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MARCH 2017
THE REAL DEAL European Antiques owner Meredith Lee meets Ian Towning, the jewel in the crown of Chelsea
VIVA ITALIA Italian influences in & around Ponsonby
Join an African adventure with Judy and Jill Judy Bailey needs little introduction. We all know her as the broadcaster who fronted our primetime television news for 26 years. Over that time she became one of the most recognised faces in New Zealand. Now in ‘semi-retirement’ she is a busy freelance writer and broadcaster. Since leaving TVNZ she has written a best-selling memoir, fronted all but one of Maori Television’s iconic Anzac Day broadcasts and presented a number of travel programmes for TV One. She continues to be an advocate for children and families, devoting much of her time to charitable organisations and serves as patron of a number of organisations including Brainwave Trust, North Shore Hospice and the National Collective of Women’s Refuges, amongst others. When she is not involved in this rewarding work, Judy likes to indulge in another of her long-standing passions - travel. When they were young, Judy and her husband Chris travelled Europe on the smell of an oily rag. “We even used to reuse tea bags - we’d make a cuppa and then hang them out to dry!” she admits. Now she enjoys her travel with a little more style, but still loves the spirit of discovery and intrepid travel. A few years ago Judy teamed up with Jill Gothard at Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel to design her own discovery adventures, with the aim of sharing her personal holidays with very small groups of likeminded wanderers. “Some have travelled with us multiple times and are now very good friends,” says Jill. Together Judy and Jill have led tours to Sri Lanka and Rajasthan, Cuba and Peru, and Namibia and Botswana, Morocco and Portugal with parties of up to 14 people. “With the small group size we are able to stay at very special lodges, even palaces, and travel in comfortable minibuses," says Jill. “Many of these special places are not available to large
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tour parties.” At each destination they work with local experts and English-speaking guides. “One in particular, in India, was very easy on the eye!” quips Judy. This year they embark on a real adventure to Africa with the highlight a visit to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, made famous by naturalist Dian Fossey. Both passionate wildlife lovers, this trip has been a dream of both Judy and Jill for a long time. With the whole world effectively competing to book time with the gorillas and for accommodation in the top game park lodges, the stars finally aligned for a SeptemberOctober itinerary. The trip combines Rwanda with the famous Ngorongoro Crater in the Great Rift Valley, with the largest permanent collection of African game on display, and the famous Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara. Most days the group will take in two game activities - morning and evening - with expert guides. In between there will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy the lodge atmosphere, with Judy as social secretary! Accommodation is truly ‘five star safari’ with the famous ‘&Beyond’ lodges at each stop. These lodges are fully inclusive of all meals and beverages. The tour includes all transport, accommodation, expert local guides and wildlife activities. It is truly a once -in-a-lifetime experience. For more information call Jill Gothard at Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel, DDI 09 368 6808 or see www.bonvoyage.co.nz F PN
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WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH
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P36: VIVA ITALIA - Ian Towning and Armando Koci at Gusto Italiano; P50: Meet barman Tao Jiang and Manager Ankit Gupta at the Grey Lynn Tavern; P88: The weather gods smiled down upon Western Park for the annual Woof Pride Dog Show Event last month. The MC was Steven Oates and pictured are all the winners with their owners.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW PIPPA COOM: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD MIKE LEE, COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS LANDMARK BUILDINGS U3A PONSONBY NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP COVER STORY - IAN TOWNING & MEREDITH LEE
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VIVA ITALIA EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY VEG FRIENDLY: GARY STEEL PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE FASHION + STYLE ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL FASHION LOVE LIVING, THINKING & BEING JOHN APPLETON ON HEALTH FUTURE GENERATION
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PONSONBY PETS WOOF THE AUCKLAND PRIDE DOG SHOW PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS MILLY NOLAN - DESIGNER GIFTS HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN OUT & ABOUT - BIG GAY OUT ARTS + CULTURE HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS PONSONBY PINK PAGES
FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Martin Leach
PONSONBY NEWS+ is published monthly, excluding January by ALCHEMY MEDIA LIMITED LIM 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 Music Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Proof Readers Layout Designer Designer
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LETTERS + EMAILS
Views in Ponsonby News reflect the authors’ and not those of Alchemy Media.
Huge new SHA complex to replace the Gables pub should be canned John Elliott's article (February 2017) raising fundamental concerns with central government's decision to proceed with the SHA proposal for the Gables pub site should form the basis of widespread opposition and concern. The proposed development has been opposed by the Waitemata Councillor Mike Lee and the Waitemata Local Board as well as a previous less invasive proposal being rejected by the Environment Court. Despite this opposition, the new proposal is proceeding because the National Government is claiming that it addresses the housing crisis in Auckland. This argument is patently absurd. The Government's so called housing policy is in tatters and it's time that local people received direct support in defeating this 'Clayton' decision by citizens groups across the region and by political parties claiming to represent the housing needs of Auckland. Ian Shirley, Ponsonby/Grey Lynn The new Weona-Westmere Coastal Walkway Just wanted to report to other readers how pretty the new Weona-Westmere coastal walkway is and how well worth a visit. The boardwalk is particularly nice, extending over the water, and our dog thinks it’s fab that part of the walkway is off leash. Good one Waitemata Local Board! Julia Gentil, Grey Lynn VIPs in our city Thank you for the in depth coverage you’ve had in recent issues regarding bees in our city. I had no idea the level at which our inner city communities are involved in sustaining such a vital ecological part of our environment, it is encouraging. It was interesting to read John Elliott’s article (February 2017) that reports there is an estimated 1000 hives in the city with each hive housing up to 60,000 bees... that’s 60 million very, very, very busy, buzzy bees working to pollinate and produce for us! It’s great to know that some local city schools have hives and are using these as a vital learning tool for the kids to gain knowledge about these VIPs - very important pollinators. O. Pelle, Grey Lynn Congratulations to Gerry Hill of The Great Ponsonby Art Hotel Thank you for the interview on Gerry Hill in the February issue of Ponsonby News. He and Sally are well known and loved in our community. My wife and I spent six weeks staying with them while our house was being renovated. We enjoyed a delightful breakfast each morning and we learned so much from them. We also wish Gerry well as he deals with his MS. George Gibson, Ponsonby
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The WOOF judges and MC Steven Oates, Buckwheat with Ike WOOF - the Auckland Pride Dog Show, Western Park, Ponsonby What a day! A massive thank you to our hard-working helpers who turned up in the rain to help set up on the morning: Amberleigh Jack, Shaun Hindt, David Morris, Paul Rose, Karl Wilshier, Kacie Stetson, Danil Tatsenko, Annah Pickering, Jason Myers, Kristy Avery, Tori Rory, Jody Murray, Taane Mete, Jody Murray, Daniel Neas, Tamar Munch, Michael Vasan. You guys are amazing and went above and beyond. We never got a group shot. So nice to know we have people of such generous spirit in our community. Also thanks to our wonderful judges: Louisa Wall, Anne Batley-Burton, Arabia Lè Veil, Lucy Lovegrove, Kanoa Lloyd and, all the way from London, Ian Towning! A special thanks to Moana McDowell for being amazing again! Together we all raised over $700 for the SPCA. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of Krista Strong at Barkley Manor, the team at VitaPet New Zealand, The Coffee Club NZ, GayNZ.com, Simone Lister & Best Beverage Company, Rainbow Auckland GABA Trust and The NZAF. Julian Cook and all the Auckland Pride Festival team (for a great festival so far!) Apologies if I've forgotten anyone! Hopefully people enjoyed the day and see you all next year! Steven Oates, Organiser, Woof - the Auckland Pride Dog Show
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FROM THE EDITOR WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE UK TELEVISION PERSONALITY AND ANTIQUES EXPERT IAN Towning on our front cover this month. Many of you will know him from the show ‘Posh Pawn’ which has been showing on TV One recently. He was also the jewellery dealer on ‘Dickinson’s Real Deal’. Ian has been visiting Auckland on a three week holiday so we introduced him to Grey Lynn-based antique dealer Meredith Lee. He also met Jillian Bashford. Ian and his husband Les charmed everyone they met. We like to spread the love and took them to some local places - Adam Arnold, Mr Toms, SPQR, Sidart, The Vodka Room and their personal favourite Gusto Italiano, where they enjoyed many meals.
photography: Les Barrett
The weather gods smiled down upon Western Park for the annual Woof Pride Dog Show Event. The MC was Steven Oates and there were six judges: Arabia Lè Veil, Real Housewives of Auckland's Anne Batley-Burton, Kanoa Lloyd, Louisa Wall, Lucy Lovegrove and Ian Towning. Although they have not met, another well-known British face Sir David Attenborough also visited Ponsonby by calling in unannounced at Kelmarna Gardens - two British icons in one week. There aren’t many countries represented more than Italy in Auckland. There are cars, design, food, furniture, lighting and more. In the Ponsonby News distribution area we are spoilt for choice by all styles of pizza. We all have our favourite go-to place. Next weekend the St Patrick’s Day Parade is held on Sunday 12 March and runs along Ponsonby Road from 12 noon to 1pm. There will be an Irish-themed party afterwards on Western Park with stages set up for bands, dancing and entertainment. There will also be a kids' playground. The party is a free event and will run for approximately three hours. In this issue, we again highlight the continuing flow of raw sewage into the Waitemata Harbour, which neither Auckland Council, nor Watercare seem willing or able to stop. It is reaching second or third world crisis level and Ponsonby News will continue to campaign against the inaction. The team at Ponsonby News was thrilled to hear about the huge number of people who congratulated Gerry Hill on his cover photo and interview in the last issue. We are delighted to see our local Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye back on full parliamentary duty and wish her well.
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
Ian Towning and Martin Leach enjoying dinner at Sidart, Ponsonby
In this issue Noeline Creighton has written about long-term Herne Bay resident Joy Carter’s 96th birthday. We also received the sad news that Roy Lucca passed away peacefully at Auckland Hospital after a short illness last month. Aged 101, Roy will be missed by all his family and friends. Franklin Road residents will be sad to see Bill Ralston and Janet Wilson have relocated to the Hawkes Bay. Many will miss seeing Bill walking the strip with his Scottie. Another local event, the Mt Albert by-election, was held on 25 February and part of the Ponsonby News distribution area (Arch Hill, Grey Lynn and Westmere) will have a new member of parliament to replace David Shearer. DIARY DATE: Kelmarna Gardens Autumn Festival - Sunday 26 March from 11am-3pm. Delicious food and drink, with workshops, live music, KidsZone and raffles. (MARTIN LEACH) F PN
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DAVID HARTNELL’S ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW Brad Jacobs is the Director of The Coffee Club outlet in New Zealand. What are the best things about Ponsonby? Easy. Prego, Saan, SPQR and a sneaky ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s. I’m not a big shopper, so it’s all about the food for me! What is your favourite cup of coffee? A trim flat white in a cup. I struggle with takeaway cups and large size coffees... I guess I’m a purist. And trim milk, well that’s for the obvious reason really. What was your childhood like? I grew up with a single mum and my nana in a caravan park in far north Queensland. I remember thinking we’d really made it when we got our first caravan with its own shower and there was no more trips to the shower block. Favourite TV show? Don’t even think about calling me at 7pm weeknights, I’ll be locked in on Shorty Street for sure. Your dream holiday? I love experiencing anywhere new. I’m a sucker for big cities and Asian food, so I guess I would have to say Bangkok. What’s on your bucket list? Travelling is my number one, so I would have to say getting to see at least 100 countries. What job would you do other than your own? I love property and design, so something in that world would be my choice. If all else failed I guess I could try my luck on some dodgy reality show. What motivates you? Breaking the mould. I worked out very young that I had no interest in getting stuck in the cycle of growing up in a low income family in a small regional town. This has always been my motivation to work hard. What do you think happens when we die? Well I certainly don’t believe in the big gates in the sky. I’d like to think there’s something else for us all to enjoy after death, but the realist in me says it’s simply over when it’s over. How do you chill out? I’m a total ‘active relaxer’. The thought of lying on the beach for hours makes my skin crawl - I have to be doing something non-stop. Tell us about your dream home? Big, modern, hospital clean, white, no clutter and with a view of the city. In a perfect world it’ll also have an endless supply of brand new sheets so there could be fresh sheets on the bed every day. Tell us something very few people know about you? I’m not a confident swimmer. I just never swam when I was a kid. I still find it hard now to stand beside a creek without thinking something is going to grab me and pull me in. What cliché do you most hate? “Only the good die young.” What a ridiculous statement. I want to be good and live forever.
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Which talent would you most like to have? God I wish I could sing! It doesn’t stop me trying, don’t worry about that, but I’m a realist and I know how bad it actually sounds. Greatest weakness/indulgence? Ice cream and those cheap, nasty, chewy lollies from the supermarket. Your dream guest list for a dinner party? Britney for music is a given. Is it wrong to say Trump? I’m fascinated by his lack of filter. Couldn’t you just imagine what he might blurt out during dinner (and secretly everyone would be hoping for a real doozy, we all know it). Ellen - no need to explain that one. Leanne from Shorty Street just for her amazing one-liners and cynical view of the world. And of course my little group of ‘family’ here in Auckland (there’s a few others I’d like to say, but that could land me being single). If you could change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be? This question has potential to get me in trouble! I guess my Miss Universe ‘world peace’ answer would be the ACC system. I just can’t get my head around it all and how they decide what you do and don’t have to pay for and what’s funded and what’s not. I have a friend who is a single mum with a 13-year-old with alopecia who can’t get any financial support for buying a wig, yet I can go to the gym and dislocate my shoulder and not have to pay for a thing. How does that work? How can it not be recognised that at 13 years old being accepted by peers is fundamental and can have long-term impact for life? PN (DAVID HARTNELL, MNZM) F
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LOCAL NEWS SPARK STORE RAM-RAIDED, STOLEN PHONES BLOCKED ON ALL NEW ZEALAND NETWORKS Last month, thieves ram-raided the Spark Ponsonby store with a car and stole a number of mobile devices. This robbery follows a previous ram-raid on the same store a few months ago. All the stolen devices taken last month and in the previous ram-raid have been blacklisted following the theft, meaning they won’t work on any New Zealand mobile network. This is standard policy for any device in New Zealand, and makes stealing phones a futile exercise.
Aftermath of the ram-raid at the Spark Ponsonby store
Grant McBeath, General Manager of Sales for Spark Home, Mobile and Business says, “We’re really disappointed by this attack. The individuals responsible have caused damage to the property and taken a significant quantity of stock. “It’s also a really pointless theft, as all the devices have now been blacklisted, they might as well have stolen some paperweights, as that’s all they’re good for now. To be honest, they won’t even make good paperweights as our devices are so light these days. “It seems such a shame to put yourself at risk, driving at high speed through glass windows for such a pointless exercise. “We’d advise people to be careful when buying a secondhand phone. You can always check whether a phone has been blacklisted following a theft by checking its unique IMEI number on the Telecommunications Forum’s website. If you do find a stolen phone, please hand it to the police.” Spark is reviewing the CCTV footage from cameras within the store and is co-operating with the police in their investigation. The store was cleaned up and re-opened for business. There is a process under way to secure the store further. F PN
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The Spark store staff had the place looking back to normal within a few hours
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PIPPA COOM: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD REPORT
Community consultation made fun and informative The wheels of council consultation processes roll on relentlessly but it doesn’t have to be a drag to have your say in Waitemata. Over the past seven years the Waitemata Local Board has sought to find innovative, fun and easier ways to engage with our community. We want to increase civic participation from our diverse communities rather than a one size fits all approach. Consultation on the Annual Budget 2017/18, with its proposed rates increases, service level changes and planned activities for the year ahead is now underway, closing 27 March. As we are into the third year of the Long Term Plan (Council’s 10-year budget) and no significant changes are proposed by the governing body, the approach can be described as a light touch. We don’t want consultation fatigue to kick in before we launch into a heap of local engagement events and activities planned for mid-year on our draft Local Board Plan which set the priorities for our work over the next three years (more on this in May). For 2017/18, the board is continuing with our work programme to deliver projects like the Ellen Melville Centre upgrade and the construction of a multi-purpose sports facility in Grey Lynn Park (a new home for the Richmond Rovers Rugby League Club). We propose maintaining the budget allocated to areas such as community grants and events funding. There are few minor changes within the board’s funding envelope including an increase for ecological restoration and a budget to take forward Meola Reef and Western Springs Lakeside Park development plans. We will be hosting a public event on the Annual Budget on Wednesday 8 March, 2pm - 4pm at the local board office, which is the ideal opportunity for you to bring a submission to present to board members directly, give feedback in person or just hear from the community. Beating the Bounds The Waitemata Local Board in partnership with Walk Auckland has established a triennial 'Beating the Bounds' event. It is a local re-enactment of an old English and Welsh tradition of formal perambulation of the parish boundary. It is an opportunity to share knowledge of the board area, acknowledge mana whenua connections and ensure there have been no 'encroachments' from our neighbouring Albert-Eden and Orakei local boards! All are welcome to 'walkshop' and talk together with board members as we explore Waitemata from west to east.
Grey Lynn Park new playground completed last year The walk will take place Saturday 4 March at 10am and covers the Waitemata inland boundary - an interesting, varied walk including reserves, native bush, cunning shortcuts and street footpaths. It will take approximately 4 - 5 hours but we welcome you to join at any point along the way. Start point: Meola Reef car park. End point: Pt Resolution Bridge Check our Facebook page for details (Facebook.com/waitemata) You’ll be able to find information on the Annual Budget 2017/18 and details of engagement events in your local paper, on our Facebook page at libraries or in the OurAuckland magazine. (PIPPA COOM) F PN Contact Pippa Coom, Chair of Waitamata Local Board: pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Ellen Melville Centre restoration to be completed this year
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MIKE LEE: COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF
Harbour pollution - Auckland’s dirty secret The problem of sewage pollution in the Waitemata Harbour and western bays, first revealed in Ponsonby News last May, smouldered away until bursting into flames in January in the NZ Herald. The scale of the problem, which I originally raised in relationship to the proposed Special Housing Area (SHA) on the old Gables site in Kelmarna Avenue, Herne Bay (see John Elliott’s Ponsonby News February column) came as a shock to many Aucklanders. The problem is due to stormwater-driven sewage overflows from the Western Bays, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Arch Hill, Mt Albert and Mt Eden areas. These are some of the oldest parts of Auckland, some 16,000 dwellings served by what is called the ‘Combined Sewerage Area’. Built in the early 1900s and designed for a much smaller population, it connects to the larger and (newer) Orakei sewer line, which extends east and south to the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant. The combined sewerage system is decrepit and increasingly overloaded. Local sewage overflows especially contaminate urban streams such as Cox’s and Meola Creeks and inner harbour beaches from Point Chevalier to St Marys Bay. The problem first became apparent in the early 1970s. In the late 1980s Auckland City Council began slowly to separate the sewer and stormwater pipes. In early 2008 a bold announcement from council-owned Metrowater claimed the job would cost $50 million and be completed by 2011. Instead, by 2010 separation of wastewater and stormwater had been quietly put on the back-burner. Critical momentum was lost when the government decided that the top priority for Auckland was a ‘Super City’. Then the focus turned to a ‘Central Interceptor’ which was originally proposed to convey both sewage and stormwater directly south via a 13km tunnel to the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant. In 2012 it was planned that work would begin this year and take 10 years to complete. Now the start date has been put back, once again, to 2019. The Central Interceptor is estimated to cost about one billion dollars and that’s just the start. Ironically, the cost of Super City amalgamation, notably the $1.2 billion that the council paid for a new (still not working properly) IT system, could have easily paid for the Central Interceptor. All that time, 2.2 million cubic metres per year of diluted sewage has been washing into urban streams and the inner harbour and the problem is getting worse. This sorry story I guess could be categorised under the heading ‘sins of omission’. Now we come to the sins of commission. A key objective of the Super City amalgamation, the Unitary Plan, is a major deregulation of town planning rules, to drive urban development and intensification, while decoupling it from its infrastructural and environmental consequences. Like the Super City itself the Unitary Plan was largely government imposed. And not bothering to wait even for the Unitary Plan, in 2012 Housing Minister Nick Smith pushed through legislation to enable fast-tracked intensified Special Housing Areas (SHA), suspending the normal RMA notification processes.
Like most Aucklanders I had assumed that sewerage problems were being taken care of by the experts. I was drawn into this issue almost indirectly by the Kelmarna Avenue SHA and investigations that I made with Watercare about it. When I raised the question of the extra sewage pollution with Minister Nick Smith, he appeared on TV, red-faced with anger, to attack me in terms reported by John Elliott last month. However, thanks to the honesty of one public servant in particular, Watercare’s chief executive Raveen Jaduram, Aucklanders are now learning the sheer scale of the problem - and the real cost of Auckland Council and the government’s obsession with growth. Until now the public has been deliberately kept in the dark about the scale of sewage pollution of the harbour. There are more than 100 constructed overflow points in the combined system, with about 40 discharging into the harbour from Whau creek to the CBD. According to Jaduram, combined sewerage pipes are so overloaded that these overflow points now discharge on average 52 times a year - just about every time it rains. This is a massive breach of the council’s own Network Discharge Consent of 2014. There is now a debate going on between Watercare and the Auckland Council (the latter’s stormwater officers have unfortunately chosen now to rebrand themselves as the ‘Healthy Water Department’) over whether the Central Interceptor should extend from Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant to Western Springs, with ongoing site-specific separation of stormwater and sewerage lines in the western bays (Watercare) or extend further from Western Springs to St Marys Bay (called the Waterfront Interceptor) with little or no further separation work (Auckland Council). I welcome the debate but unfortunately for the harbour and water quality of our beaches, it's happening at least 20 years too late. In the meantime, in contrast to Jaduram’s refreshing honesty, Council spokespeople, including Mayor Phil Goff, have been trying to talk the problem down, attempting to convince the public that extra growth and intensification will not add to harbour pollution. It’s a pity the scale of harbour pollution did not get the present level of public scrutiny one year ago when the Unitary Plan was being bulldozed through. But the lesson is that growth, (and the profits of private developers), come at a substantial cost, both to PN ordinary ratepayers and our environment. (MIKE LEE) F Mike Lee is the Auckland Councillor for Waitemata & Gulf ward, www.mikelee.co.nz
NEW CEO FOR MERCY HOSPICE The Board of Mercy Hospice Auckland (MHA) has appointed Paul Couper as the new Chief Executive Officer. The board’s emphasis on recruiting for the CEO position was to find a good fit with the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy and MHA. Chairman Denis Wood said they were absolutely delighted to announce Couper's appointment. “He has a proven track record leading and coaching teams to achieve results through relationship development and creativity.” Couper was Director of Philips NZ and General Manager for Philips Healthcare, and has worked in the healthcare industry for 20 years, successfully leading with strong business skills and acumen. Over the past two years, following the death of his wife in 2014, he has worked as a business consultant. Couper says he is honoured to join MHA as it continues its strong community work ethic. “The hospice has an incredible history and has been doing fantastic work for a long time here in New Zealand. I am looking forward to contributing to its future success.” Supported by the community and donations, Mercy Hospice Auckland provides a range of free, specialist community palliative care and hospice services for people facing life PN limiting illnesses, as well as support for family, friends and carers. F
16 PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2017
www.mercyhospice.org.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS
Raw sewage flowing into harbour is a disgrace It is hard to know where to start. I have reviewed various recent articles on sewage flows into the Waitemata Harbour, and read the excuses, prevarications and spin from Auckland Council and Watercare. The authorities hide behind half truths and alternative truths, and bureaucratic psycho-babble. The main conclusion I have reached is that there is no plan to stop more intensive building in areas which discharge raw sewage into the harbour every day, and so the problem will be exacerbated. Mayor Phil Goff has said housing and transport are his top two priorities for the next three years. He has also said, “I think Aucklanders accept that we have to invest in clean and safe beaches.” He thinks! Well he better start thinking again because Aucklanders will not put up with health hazardous effluent continuing to pollute our harbour. That, as wastewater biologist Gemma Tolich Allen says, reverts Auckland to "second world status". She was commenting on a test in Kelmarna Avenue (which drains into Cox’s Bay) showing E.coli at 190,000 cfu/100ml, more than 1500 times the upper safe limit and a serious threat to human health. “Those levels are dangerously high,” Tolich Allen reported. Goff seems to be saying let housing development continue, transportation progress be made, and put a peg on your nose to block out the stench of sewage in the creek near your home. Contamination in our waterways can cause gastroenteritis and respiratory problems, but other experts have added hepatitis, giardia, cryptosporidiosis, campylobacter, and salmonella to that list.
