and the more colourful, social one.”

“The angle for a collection could be the landscape, a muse, a story, people, characters or just a feeling we want to convey. For Greece we wanted to create a feeling of warmth, lightness, happiness and liveliness - it’s more of a sentiment.”

Imogen enjoys all aspects of her varied role as a designer but her passion lies in designing children’s products for the collection: toys, bed linen, cushions and ceramics.

A hero print from the collection is Imogen’s hand drawn Santorini design, which is a beautiful narrative of Greek island life; with its idle cats, picturesque fishing boats, ancient ruins and beach-front cafés - all set in the warm Mediterranean clime. Zesty cushions in cobalt and geranium; leather-ware in sun-bleached nude tones; opulent ceramics with metallic highlights and flowing kaftans in detailed patterns - Citta Design’s summer collection oozes Greek charisma.

For Imogen the creativity of designing home-ware that is accessible to so many people is very rewarding, “I guess this is what I like about designing for home-ware - you can create beautiful patterns and objects for everyday items. People can afford to buy them and enjoy them in their homes daily.” Citta Design’s new summer collection Greece - Under the Sun is available in both Mt Eden and Grey Lynn stores and online. F PN CITTA DESIGN STORES, 34 Westmoreland Street T: 09 972 9293, Level 1/20 Normanby Road, Mt Eden T: 09 631 0917 www.cittadesign.com

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ASK AN ARCHITECT: PAUL LEUSCHKE Each month Grey Lynn resident and architect Paul Leuschke of Leuschke Kahn answers readers’ property related questions.

Email yours to jane@leuschkekahn.co.nz

Q: A:

My friend lives in an old two storey apartment building in Ponsonby. It is plaster on double brick. She has been told she needs to quake strengthen the building.

Is this for all double skin brick buildings?

No. The new government policy only covers commercial, high-rise and multi-unit apartment buildings. Your friend falls within the multi-unit apartment description.

However, with the changes to residential home insurance policies and insurance companies being who they are, I suspect their next move will be regarding the construction of the house. Unreinforced masonry building, or double skin brick building, was an accepted construction type and there are many examples around Ponsonby that now do not comply with the New Zealand Building Code.

HOW TO SELECT THE BEST COVERING FOR YOUR FLOOR One of the hardest things to decide on during a renovation or building project is how to choose the best flooring? Your flooring choice is the very essence of your room. All other interior choices have to go hand in hand with the flooring you choose.

With 25 years of experience in the luxury flooring market - Artisan Flooring are the best people to help you make the right decision on product, texture and colour selection for your flooring.

It may be that insurance companies will push for their quake strengthening with higher premiums for houses which don’t meet the requirement of the code. They may even refuse to insure such houses.

When you are faced with a limitless array of construction techniques, colours and yarns it may all be a little overwhelming. Our in-house design consultants will listen carefully to your design brief and ideas to source the very best product fit for purpose and within budget.

I can also think of many villas which have had their basements dug out and piles exposed

by Dad on the weekend. This leaves the house unstable in an earthquake.

They have a range of amazing product from all over the world that they exclusively provide to the New Zealand market.

Insurance issues aside, the other consideration is, would you like your home to collapse on you in an earthquake?

Not only can Artisan provide the very best in wall-to-wall carpet solutions but they can also supply you with a rug from their stock range or manufacture a custom-made product with a beautiful binding of your choice.

Just like installing door locks, burglar alarms, and smoke detectors, I am predicting the next step for owners of older houses will be improving the structural integrity of their house.

We all thought offsetting the cost of the alarm by lower insurance premiums was sensible, so having a structurally stable house also seems sensible. And safer!

PN (PAUL LEUSCHKE) www.leuschkekahn.co.nz F

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Artisan Flooring pride themselves on working with all their clients from the beginning to the end of the project. They will find the exact product for your job and then provide you with the top installation team in the country for no extra cost. Service is key to their business, and they like to know their customers are satisfied with the end product in-situ!

