PONSONBY NEWS - DECEMBER'15

+ PUBLISHED FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER, 2015

Established: OCTOBER 1989 – CELEBRATING 26 YEARS OF PUBLISHING HISTORY!

ponsonbynews.co.nz

DECEMBER 2015

NEED A CHRISTMAS GIFT WITH A LOCAL FLAVOUR? Look no further than ‘The Grey Lynn Book’ written by Matt McEvoy and recently published by Paul Little.

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DAW S O N & C O .

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH

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12 P12; Members of the Waitemata Local Board at the recent Salisbury Reserve playground reopening; P16; Local resident Chris Knox was performing at The Grey Lynn Book launch at the Grey Lynn RSC.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD U3A PONSONBY NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS LANDMARK BUILDINGS MIKE LEE, COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND

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LAURAINE JACOBS: THE SEASONED PALATE EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET VEG FRIENDLY: GARY STEEL PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE FASHION + STYLE HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY LIVING, THINKING + BEING ALI LAWRIE: PERSONALITY TYPES

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JOHN APPLETON ON HEALTH FUTURE GENERATION SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY PONSONBY PEOPLE & THEIR PETS LOOK WHO IS IN THE ZOO PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS JAY PLATT: WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN ARTS + CULTURE COVER: Michael McClintock

PONSONBY NEWS+ is published monthly, excluding January by ALCHEMYY MEDIA LIMITED, L 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 Distribution Manager Advertising Sales Operations Manager Contributing Fashion Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Proof Readers Layout Designer Designer

www.facebook.com/ponsonbynews www.twitter.com/Ponsonby_News

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 ANGELA MARTIN; M: 0274 108 320; E: ponsnewsnz@gmail.com GWYNNE DAVENPORT; M: 021 150 4095; E: ponsonbynews@xtra.co.nz JULIE ROULSTON; M: 027 211 7169; E: julie@ponsonbynews.co.nz DEIRDRE ROELANTS; M: 021 261 8439; E: deir42@vodafone.co.nz JOHN ELLIOTT; M: 021 879 054; E: johnelliott@ihug.co.nz JESSIE KOLLEN; DEIRDRE THURSTON ARNA MARTIN; E: arna@cocodesign.co.nz MELISSA PAYNTER; E: melissapaynter@me.com

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ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: WITHIN NEW ZEALAND $49. BY CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER IN NZ$. NO CREDIT CARDS. PLEASE NOTE: we do not hold back issues of Ponsonby News. Our archive is all online as a low resolution pdf or from August 2010, as a high resolution E-mag - visit www.ponsonbynews.co.nz The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the prior permission, in writing, of the copyright owner. Colour transparencies and manuscripts submitted are sent at the owner’s risk; neither the publisher nor its agents accept any responsibility for loss or damage. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may occur.

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4 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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LETTERS + EMAILS A TRAGEDY ON BROWN STREET I’ve just read the article in the Ponsonby News with regards to the tragic death of Valerie Gibson. Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to research and publish this in the November issue. I did not know Valerie at all. However, my husband is a police officer, who worked the nightshift and attended the scene in Brown Street the night Valerie and her dogs perished.

He came home in the morning and described the circumstances briefly which at the time was sad news to hear but was put to the back of my mind as my day took over.

Reading your article just now has brought it home to me that the old lady that died was a significant person and had a name, a history and character all of her own. My husband will also be interested to know the facts you’ve shared as so often he knows little else about victims than is necessary to deal with the task at hand at the time.

It just goes to show - everyone has a story! Thanks for the insight into Valerie’s. May she rest in peace. Kim Dawson, by email THANKS TO THE GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET I’d like to say a big thank you to all the people who make the Grey Lynn Farmers Market happen. I’m there every Sunday to stock up on my spray-free fruit and vegetables.

I hardly need anything else for the week and use much of what I purchase for my green smoothies. These have turned pink with the addition of all the delicious strawberries, which are so cheap at present.

I am a big fan of the community trading table, where backyard growers can sell their garden surplus. I love the fact the market is committed to becoming a zero waste market, with no waste to landfill created at the market. The Farmers Market makes a great local alternative to the big supermarket chains.

Jackie Smith, Westmere

Views in Ponsonby News reflect the authors’, and not those of Alchemy Media. www.twitter.com/Ponsonby_News FRIGHTFULLY GOOD NIGHT ON ARDMORE ROAD What a frightfully fantastic display Ardmore Road residents put on this year. Our family went along and we had a ton of fun and all for free! I was amazed at the turnout of kids, families, groups of friends that got into the spirit of what I guess is an unofficial street event.

Some houses were nearly 10-deep with kids lining up for treats or just waiting to be scared out of their wits. I think the kids may still have nightmares after being chased by the chainsaw wielding clown.

My kids were pretty much on my case for a whole month that we must get our costumes sorted. In my opinion the best costumes are the homemade kind therefore pretty much our whole Saturday was thinking up and creating a green blob monster, an alien and Dracula-spider hybrid. I highly recommend this activity even if not for Halloween as it keeps three boisterous youngsters entertained for hours and hours. Looking forward to more tricks and treats next year on Ardmore Road. T. Manners, Ponsonby THE PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK I just wanted to congratulate you on two sections of the magazine that have been really useful to me this month.

First up, when planning a staff function recently and looking for a suitable restaurant in Jervois Road, I discovered that the Ponsonby News Little Black Book (online) is the only up-to-date listing. Restaurant appropriate to the event and budget booked - thank you!

Secondly, we needed a handyman and had to do no more than flick to the pink pages at the back of Ponsonby News. Good on the team for providing a great resource as well as a great read. Melissa Brewer, Herne Bay

NO IFS, NO BUTTS ABOUT IT I applaud, no, I give John Elliott a standing ovation for his article in the November issue on cigarette butts littering our streets.

Dropping cigarettes butts is no different to dropping your household rubbish in the street gutter, you wouldn’t do that, so why drop butts? I share Mr Elliott’s sentiments, “chuck your cigarette butts on your own lawn!”

It’s not too late to change, you smokers out there. I was a smoker for 20 years and was guilty of throwing cigarette butts here, there and everywhere. Of course all that stopped when I quit, and then my eyes were wide open.

Let’s do what we can to keep our streets clean, green and beautiful, no ifs, no butts about it! Name withheld, by request

69,000 READERS PER MONTH (Nielsen Media)

PONSONBY NEWS+ is printed on paper sourced from sustainable, well managed forests and manufactured under the environmental management system ISO 14001. Our hand-delivered copies are flow wrapped in eco-friendly, degradable plastic.

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FROM THE EDITOR WHAT A MONTH IT’S BEEN AND ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IS THIS ISSUE’S COVER STORY - the launch of ‘The Grey Lynn Book’. Publisher and local resident, Paul Little describes it “as a kaleidoscopic representation of all aspects of Grey Lynn life - people, places, history, buildings, institutions and culture”. The large-format hardback is 266 pages in length and weighs more than two kilos - the very definition of a weighty tome.

There was sadness too when one of the book’s subject’s Graham Brazier died after the book had gone to press. Fortunately, there was just enough time to note his passing in the chapter devoted to him. We think the book would make a great Christmas gift for all locals.

To acknowledge the passing of Jonah Lomu, George Berry has reminded us that when he started his career as a sports journalist at Radio Live, the office and studio on Ponsonby’s Arthur Street was almost directly across the road from Lomu’s old residence. He saw this giant of a man, famous for running over the top of rugby players from all creeds and opposition, often creeping out onto Arthur Street in slippers and a fluffy towel-type dressing gown to collect his morning newspaper. He’d sheepishly but also happily greet you “good morning” before rushing back inside hoping not to be spotted by anyone else.

Mike Lee comments on the horrid weekend last month with the dreadful terrorist attacks in Paris. He points out that Ponsonby has a strong cultural connection with France - and we have a small but vibrant French community. These connections go back to the very beginnings of Auckland and have much to do with the legacy of Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier who lived here and gave St Marys Bay its name.

The office is now shut and will reopen on Monday 11 January 2016. All that remains to be said is have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year. Happy holidays everyone.

(MARTIN LEACH) F PN

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

photography: Michael McClintock

John Elliott predicted in his July column that Nikki Kaye would deliver on her promise for the Western Springs College redevelopment. And she has - $79 million, the largest sum ever granted to a New Zealand secondary school. Nikki Kaye is still a relatively junior cabinet minister, but has developed considerable clout among her colleagues, which augers well for ongoing strong and effective representation for her Auckland Central constituents.

Jay Platt, Martin Leach, Gwynne Davenport, Angela Martin and Jo Barrett

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

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DAVID HARTNELL’S ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW Cruz Jimenez is an artist living in Herne Bay and loving life.

How has art influenced your life?

As a child art-making was all-absorbing, seemingly easy to engage in and something I was apparently good at. I made visual art, performed in plays, wrote poems, silly stories. In adult life, art-making changed it became something I needed to do, for the love, for the obsession, for the escape. It’s kept me true.

What motivates you?

Being able to accomplish/create something meaningful keeps me motivated and happy.

What happens when we die?

We become part of everything in the universe. My soul will linger forever with my loved ones.

Where do you live?

We live in Herne Bay, I would have to say the location is the best - we have awesome neighbours. Also Andiamo and the Elbow Room are just up the street, and a short stumble home.

The last time you cried?

I cry at least two times a week.

Give your teenaged self some advice?

Go straight to university, and only have one credit card and pay it off every month!

Cruz is an interesting name, is it a family name?

Thank you. It’s my Father’s name it means cross in Spanish.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

That would have to be Erik Estrada.

What was your childhood like?

I grew up in southern California. My grandparents had a farm in Huntington Beach so my brother and I were always there with our cousins, aunts and uncles. Sunday dinner at grandma Helen’s was always my favourite day of the week. My grandma had an enormous aviary with parakeets - she also had palomas, rabbits, chickens, ducks a cow and a pig. She had the most amazing garden that’s where I got my love for plants. Grandpa had a beautiful vegetable garden and we never had to buy fruit, veg, meat or eggs. I loved my childhood - so many good memories. My brother and I were in the Boy Scouts so we spent a lot of time with my dad hiking, camping, etc, for many years. Mum and Dad were very involved with our school and scouts.

Who do you think is the most annoying celebrity today?

A tie between Donald Trump and Kanye West.

What is the best thing you have brought back from an overseas trip?

It will sound lame but, it’s a small silver tray I bought in Covent Garden. I use it every night when I cook dinner to lay my wood spoons on.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a humorous, hard working man who was proud of and loved his family and friends.

Who do you think is the best-dressed woman on earth?

A toss up between Caitlyn Jenner or the Duchess of Cambridge.

Something that you really disapprove of?

Cake mix from a box, powdered milk and microwaves. Anything fake really bothers me.

What song makes you happy?

‘I Am a Rock’ by Simon and Garfunkel.

What’s your comfort food?

My mother’s chicken enchiladas, refried beans, spanish rice, guacamole, salsa accompanied with Dad’s ceviche and his Margaritas.

How do you chill out?

Listening to music with a nice bottle of pinot noir.

Which item of clothing can’t you live without?

I live in my black slim fit Nudie jeans.

Best time of the day?

In my studio, sitting in my chair buzzing, and that moment just before my brain explodes onto my canvas.

Your dream home?

A modern hacienda with a central courtyard on two acres overlooking the sea.

Change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I wouldn’t mind being five inches bigger/taller.

What is your life moto?

“Live long and prosper.” Jokes aside, we are not here forever. So live it up, avoid the drama, take chances and never have regrets.

What cliché do you most abhor?

“At the end of the day.”

What gizmo can’t you live without?

My electric toothbrush.

What is your favourite season?

New Zealand summers are by far the best. I think it’s because it used to be my winter. After all these years here I still think it’s a trip having Christmas in the summer - so awesome!

Describe your first pet?

Coco - she was a beautiful chocolate Lab. I left her with my parents when I moved to New York. When I would come visit she would always be at the front door waiting for me.

She lived for 15 years had arthritis at the end and she needed to be put to sleep while I was in New Zealand. DAVID HARTNELL, MNZM) F PN

DON’T MISS THE FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY SPECIAL FEATURES

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+ MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH

COPY DEADLINE: Wednesday 20 January PUBLISHED: Friday 5 February

+ VALENTINE’S DAY (14 FEBRUARY) + PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

PREMIUM POSITIONS AVAILABLE TO BOOK ADVERTISING: Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or Angela Martin on 0274 108 320 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: ponsnewsnz@gmail.com w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

10 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD REPORT So it’s game on for the Auckland mayoralty next year. Inaugural Mayor of Auckland’s Super City, Len Brown, has achieved much despite the occasional but noticeable misstep, a too easy readiness to please all, and recent self-destructive personal behaviour, but is set to bow out next year having guided Auckland through its initial years with vision.

Phil Goff has now been announced as the candidate of substance to replace him.

I have known Phil Goff for over 30 years and he is a man of considerable integrity and determination. His vision to take Auckland forward is one I am confident this community will embrace enthusiastically by some majority.

The issue next year is will any person elected as mayor have a council that can work with the mayor and local boards for the betterment of Auckland? Electors will need to reflect carefully on who they choose to represent their local interests as there are forces at play determined to wrestle control of council for their ideological agenda.

One such agenda at play is the determination by some councillors and others who covet the role to see the privatisation of council and community assets, allegedly to pay for future investment plans for Auckland.

This group recently commissioned twin reports from Cameron Partners and EY, which proposed a series of potential sales of everything from golf courses, parks, community facilities, social housing, Ports of Auckland, Auckland Airport shares and water services.

investor killings and false economy stories will result from any Ports of Auckland or Auckland Airport share sale, as any sale proceeds merely replace debt as the funder of intergenerational non income earning investment.

Meanwhile, back in the non-ideological real world of local board land, your Waitemata Local Board has a year of progress planned ahead of it in the lead up to the elections.

We are entering the detailed design and construction stage of the redevelopment of Ellen Melville Centre as a city centre community hub, delivery of pedestrian priority improvements to Ponsonby Road and Mackelvie Street, and will be commencing the delivery of a streetscape improvement from the Newmarket Laneways Plan. These will see the Ponsonby strip and Newmarket laneways become safer, more inviting, more interesting and walkable. The entranceways into Myers Park, including the underpass which links the park to Aotea Square, are to be improved and a splash pad installed, providing more fun and active spaces for children in the city.

Following the recent launch of Waitemata’s Low Carbon Action Plan, we plan to increase spend on low carbon initiatives including installing a photovoltaic system at Grey Lynn Community Centre to convert sunlight directly into electricity. With the completion of the Auckland Transport Parking Strategy, it’s pleasing to see plans in place to roll out the residents, priority parking scheme in central city suburbs, including Freemans Bay, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn/ Arch Hill and Parnell.

The problem with this agenda, aside from not being what Aucklanders want to see happen, is that it always targets profitable asset sales that currently diversify council income and lesson dependence on revenue from your hard-earned rates, and not council expenditure. The scariest proposal, which highlights why your City Vision majority local board rejects the bankrupt thinking behind such privatisation proposals, is the $8.5b The Waitemata Local Board is pictured at the Low Carbon Plan launch with sale of Watercare. Watercare currently Auckland War Memorial senior staff operates at a $224.7m surplus, and Under the new local board funding each year reinvests this and more back into infrastructure improvements. In future this policy, we now have a greater ability to leverage our renewal programmes to deliver delivers the essential Central Interceptor and Waterfront Interception projects to resolve an even better asset. This will enable us to maximise investment in our local parks the issue of frequent wastewater overflows in Cox’s Bay and Herne Bay. and open spaces and deliver key projects in the park development plans, including to Western and Grey Lynn Parks, and Pt Resolution Reserve. All from our discretionary To privatise Watercare it is acknowledged that the cost to us of water would need to funds, and without the need to sell the family silver. double or, alternatively, future investment dramatically reduce. The thing is this proposal is made in the face of knowledge that it has been tried and failed in the United Kingdom. On behalf of my hard-working colleagues on the Waitemata Local Board, Deputy Pippa In 1989 water utilities were privatised in England and Wales. It resulted in a huge Coom, Members Christopher Dempsey, Greg Moyle, Vernon Tava, Rob Thomas and net loss to the taxpayer ($3.5b), soaring prices for consumers (40% in a decade), Deborah Yates, I wish Ponsonby News readers and your loved ones season’s greetings PN ineffective regulation (costing $68m a year), and a public backlash. Be warned, similar and a safe and enjoyable summer break. (SHALE CHAMBERS) F Contact me: shale.chambers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

12 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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LOCAL NEWS GLAD TO BE GREY There aren’t many suburbs in New Zealand that could sustain a book all of their own - but in writing The Grey Lynn Book, Matt McEvoy found enough material for a trilogy.

But as he began his research nearly two years ago, McEvoy found that the history and people of Grey Lynn were so rich and diverse that he had to be very selective. Even then the large-format hardback has come in at at 266 pages and weighs more than two kilos - the very definition of a weighty tome. As a result, early reaction from locals has seen them fall into two groups: those who are in the book, and those who think they should be.

Everyone McEvoy encountered seemed to have a suggestion for another topic he should write about or another person he should talk to. When he was interviewing David Hartnell, for instance, the Ponsonby News columnist told him about the amazing Diana Wong who still lives in the Grey Lynn house where she was born more than 80 years ago, and the piece on Wong became one of the highlights of the book.

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As a result The Grey Lynn Book is a kaleidoscopic representation of all aspects of Grey Lynn life - people, places, history, buildings, institutions and culture. The Polynesian immigrant story and strong gay tradition are well represented, as are landmark spaces such as Grey Lynn Park and events such as the Grey Lynn Festival.

One of the most delightful things about the book has been the number of unknown links between people in its pages.

Publisher Paul Little, for instance, was surprised on the night of the book’s launch when his older brother pointed out that there was a photo of their father on page 151.

None of those involved in the book’s production knew, until someone else pointed it out, that shop assistant Jimmy McDonald on page 231 is now better known worldwide as Lorde’s drummer, Jimmy Mac.

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There was sadness, too, when one of the book’s subjects, Graham Brazier, died after the book had gone to press. Fortunately, there was just enough time to note his passing in the chapter devoted to him.

Even Grey Lynn residents of many decades have learnt things about their home in the books pages - the Maori history, the area’s industrial traditions, a cinema that was rumoured to be a Communist front.

But the majority of people have been surprised at just how beautiful the book is, making the most of Stephen Entwisle’s sharply observed photography and the luxuriant design

by Katy Yaikmis.

The Grey Lynn Book: The Life and Times of New Zealand’s Most Fascinating Suburb by Matt McEvoy, with photographs by Stephen Entwisle, Paul Little Books, $60.

The book is available from selected local bookshops or online from www.paullittlebooks.co.nz

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1. Late rock legend Graham Brazier.

2. Black Box clothes.

3. Diana Wong with her friend Carmen.

4. The Adelphi cinema was rumoured to be a Communist front.

5. St Joseph’s Convent - now a halfway house.

6. Barbara Ward’s ‘Three Women’ in Grey Lynn Park.

7. A rare rear view of the Grey Lynn shops.

14 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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photography: Michael McClintock

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Publisher Paul Little with Author Matt McEvoy The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

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OUT + ABOUT

Paul Little & Matt McEvoy

Paul Little & Graeme Little

Wendyl Nissen & Barbara Nielsen

Danny Pato & Ryland Wood

David Batten, Rosemary Moore & Gerry Hill

Don Matthewson & Leigh Christensen

Jess Hindin & Yi Zhang

Chris Knox entertains the crowd

Lynette & Marina Van Dijk

Matt McEvoy signing his book

Veronica Dale & Triona Daly

The crowd listening to Paul Little’s address

David Batten & Rosemary Moore

Brad Carson, JB Sauquet & Graeme Little

photography: Clare Gemima

Jason Dhana, Suni Patel & Matt McEvoy

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DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

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photography: kinenphotography.com

LOCAL NEWS CELEBRATING A DECADE OF CHARITABLE GIVING AT MOTAT Sparkling lights festoon the historic buildings, carollers are warming up and the Lolly man is planning festive treats to whip up - Christmas Lights, MOTAT Nights is almost here again!

For the tenth year in a row, the museum will be raising funds through this fun-filled event to buy Christmas presents for those less fortunate within our community.

The beneficiaries of these gifts will be Auckland Women’s Refuge and the Starship Foundation Community Star. Last Christmas the museum was able to purchase gifts to the value of $76,000 which equated to more than 6500 gifts for children in need across the city.

As the countdown to Christmas begins, the museum grounds are set to be transformed by twinkling fairy lights illuminating the streetscapes, trams and buildings. Night rides on MOTAT’s heritage trams offer a special vantage point to enjoy the festive scene. Children will be delighted to find Santa resplendent in the Band Rotunda while his elves roam the site keeping guests entertained.

There will be a myriad of things to see and do with live entertainment, arts and crafts and horse-drawn carriage rides. Stores selling traditional Christmas treats such as mulled wine, cake pops and roasted nuts will leave guests spoilt for choice. They can even catch an outdoor festive movie on 18 - 24 December from 9pm or meander along Regent Street admiring the Christmas-themed shop windows.

To add the festivities, the MOTAT Print Shop and Blacksmith Forge will be operating. With so much to enjoy, it’s no wonder this event has grown to become a firm favourite on the seasonal calendar.

Visitors can share in the magic of Christmas Lights, MOTAT Nights every evening from 11 to 13 and 18 to 24 December (8 to 11pm). Entry is only $2 per person with all proceeds going to charity. F PN www.motat.org.nz

Anna and her team in 2014 crossing the finish line

PONSONBY TEAM SETS OUT TO FIGHT POVERTY A generous group of Ponsonby gals have formed a team to tackle Oxfam Trailwalker 2016 - Oxfam New Zealand’s annual fundraising event.

Teams of four will walk - or run if they’re keen - 100km in 36 hours or less, or 50km in 18 hours or less, to raise funds for people living in poverty.

Ponsonby resident Anna Bassett will lead team Walking on Sunshine along the 100km trail through some of New Zealand most spectacular coastal scenery in Whakatane.

“Three of the team are from Ponsonby but our fourth member, Kristi, is coming over from the United States,” said Anna. “Kristi and I met when we were yachting in Antigua in the 1990s. Oxfam Trailwalker is our perfect excuse to get together again.”

Whilst this will be Anna’s third time taking on Oxfam Trailwalker, the rest of the team has never attempted an endurance event of this scope before. The team has already plunged into preparations, having completed the Auckland half marathon to build up their fitness. Not only do teams need to put in months of training, they also fundraise to support Oxfam’s work. So as Anna and the team kick off their intensive training this month, they’re busy with plans for a movie night and sausage sizzle as well.

Oxfam’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said: “We’re so proud of Anna and all our Oxfam Trailwalker participants. Every kilometre they walk and every dollar they raise has a lasting impact on the lives of people living in poverty. They’re giving families clean water, the chance to grow more food and put their children into education.”

After completing the 100km course last year, Anna summed it up like this: “Was it fun?

Definitely. Brutal? Not as much as we feared. Challenging? Yep. Would we do it again?

Absolutely!” F PN OXFAM TRAILWALKER (weekend of 2-3 April) www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz

18 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

O B J E T S D 'A R T INCLUDING FABERGÉ

24 N O V E M B E R-23 D E C E M B E R 2015 A Fabergé gold-mounted cigarette case in Karelian birch with cabochon ruby thumbpiece.

Victor Aarne, St Petersburg, 1899-1908.

A Fabergé silver samodorok cigar case with gold initials and cabochon ruby thumbpiece.

Anders Johan Nevalainen, Moscow, 1899-1908.

COMING IN JANUARY

MASTER DRAWINGS 1600-1800 Attributed to Jacques Gamelin (1738–1803), Antique battle scene (possibly The rape of the Sabine women), pen and brown ink, gouache and white bodycolour on grey-brown prepared paper, 410 x 703 mm (DETAIL).

JESSICA CHLOE PHOTOGRAPHY

09 376 5727

|

info@mrnorman.co.nz

|

3/14 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland

|

mrnorman.co.nz

LOCAL NEWS GREY LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS It has been a year of highlights for the Grey Lynn Community Centre and December promises to be busy, productive and as much fun as the preceding 11 months.

For the smallest members of the local community - the Grey Lynn Kids Playgroup - there’s a fun-filled Christmas party on Tuesday 15 December, the final playgroup session for the year. The playgroup, led by James Doyle, extended its time this year and is now held five mornings a week. As well as providing mornings of happy activities for the littlies, the group is popular with parents, grandparents, au pairs and nannies who enjoy the companionship when they accompany their young charges. The playgroup will recommence on Tuesday 2 February.

James will also be involved with a new pre-Christmas school holiday programme leading up to Christmas Eve. “It’s often the busiest week of the year for parents and we see it meeting a great demand,” says Cath Bathe Taylor, manager of the community centre.

Details and bookings are at the community centre office. The normal January school holiday programme will run for three weeks from Monday 11 January. The aim of the programme is to provide a happy, action-packed time for primary school-aged children.

Experienced supervisors lead the programme. “We are sad to say goodbye to Eme Laile who has been involved with the holiday programme creating craft and fun for our children. She will be missed,” says Cath.

One of the year’s highlights has been the exciting new mural at the centre. It is the work of acclaimed local artist Elliot Francis Stewart and is his fourth mural for the centre.

“He is such a wonderful and admired talent and we are fortunate that he has agreed to enliven our walls over the past few years,” says Cath. “The theme of this current work, in keeping with the centre’s commitment of lowering its carbon footprint is ‘We care, do you? Working Towards Zero Waste.’ It features a gorgeous hibiscus in beautiful, rich colours. Elliot, who works as an artist and freelance illustrator, is much in demand and has just completed a substantial mural at an Auckland school. In the accompanying notes to the mini documentary series, ‘If These Walls Could Talk’ featuring street artists, Elliot is described as having an innate understanding of how the world that surrounds him is formed, bringing his views, thoughts and ideas to something as simple as a pen or can of spray paint, and make art that is truly awe inspiring.” says Cath.

Keep an eye out for the new Grey Lynn Community Centre Youth Guild, which will be up and running soon. Auckland Girls Grammar School senior students Nina Santos and Shannon Jennings are spearheading the new initiative and we will hear more from these bright young women in early 2016.

The Community Centre office closes on Friday 18 December and reopens on Monday 6 January. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F PN GREY LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 510 Richmond Road, T: 09 378 4908, www.greylynn.org.nz

Local artist Elliot Francis Stewart working on his latest mural at the Grey Lynn Community Centre

20 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PONSONBY U3A: NOVEMBER 2015 Some of the most interesting talks given at U3A meetings are the ten minute segments where members talk about their lives and interests.

The November speaker, Susan Brockman, lived up to all expectations with a fascinating talk, entitled ‘Afloat on a Boat’, about the early years of her marriage when she and husband Michael lived on a 30ft Nimble Class trimaran moored on the Brisbane River.

“I should have known what I had let myself in for when, instead of the traditional bride and groom, I agreed to have a toy boat on top of our wedding cake,” said Susan. She described their life over the years of living on the water, which culminated in them signing on to a 130ft barque, for a round-the-world trip. However, the boat was seized by the Queensland Port Authority for unpaid mooring fees, bringing their dream trip to an abrupt end. “We have been happily sailing trailer sailers ever since,” concluded Susan.

U3A member Susan Brockman

2015 is the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. Why we are still talking about it today was the question answered by medieval historian Dr Lindsay Diggelmann, the November guest speaker. Dr Diggelmann, from the History Department, Auckland University, has been busy this year with talks and courses on this topic. He pointed out that 2015 is a big year of anniversaries - Gallipoli, Waterloo and the Magna Carta. About the Magna Carta, he said that it was a total failure 800 years ago - its importance is what happened afterwards. It lives on as an iconic document standing for modern principles of liberal democracy. He explained why the agreement between King John and his barons, which emerged from a feudal society, failed to meet its aims, but has come to represent a foundation point for modern views on liberal democracy and the rule of law. His talk placed the document in its historical context and showed why its meaning has changed over time.

The final U3A meeting for the year will be the annual Christmas party on Friday 11 December. There will be no meeting in January and the first meeting for 2016 will be PN held on Friday 12 February. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F NEXT MEETING:

9.45am, Friday 11 December, First Floor, Leys Institute, St Marys Road.

ENQUIRIES:

Annie Webster, President, Ponsonby U3A, T: 09 376 2902 www.u3aponsonby.org.nz

Medieval historian Dr Lindsay Diggelman PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

DECEMBER 2015

THANK YOU FROM

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NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP

A year of progress for Auckland Central 2015 HAS BEEN A BIG YEAR IN TERMS OF DELIVERING PROJECTS FOR AUCKLAND Central and the Hauraki Gulf, both locally and nationally. I continue to work closely with a number of groups, agencies and residents to deliver key local initiatives for you.

A particular highlight recently was announcing the Government’s investment of $79 million to rebuild Western Springs College.

I am proud that this is the largest ever school investment in New Zealand and is very important to the electorates of Mt Albert and Auckland Central. The investment includes around $75 million redeveloping the school and around $4 million upgrading TAPAC, the Auckland Performing Arts Centre situated on the school grounds. In addition, a new gymnasium will be built, and the existing hall and administration block will be upgraded.

This is great news for the college and local communities. Western Springs is one of our highest-performing schools. The school has faced considerable challenges due to the geotechnical challenges of the site it was built on, which is a former quarry and landfill.

That combined with ageing buildings and weather-tightness issues has made this one of the most complex school redevelopments undertaken in New Zealand.

This is reflected in the investment which is the equivalent of the cost of building two new secondary schools. I want to thank the board and acknowledge the patience of the school and local communities as we worked towards a solution that will see the school provide modern facilities for generations to come. Work at Western Springs is expected to start in late 2016 and be completed by the end of 2018. This announcement comes on the back of the completion of the Government’s investment of $12 million in Bayfield School and at least $13 million for Freeman’s Bay School. Many other local schools including Richmond Road have significant school property investments happening. It has been important to me as your local MP to fight hard to ensure that young people in the western bays and CBD get access to the best possible modern learning environments and school facilities.

Many of you will also know that improving our environment and conservation estate are issues close to my heart. I’ve said many times that the environment is our greatest gift, and that couldn’t be more important here in Auckland. This year the Aotea Conservation

Park was officially opened on Great Barrier Island, a project that I have championed and been working towards for many years. There has been increased investment for pest protection on Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands, and I have continued my work around protecting the Hauraki Gulf.

I am also supporting a proposal to increase maximum fines for littering, put forward by MP Jono Naylor. His Private Members Bill seeks to increase the maximum fine from $400 to $1000 dollars. I have long been concerned about the amount of waste in the CBD, and litter on our streets. A few years ago I spent a morning working as a rubbish collector, and in just three hours I collected three and a quarter of tonnes of rubbish from the CBD. I accept this isn’t the silver bullet to fixing the problem and that we also need to consider an integrated plan for waste minimisation, including effective collection of waste, and appropriate bins. However, I believe that we need to send a stronger message about what we value and what would lead to cleaner streets and waterways in our city.

This year also marks the most significant investment ever in cycling in central Auckland.

The Government is investing over $88 million in Auckland and Auckland Central. I hope many residents get to enjoy the newly opened Nelson Street cycleway, a crucial link in our cycleway network. The new $700 million International Convention Centre is projected to deliver more than 2000 jobs and to have it green lighted is an important step for economic development and small businesses in Central Auckland.

I am proud to have delivered significant progress on local projects for you this year. Many of you will also be aware that I have been working hard for you right across the country with my ministerial portfolios of ACC, Youth, Civil Defence and Associate Education. My electorate office is busier than ever with an estimated 12,000 constituency queries each year. You can visit my website or contact me to find out more about the local initiatives I have planned for 2016. My office will be open again early in the New Year. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you need any help or assistance. It is a privilege to be your Auckland Central MP; thank you again for the opportunity to serve. Best wishes to PN you for the holiday and festive season. (NIKKI KAYE) F Hon Nikki Kaye is the MP for Auckland Central. www.nikkikaye.co.nz

GARDENING BY THE MOON CALENDAR THE TEAM AT ORGANIC EDIBLE GARDEN HAS produced a Gardening By The Moon Calendar for 2016. Use the calendar to devise a rhythm to your organic gardening. Grow veggies and fruit at a time that produces optimal growth. Each quarter of the moon is colour-coded and they give suggestions on the best gardening activities for that period. The vegetable that’s featured each month is ready for harvest. There are tips on how best to grow it. The Gardening By The Moon Calendar is the perfect Christmas gift for experienced gardeners and would-be gardeners. F PN For more information please contact Jan on M: 021 414 157 E: info@organicediblegarden.co.nz, www.organicediblegarden.co.nz

22 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HON NIKKI KAYE

MP FOR AUCKLAND CENTRAL I’M PROUD TO BE WORKING HARD & DELIVERING FOR YOU. HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF INITIATIVES DELIVERED IN 2015: Announced the creation of the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary – one of the world’s largest – in one of earth’s most pristine and unique environments Residual levies will be removed from ACC’s Work, Earners’ and Motor Vehicle Accounts next year, and ACC is proposing levy reductions worth $450 million in 2016/17 $414 million surplus for the year to 30 June 2015 – a huge turnaround on a more than $18 billion deficit New Zealand faced in 2011 The Aotea Conservation Park was opened on Great Barrier Island I am supporting a Private Members Bill to increase maximum fines for littering from $400 to $1000 to clean up Auckland streets $79 million redevelopment of Western Springs College announced, the largest-ever school investment in New Zealand $12 million redevelopment of Bayfield School completed, with the $13 million redevelopment of Freeman’s Bay school underway Work is due to begin soon on the $700 million International Convention Centre in downtown Auckland. This project is predicted to deliver more than 2,000 jobs during construction phases and in the new hotel and centre and retail outlets An $88 million package of cycleways benefiting Auckland and Auckland Central has been announced, connecting key parts of the city We’ve invested an extra $242 million more into the Auckland DHB since 2008. 96% of Auckland’s GPs have signed up to offer free visits for under-13 year olds

P: 09 378 2088

twitter.com/nikkikaye

facebook.com/NikkiKayeMP

Authorised by Nikki Kaye MP, 48C College Hill, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH www.national.org.nz PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

23

JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Project Jonah - saving whales since 1974 Everyone knows Project Jonah - or do they?

Ponsonby News met the GM of this registered charity to find out exactly what it does.

First of all we must say Project Jonah is extremely fortunate to have such a charismatic and enthusiastic leader as Daren Grover.

No wonder New Zealanders flock in their hundreds to help with whale strandings, which is at the pointy end of Daren’s job.

Although Daren Grover lives in Freeman’s Bay, he travels all over New Zealand to whale strandings. Recently nearly 200 pilot whales stranded on Farewell Strip in Golden Bay - a hot spot for stranding, Daren explained to us. Only 68 were able to be saved.

Ponsonby News joked to Daren that he should move to sunny Golden Bay so he could be closer to potential strandings. Daren laughed and agreed it is a lovely part of New Zealand to spend the summer, but said that as soon as they moved there Murphy’s Law would kick in and there would be a stranding in the far north, like one in Parengarenga Harbour a few years ago. So, like earthquakes, whale strandings are very unpredictable.

