DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW

If you have ever visited the Westmere Butchery, which I’m sure many of our readers have, then my bet is that at some time or another you would have been served by Stephen Ewan.

What area do you live in and what’s the best thing about it? Onetangi on Waiheke Island is a great place to live and walk the beaches. And the wine is a bonus.

Tell us about your childhood, what was it like? Excellent childhood. I was the only child and both my mum and dad brought me up in a loving environment.

Complete this sentence: I will die happy if... .. I’m in good health and I live to be one hundred.

How long have you been working at Westmere Butchery? I have been at Westmere Butchery 10 years from next month. It’s hard work but there’s great camaraderie among the staff.

Who do you think is the most annoying celebrity today? Mike Hosking.

Which TV series would you never miss and why? I don’t have a favorite television series.

What would your dream holiday internationally be? St Tropez would be nice.

What’s is the most Kiwi thing about you? My number eight wire attitude towards things.

Aisle or window seat on a plane? No preference at all.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Happily looking after my grandchildren.

What job would you do other than your own and why? Female hairdresser, as I do like female company.

If they ever make a movie about your life who would you like to play you? Harrison Ford looks like me.

If you were reincarnated what would you come back as? That’s easy - a pussy cat.

Do you read movie or TV reviews and would they sway your thoughts? Yes, I read reviews, but it’s only someone’s opinion and they wouldn’t sway me.

How would you like to be remembered? For being honest, reliable and for my dancing.

What do you love most about your age? The Gold Card!

If your life was an ice cream, what would it be called? Vanilla - very plain, as my kids say.

Something that you really disapprove of? Bad language in front of women and children.

Describe one of your biggest disappointments? Losing my father at a very early age. What is the one thing that really motivates you? My passion for life.

What do you think happens when you die? Don’t know because I haven’t died yet.

What’s the best movie you have ever seen and why? I don’t really have a favorite. Well, maybe Crocodile Dundee 2; it’s special for my youngest daughter and me.

Have you ever seen a ghost? No.

Give your teenaged self some advice? Travel as much as you can, and don’t let your heart rule your head.

How do you chill out? We like to walk the beaches, watch sport and movies.

Which item of clothing can’t you live without? My Manchester City PJs.

What is your favorite time of the day? All time is good in the third quarter of your life.

Tell us about your dream home? The one my wife picks.

What is your most treasured possession? My front door key.

What are you insecure about? My height.

Tell us something very few people know about you? Sorry, that would be letting the cat out of the bag.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction and why? Popeye, because he always saves the day no matter what.

What superpower do you wish you had? X-ray eyes, as mine are not too good these days.

Which talent would you most to have? I’d love to be able to sing.

What cliche do you really hate? ‘She’ll be right’.

What gizmo can you simply not live without? Well, that would have to be my phone.

What is your greatest weakness/indulgence? A cold Stella in a cold glass.

Are you a handshake or a hug kind of person? Handshake.

What is your all-time favorite comfort food? Steak, egg, chips, veggies and plenty of gravy.

Your dream guest list for a dinner party and why? They would all have to be great talkers. That way I wouldn’t get a word in. I would just listen to what they had to say and enjoy the evening.

How do you travel, heavy or light? Light but I always carry my wife’s bags, so I really end up travelling heavy. (DAVID HARTNELL MNZM)  PN

CONNOR CRAWFORD

I am a working artist and photographer with a colourful and rhythmic perspective. I enjoy shooting the front covers of Ponsonby News. KEN RING

My yearly NZ Weather Almanacs began in 1999. During the tragic 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, my work created international interest. I currently live in Ponsonby.

DAVID HARTNELL - MNZM

For the last 53 years I’ve been a freelance entertainment journalist and author. I’ve lived in the Grey Lynn area for nearly three decades; I have met and interviewed some amazing people. KERRY LEE

I’ve been a freelance writer for a year now, and what I love most are the wonderful people I’ve meet along the way. #best job.

FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

I work as a booker, promoter and festival programmer. Active in all areas of the music community; folk music is my specialty. LUCY KENNEDY

I am a young local writer who loves to read! Each month you will find my reviews of new books for people who love to read as much as I do.

HONOUR MITCHELL

I have lived in the Ponsonby area all of my life. I write the column ‘Teen Picks’ which explores everything on offer in the greater Ponsonby area. PHIL PARKER

Journalist and published author, I have had a career involving both wine writing and hosting boutique wine tours in the Auckland region.

HELENE RAVLICH

A freelance writer and copywriter for almost 20 years, I have written for publications all over the world and couldn’t imagine myself in any other job. PIPPA COOM

I am Councillor for Waitemata and Gulf Ward on Auckland Council. Formerly, Chair Waitemata Local Board.

JOHN APPLETON

I have a keen interest in nutritional medicine and how it may be used to support people with chronic illnesses. ROSS THORBY

I have had a wanderlust for travel ever since I was old enough to own a passport. Since I discovered cruising, I have become unstoppable.

JOHN ELLIOTT

I am the founder of Ponsonby News and write for the magazine. My career has included politics, education and publishing. My interests include the environment, the economy and social justice. SOFIA ROGER WILLIAMS

A vegan for over a year and vegetarian for over seven years with a passion for writing. I am a local student reviewing some of Ponsonby’s best vegan eats.

RIP PONSONBY ROAD The dead hand of Auckland Transport is casting its shadow over one of Auckland’s iconic thoroughfares and there are plenty of residents who are becoming very afraid.

There is not one iota of evidence that AT has the knowledge, experience and skill to make the road more “vibrant” and “reflect and protect [its] unique history and culture”. This is an example of AT’s sheer arrogance and mendacity. Ask the residents of West Lynn about the mess AT created after months of disarray that negatively affected all the businesses there. What about the recent fiasco of St Heliers? Ponsonby Road is already vibrant and that vibrancy is created by the people that live there and the businesses that flourish there. AT’s idea of vibrancy is a bunch of bright red planters at the top of Collingwood Street.

AT doesn’t own the building stock; it’s the owners that look after the heritage values under the district plan and Auckland Council. AT’s an organisation that is responsible for roads and public transport not social engineering, urban design and planning. AT hasn’t got a good design bone in its body. It buys in “expertise” at huge expense to the ratepayers. Ponsonby Road is not dangerous per se except for the footpaths, which have been terrible for decades, and its 40 kph speed limit is neither clearly marked - the road markings are virtually illegible - nor enforced.

Yes, there have sadly been some fatal accidents over the last couple of decades, but AT’s driving ideology, Vision Zero, is extreme and unachievable because road design and engineering cannot totally prevent driver or pedestrian error. The raised tables on the side streets may have perhaps improved things. As for bikes, pedal or electric, it would be totally ludicrous to reduce the current four lanes to one lane each way on this major arterial route to allow for cycle ways in both directions as indicated in the Ponsonby Road Plan - “indicative only”, the illustrations are captioned - to which I can only reply “whatever”.

It is totally illogical to devote 50% of road space to bicycles when they are a minute proportion of road users even at peak times. Peak hour traffic is bad enough on Ponsonby Road already; road reduction in this way would be to extend peak traffic by an hour. AT should be required to demonstrate and justify the expense and inconvenience to road users and businesses before embarking on this ideologically-driven stupidity which will end up by killing business as it has in other parts of the city especially the CBD and Karangahape Road. If you make all of Ponsonby Road a clearway at peak hours to return it to two lanes in each direction, the result is that the parking that the businesses require, especially the hospitality sector, will disappear at just the time that customers need them.

