YOUR LOCAL – DIDA'S WINE LOUNGE

Dida's Wine Lounge encourages leisurely engagements with the comprehensive wine list and the ever-changing, always-innovative food menu.

The small-plates, called in Croatian Mali, pair perfectly with the multiple by-the-glass options of local and imported and hard-to-find wines. The superb skills of our talented culinary team are exceptional.

Built on the site where grandfather Josef Jakicevich started his grocery store 70-plus years ago, the lounge is the operative word here reflecting, as it does, both the relaxed vibe and the welcoming, European-hospitality style.

For an after-work stopover, a conversational lunch, or a 'because it's what we do on Thursdays' drink with friends, Dida's Wine Lounge is the perfect spot to lose a few hours in while broadening your hedonistic horizons.

Alongside these vinous delights, Dida's has an excellent collection of cocktails on offer around the clock. All crafted with the finest ingredients by the talented team. Whilst the ‘standard’ collection is anything but the norm, it’s the weekly cocktail specials that’ll no doubt leave you breathless. Not to mention that the cocktails are all just $12.

Continuing on Josef’s legacy, the fourth generation of the Jakicevich family takes care of Dida's today. With a passion for many things, including spirits, the whisky selection at Dida's is second to none.

The fire’s on, the lounge warm and cosy. Come on in and see what your local has to offer.  PN

Auckland International Airport Shares

Auckland’s Mayor has indicated he will rethink his unpopular budgetary cuts to the environment, cultural and social services, but only if councillors agree to sell their stake in Auckland International Airport.

Every investment by council should have careful consideration and evaluation for the contribution it brings to the public good and wellbeing of Auckland. Therefore, I welcome the Mayor being open to reconsideration. I don’t wish essential volunteer services like Citizens Advice Bureau to fold, but nor do I want councillors coerced into something ill-considered for Auckland as might be the case with the airport shares.

The advice received on the sale of airport shares at the time of writing is limited. I regret Phil Goff disposed of Auckland Council Investments Ltd (ACIL) during his term. Previously, ACIL provided clear, independent and strategic advice on council investments. That independence was invaluable in supporting councillors to take informed decisions on important council assets. Since the demise of ACIL, elected members now receive advice from council officers on investments.

Interestingly, these officers are the same who advised councillors less than a year ago that Auckland Council was not facing a financial crisis. They have not yet supplied options or alternatives on the sale of the shares, and frankly this situation leaves me wondering why there is such indecent haste for a decision of such magnitude. I have been told that approximately 5% of the sale will go to brokers and costs, meaning roughly $100 million in costs and commission for the investment brokers. Hardly surprising some are sniffing around council like bears around a honey jar.

If the Mayor is determined to sell shares, why are officers not providing advice on all options including partial sale or release to existing investors? I am not in favour of selling now, partly as I don’t believe the systemic issues causing the council’s current financial crisis have been adequately addressed and this could just be a short term 'sugar hit' fix. If forced, I would prefer to see a part sale available only in small holdings to Auckland residents to mitigate concerns that investment fund managers could manipulate the situation with an outcome that may not be in Auckland's or New Zealand's interests by providing a pathway for investors to take advantage of the monopoly situation of the airport by price fixing and other negative impacts.

The Mayor has a great number of challenges before him and I wish him to succeed. He is right to call out Central Government to replace funding for social services currently funded by council, but there must be agreed processes that support transition. As, indeed, each and every item of investment or expenditure should rightly enjoy proper process and not be linked to any threat.

Christine Fletcher

GOODBYE FROM THE CANINE TEAM…

"As we are leaving the area after seven happy years, we just wanted to say a big thank you to the St Marys Bay and Ponsonby residents who have befriended us – and the many businesses in the Three Lamps area that have generously welcomed us onto their premises and smothered us with affection.

"Your generosity (water and treats!) has enhanced our lives and those of many of our four-legged friends and, hopefully, we have put a few smiles on your faces as well.

"As we depart for a new life in the country, we will forever hold the heritage values, friendly people and inclusive community in our hearts!"