Project Jonah exists for one simple reason - marine mammals desperately need our help. Their vision is to create a world where these animals are respected and protected.

Project Jonah’s strength comes from its army of volunteers. That is how Daren Grover started. He did a Marine Medic course and was hooked. After volunteer stints and a short contract with Project Jonah, Daren got the GM’s job. That was four years ago and his enthusiasm has clearly not waned.

Project Jonah says on its website that it prides itself on being passionate, honest, open and down to earth - characteristics that sum up Daren Grover very well.

As a voluntary organisation Project Jonah needs to do a lot with very little. It has a ‘just let’s do it’, philosophy.

While it is animals that are central to its work it is people who make the work possible, and that is Daren’s skill and background - he is a people person and it showed in our interview.

Most New Zealanders think our beaches are safe, but Daren explained that dealing with wild animals on rocky or difficult beaches is not easy. It is instruction in dealing with the whales and keeping both themselves and the animals safe that educates the public.

Project Jonah has developed specialist equipment to help it save whales, and Daren reports how excited he was to hear that a major stranding in Scotland featured New Zealand equipment, which is now used globally.

Daren Grover remembers being told at school that whales would be extinct by the time he was 30. He is glad that his teacher was wrong.

He quoted figures for humpback whales migrating along the coast of Australia. Not many years ago the numbers were about 1000, now almost 15,000 are filing past the Australian coast each year.

Nobody really knows why whales strand. Whatever the reasons, Project Jonah aims to prevent animals stressing, and aims to move them to safety, re-orient the animals, release them and continue to monitor them to safety.

If you are the first on the scene of a stranding, contact DOC immediately on 0800 DOCHOT. To keep animals calm, avoid loud noises, keep dogs and small children away, and make no unnecessary movements. Help will arrive very quickly as qualified volunteers are notified.

We love the mantra on the website - donate, report, become, like us. Hopefully we will never forget our obligations to the more vulnerable of our animal cousins.

Daren Grover, Ponsonby News thanks you for the important work that you do throughout PN New Zealand. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

24 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

BANK DEPOSIT RATES: REAL? Bank deposit rates have been low for a few years now, but lately they seem to have got even lower. For those who depend on interest income for living costs, this must be presenting challenges.

Jocelyn Weatherall

However, are the rates of interest really that low when inflation is taken into account?

Inflation can be likened to erosion - every year some of the value of each of our dollars is washed away. Ideally, bank deposits should provide sufficiently for a return on the money invested as well as compensation for the erosion that inflation causes.

Back in the 1980s inflation was eroding the value of our money by rates of around 14% each year. Back then deposit rates seemed great but were they really?

The trouble is that tax is payable on the income from deposits. So if we assume a tax rate back then of 17.5 % then, by calculation, the bank deposit rate of 17% is reduced to 14.03%. Inflation was 14%, so the depositor was left with a real return of zero.

The problem with inflation is that it works quietly so it is hard to notice money disappearing. In the example just given, for the deposit to keep pace, 14% needed to be added to the investment each year just to stand still. Back then, people spent the interest thinking the returns were very good, and later found their money just didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go far enough, falling victim to inflationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quiet nature.

Compare that with today. Interest rates are low. A five year rate is somewhere around 3.5%. But inflation is very low. In the last year it has averaged 0.48%. So if we look at the real return after tax then it is 2.89% less inflation of 0.48%, equating to be 2.41% real. This is better than when interest rates were high.

Phil Ashton

Richard Knight

Henry Ford

This seems outrageous, but looking at interest rates more realistically provides perspective. Are these rates sufficient to achieve your goals? If not you might need to talk about alternatives.

And what are alternatives? Those who have relied on interest from term deposits for too long are now learning that a portfolio of many assets and investing in many types of securities - eg, bonds, property and shares, can be a smart way forward.

Whilst the bank is secure, the return may compromise your retirement. It is also important to understand risk to consider options best suited to you. We at Rutherford Rede can help you understand that you can improve your returns to get a lifestyle option best suited to you.

For a free no obligation chat and a coffee please get in contact with one of our financial advisers.

RUTHERFORD REDE LIMITED, www.rutherfordrede.co.nz, T: 09 361 3670 Jocelyn jweatherall@rutherfordrede.co.nz Phil pashton@rutherfordrede.co.nz or Richard rknight@rutherfordrede.co.nz Henry hford@rutherfordrede.co.nz

Opinions are of a general nature and are not to be considered financial advice, specific advice is recommended to be sought before action is taken.

Disclosure Statement(s) relating to our advisers are available on request & free of charge.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

25

JOHN ELLIOTT: SOAP BOX

Politics in New Zealand - December 2015 John Key and the National-led Government are still riding high in the polls after seven years in power. Now well into their third term there is little sign of a collapse in popularity.

Back when New Zealand had a first past the post voting system, we used to have a rolling dictatorship of minority governments, Labour or National. They lasted a couple of terms and were then thrown out. Proportional representation has changed that somewhat. As well as Labour and National, we have the Green Party regularly clearing the 5% hurdle, we have New Zealand First still popular with polls showing them still garnering around 7-8%, and we have the remnant rump of the Act Party with one seat. This makes bolting a coalition together much harder.

There was a time when Social Credit and the New Zealand Party, under Bob Jones, each garnered 10-20% of the vote but gained no parliamentary representation at all. The present system is much fairer. Governments then could lead the country with around 40% or less of the vote.

an obsession with economic growth at the expense of diminishing natural resources, to name just a few.

I’d rate Key as more of a pragmatist than an ideologue. Colleagues Steven Joyce, Judith Collins, Amy Adams and Simon Bridges, are among the right wing neo-liberals who dominate the National Government.

In recent years Labour has had no success finding a leader who can take Key on and win. Little, with a lacklustre performance at their annual conference, is looking no more likely to best Key than Cunliffe or Shearer did before him.

There are a number of reasons why governments lose power. They get tired, begin to look tired and out of ideas. They get arrogant and out of touch with the ordinary voter.

They become surrounded by sycophants who tell them how wonderful they are, and of course there is the rise of a credible opposition, ready to take power. More often than not, governments lose, rather than oppositions winning.

This situation is not unique. Bill Rowling was a good bloke, but a weak leader, who Muldoon was able to walk all over. Then along came Norman Kirk who was more than a match for Muldoon. Fate intervened and Kirk tragically died, leaving a near vacuum for Muldoon to fill. Helen Clark as opposition leader had trouble getting above the margin of error in poll results, but Clark can thank her more patient colleagues for keeping her as leader, and not panicking and dumping her. She became a fine Prime Minister, and may possibly become the first woman to head the United Nations.

So why is the current Government looking so comfortable? Whatever you think of him, John Key is a very popular leader. He has a great ability to relate to ordinary New Zealanders, and is seen as someone who you would enjoy a beer with at a BBQ. Of course those accolades do not extend to partisan opponents who hate him with a passion.

Labour’s time will come again. People will increasingly begin to say, “Three terms is enough,” and with James Shaw inevitably hitting his straps for the Greens after replacing an extraordinarily strong leader in Russel Norman, New Zealand could well have a Labour/Green coalition government in 2017. We must remember never to discount Winston Peters.

These opponents can point to an ever-lengthening list of reasons why they would condemn John Key to life imprisonment on Christmas Island. This list includes - those first tax cuts and the increase to GST which immediately widened the inequality gap, the sale of state assets, support for onshore mining and offshore oil drilling, weakening the Resource Management Act, foreign purchase of land and houses, trade agreements which are neither free nor fair, especially the secretly negotiated TPP agreement, and

But it must be said that the opposition parties have a long way to go before they can be sure they can knock Key off his perch and prevent a fourth term.

Ten years as Prime Minister is a long time, and John Key may very well chuck it in before the people throw him out, and return to private enterprise. Do you think he is starting to look distracted and bored? Is he running out of steam? (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

HAVE FUN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO DISADVANTAGED NEW ZEALANDERS Christmas for a Cause is a charity craft event being held at the Ponsonby Community Centre at 2pm on Saturday 12 December.

M.a.d.woman is inviting all Ponsonby locals to come along to make bonbons, gifts and cards for disadvantaged New Zealanders who are supported by their good friends at the LifeWise charity.

All the goodies made at the event will be distributed by LifeWise as an act of kindness for longterm homeless, children in foster care, disadvantaged families and elderly people who could use support.

At the event you’ll get an opportunity to meet like-minded people and hear about the great work of LifeWise and from the Founder of m.a.d.woman, Melina Schamroth, on the ways you can make a difference day to day. All materials needed will be provided and no special skills are required. Head to their website to book your place now or get information on the Ponsonby Community Centre website. It’s $25 just to cover the cost of materials. F PN You can book tickets via www.madwoman.com.au/events/christmas-for-a-cause-auckland See more details at www.facebook.com/events/1945452329014232/

26 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

27

DEIRDRE ROELANTS: LANDMARK BUILDINGS

DEIRDRE THURSTON

The Waiwera Hotel

On My Mind... family and gratitude

THE FORMER FREEMAN’S BAY HOTEL building was in continuous use as a public house since it was a wooden Georgian-style building on Freeman’s Bay foreshore erected in 1859 by a saw miller and timber merchant, James McLeod.

Even when life isn’t showing up quite how we want it to, we all have much to be grateful for: a friend you haven’t seen forever turning up and offering support and encouragement.

When land was being reclaimed, it was purchased by Irish-born Michael Dervan in 1877 then destroyed by fire in the mid 1880s, whereupon Dervan commissioned Edward Mahoney and Sons to design new premises which opened in 1886 at a cost of £3000.

It seems odd that no street has been named after Mahoney considering his legacy of so many fine buildings that enhance Auckland’s city landscape.

Each morning I practise gratitude. I name at least three things I am grateful for. Some days, to be honest, it can be a bit of a struggle. Others, I find I have an abundance of choice. Always there are the basics - legs to walk with, arms to swing along the way, eyes to see the beauty surrounding us (at the moment the beginnings of festive, crimson pohutukawa blooms peeking out from the giant trees around our hood) and ears to hear the crunching of leaves underfoot.

In contrast to the earlier hotel, the new one was built of brick in an Italianate style with ornately detailed facades on two streets of the corner site. The ground floor accommodated the public bar, plus rooms for private occasions, commercial meetings, playing billiards, dining, and the kitchen. Further sitting rooms, bedrooms and a bathroom were situated on the first and second floors. It’s construction was towards the end of a hotel building boom in central Auckland and subject to the more stringent requirements introduced under the Liquor Licensing Act. These in turn came about because of the Temperance movement’s vociferous lobbying. A positive result was that hotels became more than just drinking establishments but centres of everyday life where public dinners, meetings, wedding festivities and even inquests were held.

According to an Auckland Evening Star report the 16 July 1886, the new Freeman’s Hotel was “Auspiciously opened last night, free house being kept from 5 till 7pm. Every window of the handsome hotel’s three storeys was ablaze with light and the liquor so generously and gratuitously dispensed, the hostelry received an appropriate christening and the health of the popular host and hostess was toasted heartily. Many carried home the bounteous cheers in jugs, while the throng of visitors was so great that at last the side entrance had to be closed.” One wonders how members of the temperance movement reacted to such unlicensed revelry!

When Dervan died in 1898 his widow, Winifred, became the owner of the hotel and continued to live on the premises with her family. Great Northern Breweries leased the enterprise in the early 1900s in order to ensure security of beer supply in a competitive market but was taken over again by Dervan’s two sons, William and Eugene, during World War One. Dervan’s two grandsons, Phillip and Dervan Goldwater, were later licensees for 14 years. Following the Municipal Destructor complex’s expansion a three story, three bay extension was designed again by Edward Mahoney and Sons on the Drake Street frontage that matched the original facade, doubling the hotel’s size. The ground floor now had a dining room, kitchen, scullery and serving room with the upper floors providing further guest accommodation.

The former Freeman’s Hotel is historically significant in that it reflects the importance such establishments had as places of relaxation and recreation in 19th and early 20th Century urban society. It has major links with a notable working class community in Freeman’s Bay that had associations with a local industrial industry and the impact of the Great Depression. It also has close connections with large New Zealand brewery companies which demonstrate changing patterns of hotel ownership in the late 19th Century. In spite of its reputation as one of the suburbs notorious pubs in the 1930s, a youth group, later known as Boystown, then subsequently Youthtown, was founded in the basement during the Great Depression and operated there for 14 years before relocating.

The Dervan family’s time with the hotel ended in 1965 and since then it has had a succession of owners, the latest named the Waiwera Hotel. It remains part of an important part of the historical landscape in Freeman’s Bay, lying immediately next to three early 20th Century lamp stands on the corner of Vernon and Drake Streets relocated on this site in 1968 and it qualifies as a Category ll historic place.

(DEIRDRE ROELANTS) F PN

28 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

A day like today - blue, yellow, silver and green. A son who ends a phone call with “I love you, Mum”. That last one alone can erase any bad bowl of cherries.

Family is something I am truly grateful for. At times all of us experience family members who can be difficult and annoying alongside caring and loving. No matter what, they remain family which is a gift. My nieces are incredibly precious to me. They are like my own. I cannot fathom life without my son. My heart skips a beat whenever I see him. He is my greatest treasure.

Families these days are not necessarily the neat package of mum, dad, two kids and a dog. There are many other types of families: same sex; friends are family to me; adopted families. My grandparents and parents are gone now and I’ve met a few dear old souls along the way who I would adore to adopt me as their ‘grandchild’.

I’m fortunate to remain close to my almost ex-husband’s family. My mother-in-law is a best friend. We have fun together and natter about everything while we do our nails, drink wine, wander down to the beach and sit in the sunshine, drink more wine. Our bond endures and may even have strengthened since her son and I parted. She loves me and is one of my greatest supporters for which I am sincerely grateful. Then there are my sisters-in-law and brother-in-law. One still calls me Sis, my brother-in-law calls me Dear and my second sis-in-law and I spend hours on the phone. Her gorgeous family, together with me, my son and his girlfriend will celebrate Christmas together at her home.

I will always be Aunty Deirdre to her children no matter what.

Often pets are our only family if we live alone and have no-one close by. When I owned animals I felt grateful every day for the happiness they brought me and their offering of unconditional love.

A couple of months ago I lunched with a cousin I grew up with but had not seen for about 45 years. The amazing thing was the instant, intrinsic family connection after all those years. Hours flew by as we reminisced about our parents (our mums were sisters).

I loved her mother for allowing their black and white cats to sleep on the clean linen in the hot water cupboard; she loved my mother for everything. As did everyone.

Let’s not forget friends in the family equation. My close friends are definitely family to me and the gratitude I have for them runs deep. Their children are my children - especially if they are in need. There are times our friends are more family than actual family. Often it is a true friend who winches us out of our deep, dark holes, or joins us in nights of fun and madness, rather than family. If we are extra lucky, we have both.

Family and friends bestow a sense of belonging. Gratitude and love give us purpose.

I see everyone as family. We are all part of each other. The idea of buying the world a Coke really appeals to me, except I detest fizzy drinks - Champagne aside. I would more likely buy the world a kombucha.

If we sometimes despair and think we have been passed by in the ‘good life’ stakes - let’s sit and think a minute. Once I do, my gratitude list lengthens by the second.

Today, I am grateful for warm sunshine; a weekend away with friends and a walk on my favourite beach; fresh asparagus for breakfast; the happy clucking of next door’s chooks; safety of my two friends in Paris. And all of you - my family. (DEIRDRE THURSTON) F PN

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

29

RACHAEL TE AOTONGA: LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY NEWS It is the festive time of the year again! While we wind down for the summer holidays, it is nice to look back and reflect on what we have achieved at the library this year.

Highlights definitely include hosting some fabulous author talks, including Nicky Pellegrino, Michael Robotham and Deborah Challinor. It was so nice to get together, enjoy a glass of wine and learn about the writing processes of these prolific authors.

The children have been thoroughly entertained with our various regular programmes including Story-time and Wriggle and Rhyme. We have enjoyed many creative activities during the school holidays throughout the year, not to mention our free Maker Club every Wednesday after school. We have loved seeing the pride children take in producing their masterpieces and learning new things.

The annual Heritage Festival was very successful this year. It was our pleasure to work with the Ponsonby Business Association and open our space to such a worthwhile event.

Many attendees of the lectures and tours had never visited this iconic library before, so it was a great to showcase the building and its history.

We were proud to be part of the Pride festival earlier in the year, hosting writing workshops and a poetry event. Watch this space for details on how we will be involved next year!

If you’re stuck on what to read this summer, you may be inspired by what others have borrowed from Leys during 2015.

Most popular fiction for adults: 1. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt 2. The Children Act by Ian McEwan 3. The Burning Room by Michael Connelly Most popular children’s books: 1. Geronimo Stilton series 2. Matilda by Roald Dahl 3. I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss Most popular non-fiction for adults: 1. Not My Father’s Son: a family memoir by Alan Cumming 2. 15-Minute Meals by Jamie Oliver 3. Not That Kind Of Girl: a young woman tells you what she’s ‘learned’ by Lena Dunham After an action packed year, you would think the librarians at Leys would be ready for a break! But alas, our work is never done. We are happy to bring you some stimulating activities for your enjoyment over the summer.

Dare to Unlock the Secret ‘Dare To Unlock the Secret’ is this year’s free Dare to Explore summer reading programme for children aged 5-13, which runs from Monday 7 December 2015 - Friday 22 Jan 2016. Register today on the Auckland Libraries website, then pop in and see us any time after Monday 7 December to pick up your activity booklet.

Booklets are filled with challenges that range from breaking codes, making music and posting online book reviews, to sharing family recipes and learning about the

30 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

environment. Everything can be completed at home, on holiday, at the library or online with friends. Children who complete four challenges then get the chance to attend a party at their local library during the last week of the programme if they wish.

The programme is designed to maintain and improve children’s interest in reading over the long summer break in a creative, adventurous and family-friendly way.

Additionally there is also a Te Reo Maori component - Kia Maia te Whai that supports and encourages the use of Te Reo over summer.

The Great Summer Read Teens and adults are invited to participate in The Great Summer Read which runs from 7 December 2015 - 1 February 2016.

We’ve set 15 fun reading challenges and we’ve got lots of great prizes to give away.

Pick up a reading log at your library or visit our website to see all the challenges. Each time you complete a challenge, record it using our online reporting form. You’ll be entered into our prize draw automatically every time you report a completed challenge.

Plus bonus draws for completing five different challenges, or all 15!

Going on holiday? If you won’t be near one of our 55 libraries, download some of our free e-books onto your e-reader or mobile device.

We wish you a happy, relaxing summer filled with good books!

PN (RACHAEL TE AOTONGA) F LEYS INSTITUTE, 20 St Marys Road, T: 09 374 1315, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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Offer is based on 36 month Loan agreement with 20% deposit at a 2.90% interest rate and a $250 documentation fee.

The first 3 monthly payments will be $0 and the balance of the loan spread over the remaining 33 months. Offer expires 24/12/2015 and is subject to BMW Financial Services lending criteria.

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MIKE LEE: COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF

Next up from the Super City - plans to flog off public assets and parks Late on Friday afternoon, 13 November, a thick document landed on my desk - marked in bold red capitals ‘Embargoed until 10am Friday 13 November’.

I knew exactly what the EY (Ernst & Young) report was going to say, so to avoid ruining my Friday evening and the whole weekend - I stuck it in my briefcase without opening it.

As it happens, it turned out to be a horrid weekend anyway - because the next morning, the dreadful terrorist attacks took place in Paris. Ponsonby has a strong cultural connection with France - and we have a small but vibrant French community - as anyone reading Ponsonby News would know. These connections go back to the very beginnings of Auckland and have much to do with the legacy of Bishop JeanBaptiste Pompallier who lived here and gave St Marys Bay its name. To the French members of our community I extend my condolences and solidarity. An attack on Paris is an attack on civilisation itself.

On Sunday evening, still depressed by the weekend’s events, I finally dealt with the EY report. There were two reports actually - the second report was from Cameron Partners. (Dear reader, Auckland Council does not stint ratepayers’ money on these sorts of things - the two reports together cost nearly half a million dollars.) Despite the costs the quality of the reports is unimpressive and unashamedly biased towards the same old neo-liberal agenda - privatisation of public assets.

Having pushed rates increases and the level of borrowing as high as it dares, Auckland Council management, rather than dealing with costs, is casting about for more money.

EY’s key recommendations are the partial or full sell down of council shares in Auckland International Airport; partial or full sell down of the Diversified Financial Assets portfolio (global shares and bonds inherited from the ARC); partial or full sell-down of Auckland Energy Consumer Trust (not legal); commercialising Watercare, ie, increasing householder charges in order to privatise); and finally a ‘long term lease’ of Ports of Auckland - in effect a full sell down of the company.

The Cameron Partner’s report is more oblique and couched with euphemisms such as ‘asset recycling’. Essentially its conclusions are similar to EY’s - with somewhat more emphasis on selling off ‘community assets’, eg, golf courses and prime areas of regional parks.

There is a deep irony here, apart from the costs of these reports. The council has spent a huge amount of money on consultants in its continuing quest to come up with more funds. The previous big spend was on the three-year process to find alternative funding for transport, eg, road tolls, motorway charges, etc. As it turned out none were feasible - or, more to the point, legal. In the end ratepayers simply got slammed with

32 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

a $110 plus gst ‘transport levy’. Despite my urging, council management has refused to have its own administration costs reviewed to identify savings. Three egregious examples of over-the-top council spending on itself come to mind.

The first is IT. Over half a billion dollars has now been spent so far on a system that still does not work properly.

Staff costs. The Auckland Council 2015 Annual Report indicated council staff numbers (including CCOs) increased from 11,122 to 11,380. At the same time, officers earning more than $100,000 increased from 1720 to 1912, including 146 now earning over $200,000 and 36 earning over $300,000. The Annual Report also revealed total staff costs for 2014/15 were budgeted at $729m but they came in at $792m - $63m over budget and $62m more than the previous year.

Accommodation. A couple of years ago the council bought the former ASB Bank office tower for $104m and then proceeded to spend another $25m to bring it up to its high standards. The council then evicted rent-paying commercial tenants and moved in en masse. The perfectly functional 15-storey Civic Building has been left standing empty for over 12 months. Meanwhile CCOs and Independent Maori Statutory Board pay millions every year to rent swank, mainly waterfront offices.

This council seems to be only interested in getting its hands on more income not controlling its costs. Like a congenital spendthrift it refuses to face up to the fact that it has a serious spending problem. It is now, with a little help from the finance sector, attempting to hawk-off the family silver left to it by its more responsible predecessors.

The deep irony is that while the council professes to be looking for ‘alternative funding’ - that is alternative to rates and user charges - the Airport Company dividends ($39m in 2015), the offshore Diversified Investment Asset earnings ($23m in 2015) and the dividends from the Ports of Auckland ($41.7m in 2015) constitute the one source of alternative funding that does not come from Auckland ratepayers. There will be a showdown early next year over this but in the meantime I wish everyone a Happy PN Christmas. (MIKE LEE) F Councillor for Waitemata and Gulf www.mikelee.co.nz Mike Lee is the councillor for the Waitemata & Gulf ward. He is the chair of the council’s Heritage Advisory Panel.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Saving the beautiful monarch butterfly Maurice Mehlhopf has lived at 4 Collingwood Street in Freeman’s Bay since 1978.

Recently Maurice has been doing his bit to save the beautiful monarch butterfly which is under increasing pressure to survive.

Two large swan plants adorn the berm outside Maurice’s house and they are covered in monarch caterpillars and increasingly in the last few weeks, shiny green chrysalises.

Caterpillars have scaled the heights of the power pole above the swan plants and are pupating high above the street.

Some have crawled along the phone line from the pole into Maurice’s home.

More than a dozen are spread out along the cable.

This has been a labour of great love by Maurice. I neglected to ask him if he had tried to name any of them, but then it would be hard to sort each one out from its identical siblings.

We have been hearing recently how monarch butterflies are threatened - both here and around the world.

One of the threats to monarchs is the so-called ‘social’ wasps, brought to New Zealand to help to control the cabbage white butterfly, but its behaviour towards the much-loved monarch butterfly is decidedly anti-social.

The founder of Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, Jackie Knight, is worried the increase in wasps could even push the monarch towards extinction.

Entomologist Brian Patrick agrees there is a significant decrease in monarchs, but he blames pesticides and herbicides as well as wasps. In the United States, Patrick says, wasps and herbicides have cut the monarch numbers by 90% in the last 20 years.

The United States is considering giving the monarch protection under the Endangered Species Act. Maurice Mehlhopf is doing his bit for monarch butterfly conservation right here in the middle of Ponsonby. Ponsonby News says well done Maurice.

(JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

34 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Grey Lynn Park proposed Pump Track making progress The Pump Track planned for Grey Lynn Park is making good progress. The Waitemata Local Board have voted unanimously to give the trust ‘In Principle’ support, and voted to grant $30,000 towards the project.

Now Sport Auckland has chimed in with $5000 towards the project.

Sport Auckland has set aside funding to run bike skills classes for local schools once the track is built, which will see children having exciting skills -training on the Pump Track as part of their school physical education programme. Now Sport envisages putting 3000 local children per year through this programme.

Ponsonby News visited Grey Lynn School last month where Victoria Barton from Sport Auckland is running bike skills after school, to build kids’, skills in preparation for the Pump Track. Parents are encouraged to make a donation of $10 per child which will go towards the building of the Pump Track for their kids to use.

We spoke to Grey Lynn School Principal Bill Barker who is very enthusiastic about the proposal.

“We’re lucky,” Bill Barker told us. “We have the Grey Lynn Park, the zoo, Western Springs, all on our doorstep, and when the Pump Track is built we will have another opportunity for local kids to have fun and get exercise. They will also be taught bike etiquette and how to keep themselves safe. I strongly support the project.”

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Trixie Bird, aged 6, in the foreground with other bike-riding learners at Grey Lynn School. At back is Victoria Barton of Sport Auckland.

Paul Wacker who heads the trust is excited at the interest the Pump Track is generating.

He urges people to go online to www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/greylynnpumptrack and make a donation towards the building of the track. (JOHN ELLIOTT)

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

35

JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND

The deportation question LATE LAST MONTH PARLIAMENT SPENT THE GOOD PART OF 24 HOURS DEBATING legislation on deported prisoners. It’s a debate we needed to have. No one is arguing for a moment that we shouldn’t monitor prisoners who are sent back to New Zealand having served a sentence in Australia. No one is arguing that some of those prisoners don’t potentially pose a risk to the community, especially if their return isn’t properly managed.

What we are questioning though, is should some of these prisoners be coming to New Zealand in the first place? And is the law that we have just passed the best way to manage them?

You will have heard the argument that this is not a new issue - that people have been deported from Australia, back to New Zealand, for many years now. That is true.

Deportations aren’t new, but the scale at which they are happening is. That’s because last year the Australian government changed their law to allow a much lower threshold for deportation than they have ever had before. The end result is that we are seeing roughly five times the number of people being sent back than we have in the past, and not just for low-level offending, but for failed character tests.

That in itself may come across as more than a little harsh, but add to that the fact that some of the individuals in question have lived almost all of their lives in Australia - have worked there, have family there, and don’t identify as New Zealanders, and you have an awful situation that demands strong leadership from the Government.

But that is not what we have had in this situation, and when we challenged the Government over what they were doing to push this issue with the Aussies, the Prime Minister’s response was to claim that opposition parties were ‘backing rapists’.

For me, this issue is pretty black and white. Deporting people who are, for all intents and purposes, Australian is just wrong. End of story.

There will, however, be a group of people being deported who are Kiwis, and who have committed offences that justify them being monitored in the same way we do with anyone released from a New Zealand prison. But we’ve got to make sure we get that piece of law right.

At the end of November we debated the law that sets up a monitoring framework for overseas offenders. It was drafted in roughly three weeks, and sadly that was pretty apparent. It had gaping holes in it, the most important being the absence of anything that focused on decent rehabilitation and reintegration. Yes, knowing where an exoffender is living is important, but many of the people coming back here don’t have a place to live, let alone a family or community that will support them - and that stuff is critical if you want to prevent future offending.

All in all, the outcomes have been pretty bad in this saga. There are people being sent here who shouldn’t be, and a whole lot more who we aren’t working with in the way that we should. Nothing that a bit of leadership from the Government wouldn’t fix, and that’s all we’re asking for. (JACINDA ARDERN) F PN JACINDA ARDERN, Labour List MP based in Auckland Central. www.jacinda.co.nz

PONSONBY COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS Ponsy Kids Preschool • 20 ECE funded hours • New session times developed to meet the needs of our community • We have places available this term and are also enrolling for 2016 At Ponsy Kids the focus last month was ‘Kaititanga’ - being guardians over our environment and creating a sustainable environment for our preschool: All our PK families were emailed about the work we were doing, and were sent a link to a website that sold waste-free lunch boxes. Excitingly, we began work on our ‘Hungry Bins’ - our composting worm farms. The children now place all their food scraps into containers and take them to the bins to feed the worms. We have had overwhelming response and great feedback about this project from our parents. Another spin off is that children now let their parents know if there is too much packaging in their lunch boxes.

Again we will be celebrating the year with a Christmas party for our children and families.

The children are very excited and are looking forward to meeting a ‘super hero’ and a ‘fairy’. We will be running a raffle and selling ‘Fleur’s Famous Play Dough’. The money raised will be going towards the upgrade of our playground. Another initiative is all our families will be given the opportunity to buy a book from The Children’s Bookshop to donate to Ponsy Kids.

Ponsy Kids will close on 22 December and reopen on 21 January 2016.

Ponsy Kids, T: 09 376 0896; E: julie@ponsonbycommunity.org.nz Ponsonby Community Centre Events and Programmes: Christmas Fundraising Event by M.A.D.Woman - Saturday 12 December at 2pm Join us for a special M.A.D.Woman event, ‘Christmas for a Cause’, at the Ponsonby Community Hall. We’ll be making bonbons, gifts and cards for disadvantaged New Zealanders supported by our good friends at the LifeWise charity. All the goodies made at the event will be distributed by LifeWise as an act of kindness to longterm homeless, children in foster care, disadvantaged families and elderly people who could use support.

At the event you’ll get an opportunity to meet like-minded people and hear about the great work of LifeWise and hear from the Founder of M.A.D. woman, Melina Schamroth, on the ways you can make a difference day to day. All materials needed will be provided and no special skills are required.

Tickets are $25 per person and must be pre-purchased/prepaid to secure your place.

For more information E: info@madwoman.com.au Community Garden Workshops: On 5 December we are running a ‘Foraging’ workshop at Kelmarna Gardens. It will focus on and what you can eat from plants growing wild all around you. Please contact the office to register.

Venue Hire - 2016 If you are looking for a room/space to run your term classes/activities, then contact the office, as we are now processing booking applications for 2016.

For more information please T: 09 378 1752; E: info@ponsonbycommunity.org.nz; www.ponsonbycommunity.org.nz; Facebook: Ponsonby Community Centre

36 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY Auckland’s Hippest Strip

CHRISTMAS MARKET DAY DECEMBER 5TH 2015

THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SORTED

Market Day starts 11am onwards. Father Christmas arrives 12 noon CAROL SINGERS + BANDS + FOOD + CHRISTMAS BARGAINS + ENTERTAINMENT + MARKET STALLS

http://www.iloveponsonby.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

37

LOCAL NEWS WESTERN SPRINGS COLLEGE BOARD OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT The Board of Western Springs College, Nga Puna O Waiorea, has welcomed the announcement from Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye, that $75m has been set aside to redevelop the school.

Board Chair, Rob Coltman, said that after more than four years of deliberations, he was pleased to receive a budget and eager to recommence the design process with architects.

“We’re looking forward to turning the first sod. While we’ve sought a full rebuild; it’s clear some compromises will need to be made. However, we believe the funding is sufficient to produce a quality school. I’m confident that we can work effectively with the Ministry of Education to craft a great outcome for the school and the community.”

College Principal, Ken Havill, said that he was excited at the prospect of the school finally securing modern learning facilities, including for Nga Puna O Waiorea (the Maori immersion unit).

all curriculum areas benefit significantly from the redevelopment. Equally important, is that we strengthen our links with the community through not only the rumaki and marae development but also with new sports facilities, and the repair of TAPAC (performing arts centre).”

Rob Coltman said the board would work with the Ministry of Education to develop a school within the funding and parameters set by cabinet.

“We have a clear brief from the community and at the same time recognise that the budget has pre-determined the bulk and location of buildings and has implications on building retention and redevelopment. Our focus will be to ensure that optimal teaching and learning conditions will be provided now, during and post construction.” F PN

“These will further enhance the high quality of education for which Western Springs College has already gained a strong reputation. To maintain this, it’s important that

THE CHRISTMAS ARK A Festive Grey Lynn Street Party - Sunday 13 December 10am - 2pm Put down your kale, turn off your quinoa and get up to the West Lynn shops this Christmas!

The whole community is coming alive on Sunday 13 December with an eclectic mix of all things festive! There will be music, dance, food and even farm animals!

That’s right! Nature Baby is sailing in an ark of nativity animals and angels for a community event and abundance of festive cheer like no other.

“We had an idea of celebrating the season in a truly unique way that is traditional on one level but totally inventive on others. With the help of the good folks at Grey Lynn Business Association we have been able to deliver something extra special as retailers for the community this Christmas,” said Nature Baby founder, Jacob Faull.

The Christmas Ark will be a fun day out offering an eclectic mix of all things festive: • A living Ark of nativity animals with donkey rides for little ones. There will also be a starry, starry night photo booth for aspiring shepherds and angels to have their picture taken

Festive cheer and family fun at The Christmas Ark event

• Sustainable snacks and tasty organic treats from our friends at Only Organic, Storm and India Tea, Serious Popcorn, Green Leaf Organics, All Good Drinks, and Huckleberry Farms who have joined the party • Live music and Cuban carols • Surf’s up at The Big Sur with music from Audio Foundation • A very special, Christmas - themed Grey Lynn Farmers Market swinging to the sweet songs of a joyous ukulele orchestra • A wealth of gift ideas and inspiration, plus a beautiful collection of toys and gifts from all around the world Everyone’s invited! It’s free admission and family friendly with plenty of entertainment while you shop. There will also be a gold coin donation box with all proceeds going to the Auckland City Mission.

Come and experience an extra special Christmas in West Lynn. F PN

38 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

Cuban carols and dancing PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

39

LAURAINE JACOBS: THE SEASONED PALATE

Lauraine Jacobs dines like a modern Italian at Baduzzi In the corner of Baduzzi, right next to the kitchen, sits a pile of well-thumbed cookery books. It’s a busy kitchen with an army of chefs, quietly going about their work.

Those books are the clue needed to see the inspiration behind Michael and Annette Dearth’s (of The Grove fame) very successful second restaurant. One of the many Italian books, A16 Food + Wine, is from an exemplary San Francisco restaurant where equal emphasis is placed on excellent Italian wine and modern Italian food. The owners are friends of the family and their fine work is exactly what happens here too, both Italian food and wine prepared from our own seasonal ingredients prepared and served daily with lovely wines to an ever appreciative crowd of regular diners.