As the Herald on Sunday recently reported, “road congestion is only the most visible sign of stress on its networks. Below ground there is even greater stress. Drains need fixing before more houses are connected to them.” Watercare and the council maintain that it is only when it rains that sewage is deposited in Cox’s Bay, and they admit that happens more than 50 times a year. They claim that there is wastewater capacity in dry weather. That has been proved wrong by local residents who had a sample tested on a fine day, when no rain had fallen for some days. The result was 34,000 cfu/100ml - 68 times the safe level. Kate Stanton of Kelmarna Avenue and her neighbours were told that this constant flow was probably groundwater. Their answer to that suggestion was categoric, “It doesn’t smell like groundwater to us.” They compared the fluoride level in their sample with tap water, and the discharge they had tested by Watercare. The only possible conclusion - E.coli consisting of human or animal faeces. A few local cats and dogs are not the problem. So Kate Stanton and neighbours are beside themselves with frustration. As Kate says, “The Kelmarna overflow now overflows every day, all day, not just when it rains. Addition of new buildings housing hundreds of people will add their sewage output to the overflow every day, as the output pipe is already full. Each litre put in these pipes adds a litre to the overflow.” Stanton goes on to say, “Many other outflows are cleared from the harbour by foursix tides. Cox’s Bay does not clear, ever.” The toxic portion of the harbour is getting bigger and bigger.
This is shameful and inexcusable. Show us you can lead when it counts, Mayor Goff. The Super City still has 16,000 homes where stormwater and wastewater are not separated, and is leaving them in the lurch. Councillor Mike Lee calls their attitude "wilfully irresponsible." The Super City’s first 10year plan earmarked $797 million to complete the Central Interceptor pipe by 2022. That would take most sewage across Auckland to Mangere. By the time of the second long-term plan in 2015, the cost had risen to $966 million, with completion by 2025. Even that plan would only take 80% of effluent. And now the spin goes on and on. The council and Watercare argue the toss, throw conflicting statistics around, prevaricate on any real decisions, and the raw faeces continues to flow into our harbour. The sensible solution, for health and safety reasons at least, would be to stop the discharge pronto. In the meantime don’t exacerbate the problem by prioritising housing and transport over our city’s wellbeing. The world’s most liveable city - what a bad joke!
Councillor for Waitemata, Mike Lee, has been on the case. He recently said this: “We are forging on with infill and high-rise (development) in an area when we know it’s environmentally reckless.” Watercare chief executive, Raveen Jaduram told Mike Lee in an email that “the council was allowing developments to occur knowing there was no adequate stormwater system, and this would result in more frequent spills.” The answer seems simple enough to me. Start building the new Central Interceptor which will take discharges underground to Mangere, now. Allow no more housing intensification in the meantime near the 16,000 properties still connected to a combined stormwater and wastewater network. And that includes the unwanted new development proposed on the Gables site as part of the government’s highly questionable SHA scheme. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN Sign the petition at www.gng.org.nz
photography: Robert Wark
What does it say about our reputation when visitors are confronted with signs prohibiting use of our harbour, at least for swimming, for shellfish and just wading with the kids? You only need to go for a walk along Parawai Crescent, off Richmond Road, near Countdown, to smell the sewage. The stench lingers all over the Cox’s Bay area.
No Auckland City ratepayers want higher rates, and Mayor Goff has pledged to hold increases to 2.5% a year. But he still insists that housing intensification must go on. Surely the council should not be consenting buildings which will add large numbers of people to a catchment where more raw sewage in the harbour will be unavoidable.
Filthy human waste at Cox's Bay Creek - the world's most liveable city or third world? You decide.
18 PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2017
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2017
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DEIRDRE ROELANTS: LANDMARK BUILDINGS
St Kevins Arcade Years before St Kevins Arcade came into existence there was an area on the corner of Karangahape Road and Pitt Street owned by a bookmaker, Thomas Henry Keven. The reason it came to be called St Kevens is unknown because such a saint isn't recorded anywhere. Thomas Henry Keven only lived there for a short time before leasing the premises he’d built to the Board of Governors of the Church of England Grammar School. John Kinder, the new headmaster lived there for a while and made several charming sketches from the verandah. The school was moved to Parnell and shortly after the house burned down and Keven had it rebuilt to its original plan. Charles Davis, a notable Maori scholar purchased the house and land from Thomas Keven in 1865 for 1500 pounds. Charles died in 1875 and in 1882 Lawrence Nathan bought the house from his estate. Another house was built by David Nathan in 1848 that was altered and enlarged over the years becoming a typical late Victorian mansion with many levels. The stables were situated in Poynton Lane behind the the Pitt Street Methodist Church and the fine terraced garden extended right down to the Myers Park valley. Eventually the family decided to sell St Kevens as the rates became heavy and it was surrounded by commercial buildings. Moreover it was a difficult house to manage. The sale took place in 1918, the Nathan family moved to their country house in Manurewa and St Kevens was demolished to make way for a shopping arcade. Before departing, the family donated a strip of land to the city with the intention of creating a thoroughfare down to Myers Park where the arcade now stands. The arcade was built in 1924, and designed by William Arthur Cumming with Thomas Mahoney and sons. Cumming was no slouch when it came to leaving his mark on Auckland’s landscape with buildings such as Takapuna and Mt Albert Grammar Schools plus many commercial buildings. He was the School of Architecture’s first director and in 1905 an inaugural member of the Architectural Institute and its president. The new arcade was named after the Irish Saint Kevin, though the family had hoped the original spelling would be retained. The economy was thriving and Karangahape Road was
then Auckland’s premier shopping destination and often compared to London’s Oxford Street, which was a bit of an exaggeration. St Kevins Arcade was extended in 1926, and back then home to the best of Auckland’s tailors and dressmakers, tea rooms and photography studios. However, its years of glory eventually petered out towards the end of the 60s. Establishments such as the Alleluya Cafe, which opened in 1994; music venues, the Wine Cellar and the Whammy Bar; and multiple secondhand stores had made the space almost a second home for many who did not feel they were marginalised when they hung out there. Recently the beloved arcade was bought by a consortium, one of which is a former Shortland Street actor and pop musician, Paul Reid who has fond memories of the historic arcade. University student and past Alleluya frequenter, Ben Curran fears the road is on its way to becoming another Parnell or Ponsonby and may lose its organic feel. "Gentrification is all well and good, but K'Road is one of the last places where you have an evolving community, it's a place where things happen.” (DEIRDRE ROELANTS) F PN
LOCAL NEWS GET EXCITED ABOUT PONSONBY PARK IN MARCH! After almost two years of work, we are delighted that a total of 11 design companies and individuals have taken on the community’s feedback and have each designed a concept for the site - pro bono! For their passion and commitment, the Community-Led Design (CLD) facilitation group would like to sincerely thank the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
LandLAB Motu Design Ltd LA4 Landscape Architects Geoff Houtman Paul Woodruffe Anna Gandy
7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Reset Urban Design Ltd White Landscape and Urbanism Burgess, Treep & Knight Architects Allan Matson Heritage Consultant Stem Architecture
And here’s where it gets really good! Because community-led design is a grassroots process (rather than the usual ‘top -down’ approach) on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March, we are holding an exhibition of the design concepts for you to choose your preferred option from the designs we receive! The people who are going to use the park, live next to the park and spend time in and around the park, will get to choose which design best reflects their needs and desires and those of their community. The local businesses have also played a part in this process and we acknowledge the ongoing input and involvement of the Ponsonby Road Business Association in this CLD process. We also shout out a huge thank you to Kevin Harvey for generously providing the venue for the exhibition. It’s at the old Pumpkin Patch store at 250 Ponsonby Road.
20 PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2017
So come along on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 of March from 10am until 3pm each day to see the exhibits and to cast your vote. Additionally we will be running an online voting option which you can access via our website; www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz Voting will close Sunday 19 March. Once the votes are in we plan to hold a final event, a party this time, to announce the selected design and handover the work to the Waitemata Local Board. This event will be held on Saturday 25 March from 5-6 pm in Ponsonby. So stay tuned for more information about this as we continue our planning for the final celebratory event. It has been a long and winding road and as we near the completion of our CLD journey, it is humbling and gratifying to remember all the people who have been involved and supported us along the way. We appreciate your commitment, energy and aroha. Thank you. So we look forward to seeing you this weekend at the exhibition. And remember, you can also make your choice online at 254ponsonbyrd.org.nz if you can’t get to the event. Plus you can follow us on our Facebook pages, www.254ponsonbyrd and Ponsonby Park. (JENNIFER WARD) F PN
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2017
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RACHAEL TE AOTONGA: LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY NEWS
New year, new goals? Do you know everything the library can offer you to support your learning and achieving your goals? Aside from a gigantic collection of hardcopy resources, Auckland Libraries subscribe to many online ones. Two resources that feature prominently are lynda.com and Ancestry Library. These online tools can go a long way to helping you learn new skills and make fascinating discoveries. Lynda.com is full of video courses and tutorials on software, technology, creative and business skills taught by industry experts. Owned by LinkedIn, it contains over 5800 courses and 260,000 tutorials with new courses being added each month. For 20 years, lynda.com has helped students, leaders, IT and design pros, project managers - anyone in any role - build knowledge. Users of any skill level can take on bite-size tutorials for immediate problem solving or comprehensive courses on hundreds of topics. It is easy to select a course with a time frame that suits you. Lynda.com is available to all Auckland Libraries members to use at home and at any library branch; all that is required is your library card and a password. Ancestry Library Edition is an excellent genealogical online resource, with more than four billion names in over 3400 collections. It offers a diverse variety of unique content to help searchers trace their family lineage. Auckland Libraries subscribes to the worldwide version, which includes a range of New Zealand records such as electoral roles, nominal roles for the First and Second World Wars and directories like Wises Maps. Have fun investigating mysterious parts of the family history. If you’re lucky, you might gain access to a family tree that has already been researched and published on the website.
Ancestry Library Edition is available to Auckland Libraries members in a library branch only. Bring along your laptop to make use of the free Wi-Fi to explore and be intrigued. Our friendly staff are happy to help you get started. If you would like to book in an hour with a staff member for help with any of our digital resources, simply drop by at the Leys Institute Library or call us on T: 09 3741315 to arrange a time. (RACHAEL TE AOTONGA) F PN LEYS INSTITUTE, 20 St Marys Road, T: 09 374 1315, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz
PONSONBY COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS Ponsy Kids Community Preschool • 20 ECE funded hours. • New session times developed to meet the needs of our community. Our latest fundraiser for our families is the opportunity for them to purchase 'Cuppa Coffee Cups'. The cups feature our very own Ponsy Kids mural from our new playground. The mural was designed by Greg Straight. Greg used ideas for the mural from our children and teachers and also our designers Markham Architecture and Urban Design. The reusable, recyclable takeaway coffee cups are now available with a generous percentage of the proceeds going towards resources for our children. It is estimated that we use 100-200 million disposable cups each year in New Zealand. These fundraiser cups are helping to reduce the large amount of waste generated by disposable takeaway coffee cups. Some of our parents are excited about purchasing them for themselves and also as gifts for relatives who live overseas. Contact details are: Head Teacher: Julie Ferguson; E: julie@ponsonbycommunity.org.nz; T: 09 376 0896 Ponsonby Community Centre & Leys Institute Gymnasium Hall: Join Wick Nixon from Wicked Wellbeing for our Healthy Family Friendly Dinners workshop that will inspire, educate and captivate you. Wick, a mother of three young children is a passionate foodie who loves demonstrating quick and easy ways to get more vegetables into your kids diets, without them even noticing. Her goal is to help you put a nutritious meal on the table in record time so you don’t need to call on takeaways! She’s also passionate about showing you how to use everyday ingredients to create amazing flavours, reducing the need for jar mixes and packet sauces. Wick finds the live cooking workshops successful because when you see how easy it is, you’re more likely to go home and try it yourself. Her mission: Healthy eating made easy.
22 PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2017
In this two-hour cooking workshop, Wick will show you how to make: • Healthy nachos loaded with goodness • Black bean quesadillas (they’ll think they’re eating mince!) • Vietnamese spring rolls (you can even make your own if you’re game) You’ll leave with the recipe sheets of everything made, along with a satisfied tummy after sampling everything! Workshop: Date: Venue: Price: Bookings:
Healthy Family Friendly Dinners Saturday, 18 March, 2-4pm Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace, Ponsonby Tickets $25. Bookings essential info@ponsonbycommunity.org.nz
To find out more about Wick, head to www.wickedwellbeing.com. We’ll look PN forward to seeing you there! F For more information on Ponsonby Community Centre please T: 09 378 1752; M: 021 244 0904; E: info@ponsonbycommunity.org.nz; www.ponsonbycommunity.org.nz; Facebook: Ponsonby Community Centre PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS
Kelmarna Gardens has world-famous visitor Adrian Roche, manager of Kelmarna Gardens, was gobsmacked last month when world-renowned broadcaster and environmentalist Sir David Attenborough strolled into the gardens with his long-time friend and Kelmarna Trustee, Michael Graham-Stewart. “We had no idea he was coming,” Adrian told Ponsonby News, “but it was an honour to host him and show him around.” Sir David Attenborough has inspired generations of people to love nature. Attenborough is on a world speaking tour, even though he is now over 90 years old. “He’s as sharp as a tack,” Adrian said, and this was confirmed by friends who attended his interview in the Civic last week. Shirley and daughter Maddie are lifelong fans of Sir David. They were thrilled to be in his presence. “He is extraordinary,” Shirley enthused. “He shuffled out on stage, and his passion, enthusiasm and obsession with his work shone through every pore of his 90-year -old body. Maddie cried.” Shirley told us the crowd gave him a standing ovation before he had uttered a word. Michael took up the story. “David has been such a huge influence on television since the 50s,” he informed us. “The Civic event included iconic film clips of the early days. More recently television has become so commercialised, but David loves what he does and has no plans to retire.” Michael also told us that Attenborough does not deal with politics full on. He prefers to show the world as it is, wonderful, and allow listeners to draw their own environmental conclusions.
Adrian Roche meets Sir David Attenborough
Sir David was staggered to see the lovely Kelmarna Gardens in the middle of a concrete jungle, with birds, butterflies, and a natural, rather than manicured, environment. Adrian said he was mild mannered and modest, and despite a slight hearing problem and wonky knees, 100% mentally "with it". Michael told us Sir David has a lovely garden at his home of 60 years in Richmond, England.
He is in demand all over the planet. Obama went to see him, but although he is off to the United States soon, he’s not been saying kind things about Obama’s successor. His friend Michael says Sir David Attenborough is an ordinary guy who has done extraordinary things and has become public property, which is not easy for anyone, let alone a 90-year-old to handle. But he is eternally cheerful and polite, and keen to keep working as long as he can. No one at the BBC is likely to challenge him. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN www.kelmarnagardens.nz
WELL KNOWN ARTIST DAN TIPPETT is adding to the Grey Lynn RSC mural - in time for Anzac Day
24 PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2017
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
PONSONBY Auckland’s Hippest Strip
OUR BIGGEST
WEEKEND IS BACK MARCH 11th & 12th – DON’T MISS IT!
PONSONBY MARKET DAY
HGG ST PATRICK’S MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL
SAT MARCH 11TH FROM 11AM TILL LATE
Eat, drink, shop and dance up and down Ponsonby Road + LIVE ENTERTAINMENT + EXCLUSIVE BARGAINS + STREET FOOD
SUN MARCH 12TH FROM 11AM – 5PM
HGG ST PATRICK’S PARADE SUN MARCH 12TH FROM 12PM – 1PM Parade starts at Ponsonby Terrace and travels up Ponsonby Road to Western Park
http://www.iloveponsonby.co.nz
Featuring Irish musicians: Sean Kelly and The Celtic Flyers, The Grail and The Chia Family. Irish dance performances from the Doyle Academy of Irish Dance and the Connolly School of Irish Dancing + IRISH DANCERS + FOOD AND BEVERAGES + KIDS PLAY AREA + SEATING AVAILABLE
PONSONBY U3A: FEBRUARY 2017 Since 1994 when Ponsonby U3A started, Joy Carter has held many positions in the group, including president, trustee, special interest group convenor - and for many years she hosted an annual U3A garden party at her Herne Bay home. She celebrated her 96th birthday with her U3A friends at the February meeting. Gardens and gardening have always been a huge interest in the life of this much loved and respected former Epsom Girls Grammar teacher. For the past 22 years Joy has been convenor of the U3A Green Fingers special interest group. This year she has decided to step down from her leadership role - however, it is staying in the family as her cousin Joce Glucina (their grandmothers were sisters) is taking over as convenor. Joce is also a long-time Herne Bay resident and U3A member and is a former pupil of Joy’s at EGGS. Robyn Brady from NZ Red Cross was guest speaker at the February meeting. She gave a short history of the powerful international and Geneva Law-recognised symbol of the Red Cross/Red Crescent. She discussed various local Red Cross activities such as Meals on Wheels, refugee programmes, first aid in schools and Disaster Welfare Response, including the recent Kaikoura earthquake. She also talked about off-shoot programmes stemming from Physiological First Aid, from Disaster Welfare Response and post traumatic stress programmes for refugees, as well as the work undertaken by New Zealand doctors, nurses and aid workers worldwide. Our Own Backyard was the title of Diana Bailey’s inspiring 10-minute talk on her explorations of the South Island in the 20 years since she first walked the Milford Track. Her experiences have been shared with family and friends and have included many walks such as the Routeburn Track and a six-day Fiordland cruise. More recently she undertook a bike trail ride with her grandchildren. She talked about the beauty of the scenery from majestic mountains to small bubbling streams with moss covered rocks - leaving her in no doubt that it is nature in charge. She also acknowledged the question of whether tourists should help pay for the use of DOC huts. In recent years she has avoided heavy backpacks but says she still manages to find wild and wonderful places to
explore. Her next foray south includes Erewhon Station and the area of Cass. Ponsonby U3A meets monthly on the second Friday morning of the month at the Herne Bay Petanque Club. Its 19 special interest groups, offering members a wide range of topics and activities, meet mainly in members’ homes. Visitors are welcome to attend a monthly meeting at the Petanque Club and are asked to telephone president Collene Roche if they wish to attend.