They look forward to meeting you in their Parnell showroom soon. F PN ARTISAN FLOORING LTD, 96 St Georges Bay Road, T: 09 302 2499 www.artisanflooring.co.nz

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BRINGING BACK THE HEIRLOOM QUALITY OF FABRIC A stone’s throw from the zoo, lies what has been described as an “Aladdin’s Cave” of treasures. Ali Davies Fabric Boutique has been a natural progression for owner and textile artist Ali Davies.

She has channelled all that she loves about patterns and textiles into a growing collection of her own designs on fabrics and beautiful products for the home. Ali’s passion is the way textiles bring people together and create memories. An example of this is through her grandmother’s love and skill of handcrafts.

There is a special connection with textiles through the women in a family and this strong tradition existed over thousands of years. Textiles displayed meaning they represented a rite of passage and were a way of communication.

“I feel this is in danger of being forgotten in our modern society,” says Ali. “Fabrics have become just another throwaway item and I intend to bring the integrity, heirloom quality and love back into the items I produce and stock. We are running classes starting with crochet where we can remind ourselves of the joy in creating something beautiful that too often people describe as a ‘dying art’.”

The boutique stocks artworks, gifts and a growing range of decorative objects made and hand-picked by Ali. They create bespoke designs and offer a complete curtain and blind making service. Upholstery can also be arranged.

Ali is on a decorative mission, so come and visit her boutique where new and exciting pieces are frequently added. Open: Wednesday 10-5pm; Thursday 10-6pm; Friday 10-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 10-4pm. F PN ALI DAVIES FABRIC BOUTIQUE, 1 Garnet Road, T: 09 378 0350 www.alidavies.co.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT OREXART PACIFIC VOICES Until 14 September In 2012, Herald art critic T.J. McNamara said that Pacific Voices at Orexart was a valuable complement to the exhibition of art by Pacific Island artists Home AKL shown at Auckland Art Gallery.

This year Orexart presents Pacific Voices II with new works by artists of Tongan, Rarotongan, Fijian, and Maori descent; Glen Wolfgramm (Tonga), Irami Buli and Josua Tonganivalu (Fiji), Dylan Lind (Rarotonga), and introducing Margaret Aull (Fiji/Maori) Dagmar Dyck (Tonga).

The Pacific is our home and these artists remind us that their vision takes us there. F PN OREXART, 15 Putiki Street Arch Hill T: 09 378 0588 For more info visit www.orexart.co.nz or contact: rex@orexart.co.nz

UPTOWN ART SCENE The Uptown Arts Trust has been active in the Ponsonby /Karangahape Road area since 2009, promoting the arts and producing events such as last year’s LOOK exhibition in K’Road.

Their manifesto is to keep this highly creative area vital and vibrant through free art events, and acting as an organisational umbrella for curators wanting to do the same.

This year, the Uptown Arts Trust plan another LOOK exhibition, where 15 groups of artists work with 15 businesses along K’Road to transform their window spaces. They’re also producing the work of curators Louisa Afoa and Ophelia Mikkelson everybody has a name at Ponsonby Central.

Everybody has a name combines an exhibition of 10 artists with input from the community - that’s you! For example: everybody has a name - send yours in and the meaning of it will be included in a mural across the gallery wall; everybody has a favourite song - send yours in and it will be play-listed on Ponsonby Radio; everybody has a favourite recipe - send it in and it will be included in a recipe book and a cooking workshop; and more!

Previously, the Uptown Arts Trust has run a very lean ship, relying on the resources of the board members to fund these projects. This year, in conjunction with local Arts Manager Steve Dorner, they’re appealing for support from the community (that’s you) through crowd-funder Boosted. It doesn’t take much to ensure your area stays vital and vibrant - even a small donation is valuable to this area’s creative reputation.