We are lucky in New Zealand to have attracted a new wave of people in the past two or three decades who not only have enhanced our life, but have provided wide-ranging opportunities to encounter great food - food that was outside our traditional base of Anglo and French influenced cuisine - regional Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and other Asian specialties, spicy Middle Eastern options, and even food from South and Central America and occasionally Africa. Of course we always knew Italian fare - pizza and pasta - but it has taken just two or three operators to expose us to authentic modern Italian cuisine. Antonio Crisci and then his nephew Sergio Maglioni extended our knowledge and experience. And then along came the Dearths.

This passionate American couple, who with their talented executive chef Ben Bayly, have rewritten the book on Italian in our city with Baduzzi. Baduzzi are ‘meatballs’ and I defy any diner to eat at this waterfront restaurant in the North Wharf precinct and not order at least one helping of these orbs of deliciousness. As an aside, despite the restaurant’s name Baduzzi, on the menu they are listed as polpette, which is rather confusing for all.

Since day one, about 18 months ago or more, the number one choice from this section of the menu has been the crayfish meatballs with savoy cabbage and pecorino. There might be a riot if it were to disappear. Also presently offered are red deer meatballs with mushrooms and parsnip, smoked beef with aubergine (melanzane in Italian) and some very savoury organic lamb and wild thyme meatballs with preserved lemon and a spicy tomatoey gravy. Be forewarned, however, each serving comes with three meatballs but it’s easy to order extra if everyone is to have an equal share.

One night there were large parties around us. Bookings are not taken apart from those large groups so it may be wise to gather up all your friends and head there. Not a bad idea actually as that way you could almost try everything on the menu. The groups all kicked off with long wooden platters of Italian cured meats which were gently making waves over some fresh chunky breads. They were happy munchers.

Meanwhile we shared about three of the little plates; a highly recommended boned and grilled piper anointed with pine nuts, feta and raisins which was salty, sweet and tangy, some divine grilled tuna with shaved fennel and spices which made an interesting play on the classic vitello tonnato, and a plate of the aforementioned very tasty lamb meatballs.

40 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

After that it’s on to primi and secondi courses. Oh, to have the constitution to have one of each! Primi are the pasta courses and the star of the show is the beetroot pappardelle with gorgeous little pieces of fried paua, smoked pancetta, fresh beetroot thinly sliced and there in the centre, a slow cooked runny quail’s egg. I told a friend about the dish and she looked at me quizzically; “What else would you ever want to eat there?” she asked.

I demurred as I too probably would eat that again. And again. And again.

All the pasta dishes, and there are about six of them, are handmade in the kitchen daily.

No wonder there’s a big staff, all expertly led by head chef Glen File who looks like he could never be ruffled.

In the secondi section things get intense. For $40 you can order a tribute to the pig.

Nose to tail eating with a variety of cuts and cured meats. Or a serious selection of beef cuts that are ordered by weight - flatiron steak, beef sirloin or a modern interpretation of the classic bistecca alla fiorentina, which are all accompanied by a rocket salad to cut the richness of the juicy meat.

Thoughtfully, vegetarians are truly looked after. They get their own section on the menu with six entries that include old favourites from eggplant parmigiana or a witloof salad with gorgonzola to frightfully modern buttered maltagliati with buttercup, crystalised pumpkin seeds and pickled black walnuts.

And if you have room for dessert the sweet treats are beautifully made and presented.

Here’s a tiramisu to die for. Or Italian cheeses to finish on a savoury note.

The staff are all terribly helpful and knowledgeable. As they must be. They know their food well and can help with the wine list which is almost exclusively Italian - we certainly all need help with that if we’re to venture beyond prosecco and chianti. I spied one of my favourites from Sicily’s Arianna Occhipinti and also enjoyed a smooth and rich red wine from Puglia. The list is helpfully arranged into $40, $60, $80 and Big Boy wines and beware you could spend up to $1400 on a fantastico Sassacaia.

When the various restaurants opened at that end of the city’s sea front, there were only one or two that could be taken seriously apart from a place to relax and sip on a beer. When the far too smart ASB building was completed and the Dearths snapped up this site, not far from the fish markets, things changed. It is a top destination in a top location, with classy décor and food and wine to match. Just a pity it’s not on the front row so there could be views of the sea on calm sunny days. Do not miss the opportunity to eat there. Open everyday from 11.30am. Bookings at lunch or for parties of more PN www.laurainejacobs.co.nz than eight. (LAURAINE JACOBS) F BADUZZI, corner of Fish Lane & Jellicoe Street, North Wharf, T: 09 309 9339, www.baduzzi.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY HEROES FROM HELL Not all heroes wear capes. Hell Pizza Grey Lynn is a good example of this.

The team at Hell has been delivering free pizzas to the residents of the James Liston Hostel in Freeman’s Bay for the past four months. “We send 20 large pizzas on the first Monday of every month. It’s great to see them happy, even if it’s just a small gesture,” says Hell Grey Lynn franchisee Marty Richards.

The hostel’s primary purpose is to provide emergency accommodation and other support to the homeless. It started as a project by the laity of four separate churches over 40 years ago and is supported by the Lions Club.

“We have done this in two main ways,” says hostel manager Charlotte Ama. “By providing hostel accommodation to meet the needs of up to 40 temporary homeless men and women and, more recently, being the major supporter and funder of the emergency shelter in the Auckland CBD. “We have taken up the challenge of directly addressing both the emergency accommodation and rough-sleeper needs in the CBD as part of the Auckland Homeless Action Plan.”

The Hostel’s new vision is to directly address emergency accommodation and to end rough sleeping in Auckland by 2022.

“We are a very small Non-Government Organisation,” says Charlotte. “Financially it is tough but we keep the place running with what we have. All support and donations from the local and extended community are really appreciated. The help we are receiving from Hell is amazing. It is such a treat for our residents, many of whom have been going through a bit of hell themselves.” F PN www.jameslistonhostel.co.nz, www.hell.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY FESTIVE FLAVOUR LAUNCHED FOR A HOPPY CHRISTMAS Auckland bar Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen is cracking into Christmas with the launch of a special edition ‘Franklin Road Christmas Ale’.

Set to be unwrapped on 1 December, the new brew will be ready to quench thirsts on the night the highly anticipated Franklin Road Christmas lights are officially switched on.

Attracting joyful Aucklanders right across the city, the Franklin Road Christmas Lights magical display inspired head brewer Rory Main to create something special.

“The inspiration for this brew came from the magic of our local Franklin Road, and this very special celebration of the joy of Christmas in the heart of our city,” Main says.

“We also wanted to pay tribute to our previous brewer, legend Mike Stimpson, who passed away earlier this year and used to make an annual Christmas Pudding Ale. We really wanted to keep that tradition alive,” he adds.

Franklin Road Christmas Ale is made with three different types of malted barley, one variety of hops, ale yeast, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.

The brew takes one week to ferment and is then conditioned at a low temperature for three weeks to let the flavours infuse and develop.

Brewed in a classic English style, the sugars are released from the barley but aren’t fully fermented by the yeast. This gives the beer a sweetness that complements the spices and adds to the ‘Christmas Pudding’ flavours.

“Franklin Road is such a special time for friends and families at Christmas so we invite everyone checking out the lights in for a glass of our taste of Christmas. What better way to celebrate the festive season than over a nice cold beer!”

The Franklin Road Christmas Ale is a ‘brewers’ choice’ beer which are produced every six to eight weeks as a way to challenge the craft and experiment with new brews. The seasonal beverage will be available on tap from 1 December until it runs out.

For further information on Sweat Shop visit www.sweatshopbrew.co.nz or check out Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen on Facebook or Instagram @sweatshopbrewkitchen. F PN

‘FREE-RANGE’ TERM NO GUARANTEE OF GOOD ANIMAL WELFARE Consumers with an interest in humanely farmed meat and eggs run the risk of being misled by the term ‘free-range’, as ‘free-range’ does not necessarily mean good animal welfare.

SPCA Blue Tick Business Unit Manager Ségolène de Fontenay says the term ‘free-range’ has no formal definition, and is nothing more than a ‘marketing’ term.

“There is a groundswell of conscious consumers who care about methods of food production and who are choosing humanely farmed produce. These consumers routinely seek out ‘free-range’ products, with an understanding that the animals have roamed free, rather than being cooped up in cages.

“Free-range is only a style of farming. When you see ‘free-range’ it is important to question by what measure, if any, the product has been certified as ‘free range’. If it isn’t backed by an audit with an independent certification, there is no reliable way of checking whether it was actually ‘free-range’ with access to outdoors and high animal welfare, and you could be paying more for that product than you should be,” she says.

“There are no legal definitions of any farming methods in New Zealand, so unless farms are independently audited, and checked regularly against specified standards, there will always be room for poor animal welfare and inaccurate marketing terms.

“The terms ‘free-to-roam’, ‘free-range’ or ‘free-farmed’ are no guarantee of good animal welfare without independent auditing and a third party trusted certification mark,” says de Fontenay.

“Consumers who want to be sure their food has been produced to high animal welfare standards should look for the SPCA Blue Tick logo. The SPCA Blue Tick standards can be trusted as it is backed by independent auditors AsureQuality, who conduct regular, and spot audits without notice, so consumers (and SPCA Blue Tick farmers) know there are high animal welfare standards.

“We are in regular contact with our farmers and auditors to guarantee they are farming humanely according to our stringent standards.

“SPCA Blue Tick standards cover an animal’s needs, going well beyond the bare minimum that the law requires. The Accreditation standards - put together by a committee of animal welfare experts - also incorporate current legislation, codes of practice, codes of welfare, scientific research, veterinary advice, and practical farm experience,” she adds.

Additionally, the SPCA Blue Tick standards also account for responsible animal management, skilled stockmanship, environmental design, and humane handling and transport.

“Consumers can buy any farmed product which carries the SPCA Blue Tick logo with confidence, knowing that their food was humanely produced. The same simply cannot be said for products that merely claim to be ‘free-range’. That term is no guarantee of good animal welfare but simply a marketing term,” she says.

“The SPCA Blue Tick Accreditation scheme is actively promoting cage-free farming so by purchasing SPCA Blue Tick products consumers are helping to free farm animals from cages, and ensure their high animal welfare,” she concludes.

As part of this transparent process, the farming standards applied by farmers and auditors are available for consumers to download from the SPCA Blue Tick website http://spcabluetick.org.nz F PN

42 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

CHRISTMAS HAS ARRIVED AT SABATO!

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY THE FACES AT GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET

Sabato is brimming with delicious Christmas fare from artisan Italian and Spanish producers.

Lesley Carroll from Jampak'd is at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market every market day Sunday.

This year’s selection includes traditional Italian panettone from Flamigni and Fiasconaro.

This magnificent Italian sweet bread is studded with jewels of fruit or chocolate drops and made using the best quality ingredients. Enjoy a slice of panettone with a peach bellini or a glass of prosecco on Christmas morning.

What products do you make and which are your favourites?

I make pies and sweet things that you will remember from your parents or grandparents - good old Kiwi favourites, melting moments, scones and more. My favourites would have to be my steak and kidney and my lambs fry and bacon pies and my Portuguese custard tarts.

From Masoni we have three delectable varieties of panforte, a spiced Italian fruitcake filled with candied fruit and nuts. Masoni have been producing panforte for over 130 years and they continue to follow recipes passed down from generation to generation.

How long have you been baking?

I grew up on a farm in the 1950s just south of Rotorua, a small farming community called Galatea. My dad being a soldier was granted a farm after the Second World War. I learned to cook from a very early age. Shops and supermarkets were a good distance away. I have been making pies, cakes and biscuits for the last seven years. Everything is made from scratch, in small batches to maintain maximum flavour.

You can’t go past our extensive range of stunning nougat, from Flamigni’s handmade soft nougat with almonds and honey to Cudié turrón de catànies, a unique Spanish turrón (nougat). This nougat has a creamy vanilla-infused milk base and is abundant with caramelised Marcona almonds and Cudié’s nut praline.

Enjoy the finest filled chocolate delights from Mandrile and Melis. These chocolates are bursting with the flavours of hazelnut, strawberry and Champagne and crème caramel.

From our Sabato kitchen we have irresistible handmade mince pies dusted with icing sugar, a treat not to be missed this Christmas. The Christmas range is available at our Mt PN Eden store open 7 days and online. F SABATO Limited, 57 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, T: 09 630 8751, www.sabato.co.nz

What’s your favourite way to relax after work?

My favourite way to relax is in the garden, whether it be flower or veggie, or with my four grandsons.

Where is your favourite New Zealand holiday spot?

It would have to be the beach and probably somewhere down the Coromandel.

We went for a holiday every year as children and always stayed in a bach... nine times out of ten this was just a converted garage, very basic and always at Ohope, just south of Whakatane.

What’s your favourite thing about coming to the Grey Lynn Farmers Market?

My favourite thing about GLFM is the friendly stall holders and the great community spirit of the people who come. F PN www.glfm.co.nz

Lesley Carroll from Jampak’d The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

43

PHIL PARKER: WHOSE WINE IS IT ANYWAY?

We wish you a bubbly Christmas Sparkling wine and celebrations go together, thus the festive season is a great opportunity to pop a few corks and enjoy some bubbly with your besties and favourite relatives.

The vast majority of our bottle fermented sparkling wine is made from the traditional blend of chardonnay and pinot noir. We used to call it Méthode Champenoise before the French got all proprietorial about the name. The traditional method uses a secondary fermentation in the bottle under a crown seal, by adding more yeast and sugar after the first ferment is finished, producing characteristic CO2 bubbles.

A cheaper process, the Charmat method of producing bulk quality sparkling wine, is to make the wine in bulk and the secondary ferment is done under pressure in sealed stainless steel vats. And a third method produces simple cheap sparklers by injecting CO2 into still wine before bottling (AKA the SodaStream method).

Here is a line-up of very classy sparklers to share with someone special. As someone once said (possibly the painter Francis Bacon), “Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends.”

Champagne Bouby-Legouge France Brut NV - $54.25 Grapes grown in the Vallée de la Marne, midway between the two famous Champagne towns of Épernay and Reims. Yeasty aromas of brioche and subtle herbs. In the mouth, it’s classic French fizz flavours of toast, yeast, a hint of clover honey and oyster shell.

don’t ask me to pronounce them). This is a bone dry crisp sparkler. Mineral, yeasty aromas lead on to a clean and crisp palate of brioche and soda water with a hint of Granny Smith apple and citrus.

Sartori Prosecco Spumante Italy NV - $25.85 Ticks all the boxes as a typical prosecco. Pale green gold in colour, this one smells of citrus blossom and pear. Light and crisp flavours of apple juice and Nashi pear and a hint of sweetness, with a dry refreshing finish.

Larmandier-Bernier Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs France NV - $92.92 Aromas of creamy vanilla. Rich palate of crème brulée, crisp apple and citrus with a hint of marzipan. Dry, clean finish.

West Brook Methode Traditionelle Blanc 2012 - $39 Just to show that New Zealand can make a very respectable traditional methode bottle fermented style. Made exclusively from their Waimauku estate pinot noir grapes. On the nose it’s subtle yeasty brioche with a hint of clover honey. Lively, foaming, effervescent, fine bubbles tickle the palate with gentle flavours of prince melon, honey, cherry and strawberry. Dry and crisp mineral finish.

Schramsberg Calistoga California Brut Rosé NV - $77.50 An attractive salmon pink, this is a voluptuous blend of 61% pinot noir and 39% chardonnay. Hints of cherry cola and yeast aromas. Lovely creamy palate of sour cherry, toasted almond, canned peach and strawberries. Beguilingly ripe and soft, it has just 1.11 gramme of sugar per litre.

Availability all except the West Brook are available from Herne Bay Cellars. West Brook: cellar door in Waimauku or online www.westbrook.co.nz (PHIL PARKER) F PN

Pares Balta Cava Catalonia Spain NV - $22.79 Produced from three indigenous Spanish grapes - parellada, macabeu and xarel-lo (just

Phil’s new cellar door book ‘NZ Wine Regions - A Visitor’s Guide’ is now available on Amazon Kindle.

44 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

Phil Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine & Food Tours in Auckland.

See: www.finewinetours.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY MID WEEK DINING SIDART invites diners to create their own tasting menus on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 9 courses from our monthly changing menu. Each course is priced at $17.

The whole table is required to have the same dishes and number of courses. Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking.

We are closed from 25 December until 19 January - Happy Holidays everyone!

SIDART, Level 1, Three Lamps Plaza, 283 Ponsonby Road T: 360 2122 www.sidart.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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45

GARY STEEL: VEG FRIENDLY

Don’t be a turkey...

You too can be adored by vegetarians! As we head towards the festive season, and commemorate that fact with lavish office parties while kick-starting that most Kiwi of habits, the barbecue, spare a thought for those of us whose Christmas spirit will be under attack all summer long: vegans and vegetarians.

I can see the quizzical half-smile on the faces of carnivores out there for whom a tossed salad represents the pinnacle of their understanding of meat-free gourmet requirements. So here’s the thing: a tossed salad just won’t do.

But there are plenty of really compelling reasons to minimise the consumption of animal flesh this silly season, and not all of them revolve around the needs of friends who choose a meatless diet.

That charred cut sizzling away on the barbecue is one of those things that we take for granted as an integral statement about the Kiwi way of life, along with the sausages. But it’s hardly healthy, is it? Throwing a slab of meat on the ‘barbie’ is certainly less arduous than chopping up a proper, health-giving salad, but it’s also a heart attack waiting to happen - not to mention any carcinogens resulting from the burning of the meat, or fly larvae casually dropped by marauding blowflies.

Then there’s Christmas itself with its surplus of rich and sugary food designed for a part of the world careening through the depths of winter. As New Zealand gets more infatuated with American traditions, the consumption of turkeys on special occasions is becoming more common, but ask yourself this: do you really want to eat something that has lived its entire life in a crowded shed, and been subject to so much bacteria that the birds are routinely treated with antibiotics, and when slaughtered, dipped in a chlorine solution to destroy bacteria?

Despite traditions that dictate we eat certain foods on ritualistic occasions such as Christmas and New Year, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that such traditions are easily replaced by tasty and healthy alternatives. Just as we have graduated from the soggy tinned asparagus rolls and weak, stale drip coffee of old-fashioned provincial

46 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

cafes to decent espresso cafes and artisan food selections, we can give our festive traditions a shot in the arm. There are squillions of free online suggestions/recipes just begging to be experimented with in Ponsonby kitchens, and while few of them bear any visual resemblance to traditional fodder, they have the potential to open up a whole new vista for those locked into tradition.

And for carnivores who are either catering for vegans/vegetarians this Christmas, or trying a healthier option for themselves, here are a few essential pointers: 1. A real salad isn’t just iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. When it includes real protein ingredients like chickpeas, it can indeed become a nutritious meal in itself.

2. Tofu and veggie skewers are a great barbecue alternative for non-meat eaters, but most meat-free eaters will avoid them unless prepared separately from meat and cooked on a sectioned-off part of the barbecue to avoid cross-contamination.

3. The tastiest part of many meat dishes is the sauce, and it’s true that sauces enhance the flavours of veggies, tofu, rice and other non-animal food sources as well - so don’t forget the sauce!

4. There are loads of sugar reduced and gluten free recipes for sweet treats that are just as yummy as the ‘sugar od’ versions we’re accustomed to.

5. Use a sharp knife to chop the veggies, and don’t chop your fingers into the salad, because then it won’t be vegetarian anymore. (GARY STEEL) F PN Gary Steel is an Auckland-based journalist who runs online vegetarian resource www.doctorfeelgood.co.nz He can be contacted via beautmusic@gmail.com

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY THOMSON ROULETTE Mixology with What’s Good Blog & Fukuko, Cocktail recipe by James Bridgman, Food Editor of What’s Good Blog.

Another New York City original, the Roulette cocktail, comes from the mind of Maxwell Britten, of the Maison Premiere, Brooklyn. Here, we’ve adapted it using a local drop: Thomson Whisky. The method is simple. This drink is perfect for those who want an easy, no fuss drink, but something a little different to your classic beer, wine, spirit or martini. It’s easy to digest, hard to master, but with such a beautifully rounded note on the first sip you almost can’t go wrong.

Ingredients 60ml Thomson ‘Two Tone’ Whisky 1 teaspoon of sugar syrup (2:1 parts sugar:water) 4 dashes absinthe 4 dashes maraschino 6 dashes Creole Bitters (a variation on Peychauds) Orange rind Method: Take a chilled mixing glass, to which we add the Thomson Whisky, sugar syrup, absinthe, maraschino, and creole bitters. Stirred well over ice, this easy drinking concoction brings home the old, easy living days of New Orleans. The creole gives a cinnamon scent, while absinthe and maraschino give just a hint of sweetness, the sugar syrup lends to hold the whisky with the added bitters - and voila.

Serve in a double rocks glass, with no ice. Garnish by squeezing an orange peel over the drink to allow the aromas to be accentuated, then add the peel. It’s a classic that gives even the Sazerac a run for its money. With Thomson Whisky acting as the main event - you can’t look past it. Easy. F PN For more summer cocktail recipes head to: www.whatsgoodblog.co.nz

James Bridgman, Food Editor of What’s Good Blog mixes the Thomson Roulette at Fukuko

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

47

LIZ WHEADON: WINE, GLORIOUS WINE

Southern France’s aristocratic and intriguing Bordeaux Southern France’s aristocratic and intriguing Bordeaux is arguably the centre of the vinous universe when it comes to the great wines of the world. At first glance, it can appear somewhat confusing, so let’s start with a few key tips that’ll make you into an expert in no time at all.

There are five red grape varieties in Bordeaux: cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot and malbec. The white wines of Bordeaux are made from sauvignon blanc and semillon grapes, and unlike most New Zealand sauvignon blancs, they are aged in oak.

Bordeaux sweet wines are fashioned from the same grape varieties as the white wines, and are some of the finest in the world.

The Bordeaux region is divided into two parts: the left (western) bank of the river Garonne and north of the city, and the right (eastern) bank of the river and south of the city. Wines made on the left bank are predominantly cabernet-based, while those on the right favour merlot.

While the labels don’t show you the varieties, on the right bank, or merlot side, there are only two villages, Saint -Émilion and Pomerol, meaning everything else is on the left side and cabernet-based. Well-known villages on the left bank include Margaux, Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac. So with a general understanding of the varieties, the banks and the villages, the next step is the vintages.

The top producers make outstanding wines year in, year out, with the great vintages requiring a good portion of your lifetime in the cellar. The tougher vintages are usually earlier drinking. We have been blessed with a number of outstanding vintages on our shelves of late. In the trade, 2009 was unanimously referred to as the greatest vintage ever. While that’s a big call, the 2009 wines have no difficulty in pulling themselves up to those lofty heights, and the vintage delivered from the very top down to the entry level. 2010 then came along, and the Bordelaise again declared it one of the region’s greatest vintages, making the 2009 and 2010 pairing one of the finest on record. 2010, like 2009, had no trouble living up to its reputation.

The 2009 is the more opulent of the pair, with 2010 displaying more acidity, drive and lift to the wines. Both are exceptional.

2011, then, was always going to have big shoes to fill. The weather was not quite as kind, though still very good. The important difference with the 2011 wines is that they don’t require the same amount of time to develop in the bottle; the wines are instantly approachable, floral and generally rather attractive. Given a market well stocked with the 2009 and 2010 wines by the time the 2012 came along, as with the 2011, it was always going to be a tough act to follow. The 2012 wines are round and generous, not as fragrant as the 2011 and with a little more structure. 2013 is one of those vintages we prefer not to talk about: challenging, to say the least. While those producers with the spare-no-expense resources will have, nonetheless, once again delivered, the consistency is not there over the whole spectrum of Bordeaux wines. Happily, 2014 was a breath of fresh air and rather gorgeous; while perhaps no 2009 or 2010, it’s not all that far off.

48 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

Quality in Bordeaux was first defined with a classification system requested by a cousin of Napolean III for the 1855 Exposition Universelle, an early World’s Fair held in Paris.

The wines were ranked from first growth through to fifth growth, dependent on their quality and market price at the time. This classification focused on the left bank, or the cabernet-based wines. This classification still stands, with just three changes since 1855, the most significant being the elevation of Château Mouton Rothschild from second growth to first growth in 1973.

While all of that relates to the very top level of Bordeaux expressions, there are, at the same time, a lot of great-value and thoroughly enjoyable wines to be found at every level. Bordeaux entry level of sorts, the Petits Châteaux wines are, in good vintages, well worth seeking out. That, together with Europe’s desire of late to export, means there has never been a better time to get into Bordeaux. This is something that many of you have already done, evidenced by the fact that we can’t keep these wines on our shelves for long - they’re rolling out the door. Currently sold out, we have a new container just off our shores and, tracking it closely, we know it’ll be here in early December, just in time for Christmas. In the container we have a range of Petits Châteaux from the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 vintages. Alongside these great-value reds are two super-sweeties: Castelnau de Suduiraut, the second wine of the great classified sauternes producer, Château Suduiraut, and Château Loupiac, located alongside sauternes and a very well -priced sweet wine. (LIZ WHEADON) F PN www.glengarry.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY RAW STRAWBERRY CAKE Serves 12, Cost per serve 57 cents Time to make 15 minutes plus 1½ hours freezing (see tip) Gluten-free and dairy-free Wow friends and family with this fruit-packed show-stopper that will wind up Christmas dinner perfectly.

Base 6 dates, soaked in ¼ cup water for about 1 hour 1 cup sultanas 75g ground almonds ¾ cup desiccated coconut Filling 6 large ripe bananas 6 large strawberries Topping 20 medium strawberries 1. Line a 20cm square or round baking pan with baking paper. Blitz the dates and sultanas in a blender until a coarse crumb consistency. Stir in the ground almonds and coconut. Spoon into the pan and flatten out.

2. Place bananas and strawberries in blender and blitz until smooth. Pour over the base and freeze for 1½ hours.

3. Wash, dry and hull strawberries. Arrange them whole over the top of the cake. Serve immediately.

Tips 1. To set, use a plastic box such as an empty ice cream container with thin walls so it’s easy for the cold to penetrate. If using a thick glass bowl it might take longer to set.

Check every 20 minutes so your ice cream is firm enough but not frozen solid.

2. You can use use frozen (defrosted) strawberries for the filling when they’re not in season.

3. If you don’t like coconut, replace it with ground almonds.

Recipe Yvonne Walus, Photography Melanie Jenkins, Styling & food prep Jo Bridgford, Props Delivision, Flo & Frankie.

Recipe reprinted from Healthy Food Guide magazine with permission from Healthy Life Media Ltd. You’ll find more sweet treats for Christmas in the December 2015 issue of Healthy Food Guide ($6.30), on sale now in supermarkets and bookstores or subscribe PN at www.healthyfood.co.nz. F

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

49

JULIE BONNER: NEWS FROM FROG POND FARM It’s that time of year when it won’t be long before we have another Christmas tree in the lounge room, adorned with an array of decorations and twinkling lights.

I can nearly smell the honey-glazed ham, roast turkey and I’m dreaming about plum pud with lashings of cream. Sorry!

Years back I used to own my own horse and loved riding with a passion. I can’t say I was a particularly competent rider - dressage wasn’t me, and jumping often meant me flung over the hurdle while the horse stood disinterested on the other side.

Charming behaviour.

Funnily enough, living in the country and owning land as we have done for the past 11 years, has meant there has been a major temptation to own a four-legged beauty.

But the fear factor (and some common sense) has prevailed, plus the knowledge that owning a Neddy will be cause a major dent in the bank account. On the other hand, there is nothing much better than feeding the chickens and standing idly by watching our neighbour’s horse Candy. She is an attention seeker and enjoys hanging over the fence and having her face and ears scratched.

Her owner is young, adept and adores her horses. I dream about her talent. I couldn’t resist the opportunity of taking some pics while walking at Muriwai beach the other day.

Needless to say I have been busy in the garden. I have poked an array of happy seedlings into the dirt and assured them of water, seaweed fertiliser, mulch to retain moisture and regular pep talks. Some of the new residents are dwarf and black krim tomatoes, herbs, fennel, beetroot and its good buddy lettuce, cucumber (I’m going to grow it up a trellis this year) and pumpkin, think Crown and Jack Be Little. I have to haul out the broad bean bed, but as it is still feeding us daily, it shall stay in the soil for a tad longer. My chillies and eggplants will go into this space with a pretty border of sunflowers (at the south end of the bed though - we can’t have them hogging the sun).

The garlic is forming nice sized bulbs and, as I do at this time I year, I give it plenty to drink and regular feeds with seaweed brew, it is looking like it will be hoisted before Christmas. I am a great fan of planting flowers in my raised veggie beds for a host of reasons; other than the fact that they look so good, they attract many beneficial insects.

There is nothing like a helping hand from nature.

Have you ever tried square foot gardening? I did for a school practicum a few years back and since then I’ve found it really hard not to over plant. With Auckland’s humid environ this really isn’t the smartest of ideas, but then I can’t seem to help myself.

We are still eating leeks, herbs and the odd beetroot, broad beans and spring onions.

I have my fingers crossed on our potato garden and few gourmet-sized spuds for Christmas lunch with butter and parsley of course.

The orchard is boasting an array of fruit and our feijoa trees are absolutely laden. It looks like there will be feijoas in everything (divine in crumble) and bags will be thrust at friends and family when they come visiting.

What a pretty time of year spring is. The flower gardens are popping with colour, it’s hard not to stand and stare in appreciation, and our roses are looking pretty special too, prior to the arrival of the annual black spot. Oh dear. Do you know of any organic sprays?

I won’t launch into my ‘to do’ list - it’s a bit daunting. The garden is on steroids and there PN is much to do. Happy gardening! (JULIE BONNER) F If you are interested in more news from our place or perhaps some gardening tips then visit my blog www.frogpondfarm.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

GENERAL COLLECTIVE @ PONSONBY CENTRAL Ellerslie on a Saturday morning is not my usual destination but today I am venturing out of the Ponsonby bubble to suss out a market.

handmade crafts, clothes, jewellery, and ‘nice’ stuff. Our pace picks up, there’s definitely something new and different going on here!

I consider myself somewhat of a market aficionado; beginning with hot summer Saturdays at Cook Street Markets, where my mother sold her crocheted bikinis (back when crochet was not retro), followed by my own stall at Victoria Park selling boxer shorts. In my 20s in London, I lived above Camden Markets, and in my 30s frequented the gastronomic wonder that is Borough Markets. I have been on both sides of the trestle table, both vendor and purchaser of beautiful things, and now have a serious market addiction, daily enabled by having an office located right above Ponsonby Central. This time of year, however, that’s not quite enough. Christmas is coming and I need a bigger market fix. I crave desirable objects, ingenious design, lovingly sewn clothing, I need gifts that have soul, and I need it all with a good flat white and a spot for lunch and a chat afterwards. In short, I need a Christmas Market at Ponsonby Central!

General Collective Market Day has been on my radar for sometime and we are here to meet curator and creator Rose Barbarich. We find her, apron clad, moving amongst the stalls chatting and finessing as she goes. There are a hundred plus vendors and it seems Rose knows them all personally.

Hence, accompanied by the root cause of my addiction, my mother, I am moving with the footpath crowd towards a huge industrial space packed full of tables of wonderful

“General Collective started as a way for myself and a friend to sell our own line of boutique handmade products. That soon became a lot more creative friends and fourteen stalls soon grew to thirty three, forty two then this, the biggest yet.” Rose explains, gesturing at the heaving space behind her. With a background in marketing and event management, Rose has always been a creative, with a passion for making and sewing.

“I’m always making, always have something on the go!”

Putting together a market obviously combines those talents. This is not your everyday market, and it’s why we have invited Rose to bring General Collective to Ponsonby Central for two days in the run up to Christmas.

photography: Stu Robertson

Sunday 13 and 20 December, 10am - 4pm

Rose Barbarich of General Collective On Sunday 13 and 20 December, The Sapphire Room, upstairs from The Lane, will be jam-packed full of hand -picked, handmade, stylish wares. This is the perfect opportunity to get those special gifts that are a little bit different, those stocking fillers, decorations and Christmas cards. So come along, make a day of it. Eat. PN Drink. Shop. (FIONA GARLICK) F

GENERAL COLLECTIVE, The Sapphire Room, Ponsonby Central, 136-138 Ponsonby Road

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ROSS THORBY: SEA FEVER On the face of it, there seemed nothing much inspiring for us in Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Some were disappointed that we were in the south of the country and not the north where the big game is. Here, sadly, the excursion offerings seemed to be more sedate.

Dolphin watching, flamingo viewing and what appeared to be Walvis Bay’s big drawcard... climbing the sand dune. It didn’t really stand up against the viewing of a pride of lions or an implausibility of gnu.

Buried in the bottom of the excursion list, however, was a small entry for Mondessa.

A black settlement, built in the 1950s during the apartheid era, for the workers in the nearby towns. These areas have a fearsome reputation so it seemed unusual to see a tour to one... but me and 11 others were game.

We were met at the bottom of the gangplank by Hango who looked slightly crestfallen at his small group while long lines filed by us to fill big buses off to see the dolphins, flamingoes and sand dunes.

On arriving in Mondessa, he showed us the place of his birth, a supermarket, the school and the new orphanage. As we walked through the village centre, we were struck by the sense of community and size of the children’s smiles. Lacking in material wealth, they made up for it in the richness of their laughter.

The scheduled final stop was a visit to the town’s faith healer who showed us the herbs and natural remedies used to keep her clients healthy. The few hours of the tour passed quite quickly and as we left, Hango spontaneously invited us to go and meet his mum.

We clambered back on our bus before he could finish the invitation, to fly through jutted lanes and pull up in a cloud of dust in front of a simple, bright blue concrete bunker.

Home to Hango and his sisters.

We found Ouma sitting in the rear yard under a large blue tarpaulin, sheltering from the scorching sun. A substantial woman oozing health and vitality with a charisma that matched her bright yellow dress and head wrap. She welcomed us with open arms as if the sudden arrival of 12 white people into her garden was a common occurrence.

News of our arrival raced through the neighbourhood and soon the yard became lined with curious children. What to do? We had arrived at this woman’s home without so much as a bunch of flowers or a bottle of wine; then I remembered the ship chocolates that I had brought with me and the children were soon introduced to the delights of the Cunard pillow chocolate.

During this exchange of cultures, Hango’s phone rang and, looking sheepish, he fielded a call from the ship. “Not to worry,” he said into the receiver, “we are on our way.”

However, Hango decided on the way back to the ship, we might possibly like to see his favourite bar, a ramshackle tin shed built around the trunk of a large ebony tree, its branches shading the roof from the intense African sun. Walking into the cool interior, we discovered Hango already ordering us the local beer along with a bowl of the country’s delicacy: roasted grasshopper. Well, when in Rome and all that; the nutty, earthy taste did wonders for the local brew.

Within minutes the windows and doorways were again crowded with curious onlookers watching the visitors imbibe the local liquor and after a final distribution of chocolates, we were off to his favourite cafe for a lunch of chicken and spinach washed down with even more brew.

Time was marching on, Hango’s phone rang again. “Big problem,” he flipped into broken English, “we have flat tyre, on road shortly,” he winked as he hung up. Hopping back on the bus he asked if we were interested in seeing the flamingos and the famous sand dune.