L to R: Joy Carter and Joce Glucina
Guest speaker for the March meeting will be eye specialist Dr Stephen Best - ‘Glaucoma’ PN (PHILIPPA TAIT) F NEXT MEETING:
10am, Friday 10 March at Herne Bay Petanque Club, Salisbury Street Reserve, Herne Bay
ENQUIRIES:
Collene Roche, President, Ponsonby U3A. T: 09 373 3277; www.u3aponsonby.org.nz
JAM ON TOAST FAMILY DAY There’s fun for all the family at the Grey Lynn Community Centre’s annual Jam on Toast open day. The event kicks off at 10am on Sunday 2 April with continuous action until 1.30pm. There will be music, family friendly activities and more. It’s a popular event on the Community Centre’s calendar. “It’s all about community - a day of celebration and festivities for families and Grey Lynn locals to enjoy and be part of their community centre,” says manager Cath Bathe Taylor. “Every month over 12,000 people visit the community centre and the events of our ‘Jam on Toast’ day demonstrate the activities that take place here. Many of our regulars will be showcasing their classes and workshops and people will be amazed at the quality and variety on offer for both children and adults. The programme includes everything from Jumping Beans to burlesque.” Toi Ora’s Artist Collective will be exhibiting 'PrintNature', a selection of artists prints, in the Grey Lynn Community Centre Gallery space. Toi Ora is a community arts space dedicated to innovative and aspiring ways for people to express their creativity, support their wellbeing and engage with community. There will also be prizes and giveaways on the day. Cath suggests tuning into BaseFM 107.3 for giveaways prior to the event. “Our fabulous local businesses have shown their support of Jam on Toast by giving us a range of exciting gifts from Presentz as well as cafe vouchers,” says Cath. “And Grey Lynn Farmers Market stallholders will be there of course, serving their usual range of delicious food.” Children are especially catered for at the Community Centre with fitness, dance, art and music, educational and fun activities. All are popular, but none more so than the acclaimed Grey Lynn Kids Playgroup. Co-ordinator James Doyle runs a happy, fun-filled ship for the littlies. And the word has got out with children from well outside our area now attending. The playgroup for children under five years old is now on five days a week from 9.30-11.30am. Parents, grandparent or carers attend with the children, bringing fruit for a shared morning tea. The fee is $6 per session. James has had 35 years in early childhood education with children from 0-14 and when he moved to Auckland the Grey Lynn Community Centre snapped him up. He is also involved with the school holiday PN programme. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F
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GREY LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 510 Richmond Road T: 09 378 4908, www.greylynn.org.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
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LOCAL NEWS GREY LYNN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IS DISMAYED THAT ANOTHER LIQUOR STORE IN THE LOCAL SHOPS HAS BEEN APPROVED The GLBA chairperson Jennifer Northover says there is already an abundance of liquor outlets in the general area and the latest approval is a knock back to its hopes of creating a vibrant and family friendly shopping precinct. “There are already eight places nearby where liquor can be bought to consume, either off-licence or consumed on premises. Another liquor store is just totally unnecessary,” she says. “You can get all the wine or beer you want from the supermarket or spirits from the store at top of Chinaman’s Hill. Both of these outlets are within a couple of minutes walk from the site of the new store,” she says. “Having yet another liquor outlet in the area is going to make it very hard to create the sort of atmosphere we want. What’s the point of trying to create a healthy local community when you get run over by big business and the various local authorities every time?” This was just another case of the views of local businesses and residents being ignored, she says. “The entire hearing process seems to be a sham. We get the same results every time, pretending that the locals have a say. It feels like the Bunnings situation but on a smaller scale.” Local residents also fought hard (and failed) to stop Bunnings building a big box development in the midst of Arch Hill’s historic homes. “We welcome the new cafes and restaurants in the Grey Lynn shopping centre that add to the variety and quality of hospitality options,” says Jennifer. “We don’t want to sanitise
Grey Lynn. Its edgy character is what attracts people from all over the city. But it’s a balancing act and we’re also keen to make the shops more family friendly.” The GLBA gave evidence against the liquor store application at the Auckland District Licensing hearing, alongside other locals against the proposal. “People from our community gave strong and factual evidence about current levels of alcohol misuse and how another liquor store in Surrey Crescent could make this worse,” says Jennifer. Prior to the hearing the GLBA conducted an online survey that revealed 93% of respondents opposed a new liquor outlet. “It seemed to us that our evidence as well as that of all the other objectors was given very little weight compared to the ‘non-opposition’ of the police, the licensing inspector and medical officer of health,” she says. In their objections, locals drew attention to the numerous nearby sensitive locations, including schools, churches and housing for elderly or less advantaged. Regular incidences of liquor-fuelled disorder led to the Grey Lynn shops being designated a liquor ban area by the Auckland City Council. F PN “We will be keeping a close eye on the impact the new liquor store has,” says Jennifer. www.glba.co.nz
L to R: Quincy Siulepa, GLBA chairperson Jennifer Northover, lawyer Grant Hewison, anti-liquor store protest leader Soala Wilson, and Savahn Siulepa outside the site of the new liquor store, currently an art gallery
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NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP
NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP
FIVE KIWI GREATS AT MOTAT
More police for Auckland Central
The Innovators, a showcase of some of New Zealand’s most prominent innovators, is now open at Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
The Government has recently announced a $503 million investment in police.
The exhibition celebrates the entire process of innovation, from conceptualisation to creation, and explores the learnings from setbacks overcome along the way. Visitors will gain a unique insight into the personal attributes and thought processes of ordinary Kiwis who have achieved extraordinary feats. Innovators sharing their stories and hard-won wisdom include Peter Beck from Rocket Lab, Rod Drury from Xero, Ian Taylor from Animation Research Limited, Frances Valintine from The Mind Lab by Unitec and Dr Keith Alexander from Springfree Trampoline. F PN www.motat.org.nz/TheInnovators
I have received great feedback from the electorate on this announcement. We want to ensure that there is less crime by having a higher presence of police officers and that more crime is resolved quickly. Over the years that I have been the local MP, many people have talked to me about burglaries after which they haven’t had the kind of response they would like. This package will help people get access to police officers much quicker. The package is massive. There will be an additional 1100 police staff. That’s a huge 10% increase in the size of the police force over the next four years. I will be ensuring as the local MP that more police are on the beat in Auckland Central. The new package is not just about more police, the package also will be delivering a new national 24/7 phone number for non-emergencies. This is about ensuring that people who may not have had the response they’d like from police or may think that there is something that could happen to prevent crime, get access to police officers. There will also be more specialist investigators in the sexual violence area which will enable more crimes to be solved. Another big initiative in this package that affects Auckland is the funding of an around-the-clock capability for the Police Eagle helicopter which helps catch some of the worst criminals. This is a huge boost to the prevention and resolution of crime for the people of Auckland Central and I am proud to be a part of a cabinet and caucus that has delivered this. Supporting the LGBTI Community and Pride Auckland Central has one of the largest LGBTI communities in the country. I have always taken my responsibilities very seriously in this area to support the LGBTI community; including attending the Big Gay Out with the Prime Minister every year for nearly eight years. I have also personally announced more than half a million dollars for LGBTI youth that has been invested into this area over the years. Young people are more likely to self -harm or commit suicide and I have announced more funding in this area. I will be cutting the ribbon at the Auckland Pride Parade this month, it is a great family event and I hope people come to the parade. I intend to do more to enable there to be greater tolerance across New Zealand and ensure that less young people are bullied in our schools. This is important not just for our electorate and the huge LGBTI community in this electorate and the many young people who need this support. Improving public transport and ferry services As many constituents know, I am very passionate about public transport. I have championed $88 million worth of cycleways, the Central Rail Link and more bus lanes for central Auckland to help people get around the city faster. I know that there are significant congestion issues in Auckland Central at the moment. That’s why we have to be more innovative about the modes of public transport that we support. One area that I am very passionate about is growing the number of ferry services for Auckland. Recently I met with the Mayor and a range of transport operators and agencies. I am pleased to confirm that as a result of my advocacy in meetings a new refined ferry strategy is going to be delivered for Auckland. This will be about looking at better infrastructure and ferry services across the Hauraki Gulf. This is very important for my constituents in Waiheke. The ferry services are a lifeline for constituents on Waiheke, they need to know that they can get into central Auckland on time. However, it is also important for the other areas in Auckland who may be able to get off our roads and into the water on ferry services. As always, I am continuing to work hard to for you locally. You may be aware I have also returned to Cabinet as Associate Education and Youth Minister. I am continuing to deliver policies that will improve our education system. (NIKKI KAYE) F PN Hon Nikki Kaye is the MP for Auckland Central, www.nikkikaye.co.nz
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LOCAL NEWS
Countdown Ponsonby Team and Store Manager Jason McQuoid (sixth from right in orange shirt), with OUTLine General Manager Trevor Easton (fourth from right in check shirt) and marching boys to show their support for Pride month
COUNTDOWN PONSONBY GOES RAINBOW TO SUPPORT PRIDE Last month Countdown Ponsonby team members swapped their regular uniforms for brightly coloured t-shirts in a show of support for Pride month. Aucklanders in the CBD may have also caught a glimpse of Countdown’s two online delivery trucks, which were transformed into colourful rainbow flags for the month of February. The Auckland Pride Festival started on 10 February and ran until 26 February, and this year Countdown Ponsonby became a sponsor of the Pride Parade on 25 February. As part of the parade, one of Countdown’s delivery trucks featured as a float with around 40 Countdown team members in their brightly coloured t-shirts guiding it down
Ponsonby Road. Countdown was also the sole sponsor of the iconic marching boys, and team members accompanied the group as they are cheered down the Ponsonby strip. Countdown Ponsonby has 15 team members who are part of the LGBT community, including store manager Jason McQuoid who is a driving force behind Countdown Ponsonby’s involvement in Pride month. As part of Countdown Ponsonby’s support for Pride month, the store has also donated $1000 to OUTline. F PN
Countdown Ponsonby Store Manager Jason McQuoid, presents $1000 donation cheque to OUTLine General Manager Trevor Easton
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LOCAL NEWS ANZ GAYTMS #HOLDTIGHT FOR PRIDE ANZ’s world-famous GAYTMs have been unveiled in central Auckland to celebrate diversity and show the bank’s support for the Pride Festival and the LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer) community. The two ATMs have a carnival-themed surround, designed by Auckland artist Tony Graystone. The GAYTMs are located at ANZ Ponsonby and ANZ 45 Queen Street and will be in place until Monday 27 February. “This is the third year we have had GAYTMs to celebrate the Pride Festival in Auckland. As well as looking sensational, the GAYTMs this year carry a message that the LGBTIQ community should ‘#HoldTight’ and be comfortable expressing themselves in public,” said ANZ Managing Director Retail and Business Banking and ANZ NZ Pride Network sponsor Antonia Watson. Recent ANZ-commissioned research found that the LGBTIQ community was more than twice as likely (39%) than non-LGBTIQ (18%) to feel uncomfortable holding hands in public. ANZ has launched a #HoldTight campaign encouraging people to be comfortable expressing themselves. “Sadly, many members of the LGBTIQ community still struggle with the smallest actions of affection in public. As well as the glamour of the GAYTMs, this year we are focusing on an empowering message,” Watson said. “This is also a great message for our staff as we want them to be true to themselves at work.” ANZ will also donate 50 cents from every transaction to OUTLine, a not-for-profit counselling service that supports people dealing with gender and sexuality issues. “ANZ is a long-standing supporter of the Pride community, so we’re pleased to again partner with OUTLine and be our own helping hand to those who are struggling,” Watson said. OUTLine General Manager Trevor Easton said the #HoldTight campaign not only sends an important message to the LGBTIQ community, but helps their important work. “Last year OUTLine responded to over 10,000 calls, many from people struggling to feel accepted or worried about the reaction to their sexuality from others,” Easton said. “The #HoldTight campaign delivers a meaningful message while also helping to fund our work to counsel people through difficult situations.” For those unable to visit a GAYTM to support OUTLine, donations to OUTLine can be made at www.givealittle.co.nz/org/outline In 2017, ANZ continues as a sponsor of both Auckland and Wellington Pride Festivals along with Auckland’s Big Gay Out. ANZ has five staff affinity groups, including a Pride group, who drive participation in PN events like the Pride Parade. F
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LOCAL NEWS JOY CARTER BA, BSC. LONG-TIME HERNE BAY RESIDENT TURNS 96 Much loved former Epsom Girls’ Grammar School maths and science teacher and Herne Bay resident Joy Carter recently celebrated her 96th birthday. “Miss Carter” came into my life in 1951 as my Fourth Form Mistress and maths teacher at Epsom Girls’ Grammar School. She had returned to the school after her OE, having previously taught there from 1945 - 1949. Our class soon developed huge respect and affection for her. Many of us met her again at our 50-year class reunion in 2000. In the 16 years since then, a group of that 1951 class has met every January for lunch in her beautiful garden. Some of her science students also meet with her regularly. Joy’s career at EGGS began in 1945, teaching maths and science. She also kept the flower beds tidy and attractive with help from student volunteers at lunchtimes. In 1961 she was the first woman to be awarded a Woolf Fisher Travel Award to study overseas. The following year she was appointed Deputy Head Mistress, a position she held until her youthful retirement in 1973. She was active in the Girl Guide movement and continued this for many years in her retirement. She enjoyed overseas travel, croquet, cycling, and for 45 years arranged flowers at her church, All Saints Church, Ponsonby. Joy belongs to the Camellia Society and has a long association with Eden Gardens.
L to R: Annie Webster, Joce Glucina, Joy Carter and Beverley Morris; Back: Gill Marris, Noeline Creighton, Shona McElroy and Jill Bater
Imagine my surprise when I retired and went to my first meeting of Ponsonby U3A to find a face I knew well - Joy Carter. It was fitting that she celebrated her 96th birthday on Friday 10 February this year by attending the regular monthly U3A meeting. Joy is one of only three current members who was at the inaugural U3A meeting in 1994. She joined the U3A Local History Special Interest group which started that day. Her love of gardening inspired her to start a garden group, Green Fingers, which she convened for over 22 years until last December. During her time with U3A she has been president, a trustee, and an active committee member.
she bought from her parents. Later in 1958 she sold half of her land to her sister and brother-in-law Ngawini and Tom Smallfield (also U3A members since the inaugural meeting) where they built their home, raised four children and lived next to Joy until early last year. Joy’s nephew Murray Smallfield and family hosted a garden party celebration on Saturday 11 February, bringing together people from different areas of her life - family, U3A friends and EGGS old girls.
For many years she hosted an annual garden party for members in her beautiful Clifton Road garden. She has lived there since the mid 1940s in what was originally the gardener’s cottage of her parents’ large home 'Craigmore' in Argyle Street.
It was a glorious day and guests sat in the shade of trees and gazebos, met new people, caught up with old friends, enjoyed a drink and food, and a few energetic younger people played croquet.
The property on several acres of land also boasted a creamery and horse stables. The woodshed, a glasshouse and a well are still sitting at the back of her property which
Every flower deserves its day in the sun and Friday 10 and Saturday 11 February were PN Joy’s days. (NOELINE CREIGHTON) F
ROY WARD PLAYS QUENTIN CRISP AT BASEMENT After an acclaimed 2013 season, Roy Ward (Brokenwood Mysteries, Shortland Street) returns to the Basement Theatre with Resident Alien, bringing gay icon Quentin Crisp back to life once more. The intimate Basement Studio becomes Crisp’s iconic New York apartment - his dressing room, his stage, the space where the audience is immersed in his world. Basement Theatre invites theatre-goers to: “Come upstairs to Quentin Crisp’s famously filthy New York apartment, where England’s stately old homo is waiting to tell you how to be happy." From Princess Diana to mass murder, Margaret Thatcher to oral sex, to Oscar Wilde and the secret of never having your heart broken, the 90-year-old Professor of Style shares his unique vision of the world and his very personal recipe for self-fulfilment, "Never try to keep up with the Joneses, drag them down to your level - it’s cheaper.” Ward’s 2013 season of Resident Alien was the first solo performance of his career - he is a former Associate Director of Auckland Theatre Company. "Ward’s portrayal of the ageing and palsied gay icon displayed Crisp’s wit and charm without sympathy but with true devotion to character and history." - Sharu Delilkan, Theatrescenes. F PN Resident Alien, 21 March - 1 April at www.basementtheatre.co.nz
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LOCAL NEWS THE REAL DEAL: IAN TOWNING AND MEREDITH LEE It was a meeting of great minds when antiques expert and United Kingdom celebrity Ian Towning and local antiques doyenne Meredith Lee sat down to chat to me one sunny Friday morning in February. The occasion was a break in Ian’s recent busy trip Down Under, and the venue Meredith’s amazing house and showroom at 21 Ariki Street, Grey Lynn.
haunt, Les Girls. He visited Auckland first when he was 18 years old, laughing before admitting, “It has definitely changed a lot since then, for the better!”
For those not familiar with his incredible career, Ian Towning is one of London’s foremost antiques dealers and appears regularly on television as an authority on antiques. He opened an antiques unit in the Chelsea Antiques Market on King's Road way back in 1976, and has had an inspiring presence in the area since. After the closure of the famous market in 1997, Ian and his partner opened the Bourbon-Hanby Arcade on the corner of Sydney Street and the King’s Road, Chelsea. Bourbon-Hanby Arcade is now well established and much feted, and Ian is known as ‘The Jewel in the Crown’ of Chelsea. Bourbon-Hanby is the only remaining antiques emporium in central Chelsea and Ian’s dedication and excellent eye make his arcade a key destination for lovers of antiques. Ian appears regularly as an antiques expert on the 'Dickinson’s Real Deal' series on ITV 1, and on Channel 4’s hit series, 'Posh Pawn'. In demand for his unique combination of expertise and sheer fun, he has also appeared on television as a guest of both Alan Carr and Alan Titchmarsh. He has personality plus, to put it mildly!
Ian has been tripping about New Zealand and Meredith makes regular runs to Europe, so I ask if they can ever 'turn off' their dealer’s noses and actually walk past a store or a market without poking their heads in? “Oh god, it’s impossible!” says Ian, with Meredith chiming in with “oh god, never!” She adds, “you never turn off as you just can’t, it’s a profession that you stay in because you love everything about it. Its an obsession”. Do they buy? “Oh god yes!” laughs Ian, with Meredith telling me that one of her favourite finds over the years was the full shop interior of an old apothecary in Dusseldorf, Germany. The shop interior was complete with signage, counters, shelving, jars, the lot! She had been asked to source a unique idea for a client opening a new cafe and thought this would be perfect! It was shipped to New Zealand and is now aptly named The Apothecary Cafe, located in Howick.
Under the moniker of European Antiques, Meredith has spent the past 13 years sourcing and selling European antiques and decorative items sourced from France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy and the United Kingdom, and her showroom has to be seen to be believed. The World stores also offer a selection of her personally sourced mid-century and antique stock, and she supplies both the interior design industry as well as the general public. The purpose of Ian’s three week-long trip Down Under was threefold: he has established a long distance friendship with PN editor Martin Leach, wanted to say thank you to his fans and customers in New Zealand, and also to visit his partner Les’s elderly uncle in Palmerston North. “I really wanted to say thank you to the people in New Zealand who watch the shows I am on and then visit my shop in London, it is such a wonderful gesture,” says Ian. “They always buy something - and it needn’t be the most expensive of items - and we make such a personal connection.”
The pair swap anecdotes about picky clients and the rules of window dressing like old friends, and Ian shares his secret to keeping things interesting: serving Champagne every day in the store from 12 noon. His personal tipple of choice is Harrods’ Own Label Champagne, which his clients have quickly grown to love, too. When dealing with clients both agree that building a relationship with new customers involves enlightening them when it comes to the true value of what they are selling - or buying - and that honesty is paramount at all times. They are also both experts when it comes to incorporating antiques into the modern home, as people don’t want to feel as if they are living in a mausoleum. “Our customers put so much trust in us and become not just clients, but friends,” says Ian. “I feel lucky to have met them and also lucky to have flown around the world to meet the most amazing people, too.” PN (HELENE RAVLICH) F www.bourbonhanby.com www.europeanantiques.co.nz
photography: Martin Leach
Another connection to the Antipodes is Ian’s early career as an entertainer in Australia. He was raised and educated at La Martinier College in Lucknow, India, leaving at the age of 16 to pursue what he has called his “stage activities” in Australia. These included a time as a key member of the famous drag queen line up at infamous King’s Cross
Ian’s personal weakness is a beautiful Buddha, of which he has a large collection. His prize treasure is a bronze Buddha which dates back to the 1500s, and he also has a collection of three-legged frogs in everything from coral to turquoise.
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LOCAL NEWS JUBILATION PERFORMS AT THE AUCKLAND FRINGE FESTIVAL 2017 Ponsonby’s own gospel choir Jubilation is set to spread some righteous noise around greater Auckland as part of the Auckland Fringe Festival 2017. They are set to perform in Takapuna on Sunday 5 March and TAPAC at Western Springs on Sunday 12 March, Jubilation will be raising the roof with a capella gospel featuring some of Auckland’s finest singers. The vocal super-group features long-time bluesman Rick Bryant (Windy City Strugglers), chanteuse extraordinaire Jackie Clarke (The Ladykillers) and musical theatre supernova Jennifer Ward Lealand, as well as several professional musicians, a psychologist, a builder, a maker of superyachts, a handful of actors and a lecturer in Russian. The choir meets every week at the Unitarian Hall on Ponsonby Road to sing up a storm, and have performed all over the country to audiences large and small, from 10,000 at WOMAD to an intimate 60-something at the Old Cheese Factory near Arrowtown.
Most recently in Auckland, Jubilation sang with Neil Finn and the Topp Twins at the Kiwis on Board concert to welcome refugees to New Zealand, at the Waiheke Jazz Festival 2016, and at the Grey Lynn RSA to commemorate Anzac Day. Their three Auckland Fringe Festival gigs are Jubilation’s first outing in 2017, so if you want to hear the naked human voice in all its glory, make sure you don’t miss them. Tickets are available via iticket. F PN www.jubilation.co.nz
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
photography: Jane Ussher
The Jubilation repertoire includes gospel, soul, blues and country from the songbooks of Nina Simone, Tom Waits, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Blind Willie Johnson, Don McGlashan and Emmy Lou Harris, among others.
L-R: Tricia Hurrell, Kate Ward Smythe, Jude MacIntosh, Jackie Clarke, James Moore, Tim Dodd, Peter Kirkbride & Alan Jones
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VIVA ITALIA @ ECC 1. Viva Italia Pendant by Ingo Maurer $5120 Japanese paper, stainless steel, heat-resistant, satin-frosted glass, 80 printed paper sheets DIN A5. Zettel‘z Italia is a limited edition of Zettel‘z 5. Graphics selected by Ingo Maurer. 2. Copycat Table Lamp 24 carat gold by Michael Anastassiades for Flos $1615 Table lamp providing diffused light, copycat is made of two touching spheres that hold up each other in a delicate and poetic balance. The smaller sphere, available in several finishes, hides an LED source that radiates the lighting beam inside the glass sphere, thus delivering a smooth and uniform light. 3. Arabella Armchair by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti $13,650 Arabella is a large armchair that suggests an innovative way to envelop the body in an amazing range of positions. Its secret: the flexibility of the internal structure and the harmony of its design.
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4. Pina Armchair by Jamie Hayon for Magis $3515 The Pina Chair makes the best use of an eclectic mix of materials, from solid beech legs, a steel wire frame and upholstered cushioning. Its unique design is both stylish and practical and would suit a number of interiors. ECC LIMITED, 39 Nugent Street, Grafton, T: 09 373 1734, www.ecc.co.nz
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PIZZA AND MUSIC NIGHTS @ EPOLITO’S A year on and the crew at Epolito’s Pizzeria are still having fun, making great pizza and playing host to a growing number of regulars. At Epolito’s you can do take away, but if you prefer, you can dine in and eat your favourite pizza, wash it down with a Sawmill craft beer or a wine matched to the food. On Tuesday nights they have music from 5pm to 7pm - it's more like a happy hour. Then Thursday nights are rock and roll nights with various DJ’s from 7pm to 11pm. Both nights there’s $5 beer and wine and $5 slices available. Owner Chicklena Rose says, “Thursday nights do get loud once we get started around 8pm. Both music nights are held every other week but it pays to check dates as occasionally there’s a cancellation, because someone has another gig, but we try to keep it regular.”