Visit www.boosted.org.nz/projects/uptown-arts-trust-auckland-art-weekexhibitions to find out more about the Uptown Arts Trust and what they have planned for you, your family and friends in Ponsonby/K’ Road in October, and pledge your support! F PN WILL PAYNT/STUDIO ART SUPPLIES

Dylan Lind - Yo soy venezolano 2013 Acrylic, enamel and spray-paint on canvas 1820 x 1520 mm

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT CORBAN ESTATE ART CENTRE CROSS CULTURAL VISUAL INHERITANCE 13 September - 20 October Opening: 12 September, 6pm-8pm Joint artist talk - Simon Kaan & Kim Lowe: 14 September, 10.30am Corban Estate Arts Centre's latest exhibitions by Simon Kaan, Kim Lowe, Sang Sool Shim and Keum Sun Lee, explores hybrid Asian identities through painting, printmaking and ceramics are on display. Entry: Free, all welcome. F PN CORBAN ESTATE ARTS CENTRE, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane Henderson T: 09 838 4455 E: info@ceac.org.nz www.ceac.org.nz

SHOWING AT TOI ORA GALLERY WITH A TWIST 10 September - 4 October Opening: 10 September 5pm Toi Ora Gallery’s annual intermediate class painting and drawing exhibition tutored by Mira Glisic-Milojev opens this month. The show highlights new works with experimentation in techniques and universal themes.

The class is held in an environment that is conducive to learning, enabling experienced and emerging artists to reach their full potential, thus further developing their own individual art practice. F PN TOI ORA GALLERY, 6 Putiki Street, T: 09 360 4171 www.toiora.org.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE MOMENTUM GALLERY FEATURES ARTIST LUCY GAUNTLETT WIDELY RENOWNED AUCKLAND BASED PROFESSIONAL photographer and graphic artist Lucy G specialises in creative New Zealand limited edition landscape photography, large scale fine art panoramic landscape photographs and prints of local Auckland and New Zealand scenery.

“My catalogue has evolved from my own explorations and experiments into photography, taking my camera with me on every holiday over the last five years ... but also from listening to my customers and understanding what they really love about New Zealand and our unique lifestyle - from the vibrant blue skies, the red pohutukawa and our unforgettable iconic Rangitoto.”

Lucy’s photos adorn the walls of homesick Kiwis all over the world. These range from rugged West Coast, picturesque Tamaki Drive and Rangitoto images, to edgy graffiti ridden streetscapes, graffiti collages and derelict buildings.

Currently working as a full time architect and interior designer, she began her photographic PN career whilst studying Architecture at Auckland University. www.lucygdesign.com F MOMENTUM GALLERY, 1/182 Jervois Road T: 09 376 4749 www.momentumgallery.co.nz/facebook.com/MomentumGallery

UNSUNG HEROES - CHRIS PRIESTLEY The name Chris Priestley should not be unheard of if you have been around Ponsonby, or Auckland for that matter, at all in the last few decades.

Anyone in recent times will have seen Chris back at his old haunt, assisting on at least two nights a week at Cafe One 2 one with their musical evenings. But before that of course he owned the cafe when it was Atomic, and started the Java Jive. Chris was one of the founding owners of Real Groovy Records, and played a large part in building the Auckland folk music scene.

Chris grew up during those glorious years of music and, as many musicians from that era, was influenced by the Beatles, the Who and Led Zeppelin. But for him it was always the acoustic songs, those with beautiful vocal harmonies and melodies that interested him the most. The first Auckland folk festival in 1978 was the beginning of things for Chris though, watching acoustic guitars being played he quickly came to the realisation that this was his music and what he wanted to do from there.

The rest, as they say, was history. He started Real Groovy with partner Chris Hart, and the store became central to the folk community in Auckland, before he moved on and started Java Jive in Ponsonby. The café soon became the place to be for local folk musicians, and was one of the first places in Auckland to offer an open-mic night. Chris says now, “almost on every street, and round every corner is a cafe offering an openmic night now, but back then it was not the case”. Back when the Java Jive was thriving it was not uncommon to find musicians behind the counter as well as in front of it. This is something Chris is well known for, his unwavering support for musicians, in a very practical way he would help any who needed it. This has not changed in the many years since Java Jive.

Still around today, although it is now called Cafe One 2 One, it became well known for its delicious roasted coffee, music, wonderful atmosphere and was the happening place to be. Thursday night “jams” are still going now, with some musicians having been present since the very beginning. Chris still works behind the counter and runs out to help sing backing vocals when required. Throughout all of these different enterprises Chris also managed to keep writing music, playing it and putting out albums. He tried to put out a solo album at least once every 10 years.