Eventually, sandy and slightly drunk, Hango delivered us back into the arms of our waiting purser and the bosom of our fellow travellers, bored with their day’s excursions of flamingo and dolphin watching... If only they had been a little more adventurous.

I’m returning to Walvis Bay during my world cruise in 2016, and can’t wait for another visit to the enveloping arms of Ouma and a cool ale under the spreading branches of that ebony tree. It’s a surprising thing when out of life you expect the least but the simplest experience can give you so much. (ROSS THORBY) F PN

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

KEEPING CALM IN VIETNAM

by Caroline Clegg, World Journeys

Vietnam can be busy. The cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi certainly are. Their endless streams of mopeds making crossing the road a challenge for the newcomer. Even outside the cities, the Vietnamese people are some of the most industrious in the world - working in the meticulously tended rice fields, hauling great weights of crops on carts, manning market stalls at the crack of dawn, and cooking delicious street food well into the night. It’s no wonder Vietnam has gone ahead in leaps and bounds in recent years.

If it all sounds a bit hectic, there are some delightful antidotes to calm the spirits of even the most frazzled traveller. Water always engenders calm, and no more so than in the tranquil World Heritage Site of Halong Bay where traditional junk boats ply the emerald green waters. Some of the junks have been re-purposed to serve as comfortable cruise vessels, while others are purpose built ‘in-the-style-of’, but retaining a heritage atmosphere in their wood panelling, and breezy top decks, from where you can take in the towering limestone islands that dot the bay. Unwinding here is easy - lounge on the sun deck, cool off with a swim, or rouse yourself to explore ancient caves, take a cooking class, or observe life on one of the tiny floating fishing villages. Needless to say the cuisine will be divine - vibrant Vietnamese flavours combined with the freshest of seafood.

Further water-based calm can be enjoyed on the Mekong River. The longest in South -East Asia, this river flows south from China, bringing life to the lands and sustenance to the many peoples in its path. This is particularly evident in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam - a watery world of floating markets, pagodas, houses and restaurants, alongside rice paddies, orchards and farms. A sampan cruise through the colourful markets of Cai Be reveals artisan industries producing rice paper, coconut candies and dried fruits.

You can also now take a boutique river cruiser between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh, a great way to combine Vietnam with Cambodia. Gliding peacefully down the Mekong you’ll encounter villages on stilts, fish farms and vibrant rice paddies as far as the eye can see.

One of our favourites is the 27-cabin Jayavarman, its intricate wood carvings, Khmer bas -reliefs and Vietnamese lacquer paintings immersing you in the region’s culture. A quick recharge in the Apsara Spa or a soak in the Jacuzzi on the sundeck will revive the spirit, as will the cuisine - fresh, exotic and downright delicious!

You may have heard the great news of new direct flights to Vietnam from New Zealand next year? All the more reason to dive into the busy city streets of Vietnam, exploring the Old Quarters, getting a whole wardrobe tailored overnight, taking a walking tour of French architecture and clambering through the Cu Chi Tunnels. Simply recover in style by just heading for the waters of Halong Bay or the Mekong, and calm will be restored. F PN

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PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE

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1. Cherie Bolesworth teaches maths to Ponsonby Intermediate pupils. She tells us that a group of 24 students and three teachers from Ponsonby Intermediate went to CHINA recently for a cultural experience. “We made sure we took our Ponsonby News to keep up to date with what was happening back home.”

2. Lindy Leuschke, architect, and a Ponsonby resident enjoys reading Ponsonby News in the pool at The Terraces Apartments, Port Vila, VANUATU.

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3-4. Herne resident Amanda Johnson is pictured with her friend Lisa Clapperton in RAROTONGA recently, reading the Ponsonby News around the pool at the Edgewater Hotel.

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.

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE

Local resident Sam Holmes sent us this shot and tells us, “Here’s a photo of me reading Ponsonby News on Tianmen Mountain in CHINA! I’m a Grey Lynn resident and this was just one stop on an epic China backpacking trip in September. The language barrier was immense as we don’t speak a word of Mandarin - we did a lot of pointing at things and gesturing!”

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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 DECEMBER 1925

Dear Connie, How are you my dear? Up to your elbows in suet I should imagine! How many orders do you have this year for your ridiculously delicious mince pies? Is it too late to request two dozen? I’m only joking my sweet! I wouldn’t do that to you ten days before Christmas! However, if you need a home for any pies that haven’t met your exacting standards, my cake tin will happily accept them!

by me! This all came about because Santa Claus was played by George’s father. Although he’s retired, he does a lot of handiwork around the hospital (and his mother assists with the gardening). No doubt his rather splendid beard had something to do with his casting! He was a hit with the little ones who each received a small gift and a toffee apple.

I’ve done a little Christmas baking myself. That’s not counting the Christmas cake that I made in October to my great grandmother’s recipe. Granny would have made it much earlier but I completely forgot to note it in my diary. It’s now maturing in my pantry... Every week I open it up and pour a little good brandy over it in the hope that more alcohol will make up for the time. And, over the past weeks, I have been making batches of little spiced ginger biscuits that I’m giving out to my customers during December. George is so clever! He carved me a wooden stamp that I’ve been using to impress the image of a shoe onto the biscuits - a suitable Maudie seasonal touch don’t you think?

The afternoon’s entertainment included a ‘performance’ by a dozen youngsters (no older than five years old and all born at the hospital) who danced and sang their way through three songs. The little darlings were all dressed as pohutukawa blossoms in costumes made by me with some help by the hospital’s Ladies’ Auxiliary. For the body I made a simple little gathered blouse which was worn over pantaloons, both pieces made up in a bright green silk that Shanly’s [iii] donated. (Not a best seller methinks!) The trickiest bit was the headpiece. For this I devised a plain skull cap (in the green silk) to which I attached 15 long ‘stamens’ made of red chenille thread wrapped around fine wire, each ‘stamen’ topped with a yellow pom pom. With the addition of a sturdy chinstrap, the wee hats stayed the distance and looked enchanting.

Last Saturday in Ponsonby, St. Margaret’s Maternity Hospital[ii] held its annual Christmas-themed garden fete.

I only mention this as I had a little part to play in its success.

The grounds looked so pretty, with all the roses in full flower and the gladioli (of which I’m not as fond) looking as garish as you can imagine. Why they don’t go in for foxgloves or hollyhocks I am at pains to understand.

The stalls were many and varied and there was much to admire and to buy.

While I didn’t intend spending much - I had set myself a modest budget - I managed to exceed my purse threefold but in doing so I did acquire quite a few novel Christmas presents for friends and family. One stall that attracted my attention offered homemade lampshades that were really rather good.

I bought myself a little pagoda-shaped, pale yellow, silk shade that had a stenciled pattern of pink cherry blossom to the lower edge. A short yellow beaded fringe perfectly set it off. Rather fun don’t you agree?

Mother has been wanting to renew the large cream brocade shade on her barley twist pedestal lamp in her drawing room for some time and I found the perfect replacement: a plain wide conical style in ivory coloured silk brocade with a self pattern of butterflies. Hers is edged with a matching silk braid and a long beaded fringe. Not particularly outlandish, but nicely made. She’ll love the butterfly silk.

I was very, very good and only purchased one packet of fudge for myself. I did buy more fudge to gift, but made George take it home as I don’t trust myself around the stuff.

I am getting to my role in the event. Father Christmas of course made an appearance at the fair and looked resplendent in his red suit, which was made

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In spite of all this extra work, I seem to be keeping up with my orders. I have had to employ a little help from a couple of local seamstresses to do my hemming and to sew on buttons and clips. This has freed me up to spend more time designing and experimenting with embroideries and trims.

I’ve come up with a wonderful summer tunic style that has been flying out of my workroom and bringing in more customers from word of mouth! The tunic has a wide shallow neckline, elbow-length Magyar sleeves, and slits to the lower sides. I’ve offered the style in a choice of colours - black, jade green, cinnabar red and, for the less adventurous, ecru and rose pink. The fabric is a very light silk crepe with a matt finish that looks very nice with the braid that is used to trim the neck and sleeve edges and for a tie belt. Once the colour has been selected, the customer chooses the braid. With the myriad of possible combinations, each customer comes away with a style that is exclusive to them, while saving me precious time and more energy to spend creating dazzling styles for my more individual customers.

Well my dear, speaking of ‘dazzling’ styles, I have one more major commission before Christmas that I should get back to. It’s an afternoon dress for a young lady in Epsom who is hosting her first garden party as a married woman, on New Year’s Day. Obviously she wants to impress so you can imagine the fun that we are having looking through the latest Parisian fashion journals for inspiration!

As I might not have a chance to write before the 25th, I shall wish you and Jack a very happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

With much love and Season’s Greetings,

Maudie xx [i] Henry Tatton, Second Hand Dealer, 267 Ponsonby Road (in 1925) [ii] St. Margaret’s Maternity Hospital, 231-235 Ponsonby Road (Nurse Ivy Munro and Nurse Hill listed as main contacts in 1925) [iii] Shanly’s Ltd, Ponsonby Buildings, Ponsonby Road (in 1925)

illustration: Michael McClintock

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?

I’ve only just started but am not yet in a panic as I decided this year that I would not make most of my presents. What seemed a good idea last year quickly escalated to extreme panic as I struggled to meet orders and finish sewing treats for family and friends. Never again. George, for instance will be getting a shop-bought pair of striped silk pajamas and some antique serpentine cufflinks that I bought in October from my favourite Ponsonby second-hand store.[i] At the same store I bought a pretty Victorian, hand-painted, glass flower vase for my aunt and a piece of very old needle lace which I am having framed for George’s mother who loves antique textiles.

Collect all 4 gifts when you get your Christmas shopping sorted at any of Shore Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 70 stores including Farmers.

Spend $100 or more and choose from the kikki.K Make Your Mark essentials notebook set of 3, each a diďŹ&#x20AC;erent hand drawn design, or the large magnetic to do pad with matching pen. Spend $200 or more and take home the delicately scented soy candle in muslin gift bag, or the cup and saucer box set.

WWW.SHORE-CITY.CO.NZ CONDITIONS APPLY: Limit 1 gift per person per day. 4 gifts to collect. Gifts available starting 1st Dec 2015 while stocks last. Receipt must be from one Shore City store and dated the same day as gift collection. Gifts available for VIP members only or join on the day for free. Multiple receipts from the same store can be combined provided they are the same date. See Shore City Customer Services for gift collection and full conditions.

FASHION + STYLE THE GEMSTONE FOR DECEMBER Donna Mills, owner of Jewels and Gems, introduces us to the gemstone ruby.

The information about therapeutic qualities, comes from the scientifically conducted trials of German stone specialist Michael Gienger, interpreted by Donna.

For all of the old cultures of Europe and India, ruby was hailed as the stone of the sun, having two magical elements associated with it: Fire and Blood. For the human being, this translates to inner fire, life force, love and passion. These qualities, along with the mystical beauty and rarity of the ruby have made it one of the most valuable gemstones on Earth.

For a long time, India was the main source of rubies. Corundum, the mineral family ruby belongs to, is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Kuruvinda’. The Sanskrit word for ruby is ‘Ratnaraj’, ‘king of the gemstones’ and ruby was indeed honoured as a royal entity.

Whenever a beautiful specimen was found, the ruler of the region sent dignitaries out to meet the precious gemstone and welcome it with fanfare. Rubies still decorate the insignia of many royal households.

Corundum is one of the hardest minerals on Earth, second only to the diamond. Pure corundum is colourless and slight traces of elements such as chrome, iron, titanium or vanadium cause the colour. The red corundum is called ruby, all other colours being classified as sapphires. This close relationship between the ruby and the sapphire has only been known since the beginning of the 19th Century. Up to that time, red garnets or spinels were also thought to be rubies. However, we now know that the ‘Black Ruby’ and the ‘Timur Ruby’, two of the British Crown Jewels, are not actually rubies but spinels.

Some rubies display a wonderful silky shine; the ‘silk’, being caused by very fine needles of rutile. Occasionally the mineral rutile forms a star-shaped deposit within the ruby, causing a beautiful light effect known as asterism. If rubies of this kind are cut as half -dome shaped cabochons, the result is a six-spoked star which seems to glide magically across the surface of the stone when it is moved. Star rubies are precious rarities; their value depending on the beauty of the colour and the perfection of the star.

A huge 100 carat star ruby, known as the De Long Ruby, one of the most stunning ever found, is housed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. In 1964 Allan Kuhn, New York underworld gangster, teamed up with Jack Murphy, legendary American national surfing champion, to steal the ruby along with other famous gems in a daring heist; the story of which, was later made into a movie. Their boasting, however, led to their capture but the famous ruby had to be bought back under ransom from gangsters, a year later.

The red of a ruby may have very different colour nuances depending on its origin.

A ‘Burmese ruby’, describes the most sought-after colour, regardless of where it comes from in the world. It indicates a rich, full red with a slightly bluish hue, sometimes referred to as ‘pigeon-blood-red’. This colour is associated with the legendary ‘Mogok Stone Tract’ the ‘Valley of the Rubies’ in the North of Myanmar, where the country’s famous ruby deposits lie in a mountain valley surrounded by high peaks. Ruby deposits are now found in many parts of the world but fine and clear rubies of good colour, purity and size are very rare. The chromium which causes the luminous red colour, also has an inhibiting effect on the growth of the stone, keeping the best specimens usually quite small.

Rubies of inferior colour or severely included, are commonly heat treated or dipped in a bath of very hot silicon glass, which fills the microscopic inclusions and enhances the dull colour to a pretty hue, worthy of any famous ruby. This has made real rubies available at a low price to many people who would otherwise not be able to afford this precious stone of the heart. Any good jeweller will tell you which stones are heated or silicon treated. I personally love these treated stones for their vivacity and price! But beware the fake, totally synthetic stones, which do not start out in mother earth but are grown in laboratories. These are not and never were gemstones. Many lower-quality rubies are made into beads and opaque semi-precious stones, which are also very real and carry the ruby energy.

Michael Gienger tells us that ruby is a ‘life-loving’ stone, giving style, vigour and passion but preventing self-destructive tendencies. It gives healthy tension and dynamism, bringing enough enthusiasm to rid us of lethargy but has a balancing effect on hyperactivity. It rejuvenates and also stimulates sexual activity. Ruby is a wonderfully social stone, leading to joyful commitment to all social tasks. It makes us awake and

58 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

aware in thought and action, able to perform well and be courageous and spontaneous.

Physically, ruby stimulates the spleen, adrenal glands, and circulation. It helps with intestinal and infectious diseases, and encourages fever when needed to throw off illness. I personally wear ruby a lot. If I am working long hours and travelling for the shop, I have a tendency towards low blood pressure, which is lifted within minutes of PN donning my ruby necklace. I’ve tried it out on others too and it works like magic. F JEWELS AND GEMS, 54 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 4389, www.jewelsandgems.co.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FASHION + STYLE

DON’T MISS THE FEBRUARY

PONSONBY NEWS+ DEADLINE

COPY DEADLINE: Wednesday 20 January PUBLISHED: Friday 5 February PREMIUM POSITIONS AVAILABLE

FEBRUARY SPECIAL FEATURES + MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH + VALENTINE’S DAY (14 FEBRUARY) + PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

TO BOOK ADVERTISING: Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or Angela Martin on 0274 108 320 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: ponsnewsnz@gmail.com w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

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FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON

The swim-side of life Swimwear has evolved way beyond tropical prints in obvious colour combinations. You have the option of being as fashion forward, beach-or pool-side, as you wish.

Add sophistication and/or wit to your look with a killer accessory, but bear in mind that comfort is a must to ensure good times! Beyond that - just add good quality sunscreen, filtered New Zealand tap water and your best playlist.

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FASHION + STYLE Abby van Schreven and Emilie Pullar from Maaike opened their first Ponsonby store on 12 November.

As well as the Maaike label itself, look out for other design-driven labels like Cybele, Kowtow and Company of Strangers.

MAAIKE: 1/175 Ponsonby Road, T: (09) 09 302 4120, www.maaikeandco.com WHERE TO BUY IN GREATER PONSONBY 1. Zambesi swim trunks $235, www.zambesi.co.nz Marc by Marc Jacobs Flip Flop $159, @ Workshop www.workshop.co.nz 2. Witchery top $89.90 and bottom $89.90, www.witchery.com.au 3. Zambesi swimsuit $320, www.zambesi.co.nz Oakley Latch sunglasses $199.95, @ Boardertown shop.boardertown.co.nz 4. Witchery top $89.90 and bottom $79.90, www.witchery.com.au

photography: Harriet McDonald @ Paper Moon

MAAIKE

INGRID STARNES Ingrid Starnes opened its first Ponsonby flagship in recent months, with launch guests spilling out onto the street.

The fitout was designed by Ingrid Starnes and Simon Pound with Xanthe White contributing. The store stocks Ingrid Starnes fragrance and the designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature line; it is also the home of the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s custom-made and bridal operations with a humming workroom out back of the store.

INGRID STARNES, 76 Ponsonby Road, T: (09) 557 4961, www.ingridstarnes.com

5. OYE swimsuit $497, @ The Shelter www.theshelter.co.nz Le Specs sunglasses $69.95, www.gracelang.co.nz 6. Lonely swimsuit $245, www.lonelylabel.com House of Holland sunglasses $299, @ Black Box www.blackboxboutique.com 7. Triangl bikini USD 89/set plus shipping, www.triangl.com Karen Walker hair tie $30, www.karenwalker.com 8. Zulu & Zephyr bikini $179, @ Superette www.superette.co.nz Karen Walker Eyewear sunglasses $369, www.karenwalkereyewear.com

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FASHION + STYLE RETAIL SUPERSTAR Karin McIver, Yvonne Bennetti

How did you come to be a retail salesperson?

Walking past the store pushing my son in a pram and my French bulldog puppy 11 years ago! I used to chat to Yvonne’s lovely sister Wende and the ever amazing Julia Selwyn.

They asked me if I wanted to work part-time, it all started from there.

What brought you to Yvonne Bennetti?

I actually loved the store, the style, the clothes. I remember Yvonne Bennetti opening and thought ‘this is great for New Zealand’.

What do you love about your store?

It truly is a beautiful store. Young children run in from time to time as they think it is a colourful fun place. I love, love the clothes - Yvonne always delivers a beautiful range.

Her style and talent never cease to amaze me. It’s like unwrapping Christmas presents when new deliveries arrive! I love styling, I love our fashion shows. I love the elegance and glamour. I love seeing our customers look exceptional. I love the friendships that have developed over the 11 years I have worked at Yvonne Bennetti. The client support and loyalty has been amazing.

What makes a standout retail salesperson?

Liking what you do, being approachable, friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, efficient, fun, and going the extra mile.

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

I love it when Rachel Hunter comes into the store. She loves our clothes, and looks amazing in them. She is very natural, fun and down to earth. It is refreshing. She definitely has star energy. Rachel is very much in person like she is on her TV show, Tour of Beauty. People love that show and I can see how it has been so successful. Rachel shines and is truly comfortable with herself.

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

Oprah.

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

Definitely Colin Mathura-Jeffree. His energy is electric.

Where do you enjoy shopping?

It is always fun to shop while travelling. I do honestly think we have an amazing variety of stores here in New Zealand, though. Our New Zealand designers are so very talented.

Name someone you think is a great greater Ponsonby retail salesperson...

Mary from World Beauty Store. F PN YVONNE BENNETTI, 24 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, T: 09 361 2388, www.yvonnebennetti.com

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FASHION + STYLE DIVERSE RANGE OF EXCLUSIVE LABELS AT NEEDLES & THREADS From humble beginnings in Three Lamps, Ponsonby, Needles & Threads have spent the last four plus years curating a family of highly sought after streetwear and boutique men’s labels.

Stocking New Zealand’s own fashion labels such Huffer, Thing Thing, Sly Guild and Federation, they have created a one stop shop for men to sort out all their clothing and accessory needs.

Unlike other stores, Needles & Threads place a high priority on sourcing niche and exclusive international labels, such as Represent, Zanerobe, Dead Studios, Vitaly Jewellery and Mere Footwear, which can’t be found anywhere else in New Zealand.

So if you are after a Christmas gift that is either homegrown or exclusive, go down and visit them at their new Lot 3 store which is located at 130 Ponsonby Road. They are open seven days a week. Or simply shop online. F PN NEEDLES & THREADS, 130 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 214 9053, www.needlesandthreads.co.nz

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FASHION + STYLE HAILWOOD TEE CELEBRATES LOVE LOCAL An exciting Kiwi collaboration sees the release of Adrian Hailwood’s LOVE LOCAL tee for Localist.

New Zealand’s largest recommendation site - Localist - commissioned the tee to celebrate the love local movement, the massive global trend back towards traditional community values, buying local produce and supporting local businesses.

The love local t-shirt series will see ongoing collaborations with local designers and artists creating unique limited-edition designs. The Hailwood t-shirt release this week is the first in the collector’s series.

“We asked Adrian to create whatever he wanted to represent loving what is local to you,” says Localist General Manager Christina Sayers Wickstead. “We wanted a motif that celebrated localisation over globalisation, for New Zealand. Other than that, it was a totally open brief.

Adrian Hailwood

“Adrian delighted with his unpredictable graphic of a black and white New Zealand native kea on grey marle - a truly Hailwood take on capturing the spirit of localism.

We love it because it is so in keeping with the Hailwood animal print signature but has a New Zealand personality all of its own.”

Adrian explains: “I came up with the idea to use the kea as he is a cheeky bird but also an endangered species. I was relating this concept back to local businesses in terms of the way people are shopping online these days from overseas retailers, thus making local businesses somewhat endangered.

“It’s really important for people to support local businesses and be aware of the impact online shopping has to their local community.”

The collector series t-shirts are a special Hailwood price of $58. (Value $100). To be one of the first to proudly wear your support for love local on your sleeve on a limited edition Adrian Hailwood t-shirt, visit shop.localist.co.nz and buy now! F PN

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Mon 14th to Wed 16th Dec Thurs 17th Fri 18th Sat 19th & Sun 20th Mon 21st to Wed 23rd Thurs 24th, Christmas Eve Sat 26th, Boxing Day

9am – 8pm 9am – 9pm 9am – 8pm 9am – 7pm 9am – 10pm 9am – 6pm 9am – 7pm

Tues 1st to Wed 9th Dec Thurs 10th to Mon 14th Tues 15th & Wed 16th Thurs 17th Fri 18th Sat 19th to Wed 23rd Thurs 24th, Christmas Eve

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Shore Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gift to you this year is the most stress-free Christmas youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever had.

Start with plenty of free, undercover parking. Add all the brands you know and love with 70 stores plus Farmers all in one place.

Fri 11th to Sun 13th Dec 10am till close daily Mon 14th to Thurs 24th 9:30am till close daily

Select your free kikki.K gift with purchase when you spend $100 or more with gorgeous homewares or stationery to collect. Then get everything beautifully gift-wrapped for free.

Shopping with children? Pop in to visit Santa for a photo and collect their free Smiggle gifts as well.

Conditions apply: Limit 1 kikki.K gift with purchase per person per day: Either magnetic to do pad and pen set, or set of 3 notebooks, when you spend $100+. Or scented candle in gift bag, or cup and saucer box set, when you spend $200+. Spend must be at one store and dated same date as gift collection. Children 10 and younger receive 2 Smiggle eraser gifts free(limit 2 per child). All gifts available from Shore City Customer Services on level 2, only while stocks last. See full gift conditions at Customer Services. Santa photo packages start from $15.

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HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL BEAUTY

2015 - my best of beauty I love the chance to look back over my favourite products and discoveries of the past 12 months, as well as give them a little love whenever I can! So here they are - a list of veritable ‘must haves’ if ever there was one, in no particular order...

1. Tribeca Skin Tonics “Beautifuly crafted, locally-produced face oils that actually do what they say” is how I describe my favourite products by Tribeca Skin Tonics. The small collection is the creation of holistic facialist Ashleigh Scott, and hand-blended in small batches in New Zealand. This artisanal skincare approach means quality ingredients with a hint of luxury, and feeding the skin with the best plant botanicals to promote healthy, balanced skin. They are created with 100% natural ingredients (certified organic where possible), and without nasties.

2. Micellar Water Models swear by them, every make-up artist I know has one in his or her kit and with their no-rinse, three-in-one formulas they’re perfect for travelling and late nights. What are they? Micellar waters, and I for one have been a long time fan. Designed to be swept away with a cotton pad rather than rinsed off, micellar waters use tiny micelle particles to draw make-up (including waterproof mascara), sebum and impurities from the skin.

Depending upon how much make-up you wear you may prefer to remove eye make-up separately, but since micellar waters are free of soap and alcohol they are a way more gentle alternative to harsh face wipes, making them perfect for when you’re in a rush or on the go.

3. Pureology Cleansing Conditioners Co-washing and cleansing conditioners - chances are you’ve probably never heard of them but soon will. What started as a process mainly embraced by those with curly or textured hair is expanding to a wider range of strand types, and the first that I know of has just hit New Zealand and is from Pureology. But what is a cleansing conditioner, exactly? It’s made for cleansing (obviously), just like shampoo, but without the harsh sulfates, detergents or chemicals typically found in one. It’s formulated in a way that leaves the hair and scalp feeling clean, but not stripped, and with an added moisturising element.

4. White Spa flotation tanks When someone told me that floating in a tank could possibly be the ultimate in relaxation and healing, I admit I was sceptical. Hopeful yes, but still suspicious! That was until I tried it, and discovered the wonders that a good float in a great pod can do. Flotation Therapy is based on a scientific approach to deep relaxation called Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique or REST. Flotation REST restricts or eliminates all of the external stress-factors or stimuli that normally affects us every day. Floating in complete darkness and silence liberates large areas of the brain devoted to processing sensory information, further increasing the depth of mental relaxation. While floating the brain

slows down into theta waves, the brain wave state of tranquillity, creativity and very deep relaxation. Check out the float tanks at White Spa - put aside the scepticism and I reckon you’ll love it.

5. Martina Organics Hand-blended in small batches; local skincare company Martina Organics describes itself as “an artisanal skincare range” using certified organic ingredients. Selected from both New Zealand and more exotic locales like Morocco, Japan, Africa and Israel, their botanical oils harness the power of plants that have been used for hundreds of years and they feel like heaven on the skin. The range is unisex and comes packaged in unassuming glass bottles with minimal labelling, which is then easily peeled off so the bottle can be re-used for whatever you fancy.

6. M.A.C Studio Waterweight Foundation SPF 30 When it comes to foundations, it’s fair to say that M.A.C is all about that base, and its latest launch raises the bar that much higher. M.A.C Studio Waterweight Foundation was the cover up of choice in the kit bags of many a make-up artist during the past season’s Fashion Weeks, and with good reason. As legendary make-up artist Terry Barber so wonderfully puts it, “The product is especially perfect for those who want perfect skin but don’t feel comfortable wearing a lot of foundation.” It’s now my little airbrush in a bottle for days when my skin needs a bit of a pep talk, offering natural looking, lightweight coverage that makes it look even, radiant and well-rested.

7. The Beauty Elixir The Beauty Elixir range has been created by Holistic Facialist Romy Grbic, who works in Jervois Road under the name redox beauty. She has chosen to use only pure, organic and cold-pressed oils in her boutique range of skincare products, giving you a powerful dose of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other vitality-boosting ingredients for your skin in every drop. No fillers, no preservatives and no added chemicals. Simply pure, luxurious, botanical ingredients that love your skin. How great is that?

8. Jo Malone London Incense & Cedrat Jo Malone London’s Incense & Cedrat Cologne Intense line, which tend to take more masculine notes as their base and are gloriously unisex as a result. Incense & Cedrat was inspired by Omani incense, which is harvested from the Boswellia sacra tree. Marie Salamagne, the perfumer who created Incense & Cedrat, said that Omani incense has never been captured before. She used the NaturePrint™ technique to help it make its way into the perfume, and it comes surrounded by lemon, pepper, elemi, labdanum and benzoin. (HELENE RAVLICH) F PN

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING FLOAT THERAPY IS NOW AVAILABLE AT WHITE SPA + FLOAT LOUNGE, HERNE BAY White Spa has recently opened their restorative Float Lounge offering float therapy with two state of the art Dream Pods!

The Float Lounge is an amazing and beautiful part of White Spa and floating is an exciting addition to the range of therapies already available; further evidence of White Spa’s mindful contribution to their clients’ wellness.

Floating truly is the ultimate in relaxation and healing. It is based on a revolutionary scientific approach to deep relaxation which eliminates all of the external stress-factors or stimuli that normally affect us every day. Floating in complete darkness and silence liberates large areas of the brain devoted to processing sensory information, further increasing the depth of mental relaxation. It triggers a profound relaxation response that is totally natural and effortless.

Truly life-changing for the better, it is just what people need in order to cope with all of the modern-day stresses evident in daily life.

One hour floating is equal to up to eight hours of deep sleep. Floating speeds up recovery and rehabilitation of injuries, detoxifies the body and exfoliates the skin gently.

It is a time-efficient and cost-effective way to relieve stress, anxiety and fatigue. It also facilitates a transdermal delivery of magnesium (via the skin). White Spa focuses on your entire well-being in a tranquil and healing environment. It is only when you nurture yourself that you are then able to have the energy and ability to nurture others.

To start your journey of self-care, head to their website and begin to take care of ‘you’ now, on every level. F PN WHITE SPA + FLOAT LOUNGE, 2/182 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, T: 09 376 9969, www.whitespa.co.nz

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ALI LAWRIE: PERSONALITY TYPES

Supporting teenage career development Employability skills embedded at a young age are a definite advantage in dealing with the world of work throughout life.

We know resilience is important, it’s a changing world and for years now career experts have been saying that the jobs that our children will eventually be doing have not even been invented yet. It makes for a challenge in the education system where focus on traditional learning can be questioned by our young. I heard a teenager say the other day, “What is the point of going to school when we can find out anything we want from Google?”

Well the answer is yes, there is information to be easily accessed, but learning how to decipher that information, work out whether it is sound and researched, or peer reviewed are the key skills needed. This is what we hope that our education system is teaching, the ability to make good decisions to critically look at information and decipher it. Career choice and preparation is basically this - learning the skill of making a good decision.

Good decision making comes down to a simple process utilising all the cognitive processes. We gather relevant information (Sensing) from which we generate possibilities (Intuition), systematically weigh up pros and cons of each option (Thinking) then use our values to make final decision (Feeling).

Teenagers can begin to use this process to prepare themselves for their future. They can be encouraged to think things like “what do I like doing, what am I good at, what is important to me?” in other words interests skills and values. School can be an indicator of this in preferred subject choices, interest and sports groups and choice of friends.

Once this information is on the table then look at the options and opportunities that can be generated from them. There are great programs around that can help with this, Careers NZ has a free online programme called Career Quest that can take you through this process resulting in a list of suggested job titles. Do the research on the jobs that are suggested, look for patterns and connections in the types of roles. If something really catches the eye then a great thing to do is spending a day or week in the school holidays work shadowing, sometimes schools offer this option in Gateway programmes.

Having parents present, as part of career programmes and sessions, is a fantastic way to support teenagers as well as helping parents understand how to support the process.

For teenagers, nothing is as certain as change and very few will actually decide upon a career option and stick to it. It is perfectly normal and indeed it’s healthy to have many different ideas. When this happens, taking the opportunity to encourage the exploration of these ideas will all add to the information gathering process. Extended family and social networks can be used to find work experience opportunities as an integral part of the process.

Of course it stands to reason that one of the surest ways of developing self management skills and gaining an insight into the world of work is by getting a part-time job while at school. Suddenly the world has a new perspective, dealing with people, appreciating kindness in customer service, working out how many hours of work it takes to get that pair of shoes and the list goes on. Students that work during secondary school are better prepared for managing tertiary study and gain a head start with being work ready when they leave the education system.

For young people getting that first part-time job nothing works better than cold calling with a short, sharp clear CV in hand. Reading supermarket noticeboards and looking in local papers or using community networks such as Neighbourly, are a good source and recommended for this age group. Showing initiative, having good eye contact and a firm handshake will all contribute toward a young person securing employment.

As a parent, it is one of those moments of pride as you see your child begin their journey into the world of work and blossom in confidence as that first pay goes into their bank account! (ALI LAWRIE) F PN For CV writing and career guidance sessions contact ali@personalitytype.co.nz

photography: Redd Angelo, Upsplash.com

Family plays a really important role in supporting career development, in Pasifika communities research has shown that it is the mother who is the most important influencer in career decision-making second to other relatives (MPIA survey 2012).

Teenagers learn about different careers from what they see around them, their family, friends’ families and media, often making their early career decisions based on what their parents do. In my work with teenagers, I have found that many are torn between pleasing parents and what they really want to do.

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING EITHNE CURRAN CELEBRATES HERITAGE WITH HER ‘BEAUTY FOR HAIR’ BLACK COLLECTION Strong influences for Eithne Curran are her ethnic mix of Irish and Polynesian cultures where beautiful hair is significant - whether it be the flaming red of the Celts or the dark riches of the South Pacific.

So the launch of the new Eithne Curran ensemble of ethically based hair products (shampoo, conditioner and treatment), is a defining moment for the creator and namesake. Eithne is proud her name is her brand - “the ultimate guarantee.”

“I was born and brought up in Mt Albert but did much of my growing up in Ponsonby and Grey Lynn with my grandmother and aunties,” said Eithne. She has now lived in both suburbs for almost 30 years.

These multicultural influences and experiences have created for Eithne, a lush creative life, with further inspiration coming from her daughters who are the faces of her brand and are role models for beautiful hair, having used her products for some years as the formulas were finessed.

Eithne Curran

A diverse career as a major independent hair and make-up creative for fashion, film, commercials and branding has given Eithne an holistic understanding of beauty and how important hair is to overall beauty confidence. New Zealand made, Eithne’s formulas are based on an ultra mild botanical cleansing system including 20 ultra pure, scientifically researched plant essences that complement the hair and skin’s natural chemistry.

The Black collection is available online and a percentage of profit will go to Sir Ray Avery’s charity Medicine Mondiale. “Ray has mentored me in many ways.” F PN EITHNE CURRAN, www.eithnecurran.com

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JOHN APPLETON: ON HEALTH

Nutritional options that may put you back on track As the years pass by chronic degenerative illnesses are considered the norm because so many of us have symptoms of one or more conditions that necessitate regular visits to the doctor.

In 2001 a chance discovery led me down the nutritional path and I discovered the real significance of the saying “you are what you eat”.

To help ‘kickstart’ 2016, here’s a rundown of options you may wish to discuss with your doctor.

Have a blood test for vitamin D (this is not free unfortunately). The optimal level is approx 120 nmols/L. The 20 most commonly diagnosed cancers are found in the countries furthest from the equator.

Most New Zealanders have less than optimal levels.

San Diego University has a vitamin D research section www.grassrootshealth.net/daction Ensure you get selenium in your diet; it’s not in our soils in New Zealand. Selenium is easy to obtain from a supplement.

A study in Poland found that 276 micrograms of selenium all but negated the potential consequences of mutated BRCA genes (a significant risk factor for breast cancer).

