June Newsletter

THE Quarterly NEWS from June 2023

Bloodworth Pavilion, Shore Road

Dear Members We are delighted to report that Parnell Heritage has found a base! For some time now we have been looking for local premises to store artefacts and publications. We are in the process of finalising a hire agreement with the Parnell Cricket Club for the use of the Bloodworth Pavilion.

Last month we held another event at the welcoming premises of Parnell RSC details follow in this Newsletter.

Also, we give details of our event during Auckland Heritage Week, when the theme for 2023 is Peace, Love and Protest. We will focus on the former two!

Remember, if you would like to take a more active role in Parnell Heritage and join our friendly Executive team, or to help in any way, please contact Sue (who looks after our administration) on andreassensue@gmail.com / 022 647 5155.

With best wishes, Executive Members of Parnell Heritage Inc.

THE Quarterly NEWS from Event at the Parnell Returned Servicemen Club

Despite yet another threat of heavy rain, around 40 people came along to this event on 30th April.

We all appreciated the hospitality and congenial atmosphere at the RSC – thanks especially to the Club’s Manager, Rick McKenzie, and his team who were so helpful and welcoming.

As well as an opportunity to get together with members and friends, the event was to update everyone about the latest plans and goings-on in Parnell. We all enjoyed a drink from the bar and platters of food on the tables while listening to the presentations.

First to speak was Cheryl Adamson, General Manager of the Parnell Business Association.

She gave an interesting update on the Parnell area, particularly with respect to the catastrophic floods at the end of January.

The extensive flood damage was compounded by the fact that the council’s maintenance programme had been scaled back during Covid leaving many drains blocked and dysfunctional. Many businesses had been closed as a result but slowly repairs and reinstatements were happening.

In Parnell Road, there have been some new businesses opening. The most positive aspect is the return of tourism in the area, with businesses such as Fantail House providing great venues. The two big light installations in Heard Park have been well received, with a new one coming in July. Fund-raising is planned to develop new play spaces in the Park to accommodate the many young families moving to Parnell.

Unfortunately, the upgrade of Parnell Station is at a standstill. Auckland Transport had been relying on Summerset Holdings for the easement, but the latter’s plans have changed and they are now deciding on what to do with the land.

CCTV cameras are playing a big role in crime prevention in the area. Also, a very successful WhatsApp group exists so that information can be quickly disseminated. The footage contributes greatly to the police effort and helps to apprehend criminals.

THE Quarterly NEWS from Luke Niue, from the Parnell Community Committee, spoke next. Firstly, Luke acknowledged the presence of Parnell Heritage member Brian Forster, who has been a resident of Alberon Street for the past sixty years. Also, Luke recommended a new book by award-winning journalist, Tony Garnier, titled “From God to Climate Change”.

Luke asked those present, “How many new apartments are consented for Parnell?” – the answer was 530 apartments (Luke can email you a list of these if you wish). Housing Intensification Plan Change 78 is causing much concern, with the impact of 6+ storey apartment blocks on the special character areas of Parnell.

Regarding The Strand, the truck lanes are needed for the traffic from the port. However, Luke felt the suggested extra four pedestrian crossings, as well as the cycleway, do not make sense and the road should remain for a highway for cars and trucks.

Finally, Jo Malcom of the Protect Mataharehare updated us all on the wonderful news that Dove-Myer Robinson Park will remain intact and the Erebus memorial will be built elsewhere. After the effort and hard work of so many people over the past four years, finally it was Mother Nature who had the last word.

The January floods had further destabilised the cliffs near to the planned memorial site making the project impossible.

Jo was very grateful for the support given by Parnell Heritage members. Right at the start, ex-Chairs Julie Hill and Mary Barry had been quick to ‘pick up the baton’ and attended the first meeting in the Park with Brodie Stubbs of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. At that first meeting Mr Stubbs had said, “This goes all the way to the top” – so, with a twinkle in her eye, Jo said, “He was right!”

The next challenge is to ensure the Park becomes a Heritage 1 Listed Site, named Taurarua, so that nothing can ever be done to jeopardise the magnificent pōhutukawa tree. The Ministry had said at the start that they would support this Heritage status if the memorial were allowed to go ahead, so that promise remains.

Future Events Auckland Heritage Week This year the Festival runs from Saturday 23rd September to Sunday 8th October 2023 with the theme, Peace, Love and Protest.

In conjunction with the Holy Trinity Cathedral and with thanks to organist Dr Philip Smith, on Sunday 24th September at 12.30pm we will hold an organ recital in St Mary’s, followed by refreshments in the Cathedral Visitors’ Centre. More details will be sent out nearer to the event.

THE Quarterly NEWS from Parnell Heritage Journals / Publications We are very grateful to Brian Forster who has made an index of all the items covered in Parnell Heritage Journals 1-8. Also, he indexed all the authors of the articles. We are sending these lists with this newsletter.

Please contact Sue (details below) if you would like to purchase the journals.

Also, a reminder that we have Carolyn Cameron’s excellent books on Parnell for sale - $50.00 for the set of three, giving a saving of $20. These books are available only through Parnell Heritage.

Winter Warmer And finally, here is THE Best Winter Soup EVER!! It comes from Sue’s sister-in-law in England who wrote a vegetarian cookbook entitled “Where’s the Meat?”

Cauliflower (or Broccoli) Dream Half a cauliflower (or broccoli) chopped 1 onion chopped 1 kumara chopped 1 crushed garlic clove 1 tspn crushed ginger 3 tbspn oil 1 black cardamom pod 1 tspn garum masala Half tspn turmeric 1 tspn ground cumin 1 tbspn tamari 900ml veg stock (or chicken, up to you!)

1 tin coconut cream

Sauté onion, garlic and ginger 10 minutes Add spices and tamari – cook 1 minute Add remaining vegetables with stock Simmer 15 minutes until tender Remove cardamom pod Blend with hand-held blender or similar Stir in coconut cream.

Remember, if you would like to take a more active role in Parnell Heritage or to help in any way, or if you have any suggestions for future events, or local places/history/people in which you are interested, please contact Sue (who looks after our administration) at andreassensue@gmail.com / 022 647 5155.

www.parnellheritage.org.nz contact: enquiries@parnellheritage.org.nz / PO Box 37100, Parnell 1151