I sat down with Chris to find out about his most recent album, entitled Unsung Heroes.

A longtime fan of New Zealand music, an avid collector of it, he found himself drawn to old stories and the history of New Zealanders - the colourful personalities of our country. He was putting together a show to play Kiwi songs and realised he couldn’t find many he wanted to play so he decided to write his own. Each song on the album tells the story of a different interesting person from New Zealand history, ranging from the first woman magician from Thames, to his own father.

Chris researched heavily into each of his stories and elaborates on each of them before he performs the song live. Within some songs there are spoken word sections where he will tell a more detailed version of the story while the beautifully worked guitar parts continue behind his words. He is accompanied by some exceptional musicians, as he always has been. Nigel Gavin, a beautifully talented guitarist plays, in Chris’ words, “chords that don’t exist.” Most songs they perform live are written by Chris, but occasionally Nigel will perform something written for the occasion or they will play a song

by Cameron Bennett on Dobro.

Chris wishes to take these shows to schools and is planning a tour to the Taranaki, where numerous characters in his songs were based. The album comes with a beautiful booklet that has information about each individual and some well-chosen photos to go along with the stories. The band has only done three concerts so far, but with the artfully done booklet and album produced they are ready to make the next step, so keep an eye and ear out because Chris intends to bring the underground folk “musos” to the wider public.

PN (FINN MCLELLAN-ELLIOTT) F

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FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

SHEEP, DOG AND WOLF I went to school with Daniel McBride. Even then I knew he was going places musically that most of us could only dream of.

I learnt from the same music teacher as him, so I knew him primarily as a saxophone player.

Fast-forwarding a few years I heard about Sheep, Dog & Wolf and knew if Daniel was at the helm it would be worth keeping an eye on. The “band” is made up of just Daniel. He plays every instrument, ranging from the vocals, drums and guitars, to the more bizarre - euphonium. Sheep, Dog & Wolf released Egospect, its debut album, on August 23rd.

Performed entirely by Daniel, he also produced it. All of this from a 19-year-old who is studying music composition at Victoria University in Wellington, his schedule is pretty hectic.

I managed to catch Daniel to get a few questions answered before he heads to Europe on his debut tour on the 2nd of September. Sheep, Dog & Wolf was born when Daniel was 16 and he purchased some “awful” gear off Trademe and started his own recording studio in his room. It only took him a year to get some music together and release his debut E.P Ablutophobia. This was met with resounding success and was critically well received as far away as Europe. In particular in Germany where he was invited by a German touring agency, The Konzertbuero Hugsam, to come to Europe. Things have kept him from taking up the offer until now, on the back of his debut album, and with a successful Pledgeme request he has rustled up the funds to get there and back.

I was exceptionally interested to hear how he wrote and recorded the songs on his own.

Daniel told me that for him, “recording is an essential part of the composing process”. It initially starts with a loop that he adds layers to. The whole process can take days, weeks or months and he says that the flexibility of working on his own is something he loves.

He can have a week where there is no inspiration and then spend the next three days recording every minute of the day.

He tells me that he started learning the recorder at seven and, “This was all part of my master plan to learn the saxophone, which I’d decided at about age 3 was the instrument for me.” Apart from the saxophone, and clarinet, he has taught himself all the other instruments he plays (hundreds he says). Most he has taught himself for the fun of it, but Sheep, Dog & Wolf needed a cello, euphonium and French horn, of which he said controlling the notes of the horn was the most difficult experience he’s had learning an instrument.

His influences are wide ranging and the sound of Sheep, Dog & Wolf certainly displays this. There are jazz influences (the classics, Coltrane, Davis and Rollins), contemporary influences and Daniel believes that the African music he heard a lot of when he was younger has had a large impact on the way he writes songs and listens to music, especially in the way rhythm is emphasized. “Pretty much everything I listen to influences me in one way or another, whether it helps me realise what I want to make or what I absolutely don’t.”