Cholesterol is a concern for many people. Cholesterol is made in the liver after receiving a hormonal signal when insulin is produced by the pancreas. Insulin is required to help transport glucose into cells when grain foods, soft drinks and baked goods are consumed. The message here is that cholesterol has a lot more to do with sugar than fat. Ask your doctor to monitor you on ‘Bergamet’

(an extract from Bergamot ‘oranges’) a fantastic and totally user-friendly option www.bergamet.co.nz.

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition which has a lot more to do with this than wear and tear. A plant-based diet is a must. My list to avoid is gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol and sugar. It’s very important to avoid inflammatory foods.

Monica Reinagel’s book ‘Inflammation Free Diet Plan’ is excellent. Have two glasses of filtered tepid water with the juice of a lemon first thing every morning. Drink ginger tea made with fresh ginger three times a day. Have a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar in a small glass of tepid water before meals. Supplements are Curcumin (fantastic option) vitamin C, omega 3, MSM. Diabetes type 1 and 2 - raw food diet, raw food diet, raw food diet! This can help very significantly with insulin sensitivity. Type 1 diabetics may be able to reduce their insulin (under the guidance of their doctor) and type 2 diabetics might find their doctor can reduce or delete their medication. Supplements: vitamin C (essential) plus specific multi for diabetics containing key nutrients (‘Ultra-Betic’).

Reflux - avoid gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol and sugar.

Drink lots of pure filtered water.

Walk tall and don’t slouch, particularly after meals. Take a brisk walk after dinner at night.

Drink freshly made ginger tea after meals. If you have a serious ‘attack’ take a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water. Supplements: Radiance ‘Digest Ultrasoothe’.

High blood pressure - exercise is very important.

Supplements: Magnesium (400 - 500mgs) Ubiquinol Coenzyme 10 (200 mgs daily) and for additional firepower if needed L-Arginine and L-Citrulline. A diet of vegetables pure water and brown rice can have a dramatic effect on blood pressure. Ask your doctor to monitor you should you wish to try the above.

Irregular heart rhythm: Magnesium (400-500mgs) Ubiquinol Coenzyme Q10 (200 mgs daily) and high potency omega 3.

Shortness of breath could indicate that the heart is lacking in energy to pump the blood and thus circulate oxygen. Ask your doctor if you can try the ‘Awesome Foursome’ Coenzyme Q10, D-Ribose, L-Carnitine and Magnesium. Read cardiologist Stephen Sinatra’s book ‘The Sinatra Solution’.

Asthma - contact Glenn White MSc Buteyko practitioner in Ponsonby on T: 09 360 6291. For me this is the ultimate option. It’s more than remarkable, Glenn has helped hundreds of New Zealanders. (JOHN APPLETON) F PN

APPLETON ASSOCIATES, T: 09 489 9362, john@johnappleton.co.nz www.johnappleton.co.nz

REMOVING OLD TATTOOS IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK Got an embarrassing tattoo, perhaps something from your past you would rather forget? Getting rid of your old tattoo is actually easier than you might have thought.

Lisa Houlihan founded Tattoo Removals on Ponsonby Road so she could create a super friendly, private and confidential environment with the absolute latest in laser technology.

Lisa has a selection of Nd YAG Q Switched Lasers which emit a laser pulse at the speed of nano seconds. That is ‘super fast’ in layman’s terms. The laser beam passes harmlessly through the skin and is designed to shatter the ink particles which are then flushed away by your own body.

Because it’s so quick, there is no damage to the skin and most importantly no scar tissue! Small tattoos are literally lasered within seconds and pricing starts from as little as $75 per treatment. Black ink is by far the easiest colour to remove and usually the older the tattoo, the better and quicker the fade.

Worried about the pain? Don’t be. Tattoo Removals also has a pain management machine which makes it almost pain free and as comfortable as possible.

Lisa has Laser Tattoo Removal qualifications and is licensed by Auckland Council, so rest assured, you are in the safest (and friendliest) of hands. For a free no obligation quote just simply send a picture of your tattoo to lisa@tattooremovals.co.nz or simply call (09) 215 6754. We also have Christmas gift vouchers available. F PN TATTOO REMOVALS, 283 Ponsonby Road, Three Lamps Plaza, T: 09 215 6754 www.tattooremovals.co.nz

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING PREVENTING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE - ARE YOU AT RISK? WE MAY NOT CONSIDER OUR INDIVIDUAL RISK OF HEART ATTACK, STROKE OR VASCULAR (blood vessel) disease until such time as we reach the same age as a parent when they had a heart attack or stroke, or when a colleague or a friend has a sudden heart attack.

There are many factors contributing to your risk of developing heart disease. Some cannot be modified, such as: your age, being male, your ethnicity and family history of heart attack or stroke. The factors that you can influence are: your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, stopping smoking, being physically active, having a heart healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and reducing stress.

Managing these factors can reduce your future risk of heart attack or stroke and knowing your level of risk, which can be assessed by your GP by means of a heart and diabetes check, can motivate you to make beneficial changes.

An in-depth assessment by a cardiologist to determine your level of risk and whether you require blood pressure medication or statin drugs to lower your cholesterol would also be valuable. A CT coronary calcium scan would show any calcified cholesterol deposits in your coronary arteries and would help to assess your future risk of heart attack or stroke.

This scan is particularly useful if you have a family history of heart attack or stroke, or if you are at moderate risk of heart attack or stroke, have high cholesterol levels, and are reluctant to take medication without more proof of risk. The scan is not useful if you have already had a heart attack or stroke or if you have symptoms suggestive of heart disease. In these cases, other imaging tests may be more informative.

The Auckland Heart Group cardiologists provide comprehensive assessments and management of both outpatients and inpatients for central Auckland from their Epsom rooms. Should you have any concerns or worries regarding your heart, ask your doctor for a referral to the Auckland Heart Group, or phone 09 623 1020, ahg@heartgroup.co.nz or visit www.heartgroup.co.nz F PN AUCKLAND HEART GROUP, T: 09 623 1020, www.heartgroup.co.nz

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CARING PROFESSIONAL Alaina Collins, physiotherapist at Movement Lab From an early age, Alaina Collins was never going to be the kind of person to sit still in an office.

She had to be moving, talking and thinking - all at once. Being a physiotherapist allows Alaina to do all three and more every day. She loves interacting with people and helping them get their lives back on track. She says, “With the addition of Pilates, I feel like I can tick the creative box as well.”

How did you come to be a physiotherapist?

professions if needed. I will not waste someone’s time and you will also never hear me say “nothing can be done, it’s just old age.” You can always make a difference.

At one stage I thought I would become a psychologist but my mum told me she was worried I would take everyone’s problems home with me. She was right, I can wake up some nights and think, “That’s it! That’s what I have to try with my client tomorrow.”

I don’t really know when I decided I wanted to be a physiotherapist, but I knew I had to do something that helped other people and physiotherapy was it for me.

Can you share an anecdote about a case?

The most common theme that springs to mind is, “I’ve been to plenty of physios and they have never performed an assessment like that.” We do not have x-ray vision, things need to be assessed and ruled out, and the client needs to be seen as an entirety, not just as one body part.

What do you love about your job?

The diversity every day. No two people are the same and there is no ‘recipe’ for every injury. All treatments have to be individualised to succeed and it’s the successes that get you out of bed every day.

What do you do to care for yourself?

As a physio, you cannot work all day watching people exercise and not do anything yourself - it makes you feel incredibly lazy and guilty. Over the years I have belonged to gyms, and then moved into Pilates for strength and flexibility training. Now, at Movement Lab we have both. Couple that with a treadmill and a rower at home, I keep up with regular exercise and feel good because of it.

What do you find challenging?

There is never enough time in the day! As a physio, you feel like the job is never done, there is always something you can change, albeit small improvements at higher functioning levels, but improvements just the same. So when do you stop?

How do you differ from other physiotherapists?

Good question. From the very beginning I have been told by lecturers, employers and clients that I have a great rapport with people and that my passion for physiotherapy shows in my treatments. I love what I do, and I strive to achieve the best, and if that cannot be achieved with physiotherapy I am more than willing to refer to other

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What’s your advice to people seeking physiotherapy?

You need to trust your physiotherapist and although it would be lovely to always have a lie down and be fixed, it does involve a bit of effort in between appointments to ensure you have a speedy recovery. Remember to ask questions. Although you may feel bossed around, you are the one in control of your injury or goals. F PN MOVEMENT LAB, L3/S1 58 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, T: 09 360 0008, www.movementlab.co.nz

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HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

Wellness Retreats NZ founder, Melissa Carroll Wellness Retreats NZ founder Melissa Carroll is a happy woman.

On the cusp of her final retreat for the year, she has spent 18 months gathering inspirational and talented wellbeing professionals, like-minded brands and fabulous venues to create balanced days of wellness. Set in luxurious surroundings, these retreats comprise practical workshops, educational seminars, yoga, meditation and optional one-on-one consultations to help nourish body, mind and soul. It is the perfect regular ‘check in’ if you’re on the path to wellness.

I experienced one a couple months back at Ponsonby’s Sapphire Room, and came away inspired, informed and reminded why my own self-care needs to be shifted to the top of my list if I’m going to benefit those around me. Each retreat has a different theme and a different mix of speakers, and are held in beautiful locations like Matakana, Waiheke and Ponsonby.

A delicious nutritious lunch and refreshments are served during the day, using a culinary philosophy that draws together the fundamental elements of good eating incorporating fresh ingredients, wholefoods and gluten, sugar and wheat-free cuisine. Guests leave with a goodie bag filled with lush products from retreat sponsors and a toolbox full of inspiration and motivation to make healthy changes in life. How great is that?

Mel’s personal journey to overcome chronic/adrenal fatigue led her to create the Wellness Retreats NZ brand, and she says her aim was always to “inspire, motivate, nurture and educate guests to boost their wellbeing and lead happier, healthier lives”.

As a living, breathing example of a truly glowing human, it is obvious that she practices what she preaches.

She drew together her main speakers from a group of people who have personally helped her on her own journey to health - yoga teacher Nikki Ralston from Urban Ashram, integrative medicine doctor Dr Kathleen Wills, life coach and author Louise Thompson and medical herbalist from Golden Yogi, Erin O’Hara. “I totally believe in what they say and what they do,” says Mel, “and they also happen to be some of New Zealand’s leading wellness practitioners. To get them all together in one space is pretty special.”

for these programmes is redefining your body’s response to stress, “and giving the people who take part the tools to implement change in their work and personal lives.”

One thing that Mel is keen to get across is that time spent at a Wellness Retreats NZ day is time that is completely about you.

“It’s a day to slow down, relax and recalibrate... and to be inspired by some of New Zealand’s leading health and wellness practitioners. It’s time to check in with your own journey and reconnect with your best self.”

Melissa Carroll

And who doesn’t need that now and then? I heartily recommend. (HELENE RAVLICH) F PN Wellness Retreats NZ is holding their first 2016 retreat - a Motivate & Move Women’s Retreat - on 21 February at The Sapphire Room, Ponsonby Central. www.wellnessretreatsnz.co.nz

Mel’s own journey began after hitting rock bottom several years ago when she was bed -bound due to chronic fatigue. She made the decision to put her health and wellbeing first, turning to natural health and self-healing to get her back on the path to wellness.

When she was finally back on track her experiences lead her to a role in health and wellness managing a surf and yoga retreat - Escape Haven (then called Surf Haven) in Bali. She says the chance to focus on her own health whilst managing the retreat really opened her eyes and confirmed that this industry was where she had finally found her passion. It inspired her to embark on yoga teacher training, and at the beginning of 2014, the idea for Wellness Retreats NZ was a very real dream.

“I had a real desire to give others the tools I had been given to make change,” she explains, “and really open their eyes to the fact that even if they too have hit rock bottom, they can come out the other side.” She cites her inclusion of yoga in many of the day-long retreat programmes as a great taster for those who have never tried the practice before. The retreats also give attendees the chance to hear a variety of wellness practitioners and determine which kind of professional they might like to see one-on-one for nutritional, naturopathic or general wellness advice, where they might be feeling a bit lost.

Her latest retreat theme is the Motivate & Move Urban Retreat at the stunning Biba Boutique, which she describes as a “fun and playful way to end the year”. Others address things like Spring Detoxing and anxiety, adrenal fatigue and corporate burnout, which was the focus of the Vitality retreat that she attended. “The changing themes allow people to become regulars,” says Mel, “and the spring, summer, autumn and winter formats appeal to both men and women, and to both new and returning guests.”

In addition to the day-long retreats, she is also developing corporate retreat programmes, taking the retreats to the boardroom or offsite. “We provide a service that aims to help people unwind, de-stress, re-energise and obtain skills to help balance stress and a busy life with overall wellness capabilities,” says Mel, which is exactly what every corporate -dweller I know needs. Wellness Retreats NZ’s corporate programmes are tailor-made to ensure they meet each companies’ needs, and thus far they have delivered some amazing results. They offer day-long or week-long programmes, and also half days for those wanting an intensive wellness session to kick off a busy time. A great focus

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Melissa Carroll (centre) with yogi Nikki Ralston and Dr Kathleen Wills PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY® ARE NOW AT AROHA HEALING “The female pelvis is a powerhouse of energy transformation” - Dr Rosita Arvigo.

The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® are now at Aroha Healing. The techniques encompass a holistic approach to health and wellness that integrates massage, pelvic steam baths, nutrition, herbal support and spiritual healing.

By repositioning and massaging abdominal organs, Arvigo practitioners are able to address a number of common conditions for women and men involving reproductive, digestive and musculoskeletal problems, as well as positively affecting general wellness.

When the organs are in place, life force flows without restraint, generating efficient organ function and permitting balanced hormonal secretions and assimilation, as well as proper elimination of toxins. By realigning organs that have become congested, skilled practitioners are able to gently restore the homeostasis (balance) and hemodynamics (good blood flow) to improve organ function.

Arvigo practitioners are often able to bring about relief from common health issues for which clients have unsuccessfully sought help from mainstream treatments. These conditions range from digestive disorders like heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, constipation and fertility challenges, as well as reproductive system disorders. Please visit the Aroha Healing website to read more about the Arvigo therapies at Aroha Healing.

Christmas at Aroha! Aroha Healing has gift vouchers available for a specific length of time or a particular Aroha Healing treatment, massage or natural Aroha facial experience and much more - check out the Aroha Healing website.

The Aroha Healing Candle collection this year includes our limited edition Pohutukawa Candle. A beautiful, light floral scent with a hint of citrus, pear and spice. Pure fabric, hand screen-printed cushions and tote bags, Mantrabands, Tailor skincare and Eye of Horus natural makeup are a few of the gift ideas available at Aroha.

The Aroha Healing team would like to express their appreciation to their wonderful clients, students and retail partners. We have so much appreciation for the amazing support received from the wonderful team at Ponsonby News. We wish all a safe, relaxing and peaceful festive season. Arohanui. (ROSANNA MARKS) F PN AROHA HEALING, 3 Maidstone Street, T: 0800 646 326, E: info@arohahealing.co.nz, www.arohahealing.co.nz, www.arohahealingcandles.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

CLARE CALDWELL: THE ART OF LIVING What do we know about our brains? We’ve heard of the cerebral cortex, but would we know our hippocampus from our hypothalamus?

Our brains are driven by 10-15 billion nerve cells that just happen (rather wonderfully) to match up with the number of stars in our home galaxy, the Milky Way. These cells are called neurons and they receive messages from all over your body (eg, eyes, skin surface) that are then processed before signals are fired off, triggering muscles and organs into action. These are the ‘telephone wires’, controlled by special neuron-centre ‘switchboards,’ directing signals from one area of the brain to another.

Neurons are linked via threadlike connections called axons - one hundred million million of them! Messages are flashed in all directions by a tiny electrical charge running along each axon to another neuron, and each neuron can have as many as 10,000 axons.

However, this wonderful and intricately designed organ can be injured. Research suggests that approximately 5% of Kiwis are affected to some degree with brain injury, from headaches and memory loss to total dependence on caregivers. Motor accidents are the biggest and most severe cause, followed by bad falls from high places and of course, sports injuries. Severity and symptoms of brain injuries are notoriously hard to diagnose and even with our high-tech MRI and CT machines, are often frustratingly illogical and elusive.

Some impacts cause your brain to actually move and hit up against the bones of the skull. By pushing the cerebral spinal fluid that’s cushioning it out of the way, symptoms from this type of injury can often be delayed and therefore overlooked or minimised.

An example of this was cited in a recent National Geographic article, “Behind the Mask - Revealing the Trauma of War” by Caroline Alexander, on soldiers with no reported injury or accident, returning from war zones with symptoms mimicking brain injury.

Whilst on active duty they’d been told to ‘man up’ and ‘get back to the front line’ even though they were exhibiting classic concussive signs, eg, blurred vision, anxiety, excessive tiredness, etc. On returning home they became isolated, dangerously angry and depressed, and very confused.

They all looked completely physically uninjured but felt something was wrong, and no one was listening. Finally, thankfully, someone did listen. Initially diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), art therapist Melissa Walker saw another commonality and on investigating further, discovered they’d all been exposed to bomb blasts at relatively close range. The impact of the blasts had literally banged their brains about within their skulls (just as in a car accident) but there was no obvious physical injury. The symptoms were real but invisible.

So began the long hard road to recovery now a diagnosis made sense. They began working with Melissa, painting out their process on masks, each soldier slowly expressing externally what he hadn’t be able or allowed to articulate. Normally, a mask hides what is beneath, here the process was reversed. It became one of revelation, contemplation, PN reassurance and deep healing. (CLARE CALDWELL) F Clare (Claudie) Caldwell is a creative arts therapist who runs a small private practice from home. She now runs a voluntary art and art therapy programme at Auckland City Mission. She is also a freelance artist.

Enquiries: T: 09 836 3618; M: 021 293 3171; E: clare.e.caldwell@gmail.com

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DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING UP-TO-DATE TRAINING CONTRIBUTES TO THE MAKEUP SCHOOL’S SUCCESS Gabrielle Jones and Dianne Ensor have been make-up artists for over 20 years. They co-own The Makeup School in Ponsonby.

What do you think has been the most important contributing factor to the success of The Makeup School?

There are several factors. The most important is that all of our tutors are working in the industry, whether it be fashion or film. We are able to bridge the gap between classroom and the workforce by connecting graduates with industry people. This is invaluable. We also believe in small numbers of students through our doors each year and using industry products in the classroom.

What is happening in the make-up industry?

Like a lot of industries, the makeup world can experience highs and lows but film and retail industries are going through a busy time right now.

Gabrielle Jones and Dianne Ensor

Do you still love what you do?

It’s a very addictive and exciting profession, which is probably one of the reasons we still work on movies (balancing that with the running of the school). This ensures a relevant curriculum in the classroom. Don’t know when we’ll be able to give it up.

What makes a good make-up artist?

Having good people skills is paramount, coupled with a solid work ethic and motivation. It’s an industry that, despite its reputation for being glamorous, exciting and lots of fun, can actually be hard work, competitive and often not for the faint hearted. Get the balance right, and you will have a long and fulfilling career! F PN THE MAKEUP SCHOOL, Level 1, 46 Brown Street, Ponsonby T: 09 376 6660, www.themakeupschool.co.nz

STYLE ON A SLOW DAY FROM ‘T&D’ Some things are just as obvious as the hair on your head, like an itch that needs scratching or a problem short of a solution.

Triumph and Disaster is stocked with 100% natural sulphate-free shampoo and silicone-free conditioner, and the magnificent hair clay, ‘Coltrane’: ‘It’s A Mess’ delivers style and grace on a slow day, so you can shake those dirty, drab little worries from your hair, replacing them with glam, punk highlights more befitting your rising star.

TRIUMPH AND DISASTER www.triumphanddisaster.com

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING DO YOU WANT SLEEK HEALTHY LOOKING HAIR? BRILLIANT BOOKS FOR GIFT GIVING CARL WATKINS, PREVIOUS WINNER OF THE SCHWARZKOPF NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER of the Year, has his say about the benefits of Curl Relaxing and Permanent Straightening your hair over summer. “Straight hair is fashionable right now. It’s the new ‘black’ and non-fluffy healthy hair looks great. If you want an easy to manage hairstyle over summer that takes little or no effort, it’s perfect. You will look good, both in the pool and out of it.

It also makes your hair look younger and healthier.

“There are two different types of straightening - a semi-permanent straightening treatment (KeraStraight) and a more permanent straightening.”

KERASTRAIGHT • Strengthens and repairs the hair - great for in between a chemical straightening to repair damage • Smooth, shiny and easy to manage - minimises the beach frizz for summer • Hair looks thicker and healthier yet feels weightless • Dries super quick - less time blowdrying • Semi-permanent - fades slowly from the hair over four months - no curly roots and straight ends • No harsh chemicals - health and safety tested PERMANENT STRAIGHTENING • Lasts up to six to eight months • Generally makes the hair look and feel finer as a lot of the volume has been removed • You can still have your hair coloured after straightening • Can’t be done on highly bleached hair • Dries super quick - less time blowdrying • Smooth shiny and easy to manage - no beach frizz for summer • Both KeraStraight and Permanent Straightening are specialised hairdressing services and I’ve been making women happy with them for over 30 years. F PN What the clients are saying: “My hair looks awesome. I look at myself at the moment and think I look pretty. That is a great gift.” Thank you Carl - Emily Turner Nov 2015 TRUCOLOR (by appointment only), Eden Terrace, T : 09 359 9311, www.trucolor.co.nz

Recommended by Carole Beu from The Women’s Bookshop Stripes! No Spots! - Vasanti Unka, $25 From the winner of the New Zealand Children’s Book of the Year in 2014 (The Boring Book $25), comes another glorious, brightly-coloured picture book that is a joy for all ages. When Tiger and Leopard disagree, the jungle turns to mayhem. Some interesting lessons here for adults about conflict resolution!

“More enthralling than War and Peace” - Elephant.

M Train - Patti Smith, $37 From the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids ($29) is an unforgettable odyssey of a legendary artist, told through the cafes and haunts she worked in around the world, with reflections on the writer’s craft and artistic creation, and singular memories of her personal life fascinating, M Train is powerful and deeply moving.

The Story of the Lost Child - Elena Ferrante, $37 The fourth and final novel in the dazzling Neapolitan series (My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay - all $30) that explores the tumultuous, life-long friendship between two fiery and talented women, Elena and Lila. Described in reviews as a “tour de force”, “powerful and unsettling masterpieces”, Ferrante’s quartet has been declared by the Independent as “One of the great achievements of modern literature”.

The Party Line - Sue Orr, $38 This dark, evocative novel vividly captures a 1970s New Zealand farming community, with share-milkers arriving, calf club days, and a ‘do’ in the local hall. The silent complicity of the community is revealed, along with the fallout that results, when two outspoken teenage girls force the adults to face unpalatable truths.

Tell You What: Great New Zealand Nonfiction 2016 - Edited by Susanna Andrew and Jolisa Gracewood, $30 Following on from last year’s highly successful collection, this 2016 volume once again showcases the depth, variety and quality of New Zealand non fiction. From blogs and travelogues, memoirs and journalism, the editors have gathered a marvellous selection of extraordinary writing from Tina Makareti, Steve Braunias, Lynn Jenner, Elizabeth Knox, Nicky Hager and more.

“Marvellous,” says John Campbell in the foreword. F PN THE WOMEN’S BOOKSHOP, 105 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 4399, www.womensbookshop.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

Choose good gifts this Christmas with ecostore 1 scotland st, freemans bay weekdays 10am - 6pm, weekends 10am - 5pm phone 09 360 8477 opt1 email shop@ecostore.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to show you more

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FUTURE GENERATION PEOPLE LIKE US Dot’s Bar of Ponsonby comes to the stage.

The second Peter Taylor/Rodney Coleman bar on Ponsonby road, ‘Dorothy’s Sister’ is the setting for a brand new musical by A.J.Pearce/ Joanna Jayne. The show is being produced this February (16 - 21) at the Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna.

Julia Glover - Thursday Photography Club

Directed by David Blyth with Musical director Lavina Williams, and starring Cindy of Samoa, Ramon Te Wake and Luke Bird, the show has a great line up. There are 23 original songs of several styles, from ballad to rap, that bring this wholly Auckland show to life.

Author Joanna Jayne St John came out at Dot’s in 2008 and was inspired to write some short stories with cross-dressing and transgender themes. These later morphed into the musical.

GET CREATIVE THIS CHRISTMAS! It’s that time of year again. The time that we may struggle to come up with a useful but enjoyable Christmas gift for that ‘hard to buy for’ friend or family member...

Peter Taylor and Rodney Coleman

“The place was amazing, people of all gender and racial backgrounds met and had a ball. Pete and Rodney could always be relied on to lend an ear to people’s problems.

It was a special haven for cross-dressers and transgender people as well as the gay and lesbian communities. I have made lifetime friends from being part of Dot’s family,” says Joanna.

The show opens with Cindy leading the cast in the grand opening number ‘From the Black Lace Prison’, depicting becoming free from our closets, whatever they may be. Here transgender woman Sheena (Ramon Te Wake) meets cross-dresser Bianca (Luke Bird).

They fall for each other. While Sheena’s ex (a pimp) tries to break things up, Bianca has to finally come out to family with disastrous consequences for the new couple. Eventually there is a wedding. A major theme is audience participation and Cindy leads them in a selection of choruses. The two best-dressed couples are picked from the audience to join the wedding scene and finale. F PN PEOPLE LIKE US at the Pumphouse Theatre, T: 09 489 8360, www.pumphouse.co.nz

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Why not think about a creative gift? Lake House has gift certificates available that can be used for a term class, school holiday class or even a beautiful piece of art work from our galleries or shop.

The Term 1, 2016 classes and January school holiday classes (Monday 25 to Friday 29 January, 2016) are already up on the Lake House Arts website - book in now to make sure you don’t miss out.

The January school holiday classes are in the last week of the holidays before school starts. Pop the kids into a class and use the opportunity to have a bit of ‘organising’ time before the kids go back to school.

Don’t forget to check out the Preschool Play, Summer Fun programme in association with Auckland Council. They will be visiting Lake House Arts Centre with toys and we are providing free art activities on particular Wednesday mornings throughout summer.

Lake House will be closed from midday on Friday 18 December and the office reopens on Monday 11 January, 2016.

Please go to the website www.lakehousearts.org.nz, email info@lakehousearts.org.nz or phone T: 09 486 4877 for more information on PN all of the above activities. F

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION EMMA MILDON, AKA THE SPIRITUAL PA You’ll find international author and columnist, Emma Mildon, aka the Spiritual PA, sipping organic kombucha at Ponsonby Little Bird, shopping at the local lululemon athletica, getting her facial at local Redox Beauty, or taking on a yoga class at East West Yoga and Urban Ashram.

While Mildon feels at home in Ponsonby, she has recently made a new home for herself - on the world stage!

photography: Paul Petch Photography

Mildon has been tweeted about by the media elite, including Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post, and has partnered with other literary movers and shakers such as Cheryl Strayed, best selling author of, Wild.

Her book, The Soul Searcher’s Handbook, is already a #1 New Release on Amazon, and on her recent trip to New York for her book launch, she was interviewed by her publisher Simon and Schuster in a seat that was still warm from Kevin Costner. And all through the whirlwind, this local new age hipster has stayed humble and eager.

“As a Kiwi creative I have slogged it out to get my work recognised. I’ve taken rejection in my stride, and haven’t let it stop me on what I believe is my soul’s purpose,” Mildon giggles, “I like to say I have faithed it till I made it.”

Her book acknowledges everyone who has been part of her journey, the team of lululemon athletica Ponsonby, local yoga teachers, the team from Les Mills Auckland City.

Mildon smiles, “We really do rise by lifting others, and I am a big believer is supporting other people doing awesome things in the holistic and wellness space. Life is better when you share the love.

“The biggest compliment I have gotten in all the interviews to date was one that equally made me raise an eyebrow and laugh,” she shares. “The journalist called me, quote, ‘A new age Mary Hipster Poppins’.” Mildon giggles and shrugs, “He then sang one of my quotes, ‘super-cali-swagalestic-hella-sexy-dopesness!’ Which was followed by a high five.

“The fact that being new-age, eco-yogi, or spiritual is almost trending makes my soul sing.” Mildon smiles. “We have a real movement of people becoming more aware of healthy living, conscious consumers, and people who look after their body, mind, and soul. It is a really exciting time to be working in this industry, both locally and on the world stage.

“My words are for people who like the odd yoga class, have maybe given meditation a go, and are simply looking for some new age, soulful practices to plug into their daily life. The book especially talks on all different styles of ways to live holistically, with no wrong or right approach.” Mildon laughs, “The book even has a woo-woo scale just so readers know how ‘new-age’ a practice might be. There is everything from visiting a naturopath or chiropractor, right up to reflexology or energy healing for the more adventurous soul seeker.

“Think of it as the perfect gift for your eco warrior, wellness junkie, hipster, boho friend for Christmas. The book has been picked up by Barnes & Noble, even Urban Outfitters throughout North America, purely because it is the only book of its kind, an encyclopedia for new age living so to speak. It has got an index to help you understand your dreams, yoga poses, spiritual slang, festivals to check out. You name it, it’s in here.”

She finishes, “This is where the title stemmed from, The Soul Searcher’s Handbook, after all, we are all just trying to seek out the best life, the most fulfilling way of living, the ways we can be our best self physically, emotionally and spirituality. We all have a little soul PN searcher in us.” www.emmamildon.com F The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

Rest in peace Jonah Lomu The untimely death of rugby legend Jonah Lomu has conjured up all sorts of memories and emotions, stories and tributes from all over the world. The Queen and David Beckham, and almost everyone in between, have shared their memories of Jonah.

The cover of the Irish Examiner newspaper of the silver fern with one of its leaves dropping off, perfectly captured the feeling and sentiment surrounding the passing of John Lomu and the global popularity the 40-year-old held.

For me, however, it’s not so much the memory of Jonah crashing over the top of England’s Mike Catt at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the scene that was matched with commentator Keith Quinn’s now infamous words. The veteran broadcaster was near speechless, gasping, “Lomu... Oh... Oh!”

Israel Dagg tweeted that he was in Mexico and people were talking about him there. Even Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman expressed how he, too, had been impacted by Lomu’s life and now his death: “Heartbroken to hear the news about All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu. His strength and passion were a source of inspiration to all of us. Our prayers go out to his family during this time of great sadness.”

But my lasting memory of Jonah was when I had just started my career as a sports journalist at Radio Live. The office and studio on Ponsonby’s Arthur Street is almost directly across the road from Lomu’s old residence. It was seeing this giant of a man, famous for running over the top of rugby players from all creeds and opposition, creeping out onto Arthur street in slippers and a fluffy towel type dressing gown to collect his morning newspaper.

He’d sheepishly, but also happily, greet you “good morning” before rushing back inside hoping not to be spotted by anyone else.

Beckham also wrote, “So sad to hear the news about this amazing giant of a man...

A sporting hero and one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.

A credit to his country, his family and to the sport that he passionately played... Jonah you will be missed.”

It always made me chuckle, that here was this global super star cruising around in George Harper Junior and Jonah Lomu pretending to play cricket a dressing gown, not in a Hugh Hefner in Former England rugby coach Sir Clive his harem kind of way, but just in the exact Woodward shared a funny memory, saying, “The night before a game I used to list the same way every other Joe Bloggs goes about their morning routine, proving just how two teams, and I said in a team meeting ‘there’s nobody I’d swap man for man’ and I got normal he truly was. to the end and the then captain Will Greenwood put his hand up and said; ‘Clive we’re all Rest in peace Jonah Lomu, you will be sorely missed. (GEORGE BERRY) F with you, but on behalf of all the team I think we’d swap Austin Healey for Jonah Lomu’.”

PN

THE DOROTHY BUTLER CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP ENTERS A NEW ERA WITH SISTERS AT THE HELM The Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop at 1 Jervois Road has changed hands. Sisters, Mary and Helen Wadsworth, are the proud new owners of Auckland’s longest-running (and only remaining) children’s bookshop.

The sisters have been in the book trade for the past three years, running a little bookshop and educational resource centre in Pt Chevalier. They have always loved books and now have young children who are also learning to love books.

“When we heard that this amazing shop, which we remembered from our childhood, was for sale, we couldn’t let the opportunity pass,” says Helen. “We are very happy to be part of the huge community of parents, teachers, librarians, grandparents and many others who love to engage, inspire and excite children through reading.”

Mary and Helen want to continue doing what has made this shop an Auckland institution but they say that there are going to be some changes over the next few months - with lots more events planned and exciting things happening.

They have already celebrated New Zealand Bookshop day on 31 October with a day of fun activities for kids.

The next event will be on 2 December - an evening for adults to help them choose bookish Christmas presents for the kids in their lives.

If you’d like to keep up-to-date with what’s going on at the shop, send them an email at shop@dorothybutler.co.nz and you can be added to the e-newsletter list, and keep an eye on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dorothybutlerchildrensbookshop.

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Mary Wadsworth and Helen Wadsworth THE DOROTHY BUTLER CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP, 1 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 7283, www.dorothybutler.co.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION

EDUCATION ON THE DOORSTEP Boys carry the education, sense of community and values they receive in their early years at college with them for their lifetime.

“It has been a privilege to return to my secondary school, St Paul’s College, as a member of the board of trustees, and chair of the development foundation, as I have come to understand the beauty of the spirit of St Paul’s that runs strong through the college and fellow old boys,” says Bruce Smith.

“The college has been a pillar of the catholic community since 1903; taking in boys at their prime and developing them into fine young men ready to take on the world.

“Now, with the appointment of Kieran Fouhy, one of the country’s finest school leaders who is passionate about the education of young men, St Paul’s lifts the game to another level. The college’s dedicated teachers have been focused on improving academic outcomes and this is now bearing fruit, as I witnessed at this year’s school prize-giving and thanksgiving mass for school leavers.”

With the new direction and the redevelopment of the college, St Paul’s is an ideal next step for boys from local primary schools, as families look for a solid education in the Marist Brothers tradition. Taking boys in at Year 7, there is no reason for them to travel across the city to obtain a good Catholic education.

“I am excited by the wonderful opportunities being provided in the redevelopment of St Paul’s College,” Smith says. “Both for the college, and the local and wider Catholic PN community.” Visit www.stpaulscollege.co.nz for updates on the development. F ST PAUL’S COLLEGE, 183 Richmond Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 376 1287, www.stpaulscollege.co.nz

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SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

A few secrets from inside the All Blacks With the All Blacks one of the pre-tournament favourites heading into the Rugby World Cup, the fact that they managed to come through in the end and actually win the tournament is quite simply amazing. God knows, they’ve been favourites before and failed miserably.

At a recent dinner I hosted with All Blacks forwards coach Mike Cron and World Cup debutant Codie Taylor, I got a rare glimpse into a few more behind the scenes examples of just how hard it was for the All Blacks.

Cron, a former police detective and now a three-time Rugby World Cup veteran, talked about the security threats, mainly around spying (and not from other teams but spies who were then trying to sell information to other teams) and the heart-attack moments both he and fellow assistant coach Wayne Smith felt, especially during and after the semi final against South Africa. The pair often joked that they’re too old for that sort of stress and should consider watching the final from the comfort of their hotel beds.