Chicklena makes her own dough and sauce and uses a few family secrets when it comes to the meatballs and sausage. All ingredients come from New Zealand, nothing has to be imported! “I’m from New York and I’ve been making pizza since I was 13, no lie, a long time, it’s embedded in me! I watched my grandmother making pizza when we were kids, she even cut it with scissors... old school!" Epolito is open Tuesday to Saturday 5pm till late and they are fully licensed. F PN EPOLITO PIZZERIA, 166 Richmond Road, T: 09 361 1593, www.epolitospizzeria.co.nz
Epolito’s pizzas are traditional hand-stretched, dressed on wooden peels, and baked on the oven stones. There’s no fire or magic dust, just love, integrity and passion!
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Summer Sale February 22 — March 11
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VIVA ITALIA MICHAEL DEARTH AND BADUZZI: A TRUE LABOUR OF LOVE Feted by the critics and loved by its regulars, Wynyard Quarter restaurant Baduzzi is a true labour of love for owner Michael Dearth, who also owns fine dining establishment The Grove. The winner of the Metro Restaurant Personality of the Year Award for 2014, Dearth is passionate about food and wine, and the joy that the perfect combination of both brings to all who are lucky enough to experience it. Baduzzi means literally 'meatballs' in the Sicilian dialect, and this restaurant elevates them to great heights along with perfect cuts of meat, delicately prepared seafood and one of the finest wine lists in the city. Dearth came to New Zealand with a dream to open his own restaurant, beginning with The Grove. What he had planned was a place that would show off the vibrancy and freshness of seasonal produce, paired with exceptional wines from around the world, and amazing service. The customers flocked to the elegant Wyndham Street spot and so did the awards, and whilst chefs came and went, Dearth’s attention to detail held everything together with aplomb.
photography: Helene Ravlich
A few years later he opened Baduzzi, which directly honours the Italian American culture that he grew up amongst in Connecticut, United States. “Baduzzi was always going to be an expression of the type of food that I grew up with,” Dearth tells me, “and I have always felt that Italian food has always been one of the most loved but also misinterpreted, cuisines. At Baduzzi we have set out to show how special it is, and that Italian is not just the cuisine that is easy to cook at home, so why go out and pay for it.” Key to that is the picture perfect wine matches to be made with Baduzzi’s dishes, which Dearth, as a sommelier, has a particular passion for. He started out in his career as a dishwasher and then bartender and chef, before spending time as a waiter and maître d’ and then eventually, sommelier. “I fell in love with wine and started to study it a little later in my career,” he explains, “and soon started to see how many incredible Italian wines there were out there that needed to be celebrated.” He tells me that if you were lucky enough to spend a year travelling through Italy, you could literally try a new wine variety every day, “but still not even scratch the surface of how many they really have there.” His pursuit of provenance at every touch point at Baduzzi has seen him incorporate as many unique wine varieties from Italy into the resident wine list as possible, and honour the certain sense of place that they bring to the dishes. “In Europe they don’t separate food and wine,” he tells me, “and I think there has been a real disconnect in our new world that needs to be righted. People need to be reminded of that, and not being limited in their approach to what is appropriate to eat or drink.” He talks about restaurants - and their diners - who limit themselves to just a couple of seafood options when we there are lesser-known and lesser-used varieties that are just as worthy of experimentation, “and the same goes when it comes to wine. So many New Zealanders will limit themselves to just two varietals that they know of, and are missing out on some beautiful discoveries and matches.” He cites the island of Ischia off the coast of Naples as a perfect example of where provenance is done well, starting with the oily fish options that make up a lot of their dishes. “We do a similar thing here with our super-popular flame grilled sardines with pinoli, feta and white raisins, which make perfect sense when paired with a glass of Ischia Bianco white wine. It really makes you realise the importance of the provenance of food and wine and how well they can work together, even if at first the wine may seem really unfamiliar and odd to you.” He is excited by the growth and popularity in New Zealand of artisanal growers and producers who are devoting their lives to creating special moments in produce that he and his kitchen are more than happy to take advantage of. “Our goat ricotta supplier is a dedicated woman with a farm of just 25 goats who delivers our order to us personally, while another woman keeps us stocked exclusively with her zucchini flowers,” he says with a smile on his face, “and that is what keeps us doing what we do.” (HELENE RAVLICH) F PN Baduzzi, Corner of Jellicoe Street and Fish Lane, North Wharf, T: 09 309 9339, www.baduzzi.co.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
VIVA ITALIA
@ DESIGN 55 Design55 is the exclusive importer of Fornasetti - made in Italy. 1. Fornasetti Limited Edition Kiss Cabinet 2. Fornasetti Hot Air Balloons Umbrella Stand available in either a black or white background 3. Fornasetti 26cm Gold Leaf Wall Plate No.9 4. Fornasetti Limited Edition Vase Rossetti Colour 5. Fornasetti Chair Lux Gstaad, available in other colours 1
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DESIGN 55, 55 Upper Queen Street, Newton, T: 09 308 9455, www.design55.co.nz design55nz@instagram The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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VIVA ITALIA @ STUDIO ITALIA Marcel Wanders continues his work with Poliform with new additions to the Mad collection, sculptural forms revealed by the details on both the chairs and tables. Sophisticated finishes, woods, marbles and fabrics define the shapes of Mad, the collection extended this year by Marcel Wanders for Poliform. 1
The designer’s approach is more mature, having moved from experimentation to greater control of the process directed towards greater refinement. 1. Mad dining table, RRP $14,300 2. Mad dining chair, RRP $2600 3. Mad side table, RRP $2400
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4. Mad coffee table, RRP $6900 5. Mad Queen/armchair, RRP $7550
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6. Mad Joker/armchair, RRP $6300 7. Mad King/armchair, RRP $9600
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Mad Collection available exclusively at STUDIO ITALIA. www.studioitalia.co.nz
MUSIC ON THE FIELD:
Bayfield School, Date: Saturday 1 April, 2017 from 12 noon to 5pm
The Great Family fun afternoon is back! This year Bayfield’s iconic event, Music On The Field is back with another fantastic line up OF artists and family fun.
Venue: Tickets:
Grab your family and friends and come celebrate our biennial fundraising concert featuring an array of famous local musicians and performers, fabulous food, fine wine and loads of entertainment for the kids! Bands: Children of all ages will love the HUGE range of fun activities with exciting rides and entertainment including: Kids Only Shop, Ferris Wheel, Pirate Ship, Laughing Clowns, Boot Camp Obstacle Course, Disney Cups, Large Slide, Face Painters, Lego World and much more. And while the kids are being entertained there will be lots of fun for the adults too with live music, raffles and a silent auction.
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Bayfield School, main school field, 2-12 Clifton Road, Herne Bay On sale from 1 March available from the Bayfield School Office, Door Sales or via Wrapitup for families of Bayfield School. • Family pass $50 (2 adults and up to 4 children, under 5’s free) • Single adult $35 • Child (5-12 years old) $15 (under 5’s free) To be announced soon - as usual you will not be disappointed!
For more information: Visit www.musiconthefield.co.nz or join us on Facebook@ Bayfield School. Please come along and show your support for your local school community at Music on the Field 2017. No rain date for this event, but as past events have proved, PN we will go ahead rain, hail or shine! F PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Celebrate 75 years of iconic design, from pioneering modernist vision to bold contemporary designs for home and office. Always timeless. Always true. www.knolleurope.com
studio.italia 25 Nugent St, Grafton, AKL info@studioitalia.co.nz - www.studioitalia.co.nz phone +64 9 523 2105
VIVA ITALIA AUTHENTIC ITALIAN AT SABATO! There is no denying that Italians are passionate about good food. At Sabato we share this passion too and offer a wide selection of quality Italian ingredients. Our products are sourced from small, often family-run, artisan producers who use traditional methods to create authentic Italian products. There is no dish more Italian than pasta! From durum wheat pasta from our long-term Italian supplier Rustichella to whole wheat pasta from organic producer Girolomoni to our new gluten-free pasta range, we have something for everyone’s taste buds. Create irresistible pasta dishes with our range of Italian-made pestos. Our Sabato range includes nine delicious flavours all made with quality extra virgin olive oil. Punchy, flavoursome and rich in taste, try our Truffle Pesto made with fragrant truffle, basil and Parmigiano Reggiano. Simply toss through pasta or risotto or use as a stuffing. For a real chilli kick, try our silky Broccoli and Chilli Pesto. Loaded with all the goodness of broccoli, add to pasta or serve alongside grilled meats. For something a little bit different try our Dill and Almond Pesto. Almonds, cashews and dill create a smooth, vibrant pesto which pairs perfectly with salmon mixed through pasta. All our pestos are full of flavour without the effort, just open a jar! Need some cheese to top your pasta off? Our authentic Parmigiano Reggiano is carefully selected for its provenance and quality. We offer three varieties at Sabato: traditional, red cow and brown cow, each with their own unique flavour profile. All are divine shaved over pasta or risotto. Visit our retail store to taste our Italian products and chat to our knowledgeable staff. For Italian recipe ideas visit www.sabato.co.nz F PN SABATO, 57 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, T: 09 630 8751
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
THE ELEGANCE OF ITALIAN FRAMES
VIVA ITALIA BAKING ITALIAN STYLE
The Frame Workshop celebrates Viva Italia with their range of very beautiful Italian picture frame mouldings.
When you walk down Mackelvie Street you’ll catch a whiff of what smells like heaven and think, oh yeah.. Il Forno is still baking!
Italians are well known for their elegant designs and hand-crafted finishes. With these frame mouldings you can have your artwork framed in either traditional or modern styles.
For over 10 years Il Forno Specialty Italian Bakery and Cafe has been filling the air within a two block radius with the absolutely beautiful aroma of their freshly baked goods. Situated at the Ponsonby Road end of Mackelvie Street, Il Forno is a cosy and inviting place to go for coffee and to enjoy well-priced freshly baked fare - the next best thing to being in Italy!
A well-framed mirror ads a certain elegance and spaciousness to even the smallest of room. So if you are thinking of adding a mirror to your home, The Frame Workshop's range of gorgeous European frame choices will create a mirror to become a special item of furniture. The Frame Workshop will custom-make to any size up to three metres.
Il Forno supplies the finest Italian-style bread - ciabatta, schiacciata and a healthy mixed grain. They also bake a large selection of sourdough breads including scrumptious organic options.
Open: Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 3pm. F PN THE FRAME WORKSHOP, 182 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 4749, www.frameworkshop.co.nz
Il Forno bakes daily and besides their bread they also stock a wide range of freshly baked goods including the cutest ginger people, the best savoury pies, macaroons and a variety of pastries and doughnuts - an array that is really overwhelming. Along with these items Carla is still making a good strong cup of Italian coffee and Mele is still making their famous lasagne, cannelloni, gnocchi and ravioli. Easter is just around the corner and only the early bird will catch the steaming hot Easter buns. Their opening hours are a little different to most overthe Easter holiday weekend; they are open Good Friday and Easter Saturday but closed Easter Sunday and Monday. Call in to Il Forno soon, it is a must for those of you who want to get an Italian fix without having to leave Ponsonby. F PN IL FORNO SPECIALTY ITALIAN BAKERY AND CAFÉ, 55 Mackelvie Street, T: 09 378 0264
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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Robert Aylwin - chef at Osteria del Pane “Professionally I have always seen myself as dedicated and passionate. I remember the words my father told me as a teenager: “If you're going to do something, do it right or not at all.” I put that into everything I do. I love this profession because you never stop learning, it’s never boring and there is always something new on the horizon.” Tell us about partner... My wife and soul mate is Zsofia. She found her calling very early and has been working with special needs children and adults for over 20 years. She is currently working towards her Masters in Speech Language Therapy Practice. Do you have any children? I have a son of 27 and a daughter of 23. No grandchildren yet, but I am looking forward to being a grandpa when it’s time. Do you have any pets? My dog’s name is Stinky. She is a rescued Staffy crossbreed. How do you keep fit? Going to the gym, walking the dog and swimming. Your best friend would say of you... I guess it’s not what he would say but what he did say to me when he became a father. He told me that watching me raise my son inspired him to be the best dad he could be. And Lee is a great dad. Your mother would say of you... She would be proud of what I have accomplished. What are your virtues? Perfectionism, optimism, a thick skin (which comes in handy in this business), the thirst for knowledge, a wicked sense of humour. And your vices? Perfectionism, low tolerance to ignorance, temperamental. What’s your secret passion? Peanut butter. What's your secret talent? Song parodies. Where do you spend your holidays? I like to travel and we have done our fair share of travelling around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands in past years. However, I enjoy spending my holidays at home with my family just as much. What's your perfect Sunday? My perfect Sunday would start with corned-beef hash, poached eggs and chipotle hollandaise. Then heading out to one of the beautiful beaches, like Tawharanui Reserve. And of course watching the Patriots win the Super Bowl... again. What were you going to be when you grew up? I wanted to join the Air Force to become a pilot. How did you come to be a chef? I got my first job as a dishwasher in a local restaurant when I was 15. I loved the energy and structure of the kitchen. At 15 I was wild and out of control and I needed an environment where I was shouted at, told off and had plates thrown at me. It taught me discipline, which is essential in life and this business.
If you weren’t a chef you’d be..? If I wasn’t a chef I would be a small organic farmer, as I feel a strong connection to food and where it’s sourced from. What’s your favourite Ponsonby cafe? Adam and Arnold. Your favourite Ponsonby restaurant? El Sizzling Chorizo. Your best-kept Ponsonby secret? The whiskey chocolate cake from Rocket Kitchen. What's inspired you recently? My wife. When we opened she took on managing the front of house and having never done a job like that she took to it like a natural. What would be your desert island distraction? Meditation. “I'd be lost without my...” Sourdough starter. Once you stop using commercial yeast you can never go back! One thing you have learned about life is? It's too short to let people bring you down. Eat, live, love and laugh every day because tomorrow may never come. Focus on the positive. Your advice to Ponsonby diners? Turn off your phone! Something that I really feel is important is being present when dining out (or doing whatever you, do for that matter). Food is about sharing, laughing and being together with family and friends, and you can’t do that with your Facebook notifications blinking. Your advice to young Ponsonby people aspiring to work in the restaurant scene? Chefs: create everything from scratch. Keep your produce local and love what you do. Waiters: do it with passion. Do it because you love the vibrancy, the crazy hours and the people. OSTERIA DEL PANE, 204 Jervois Road, T: 09 09 378 8877, www.osteriadelpane.co.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
French oak timber flooring 3 ranges from $129 + GST per sq m
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Goldmine Centre, 1118 Great North Road, Point Chevalier, T: 09 361 1567 Plenty of parking – not far from Ponsonby, take the driveway past the Mad Butcher
www.artedomus.co.nz | www.bandocasa.com
EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY NATURAL HEALTH WEEK 13 - 18 MARCH Free naturopathic advice in your local natural health store? To celebrate their long-standing, free naturopathic services throughout their stores, Huckleberry is hosting a week-long series of natural health events. Natural Health Week kicks off on Monday 13 March with the first evening covering ‘Essentials of Detoxing’. This features expert insights and delicious detox bites from Megan May of Little Bird Organics, followed by ‘Chemical Free Living’ with the Eco Store team, Prana Therapy, Kokako and Lumerian Water. Their mid-week event ‘It all starts in the gut, a digestive discovery’ with Om Kombucha, The Kefir Company, Best Bones Broth and Mad Millie Crocks is followed by ‘Creating Balance and Flow’, a powerful evening of mindfulness and calm featuring Nikki Ralston, Emma Mildon and Artemis Teas on Thursday evening.
Natural H We Join o and g a wee work
Friday night highlights a mouth-watering three course plant-based dinner, summing up ‘The healing power of food’ presented by Sarah Tanner of Greenleaf Organics.
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The week-long events will conclude with a chance to get up close and personal with the Huckleberry naturopaths offering free 30-minute consultations at the Natural Health Market morning at the New Lynn store. The market morning will also featuring tastings of leading natural health products and some bouncy castle fun for the kids. F PN
OR F TO BO
Natural Health Week tickets are available from 1 March, and to book a free 30-minute consultation or discover more about Huckleberry visit: www.huckleberry.co.nz/naturalhealthweek
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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY FACES @ GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET Yusuf Ozbal from Zeki's Turkish Bread is at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market every Sunday. What products do you make and which are your favourites? We have a variety of Turkish products including wood-fired Turkish bread, pizza bases, olives, ready-to-eat Turkish food such as borek and gozleme, a range of dips, baklava, Turkish delight and more. How long have you been making your products? The business started operating in 1998, but we only started going to markets three years ago. Where did the business begin? In the beginning the business started in Penrose and has developed over the years. In 2007, we came to a decision to move to a bigger factory as the production area in Penrose was fairly small and we have relocated to Henderson. What’s the biggest business decision you have had to make? Moving to Henderson was the biggest business decision for us as this has enabled us to develop the business further and reaching out more customers. What’s your favourite way to relax after work? Chilling at home with a glass of wine while watching television.
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Where is your favourite New Zealand holiday spot? Taupo is my favourite holiday spot. What’s your favourite thing about coming to the Grey Lynn Farmers Market? Environment I would say. The market has a beautiful atmosphere and nice people. F PN www.zekisbread.co.nz
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
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GARY STEEL: VEG FRIENDLY
Mocking Winston Mock meat is a thing. Get over it, meat industry. You know just how threatened our so-called 'primary' industries are feeling when they deign it necessary to get stuck into vegetarians. In the past few weeks it’s been widely reported that Winston Peters has put his support behind farmers - or should that read ‘agricultural lobbyists’ - who are outraged and incensed and infuriated and absolutely beside themselves that vegetarians dare to call a few of their concoctions 'mock meat'. According to the NZ First leader, calling vegetarian products 'mock meat' is waging war on our farmers who raise real meat, and puts our good export name at risk. Apparently, his call to ban meat-like vegetarian products from using the word ‘meat’ is in line with moves by agricultural activists in several other countries, and the good name of milk is also up for grabs. It seems that milk producers are trying to prevent the word ‘milk’ being used in milk substitute products like soy milk and almond milk. I had to have a little snigger when I read Winston’s rantings about fake meat. A couple of elections back, writer Steve Braunias profiled a few different political leaders, interviewing them in a K’Road Indian Hare Krishna restaurant that makes the most delicious ‘curd steaks’: chunky slabs of Indian paneer cheese. One of the more entertaining interviewees was Winston. I wonder if Peters chowed down on a curd steak during his interview? But seriously, while it’s gratifying to see Winston turning his attentions away from immigrants for a change, it’s rather pathetic that he can so easily be sucked into the dying gasps of an industry threatened by unstoppable sea changes. The fact is, while mock meats have only recently become fashionable in the West, there’s a whole cuisine based around them in China that stretches back about a thousand years. Mock meats are common in Buddhist foods, whether they’re from China, Taiwan or Thailand, and any visitor to an Asian vegetarian restaurant will know the sometimes rather hilarious (or off-putting, perhaps) array of fake meat dishes available, most of it derived from tofu, but also from wheat gluten. Then there’s the rather long history of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (which owns Sanitarium to this day) and its nut-based ‘nut meat’ that’s been around since the 1930s. Of course, mock meat has gone mainstream with the appearance in supermarkets of products like Tofurkey, but why this is a problem for the meat industry rather beggars belief. If ‘mock meat’ actually pretended to be product made from slaughtered animals, then I could understand their opprobrium, but it’s quite clear on all the labelling of such foods that they’re vegetarian alternatives to meat. You’d have to be an imbecile to mistakenly choose a mock meat product in the belief that it was a slice of bull.