Perhaps the blindingly obvious question to ask is, how is he going to perform live if there are all these layers of instruments and complexity and just one man on stage? He has a drummer to help him out, and one of his good friends Eddie Crawshaw, another multi-instrumentalist, and uses a couple of loop pedals to play all the other instruments himself. He says it’s very hectic on stage sometimes but he’s received extremely positive responses. He hopes to return from Europe and build up the band to take the pressure off him live and then he’s looking to get studio time and record a new album. No rest for PN Daniel McBride. (FINN MCLELLAN-ELLIOTT) F His album is available through his website sheepdogandwolf.com

Finn McLennan-Elliott is studing for a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree, specialising in human geography at Auckland University. In his spare time, Finn plays the clarinet and guitar.

He has a great appreciation of all types of music. E: finn.huia@gmail.com The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT NOOK GALLERY ISAAC KATZOFF - MANUFACTURES 10 - 26 October Opening: 9 October Artist talk: 12 October 12 - 12.30pm Studio Tour: meeting at Nook Gallery 19 October 1 - 2pm Mass production is the heartbeat of human productivity. That constant repetition, the monotony of the assembly line, the rhythm of machines, the drone of robots, the buzz of computers, is the accumulation of our actions. And what we produce, every object is a reflection of human activity. F PN NOOK GALLERY, 54 Ponsonby Road M: 027 522 7710 www.nookgallery.co.nz

ATAMIRA MAORI IN THE CITY 2013 A free event showcasing Maori creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The country’s largest three-day celebration of Maori culture, both past and present, is back! This year it will be held at Auckland’s waterfront in the popular Cloud and newly refurbished Shed 10. The free event will take place 6 - 8 September and will showcase not only New Zealand’s native Maori heritage but also contemporary Maori culture.

The three-day festival has previously attracted over 100,000 people. In 2013 the ATAMIRA team hope to bring in a wider audience through its new venue in the heart of the city.

The festival invites you to watch Maori master carvers, weavers and ta moko artists at work, and to try your hand at these ancient practices. Enjoy vibrant live music from emerging Maori artists, kapahaka performances and a showcase of sport and lifestyle innovation. Tempt your taste buds with exquisite Maori cuisine, and watch live demonstrations from MasterChef cult hero, Cameron Petley.

ATAMIRA Maori in the City will leave you enchanted by New Zealand’s indigenous culture and provide you with an insight to what it means to be Maori in the city. For more information: PN www.atamira.org.nz www.facebook.com/AtamiraMaoriInTheCity F

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ARTS + CULTURE JOHN LYALL: MOA MOA MOA September 10 - 29 Artist John Lyall's preoccupation with the moa started on the first day he arrived in New Zealand from his native Australia, in 1983.

On that day a BBC team was in New Zealand, filming a Japanese moa-hunter in Fiordland, who, convinced the birds were not extinct, had made a sounding device supposedly replicating the moa's voice.

The tale of unrequited love was explored in Lyall's “cyber-opera�, Electronic Moa, performed at the Hopetoun Alpha in 1999, and he followed that with his exhibition of moa drawings, A Moa, a Math, a Mount at 40 George Street Gallery in 2002.

He has since constructed numerous moas out of old Meccano construction-set parts, and in an exhibition in the ARKO Gallery, Seoul, South Korea in 2010, he displayed photographs of a moa tattoo, a moa skeleton (photographed in the demolition rubble of Auckland Museum's bird hall), a 1.6m high moa made from vintage Meccano parts and a fibreglass moa he had spotted, oddly, in a Seoul bakery during an earlier visit.

Over many years Lyall's multi-disciplinary practice has included sculpture, photography, installations and video, and he has even branched out into designing rugs for Dilana - in the shape of his beloved Meccano pieces.

Lyall's exhibition Moa Moa Moa will bring many of his earlier moas together, along with new ones, including a flickering moa made of LEDs, and a Caucasian Moa - a small Meccano moa all the way from Georgia. F PN WHITESPACE, 12 Crummer Road T: 09 361 6331 www.whitespace.co.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT BLACK ASTERISK PLAYLAND - BEVERLY RHODES Preview: 12 September Exhibition: 13 - 25 September Play is many things to a child including a way to express and describe what is going on in their lives. Using their imagination children reveal life experiences and secrets without direct language.