Taylor, fresh into his All Blacks career, enlightened us about the things he had to do. Given he wasn’t often in the playing 23, his role and contribution to the team became about doing everything he could during the week to ensure the 23 were ready for match day.

I asked Cron about his time in the police force and if they had readied him for the troubles they’d face during the tournament. He was quick to reply, “I had to continually remind myself that I’d seen murder scenes, car crashes and all sorts of nasty things in my 20-plus years as a cop, so this was just a game of rugby, and it would be all over in 80 minutes! But yeah, with things changing all the time, we just had to be ready and aware that we may have to change our best laid plans at any moment.”

However, the two things that really stood out for me on the night, were Cron’s answers to two of my questions. One, given you can only select 32 players in a World Cup squad, is there any one player that you left behind that you would have liked to have selected?

And two, is there a player that stood out for you in the All Blacks squad that perhaps didn’t get the praise you felt they might have deserved?

Cron responded to that first question, “I would have loved to have had Blues, and Auckland lock slash loose forward, Patrick Tuipulotu.”

He justified his decision by saying, “In a Rugby World Cup year, selections are totally different to any other year - any other tournament. Because the trouble is, for example, if Jerome Kaino pulled a calf muscle in week one and was going to be out for three weeks, but not the whole tournament. You can’t replace him for those three weeks then get him back. Once you replace, him he’s gone for the rest of the tournament. So given he can

Mike Cron (middle) with colleagues so comfortably play lock and loose forward, I would have loved to have had Patrick in the mix. It was a complete shame he was injured and we couldn’t select him, I believe he would have been picked had he been fit.”

Twenty-two-year-old Tuipulotu pulled out of All Black Ruby World Cup selection at the start of June, choosing to have surgery on a defect with his hips, sighting that this was the best long-term option for himself.

Cron’s answer to my second question about a standout player was Crusaders lock Luke Romano. Romano was often overlooked in the playing 23 with Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick selected ahead of the 29-year-old. But according to Cron, the work Romano did at trainings during the week might have just saved the All Blacks from exiting the tournament during the semi final. “Luke is in charge of my opposition lineouts, it’s his job to be the opposition and run the opposition lineouts during trainings, so during that week, the build up to the semi-final, his job was to be Victor Matfield.

“He watches hours and hours of the opposition line outs and then comes to training and we have to try and defend them, and the work he did, getting Sammy, Kieran (Read) and Brodie ready to defend our lineouts was simply outstanding. There was a period there that we were all over them (during the semi final) and Sam made a couple of lineout steals, well that was more down to the work Luke did, rather than just Sam being good enough to make the steal. So while others got the praise, Luke deserves so much of that too.” (GEORGE BERRY) F PN

Are your kids ready for the demands of sport?

AS SUMMER SETS IN, AND THE SWAPPING OF RUGBY BOOTS AND HOCKEY sticks for cricket pads and tennis rackets has taken place, so too do the relationships between kids and their coaches. So when I recently stumbled across an article about how to help your child get more out of their sport and the relationships that can either make or break a budding athlete, I thought I had to share some of the recommendations.

The article is doing the rounds on social media and is accompanied by a sign saying ‘Your child’s success or lack of success in sports does not indicate what kind of parent you are, but having an athlete that is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient and tries their best IS a direct reflection of your parenting’. As I read it, I thought the message in that particular sign couldn’t have been more true.

Dr Craig Harrison, Programme Director of Athlete Development at Auckland’s AUT Millennium wrote, “Ensure your child is coachable. Spend small parts of your evening asking your kids questions about their day. Ensure they’re open-ended questions, listen intently and respond with more genuine questions, sparking deeper conversation. This will help them to develop essential skills like thinking critically. Something every athlete needs to learn.”

Help them become mentally tough, “the top two inches” and “it’s all in their head” aren’t common sayings in sport just by chance: The way to get good at this is by practise and by failing. The best way to help your child in this area is to encourage them to give things a go without fear of failure. There’s a famous Michael Jordan quote that says “you miss all the shots you don’t take”. And also allow your kids the space to figure out the answer

92 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

to their problems by themselves. Sometimes they’ll need leading in the direction of the answer, but avoid giving it to them. Also, have discussions with them after a game, asking about what went wrong with the game and not just about the bits they liked.

Be respectful. While the article refers to “respect being a two-way street, and that turning up on time goes a long way to respecting the time someone else has given up to be there,” I think Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum gave the best example of being respectful during their second innings of the first test against Australia in Brisbane.

McCullum was given out when the replays showed he in fact wasn’t, thwarting any chance New Zealand had of playing on for a draw. However, in the post-match interview, he acknowledged the umpire had made a mistake by giving him out. But that the umpire had simply made a mistake, and that was no reason to appropriate blame to anyone other than themselves.

And finally be a great team player, Teams need constructive communication, people who speak up and express their thoughts and ideas clearly, honestly and with respect for others in the team. You can encourage this in your children by having open discussion around family matters at home, invite them to be part of the conversation and decision -making and always ask why they feel that way. Not only will they appreciate their opinion being sought, but it is an invaluable practice of reasoned thought.

So remember, while your kids’ relationships change between teams and coaches, you have a big part to play around how they react to those changes, and whether they’re PN equipped to handle the adjustments needed. (GEORGE BERRY) F PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

BILLY HARRIS: KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY

BILLY HARRIS: KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY

Meet two young men with your fate in their hands You see it all the time. An umpire copping a gobful of abuse from a frustrated tennis player. Basketball coaches arguing furiously with the officials. Baseball coaches screaming in the face of the umpire. Soccer players surrounding, abusing and jostling referees.

That’s on a good day. From the sideline, the torrent of abuse from spectators is enough to make a sailor blush. That’s when the fans aren’t actually getting onto the pitch and chasing the ref, making him run for his life. And as we know, in some tragic cases, match officials have lost their lives at the hands of lunatic fans.

And then there’s the intense scrutiny referees come under, with every decision they make forensically analysed, and every mistake magnified for the world to see. Yes, referees and umpires can become famous, but it’s generally for their mistakes, like rugby ref Wally Barnes, who by missing a forward pass cost the All Blacks victory in 2007.

So given all that, who in their right mind would want to be a ref? Well, Kenzo Shiraishi and Siolo Fruean, to name two.

The Pasadena Intermediate students are two of the first products of a Sport Auckland initiative, which is to give youngsters the opportunity to referee and experience the pressure that refs and umpires go through every time they cross the white line with whistle in hand. The benefits are numerous. The students learn leadership skills, they may go on to become senior referees, which every sport is crying out for, and it starts a culture of acceptance and understanding among youth for referees, in that they’re far less likely to give officials a verbal spray in the future once they’ve experienced how hard the job is.

So the budding officials took up the whistle in the Sport Auckland inner-city basketball tournament and by all accounts they excelled, even being named refs of the tournament!

It can’t have been that easy, surely? For 12-year-old Kenzo, the hardest part was getting over his nerves, but he found that after the first whistle, it got easier. Making the tough decisions was difficult because Kenzo was aware that even though he was refereeing primary school students, they were extremely competitive and every decision he made could influence the outcome of the match. He was well prepared though, having been coached in refereeing beforehand, and doing his own research. Perhaps having a 16 -year-old sister helped, as he would have seen first hand how to be bossy! He also found that by being confident in his decisions that it helped the players accept them. There

was one minor incident where he was questioned about a call by a spectator, but that passed without needing to call the riot police.

Siolo, 11, found the toughest moment came when he blew the whistle to stop the game, and found all eyes turning to him to await the decision. For a brief moment (it probably seemed to him like an eternity) he forgot what to say, like an actor forgetting his lines.

But the words quickly came and he made the call. Siolo had also been schooled up by teachers beforehand, and while, like Kenzo, Siolo has yet to feel the wrath of players, coaches or spectators, he was approached by a couple of coaches at the tournament who complained that he didn’t make enough calls. That’s small potatoes compared to being the youngest in his family, with two older sisters!

The satisfaction the boys gained from the tournament easily outweighed any negatives.

Helping facilitate the fun the primary school kids had, and receiving thanks and three cheers from the teams after the matches, were richly rewarding experiences.

Both boys are heavily into playing sport - Kenzo likes soccer, basketball, rugby, judo, swimming and tennis, while Siolo is into soccer, basketball, rugby, rugby league, tennis and touch - but they’re eager to further their careers as referees as well.

That’s reflected in their choice of role models. While most kids their age hero worship the athletes on the big bucks, Kenzo and Siolo also have their favourites among the refs.

Kenzo admires rugby whistler Nigel Owens, who he claims has good peripheral vision and the ability to spot things a mile away. Siolo rates the NRL refs as the best because they’re fair and not scared of making calls. They don’t go to the TMO (television match official, who helps make the tough calls) as often as their counterparts in rugby.

Ambitions in refereeing? Yes, both would like to referee basketball in the NBA. For Kenzo, it’d be even better if he was in charge of a Golden States Warriors game.

Hey boys, you may be selling yourselves short. By starting out as refs as early in your lives as you have, and with the vast array of sports you play and know, who’s to say you couldn’t be the refereeing equivalent of Sonny Bill Williams, and officiate at the highest PN level in more than one sport? (BILLY HARRIS) F

Aspiring refs Kenzo and Siolo The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

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FURRY AND FABULOUS ANGELA BEER: PETS & PATS FOUNDER

PETS & PATS BESPOKE HOLIDAY PET CARE FOR THE DOGS: Limited to eight VIP guests, Boutique indoor living, seven acres for outdoor fun, 24/7 vet nurse care.

FOR THE CATS: In-home cat feeding and visits.

It’s been a pleasure this year to interview and meet some amazing local animal lovers doing wonderful things in the community.

We thought we’d end the year and the Christmas edition with some news of our own. We have purchased a farm and will be open for boutique lodging for Christmas. It’s a long-held dream realised of a place where we can care for privileged pets as well as those who need rescuing.

The farm is a welcome addition to our town programme, which will still run in Ponsonby. We offer doggie daycare, walking, boutique lodging, grooming, training and cat feeding both in town and at the farm. We are a small, dedicated team of vet nurses, trainers and specialists with more than 50 years of combined experience.

We delight in offering bespoke, personal programmes and experiences. We are all about the love, not the numbers, so will remain deliberately boutique, looking after a small and discerning clientele.

We would like to offer Ponsonby News readers a complimentary meet and greet and first session on us to say Merry Christmas. We look forward to welcoming you.

Angela Beer, Founder, HIPO - High Involvement Pet Owner, Dunhill, Teddy, Georgie and Scoutymouse’s Mum Dog HQ: Herne Bay; Country Estate: Dairy Flat.

M: 021 539 699, angela@petsandpats.com facebook.com/petsandpats

PURRFECT PRESENTS FOR ANIMAL LOVERS! The new merchandise range has hit the shelves at the Auckland SPCA and it is their most exciting range yet!

With two talented New Zealand illustrators creating the designs for the t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and notebooks, the range is unique and high quality. SPCA has products for both dog and cat lovers as each designer chose one animal to illustrate.

Evie Kemp was inspired by the mystique that has surrounded cats throughout history and the dignity with which they carry themselves. She named her design ‘All Yours’ in reference to the relationship we have with our pets and the idea that we need them just as much as they need us. With hints of sparkly gold and a lunar wreath surrounding a gorgeous cat face, the ‘All Yours’ products are sure to prove popular with women of all ages this holiday season.

Joe Wharehinga has been a lover of animals from a young age. He describes growing up with his “majestic ginger cat called Moses” who his mother adopted for him from their local SPCA when he was just a baby. Joe is also a huge fan of Batman as is evident in his SPCA design. He played with the idea of the dog as a noble super hero looking out for humans, which any dog owner will happily tell you they definitely do. The design is called ‘Bone Dog’ and is simplistic, but incredibly cool; an easy choice for gift buyers.

As well as the limited edition designer ranges we have our traditional merchandise items; calendars, diaries, pens, drink bottles, soft toys, and Christmas cards. The SPCA also has also extended its animal products collection so that you can spoil your furry family members too. They’ve added soft toys, chew toys, lasers, and cat TRX balls, so make sure you support the animals at the SPCA by purchasing your pet toys from our online shop.

You can browse all merchandise products on the website. www.shop.spca.org.nz/gifts

94 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS ASK ALEX

ACUPUNCTURE:

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF YOUR PET’S RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION “We can do so much more to manage pain in animals than only giving drugs,” says Dr Kym Shrimpton, a veterinarian who runs Acupet, a pain management and physical rehabilitation clinic dedicated to improving our pets’ quality of life.

After 15 years in small animal practice, Dr Shrimpton gained post graduate Cypress relaxes during acupuncture for qualifications in veterinary acupuncture hind limb weakness and physical rehabilitation to be able to offer effective pain management options, aid recovery from surgery/trauma and to improve the management of chronic conditions.

Where acupuncture is concerned, animals respond very well. Any type of pain, whether it be from arthritis, intervertebral disc disease or cancer, can be treated. Other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, behavioural issues and seizures also benefit. Dr Shrimpton will often integrate a number of modalities into a treatment plan, such as herbal medicine, supplements, laser and acupuncture - according to the needs of the individual. All can be used alongside standard veterinary treatments.

“Once pain is under control, it is then important to strengthen tissues and this is where physical rehabilitation comes in,” says Dr Shrimpton. Physical rehabilitation is essential for any animal recovering from trauma, surgery or needing a programme to manage their arthritis. Manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and modalities such as laser and electrical stimulation are used to speed and enhance recovery. As a rehabilitation veterinarian, Dr Shrimpton looks at the ‘whole animal’ to appropriately diagnose and treat a patient’s condition. F PN Dr Shrimpton runs clinics in Titirangi and Vetcare Grey Lynn.

ACUPET, T: 0508 228 738, www.acupet.co.nz

Each month Dr Alex Melrose answers readers’ pet -related issues. Email yours to: alex@vetcare.net.nz

Q:

My golden Labrador baby Pedro recently had surgery for a ruptured cruciate ligament in his knee. He blew it out vigorously chasing a Frisbee in the park.

The specialist repaired it with a Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy operation and has recommended physical rehab to help with recovery. How do we proceed and how will this help? Stephen, Ponsonby.

A:

Cruciate injury is one of the most common injuries we see, especially in large active dogs, and physical rehabilitation allows tissues to recover much faster.

A large proportion of dogs will rupture the other cruciate ligament within a year of the blowing out the first. Rehabilitation involves assessment, pain control, manual therapies, therapeutic exercises for balance and strengthening and therapies such as laser. Recovery following cruciate surgery focuses on reducing joint inflammation, pain control, maintenance of joint range of motion and muscle strengthening.

The anterior cruciate ligament sits within the stifle and stabilises the joint by preventing the tibia thrusting forward under the femur on weight bearing. It is easily snapped when a dog like Pedro lands on the hind limb in extension and then twists suddenly. A Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) involves cutting the tibia and plating it to alter joint biomechanics so that tibial thrust is prevented.

When the cruciate ruptures there is immediate joint inflammation, pain, poor weight bearing, reduced joint motion and eventual wasting of thigh muscles. Surgery stabilises the joint. Initially post operatively dogs will still avoid using the limb which worsens muscle wasting and joint motion. Rehabilitation begun immediately post-surgery uses a passive range of motion exercises to regain motion in the stifle, and cold packs, laser and massage for pain control. Exercises to encourage weight bearing are essential, with rehabilitation activities slowly built up over time.

Remember, if you don’t use it you lose it! Rehabilitation takes time but the results are worth it. Bring Pedro in to see us and utilise our vets trained in physical rehabilitation and our animal physiotherapist to help in your dog’s recovery.

(DR ALEX MELRORE, BVSC, MRCVS) F PN VETCARE GREY LYNN & UNITEC, 408 Great North Road, Gate 3, 101 Carrington Road, T: 09 361 3500, www.vetcare.net.nz

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PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

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LOOK... WHO IS IN THE ZOO!

Great experiences day and night at the zoo this summer!

Auckland Zoo activities heat up over summer and locals can enjoy everything from a ‘Travel the World’ activity programme, late night openings, four evening concerts, an art and photography exhibition and Wriggle & Rhyme for littlies!

It’s a richly diverse events programme catering to all ages and interests, and sees the zoo making the most of the long evenings. The zoo and its main cafes will stay open until 8pm every Thursday during February, giving visitors the opportunity to dine out and explore the zoo.

“We’ll also be the place to be for four fantastic evening concerts, starting with Stan Walker on 5 February and Fly My Pretties on 13 February,” says Auckland Zoo’s Head of Visitor Experience and Business Development, Natalie Hansby.

“These events help us to attract some new audiences as well as entice current fans back, and they give everyone a great opportunity to experience and explore the zoo in a whole new light.

“Like our day visitors, night visitors are also directly contributing to the vital conservation work the zoo does here on site and out in the field throughout New Zealand, and to the support we give to conservation projects around the world,” says Natalie.

Come on in with family and friends to participate in the zoo’s summer ‘Travel the World’ activity period (16 December - 29 February) and you’ll not only get to explore the zoo’s distinct geographical regions in a fun and novel way, you will also have the opportunity to visit again for free before Easter.

Bailey Wiley, Laughton Kora and Anna Coddington of well-known musical collaboration Fly My Pretties, will perform at Auckland Zoo on Saturday 13 February

An art and photography exhibition of work by Shelton Woolright in conjunction with Dean Sacred, Flox, Otis Frizzell and Askew launches in late February for three weeks, with a portion of the sale of all artworks going to support the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund.

In late summer, the zoo will also once again be teaming up with colleagues from Auckland Libraries to bring littlies and their parents a weekly session of the hugely popular Wriggle & Rhyme - a fun half-hour workout of music, dance and rhyme to get everyone active.

The full schedule of summer activities can be found at www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

Giant success A hugely successful breeding programme for Aotearoa’s giant weta, the weta punga, has seen Auckland Zoo release close to 1500 of these endangered invertebrates onto pest-free Hauraki Gulf islands this year.

Adding to earlier releases, 200 of these unique endemic animals (one of the world’s heaviest insects!) were released onto Tiritiri Matangi and Motuora islands in November.

A further 200 will be released onto the Noises Group, also in the Hauraki Gulf, just before Christmas.

Auckland Zoo’s Ectotherms team leader Don McFarlane ties a bamboo weta hide, with a weta punga inside, onto a tree on Motuora Island

The zoo’s breeding and release of these beautiful creatures onto Tiri and Moturoa - 950 since 2014 - is part of a wider effort for these two islands involving the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Butterfly Creek.

“We’re incredibly proud to be a part of this programme, helping our conservation partners grow the weta punga population, and it’s very exciting and heartening to know that on both these islands, there have been weta punga born and mating observed,” says Auckland Zoo Ectotherms team leader, Don McFarlane.

With the blessing of DOC, Auckland Zoo is also now managing the release of weta punga bred at the Zoo onto The Noises - a privately owned group of islands that has prime weta punga habitat.

“For both myself and the team, this conservation work is really living the dream. In June we released 944 weta punga onto the Noises and in mid-December, we’re heading back to check on their progress, and to release a further 200,” says McFarlane.

Weta punga date back more than 190 million years and play a key role in the ecosystem, producing exceptionally large poo pellets that help greatly in germinating and distributing plant seeds.

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McFarlane says “We’re extremely passionate about securing the weta punga’s future.

These weta were once spread throughout Auckland and Northland, but are now only found on Little Barrier Island. These efforts are the start of establishing self-sustaining populations on many islands throughout the Hauraki Gulf and beyond.”

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

Kate Gardiner and Rosie Kate Gardiner is CFO at MitoQ, a New Zealand-based company which has developed a ground-breaking antioxidant supplement that is winning hearts all over the world.

She lives with Rosie and her teenage identical twins Anna and Sophie.

photography: J Geux

How old is Rosie? What breed is she?

She is a four year old Labraspoodle (aka mongrel).

BIRD OF THE YEAR Each year since 2005, Forest and Bird has held a Bird of the Year competition where the public vote for their favourite bird.

This year’s winner is the bar tailed godwit or kuaka, holding off some stiff and sometimes dodgy competition from the kokako. The kuaka is at first glance, a decidedly drab individual. No shimmering iridescence here or cheeky antics. No mesmerising call from the canopy or brilliant flash of colour when this bird spreads its wings. It isn’t even a native.The bar tailed godwit is a migratory shorebird, spending the summer feeding on estuarine mudflats throughout the country and the winter breeding in the Arctic tundra.

Aucklanders born before 1960 will recall the arrival every September of groups of thousands of ‘Siberian’ godwits, we used to call them, flying overhead in V formation, in such numbers that they darkened the sky and their calls could be heard from below.

As a child, I thought they were crying because they were happy to be home after their long journey. The godwits round trip journey to Alaska and back is around 29,000km, depending on weather conditions. The flight home to New Zealand, after raising their chicks on the Alaskan tundra, is a non-stop 11,000km eight-day marathon.

How long have you had Rosie? How did you come to chose her?

I’ve had Rosie for nearly four years. I needed a wee friend after some changes in my life and everyone raved about how amazing the ‘oodles’ were. We found a breeder outside Kamo, drove up and were smitten. The breeder and her husband hugged each other as we drove away as they were tempted to keep her and said they wouldn’t let her go to just anybody, so they must have thought we looked like a good fit.

How did Rosie get her name?

I think it was a joint decision amongst our family. She has many other strange ‘made-up’ names of course - I won’t tell you what they are as they are very difficult to spell.

What is your favourite thing to do together?

We go on cat safari most nights (on the lead of course) - which normally ends up with cats attacking Rosie in their driveways and her squealing like a little piggie.

What does Rosie like to eat?

She is on an all meat diet (like her wolf ancestors). She loves doggie spare-rib treats from the supermarket, which I can’t find anymore - so that has been a bit of a disaster.

Does Rosie have any friends?

Rosie tends to prefer humans! F PN

The spectacle of their arrival is sadly one of the past, the godwit population has been in rapid decline over the past few decades. Industrial development in the Asian flyway countries of China, Japan and Korea has led to the destruction of the feeding grounds where the godwits and other migratory shorebirds stop to refuel on their way to their breeding grounds in the north. In 2006, more than 250,000 shorebirds were displaced by the reclamation of the Saemangeum mudflats in South Korea.

If the godwits stop coming, it is a sign that the planet is in serious trouble. Keith Woodley, manager of the Miranda Pukorokoro Shorebird Centre calls it “the canary in the coalmine”. The Shorebird Centre, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has been instrumental in raising awareness within government, both here and in China, of the need to protect the multiple habitats of this global species. They have been so successful there is now a huge education centre at Yalu Jiang, an important feeding ground in northern China, and thousands of people line up to watch the godwits during their three week stay in the area.

The bar tailed godwit’s success in the 2015 Bird of the Year poll is testament to the dedication of the many volunteers (and their friends) throughout New Zealand who are committed to the preserving the spectacle of the migratory godwits for the children of the future. The best place in Auckland to take the family to see the godwits before they head back to Alaska in March is the bird hide at Ambury Farm Park, one hour either side PN of the Onehunga high tide. (KATHRYN LEGROVE) F

PLEASE LIKE US! www.facebook.com/ponsonbynews The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: METRO LAW GOT A LEGAL QUESTION? ASK MICHAEL@METROLAW.CO.NZ

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.

Q:

My partner and I are interested in buying a villa in Ponsonby. The property is being sold by auction and the real estate agent has just sent though a mountain of documents relating to the auction. What are these documents?

What do we need to look out for? Should I get these documents checked over by a lawyer? Please help! Stella

A:

The documents you receive from an agent when you are looking to purchase a property being sold by auction depends on the type of property you are looking to buy. Usually these documents include the auction terms, a copy of the title and the Land Information Memorandum.

The auction terms or Particulars and Conditions of Sale of Real Estate by Auction, as they are formally known, are the standard terms you will agree to if you are successful at the auction. The terms contain many of the usual terms that form an ordinary sale and purchase agreement as well as terms that specifically relate to the auction itself.

It is particularly important that your lawyer reviews the auction terms. These terms are different to the standard terms in an agreement for sale and purchase because once the terms have been signed the offer to purchase is unconditional. This means that if you wish to obtain a building report or need to arrange finance you will need to do this before the auction.

The certificate of title provides you with the description of the type of title you are purchasing, whether it be a cross lease, unit title or fee simple. You need to be aware of the type of title you are purchasing in case it carries with it an ownership obligation.

For example, if the property is a unit title you will be required to become part of a body corporate, which will have rules about using and owning the property. The title also sets out the interests that may affect your use of the property such as a right of way.

Your lawyer will also be able to cast their expert eye over the title to make sure there are no encumbrances that may affect the value of the property. This is essential because once you have signed the auction terms you are deemed to have accepted the title.

The Land Information Memorandum, more commonly known as the LIM, contains a detailed record of the Auckland Council’s knowledge of the building and land on which it is situated.

LIM’s have become an important document in recent years because they provide evidence of any deficiencies or any unpermitted work that may have been carried out on the property.

It is also a good idea for your builder to review the LIM before completing their builder’s report so that they can check if any work has been completed without informing the council.

A LIM will also show if any recent building work has received a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC). A CCC is the Council’s tick of approval that the work that has been done to the building has been completed in accordance with the building code.

It is important for you to read over these documents so that you have an understanding about the terms contained within. However, the documents can be overwhelming, especially when you are looking at them ‘blind’. I strongly suggest that you send the documents to your lawyer to review. Your lawyer will set out all of the important points contained in the documents, alert you to any potential obligations and make sure there are no hidden surprises.

At Metro Law we have a specialist property team who have experience reviewing property documents. Our team know what to look for and are capable of reviewing all of the documents efficiently. In most circumstances we review the auction documents for $250 plus GST and disbursements provided that we are only required to review the usual documents associated with an auction. (MICHAEL HEMPHILL) F PN 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.

METRO LAW, Level 1, 169A Ponsonby Road, T: 09 929 0800, www.metrolaw.co.nz

98 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: LOGAN GRANGER

GST on offshore digital products and services Everyone enjoys purchasing online from overseas sellers. One of the main reasons is that it’s cheaper, as there is no GST charged!

It looks like those days are numbered, readers!

The Government is looking to update the GST system relating to digital and online economy. A number of new laws are in draft via the November Taxation Bill, requiring all offshore sellers to charge GST on digital products and services purchased online by New Zealand consumers.

Key points for the new rules: • All such services supplied by an offshore seller to New Zealand-resident consumers will be treated as being liable for GST. • The new rules will only apply to business-to-consumer and not to business-to-business transactions. This is in the main going to affect non GST-registered consumers.

• All offshore sellers will be required to be GST registered if their supplies of services to New Zealand-resident consumers exceed NZ$60,000 in a 12-month period from 1 October 2016.

Definition of these types of services The draft legislation has a wide definition of services. This is to cover all supplies of digital products and other services imported by consumers. This is any services purchased on the internet or delivered by email: apps, games, software, movie and music downloads, webinars, website design. Some exclusions may apply, but they are yet to be defined.

Additional points to consider for offshore sellers: • Offshore sellers are required to file and pay GST for an initial six-month period,

1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017. This will change to a quarterly basis from 1 April 2017.

• Most offshore sellers will find that GST registration will be a ‘pay only’ system as they will have little or no New Zealand expenses against the income. Some offshore sellers are already GST registered and they can use their current GST registration and filing procedures.

• Offshore sellers can identify New Zealand customers by the information they have in relation to their customer. This would include information such as the billing address, SIM country code, Internet Protocol (IP) address.

• Offshore sellers will need to be careful using an ‘electronic/online marketplace’.

The draft law can shift the GST collection responsibility from the offshore seller to the online marketplace they use as an intermediary in New Zealand, such as the app developer or the mobile app store being used.

If you think you will be affected by this legislation, it is best to start acting now as October 2016 is less than a year away and this will no doubt have a huge impact on your business. If you feel you need any further clarification or advice on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact Logan Granger. (LOGAN GRANGER) F PN Disclaimer - While all care has been taken, 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.

JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, 202 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 6701, www.jacal.co.nz

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MILLY NOLAN: DESIGNER GIFTS

Gifts for the whole family When it comes to choosing Christmas gifts for the entire family, a sense of panic can set in. What on earth do you buy your cousin Ed or your Aunt Mary... let alone your mum, dad and siblings? To make life easier this silly season, here are our top picks for your friends and loved ones, whether purchasing for your nana or niece.

1. Normann Copenhagen Heima Candlestick, $160 Minimalist and sculptural, this beautiful four-arm candlestick will appeal to lovers of contemporary design.

2. Areaware Hanno the Gorilla, $120 For a child, or the young at heart, cheeky Hanno is a perfect playmate for any mantelpiece.

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3. Aura Grande Stripe Beach Towel, $80 Super stylish and deliciously soft in velour cotton, this bold colour-block beach towel is the perfect summer accessory.

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4. Gents Hardware Shoe Polish Kit, $38 Keep your kicks immaculate at all times with this buff and shine shoe polish kit, stylishly housed in a felt zip case with faux leather trim.

5. The Caker: Wholesome Cakes, Cookies and Desserts, $50 Beautifully designed and brimming with mouth-watering and wholesome recipes, the second book release from The Caker will delight baking experts and aficionados alike.

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8. Ted Baker Brogue Manicure Set, $65 Handsomely styled in a brogue-inspired faux leather case, this manicure set will treat the well-groomed man.

7. PT Home Fruit Grid Basket, $35 Fabulous filled with fruit, this metallic copper grid basket is the perfect home accessory gift for the fashion forward.

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9. The Beach People Paloma Roundie Towel, $140 Inspired by the beautiful beaches of France, the oh-sostylish Paloma roundie towel is large enough for two people.

(MILLY NOLAN) F PN

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Words by Milly Nolan.

All products available at www.mildredandco.com

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JAY PLATT: WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT...

White cut out vase $39.99 Trade Aid Ponsonby www.tradeaid.org.nz Slice of Pizza float $59.90 Chambers www.chambersnz.co.nz

Medium copper hurricane lamp $160 Republic www.republichome.com

Fornasetti Cube (limited edition set of 10) $450 Design 55 www.design55.co.nz

Raskalls Kids crash helmets $69 each Green Monster, Red Dino and Blue Lightning Bolt Askew www.askew.co.nz

Sunnylife underwater camera ‘Rockingham’ $34.90 IkoIko www.ikoiko.co.nz

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Oval citrine set in 9ct yellow gold $395 Diamonds on Richmond www.diamondsonrichmond.co.nz

Zyliss Ezy Pull manual food processor $69.95 Millys www.millyskitchen.co.nz

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CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Circlewear summer glasses $19.95 set Millys www.millyskitchen.co.nz

Mr Grumpy, Mr Strong and Little Miss Bad Mugs $19.90 each IkoIko wwwikoiko.co.nz

Panda pillow $149 Askew www.askew.co.nz

Notebooks by Ohh Deer $32 each Askew www.askew.co.nz

Nesting dolls (colour them in) $22.95 Trade Aid Ponsonby www.tradeaid.org.nz

Pink oval cut glass vase $90 republic www.republichome.com

Tank decanter by Tom Dixon $282 Simon James Design www.simonjamesdesign.com

Sunnylife Beach sounds water resistant portable media player $84.90 IkoIko wwwikoiko.co.nz Scalloped platter by Rachel Carley $172.50 each Tessuti www.tessuti.co.nz STYLING: Jay Platt PHOTOGRAPHY: Danilo Santana David, Fisher Santana.

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BIRD OF THE MONTH The tomtit The tomtit is one of those birds that is categorised in a family that may not seem to be where it belongs.

As member of the robin family, it makes logical sense that the tomtit is a robin - it even looks enough like one - but in fact it is not. This categorisation is not uncommon as many other species have been grouped together with little reason other than the ease of associating them with an alreadyknown family. Robins have longer legs and are larger. The tomtit, also referred to as miromiro in the North of New Zealand and ngirungiru in the South, is distinctly black and white with a white belly, although the South Island subspecies has a clearly yellower breast.

The tomtit inhabits forest and shrubland, in both native and exotic areas, but is not often seen in modified open habitats. This, perhaps, is a reason that, despite their widespread distribution on both islands, they are not well known. They avoid areas of human development in favour of natural landscapes. They can be found in regenerating forest, like those that have been logged, although they do prefer mature forests.

Tomtit are very territorial, remaining within their territory all year round. They spend a good portion of the year defending their boundaries and chasing out intruders.

It’s only during moulting season that these activities reduce, and during the breeding season territorial defence is at its most active. Juveniles will often leave their home territory when they are of an age to find a mate and a vacant territory. During this time, individuals can be seen in unsuitable habitat, such as open country and over water.

They are often difficult to see and can be heard before being located. Some individuals can be quite friendly, coming within a few metres. Tomtit search for prey in all areas of the forest, from the canopy to the ground. They normally feed on the wing, meaning they snatch and grab insects while flying, before landing on a perch to scan for more.

They are not threatened but, as with all our birds, their main threat is still mammalian predators, particularly ship rats. Adult females are often taken as they remain on the nest with chicks. The tomtit has proven difficult to translocate, and populations have not taken in many new places. One extreme case was an individual that flew from Tiritiri Matangi Island back to its home in the Hunua Ranges.

The summer holidays are nearly upon us, which means the beach, holiday homes and spending time out of Auckland. I thought I’d take the time to outline a few things that you can do to ensure our birds are safe during the holiday season.

‘HAVE YOURSELF A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS’ HOSPICE CONCERT Back by popular demand, Tim Beveridge’s ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ concert returns for its third year.

Joining Tim this year is much loved and celebrated iconic Kiwi entertainer Jackie Clarke.

With a voice that has been described as ‘effortless’ and ‘dazzling’, Tim and Jackie, along with the magnificent vocal ensemble Laudamus and Stephen Small on piano, will capture the spirit of Christmas with an intimate, heart-warming and entertaining concert.

The event promises to provide a magical evening of music, fun and laughter with proceeds raised going to Ponsonby charity Mercy Hospice Auckland and Dove House Eastern Bays Hospice to help provide care and support long after the festive season is over.

“Hospice is a very special organisation and I’m thrilled to be supporting the wonderful work they do in the community. I’ve recently had a family member looked after by Dove House and I have nothing but praise for their wonderful service and care,” says Tim. Jackie also has the most heartfelt respect for Hospice, in particular for the incredible care given to her dad.

“Hospice were a huge help to our family and I know firsthand how much comfort they offer to people when they’re at their most vulnerable. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to croon some Christmas classics with Tim. It’s for a great cause, in a great venue, at one of my favourite times of the year.”

Enjoy an irresistible evening of music, it’s the perfect way to sprinkle some Christmas cheer and get into the spirit of the festive season.

Date and Time: Venue:

7.30pm, Friday 18 December Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell

Beverages will be available to purchase in foyer from 6.30pm. Don’t miss out!

Purchase your tickets at www.iticket.co.nz/events/2015/dec/have-yourself-amerry-little-christmas-2015 To continue enjoying the Christmas spirit long after the concert, Tim’s bestselling Christmas CD will be available to purchase for $15 on the night of the concert. It features 11 beautifully recorded tracks, backed by some of New Zealand’s finest musicians.