OUR FRIENDLY LOCAL - THE GREY LYNN TAVERN We asked Ankit Gupta, the manager of Grey Lynn Tavern to tell us more about his favourite bar. How long have you been the manager of the Grey Lynn Tavern? I’ve been here for one year, but have been in the industry for more than a decade. The owners have had this bar for 10 years now. What are the most popular drinks? The majority of our customers are beer drinkers but even our spirits and wines are fairly priced. We are also happy to make the odd cocktail when required. Don’t forget to clip the coupon in the advertisement opposite to get $5 off your first drink - it’s valid until the end of March. What sort of clientele do you have? Most of our customers are regulars who enjoy a few drinks each day after work. But we keep getting new customers every now and then. People who enjoy a quiet drink in a friendly relaxed atmosphere are most welcome. What is special about GLT? I visit many bars and analyse them as a manager. I think the personal touch and greeting that you experience at my bar is what people appreciate the most. Also we are good at suggesting drinks for our customers depending on their mood and the weather. Do you hold special functions? We hold regular rugby league evenings and also we often get groups of office colleagues, who want to enjoy a drink after work. What changes have you made to the bar opening hours? We have recently increased our opening hours to midnight from Wednesday through to Saturday. And to 9pm from Sunday to Tuesday. Do you serve meals? We don’t have a kitchen, but we encourage customers to bring their own food in. There is so much choice along the street - from fish and chips to pizza, Indian curries or Thai takeaways. What would you like to say to PN readers? We may not be as flashy as the bars in Ponsonby, but it’s definitely the best place around to just relax, have a few drinks and feel at home. Don’t forget to like us on our Facebook page and I look forward to seeing you soon. GREY LYNN TAVERN, 521-523 Great North Road, T: 09 376 6521
Personally, I’ve never much liked mock meat products. Part of the reason I gave up eating meat was because I didn’t like it, so what’s the point of pretend-meat eating? Still, there are those who don’t want meat but like the flavour or the texture or find mock meat useful while they’re transitioning to a vegetarian or vegan diet, so I wouldn’t knock it. And some mock meat products are quite tasty, especially the ones that are less successful at imitating the texture and flavour of meat! Winston Peters really needs to get with the programme. Doesn’t he know that meat is on the way out? Has he no idea of the cost to the environment and to human health? Is he completely ignorant about animal welfare issues? Perhaps to Winston, any publicity is good publicity, but his latest stunt makes him look like an ass. Nothing ‘mock’ about that. (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 Barman Tao Jiang and Manager Ankit Gupta
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A n O ld F as hi on ed L oc al P ub W i th F ri en dl y S er vi ce FUNCTIONS POKIES – 3 JACKPOTS TEXAS HOLDEM POKER – EVERY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE – EVERY FRIDAY LIVE SKY SPORTS SUNNY NORTH FACING DECK Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 11am - midnight Sunday – Tuesday 11am - 9pm Ample parking | Eftpos available
521/523 Great North Road | 09 376 6521 e: greylynntavern@xtra.co.nz LIKE US The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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LIZ WHEADON: WINE, GLORIOUS WINE
Organic, biodynamic, natural, sustainable What’s it all about and does it make the wine better? A big question, and to answer with a straight yes or no would no doubt lead me into a host of controversy. So instead let’s start with a little definition and, if possible, clarity. Given there’s a natural wine discussion in this bunch, a challenge this might just be. Organic wines are made from grapes cultivated without the use of synthetic fungicides, herbicides or fertilisers. Essentially it's all about nature without adding anything artificial. Organic wines are regulated through legislation that varies around the world and leads to different labelling requirements including organically grown, made from organic grapes and organic wine. Whatever the labelling, if there is a reference to ‘organic’ on the label, then the grapes have been grown organically, in much the same way that food products are.
part of the world in which they were grown. To represent the very best expression of that place, many have been made as naturally as possible, though with the understanding and expectation that if intervention was required for quality to be achieved then it would be done. (LIZ WHEADON) F PN www.glengarry.co.nz
Biodynamic winemaking is a far more holistic approach. Biodynamic viticulture relates back to the Austrian philosopher, Rudolf Steiner, taking the view of the vineyards as a living organism, that the earth is a living organism and, to make all in balance, it is important to ensure that vinicultural practices are timed to coincide with the rhythms of the earth and that preparations are also prepared in tune with these cycles. An icon and quality benchmark for biodynamic winemaking in New Zealand is Millton Vineyards, Gisborne. Natural winemaking is the most challenging to define as it’s more of a movement based around the approach of ‘nothing added and nothing taken’. You could be forgiven for thinking that the natural wine movement was a new modern thing and, looking at the bars adopting it, a hipster take on winemaking. Rather, it is a movement that started in Beaujolais, France in the 1960s. It was born from a desire to use less sulphur, less oak, less extraction and make wine like their grandparents used to. The opposite direction, if you like, to where wines were heading at the time. Defining what natural wine is all about is not something anyone seems to have a clear handle on and, frankly, talk to anyone deep in this movement and you’d quickly have the feeling they don’t want to be defined. Natural winemaking is essentially a philosophy of making the wine naturally. Now at that you may stop and ask, is all wine not natural? In a way, yes, wine is made from a natural product, grapes. It’s just that such things as the addition of sulphur as a preservative, pressing the grapes to extract lots of colour and tannins from the skins, using new oak with varying toasts (and the list could go on) are all parts of winemaking that affect the wine's final taste and are things that natural winemakers tend to avoid. The simplest way of describing natural wine is: pick the grapes, put them in something inert and let Mother Nature make the wine. The most extreme believe that if something goes wrong with the fermentation, then that’s what Mother Nature intended. So how does all that relate to quality and what’s in the bottle? A contentious topic to consider and one that I can only view from my own experiences. I do very much like the idea of organic grape growing and believe that we should be striving to achieve that as much as we can with all food and beverage products. Furthermore, biodynamics makes sense to me; soil that is alive and growing must help produce high-quality fruit. To then not add anything, to make something as natural as you can, well I like that too; if nothing needs to be added, why add it? I do, however, appreciate fine quality in wine and my experience to date shows me that some of the greatest wines I’ve ever drunk have not been organic, biodynamic or indeed natural. These wines have all had a similarity though, in that they have had a strong sense of belonging to the particular
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Thanks for the great start! Due to demand we’ve added more lunch services and are now open for dinner every day
OPEN 7 days for dinner. lunch wed - SUN We also have some fantastic takeaway options for lunch
OPEN 12 NOON - LATE For happy starts & happy endings
FOR RESERVATIONS: Please book online or phone 09 - 320 5292 Some parking available off Maidstone Street
www.azabuponsonby.co.nz
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PHIL PARKER: WHOSE WINE IS IT ANYWAY?
Mothers’ Ruin - the revival of gin Gin has had many incarnations over hundreds of years - from the cheap and nasty opiate of 17th Century masses to the boutique, hipster thirst-quencher of millennials. Gin is basically pure distilled ethanol white spirit with added botanical flavour compounds. The compounds are derived predominately from juniper berries but also a number of additives including angelica, hops, coriander, lime, lemon, orange, liquorice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, bitter almond, cucumber and cloves. Here’s a selection of very fine New Zealand-made gins. Black Robin Rare Gin, 750ml, 43% alcohol - $69.99 With native horopito and juniper in the mix of 11 botanicals, Black Robin is named for the endangered Chatham Islands Black Robin. A portion of the profits are donated to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand. Aromas and flavours of juniper, lemon squash and bitter almond, with a hint of cloves. Opens up in the mouth soft and sweet with a nudge of liquorice. Matakana Moonshine, 700ml, 37.2% alcohol - $36.70 Much softer than the Black Robin at 5.8% less ABV. Soft and subtle with stem ginger, gardenia florals and sandalwood. Produced by In The Bush Ltd., they scooped a Bronze Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
cinnamon and clove, opening out on the palate with soft integrated flavours of cake spices and candied orange peel. Broken Heart Gin, 700ml, 40% alcohol - $64.99 Another one from the deep south - this time Queenstown. Uses glacial water from Queenstown. The brand reflects the relationship between the two German master distillers who launched the brand. Joerg was a pilot and Bernd an engineer. Sadly, Bernd died after battling illness and Joerg’s gin is a testament to their friendship. Nose of juniper, lime and cumin. With soft and spicy flavours of orange and lime. (PHIL PARKER) For availability - I highly recommend www.wine-searcher.com Phil Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine & Food Tours in Auckland. See: www.finewinetours.co.nz Phil’s new cellar door book ‘NZ Wine Regions - A Visitor’s Guide’ is now available on Amazon Kindle.
Light House Batch Distilled Gin, 750ml, 42% alcohol - $79.99 Perfumed on the nose with sweet lime, pomander and cloves. Soft and smooth palate with orange zest, Turkish delight and angelica. Source Pure Cardrona Gin, 750ml, 47% alcohol - $79.99 All the way from the deep south, with classy packaging in a nice oblong bottle. Batch distilled eight times over copper pot and column stills. They include botanicals of juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon and orange zest, plus rose hip. One the nose, it’s assertive with coriander and juniper and a hint of pine resin. Flavours of marshmallow, plus all of the above botanicals. Rogue Society Premium Dry Gin, 700ml, 42.2% alcohol - $79.99 Very classy packaging in a tall, black bottle with a silver badge. Aromas of juniper, lemon zest, liquorice, ripe orange and talcum. The palate is citrus dominant with orange zest, florals and lychee tropical fruit. Vaione Premium Pacific Gin, 1 litre, 40.2% alcohol - $74.99 Pacifica style branding with fern leaves and tapa cloth images. Lime and orange dominate the palate. On the nose, there are cinnamon and clove aromas. In the mouth it’s very soft and integrated with flavours of cake spices and orange zest. Karven Dry Gin, 700ml, 40.8% alcohol - $74.99 Made by Puhoi-based Ukrainian expat Alex Kirichuk, this gin has picked up three international awards. Its botanicals include manuka flower. On the nose it’s orange zest,
BEDFORD BALLERS SHAVE FOR A CURE Bedford Soda & Liquor has set up a 'Shave For A Cure' team: 10 of the bar’s male staff are to shave their heads for the Leukemia and Blood Cancer Foundation on 4 March. The ‘Ballers’ say, “The lads at Boar & Blade will be helping us out as we raise money for the ‘Shave for a Cure’. Please donate whatever you can to help the six Kiwis that are diagnosed with some form of blood cancer or related disease every day... every little bit counts.” F PN www.shaveforacure.co.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
TINA PLUNKETT: PONSONBY CENTRAL
If fashion is your thing then Ponsonby Central is more than great noodles... @ Wixxi Wixxi creates clothing that is fluid and fresh with clean silhouettes inspired by history and nature.
@ Wallace Cotton Crisp white sheets, luxurious covers and plush cushions; the kind of bed you never want to get out of.
From an eclectic range of vintage clothing hand-picked and lovingly curated, to the luxurious natural fabrics of the desirable garments, quality and ethical sourcing is the essence behind Wixxi label. A family business, their philosophy is to go small and sustain care in all they do. The cashmere is made by second generation artisans in Nepal, the silks originate from one small family company in Vietnam. They are proud to be a part of the slow fashion movement.
Right on the corner is the iconic homeware store Wallace Cotton. Bursting with a beautiful array of bed, bath and table linen, sleepwear, clothing and furniture, the store is a New Zealand owned and operated success story. The Wallace Cotton brand is synonymous with beautiful designs and great quality at an affordable price. Pop in and see the staff, they are happy to help you re-create the latest season's look in your home.
www.wixxi.co.nz
www.wallacecotton.com
@ Mr. W & Me If shoes are your thing then you’ve just found Ponsonby Central's shoe heaven. Quirky yet elegant, these are shoes that will make you feel like a million dollars without costing that much. Bearing names like 'Captains Table' (available in a striking pale blue) and 'High Dive', the range is sourced and designed by uber stylish husband and wife team Tom and Jane. Mr. W & Me specialises in quality unique and contemporary women's shoes, made in Italy and China. The best bit? The majority of styles are priced under $150 and new stock arrives every couple of months!
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
The first drop of winter styles have just arrived at Mr. W & Me. The new leather loafers and sneakers feature Mr. W & Me's signature non-fussy styling with subtle yet premium details. A wooden stacked low heel on the 'Love Me Loafer' and the fold over adjustable fastening on 'Stick Together Sneaker' make all the difference. It'll be hard to know which colour to go for, luckily they're an affordable price for multiple purchasing. www.mrwandme.com
DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY K’ROAD RISING There’s something going on in K’Road… It’s always been a place for the edgy, the fringe the creative - long may that continue - and there’s a sense that another era is being ushered in. All kinds of interesting eateries have popped up in the last year or so to cater for our insatiable desire for new eating and drinking experiences. Carmen Jones, a cafe/restaurant with an interior straight out of Havana, has one foot in the old world and one in the new. Drawing inspiration from old Mediterranean Europe to the Americas, the bohemian Carmen Jones fits right in to the eclectic neighbourhood that is K’Road. Originally evenings only, they are now open for weekend brunches - Friday through Sunday - serving up Miller’s Coffee (ginger and cardamom affogato anyone?) and moreish eats including churros con chocolate; chorizo benedict; pan-fried small fish with green pea and avocado smash, fennel salad and hot baguette; and the famous Barcelona ‘bikini sandwich’.
Owned and operated by long-time Ponsonby residents Clare Hindmarsh and Zeki Kizilata, with their partners Ali and Michelle Arsan (the team behind the funky new Aegean restaurant Lokanta in Richmond Road, and previously the original Caravanserai and Tasca), Carmen Jones cruises into the evening with gorgeous late afternoon sun, happy hour drinks, and a menu of delicious shareables and meals. Their semi-private ‘Havana Room’ is also great for mix’n’mingle parties of 20 to 40 people. If the invasion of mall brands into Ponsonby bothers you - you need to get to K'Road, before everyone else does! F PN CARMEN JONES, 382 Karangahape Road, T: 09 974 5500, www.carmenjones.nz
Carmen Jones cruises into the evening with gorgeous late afternoon sun, happy hour drinks and a menu of delicious shareables and meals
ANY PAGE IN PONSONBY NEWS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE SEEN
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY LAC VIET - LOVE THEIR FOOD! Lac Ly was born in Cholon Vietnam and from birth to age 30 he had never known what it was like to live without the sounds and sights of war. When the Vietnam War eventually ended, he and his family came to New Zealand. It was 1977 and as refugee boat people they were rescued from Chantabuni Camp in Thailand by the New Zealand government. Arriving in New Zealand Lac Ly and his family fully embraced their new start in life. By 1979 his family had opened their first restaurant in Auckland called Mekong which was located on the corner of Queen Street and Victoria Street. Years later Lac Ly founded and directed the China-Oriental Markets at No 2 Britomart Place in Downtown Auckland. Lac Ly and his wife Oanh Huynh share a unique Indo-China culture. Oanh was born into a ‘landlord’ family of the rich Mekong Delta, Rach Gia and she learnt her cooking from her grandmother who was a trained French cook. Nowadays you will find this wife and husband team serving up healthy light food at their recently opened Lac Viet Traditional Vietnamese Restaurant located on Ponsonby Road opposite the Ponsonby Foodcourt. “We serve traditional Vietnamese dishes,” says Lac Ly. “We don’t serve fusion dishes, instead we cook in the traditional way just as our grandmothers cooked using fresh herbs. I grow all our herbs at home. My garden is full of herbs such as oriental basils, fishy herbs, lemongrass, Vietnamese mint, purple mint, ngo om paddy herbs, tamarind fruits, garlic and a variety of lettuce and Asian vegetables.” Oanh Huynh is the head chef at Lac Viet and she says, “We specialise in paleo cooking, we don’t use dairy products and wheat, because those products were simply not available to our older generations in Vietnam and we keep that aspect alive in our cooking to this day.
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
Lac Viet Traditional Vietnamese Restaurant wife and husband team Oanh Huynh and Lac Ly "We are confident in what we cook and serve. If we are true to our taste and true to our food, we believe Ponsonby people will like what we like. We love using the slow cooking method using fresh herbs and spices just as we were brought up on.” There are many wonderful dishes on the Lac Viet menu. Some of the favourites include grilled lemongrass chicken, caramalised pork belly, noodle salad, pho, cari bo, wraps and rolls, Vietnamese pancakes and satay chicken. Open from Tuesday to Sunday the restaurant is licensed and BYO. They serve craft beers and boutique wines and can cater for up to 50 people. “We love all the support we have received from Ponsonby locals and we are happy to serve.” F PN LAC VIET TRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT, 45 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 7240, www.facebook.com/lacvietponsonby
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JULIE BONNER: NEWS FROM FROG POND FARM I’m busy tapping away on my keyboard and occassionally glancing out the window. It’s a damp morning and there is a light rain, which is much needed and no winds either for a change, which is so good. I find it hard to believe that we are marching into autumn; summer was such a non-event! The veggie garden is looking pretty good though. I have kept it well watered over summer and given it lashings of seaweed fertiliser and worm tea. So what’s happening... • The zucchini at last has turned into a machine and yes we are eating it most nights and giving it away. • Our lemon cucumber is smothered, zucchini and cucumber pickle is on the ‘to do’ list. • Beetroot has been left too long in the bed and is only good now for juicing. • Lettuces have grown so well this year, hence I’m planting more seedlings. • More spuds have been dug up and there are more waiting in the dirt, there is nothing like homegrown potatoes! • Fennel is growing nicely but needs to be harvested before it gets too big. • We are loving cooking with the array of herbs we have growing - parsley, thyme, oregano, sage, spring onions. • Watermelon was planted late so probably won’t come to anything. • The runner beans are way past their best and need to be removed. • The corn is looking amazing. You may remember a few years back, that our corn got eaten by some four-legged critters - I wasn’t exactly what you would call happy at the time and fair enough too, I had spent hours lavishing this garden with TLC. So earlier this year as I had missed the combination of corn and sunflowers and cucurbits, I found myself at Heirloom Organix, buying more corn seedlings. So into a nicely prepared garden, I poked some sunflower seeds at the top of the bed, the corn seedlings (over planted as usual) and an array of cucurbit seedlings (think cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin). The irony is I have no idea what these cucurbit seedlings will be. I dug them up from various places around the garden where they had popped up as they do, so I suspect at the end of the season their yield is going to be very interesting. The bets are on though - will we be eating corn? What do you think? Each year I rant and rave about the visits to our orchard by the wild turkeys! Guess what? They have been absent this year, which is strange. Don’t get me wrong though, I don’t miss them one bit. Still, rest assured we have had plenty of visits from pukekos, ducks and the usual blackbirds, sparrows and thrush. We won’t be harvesting olives again this year. It has become apparent that our trees are bi-annual producers and to be honest, I don’t mind at all! It is a big job and there is much to co-ordinate. Plus, we still have at least 25 litres of oil remaining from our crop last year. Did I say it is divine? Bill, my hubby’s father, has also been rather busy in our kitchen. He is such a wonderful cook and makes desserts that are to die for... imagine panna cotta with rosewater, vanilla and white chocolate! The larder is also now boasting plum chutney, plum jam and damson jelly, while the freezer has bags of plums and peaches. Not to be outdone, yours truly located a rather tasty plum sauce recipe from the Internet, but it wasn’t until the end of cooking time, when I tried the sauce that I realised in horror that the recipe was devoid of sugar! The fact that half the recipe contained plums in varying degrees of ripeness probably added to the fact that it tasted much like plum vinegar! To top it off, I broke the mouli and splashed sauce all over the place. Why I never used my dad’s tried and true plum sauce recipe I will never know! Did I add sugar? Of course I did. PN 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)
TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!
Devouring Vietnam Despite having recently eaten my way around Vietnam, I can’t wait to return! Vietnam is a foodie’s dream - beautiful fresh flavours and enough subtle variations by region to keep you coming back for more. Chinese flavours influence the soups of the north; spice and complex techniques are common on the central coast and in the south, dishes are full of the flavours of fresh herbs. A word to the wise, you must like fish sauce, it’s a staple ingredient, especially in the delicious nuoc cham (dipping sauce) which is served with, well, everything! Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon if you listen to the locals) is a fabulous city for starters. Given its infamous traffic, what better way to explore it than on an organised Vespa tour! Zipping through the streets amongst hundreds of other scooters, you’re feeling like a local within moments. These tours stop along the way at the best cafes to sample local delicacies including the famous fresh summer rolls, seafood and enough good strong Vietnamese coffee to keep your senses on high alert. Brought to Vietnam by the French when milk was a scarce commodity, this flavoursome drip-filtered brew is still taken with lashings of sweetened condensed milk. Caffeine and sugar are a great antidote to any jet-lag you may be experiencing. Having had my fill of traffic, I headed for Hoi An, one of Vietnam's most atmospheric towns where the streets of the old town are closed to all traffic except bicycles. Hoi An’s relaxed vibe is further added to by the gorgeous cafes and restaurants which line the streets, and you won’t believe how cheap they are! At night, the streets come alive with colourful lanterns reflecting off the river, with music and incredible aromas wafting through the air. You don’t have to stroll too far to come across delicious delicacies such as crispy roast pork, crispy pancakes and beef pho (a tasty beef broth with noodles and fresh herbs). Take a cooking class or two and the recipes will be lasting souvenirs. Once a major port, Hoi An’s architecture ranges from its 16th Century Japanese merchants’ bridge, to the crumbling charm of French colonial buildings. Early risers should visit the fish market for a full immersion in local life, and fashionistas can update their wardrobe with the help of Hoi An’s legendary tailors.
home to diverse ethnic groups each with their own distinct cultural differences. Then there’s Hanoi, with its thought-provoking museums and the shopping heaven that is the traditional merchant streets in the Old Quarter.
Foodie or otherwise, Vietnam is a treat for every traveller. A day spent cruising quietly on a traditional junk around Halong Bay followed by a dip in the warm ocean waters and a freshly caught seafood lunch would be hard to beat. The northern mountains are
Vietnam is a country which is so easy to travel through, with some of the friendliest people you will ever meet, and arguably the most delicious cuisine in the world. I will return! (DAVINA BICKER, WORLD JOURNEYS) F PN
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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ROSS THORBY: SEA FEVER It is fitting that here at the Harland and Wolf Shipyard in Belfast is where one of the most thought-provoking tributes to a great legend has been built and one that you wouldn’t have to be a total 'Titanic-phile' to appreciate. Here on the forecourt of 'Titanic Belfast', a museum facing the Belfast Lough where the mighty Titanic set sail for England and her date with destiny, is a plain brass plate set in the stones that says it all: Titanic 41o 43’ N 49o 56 ’W. A co-ordinate that is some four days sailing from here. On the expansive grounds of the old shipyard, you can explore the dry dock where she was fitted out. It was the last place that the ship stood on dry ground, and you can explore the slipyards where her and her two sisters were constructed - an outlay of her boat deck now a fitting testament where you can walk, deftly avoiding the outline of the life rafts and superstructure. Standing proud in the city’s newly regenerated residential area called the 'Titanic Quarter', stands an architectural nod to the ice and steel that was the fabric of her existence. Soaring 38m high, the same height as the hull, it is a sharp, angular building, its cladding in anodised aluminium reflecting the Irish sun and its angular form recalling her prow. It sits proudly above a moat punctuated with a number of benches laid out in a pattern of that frantically sent code: SOS. A place to sit and contemplate its significance. Other museums may be built, her relics may be pilfered from the depths of the Atlantic, movies and books written about her but there could never be a more fitting place to document her short life than here at her birthplace.
The Nomadic Tender
But this museum isn't one of sadness or recrimination. It is filled with the technology of a wondrous time which was, for all intents and purposes, full of progress and promise. One where man thought he had power over the elements (he didn’t) and where new leviathans, the ancestors of today’s super-ships, were planned and built. Inside the theatre, just off a soaring atrium filled with light and atmosphere and set under the glass floor, is a fish-eye view of the wreck; a panorama of constant video imaging made up of thousands of photographs displaying the two main vestiges of the ship, the bow and stern. The remaining wrecked structure shows the extreme forces that the ship underwent on her journey to the bottom, while footage is played on the mega screen above of recent dives into the abyss of the Atlantic. Further inside, we were seated in large 'buckets' slung from a gantry and transported around the re-created shipyard, its noise and clamour filling the air - the sound of workmen and hammers driving the three million rivets into the steel walls of the ship. Rivets that were to take such an important part in the vessel’s fate. We pass the blasting furnaces and workshops that beat and shaped the vast plates of steel before alighting onto a floor at the top of the building to discover the re-created grand rooms of this floating palace. We walked a room accompanied by the voice of a survivor recounting her experience, then held our hands against an iceberg, its cool influence plunging the room temperature to a level that made you shiver.
Titanic Belfast - first-class dining room
We travelled in a virtual lift that took us from the engine rooms with the 20 -foot high pistons loudly announcing their presence; up through the second -class dining room with violins sighing and folk dancing; up into the first-class dining salon with the clink of crystal and polite chatter; up past the grand staircase and the chandelier bedecked dome; out onto the boat deck and into the open air. Outside the museum in one of the smaller boat docks is the Nomadic. One of the original tenders that ferried passengers from Cherbourg to the ship and now saved from the scrapheap. She has recently been restored and now once again sports the original White Star Colours. The last hours of our day were taken up with exploring the Edwardian interiors and a walk on her decks, sadly now the closest you can come to experiencing the titans of that era as we did so our Irish museum guide’s voice, spoken with just a hint of sarcasm and bitterness, rang in our ears “Aye Titanic, she was in perfectly good order when she left here.” PN (ROSS THORBY) F
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Titanic Belfast the museum
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE
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1-2. Penny Greig sent us two photos taken with a copy of Ponsonby News in the AMAZON JUNGLE telling us, "I have been a Grey Lynn resident for 25 years and am a keen Ponsonby News reader.” 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.