This is not a comfortable version of Playland, the restrained palette suggests that all is not well. There is an underlying sense of unease with the children in the images involved in some kind of a struggle.

Beverly Rhodes’ aim is to depict an emotional state in each work and evoke feelings of what it must be like for each child in that situation. For example, the anguish of a child feeling pulled by invisible strings. The support and comfort children give to each other.

The starting point for each work is usually an old photograph either found or from a family album. The images are transformed. The posture and facial expression worked on until the child takes on a new incarnation as a real person with the feeling needed for the work revealed. While the clothes hairstyles and colour palette all suggest an earlier time the issues referenced are starkly relevant today.

Sally Blundell, freelance journalist writes, “The experience and insight from her previous career [clinical psychologist] are evident in the unexpressed memories and sensed emotions that resonate through her works, that disturb and maybe even frighten without making explicit the object of such disquiet. On paper and on canvas she invites the viewer to peer into the shadowed corners of her subject’s past, using the romantic symbols of the mask, the wedding veil, the blank gaze of the subdued child to suggest PN a trauma that remains detached from the more acceptable scripts of family history.” F BLACK ASTERISK GALLERY, 10 Ponsonby Road M: 021 040 1168 www.blackasterisk.co.nz

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#@*! MOAN OF THE MONTH AIR YOUR GRIEVANCE Customers at our wonderful New World were dismayed when some time ago the floor plan changed, necessitating a long walk through the liquor stands.

On many occasions they had to retrace their steps on this roundabout route, having overlooked an item they needed from the produce section or the bulk bins stand. What a relief when the management finally bowed to public pressure and allowed more convenient access to the general area. Nevertheless it seems impossible to please everyone all the time. This month’s complainant has a long list of things that annoy her about supermarket shopping. This is what she has to say.

ROYAL MARINES TO PLAY FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Multiple Sclerosis Auckland is delighted to announce The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth will play an exclusive fundraising concert in support of MS Auckland.

The concert will take place on Saturday 28 September at Westlake Boys’ High School Auditorium in Takapuna.

Therese Russel, General Manager for MS Auckland, says: “This is a rare opportunity to host a Band of International reputation here in New Zealand and we are thrilled they have agreed to play in support of our charity.”

The Band of the Royal Marines Plymouth, based at HMS RALEIGH, are visiting New Zealand between the 25th September and 3rd October, before going to Australia to take part in the International Fleet Review celebrating 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy.

While in New Zealand they are to take part in a number of concerts for schools, charities and New Zealand-based United Kingdom organisations promoting trade between the two countries. They will arrive in Auckland then travel to Wellington, Blenheim and Wanganui before departing from Air Force Base Ohakea to Australia.

The Band is made up of 50 male and female musicians all trained in battlefield first aid as this is their role in times of conflict.

Therese Russell makes the point that, like all charities, it is only by raising funds that they can provide the services they do to members. “And an opportunity like this is one not to be missed,” she says.

Multiple Sclerosis (many scars) is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord). It is an autoimmune disorder whereby the person’s own immune system attacks itself. It affects people between the ages of 20-50 and four times as many women are affected by MS than men.

People who are not looking for anything in particular but walk as slowly as humanly possible down the aisles really get my goat and those dawdlers who park their trolleys smack in the middle, staring blankly at the shelves, oblivious of people trying to get past are even worse. Then there are some who can see I want to get to an item on a shelf but don’t make any attempt to step aside and let me in. Others who park their trolleys across the aisles while they are busy making their selections are just as bad. Don’t even get me started on those who block the traffic when they see a friend and decide to have a catch up, seemingly unaware of others who want to get past, and don’t appreciate having to listen to their gossip. Then they have the gall to look irritated when someone has to exclaim “excuse me, please” in order to move them on. Supermarkets were not designed for social gatherings.

I always tend to choose a lane that is empty when I’m in a hurry only to find the one shopper in front of me waiting to be handed the total before scrabbling around in a bag, looking for a wallet, chequebook or credit card. It’s particularly frustrating when someone in the middle of checking out says “oops, I’ve forgotten something”. The cashier obligingly puts up a checkout closed sign and I have to go to the end of another queue. Even more irritating are people with a trolley full of groceries in the express lane.