Proceeds from every CD sale will go to support Hospice. F PN

• If you are going to the beach, pick up all your rubbish and don’t throw any in the ocean.

• If you have a dog, keep it on a leash or under control in areas where kiwi or other threatened species may be present. Keep an eye out for signs alerting you to the birds in the area, especially if this is your first time to the area, you may not know what birds are found there.

• Always use the correct path or access way when you’re at the beach, don’t trample over the dunes or go ‘off-road’ as this is where shore birds make their homes and nests.

• Put a bell on your cat’s collar if you are taking it away to a holiday home, and keep it indoors at night.

• Why not plant some native trees and shrubs in your garden at home while you have the time off from work to encourage native birds to enter the suburb all year round?

Happy holidays Ponsonby, I hope you see many of our wonderful birds in your travels this PN summer. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F

Jackie Clarke and Tim Beveridge

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FRESH CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS AT UN DEUX TROIS Lamps: Simple, stylish and modern table lamps from French Country Collections.

Available in white, black and gold, 58cm. $89 each.

Alza Vases: Glass vases in this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshest colour trend. Each vase is hand - blown with an irregular rim adding to the unique charm and individuality of each item. Priced from $16.90 - $49.

Candles: Tropically inspired ceramic pineapple and pear candles in a delightful vanilla cream scent. The perfect gift for someone special. Pineapple $49, Pear $19.50.

Available at UN DEUX TROIS, 6 Jervois Road, or shop online www.undeuxtrois.nz

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NEW ZEALAND SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY ACQUIRES TOP REAL ESTATE BRAND MILNE & CO Leading real estate agency New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) is strengthening its position in Auckland with the acquisition of top property company Milne & Co. The acquisition of Milne & Co, one of Auckland’s most respected real estate brands and founded by well-known agent Pene Milne, is part of NZSIR’s strategic plan for expansion into the Auckland property market.

The move is a reflection of the mutual respect that the two brands have for each other, NZSIR managing director Mark Harris says.

“We recognised the opportunity of aligning our global brand with that of a highly respected and recognised name in Auckland. By combining the unique attributes of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand and the local experience and credibility of Pene Milne, we will create a very strong team in this key area of the market,” he says.

“It means that there is now an outstanding alternative for vendors who want to achieve a premium sale price and personal approach to marketing their property. No other brand in New Zealand can expose property into the same channels as NZSIR can, locally or internationally, and when you combine that with the experience and knowledge of a high-calibre licensee like Pene then the results are outstanding.

“Pene brings years of experience in the premium end of the Auckland residential real estate market. She is regarded as a results-oriented professional who is dedicated to achieving outstanding sales for her vendors,” Harris adds.

Milne - who has been in the real estate industry since 2001 - says she hadn’t planned to sell Milne & Co, and the decision did not come lightly.

“Ultimately, the alliance with NZSIR is about a focus on our clients who continue to strive for quality and local and global reach across the markets. NZSIR provides this ultimate platform in New Zealand and Auckland, and conducts business in a highly professional and respected way. The passion for working with and for my clients remains the top priority. Mark, Julian and I saw the common ground and the future of building bigger success for our clients.”

NZSIR’s licensees and administrator have relocated from NZSIR’s Herne Bay offices to the larger Milne & Co space nearby. F PN

New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) co-owner Julian Brown and well-known Auckland real estate agent Pene Milne

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MY FAVOURITE ROOM Jean-Michel Tallott - Sothys Spa, Jouvence Beauty Institute Ten years ago, Jean-Michel Tallott moved up from his hometown of Christchurch to develop the family business and grow its presence in the North Island.

The principle business is the distribution of French professional skincare brand Sothys within New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. More recently, a retail brand has been added in the form of Jouvence Spa. Jean-Michel lives with his wife Courtney in Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn.

Are you a long-time greater Ponsonby resident?

Ten years, so I’m almost a local!

What do you call this room?

It’s my favourite place in the house - the deck off the master bedroom.

What do you use it for?

Taking in the view of the upper harbour at the end of the day with a beer in hand.

What are your favourite things about it?

The best thing about the view is that it’s always changing, depending on the time of day. At night, there are the lights of West Harbour and on a clear day you can see boats buzzing around the harbour. F PN

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MAKING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Become someone’s angel this Christmas and help those in the community who need it most.

Last Christmas the Auckland City Mission helped Karen* when she needed them most. Karen’s daughter Jennifer* had battled mental health issues since she was a teenager. For a number of years, Jennifer managed her illness but in November 2014, a series of personal tragedies caused Jennifer to relapse. Her breakdown meant that she was no longer able to look after her three children. Karen immediately took her grandchildren into her home. At 62, Karen wasn’t receiving a pension. She kept herself afloat with part-time work. But, with three children to provide for, the money she was earning just wasn’t enough.

Karen came to the Mission in early December. It was the first time in her life that she was asking for help, and she felt humiliated.

Thanks to support from the community, the Mission was able to help Karen with emergency food and Christmas gifts for her grandchildren. They were able to put her in touch with a network of other grandparents looking after their grandkids, and assisted her to access special benefit entitlements. This support made a very difficult Christmas easier for Karen and her family.

This December, thousands of Aucklanders like Karen will turn to the Mission for help. Throughout December the Mission will provide 3150 Christmas food parcels to these families. The parcels contain food items to help the family have a Christmas at home. They will gift 10,000 presents to parents, so their child has a present to open on Christmas Day, they will do this directly and through other community organisations. And on Christmas Day, the Mission will host New Zealand’s largest Christmas Lunch for 2000 guests, celebrating with a diverse range of guests who would otherwise miss out or spend the day alone.

The Mission is only able to do this because of the support they receive from the community. This Christmas, the Mission needs every Aucklander to ‘Become Someone’s Angel’ to support their Christmas Appeal. A $50 donation will provide Christmas gifts for five children and $100 will provide a meal for 10 guests at the Christmas Lunch.

You can make a difference today by donating at www.becomesomesonesangel.co.nz Let’s make sure this Christmas is special for every Auckland family. (*Names changed to respect privacy.)

“Last year with the kind help of supportive sponsors, I raised $5000 for this extremely worthy cause. For some families, Christmas can be a particularly tough time of year, so please help me again this year by pledging a donation to this appeal.

Thank you for your support.” (FELICITY SCOTT) F PN

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CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY ELEGANCE IN YOUR HOME OVER THE YEARS CAVIT&CO HAS GATHERED A BALANCED OFFERING OF THE WORLD’S premium brands and products that can be layered to create a home with a sense of global elegance - Ralph Lauren Home, Baker, McGuire and Verellen from the USA; Baxter from Italy and Matsuoka from Japan to name but a few. Along with the finest bed linen from Frette and the world’s most exquisite crystal from Lalique, these brands set the benchmark for what is yet to come.

Matchless quality is at the core of the furniture and accessories selected for Cavit showrooms in Auckland, Christchurch and Arrowtown. This refined selection of product ensures a style that transcends fashion with the Cavit&Co aesthetic straddling the boundary between classical and contemporary.

Debbie Cavit’s travels to the United States and Europe twice a year fuel a passion for finding the best in design from around the world. Under the umbrella of the newly released Cavit Home Collection, she is able to source fabulous design from smaller, unique manufacturers, keeping the Cavit offering fresh and constantly changing.

The team at Cavit&Co feel privileged to work with clients who understand the intrinsic value of creating a fabulous interior. People who understand the value of good design and the joy it brings to live in a well-appointed home with a selection of the finest international furnishings. F PN CAVIT&CO, 547a Parnell Road, T: 09 358 3771, 148 Victoria Street, Christchurch, T: 03 929 0013, 18 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown, T: 03 442 0128, www.cavitco.com

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Memorable gifts for Christmas.

Cavit&Co provide the finest furniture, lighting and accessories from around the world. We can assist you in creating a world class interior from our collection of premium international brands.

Auckland 547a Parnell Road, Parnell 1052 | T +64 9 358 3771 Arrowtown 18 Buckingham St, Arrowtown 9302 | T +64 3 442 0128

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Christchurch 148 Victoria St, Christchurch 8013 | T +64 3 929 0013 Email info@cavitco.com | www.cavitco.com

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STREET NAMES: THE HISTORICAL BOROUGH OF PONSONBY AND GREY LYNN

HECTOR STREET James Hector was born in Edinburgh 1834 and educated there, qualifying as a physician as well as training in geology, botany and zoology.

His potential was recognised by leading Scottish geologists which gained him a position as surgeon and geologist on an expedition of exploration in Canada. For his work there he was elected fellow of the Edinburgh Royal Society and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

These honours prompted the New Zealand government to second him for a Geological Survey of Otago in 1861. After extensive exploration of the southern part of the South Island, Hector’s name and talents attracted further favourable attentional and he was asked to consider establishing a geological institution. Hector detailed his ideas to ministers on how it should be set up, his concept was accepted, and in 1865 he was appointed director of the Geological Survey and Colonial Museum (now Te Papa) in Wellington.

The work at the museum soon fell into a pattern. During summer Hector worked strenuously in the field with as many of his staff who could be spared. For the rest of the year, they were all involved in writing up reports, classifying specimens and arranging them for display in the museum. In 1867, The New Zealand Institute was established to encourage the spread of scientific knowledge and the museum and laboratory became its property.

Hector managed the institute under a board of governors until 1903. The survival and expansion of the institute, which by 1933 became the Royal Society of New Zealand, is one of Hector’s major achievements.

Being the only scientist of standing in government, other small scientific bodies were placed under his control. At various times he was responsible for the Meteorological Department, the Colonial Observatory, the Wellington Time-Ball Observatory, Wellington’s Botanic Garden, custody of the standard weights and measures, and the Patent Office library.

History emphasises Hector managed many organisations but doesn’t take into account he was continually coping with different priorities and achieving a huge work load with only a small staff. To top up all this, in 1871 he became a member of the University of New Zealand’s first senate and in 1885 was elected chancellor, a position he held for 18 years. He was three times president of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. Many of these subsidiary services were of great interest to Hector. He introduced

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plants such as radiata pine and macrocarpa, which could be used for timber and shelter as well as a basis for industry. He viewed the Botanic Garden’s function as a centre of acclimatisation for useful plants. Consequently, he introduced other species of pines as well as mulberry for possible silk production. He was often asked for official advice on a host of scientific, technological, medical and commercial problems and wrote clear, concise, balanced reports which were remarkably cogent, considering the limited literature and resources available at the time. He also wrote 45 scientific papers on geology, botany and zoology which were published in the Institute’s ‘Transactions’.

Eventually, government departments under Hector’s control were removed and the subsidiary units dispersed. The reforms resulted because of the Liberal Government’s desire for economy and Hector was left as director of the Colonial Museum and manager of the New Zealand Institute with a greatly reduced staff and budget. The Institute’s constitution was reviewed but nothing was done to action urgently needed repairs to the museum. Hector was due to retire in 1903, embittered and in poor health. He took leave of absence and travelled to Canada where official appreciation of his work there was blighted by the death of his son Douglas, who had accompanied him. He returned to New Zealand to find the Institute’s new constitution allowed for a president. Hector was elected in 1906 but he died at Lower Hutt the following year.

During his career he received many honours and the New Zealand Institute paid homage to him in 1911 by establishing the Hector Medal as their major award for research excellence.

Because of his special interest in the whales and dolphins in our waters, he also built up a collection of their skeletons in the Colonial Museum and now his name is associated with the endangered Hector dolphin he first described way back in 1873. This year is the 150th anniversary of his appointment as the first government scientist in New Zealand and the Geoscience Society of New Zealand has published a book by Simon Nathan that is packed with information about Hector’s life and times. It includes a coloured plate depicting a sculpture of two Hector dolphins on Hector township’s foreshore. (DEIRDRE ROELANTS)

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MY ECLECTIC ZONE INTERIORS POP-UP SHOP IS OPEN After mountains of work, many trips overseas and gallons of coffee, My Eclectic Zone interiors pop-up shop has now opened in Ponsonby.

Stocking a carefully curated collection of cool homewares, eclectic art prints and accessories, they are bound to have the perfect Christmas presents for your friends and family.

As well as their own exclusive range of products, sourced from Southeast Asia and beyond, we are also proud to stock New Zealand-made and New Zealand-inspired items; from soy melts and burners from Joco Naturals to edgy geometric art prints from Yhodesign.

The aim of My Eclectic Zone is to create substance and meaning through design.

Individual taste and individual style is what allows us, as humans, to express ourselves.

At MEZ they aim to bring such differences in taste and design under one roof.

MEZ strongly believes in sourcing our products in a socially conscious and eco-friendly manner, with the use of fair trade labour in each and every step of the supply chain. The shop are conveniently located at the Three Lamps end of Jervois Road and we are open seven days.

Hours: Monday to Friday - 10am - 6pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am to 4pm MY ECLECTIC ZONE POP UP STORE, 14 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, T: 021 556 021, www.facebook.com/shopmez

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TREAT YOURSELF IN DECEMBER AT TRENZSEATER 3 2

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1. Mayfair Armchair A stunning new armchair design from TRENZSEATER featuring a low wing back that wraps around your shoulders then cuts back in and creates a curve in the slope of the arm. This detail is outlined by chrome stud detailing. Tailormade in New Zealand in a choice of fabric or leather options. 2. Monaco Ottoman This ottoman features a solid oak cross-legged base, available in various stain colours. The top can be upholstered in your choice of fabric or leather. 3. Chateaux Dining Table The TRENZSEATER collection of parquet tables are made exclusively in New Zealand, each an original piece with individually hand-picked pieces of aged oak. Available in multiple size options.

TRENZSEATER, 80 Parnell Road, T: 09 303 4151, www.trenzseater.com

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REAL GROOVY IS RELOCATING IN THE NEW YEAR Make sure you go to Real Groovy before they shift in early January 2016.

This will be your last chance to walk the hallowed halls of Auckland’s coolest den of iniquity. Real Groovy’s new location is the old Salvation Army auditorium, right across the road from where they are now. So make sure you make that final, nostalgic visit to the old Real Groovy before the wrecking balls hit. From 8 January they’ll be over at 369 Queen Street - it’s an amazing space and the perfect site for Real Groovy.

Real Groovy has always been a colourful beacon in a dull retail landscape. They are best known for their awesome music catalogue but they also source a huge range of unique gifts and novelties which are perfect for Christmas. Every taste and personality is accounted for in their weird and wonderful selection.

For example: summer is easy with novelty pizza and doughnut pool floats - or take your music with you to the beach with a portable retro player. Movie and TV buffs will love the collectable figurines of their favourite screen characters. And who said you had to buy dad boring socks? Get him a pair that look like a hamburger!

Book lovers can also get their treasures from Real Groovy and the iconic shop also keeps a huge range of colouring books, spanning from Game of Thrones to Fat Ladies in Space. As well as music, there’s something fun for everyone. Get ready to laugh because so many of these gifts are silly as well as special. F PN REAL GROOVY, 438 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, T: 09 302 3940, www.realgroovy.co.nz

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5 YEAR EXTERIOR GUARANTEE

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Phone · 09 354 4552

Store · 77 Ponsonby Road

Available pre-filled from our exclusive retail partners.

Dawson & Co. (Parnell, North Shore) · McKenzie & Willis (Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanaka, Timaru, Dunedin)

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HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN It’s often the little things in life that have the most meaning. Little things matter to me. I was most upset when the fantails vanished. You might recall reading about the fantail’s nest in the November issue of Ponsonby News.

I watched the adults build the nest. It was a work of art. I was lucky enough to see the chicks, three of them, all poking their tiny beaks up in exploration. Then quite literally; overnight, they were gone! I did see a cat on the prowl, and there are other predators to consider, of course, but none of this is in my control. I have to accept that nature isn’t always kind.

much attention. Then I witnessed something very special. Early one morning, I rolled a small grape toward one of the fledglings. The fledgling flew off the deck with it, down to the grass below. I hadn’t seen the other fledgling on the deck, so I looked over the rail. I saw them together. The fledgling who had taken the grape was sharing it with its sibling. How beautiful is that?

There’s so much to learn from watching nature. I have been delighting in the recent appearance of two blackbird fledglings. Usually, both the male and female blackbirds feed their young, but I have only ever seen the male here, and he seems happy to leave the fledglings on the deck throughout the day. He arrives frequently, his beak full of worms and bugs. Once the fledglings have devoured these, he will explore the deck for the fruit that I leave out. He then proceeds to feed the fledglings the fruit.

Without doubt, grapes are the most popular fruit that I put out on the deck. Occasionally its even the tui birds will indulge in the grapes, or as the picture below clearly shows, overindulge! I was quite alarmed when I saw this tui scoffing down such a huge grape.

This bird was determined, and succeeded in gulping down the entire grape. It was quite funny to watch, and I laugh whenever I see this photograph.

Recently the fledglings learned how to peck at the fruit themselves, but it seems as though they prefer to be fed, because they never do this when Dad is here. As soon as Dad flies away, the fledglings resume eating the fruit, and this is what really surprises me. The fledglings feed one another! When I first saw them doing this, I didn’t pay

When I reflect on this past year, I consider the losses and the gains, but above all else, I marvel at the wonderful opportunities to learn by observing nature.

The holiday season is a wonderful time for sharing. A time to be ‘grapeful’.

(HEIDI PADAIN) F PN

To see some of Heidi’s other photographic work, go to www.flickr.com and type Heidi Padain into the search box or you can contact Heidi by email hidihi@xtra.co.nz

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Bernadette Morrison

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Peter Tanner

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MY HOMIES

Melanie-Jane Smith, The Poi Room.

Melanie-Jane Smith is the owner and creative director of The Poi Room, with two stores in Ponsonby and Newmarket. Her husband, Clayton (co-owner and financial director), and two daughters, Frankie (13) and Milana (9), live in “a deliciously comfortable home filled to the brim with contemporary New Zealand art”. The house will soon be undergoing its second renovation to accommodate a new office, second living area and a pool. (“Extremely exciting!”)

Melanie-Jane tells Ponsonby News, “Our fabulous homies are as follows”: Gardener Our lawn-mowing guy was our wonderful next door neighbour’s grandson, Kirwan. He did a gorgeous job, but as he grew older we found someone new to help out - Marco Bosman, from Stryde Landscapes. We love his expertise in planting and that he is able to assist with landscaping around our renovations. A beautiful garden is so restful and grounding!

Pests Every year we get the fabulous team from De-Bug in. They manage to get rid of all those creepy crawlies who live in our garden, but who would rather spend the night in the house.

Cleaner We did have a cleaner for a while when we were desperately busy with The Poi Room and working every waking hour. Now that our girls are older, we have decided that they needed to understand what it takes to run a household, so we all dip in and help with housework.

Electrician Every time we need some work done around the house we call on Chad from Oceans Electrical - he and his team are amazing. He does both commercial and residential electrical works. Always on time, always amazing! Electrifying!

Printing company We love using Alan Wild from Super Print for our printing. Absolute perfection! Alan always goes that extra mile for us, even dropping work off on the way home.

Computer stuff I am a bit of a techno-phobe, and get brain freeze when anything goes wrong with the computer. We were lucky to find Sean O’Connor from Fix I.T. at Home. He is our local guru.

He’s the guy who is always doing the computer bits at our local Pt Chevalier School. Very giving and from an awesome family.

Architect What a process! Even though Clayton has a construction background, getting the right design for our future has been both challenging and exciting. We have used wonderful Toa Architects to come up with a functional design that both encompasses our passion and how we live. We are about to finalise the design and are stoked with what has been achieved. We can’t wait to break ground!

Building Steve from Calibre Builders is awesome. He has helped out with minor works for us - things that Clayton hasn’t been able to sort out. Steve is being lined up for our upcoming extension works. He is so easy to deal with, and honest as the day is long.

Graphic design The vision is seen and realised through our brother-in-law, Andrew from Nadas Design.

Timely and professional, Andrew has helped us simplify our brand and assisted wisely PN with brand strategy. Thank you Andos! F THE POI ROOM, Shop 10, Lot 3, 130 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 4364, www.thepoiroom.co.nz

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Melanie-Jane Smith, The Poi Room

DUCT TAPE WORKSHOP - PONSONBY CENTRAL Why did you start selling used devices and what are the benefits?

In our ‘throw away culture’ someone upgrades to a new phone and the old ends up in a drawer or is thrown away. The quality of devices produced now is so good that often the old device is still usable for three or more years. At Duct Tape, we guarantee our devices rating for six months, meaning that if you have any warranty issues whatsoever you can pop back and we would start the repairs that day!

How do you guarantee the quality of the device?

To offer the best second hand devices, we have full time electronics engineers on board to check and repair the devices before they are ready to sell. We check all used devices at a component level on the motherboard for power leakage and water damage. Before we replace the battery with a brand new one or issue a six-month standard warranty and process the device for sale, all functions like software and buttons are tested.

How do you price your second hand devices?

Our simple pricing structure on used devices supported by five grades; A Close to a ‘like-new’ device (excellent condition) B Device can have minor scratching or one or two dents (good condition) C Device has scratching and denting (fair condition) D Devices have heavy scratching or dents (fair minus) S Sealed unused device (sealed/new) Based purely on aesthetics, the grades in no way reflect how the devices operate. We offer the best possible prices paired with the best quality.

What is the best part of your day?

Hearing customers tell us we are awesome...

Out of Auckland, how can you help?

We sell New Zealand-wide through Trademe and our website www.ducttape.co.nz All listings for sale are of individual devices, we take photos of each device, making it as close to being in-store, ensuring you find the right device for you! F PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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ALL YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS FREEDOM Freedom Furniture’s limited edition Christmas collection for 2015 contains all the essentials for the silly season, including a beautiful array of tableware, decorations and lust-worthy gifts you won’t want to share.

Featuring real gold accents blended with a palette of black and white, this collection has all you need to create an elegant, luxe festive look in your home.

Dinnerware, glasses and flutes flecked with gold are key pieces in the range. Timber and slate servingware both offer a striking contrast to the more luxe pieces in the collection while chalk additions to slate place-cards allow for more personalised touches to guest experiences.

Freedom has taken a contemporary, chic approach to more traditional Christmas decorations with pine wreaths, delicate glass baubles, on-trend geometric ornaments and playful bunting. The decorative range also offers items for the table setting, such as table-top trees, candle holders and metallic vases.

For the homeware-lovers on your Christmas shopping list, the Christmas collection contains many stylish pieces that can be used throughout the year. Top picks include stunning votive holders, gold spotted mugs and gorgeous mix-and-match side plates.

Inspired by Freedom’s notion of the modern Christmas (an entire festive season of entertaining and celebrating), the new collection has been designed to complement everyday entertaining pieces, meaning that the collection can be used well beyond the festive celebrations.

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Check out the collection online at www.freedomfurniture.co.nz or head into your local Newmarket, Sylvia Park, Westgate (pop-up), Wairau Park or Albany store. F PN

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Summer

entertaining made easy SUMMER 2015

Estate dining table in natural $1699 Laurent dining chair in white or black $179 each

Estate buffet & hutch in natural $2999

stylebyfreedom.co.nz Delivery fees may apply, please see in-store or online for further details. While stocks last.

Freedomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standard terms & conditions of purchase apply. See in-store for details.

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ASK AN ARCHITECT: DANIEL MARSHALL Each month architect Daniel Marshall answers readers’ property related questions.

Q: A:

We are looking at replacing our lawn areas with a synthetic lawn. I have seen lots of houses where people have done this when I go on garden tours. It looks very realistic and is so low maintenance. Do you think it is a good idea?

Thank you for your question. This is something that has started coming up quite a bit in my professional life so it is good to be able to lay out the pros and cons as I see them. Spoiler: I am not a fan.

The arguments for artificial lawns seem to be based on two key areas. The first is that it is low maintenance. Obviously you don’t have to mow it, and the kids won’t be tracking dirt into the house. The second justification, and much more tenuous in my opinion, is that the lawns are much more eco friendly than a regular grass lawn.

There is absolutely no doubt that imitation lawn is less of a maintenance issue than regular lawn. I think it is important to consider an imitation lawn as similar to a paved surface, so the maintenance is similar to a paved area. You will have to sweep and weed like a typical paved area. And dog droppings do not gracefully decompose into the surface.

In fact, some councils regard imitation lawn exactly the same as a paved area, mainly because they are often placed on hard fill, essentially crushed gravel, which limits porosity, so you may have to apply for a resource consent before you place it. So if you couple the cost of council consents with the installation and supply of the lawn, then this would cover a lot of years of intensive lawn maintenance costs. If you worry about the kids ruining the lawn, take them to the park, they can enjoy the space without breaking your neighbour’s window.

The argument for sustainability gained ground in essentially desert areas such as Los Angeles or Las Vegas, where the bizarre altered reality of green lawns in the middle of a desert required vast amounts of water to keep them alive. As with any corporate green washing it is difficult to separate truth from marketing, but in my opinion, in a climate like Auckland’s, and a certain tolerance to dry lawns in the summer, a synthetic substance, derived from petrochemicals that has to be thrown away in a few years, that inhibits the production of topsoil, is in no way environmentally-friendly, how ever you spin it.

One of the maxims of an architectural education is ‘honesty of materials’, this roughly translates, that a wooden house should look like it is made from wood, a masonry house should look solid, a tile should look like a tile, not a floorboard or a piece of stone, etc. It is interesting when people break this rule, then things start to come undone. Timber houses covered in lightweight plaster coatings, made to look like Italian pensione in a climate like Auckland is an obvious example of how this can go wrong. If you want grass, have grass.

Here is a news flash, imitation lawn doesn’t look like lawn. It looks like lawn-paper.

Remember the smell of fresh cut grass you had as a child, as you lay on the lawn looking up at the clouds, that is the nature of a lawn, vision, smell and memory. If you don’t want to maintain or water the garden, plant something that is appropriate for the local environment. Honesty to materials. (DANIEL MARSHALL) F PN DANIEL MARSHALL ARCHITECTS, 472 Karangahape Road, T: 09 354 3587, www.marshall-architect.co.nz

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DESIGN THAT’S COLOURED BY THE PATINA OF LIFE Architect Dion Gosling and his team at Studio106 find rich inspiration in the colours and character of Ponsonby - both in the urban landscape and the personalities that inhabit it.

The practice, which specialises in residential alterations and additions, celebrates the history of the local housing stock. A turn -of-the century villa or 70s townhouse can be sensitively reshaped to suit a contemporary context.

Studio106 is mindful of the nostalgia factor, producing design concepts and applications that hark back to memories of childhood. Yet keeping abreast of trends is equally important. The kitchen, for instance, has moved from a sealed-off, utilitarian zone to open-plan with an island bench for socialising. Today, that theme is pushed even further. It’s a future-proofed flexi room that might double as an office and invariably connects to the outdoors.

Raw materials honestly expressed anchor the Studio106 approach. It’s design that’s crafted but not overworked. Too many renovations produce gloss-white, empty hulls where the focus is on re-sale. At Studio106, spatial aspects are carefully considered but the marks of time - dents in wooden tables, blemishes in concrete - are viewed as the patina of life.

Dion, a former Olympic hockey player, says living in this city-fringe neighbourhood has proved a passport to expression. Walking between home and work, and playing in Auckland’s most vibrant village, is a special kind of freedom. In such a creative PN community, the ideas just keep coming. F Meet the STUDIO106 team on Ponsonby Market Day at 28A Ponsonby Road, T: 09 972 3035, www.studio106.co.nz

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Dion Gosling of Studio 106

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS COOL GIFT IDEAS @ CORSO DE’ FIORI 1. Prospector Co. Tester Vials Kit - Pass the test with this men’s grooming kit - a metal-hinged tin with four glass vials containing K.C. Atwood Aftershave Splash, Peary & Henson Aftershave Splash, Burroughs Beard Oil and Miss Annie Jones Shaving Oil. $39.90 2. Malle W. Trousseau pot stand and soap steel box - Two smart culinary inventions in one package - a pot stand with magnetic insert that sticks to any iron -content base (including casseroles, pans, etc); and a stainless steel hand ‘soap’ that removes the odour of garlic and onions. $59.90 3. Mirabello Carrara beach towel - Give your summer holiday an instant colour splash with a luxuriously soft beach towel from our Mirabello Carrara collection.

From $89.90

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CORSO DE’ FIORI The Foundation, 8 George Street, Newmarket T: 09 307 9166, www.corso.co.nz

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SLEEP GALLERY - FOR A LUXURIOUS SLEEP It is amazing what a good night’s sleep can do and how it makes such a difference to the quality of your life.

New Zealand’s first Sleep Gallery concept store has now opened in Parnell. It’s a refreshingly new space with a unique approach in the sleep category. The Sleep Gallery has a strong focus on what is truly best for the customer, taking into account the customers’ comfort and well being. The Parnell showroom has a comprehensive selection of luxury beds, mattresses and accessories all under one roof.

Sleep Gallery by Bedpost is the first of its kind in Australasia and owner/operators Narae and Adam Young both have a passion for quality customer service and have extensive experience in providing sleep solutions. They also have wider support available with a team of experienced staff with extensive industry knowledge and together they make customer satisfaction one of their top priorities.

The Sleep Gallery features exclusive products that have never been seen before in New Zealand. The focus is on quality over quantity. However, all Sleep Gallery products are still at highly competitive prices. Discover a variety of mattresses, bases and adjustable lifestyle beds from recognised quality brands such as Tempur, Sealy Crown Jewel and Beautyrest Royale.

Unique to the Sleep Gallery is a dedicated Sleep Experience Zone. This allows the customer to try mattresses in a private, relaxing environment. Kick off your shoes, and actually lie down for a rest. Take your time to choose the perfect, luxurious new mattress.

After all, it’s such a personal purchase and you want to choose the right option that suits your lifestyle.

So the next time you have bedroom furnishing needs or just want to experience what the ultimate in sleep luxury feels like, visit the Sleep Gallery at 101 The Strand, Parnell nestled between Matisse and Dawson & Co. Or feel free to contact the team, T: 09 369 1273 or email sales@sleepgallery.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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NEST HOMEWARE NOW AVAILABLE AT DAWSON & CO Renowned New Zealand brand Nest, has collaborated with Dawson & Co to bring a clever mix of old and new, rustic and contemporary homewares to the Dawson & Co Parnell showroom. This fabulous collection is filled with long-time Nest favourites of high quality glassware, white porcelain dinnerware, washed linen and cotton bedding are coupled PN with new pieces from Belgium’s Serax homeware and furniture collection. F DAWSON & CO, Parnell showroom, 115 The Strand, T: 09 476 1121, www.dawsonandco.nz

COLLECT LIVING - SUMMER GIFT IDEAS

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1. Tropical outdoor cushions: acrylic canvas great for outdoors, UV stabilised, moisture resistant: From $65 2. Summer glassware: $85 for set six, marble serving boards: From $78 3. Pure cotton round towels: 1.5m diameter and four designs available: $125

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@ collectliving.com, 44 Barry’s Point Road, Takapuna, T: 09 489 4735

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AOTEAROA-MADE ART - WHAT BETTER GIFT TO GIVE The Poi Room offers two wonderful retail destination stores in the hub of Osborne Street, Newmarket, and the hip Lot 3 development in Mackelvie Street, just off Ponsonby Road.

As well as an evolving online store, The Poi Room is continuing to grow and is now Aotearoa’s go-to place for New Zealand-made art objects, artisan jewellery and contemporary wall art. The work for sale is expertly curated to showcase the best of New Zealand. Authentic Maori taonga, premium corporate giftware, and a comprehensive body of unique products are on offer.

The owners of The Poi Room, Melanie-Jane and Clayton Smith have been in business for eight years and live and breathe the New Zealand story. Melanie-Jane (Ngati Porou), Creative Director, is extremely passionate about contemporary Maori works, outstanding art objects, and treating oneself to works that have that ‘heart flutter’ moment. Clayton,

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Financial Director, is the other half of The Poi Room equation and controls, amongst many other things, the project management and ‘figures’ sector for this dynamic duo.

Optimum customer service and ongoing satisfaction are the focus of The Poi Room in-store staff. Relationships are number one for the team, and fulfilling the customer’s needs and wants are skills embodied by the team. So, for that wonderful gift made in this fabulous PN country, for a special occasion, (or just because), take yourself to The Poi Room. F THE POI ROOM, Shop 10, Lot 3, 130 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 4364 www.thepoiroom.co.nz

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MISS LOLO OPENS HER FIRST FLAGSHIP STORE New Zealand designed and manufactured furniture brand Miss Lolo is finally about to open her very first flagship store located in Herne Bay. Something her 32,000 Facebook fans have been waiting for!

Quickly becoming a homeware brand to be reckoned with, the young New Zealand company is taking large strides to cement Miss Lolo as a formidable design force in the interiors market.

The store will feature the Sugarplums and Sherbet range that has seen significant media coverage over the past weeks since its launch, plus the store will showcase the new collection entitled Smartie Pants. The opening coincides with the brands expansion into homewares products including throws, brass tableware, cushions, side tables and candles.

The following months will see this side of the company grow significantly.

The newly appointed showroom manager joins the Miss Lolo family from the always provocative and fashion forward Vivienne Westwood store in the United Kingdom. Her design nous paired with significant retail management experience makes her the perfect person to take Miss Lolo through to its next lofty level.

Miss Lolo's business partner and New Zealand manufacturer Keenan Interiors will take residence in the rear of the retail space with a designer kitchen showroom complete with a full-time interior designer to assist with all design queries. The two companies continue to grow together, complementing each other the entire way with the new retail space being no exception. F PN www.misslolo.co.nz

Bridgette Jackson & Tamzyn Adding

The Clementine and the Delphine are all available at Miss Lolo, Herne Bay

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UP FOR SOME TENNIS, SQUASH OR RACKETBALL? In 2016 the Herne Bay Ponsonby Rackets Club (HBPRC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary.

Back in 1996 the old Ponsonby Squash Club in Sheehan Street merged with the Herne Bay Tennis Club at the top of West End Road, and a new clubhouse was built with squash courts over the existing lower asphalt tennis courts.

Since then the club has hosted many indoor and outdoor events and is a popular sporting venue within the local community.

When it comes to burning calories there is no better workout than squash! Plus, you never have to worry about the weather. HBPRC has four of the very best glass-backed squash courts in Auckland, and two of these are bookable anytime with the online squash court booking system. A friendly club night is run on Thursday evenings from 7pm and professional coaching can be arranged with our established squash coach Mike Weston. Inter-club is a great way to meet new people and visit other clubs around Auckland, and these team events generally run from March - October each year. Junior club night is run on Fridays from 4pm - 6pm throughout the year, drop the kids off and pop up to the bar for a drink!

HBPRC also now has a growing bunch of racketball regulars. Played on the squash court with a slightly larger racket and bouncier ball, racketball is a great fitness workout and a little easier on the body than squash. 2015 saw HBPRC host the inaugural NZ Racketball Championships with players travelling from as far away as Taupo to compete. Rackets and balls are available from the club office if you wanted to try out this fun sport.

The club also has a gym tucked away behind the squash courts. It is open seven days a week and Martin can help you put the ‘zing’ into your fitness programme.

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And for any budding Roger Federer out there, on a hot sunny day there’s nothing quite like a game of tennis at HBPRC. Dig out that old towelling headband, pop on your Wimbledon whites and jump onto one of the four AstroTurf tennis courts playable all year round.