LANGHAM AUCKLAND WINS BEST HOTEL IN NEW ZEALAND AWARD The Langham, Auckland has again been honoured as the country’s leading luxury hotel, taking the top spot in DestinAsian Magazine’s 2017 Readers' Choice Award for the Best Hotel in New Zealand. The DestinAsian’s readers’ poll was conducted between August and October 2016, with readers casting their votes across 31 different categories designed to reflect the very best of the luxury travel industry. Managing Director Franz Mascarenhas said, “We are extremely proud to be recognised for the luxurious oasis of calm we provide to every guest we welcome through our doors.” F PN www.langhamhotels.com/auckland
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
Ronald Liem, DestinAsian publisher and Christina Liew, Director of Sales South East Asia, Langham Hotel Group
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FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON
New season boots and shoes You have to laugh. One recent autumn 2017 women’s shoe trend article listed 40 different trends, which tells you: there is no trend. No trend beyond the ‘anything but basic’ that we’ve been banging on about for quite some time now! Wear what you love. Make sure you buy at least one new pair of shoes each season: it’s the savvy fashion-lover’s way to update her entire wardrobe in one fell swoop. Oh, and if you ever coveted pink shoes, this is your moment.
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Where to buy in Greater Ponsonby 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
See by Chloe sandal, RRP $629 www.workshop.co.nz Chaos & Harmony shoe, RRP $269 at BlakChaos (Mackelvie Street) Revie boot, RRP $439 www.revie.co.nz Mi Piaci loafer, RRP $250 www.mipiaci.co.nz Chaos & Harmony shoe, RRP $299 at BlakChaos (Mackelvie Street) Chaos & Harmony boot, RRP $369 at BlakChaos (Mackelvie Street) Mi Piaci boot, RRP $320 www.mipiaci.co.nz
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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Mi Piaci boot, RRP $340 www.mipiaci.co.nz Mi Piaci bootie, RRP $350 www.mipiaci.co.nz Mi Piaci heel, RRP $280 www.mipiaci.co.nz Chaos & Harmony shoe, RRP $299 at BlakChaos (Mackelvie Street) Kathryn Wilson loafer, RRP $429 www.kathrynwilson.com Chaos & Harmony heel, RRP $279 at BlakChaos (Mackelvie Street) Chaos & Harmony platform, RRP $299 at BlakChaos (Mackelvie Street)
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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 MARCH 1924
Dear Maggie, It all happened this morning. As it dawned a delightfully warm and sunny day, I decided to go for a walk up to the shops, have a cup of tea and amble my way back home. On my way up to Three Lamps - where I wanted to have a good browse around - I stopped at Holmes Art Needlework Depot[i]. Unusually, Mary Anne was in the shop (she’s usually working upstairs) so we chatted for a good while. She’s so up-to-the-minute with her knowledge of embroidery that it was difficult to leave. She’d just put out some very interesting marigold linen napkins with traced geometric designs in each corner. She was inspired by patterns that she saw illustrated in “The Studio”[ii] magazine. The design is quite attractive and would look very nice with my new Carlton teapot (an inspired present from Mother) with its very modern floral design on a background similar to that of the linen. She’s lent me the magazine as it also has many illustrations of fashion exhibits at the big design exhibition held in Paris last year. [iii] I’m still thinking about whether to buy the napkins or not. I fear they would sit in my sewing box forgotten, probably well after I’ve broken and thrown away my lovely teapot. Next stop was Clegg’s bookshop[iv] where I bought an old book on making ship models (for George) who has become more than a little obsessed with ‘boats’. I’m starting to suspect that George’s penchant for walks to the beach and along the harbour side are not about exercise, nor even spending time with me, but about identifying any floating craft within his view! Perhaps I shouldn’t be encouraging his passion, but I know he’ll be so pleased with the book. I found myself a lovely little old volume on men’s tailoring. It’s about 50 years old but has some nice detailing that I fancy I might incorporate into the design of my new Autumn coats. Speaking of Autumn, I’ve just placed an advertisement in the 'Herald' reminding my customers to book in their orders early for their Easter frocks, costumes and coats. I got the idea from Clarice Richards, a local dressmaker who says she finds it works very well for her. She places advertisements well before Christmas, the big race days, and other times when we’re usually rushed off our feet. Let’s see if it makes a difference. Now where was I? Oh yes... As I’d had a cup of tea with Mary Anne I then wandered up to Three Lamps. I hadn’t been into the Ark[v] for ages so I had a good look around. I’m always in the market for quaint old pieces of furniture and they don’t charge very much for delivery. I was musing how I might justify buying a darling Japanese-style bamboo hall stand, and where I would possibly put it, when I was suddenly plunged into the present by a thunderous noise and the sound of people shouting and screaming! I’d probably only been in the Ark for 20 minutes and so hadn’t noticed that the sky had grown awfully dark and the feathery white clouds replaced with ominous, green-tinged stormy ones. The sound I’d heard was hail which was also sending people shrieking from the street to shelter in the shops, as impossibly strong gusts of wind made sheltering under the eaves hopeless. Even though we were safe, my fellow refugees and I were more than a little alarmed at the amount of hail falling from the heavens and the large size of the hailstones. I would describe them as egg size (if eggs were round) and strong enough to make Swiss cheese of Mr. Chan’s canvas awning[vi]. Happily I could see no horses on the street and I was informed by one of the onlookers that the nearby tram sheds were providing shelter for any poor creatures - two
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legged or four - that happened to be caught in the cloudburst. As the hail started to subside and our thoughts turned to getting home, an even more terrible wind arose, the force of which caused some of the shop awnings to break away, rubbish bins to topple over and rubbish to blow in every direction. Of course then I started worrying about Tiger and Pusskins and whether the large old pohutukawa tree in my front yard was strong enough to withstand the terrible gusts. Then came the rain, the thunder and the lightning. Well, that was too much for me and I decided to make a run for home, so worried was I about my little family and my tree and my workroom. The owner of the Ark, known to me only as Harry, insisted that I wear a huge oilskin that he kept in the delivery dock for rainy days. As disagreeable as it smelt, I was pleased to have it, and, promising to return it to him tomorrow, I took off my shoes, packed everything into my satchel, donned the coat and off I ran. With the wind being so strong and in my favour, it seemed to take only minutes before I was home. However, not only had I managed to badly cut my foot on some broken glass somewhere along the way, but I was also completely sodden, probably from my wet hair dripping down into the coat. Worse, however was the sight that awaited me. As I feared, a large branch had fallen, crushing the corner of my workroom and smashing the window below it. Thankfully Tiger was still on the verandah (where I’d shut him dozing in the sunshine) but he was most agitated by the thunder and all the goings on and was barking furiously at the naughty tree that had damaged his mistress’s property! Bleeding all over the place, I quickly entered the workroom, pulled everything vulnerable away from the broken window and upended an old door (that I used with trestle legs as a spare table) to block the gaping hole. But apart from the glass shards and debris from the branch, happily there doesn’t seem to be too much damage. I then bandaged up my foot with a strip ripped from a roll of calico, rescued Tiger from the verandah, ran a hot bath and put the kettle on. And so now I’m writing, feeling nice and calm (thanks to the toddy I decided I needed) and guess what, it’s sunny and warm again!! And, typically, it seems that Pusskins slept through all the drama, being in exactly the same position on the same chair as when I left her! Do write soon with all your news - see if you can match this. Lots of love,
Maudie xx Art Needlework Depot, M.W. Holmes, ‘Traced goods, transfers, all designs, initials’, Cnr Ponsonby and Richmond Road (in 1924)
[i]
The Studio was an influential illustrated magazine of fine and applied arts published monthly in England from 1893 to 1964 [ii]
L’Exposition internationale des arts decoratifs et industriels modernes (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts), Paris, 1925 [iii]
[iv] D. Clegg, Bookseller (New, Second Hand Book & Record Exchange), 178 Ponsonby Road (in 1924 [v]
Ark, Second Hand furniture shop, Three Lamps, Auckland
Walter Chan, ‘Choice Fruit, Fresh Vegetables Daily: the market’s very cream at lowest prices’, 318 Ponsonby Road, Three Lamps (in 1924)
[vi]
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illustration: Michael McClintock
I have had a most trying, indeed harrowing day and feel fortunate to be writing to you at all!
@ DYRBERG/KERN 1. 2. 3. 4.
FASHION + STYLE BEHIND THE BRAND - DYRBERG/KERN Copenhagen design duo, Gitte Dyrberg and Henning Kern of Danish accessory brand Dyrberg/Kern, have for the last 32 years, carefully constructed each collection to always offer an array of options.
Naxos $199 Compliments from $49 Madu $89 Essie $169 1
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Unlike fashion where a look is in then it’s out, their designs don’t have a shelf life. A poetic piece can suddenly become playful and provocative. Wear one piece to enhance your corporate credibility. Add another piece and you’ll have a voluptuous vixen look. “It’s all about proportions and creating a balance of power,” explains Dyrberg. “You can enhance, emphasise or accentuate a look. Or turn down the volume for a more understated sleek style statement.” The latest collection Ipanema is in store now. Limited in numbers, this collection features hand-cut, genuine mother-of -pearl shell, geometric shapes of the diamond decent and an abundance of natural stones including rose quartz, grey opal, white jade - just to name a few.
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DYRBERG/KERN, 65 Mackelvie Street, T: (09) 376 9989, www.dyrbergkern.co.nz
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Visit the flagship store right here in Ponsonby and experience how Dyrberg/Kern can accessorise your every mood and make you feel like a million dollars. P.S. We heard they do drinks on a Friday! F PN DYRBERG/KERN, 65 Mackelvie Street, T: 09 376 9989, www.dyrbergkern.co.nz
DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
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HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL FASHION LOVE
Local designer: Karen Walker While the rest of us were rolling sluggishly into February still pining for a summer that never came, Ponsonby-based designer and New Zealand fashion icon Karen Walker was working her way effortlessly through one heck of a ‘to do’ list. As well as putting the finishing touches on a new ready-to-wear collection to come out in July, starting work on ready to wear for October and planning the likes of jewellery and bag designs for 2018, she found the time to release her latest eyewear collection, Transformers, and her fifth fragrance, Runaway. Did I mention she also stars in the multi -image campaign for the aforementioned eyewear release? The woman is a machine, but most definitely an always-inspiring and well-oiled one who never ceases to amaze. We took some time to chat about all of the above... I can’t believe you’re in Ponsonby at the moment, rather than travelling? For the first February in over 10 years we are home in Ponsonby, not snowed in at The Ace Hotel in New York, working on a show. Did you take much of a break over summer, albeit a less-than -impressive one? Yes, we had a nice break over Christmas. After flying 250,000km on 25 trips last year, it was great to be home with the out-of-office on and enjoying daily trips to the beach plus lots of reading, swimming and tennis-ing. It felt like your new fragrance and eyewear releases dropped at the same time, was that always the plan? Yes, they were actually released within a week of each other. February is always a big month for new releases. We released new season ready-to-wear at the same time and new jewellery’s coming out pretty soon too. Runaway is your fifth fragrance, is there pressure to produce them on a regular basis or do you just work away on them over time, to release when you see fit? They have been hugely successful. There’s no pressure. We only create new fragrances when we feel we have something new to say. Runaway is described as “a potent, oriental, spicy fragrance with exotic woody and sensual undertones.” How would you describe it in your words? Midnight adventures in a forest. Was there a muse behind its creation? Our Runaway Girl. How did you first connect with European perfumer Véronique Nyberg? She appears to be a busy woman… When we were developing our first set of fragrances we met with her in Paris and immediately loved her style, ideas and approach to fragrance.
work there needed to be a certain amount of familiarity - a base from which to create all these different characters that would disorientate, surprise and amuse the viewer. Do you have a favourite from the collection of nine images and a favourite style? No, I’m super happy with them all. Though, having said that, I do really love the Mugleresque replicant with the red hair - it’s Mugler plus Bladerunner plus a cat-eye all in one, what’s not to love? I know your brother-in-law, Valery, was the makeup artist for the shoot, who else helped it all come together? Dennis Gotz was our wig guy - he’s amazing. Michael Schwartz, who we’ve worked with many times, was our photographer and Mikhail was our creative director. We shot the images at Smashbox Studios in LA, which was a lot of fun as well. Lastly, what are you working on right now? We’re putting finishing touches on new ready-to-wear to come out in July, starting work on ready-to-wear to come out in October and also in December, working on 2018 eyewear, bags of course, and jewellery also, plus a couple of new things that can’t be revealed yet. And trying to schedule a holiday in there too! (HELENE RAVLICH) F PN www.karenwalker.com
She has worked on some pretty successful releases like Jimmy Choo EDT and Lancôme Trésor in Love, was her impressive CV part of your decision to work with her? We were fascinated by her encyclopaedic knowledge of obscure and rare botanicals, and her fresh, modern approach to fragrance. The treehouse imagery that accompanies the fragrance is just so evocative and beautiful. Who created that for you? As usual, my husband Mikhail came up with and developed the concept. It is so refreshing to see a fragrance ad that doesn’t feature a ‘face’. Was that deliberate? This fragrance is about imagination and I find a face is too much of a full stop for an idea. Your Transformers Eyewear collection does feature a face however, yours! I remember a campaign from many, years ago that you also appeared in. Why did you decide to be the focus again? I don’t really think of it as me being the focus. The focus is the idea of change, I just happen to be the canvas upon which those changes occur. We felt that for the idea to
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
FASHION + STYLE RETAIL SUPERSTAR Georgia Sullivan - Dyrberg/Kern
How did you come to be a retail salesperson? Retail is in my blood. I grew up with grandparents who owned a successful retail store in Christchurch, and parents run a thriving wholesale and retail group. Working in retail came naturally from a very young age. I started as the Christmas gift wrapping 'guru' at Quinns Christchurch at the age of nine and have been involved in retail ever since. What brought you to Dyrberg/Kern? Having worked for other brands during university, I migrated back to the family business here at Dyrberg/Kern. What can I say? Selling beautiful Danish, hand-crafted jewellery is the best nine to five job anyone could ask for! What do you love about your store? The Auckland store is the newest Dyrberg/Kern concept store to open in New Zealand. The architectural style of the building’s exterior is the perfect fit for Dyrberg/Kern’s modern Danish aesthetic. I love the grand 6 metre high stud, which makes it feel very spacious and light. What makes a standout retail salesperson? A standout retail person is someone who is approachable, relatable and a down to earth, fun person. They treat their customers like a friend - not as a shopper. Tell us about a memorable sale you've made this year... I love helping girls choose jewellery for a special occasion, be it their wedding or an evening event. I had a gorgeous lady in the store recently looking for jewellery for her daughter’s wedding. She decided to break the traditional mother of the bride rules and rock a gorgeous jumpsuit, cuff bangles and a beautiful pair of statement earrings. When you get a hug from your customer at the end of the sale - you know it’s one to remember. If you could wave your wand and have anyone in the world walk into your store right now, who would it be? It would have to be my gorgeous late Nana Margaret. Seeing her bounce into the store in her skinny black pants, Sass & Bide T with a cappuccino in hand would be incredible. Nana had an amazing ability to connect with people, something I strive to achieve when selling. She also lived her life at 150 miles per hour, using fashion to always feel fabulous. If you could wave your wand and have anyone in greater Ponsonby walk into your store right now, who would it be? We are new kids on the block and looking forward to getting to know all the Ponsonby locals, so come on in and make yourself known. We see plenty of gorgeous style-hungry girls and guys and would love to meet them all. Where do you enjoy shopping? Without a doubt, The Shelter is my favourite store in Ponsonby. I feel right at home every time I walk in the door. The staff are friendly, I absolutely love their products and it is such a bonus to get my flat white there too. I love shopping at moochi, too: good quality, easy to wear fashion. Name whom you think is a great greater Ponsonby store... I love our spot on Mackelvie Street for the mix of imports and homegrown brands and our end of Ponsonby Road also has everything a girl could need. It’s too hard to choose a favourite from Sass & Bide, Mecca Cosmetica, M.A.C, Deadly Ponies, Karen Walker, Workshop, The Shelter... the list just goes on and on. F PN DYRBERG/KERN, 65 Mackelvie Street, T: (09) 376 9989, www.dyrbergkern.co.nz
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FASHION + STYLE IN THE LAP OF LUXURY @ 1925 United Kingdom born, Stephanie Bayton entered the hair industry in 2004 where she was fortunate enough to be trained by one of the United Kingdom’s leading hairdressers Mark Leeson. One could say she has worked alongside the industry elite. Since arriving in New Zealand four years ago, Stephanie worked with renowned salons in Auckland. During this time she wrote a business plan and out of that process the name 1925, inspired by her love for Art Deco, was born. The 1920s 1930s oozed glamour, luxury and exuberance and to Stephanie that represented where she saw herself as a stylist, as well as the type of environment she wanted for her clients. “Back then I honestly didn't think I would be working in my own salon,” says Stephanie, “However, three years on I felt I had enough experience under my belt; the time had come to open my own salon.”
Stephanie Bayton
The launch of 1925 is a dream come true for Stephanie and she is very grateful to everyone who has supported her so far.
The decor is different from any other salon in Auckland. With custom-made gold styling chairs and two amazing custom-made feature walls, the minute you walk in you know you are somewhere luxurious. The passion in Stephanie is clear to see. The salon has been carefully thought out and designed specifically with the comfort of its clients in mind.
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“At 1925 we offer professional hair services as well as great hair and beauty packages. Our team of three includes myself, Megan Dolan senior stylist and make-up artist and Rachael Pearse a self-employed beauty therapist. We offer our clients a mini cheese board along with great wine, even a whiskey or a beer if they prefer and with great local coffee and herbal teas. F PN SALON 1925, 143 Newton Road, T: 09 213 9575, www.salon1925.co.nz
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LIVING, THINKING + BEING DON’T LET VARICOSE VEINS DAMPEN YOUR LIFESTYLE Varicose veins affect both men and women and tend to be more of a problem as we get older. Younger people, especially women who have been through pregnancy, are also vulnerable to those large, twisted blood vessels that can stick out from the skin. Varicose veins increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and can lead to leg ulceration and other nasty outcomes. Even where they’re less severe, they can be painful, with symptoms varying from mild discomfort to itchiness and dry skin, painful cramping of the calves or feet, puffy ankles, discolouration of the skin and eczema. They can also be a dampener on lifestyle, causing pain when walking, which can limit your day-to-day life as it makes it harder to get around, and feeling self-conscious can impact on your confidence - especially in summer when bare legs are the norm. “Being on your feet a lot can exacerbate the problem; pregnancy also tends to make it worse,” says Skin Institute’s head of veins, surgeon Dr Stephen Benson. “But neither of these will usually cause varicose veins - the tendency is inherited. It runs in the family.” Skin Institute offers vein assessments without referral from your GP, and diagnosis is made via a clinical exam and ultrasound. Once diagnosed, the most appropriate treatment will be recommended based on the findings of the ultrasound. The majority of vein conditions are able to be treated without surgery. “The current published research clearly identifies the most appropriate treatments now are not surgical,” Stephen says. In fact, the long-term effectiveness of non-surgical treatment of veins is over 90%, compared to surgical methods that have a long-term PN effectiveness of less than 70%. F Book a vein assessment with SKIN INSTITUTE, T: 0800 SKIN DR (754 637), www.skininstitute.co.nz
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Dr Stephen Benson
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CLARE CALDWELL: THE ART OF LIVING It is with some irony I believe that we see the word ‘anger’ sandwiched in amongst ‘angel’ and ‘angina’ in the Collins English Dictionary! “Anger or wrath is an intense emotional response; an emotion that involves a strong, uncomfortable and emotional response to a perceived provocation, hurt or threat.” (Wikipedia). Anger is one of the most complex and intrusive of all our emotions, raising its head and causing havoc often when we least expect it. How often have we thought we were completely calm and accepting of a situation only to have our anger triggered in some way, turning ourselves into wrecking balls! In that moment all the reading, mindfulness around and practicing of non-reactivity can be overturned in an instant. But for all its negative connotations, modern psychologists view anger as something that has functional value for survival. Given the fact that as a species, our human evolution has been almost exclusively about competition and aggression, rather than co-operation and harmony, anger is a very primal part of who we are and how we operate and survive - rightly or wrongly. Anger can mobilise psychological resources for corrective action. It can be seen as “a supportive mechanism to show a person that something is wrong and requires changing.” (Wikipedia). Contrary to many earlier societal attitudes, suppression of anger is now seen as a bad thing, with possible harmful affects impinging on our health and well-being.
Dealing with all types of anger is not a new philosophy, and is one I cannot deal with adequately here. It has been, and will continue to be, the subject of many paintings, plays, sculptures, music and literature, as well as endless philosophical and psychological debate. For all that, I quite enjoy my moments of dysfunctionalism and complexity of feelings in the much maligned emotion called ‘anger’ as they are often so closely associated with feelings of great passion. It is those most intense of feelings that make us feel at our most alive, be it anger or love, enlightenment or raw survival. I would rather lead a life of intensity and occasional damage control than one of nebulous passivity and nonreaction to anything or anyone. It’s all about which trajectory you mostly choose to focus on and place your energies. (CLARE CALDWELL) F PN 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
This passive anger or passive/aggressive behaviour can become highly manipulative as well as antisocial and unhealthy. Dampening down extreme feelings with substance abuse, oversleeping and spending inordinate amounts of time on devices are some of its manifestations. People can be evasive, underachieving and defeatist, often setting themselves and others up for failure. It is an arena for much psychological manipulation, eg, giving someone the silent treatment, or saying nothing is wrong when our body language indicates otherwise. Behaviours can become secretive, highly critical, selfcritical and sometimes even self-destructive. Uncontrollable anger as a perpetual state of being can also hugely affect personal and social well-being and impact negatively and destructively on those around us. Being around an uncontrollably angry person is not only frightening, it can cause long-lasting emotional and psychological damage and trauma if not dealt with, sometimes even leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
NEW APP FOR PREGNANT WOMEN A team from the University of Waikato’s School of Psychology, headed by Dr Carrie Cornsweet Barber, has been working for the last three years to develop ‘Positively Pregnant’ - an app for pregnant women. Positively Pregnant includes tools for self-assessment, taking inventory of the mother’s strengths, stressors, support, strategies for coping, health behaviours, and more. From each of these, the woman receives feedback with links to New Zealand resources and information. Other modules are guides for talking or thinking about plans for things like parenting, the birth, finances, and family traditions. There are activities for relaxation, affirmation, journalling, and just taking a break, as well as information on topics related to the social and emotional side of pregnancy. Starting this month, the app is being piloted in the Waikato. The goal of the study is to see how women use the app, to get feedback and suggestions from them, and to see if there are changes in their stress, distress, and health behaviours while using the app. “One of the advantages of an app is that it can be tailored to the particular needs of the mother - there can easily be different versions, individualised for the user,” says Dr Barber.