They refuse to let me in front of them, even though I only have a couple of things in my basket while they are ignoring a large notice that clearly indicates 12 items or less.

Inconsiderate people who have plenty of free time during the day to do their shopping but invariably choose to leave it till during rush hour are a real pain. They use up car park spaces with no thought to how they inconvenience tired commuters or add to waiting time in long queues. What’s more they cart their children along as well, adding to the general 6 to 7pm mayhem.

I like the way New World has responded to customer demand but the management should also be aware that supermarket shoppers are creatures of habit and don’t like change for change’s sake. They shouldn’t have to bail up one of the staff to find out where the toilet rolls are now. Also I don’t know why the same type of item isn’t shelved in one place. When I look for my favourite thin crackers they are perched on a high shelf far away from the biscuit aisle. Why are there three stands for cheese and why are Asian products stored here and there all over the place? Lastly this grumpy old woman hates the way I pop in to buy just a few things and end up spending $60 instead of $20.

Phew, that’s quite a list! As an inveterate socialiser when I go to New World I am duly contrite but plead “not guilty” to all the other transgressions that have upset the PN complainant. Those of you who have sinned, take heed.(DEIRDRE TOHILL) F

No one seems to know how you get it and the extent of how it might affect an individual.

No cure has yet been identified, although worldwide there is a significant amount of research being undertaken.

MS can cause symptoms such as visual problems, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, chronic fatigue, problems with memory and concentration. These symptoms may come and go. In other cases, the result can be permanent disability. Coping with the disease can be very difficult but, where possible, sport and exercise can be very helpful.

To purchase tickets to this exclusive performance contact MS Auckland on T: 845 5921 PN or email info@msakl.org.nz . Tickets are limited and selling fast. F

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PONSONBY NEWS OUTLETS FREEMANS BAY

Studio Italia, 96 Carlton Gore Road Taylor Boutique, 1 Teed Street

Glengarry, Corner Sale and Wellesley Streets Kellands Real Estate, 4 Drake Street New World, Victoria Park Sale St, 7 Sale Street

NEWTON

GREY LYNN

NORTH SHORE

Barfoot & Thompson, 533 Great North Road Barkley Manor, 400 - 402 Great North Road Grey Lynn Community Centre, 520 Richmond Road Grey Lynn Community Library, 474 Great North Road Raw Essentials, 401B Richmond Road Ripe, 172 Richmond Road Sliced,104 Richmond Road Tapac, 100 Motions Road Vetcare, 408 Great North Road

HERNE BAY

Herne Bay Post & Stationers, 240 Jervois Road Five Loaves & 2 Fish, 206 Jervois Road Icing on the Cake, 188 Jervois Road Momentum, 182 Jervois Road

KINGSLAND

Atomic, 420c New North Road

MT EDEN

Citta Outlet Store, Corner Enfield & Normanby Road Sabato, 57 Normanby Road

NEWMARKET

Benediction Café, 30 St Benedicts Street Design 55, 55 Upper Queen Street

Rug Direct, Wairau Park Dawson’s Furniture, Mairangi Bay Nose To Tail Dog Wash, Albany

Ponsonby News is published on the first Friday of each month excluding January.

Copies go quickly so be quick to collect yours from any of the following outlets. The issue is also published on our website www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

PARNELL

Jane Daniels, 2 Birdwood Cresent Parnell Community Centre, 545 Parnell Road

PONSONBY

Artstation, 1 Ponsonby Road Barfoot & Thompson, 184 Ponsonby Road Chapel Bar, 147 Ponsonby Road Fitness Trainer, 36 Jervois Road Harcourts, 89 Ponsonby Road Leys Institute, 20 St Mary’s Road The Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road Mag Nation, 123 Ponsonby Road Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace Spa Ayurda, 213 Ponsonby Road Whitespace, 12 Crummer Road WORLD, 97 Ponsonby Road

WESTMERE

Glengarry, 164 Garnet Road

Planet Ayurveda, 41 Gillies Avenue

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