Frankie and Shelby, Bernese Mountain Dogs of St Marys Bay P.S. The restaurant is NOT closing

Your regular donation will help connect more school children with nature, empower people all over Auckland with sustainable living choices and develop and maintain a therapeutic garden. Join now at: www.kelmarnagardens.nz/donate

BEACHSIDE DINING NEVER LOOKED BETTER

PHIL PARKER: 12 FAB WINES FOR THE COOLER MONTHS

Hi folks. Here we go with 12 fab wines for the cooler months from Central Otago to Hawkes Bay to California. Cheers!

Hawkshead Central Otago Pinot Gris 2022 - $28

Just a nudge of sweetness. Crisp and elegant. Flavours of mandarin, spiced poached pear, and hint of ripe peach with clean lime citrus and a lengthy mineral, tangy finish.

Available: Dhall & Nash, blackmarket.co.nz

Domaine Rewa ‘The French Potter’ Pinot Gris Central Otago 2021 - $58

Domain Rewa wines are grown using biodynamic principles. Flinty, mineral and bone dry. Grassy herbal hints, with nectarine, roasted fennel and appropriately earthy clay. Lengthy crisp and tangy finish.

Available: Dhall & Nash, blackmarket.co.nz

Domaine Rewa Central Otago Riesling 2018 - $36

Medium sweet, with a classic riesling profile. Intensely raisiny fruit flavours, plus ripe lemon citrus, Manuka honey, grapefruit marmalade with a crisp finish. 10.5% alcohol.

Available: Dhall & Nash, Liquorland, domainerewa.com

Domaine Rewa Central Otago Chardonnay 2020 - $67

A crisp and flinty complex chardonnay made from the Mendoza 15 clone. Very reminiscent of Kumeu River Matés Vineyard chardonnay. A hint of wild yeast funkiness, with rock melon, toast, peach, nectarine and a lengthy finish. Available: Dhall & Nash, Glengarry, Liquorland, domainerewa.com

Rockburn Central Otago Chardonnay 2022 - $32 Crisp, lean and elegant. With lemon curd citrus, a hint of almond croissant, tangy yeast and a clean, dry, mineral finish. Available: Glengarry.

Bogle Family Vineyards California Pinot Noir 2020 - $29 Medium bodied in classic Burgundian style. Savoury and spicy. Plum, black tea, soy, black olive, hint of iodine and tamarillo. Dry finish. Available: Dhall & Nash, Fine O Wines, Point Chev Organic Wines, blackmarket.co.nz

Hawkshead Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021

Similar style to the Bogle, as above. Smoky and a bit funky on the palate with soy umami, ripe black cherry, spiced plum and a hint of mushroomy truffle.

Available: Dhall & Nash, blackmarket.co.nz

Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022 - $36

An iconic NZ pinot noir. Rockburn nails it again. Gorgeous, silky, ripe and elegant. Complex palate of spiced plum, dark cherry, Manuka smoke, dark chocolate mocha and black tea. In the 2023 London Wine Competition, Rockburn was awarded two gold medals for its Rockburn Pinot Noir 2021 and Rockburn Nine Barrels Pinot Noir 2021.

Available: Glengarry, rockburn.co.nz

Cupcake California Pinot Noir 2021 - $22

A hint of sweetness and soft tannins. Ripe, light and juicy, with cherry, strawberry and red berry fruit flavours at a deceptive 13.9% alcohol. Available: Dhall & Nash.

Bohemian ‘The Author’ Hawkes Bay Merlot 2022 - $23

Light bodied, with earthy clay, tobacco, spiced plum, truffle and a hint of smokiness.

Available: Dhall & Nash, vineonline.co.nz

Domaine Rewa Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 - $44

Plum, dark berry fruit, cigar and dark chocolate. Smoky and tarry with a dry-medium tannic finish.

Available: Dhall & Nash, Glengarry. (PHIL PARKER)  PN www.finewinetours.co.nz phil.parker@xtra.co.nz