LOCAL NEWS
David Hartnell: One minute interview with Ken Ring Ken Ring as a well-respected weather forecaster and is also a magician. He lives in Herne Bay. Where did your interest in magic start? As a small seven-year-old boy at Owairaka Primary in the 1950s, when we had Norman Tate, the ‘Fun Doctor’, who was a travelling magician. The idea of being a doctor already was highly appealing to me, and a fun doctor even more so. You are a member of the Auckland Brotherhood of Magicians who meet once a month in Grey Lynn. Yes, BAM is the guild of the professionals around the city, who take their art seriously, and has been meeting since 1945. Alan Watson is the president and members meet behind closed doors in Grey Lynn every month. Tell us about mentalist magic? Mentalist magic has the advantage of needing no props because the magic all happens in the minds of the audience, instead of the skilled hands of the magician. As mime is to acting, mentalism is regarded by magicians as a purer form of magic. Do you prefer to do magic for children or adults? Magic for children is more rewarding, in my opinion, because they are more willing to allow themselves the flights of imagination that make a trick successful. It is wonderful to complete a show and to realise that you have convinced a child that the impossible is a reality. Clowns always deny everything, and children appreciate that. What was your childhood like? We lived in Mt Albert which was still dirt roads, near Hendon Avenue, the other side of which was still farm land. In those days you ran barefoot everywhere. I recall riding out to Panmure on my trike to see my cousin. When I was eight, I would catch a tram to town to meet my mother after her work. It cost me a penny. I could just touch the hang-down straps, standing on my tiptoes. Your dream holiday? My dream holiday internationally would be a tour of India. Your bucket list? It is quite honestly blank. I have done all that I set out to do. These days I am glad to wake up in the morning. The most Kiwi thing about you? Love of camping, hanging out at the beach. What job would you do other than yours? I always wanted to be an infant teacher. But they didn’t allow males in the 1960s when I went through teachers college.
Which item of clothing can’t you live without? My Aussie hat. What are you insecure about? The economic future of this country if politicians neglect farmers. Tell us something very few people know about you? I’ve written over 50 books, and I used to be known as a character called Mathman. I put together ‘The Maori Fishing Calendar’ before the internet days, when people still bought small, printed publications at the shop. What is your greatest fear? Not finishing what I start. Your favourite hero of fiction? Robin Hood. He had the right idea. What superpower would you like? To be able to fly would be handy. What special talent would you like? Being able to play the violin. What cliché do you hate? Be yourself. Because who were you before?
What do you dislike about your appearance? I don’t look a bit like Brad Pitt. More like Spike Milligan.
What gizmo can you simply not live without? My juicer.
How would you like to be remembered? As someone who helped with the weather, or inspired people to learn more about the cycles of life.
What is your greatest weakness? Smoked salmon.
What do you love most about your age? The fact that I have lived long enough to see my grandchildren do well. Something you really disapprove of? Child abuse and school bullying. What do you think happens when we die? We are spoken of kindly by those who still remember us, but after 100 years even our name is forgotten. Give your teenaged self some advice? Relax more, slow down, everything will get done. How do you chill out? By watching mindless TV.
10 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2019
What comfort food gives you real comfort? Chocolate ginger. One dream guest at your dinner party? Sir Isaac Newton. I have some questions for him about gravitation. Do you have a special magic party trick? Not one, but a hundred. You’re all time favourite movie? Raiders of the Lost Ark. The only one I’ve seen five times. If you could change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be? Put all the money wasted on climate change towards mental health. PN (DAVID HARTNELL MNZM) F PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)