When you’re done, you can sit back and enjoy a nice cool drink on the north-facing deck overlooking the courts. Our entertaining tennis professional David Mustard is well known amongst New Zealand tennis circles, and he can offer you top-level private or group coaching at times to suit. David runs tennis club night from 6pm on a Thursday and club day from 1pm on a Sunday. A number of competitive and social tournaments are run throughout the year that are always great fun to enter. David also runs the club ‘Pro Shop’ where rackets, shoes, clothing, balls and grips are available to purchase along with a restringing service for all types of racket.

The club bar and venue facilities are a fantastic place to host your next corporate event.

With room for some 120 people, it’s a great place for team-building exercises or simply to come and socialise with your crew in a fresh environment. Take them out onto the courts or complete a team challenge on the table tennis table! Our bar prices are very reasonable with a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available, we even stock coconut water. Kitchen facilities can be used on request or simply fire up the club barbecue on the deck outside.

Herne Bay Ponsonby Rackets Club is a great place to exercise or socialise. There is something for everyone. So call the club now to take advantage of the pre Christmas special. See you there! (SCOTT KITTELTY) HBPRC Club President F PN

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GREAT CAPITAL GAINS MADE...

OVER THE LAST 15,000 YEARS AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT, I’M ACUTELY AWARE OF THE importance of capital gains to a buoyant economy (and, just quietly, I’m pretty good at getting them for my clients, but that’s a story for another day!)

Today I want to talk history. How did real estate ownership come about? As a keen historian with a BA (Hons) from the University of Google, I feel well placed to comment - as soon as my browser refreshes.

Around 15,000 years ago, nomadic tribes of savages roamed the earth (looking at recent violent world events, some of us haven’t come very far). These hunter gatherers decided to ditch the Paleo diet and grow starchy carbohydrates for easy access to energy - since a chubby, well-fed army could easily defend their crops from tired, kettle-bell wielding, Cross-Fit types. Tribal leaders would divvy up the land between their underlings, taking payment in return. Enter the first landlords.

As tribes grew into villages and eventually cities, the leaders passed ownership on to their privileged offspring, creating the aristocracy and royal families. They looked after their mates with a title or two, which created the upper classes, leading to class wars and the beheading of more than a few noblemen. Some form of meritocracy inevitably developed, which led to politics - and then came the industrial revolution, which basically saw home ownership go mainstream, as banks opened mortgages up to the common people (provided they could show they didn’t need one).

And now we Aucklanders sit at cafes, leafing through the property section - hopefully stopping at my listings - happily munching away on a piece of wholegrain toast. I think to myself: “Who says history never repeats?” (MATT O’BRIEN, BARFOOT & THOMPSON)

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Ben Connor and Sekai Walls, WoodenSpoons plywood Christmas decorations Bill and Sekai have both completed a Masters of Architecture (that is where they met) and now both work for architecture companies in Auckland central.

Studying architecture both in Auckland and in Florence, Italy the pair has a love of design and a passion for its creation.

They say, “Our designs have always been very hands-on, as we enjoy the process from the initial sketch to constructing the final product. This leds us to develop our range of Christmas plywood decorations. We saw a need for something sustainable that could be flat packed away until next Christmas. Using our design and knowledge from architecture, we created the trees and reindeers.

Where do you live?

Where everyone wishes they lived. We think we have the best location in Ponsonby - Brown Street. It is so central to everything!

How do you keep fit?

Living in Ponsonby and working in the city means we can both walk to work, to cafes, and restaurants. We also attend early morning fitness classes in the Domain, and love to make the most of being outdoors.

Where do you spend your summer holidays?

We are recently engaged and getting married next year so are planning an exotic honeymoon but can’t say where. This summer we will be enjoying a cheap and cheerful break up north at our family’s bach.

Your friends would say of you...

Our friends would probably say that we are crazy as we are always thinking of new ideas and keeping busy (too busy).

Your mother would say of you...

Ben: She would say I am ambitious but often not listening as other thoughts easily distract me.

Sekai: My mum would say my name is African and means most loved/favourite child, which pretty much sums up her description of me. Disclaimer - ‘Sekai’ actually means laughter.

What are your vices and virtues?

It probably doesn’t help that we have similar personality traits; one that we are constantly teased about is our indecisiveness. However it has led us to well rounded and refined design decisions... eventually.

Who’s your favourite in the music scene currently?

We really like Maala - a local, very talented musician who we have seen play at various venues on K’ Road.

If you weren’t architects you’d be..?

It would have to be something that incorporated our love of design and creativity, maybe something entrepreneurial that also allowed us to be flexible with our work and keep fit.

Favourite Ponsonby cafe?

Il Forno - those pastries!

Favourite Ponsonby restaurant?

The Blue Breeze Inn. Favourite Ponsonby store?

We really like the newly opened store, The Poi Room. We love looking at all the clever designs showcased.

Favourite Ponsonby fashion label (if different from store)?

Ruby.

Your favourite building in Ponsonby?

Ben: The old fire station at Three Lamps.

Sekai: Ponsonby Central and the way the new and old architectural languages are mixed together.

Your desert island distraction?

TV show: Modern Family for a laugh.

The house is on fire and your family is safe - what do you save?

Ben: my sketchbook.

Sekai: my cute dog.

“I’d be lost without my...”

“Partner in design... and all other things.”

One thing you have learned about life is...

To be inspired and to aspire, and to not fret the small things in life.

Your advice to Ponsonby Christmas decoration shoppers?

Be willing to try something a bit different this year and look outside the box. There are many great designers of contemporary Christmas decorations that can bring a new dimension to your Christmas décor this year. Lastly, have fun with it and have a Merry Christmas! F PN WOODENSPOONS www.woodenspoons.co.nz

Something not everyone knows about us: Our day starts at 5.30am most mornings and we do not have the ability to sleep in on the weekends. We also love venturing to the Avondale and Otara markets to source fresh produce.

What’s your secret talent?

Ben: Sekai’s secret talent would be disguising the missing chocolate from the fridge.

Sekai: Ben’s secret talent is dancing when no one is around (though I wouldn’t say it’s a talent).

What’s your perfect Sunday?

Going for a long walk around the Ponsonby/Grey Lynn area and stopping off for a coffee at one of the local cafes.

How did you come to be an architect?

Sekai: When I was a child I used to make houses out of fresh cut grass clippings so you could say I was the first green architect.

Ben: My mother pushed me into it because she enjoys watching house programmes on TV and needed an architect in the family. This turned out to be a good push in the right direction.

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING @ PONSONBY CENTRAL Space Invaders Exhibition, 18 - 30 January

Metal recycle Artist Andrew Palace combines a love of science fiction with a fertile imagination to come up with an ever expanding fleet of alien spacecraft. Each one of his lamps is different and unique, some leaning towards Star Wars-type craft, others Jules Verne and steampunk. The lamps are predominately lit with 12 volt LEDs although 240 volt incandescent lights are are used in some of the earlier works on display.

Within the last 25 years Andrew has held over 20 exhibitions of his lamps and they have evolved from early organic-shaped plant like forms through to more contemporary yet off the wall designs always defined by the use of unusual discarded brass and copper scrap metals and blown and retro glass. Andrew says that over time he has leaned more and towards sci-fi themes as the world of spacecraft has no limits and is bound only by the imagination, the possibilities are endless.

A TOI ORA GALLERY PRE CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION First Choice Opening and Art Market 2 December from 5pm

Enjoy live music and refreshments. A great opportunity to acquire affordable unique artworks from local artists, featuring limited print editions made in the Toi Ora studio.

TOI ORA GALLERY, 6 Putiki Street, T: 09 360 4171, www.toiora.org.nz

Andrew works out of his studio in Grey Lynn, Metal as Anything, where he has been in residence for 23 years in the carpark behind Kokako cafe. After an absence of two years, Alien spaceships are again returning to Ponsonby Central. The invasion force of upwards of 30 spaceship lamps will arrive on 18 January in the shop to the right of the entrance on Ponsonby Road, next to Blue Breeze Inn. This extensive collection will be on display between the hours of 10am till 11pm for the two week duration of the exhibition closing on 30 January. F PN www.gallery.me.com/metal.as.anything

SOCIAL CIRCUS WORK WITH VULNERABLE YOUTH Cirque du Soleil brings their show Quidam to Auckland and are performing two benefit events for Auckland’s Community Circus ‘Circability’ on 10 and 11 February 2016.

Tickets purchased through the Circability website are the same price as normal tickets but 100% of the proceeds support Circability’s social circus work with vulnerable youth and families. This is a tremendous gift for the local circus group and tickets make wonderful Christmas presents for your family. The link for purchasing tickets through Circability is www.ticketmaster.co.nz/promo/kkpvod Circability are based in Victoria Park in the former Campbell Free Kindergarten which they share with Toi Ora Live Art Trust www.toiora.org.nz and Hohepa Auckland www.hohepa.com More information and links can be found on the Circability website www.communitycircus.co.nz F PN

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ARTS + CULTURE COLLECTORS’ SHOW 2015 @ OREXART 5 - 23 December Opening: 5 December 12 noon - 4pm

All you need is a keen interest and appreciation of fine art and/or a desire to collect because OREXART are putting together a show of selected works as a final exhibition for 2015. The gallery presents ‘directors’ choice’, works that represent some of the picks of 2015 and a selection of pieces the directors firmly believe represent the artists at their best. In doing so, the gallery’s mission remains to build the careers of its established artists and encourage the development of emerging artists.

The show will feature local artists Richard Adams, Kathy Barber, Matthew Browne, Dean Tercel, Richard McWhannell and Evan Woodruffe. Also, artists based in Dunedin, and trans-Tasman in Melbourne and Sydney. As varied as they are, the artists represented in the Collectors’ Show 2015 share the common thread of painting. Distinctions on this theme are in Evelyn Dunstan’s cast glass work and Matthew Browne’s sculpture.

Linn Lorkin and Hershal Herscher

WHEN SINATRA WAS A RED! Before One Direction, before the Rolling Stones, before even Elvis - there was Frank Sinatra, the first pop superstar. No one sang like Frank.

In the 1940s, hip dolls fainted and swooned at his concerts. Hip guys copied his looks.

Even Donald Duck dressed like Frank! Today he’s remembered as an entertainer who sided with Republican politicians like Nixon and Reagan, hung out with mobsters and swaggered about Las Vegas with his cronies singing, “I did it my way...”

Evan Woodruffe - 13 June

But there was another side to Sinatra, an early, radical Frank. He emerged from a political and historical context - the great flood of poverty-stricken European immigrants washed up on the shores of America at the end of the 19th Century, the catastrophic economic depression that followed in the 1930s, then a world war meant to establish a peace worth fighting for.

At the height of his popularity in the 1940s, Sinatra was branded a Red, a commo - ol’ pinko eyes. He was one of the first major stars of the era to stand shoulder to shoulder with the poor and the oppressed.

While Bing Crosby was crooning to a Republican tune, Sinatra was backing Roosevelt’s New Deal of state-funded work schemes and nationalised industries.

Asked by a reporter in 1946 what he considered the biggest problem America faced in its post-war world he replied, “Poverty... Every kid in the world should have his quart of milk a day.”

Matthew Browne - Noumena 15 Please contact rex@orexart.co.nz for details.

OREXART, 15 Putiki Street, Arch Hill, T: 09 378 0588, www.orexart.co.nz

The great band leader Duke Ellington remembered Sinatra in the 1940s as being the leader of the campaign against race hatred.

All of this, and all Sinatra’s great songs, will be remembered at Bloomsday Production’s December show at the Thirsty Dog on 12 December - the very day Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, 100 years ago.

A century later to the day, Linn Lorkin & Friends will be celebrating Sinatra with some of his work. ‘You Make Me Feel So Young’ ... ‘Old Devil Moon’ ... ‘One For My Baby, And One More For The Road’ ... and the Popular Front, the United Auto Workers’ sit-down strike in Michigan, the Westfield Freezing Workers’ stay-in strike in south Auckland.

Frank Sinatra, born 12 December, 1915, nine-time Grammy winner, died in 1998 at the age of 82, remembered by Linn Lorkin & Friends, at the Thirsty Dog, K’Road, Saturday PN night 12 December at 8pm. F The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

Your summer music guide!

Summer is here. It’s time I outlined the concerts and events that you can find happening over the summer, in Ponsonby, wider Auckland and out of the city. Whether you are staying in town for the holiday season or making your way out to New Year’s festivals or summer beach locations, there is plenty to do.

We’ll start with the local stops in Ponsonby, all of which are sure to be busy and full of music in December especially. If you are just looking for a bar to pop into and hear some live music while having a drink, then there are a few that have music most nights of the week or sessions worth checking out. Grand Central is your party destination in Ponsonby, right on the main strip, with live bands most nights.

Across December and January you can see the Hipstamatics perform their up tempo soul and funk act on Wednesdays, 9 and 23 December and 6 and 20 January. The seductive Quantum Blue play a mixture of R&B, soul and jazz on the other Wednesdays in December and January. On Thursdays there are further alternating acts, including a Celtic power duo! Fridays and Saturdays feature a rotating cast of tremendous bands, including Albi and the Wolves, Strangely Arousing, Motown and Gold and Double D. If you have a free night and are not sure what to do, you had better get down to Grand Central.

Further down the road, Golden Dawn is your stop if you want to hear some of the hottest alternative bands in town, featuring a stellar selection of beer and food, to accompany some bands both well-known and lesser-known.

A little further afield is Portland Public House in Kingsland.

They have just reinstated their Wednesday night jam session where all musicians are welcome to bring an instrument and get amongst the music. This is a great opportunity to test your new ideas and, especially if you are someone who hasn’t written your own songs, go along and play a solo with someone else or jump in a makeshift band for the night.

Along the main strip is one of my personal favourites, One2One cafe, home to an open mic night, a Jam Nite and a jazz night, these will all run through until Christmas before taking a break for January and returning with the jazz night on 30 January. They are very excited to be hosting the blues crooner Ray Wolfe with Julie Mason on 12 and 13 December. This is sure to be exceptionally popular and despite running two nights, it will fill up so if you are interested get in touch with One2One. One of the most exciting music spaces to pop up this year has been Freida Margolis in the West Lynn shops. Hosting music on the first Sunday of each month, with a few bonus gigs every now and again, the first Sunday of December will be the last concert of the year, and features the return of a crowd favourite. Wellington alt -country stunners, Eb & Sparrow are returning to celebrate their brand new album being released on vinyl. They performed a sellout show at Freida’s a few months ago and are delighted to be stopping back in Auckland. The show will sell out, and with only 45 seats available I strongly recommend you check it out, tickets may still be available from www.undertheradar.co.nz.

Western Springs Stadium plays host to AC/DC on Tuesday 15 December. I must say, as someone who no longer listens to the old rockers, I remember their last show at Western Springs very fondly. It was, and still is, one of the loudest, most exciting and rocking nights I’ve had at a gig.

New Year’s Eve is one of the most troublesome nights of the year in some ways, it requires months of planning for some people, and for many it never lives up to all that work. Obviously, if you are going out of Auckland there are many options for music

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festivals, with most areas hosting bands, or a giant party. For those staying in Auckland though, don’t despair, most bars have a party. I’m here to highlight my pick of the bunch - The High Rollers Extravaganza New Year’s Eve: 95bFM’s Border Radio host Bernie Griffen has put together a stunning lineup for a late night party at the Kings Arms Tavern. Featuring his own band Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men, plus many other local acts, the music kicks off at 8.30 and will finish whenever! Tickets can be found at www.undertheradar.co.nz, and if you’re in Auckland then this is the place to be.

Now, I must mention all the stunning festivals that are happening over January and February in Auckland.

First up is the Echo Festival (previously known as the McLaren Falls Festival), being held at Vector Arena on 11 and 12 January. This features an absolutely amazing lineup of international and local artists, with many of my personal favourite folkies and country stars gracing the stage.

Laneway Festival returns to Wynyard Quarter on 1 February.

As always, Laneway features a lineup of artists you’ve heard of and many you’ve never heard of.

It’s always a blindingly hot day with amazing food, good company and the best alternative and electronic music from around the globe. If you’ve never been then perhaps it’s time to remedy that!

My pick of the festivals, unsurprisingly if you know my tastes, is the Auckland Folk Festival over Waitangi weekend, 6 - 8 February. This is three days of folk music, jamming, camping and relaxing at the Kumeu Showgrounds. There’s an exciting lineup of local and international folk royalty, including more to be announced across December. It’s going to be one of the most exciting Auckland Folk Festivals yet, with more going on than ever before.

Finally, throughout January and the rest of the summer, the Auckland Council will be presenting Music in the Parks as they do every year! January offers up some lovely jazz and swing at the Auckland Domain Band Rotunda. Every Sunday starting on 10 January from 1pm until 4pm, you can have a picnic and settle into an afternoon of music. Jac and Trudy Lile take the stage 10 January, followed by Epitome and Kevin Fields and the A List on 17 January. June Hayes Set and Jonathan Besser & the Jazz Zestniks take over on 24 January before Mira Lacey and Twistin’ the Swing close out on 31 January.

February and March have some exciting events offered by Music in the Parks in our very own Ponsonby parks but you’ll have to wait until the February issue of Ponsonby News to find out more about those!

Have a lovely summer, and I hope you get out to as much music as you can. Don’t forget to check out the local bars and cafes wherever you are and see what they’ve got on offer.

The summer season is the perfect time to stretch those dancing muscles and check out PN music you’ve missed the rest of the year! (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F Finn McLennan-Elliott has a Bachelor of Science Honours degree specialising in human geography at Auckland University. In his spare time, Finn plays clarinet and guitar in an orchestra and a folk music group. He is hosting ‘Folk at the Old Folks’ on the first Sunday of every month at the Auckland Old Folks Association Hall, an intimate afternoon concert of folk music.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

SHOWING @ COLLECT Julie Ross

Christchurch artist Julie Ross presents her playful ceramic ‘Dog Boxes’, guaranteed to get you out of the dog box. Julie Ross graduated from Canterbury University in 2011 with a Masters in painting and in 2005 with a BFA Honours. She works in variety of mediums including bronze, ceramics, paint and printmaking. F PN COLLECT, 12 Crummer Road, T: 09 361 6331, www.collect.net.nz

ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING @ WHITESPACE Jim Cooper Until 24 December

“When I was a child, I spent hours on a rag rug in front of Mrs Carruther’s coal range while she shared the News of the World and family with my mother. Voices drifted into and over the sounds of cups and saucers, knitting needles and the combination hiss of the Orion and a cast iron kettle, the rug in muted flour sacks and faded cotton prints made a perfect interactive mandala for tiny fingers. So, years later in Taipei with my past appearing much larger than my future it seemed obvious to join my historic dots."

The work resulting from this epiphany saw Cooper shift from his much loved ceramics, which have won him critical acclaim, to working with textiles. He now loves working with fabric as much as he enjoys working with clay. “I really enjoy materials that are generous, and fabric is really generous, it’s soft and it’s colourful, it really gives a lot. People come over and I say ‘feel this’: I get a wee bit of a thrill, I get a wee bit excited. Clay is the same - sometimes you open a bag of clay and think ‘oh too soft’ and other times you open it and think ‘this is so right’. I think ceramics are very generous too - clay is very tactile, it holds every mark - and it’s the same with these [new artworks].”

Jim's December show at Whitespace is a kaleidoscope of technicolored images featuring Jimi Hendrix, grinning dogs, lyrics and quotes from Timothy Leary’s book, ‘The Guide to the Psychedelic Experience’ and the 'Tibet book of the dead and dying’ and so much more. Each artwork is named, often after songs from bands he loves, such as the Rolling Stones, Cream, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles.

Cilla 96mm tall

In 2009, Jim Cooper was the joint winner of the prestigious Portage Ceramic Award. In 2014 he was one of three artists invited to complete a residency at the heralded Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taiwan with the resultant work a highlight of the 2010 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale. He lives and works in Dunedin. F PN WHITESPACE, 12 Crummer Road, T: 09 361 6331, www.whitespace.co.nz

Flirt 240mm tall

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Jim Cooper - textile on board

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT DEPOT ARTSPACE Fraser Toulmin - Photo Exhibition 16 January - 3 February

Fraser is an avid traveller and citizen in a world without boundaries. A self-taught photographer and artist, he enjoys capturing what he encounters ‘on the road’.

Photographs allow him to share with others, long after the moment has passed.

Naturally inquisitive, he enjoys pursuing the obscure and often unseen. Fraser is seldom looking for a glossy magazine cover, instead enjoying basic, raw and vibrant creations.

Spending a month in Cuba at the beginning of 2015, Fraser endeavoured to capture the heart and soul of Cuba while it remained 'intact'.

Cold War relations between Cuba and the United States have thawed dramatically in the last six months, most notably with the restoration of diplomatic ties (severed in 1961).

This is expected to forever change the face of the reclusive Communist State, once led by outspoken military dictator, Fidel Castro.

As sanctions are relaxed it is anticipated that an increased freedom of movement for tourists and citizens will follow. Much needed foreign goods will flow into a country that has largely escaped the ‘Consumerist Revolution’.

The United States is the world’s largest economy, with a strong materialistic culture. As one of Cuba’s closest neighbours, this will undoubtedly be a source of great change.

These photos capture a country shielded in a rustically beautiful time warp that has to be seen-to-be-believed. F PN DEPOT ARTSPACE, 8 Clarence Street, Devonport, www.depotartspace.co.nz

THE FRAME WORKSHOP’S ARTIST OF THE MONTH, EMA FROST Be in the December draw to win the print Raupo Kotare-Kingfisher

by Ema Frost.

Ema Frost is an Auckland-based graphic artist, illustrator and ceramic designer. Inspired by the legends and mythologies of Maori and Japanese folklore, the muse of her imagination since she was a young girl, she marries the two cultures with harmonious cohesion giving her work its signature dreamlike style.

The enchanting creatures that feature in her images do not exist on the page alone. They are multi-dimensional characters that live in a world of harmony and balance. Each character has their own genealogy and set of charmed characteristics making them unique to the world they live in.

Ema has received several awards and has had solo and group exhibitions throughout New Zealand.

A selection of her work is currently on show at The Frame Workshop & Gallery.

Ema has been invited to be an artist in residence in Udaipur, India and heads off in December. She will spend two months there experimenting with different textiles and colours all the while inviting new characters to join her enchanted body of work. F PN THE FRAME WORKSHOP & GALLERY, 182 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 4749 and 49 Neilson Street, Onehunga, T: 09 633 0218, E: frameworkshop@xtra.co.nz

Cuba - Intact. Revolutionary Hero

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ARTS + CULTURE STUDIO ART SUPPLIES - AN ART INSTITUTION SINCE 1974 Making art is good for you: it trains your eye and hand, exercises your brain and your heart.

It’s a peaceful meditation and a passionate outpouring; it can be a personal time, and it can engage with culture in fundamental way.

You can take it anywhere you like.

Studio Art Supplies is run by artists for artists: whether you’re the maestro or happily recreational, they look after you with materials, advice, and sharp prices. If you’re bewildered by the huge range of artists’ materials, their professional staff are here to help. Everywhere, there are plenty of examples of art making in-store to take inspiration from too. They have a fantastic visual resource collection, including handmade colour charts showing you mixing possibilities, and unusual drawing and painting surfaces.

Studio Art supplies is famous for their Custom Stretched Canvas. You can choose the exact size you require (from 100mm - 4000mm), the fabric, the surface, and the format, which determines where the folds are placed. Dean Tercel is their chief canvas craftsman, a perfectionist who has turned out more than 25,000 tailor-made canvases - each one special!

At this time of year, their promotion focuses on gifts such as drawing and painting sets, journals, colouring books and the like; it also concentrates on people who are taking a well-earned break and looking to make some art, so includes their wide range of PN easels, brushes, and their popular Expression Canvas range is less than half price. F STUDIO ART SUPPLIES, 35 Crummer Road, T: 09 360 1238, www.studioart.co.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE HAVE FUN COLOURING-IN THIS CHRISTMAS The French Art Shop in Morningside is only a hop, skip and a jump away and there you will find an array of Christmas gift ideas for the artistically inclined.

Colouring-in is the perfect creative leisure activity to do during the Christmas holiday period. The French Art Shop has a wonderful range of colouring books for adults and everything you need to colour-in with!

2

1

1. Pepin colouring books $39.89 2. Derwent Coloursoft pencils $2.60 each or as a set 3. Zig Clean colour pens $7.50 each 3

THE FRENCH ART SHOP, 16 Taylors Road, Morningside, T: 09 849 9099

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

YOUNG SONGWRITER WINS AN AWARD Mercy Williams parents tell her she had a propensity for words at a very young age and as she grew older reading became her favourite pastime.

She also likes to strum on her guitar composing music and putting words to the tune at the same time so it becomes an exploration of what she wants to get across. Her favourite theme is about taking control of one’s self, facing life’s struggles and not letting anyone else shape you. When the 15 year old found out about the Play it Strange competition she decided to give it a go. She entered it last year with a song called ‘The Calling’ but it was not part of the CD section.The Play it Strange is a trust that was set up in 2004 by Michael Chunn who was a member of Split Enz and who also formed Citizen Band with his brother Geoff. He still heads the trust which teaches songwriting to school children and is supported by the Lion Foundation.

When Mercy entered Western Springs College she undertook some singing training receiving encouragement and support from her music teacher, Margaret Robertson who must have seen potential in her pupil. Mercy’s mother works at AUT and her father at UNITEC so the importance of study has been instilled in Mercy and her older brother who plays the violin and viola. Their parents decided they should learn Maori as soon as they started school so they are bi-lingual and when Mercy sang live at the Museum as part of the second world war celebrations the song was in both languages.

ARTS + CULTURE VARIETY IS THE SOUL OF PLEASURE Garnet Station is thrilled to have theatrewhack back in the Tiny Theatre and the revamped garden to end the year with a fun and frivolous night of Restoration mayhem.

10-12 and 16-19 December: The Rover by Aphra Behn, adapted by Nathan Joe, directed

by Patrick Graham, presented by theatrewhack. 8pm, $25/ $20 concession.

Theatrewhack continues making classics accessible to a modern audience with this abridged version of The Rover that maintains the Restoration spirit of the original. It was recently listed by leading critic Michael Billington as one of the 101 greatest plays of all time.

It’s a simple premise: two young sisters, Florinda and Hellena, decide to run off and look for fun during the carnival season. This is in the face of their domineering brother’s disapproval, and the fact that he’s arranged for the former to be married and the latter to become a nun.

Aphra Behn (1640-1689) is considered to be England’s first female playwright and her intelligent observations of sexual politics stand the test of time. Watch out for cross gender casting, intentionally bad accents, water fights and folk songs. The Rover features Andrew Parker, Michaela Spratt, Prema Cottingham, Courtney Eggleton, James Cromptom, Mark Oughton, and Rachael Longshaw-Park.

Book in for your pre-show dinner. F PN

To enter the competition Mercy had to record her song ‘Embrace the Day’ at home and send it into the judges. When the glad tidings of her win arrived she was almost overwhelmed with excitement and ran to Margaret in the music room crying “look at this”. Her reward was a $500 Rock Shop voucher and a free recording session at a studio of her choice, which will be Roundhead Studios in Newton. At the award ceremony which was held mid November above the Rockshop in K’Road Mercy performed her song to a live audience. It will also be included on the annual Play It Strange CD. It must be mentioned that Western Springs College has a rich history of musical talent which includes Lorde’s producer Joel Little, the Hip Hop group Nesian Mystik and Che Fu, a founding member of Supergroove.

So where does Mercy find her groundswell of inspiration? She says it’s mostly from reading young adult novels such as works by John Green and listening to New Zealand singer songwriters she loves such as Marlon Williams, Jamie McDell and, of course, Lorde. Swimming is another favourite pastime because it slows everything down and clears her mind. She has two more years at school and will study maths, English, Te Reo, history, classics and music. Kapa Haka has been part of her schooling which has a lot of song-based learning. It’s been valuable to Mercy because it requires big sounds and forces individuals to extend their voices into those big ranges. There’s no microphone so Mercy through Kapa Haka has discovered other qualities in her voice and is working on those. She now has that big sound but is also concentrating on the falsetto sound and low range tones that are not part of Kapa Haka.

Mercy says her music is written as a journey - a journey that is is bound to take her to PN great heights. (DEIRDRE ROELANTS) F

“All women together ought to let, flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn... for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.” - Virginia Woolf GARNET STATION TINY THEATRE, 85 Garnet Road, T: 09 360 3397

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ARTS + CULTURE

UPTOWN ART SCENE Imogen Taylor has lodged herself bodily into Artspace.

Her show Body Language sits in the gallery like a squatter, occupying the walls, the floor and the air. The paintings are suspended from the ceiling by ropes, two large and two smaller parallelograms, their pointy angles jutting into the space like elbows. They are physically substantial, the thick stretcher frames left visible, the heavy jute fabric lain in double layers, itself imbued with New Zealand paint history - Fomison and McCahon - and the paint skin seems stretched across the rough material in a dense epidermis of pungent colour. The images themselves are born from the body of art history, with vaguely recognisable features from Michael Illingworth and back further to Sonia Delaunay.

Below the hanging paintings a cantilevered floor has been constructed; its semi-circular, convex shape resembles a pink belly, and it seems both an arena

Imogen Taylor, Body Language installation, November 2015

and an unsteady platform for getting up-close and personal with the pictures.

On it lays a pile of zines, full of fractured autobiographical vignettes leading up to the show. An artist’s life is not glamorous, but this one has more than enough laughs to make it fun.

Along a wall are pinned a mass of drawings and collages, snippets of painty experimentation, satirical observation and some disarming tenderness. These are perhaps the darkly playful conversations that spiral through the artist’s mind as she builds the canvas paintings, a necessary humorous foil to the concerted task of making such palpable artworks.

PN (WILL PAYNT STUDIO ARTS SUPPLIES) F

Imogen Taylor, Beast With Two Backs, 1900 x 2300mm

M. R. NORMAN FINE & DECORATIVE ARTS ART ASSOCIATES

Objets d’art including Fabergé, Until 23 December

With a vast collection of contemporary artworks, we make the process of leasing or purchasing art easy and accessible. Contact us to find out more.

37 Scanlan Street, Ponsonby T: 09 376 4308 www.artassociates.co.nz

Ponsonby’s newest gallery provides tempting fare: M. R. Norman Fine & Decorative Arts opened on 24 November with an exhibition of exquisite objets d’art, including two fine works by the renowned Russian jeweller Fabergé.

Shop 3, 14 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 5727 www.mrnorman.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

OUT + ABOUT

L to R: Mike, Max and Jimmy Sutton; Gill Faulkner and Marilynna Burton; Megumi Ogawa and Moe Ogawa

Patrick McAteer, Scott Morris and Mike Broadbent, William McAteer

photography: Gwynne Davenport

L to R: Grace De Souza; Trick or treat on Ardmore Road; Liz Barber, Paul and Jetson Smith, Koria Culpan, Ben Blake Howling, Temauri Sumich and Levi de Luen, Mia Barber-Smith

L to R: Philip and Donna Smith, Horse, Mackenzie and Catherine Smith, and Ruby Dallimore; Darth Vader; Daniel, Ben and Clare Grove and Marlene Turner

HALLOWEEN ON ARDMORE ROAD - SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2015 Halloween fun, tricks and treats on Ardmore Road.

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING @ M. R. NORMAN FINE & DECORATIVE ARTS Objets d’art including Fabergé Until 23 December

For collectors of the finest things in life, Ponsonby’s newest gallery provides tempting fare: M. R. Norman Fine & Decorative Arts opened its doors on 24 November with an exhibition of exquisite objets d’art, including two fine works by the renowned Russian jeweller Fabergé.

Five carefully selected examples of the goldsmith’s art comprise this elegant exhibition.

Fabergé is represented by a cigarette case in distinctive Karelian birch and a silver cigar case - each set with a ruby thumb piece. Two 18th-Century Continental European snuffboxes in jasper and agate with gold mounts add colour to the display, and an intricately fashioned box with the mark of the French goldsmith Nicolas Marguerit (active 1763-90) completes the selection.

L to R: An oblong French vari-colour gold box (possibly a toothpick case). Mark of Nicolas Marguerit (active 1763-90). Paris hallmark for 1778/9; A Continental European cartouche-shaped gold-mounted box of carved translucent red jasper.

Unmarked. Circa 1800.

New Zealand’s only dealer gallery dedicated to historic international art, M. R. Norman exhibits a wide range of objects distinguished by their beauty and craftsmanship. The current exhibition will be followed in January by Old Master drawings of the 17th and 18th Centuries; while in February 2016 the gallery will host a remarkable example of Ming-Dynasty porcelain set in a spectacular Rococo revival mount from 1878.

Located at the intersection of Jervois Road and Redmond Street, M. R. Norman is directed

by Mathew Norman, a New Zealand-born art historian with professional experience of art museums in New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Internationally published and widely travelled, Norman is committed to exhibiting only the finest objects for the benefit of both new and established collectors. F PN M. R. NORMAN FINE & DECORATIVE ARTS, Shop 3, 14 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 5727, info@mrnorman.co.nz www.mrnorman.co.nz

A Continental European rose gold-mounted box of dendritic agate panels with chased gold frames. Unmarked. Circa 1765.

PONSONBY NEWS OUTLETS FREEMANS BAY

NEWMARKET

Ecostore, 1 Scotland Street Glengarry, Corner Sale and Wellesley Streets Kellands Real Estate, 4 Drake Street New World, Victoria Park

NORTH SHORE

GREY LYNN 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 Tapac, 100 Motions Road Vetcare, 408 Great North Road

Planet Ayurveda, 41 Gillies Avenue Taylor Boutique, 1 Teed Street

Rug Direct, Wairau Park Dawson’s Furniture, Mairangi Bay

PARNELL Jane Daniels, 2 Birdwood Crescent Parnell Community Centre, 545 Parnell Road

PONSONBY

Atomic, 420c New North Road

Askew, 2b Jervois Road Bayleys, 305 Ponsonby Road Harcourts, 89 Ponsonby Road Leys Institute, 20 St Mary’s Road The Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road Mag Nation, 123 Ponsonby Road Paper Plus, 332 Ponsonby Road Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace Servilles, Corner Jervois & Ponsonby Road Studio One, 1 Ponsonby Road Whitespace, 12 Crummer Road

MT EDEN

WESTMERE

HERNE BAY Herne Bay Post & Stationers, 240 Jervois Road Five Loaves, 206 Jervois Road Icing on the Cake, 188 Jervois Road Momentum, 182 Jervois Road

KINGSLAND

Citta Outlet Store, Corner Enfield & Normanby Road Sabato, 57 Normanby Road Studio Italia, 25 Nugent Street

146 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2015

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

Glengarry, 164 Garnet Road

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES

PONS ONBY FLOWE RS

by Bill Patel 290 PONSONBY ROAD M: 021 258 8399 T: 378 6695

Clothing Alterations

Alter Ego Roong T: 09 376 8689

M: 021 032 9128

182-4a Jervois Road, Herne Bay E: ra_cha29@yahoo.com “I get all my bits & pieces done by the smiling helpful Roong... and she’s got Eftpos = sorted...” MARTIN LEACH

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