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“In this pilot, we are especially interested in including women under 20 and Maori and migrant women, in order to get their input and ideas about tailoring the app to their interests,” she says. Any woman who is at least 16 years old, in the first half of pregnancy and who uses a smart phone (either Android or iPhone) is eligible to participate. The team is looking to recruit up to 60 women by the end of March, and will follow them through to a month after their baby is born. F PN psychology.waikato.ac.nz/positivelypregnant
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
JOHN APPLETON: ON HEALTH
Diesel particulates a potential threat to our health I was out on one of my ‘power’ walks one evening and an older 4WD slowed at one of the speed bumps before powering away and delivering a cloud of diesel smoke that I was unable to avoid despite holding my breath for as long as I could. Over recent years I have seen this happen more and more and I am very concerned about what it could mean for my own health and that of many New Zealanders who live in urban areas. Internationally there is a lot being said about diesel particulates from cars trucks and machinery. With lung cancer in New Zealand being our biggest killer in terms of cancer (1600 deaths annually) we have every reason to be concerned. The very conservative American Cancer Society and the British Cancer Research Society have both come out and said that diesel exhaust fumes have been conclusively linked to lung cancer. Scientists at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organisation) say that diesel exhaust is a definite carcinogen in the highest possible category. A headline in the British Daily Mail reads “Diesel Exhaust fumes are a major cancer risk and as deadly as asbestos and mustard gas, says World Health Organisation.” In New Zealand we have allowed the importation of thousands of cheap, second-hand diesel vehicles that would not have been allowed on the road if appropriate emissions regulations were in place. No one seems to care and with 30,000 more people adding to Auckland’s population every year the problem will continue to grow. How long will it take before ‘we’ wake up and take action? Four of the world’s biggest cities Paris, Madrid, Athens and Mexico City are to ban diesel vehicles from their centres within the next decade. Tokyo banned ‘dirty’ diesels from its streets in 2000 unless they could meet strict emission standards. How many of these discarded vehicles ended up in New Zealand? Diesel exhaust is made up of two main parts gases and soot (particles). Each of these in turn is made up of many different substances. The soot is made up of microscopic
particles known as PAH’s (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) less than one fifth the thickness of a human hair and these can be deposited deep within the lungs where they can mutate the DNA over time. Dr Saiful Bari, programme director school of engineering University of South Australia, an expert on diesel fuels, is emphatic about the dangers of diesel emissions for the general public. He says “all particulates from diesel engines are harmful; even the latest so-called 'clean' diesels are not necessarily safe because the particles are so small they can bypass the lungs' natural defences. Diesel engines have become very popular as they were seen as being ‘greener’ due to their Co2 output being significantly less than that of petrol engines. While this may be so, no one seems to have taken into account the cost in terms of our health." While the news headlines may appear to be alarmist, I recall how many years passed before the dangers of passive smoking were officially recognised. Surely we need to think about the children who are exposed to vehicle emissions as they walk to and from school. How will they cope with very considerable exposure over many years? As I see it, without delay we need to introduce strict emission controls and agree on an age limit for diesel vehicles that can be imported. As to what we can do to protect ourselves we should try to avoid main roads when walking and ensure that the air -conditioning in the car is switched to recirculating when driving. We should ensure that our vitamin D level is optimal and take vitamin C in therapeutic doses together with probiotics in order to maintain immune function. Children should be protected as much as possible. (JOHN APPLETON) F PN
APPLETON ASSOCIATES, T: 09 489 9362, john@johnappleton.co.nz, www.johnappleton.co.nz
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DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
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DEIRDRE THURSTON: ON MY MIND
Luck, static, walking quietly through life I’m heartily peeved about not winning Lotto. I guess it would help if even semi-regularly I bought a ticket rather than rarely doing so. Or would it? And, frankly, I can never understand why people say: “Oh, I wouldn’t know what to do with that much money.” Or, “My life would stay the same except I might buy a new car, a campervan and shout the family a week on the Gold Coast. Otherwise I’d keep turning up for work on Monday mornings as usual.” Really? Would you? I’d open an orangutan sanctuary and halt the palm oil debacle. Among other things. Champagne would be involved. And travel. Iceland? Or is everyone going there now? Is it the new Cuba? The Amazon has been on my travel wish list until recently. A friend has just returned and casually mentioned over lunch she saw a tarantula crawl up a post beside her. Anacondas, caimans and piranhas I can deal with. Different story when it comes to those huge, hairy, eight-legged crawlies. Most of us think having an abundance of money adds up to being lucky. I would think I was somewhat lucky if I had squillions but, to me, lucky means something else. I feel lucky every time I hear my son’s voice. Each time I walk beside the sea. And when I look up into the night sky and see a sickle moon idling on its back, a star above it, and all is quiet - I’m lucky. Which brings me to static. Static is the constant noise we hear in our heads. Crazy conversations with yourself. Round and round. Busy, busy, busy static. Judgement static. Inner-turmoil fizzing in our brains setting our teeth on edge and deepening frownlines. Resentment and crows feet develop as we drive the dog to the vets, pick up the drycleaning - and it’s not even ours. Swing by Farro and chuck gourmet items in our basket to feed the family. Or oneself. Then regret the credit card bill when it arrives and swear to cut back on frivolous spending; lose weight; get fit; spend more time with friends... Static. Awful, draining, negative static.
When all you want is to walk quietly through life. Calm, accepting. Less is more, and words are better written on a blank page for your pleasure and pain rather than than spoken to fill a void. How can we achieve quietly walking through the world? Alone time helps. And plenty of it. Easier for some than others. All we need, though, is to grab those few minutes, seconds even, to stop, breathe and reconnect with ourselves. Kick our shoes off and stand on the grass, eyes closed and listen and breathe. Living alone is a double-edged sword. Sometimes too lonely to bear. Sometimes the best thing ever. What it has taught me is how to be alone. Really alone. Miraculously, the static disappears because there is no fizzing, rushing, resentment, drycleaning crap. All there is, is time and silence and space. No words needed, no one to talk to. Heavenly quiet. You learn how to truly listen. The need to speak evaporates and listening becomes most important. Only choosing to speak when you really have something to say. Not feeling responsible to fill spaces in lapses in conversation. An all-encompassing calm. Which, in turn, helps others to not remain embroiled in their ‘stories’, their static. Calm creates calm. I initially hated living alone after a lifetime with someone else. I felt bereft and abandoned - which I was. And I won’t deny I still miss that life. However, enforced alone time has become my gold. My discovery of self. And the tranquility of aloneness. Somewhere, sometime - I have no idea the day or month it happened - the scales fell and being with me, alone, became a sacred place. Nothing is perfect. Except maybe acceptance. The freedom in that has me walking through life quietly, static-free. At least most of the time if not all. How lucky am I? PN (DEIRDRE THURSTON) F
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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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LIVING, THINKING + BEING PRESCRIPTION SKIN CARE OPENS IN PONSONBY Its well-established and respected skincare clinic in Remuera has been helping people look younger and feel confident about their skin since 1993. Healthy, vibrant looking skin is achievable at Prescription Skin Care. It tailors treatments to suit your budget and lifestyle. You'll enjoy outstanding results and exceptional patient care, led by plastic surgeon Stephen Gilbert (FRCS, FRACS). Prescription Skin Care is one of the most experienced skin clinics in Auckland, with highly trained doctors and nurses who are plastic surgeon-led and who have helped thousands of people attain smooth, healthy, youthful-looking skin. Plastic surgical nurses and doctors treat men, women and teenagers for skin concerns such as ageing, facial redness, pigmentation, skin cancers, veins, pain -free removal of unwanted hair, Botox(™) and filler, skin peels, dermal needling, and non-surgical, body fat reduction. Prescription Skin Care provides skin care products that are medical grade and therapeutic for improving and maintaining healthy skin at home. It supplies a wide choice of facial sunscreens that are multi task, saving you time and money. Often its patients can stop using moisturiser or treat acne breakouts, just by using its sunscreens. At patients’ request, Prescription Skin Care has opened a new clinic in Ponsonby which is located on Ponsonby Road. Angela Frazer, the clinical co-ordinator for Prescription Skin Care, and its plastic surgical nurse, Asia, will work at both venues. Angela has been
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
giving injections for 20 years and is a previous board member of the American Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care. To celebrate the Ponsonby clinic opening, they would like to offer a FREE skin consultation and $75 off any treatment before 30 April 2017. PRESCRIPTION SKIN CARE, 197 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 0400, 243 Remuera Road, T: 09 529 5784, www.prescriptionskincare.co.nz
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LIVING, THINKING + BEING AN UPDATE @ AROHA HEALING... "Digestion, of all the bodily functions, is the one which exercises the greatest influence on the mental state of the individual" - Jean Antheme Brillat-Savarin. Having trained as a licensed massage therapist, aesthetician and cosmetologist in 1994, Rosanna Marks, director of Aroha on the Grey Lynn/Ponsonby border, has long sought holistic techniques that she can integrate into her practice to meet client health-and -wellness needs. Arvigo abdominal massage is one technique that delivers benefits to the whole body system, therefore, after attending the initial self-care workshop, Rosanna knew this work would help her clients tremendously in areas of fertility, post-partum care and digestive and reproductive system issues for men and women. She is an internationally certified practitioner and has just returned from another trip to Belize, this time learning all about Mayan spiritual healing. The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® encompass a holistic approach to health and wellness that integrates massage, pelvic steam baths, nutrition, herbal support and spiritual healing. Arvigo bodywork is a non-invasive yet powerful technique based on traditional work passed down by the Maya people of Central America. 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. By repositioning and massaging abdominal organs, Rosanna is able to address a number of common conditions for women, men and children 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. Individuals may hold emotional tension in tissues, further constricting the conduction of the five systems of flow-arterial, venous, nerve, chi and lymph-to organs. When the emotional component is released, the constriction that was impeding the flow is removed and health is restored to the area.
YOUR FREE KÉRASTASE TREATMENT WITH RODNEY WAYNE When you look good, you feel great. And fabulous hair can transform the way the world sees you too. Renowned for luxurious service and interpreting the latest styles to suit every individual, Rodney Wayne is New Zealand’s most awarded salon at the L’Oreal Style and Colour Trophy and winner of the NZ Best in Beauty Awards. Led by manager Gretchen Moriarty, the team at Rodney Wayne Eden Quarter is expertly trained to enhance the beauty of your hair while protecting the health and integrity of your hair. To ensure you get the best results the team uses and recommends L’Oreal Professionnel colours and Kérastase hair care products. If you’d like to transform your look, Rodney Wayne offers a Smart Colour Service incorporating the revolutionary L’Oreal Smartbond. Smartbond captures attention around the world, providing softer, stronger, shinier hair and added protection while colouring. For those who are still unsure of what look they are after, Rodney Wayne offers complementary no obligation consultations. The salon is light and airy at the front with PN intimate spaces at the rear for those seeking to escape the pressures of the day. F A SPECIAL OFFER TO PONSONBY NEWS READERS: Receive a complementary personalised Kérastase Fusio Dose treatment with every cut and colour at Rodney Wayne Eden Quarter. Simply book online at www.rodneywayne.co.nz or call T: 09 638 7811 and mention Ponsonby News when you visit before 31 March. RODNEY WAYNE EDEN QUARTER, 290 Dominion Road, Mt Eden
Rosita Arvigo, D.N., developed the techniques based on the traditional massage of the Maya people and her education and background as a naprapathic doctor. In 30 years of research, Arvigo has combined traditional massage techniques with modern knowledge of anatomy, physiology, homeostasis and hemodynamics to address the consequences of malposition or crowded organs in the pelvic region. Such crowding blocks the proper flow of lymph, blood and nerve connections. Arvigo practitioners are often able to bring about relief from common health issues for which clients have unsuccessfully sought help from mainstream sources. These conditions range from digestive disorders like heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, constipation and fertility challenges, as well as reproductive system disorders. Digestive and emotional benefits for men and women and individuals with digestive disorders benefit greatly from the application of these techniques. Many of our common disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, constipation, and heartburn are treated with antacids, muscle relaxants, and a variety of other medications. These treatments address symptoms, not the causes. By using the Arvigo Techniques, the upper abdomen is given a deep, thorough massage to loosen the tight muscles around the stomach and the arteries that feed the digestive and eliminative organs with their vital blood supply. The diaphragm is gently massaged allowing relaxation of tight musculature. Rosanna is one of a handful of Arvigo practitioners currently practising in New Zealand. To learn more about The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® contact the team at Aroha directly or check out the Aroha Love website. (ROSANNA MARKS) F PN www.arohalove.co.nz E: info@arohalove.co.nz M: 0273 866 587 or T: 0800mindbody
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
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SARAH-JANE ATTIAS: HEALTHY LIVING I’ve been indulging in what I call ‘blue skies’ sports having just returned from five days Canadian canoeing down the mighty Whanganui River, bush camping, off-grid, absolutely no communication with the outside world - magic!!!! Now that’s a lot of paddling, 88 kilometres, 92 rapids and three capsizes, to be precise. A huge amount of demand on my upper body and shoulders. I took three weeks to prepare, to minimise the possibility of injury. Having previously sustained extremely painful and debilitating shoulder injuries; rotator cuff tear, bursitis and frozen shoulder whilst skiing and playing squash, I knew to enjoy this adventure I had to build up to a certain level of fitness. I invested in a professional team whom I also use as supportive cross-referral for my patients. Greg Paine of Biosport, Zee Sharif (PhysioPilates) of Return to Form and James Hutchinson, osteopath, they optimised my technique, strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. I was set for the expedition and I can happily report at the finish I had no sore shoulders or back, I literally sprang out of that canoe feeling triumphant. The shoulder is an amazing piece of body machinery. My patients are often surprised when I tell them their highly mobile, flexible, strong, dynamic shoulder pivots via a single attachment to their whole skeleton. Muscles around your shoulder joint work as a team, known as the rotator cuff muscles. If there has been an old injury to one of these muscles, the others will compensate to ensure there is no hindrance in your daily life. But when you start loading up by adding a new sport it can painfully reveal the weakness very quickly. I love our local inner-city beaches, parks and the many fabulous outdoor sporting clubs. Leisurely outdoor sports are so different to a crowded gym. In nature we feel free, invigorated, nourished, salt on your skin goodness. Tennis, golf, paddle boarding and swimming - the kind of sport where you may socialise and share a beer after, if you get my drift. I have a good friend to whom all the above activities are very attractive; our new associate osteopath Kushla Currie. Rumour has it that Kushla is a bit of an 'ace' on the court at the wonderful Pompallier Lawn Tennis Club, St Marys Bay. She also keeps a keen eye on the tide charts, swimming at Herne Bay beaches and 'SUPing' on her new paddle board; And I can certainly vouch for her homebrew ‘Ponsonby Pale Ale’!
Osteopaths can register you for ACC treatment. You don’t need to see a doctor for a referral in order to be covered by ACC. We do the paperwork for you and if necessary refer you directly for X-ray, ultrasound and specialists. This gives you an immediate clear picture for treatment options and starts reducing that ‘pain’ as soon as possible - knowledge is power! Continue treatment to full health - not just out of pain. With your osteo, discuss what exercises are beneficial and what exercises may be actually causing further deterioration or injury. ACC is brilliant because it offers an affordable path back to optimal health - use it. (SARAH-JANE ATTIAS) F PN Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only. If you have a specific health problem you should seek advice from an appropriate registered health care provider. Living Osteopathy is a Primary Health Care Provider registered with ACC and the OCNZ. Living Osteopathy does not accept any liability other than to its clients.
This month I ask Kushla about performance enhancement and preventing injury both from a sports woman's point of view and an osteopath who has the advantage of anatomical knowledge. Kushla Currie, Associate Osteopath, MOst.,BApp.Sc.,Dip.NMT-Ireland (Neuromuscular Therapy) Kushla, with your sports workout, how have you advanced your performance? Also I know you suffered from an injury, please tell us about your journey back to full health. When exercising I’m mindful. I think about using my core muscles, and a spot of stretching before and after sports does wonders. Focus on balance, coordination, stamina. From an osteopathic point of view I would recommend starting with a one-on-one or small, specialised, group coaching session and a ‘tune-up’ session with your osteo especially if you have old injuries that may flare. Actually, it’s remarkable that so few things go wrong! Depending how often you play, how well fitted you are to the equipment and several other factors, can contribute to the possibility of injuring yourself, either traumatically (instant) or over time (chronic). That tennis elbow injury taught me a new level of empathy. A valuable personal experience that I take with me every day into my medical practice. What did I learn? It’s okay to wait a day or two to resolve an injury - icing, massaging in linaments, magnesium intake, resting, but if pain persists it is imperative to seek diagnosis and treatment.
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LIVING, THINKING + BEING
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION - ALL GOOD SO FAR We all have a go at New Year resolutions, don’t we? Most of us never keep them going for very long. Less drinking, join a gym and get fit - you know the score! This year I have one on the go that just might last a while. For my health and fitness sakes, I hope so. I’ve started on the 1600-metre walking test. Why 1600, you may well ask. Because it’s based on the one-mile walking test, and one mile is very nearly 1600 metres (1609 actually). I measured several 800 metres out and 800 metres back to home routes, and got started. My partner thinks it’s partly the stats that I enjoy. You’ve got time targets to meet and improve on. First you go to the Ratings Chart for Men or Women, and check your age bracket. I will be 80 next year, so I’ll be off the chart because it only lists 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 5059, 60-69, and 70-79. Does that mean over 80s are tucked up in bed somewhere and never walking along a local footpath? Still, I’ll deal with that one when the time comes! Five categories are listed with the appropriate times - excellent, good, average, fair, poor. Being competitive I didn’t want to be poor or fair, or even average really, but my partner reminded me how unfit I was and advised caution. This 1600-metre walk should take between 12 and 24 minutes depending on age and fitness. Fitness experts recommend about two and a half hours of walking per week, or half an hour five times a week. I quickly calculated that I would need to be doing 3200 metres five times a week to achieve better fitness, but I’m not ready for that yet. So, yesterday morning I did my
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1600 in 14:45 minutes. The excellent figure for 70-79s is 15:06 minutes-average is 16-19 minutes, so I’m going well. There is one stumbling block, or trap for young players - hills! Not surprisingly they slow you down - well they slow me down anyway. So take account of that when planning your route. In your 20s and 30s you should aim for 13 minutes, or better. Women of 20-40 would get an excellent rating at 13 minutes, but should average 14-15 minutes. As long as you are improving your times your fitness is improving, but don’t try to break world records at first. Make your improvements gradual. It is recommended that you walk as fast as you can, maintaining a steady pace. Keep your shoulders back, your abdominal muscles slightly contracted, and your posture upright. This programme is good for cardiorespiratory fitness and may result in fewer health problems like strokes, heart attacks, and breast and colon cancers. Good luck. PN (JOHN ELLIOTT) F
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LIVING, THINKING + BEING STRAIGHT TEETH WITHOUT BRACES! ROUND THE BAYS 2017 For the busy body that wants an invisible option to straighten their teeth, the answer is here with Invisalign.
The iconic Ports of Auckland Round the Bays event returns for 2017.
A completely discrete and removable braces alternative has meant beautiful smiles to thousands of Kiwis of all ages over the last 10 years. This treatment option and its technological advancement have allowed some orthodontic specialists to obtain predictable, safe and excellent treatment results with the use of invisible aligners to straighten teeth and correct bite problems.
The 8.4km run/walk will take place on Sunday 5 March 2017 over a flat course following the contours of Auckland's Waitamata Harbour. The race starts in Auckland's Central City at Quay Street and finishes on the waterfront at St Heliers Bay. Entries are still open and you can register for the event online. Gather your friends, family and colleagues and get involved in New Zealand’s largest fun run. F PN
Invisalign (one of many clear and aesthetic options available) works by using highly accurate computer aided design - computer aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technology to produce a series of aligners that move teeth gently, correcting a large number of bite and teeth alignment problems. It is removable, comfortable and above all highly invisible!
www.roundthebays.co.nz
Invisalign has no age limits, so for a teen that really does not want the train track appeal, or for an adult, Invisalign can be a non-braces alternative. The appropriate training (as received by a specialist orthodontist) to carry out such treatment is very important. Dr Mo Al-Dujaili is a locally trained orthodontic specialist and has attained an impressive number of qualifications and achievements in his field. At his practice in Milford, he has established a quality specialist orthodontic service for adults and children concentrating on contemporary and modern techniques in creating beautiful smiles. His philosophy is simple - a quality service that is affordable, convenient and, above all, honest. There is no better time with: free orthodontic consultations, discounts off already competitive prices and 24 months interest-free payment plans. F PN SHAKESPEARE ORTHODONTICS, 147 Shakespeare Road, Milford, T: 09 216 6888, www.mybraces.co.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LIVING, THINKING + BEING KNOW YOUR ABC SKIN CANCER CHECK You’ve noticed a mark on your arm that has changed shape or colour, or wasn’t there last summer. Is it a freckle, a sun spot - or something far more worrying? “Our 2016 Skin Census shows that, despite these statistics, Kiwis still aren’t taking the harsh reality of the sun seriously,” says Dr Mark Gray, Skin Institute skin cancer specialist and surgeon. “Simply knowing, and using, your skin cancer ABCs genuinely could be the difference that saves your life.” Skin Institute recommends checking yourself regularly for signs. A helpful way to identify the characteristics of unusual moles is to think of the letters ABCDE: Asymmetry: Check for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different -looking halves Border:
Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders
Colour:
Watch out for growths that have many colours or an uneven distribution of colour
Diameter:
Look for new growth in a mole larger than six millimetres
Evolving:
Look for changes over time, such as a mole that grows in size or changes colour or shape. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and symptoms, such as itchiness or bleeding
Sometimes, there aren’t any symptoms noticeable to the untrained eye. One of the key differences of Skin Institute is that, if it diagnoses you with skin cancer, it can then take all the steps necessary to treat it immediately - including biopsies, surgery if required, and post-treatment care.