The Ponsonby Road Plan was developed when the deputy chair of the Waitemata Local Board was the pro-cycling Pippa Coom, a known opponent of cars, now a councillor. It is meant to provide a framework for the road’s development until 2044! At the rate the unelected and ungovernable AT board is currently strangling Auckland, I doubt whether any plan will be viable beyond 2024 because Auckland as we know it will have disappeared. Christopher Johnstone, Grey Lynn

ARCH HILL TREES When the Vehicle Testing Station on Great North Road was being demolished in the 1990s, I resolved that as many as possible of the trees which lined the footpath boundary be retained. The building which replaced the testing station is the car showroom still standing. The showroom required public consent for removal of trees, and long story short, I was successful in my appeal to have an Spanish Pin Oak, Quercus palustris saved. The architect re-designed the corner where the Porsche showroom is.

Now the Pin Oak appears to be dead. What can be done about this?

Chris Kiwi, Former member and chairperson, Grey Lynn-Newton-Westmere Community Committee (1975-1986).

In my school days I was told “You have no talent, spend your time doing something practical”. So, I spent my life following less creative past-times.

Things changed recently when a friend encouraged me to try out this new art course. They provided all the materials in class along with an amazing curriculum. I turned up, but I was terrified of making a fool of myself, but then the tutor took the time to sit and guide me through the step-by-step lesson. Three hours later, I had achieved the most wonderful piece of art, I couldn’t wait to show my family (my daughter simply couldn’t believe it but my partner was so proud of me).

It’s been many weeks since then and my skills and knowledge have grown like I would never have believed.

I’ve also got a new range of wonderful friends, from all walks of life, I definitely found my inner artist, now you can find yours too

Limited Spaces - Don’t miss out, call us for a friendly chat today! 0800 006 200

At our great venue: Pt Chev Tennis Club

@nicblackie_ FB.com/nicblackierealestate

Nic Blackie & Robyn Ellson

Robyn Ellson and Nic Blackie each started their decade-long careers in property as rookies for the fiercely independent local start-up, Custom Residential.

While Nic stayed on for the next 10 years working in partnership with founder, friend and mentor John Wills, in 2014 Robyn moved to Ray White. Robyn is currently ranked the number two property consultant for New Zealand for the market leading group.

Starting in real estate about 18 months apart, Nic and Robyn initially missed the chance to work together while the other was taking time out having babies. “Our timing was off,” they laugh. However, a friendship was forged instead over a picket fence. Having known of each other for many years, they didn’t actually meet until they discovered they were new neighbours (eight houses away) and both in the epic throws of villa renovations. “We bonded over big projects, rock breaking, kids and real estate,” Nic jokes.

Both incredibly determined, they each crafted their own separate path within the city fringe market and never considered they would ever work together given they were often in healthy competition, pitching for the same listings.

Deciding to join forces together this year then, with Nic joining Robyn’s established team of top performing agents Becs Button and Josh Powell, each having a decade of experience behind them, just made good sense to the pair.

“I had already decided to join Jared’s office as it was the best fit for me in terms of the smaller team and boutique vibe. From there, joining Robyn’s team just made a lot of sense. We serve the same market and to offer the best client experience in today’s demanding fast paced world of real estate, you really do need a team behind you. We know that together, we can offer clients an incomparable real estate experience,” Nic says.

“Our clients often choose between us, but how good would it be if they didn’t have to choose? They can now have us both,” adds Robyn.

Since joining The RE Group and the broader team at Ray White Mt Eden, Nic has felt right at home. “I love the culture of a small high performing team. In my opinion, it’s unbeatable for a vendor - and it’s good fun!”

The RE Group have hit the ground running in 2021, expanding their network of buyers and sellers week on week and delivering exceptional outcomes with the support of one of the most experienced teams in the market.

“The RE Group is connected to and working with the broadest range of buyers in the market right now. Our combined network is strong and that’s a huge part of what drives our business. It’s really exciting. Those connections are absolute gold for a vendor,” says Nic.

Robyn Ellson T: 021 800 891, robyn.ellson@raywhite.com Nic Blackie T: 021 505 964, nic.blackie@raywhite.com