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Dr Mark Gray - Surgeon If you have one or two lesions or moles that you’re concerned about then book a free spot check.*If you’re looking for a more comprehensive skin assessment, you can book a full body skin cancer consultation. *A free spot check is for checking one or two moles or lesions of concern. It is not an offer for a full body skin cancer consultation. Call SKIN INSTITUTE on T: 0800 SKIN DR (754 637) or visit www.skininstitute.co.nz/skincancer
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CARING PROFESSIONAL Mande White - yoga teacher How did you come to be a yoga teacher? I always knew I would become a yoga teacher. After teaching for many years as an aerobics instructor and working with people's bodies, I knew that the science of yoga was going to give me better tools to work the mind and body together and not just the body and how good you feel! So I took myself off to India and trained with the best yoga master in the world, B.K.S Iyengar.
CARING PROFESSIONAL
What do you love about your job? The people. I take it as a compliment that people turn up to my classes and it's my job as a yoga teacher to ensure they leave feeling amazing - it's called 'The Art of Feeling Good'. What do you find challenging? Not being able to do enough to make a difference when some students are suffering on many levels - whether emotionally, mentally or physically. Like certain diseases or illness where the body or the mind deteriorates and although you do everything in your power as a yoga teacher - sometimes life is cruel. How do you differ from other yoga teachers? Whew, I don't really have any profound answer to this question. I think maybe if God gave me a gift he gave me the gift of being a good communicator and a good teacher. I lace that up by constantly reading to update my knowledge and with huge dollops of kindness because I just love my job. What do you do to care for yourself? I train relentlessly hard, year in, year out. I practise my yoga, I do the gym. I call it the software and hardware of exercise. B.K.S Iyengar (my guru) always said you must be strong to get flexible. I love training so it makes it easy. I also eat the best organic raw foods with fish and eggs for protein because I also believe you are what you eat. What's your advice to people seeking yoga instruction? Turn up and try it and I'll do the rest. It's the feeling that you get after you have done a yoga class that will drive you back. It's a bit love/hate in the beginning because yoga is working on your weakness in many ways, and in exercise people always love to do what they are good at. But the style of yoga I teach is the most respected and the best in the world and after a while you just get addicted. Deep down everyone really wants to be flexible - mind elastic, body elastic - and it keeps your body out of aches and pains and gives you good coping and management skills in your life. F PN MANDE WHITE YOGA, 283 Ponsonby Road, Three Lamps, T: 027 490 8020, www.mandewhite.co.nz
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FUTURE GENERATION IS OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM BROKEN? There has been plenty of editorial comment and lots of opinion pieces about education in recent newspapers. One of the latest furores has been about New Zealand students falling behind in international maths tables. Everyone has someone or something to blame, among them the schools’ decile system. Educationalist Bernadine Vester says we need to move to Tomorrow’s Schools 2.0. Vester believes there should be a regional body for each district that sits between the Ministry of Education and individual school boards, to ensure decisions made by schools are best for everyone in the community. As Cathy Wylie, long-time researcher with the New Zealand Council for Educational Research says, no other western country bases its entire public system on stand-alone schools, each with their own parent-led board of trustees responsible for the school’s direction and staff employment, and operating without being part of a school district, or local authority. Vester and Wylie are addressing important organisational systems, and it is suspected by some that David Lange’s Tomorrow’s Schools was somewhat captured by emerging neo-liberals in Treasury, The State Services Committee, Brian Picot, whose report Lange used to craft the document, and the arch neo-liberal politician of the time, one Roger Douglas, all bent on privatising New Zealand schools. I believe that the major problem which needs to be addressed in New Zealand is how to recruit more able school leavers into teaching. This is not a new problem. Teaching has never appealed to able school leavers (able in every sense of the word), or university graduates, because it has little status in the New Zealand community. Many are persuaded by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles - even their teachers - that there are many professional choices which will give them a more satisfying and lucrative career.
It is worth looking at Finland’s education system, and how and why it has evolved so well in the last 40 years. In 1963 the Finnish Parliament made the bold decision to choose public education as its best shot at economic recovery, after it had been buffeted by two world wars, and Soviet oppression. By 2000, Finnish youth were the best young readers in the world. Three years later they led in maths, and by 2006 they were first out of 57 countries in science. In 1979 reformers in Finland required every teacher to earn a five year master’s degree in theory and practice at one of the eight state universities at state expense. From then on teachers were effectively granted equal status with doctors and lawyers. So, in 2010, some 6600 applicants vied for 660 primary school training slots. Finnish teachers also spend fewer hours at school than American teachers, and spend less time in classes. Homework is minimal, and compulsory schooling does not start until aged seven. So, if our best young school students could see that teachers were valued, and knew that those earning huge salaries in other professions are not superior citizens, more may choose to go teaching. Forget the petty arguments about whose fault it is we are slipping on the international league tables. Insist teacher trainees are all master’s graduates, give them the best possible conditions, fewer contact hours, ongoing professional development, ensure that we value their PN contributions, and pay them well. We won’t regret it. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F
In the mid-1970s I was a young teacher seconded as recruitment officer in Auckland. I visited secondary schools from Pukekohe to Kaitaia and talked to year 12 and 13 students (6th and 7th form in those days) about university and their future careers. I told them, as a successful young teacher, about the joys of teaching. I was never stoned out of any school, but neither did I kid myself that I had persuaded many of the top students to go teaching. At King’s College the Careers Master told me I was “bloody brave” to be inviting their senior boys to consider teaching. During that time I was completing my Master’s Degree in Education, with a thesis on 'Teacher Selection'. I sat on the selection committee for two years and watched the intake to teaching with great interest. There were a number of outstanding young candidates, some of whom I know went on to distinguished teaching careers. But many of those selected were of mediocre ability. Many did not have the equivalent of NCEA Level 2. As part of my thesis I conducted a small study outside the Auckland University Library. I asked a random selection of students coming and going from the library which degree course they were doing (none were going teaching), and then I presented them with a sheet listing about a dozen professions in alphabetical order. I asked them to rank those professions in order of their preference as a career - if salary, conditions, and status in the community, were all equal. My idea was to see whether if teaching did have a higher rating in terms of status, more young people might choose it. In other words was the fact that teaching was so poorly regarded in their community stopping them from choosing a teaching career. I was absolutely blown away by the result. Teaching not only jumped up the list, but it came out as the number one choice. As I went back into teaching after my stint as Recruitment Officer, I was invited to lecture to ‘in service’ teacher courses on the 'new maths'. It was commonplace for young women teachers to say “I’m hopeless at maths.” Despite my efforts, maths remained the Cinderella subject in many teachers’ box of skills in the 1970s. Maybe not much has changed.
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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FUTURE GENERATION A GREAT NEW LEARNING FACILITY UNDERWAY FOR MARIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL HERNE BAY On Friday 27 January, Marist Catholic School Herne Bay celebrated the beginning of its new classroom block build with a site blessing and sod-turn ceremony. The blessing was conducted by Monsignor David Tonks and the school was lucky to have the Associate Minister for Education Hon Nikki Kaye attend to turn the sod on her first day back on ministerial duties following time off for cancer treatment. The ceremony was attended by the Vicar of Education for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Linda McQuade, Director of Education Phil Mahony and Property Managers Michael Stride and Michele Elsmore along with members from the project management team, design team and construction contractors board members. Even though it was the holidays, some of the school whanau also attended. The building project will be complete by the end of the year, with an incredible innovative learning space able to house the equivalent of three classes on the top floor and another three on the bottom floor. Once complete, Marist Catholic School Herne Bay will be in a position to accommodate roll growth, taking their maximum roll to 300 - very exciting times ahead for this fantastic local Catholic school. The Principal, Louise Campbell, says if you are interested in applying for your children to enrol at Marist feel free to give her a call on T: 09 376 7173, or E: principal@ maristschool.co.nz F PN
DENTAL ASSOCIATION SAYS SUGARY DRINK ICON CAN HELP CONFUSION OVER KIDS’ DRINKS Recent research on the sugar content of supermarket-sold beverages in New Zealand shows finding out sugar levels is a confusing area says the New Zealand Dental Association. Sugar is a major contributor to dental decay, and the study showed that some fruit juices have higher sugar levels than fizzy drinks.
“It’s about simplification, and comparing like with like. The teaspoon icon is the way to go,” says Dr Beaglehole.
“We have said in our Consensus Statement on Sugary Drinks, people need a clearer way to know how much sugar is in the drinks they are holding,” said NZDA spokesperson Dr Rob Beaglehole.
“We’ve always said there’s no single measure that can be relied on. This broad approach will benefit not just childhood obesity levels, but type 2 diabetes, as well as dental health.”
“A sugary drink teaspoon icon is much simpler than ‘100ml per serve’, so instead of focusing on the type of drink, customers could look at a label that states ‘contains 16 teaspoons of sugar’.
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A consortium of public health groups is backing a NZDA-led seven-point Consensus Statement on Sugary Drinks. F PN
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
FUTURE GENERATION FOR PONY-MAD PONSONBY KIDS Do you know a pony-mad, city-bound child? This may be their opportunity to follow their dream, without their parents having to buy a pony! A local pony club, just 8km from Ponsonby, is offering a new ‘lease-a-pony’ scheme. This is an exciting opportunity for families to try out what it’s like to have a pony, and ride regularly, for a year, with a few safeguards in place. At the end of the year, all going well, they can have the opportunity to buy the pony, or to hand over to another rider. Te Atatu Pony Club also offers another option - a 10-week course for riders without ponies. This helps introduce keen youngsters to life at pony club, where they can learn the basics of caring for a pony, under the supervision of a qualified instructor. The club operates from city council leased land on the Te Atatu Peninsula, and offers weekly rallies, with dressage, show jumping and cross-country training, as part of the New Zealand Pony Club curriculum. F PN www.sporty.co.nz/teatatuponyclub
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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MEET THE TEACHER Ngaire Ashmore Principal, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School How did you come to be a secondary school principal? I have always had a passion for education and for young people and so I often put my hand up for additional responsibilities within schools that supported the achievement of the students. These additional responsibilities also provided opportunities to collaborate with other teachers and staff which was about our growth as well as our students’ growth and achievement. Eventually this led me to principalship. Where did you train? The University of Auckland and the Auckland College of Education. What brought you to your current school? I was fortunate to be able to lead a school for 10 years as the principal before applying for the principal’s position at AGGS. Throughout my time as a teacher I had heard about AGGS and the wonderful history, traditions and achievement that current and past students talked about. My mother is an ‘old girl’ of AGGS and speaks fondly about her time here and what it meant to her. I thought this was a school that I wanted to be part of and a school that perhaps I could contribute to and develop in the 21st Century. I was over the moon when I was offered the position as principal. What are your favourite things about being a principal? Certainly it is the day-to-day interactions with the girls. They overflow with energy and enthusiasm for life and for learning. I also love that being a principal means I also get to work with fabulous teachers and staff who contribute to the vision of a school. The other fantastic opportunity that principals have is around the partnerships they form with the parents and wider school community. This is such an important part of the educational landscape today. What has been a highlight of your teaching career? Lifting success and achievement, and seeing groups of students experiencing those things at a level they may not have thought possible. Students who are first in their families to go to university, and how life-changing this is for them and for their families. Being able to be part of this enormous celebration. How would your Chairperson of the Board describe you? Full of energy and enthusiasm for young people. That, “Ngaire has really high expectations that all students have the ability to achieve at the highest level, and that all teachers and staff have the ability to make this happen.” How would your teachers describe you? “She is driven, and determined to make a difference! She cares about the people she works and makes contact with, be it students, families or staff. She values the input of all.” How would students describe you? Friendly and caring... “she really wants us to achieve (and believes we can), and do whatever we set our minds to.” If you could wave a magic wand in your school... I would like to have the state-of-the art facilities and tools that would support the stateof-the art teaching and learning that happens within the walls of our school.
ST PAUL'S COLLEGE HAS A NEW HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMY Developed to give young men interested in science-based careers the opportunity to immerse themselves in scientific learning. Year 11 students identified as being gifted and talented in science and mathematics will participate in 10 hours a week of science classes learning physics, chemistry and biology over a three-year period. Students will get the opportunity to experience real -life science in action visiting hospitals, meeting with science research and development teams and even meeting real-life forensic scientists. The long-term outcome is that our St Paul's men will be ready for the National Scholarship Exams at the end of this academic programme and be prepared to go on to higher learning in the science world. When: Time: Where: Parking:
St Paul's College Open Day Wednesday 15 March Two sessions including conducted tour 11.30am and 1.30pm St Paul's College - assemble in College Chapel On the school courts, entry from Moira Street
Tips for mums and dads of secondary school kids 1. Talk to your secondary school kids 2. Be really interested in them, their friends and their learning 3. Be actively involved (as much as you can) with the school 4. Remember that these are the years where secondary kids can make mistakes AUCKLAND GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL, 16 Howe Street, Freemans Bay, T: 09 307 4180, www.aggs.school.nz
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FUTURE GENERATION CAREERS LAB ‘Explore and pursue meaningful work with creativity and optimism’ As a visionary career hub engaged for 15 years in New Zealand’s creative sector, we know that creativity forms the basis of all meaningful work. We believe that careers are created, not predestined and that creativity is boundless. At Careers Lab we cultivate awareness of the creative as we practically support you on your career path. Whether you are planning a change in employment, starting out on your career or moving your creative practice forward we can assist you.
The Depot Artspace Careers Lab team; L to R: Lynn Lawton, Lila Pulsford, Jamie McEwan and Margaux Wong
Career development If you’re questioning where to go next in your career, or feel stuck and unable to make a career decision, the Careers Lab team will assist you to explore career possibilities and design a rewarding future that honours your vision and values. Great career decisions are made in the light of self-knowledge that grows with practical support and guidance. Job search strategy Careers Lab can coach you through your job seeking and develop a comprehensive, targeted CV and cover letter, an effective online presence, and interview techniques that prepare you to confidently attend and impress in interviews. In some cases services can be provided free of charge if you’re currently unemployed. Creative sector mentoring Seeking guidance with your creative aspirations? We can align your aspirations, abilities and experiences with industry-fit roles or assist you to develop personal projects. Our creative sector mentors are able to evaluate your direction and identify steps to goal achievement. F PN For more information or to register your interest call T: 09 963 2328, email careers. lab@depotartspace.co.nz or go to www.depotartspace.co.nz/careers-lab
SPARE A FEW HOURS TO HELP KIWI KIDS WITH CANCER THIS MARCH Child Cancer Foundation is calling for volunteers nationwide to lend a hand for its annual street collection, taking place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 March, during Child Cancer Foundation Appeal Month. Dedicated volunteers are urgently needed to donate their time and help raise vital funds to support more than 500 families nationwide in hospital, at home and in the community. Robyn Kiddle, Chief Executive at Child Cancer Foundation explains: “More than three children in New Zealand are diagnosed with cancer every week. Child Cancer Foundation receives no direct funding from the Government, and we rely heavily on the generosity of New Zealanders to continue to support these children and their families in need. “We are grateful to anyone who can spare a couple of hours to raise funds to help brave Kiwi kids and their families, facing their cancer battle,” she continues. “There are collection sites nationwide and just a couple of hours out of people’s days will make a huge difference.” Schools or businesses can also 'adopt' a collection site in their local area for one or both days and involve staff, students and parents in this event. People interested in volunteering as collectors can register at www.childcancer.org.nz or call T: 0800 424 453 to be connected with their local organiser. F PN The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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LOOK... WHO IS IN THE ZOO!
Vivien Street says being a Te Wao Nui volunteer is a lot of fun, and definitely a role for those that love people, wildlife and keeping fit.
Become a zoo volunteer and share your passion for Aotearoa Vivien Street is in her happy place in Auckland Zoo’s New Zealand precinct, Te Wao Nui. It’s where the nature lover and zoo volunteer of 11 years now spends every Tuesday as a Te Wao Nui volunteer, a recently introduced role the zoo is now actively recruiting for.
“A friendly face in a red volunteer shirt who can point out where the geckos like to perch or the kiwi like to skulk, and embellish the experience with interesting and meaningful information, can be the difference between an okay and an amazing experience for our Te Wao Nui visitors,” says Richard.
We’re standing in the forest aviary, a space reflective of The Waitakeres. “This is a brilliant area,” says Vivien. “I love the birdsong, the forest smells and the whole feel of it.”
Become a Te Wao Nui volunteer To find out about becoming a Te Wao Nui guide, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz or phone Auckland Zoo’s volunteer co-ordinator on (09) 353 2090.
A favourite animal is the kukupa (kereru), which she describes as “looking like a bloke who’s got his white painter’s overalls on.” Laughing, she adds: “These birds are like Hercules bombers the way they cruise along through the forest and then swoop in and crash land on a branch. And if they’ve been eating a lot of karaka berries, they can also get a bit wobbly. They’re not very graceful, but I love that about them! And of course they’re really important in the forest as dispersers of large seeds.” This energetic English woman who married a Hawkes Bay Kiwi and moved ‘down under’ in 1998 gets “a real buzz” out of sharing her passion and growing knowledge of Aotearoa’s unique fauna and flora with visitors. She’s also delighted to be learning more about what lives here, and the role zoo staff are playing, on-site and out in the wild all around New Zealand, to help conserve many of these taonga.
“I enjoy learning about the endemic plants as much as the animals and finding out about all the work the keepers are doing outside the zoo, which is so much these days.” Vivien explains she first began volunteering at the zoo because she wanted to meet new people, learn new things and integrate into New Zealand. “I love animals and the outdoors, and I’m a real people person. In this latest role, I get to interact with people of all ages, it’s brilliant. It also keeps you really fit, because you do a lot of walking and physical jobs.” Asked why she particularly loves being a Te Wao Nui volunteer, Vivien says: “Like the zoo, I’m passionate about preserving what we have in New Zealand. We all have to be or it’s going to be gone. There’s a lot we can do individually, like planting in our gardens and controlling our cats, and a lot of great work is being done. Imagine if New Zealand could be pest-free by 2050!” The zoo’s curator of Ectotherms and Birds, Richard Gibson, says volunteers like Vivien are a very precious resource. “Not only do they help our staff to keep Te Wao Nui looking its very best, more importantly they help our visitors to fully appreciate the wonder of New Zealand’s often small, secretive, camouflaged or even nocturnal wildlife.
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photography: Brian Cairns
“You don’t have to be a brainbox of information to do this role. Staff share a lot of information so you learn as you go and it’s a lot of fun,” says Vivien.
Whio Family Fun Days (Sat 4 - Sun 5 March) Join us for our Whio Family Fun Days on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March (10am - 4pm), to celebrate all that’s awesome about whio (blue duck). Grab a duck for our famous annual blue duck race! Be sure to get a number at the gate that corresponds to one of the 500 blue rubber ducks in the Blue Duck Race down the zoo stream (11am daily). There'll also be trails, face painting, the chance to chat to DOC rangers and fun ways to learn all about these amazing unique ducks and their high-country neighbours. Whio Family Fun Days are proudly supported by Genesis Energy, Whio Forever and the Department of Conservation. PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
FURRY AND FABULOUS - $500 PRIZE ANGELA BEER: ANIMAL LOVER
PETS AND PATS LUXURY DOG DAYCARE AND FARMSTAYS Welcome to Dog Disneyland, a 20-acre farm, 18 minutes from Ponsonby, where your dog can do as much or as little as they like, all in the safety of their own private, gated, secure, country estate. We pick up and drop off to your home/office. Pricing from $40. Free $195 complimentary voucher for you to use for a no-obligation trial. Daycare: We look after a small, discerning number of local families. We are like the private school of dog daycare. We have the largest and best facility in the country with the smallest numbers of dogs, the largest indoor and outdoor spaces and lots of one-on-one individual attention with our highly skilled staff. Kids can swim, play, unwind in our play paddocks, bushwalks, tennis courts, pool and cinema lounge. Farmstays: We only have eight VIP guests staying per night and they sleep inside our luxury farmhouse with all the creature comforts they enjoy at home. When looking for care for your beloved pet, here are some questions I encourage parents to ask when interviewing potential places/services. 1. Ask how many dogs are in your facility/care? 2. Ask what is the staff to dog ratio and what qualifications do your staff have? So you can ensure your dog is getting quality one-on-one attention. 3. Ask what does my dog do in your care? Find out how much time is spent in cages or inside vs how much time exercising/playing, etc. 4. Ask what onsite care is available when my dog is with you. It’s not uncommon for some places when dogs are put to bed from 4pm to not have anyone living on site during the night. You should also ask how close is the nearest vet. 5. If using a dog walking service, ask where do you walk my dog, is it safe, how many dogs do you take out at a time, how long is my dog travelling in a vehicle for, what happens if there is an accident? Do you have insurance should anything happen to my dog or my home? At Pets and Pats, we understand dogs are our best friends and cherished members of our family, they deserve nothing but the best. If you’d like to try the Pets and Pats experience, please call for your $195 free complimentary voucher. We look forward to welcoming you. Dog HQ: Herne Bay; Country Estate: Dairy Flat. M: 021 539 699, angela@petsandpats.com facebook.com/petsandpats
SPCA ANIMALS LOOKING FOR HOMES
Bobbie
Buster The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
Helga and Freya
Chewie
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OUT + ABOUT
Les Barrett, Claudiu, Anne Batley-Burton & Ian Towning
Ian Towning meets a new friend
Anne Batley-Burton, Steven Oates & Ian Towning
Edward Lang and Zara
Sarah Lambourne & Dee Joy Tindall with Dixie
Jamie MacKay and Artie
Rosie Oliver & Burt
Jamie MacKay and Artie
photography: Martin Leach
Steve Montgomery with Diesel
Sam Learmonth with Kit
The crowd enjoying the show
WOOF THE AUCKLAND DOG PRIDE SHOW @ WESTERN PARK, PONSONBY - SUNDAY 19 FEBRUARY
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OUT + ABOUT
The jugding panel
Hen Kalish with Gaia
Buckwheat & Ike
Scott Mackie & Hayden Chisnall with Inca
Mike Horrell with Hunter (Best in Show)
Steven Oates & Ian Towning
The jugdes line up with Buckwheat & Ike
photography: Martin Leach
Aaron Hewett with Benson
The winners line up for their close-up
The weather gods smiled down upon Western Park for the annual Woof Dog Show Event. The MC was Steven Oates and there were six judges: Arabia Lè Veil, Real Housewives of Auckland's Anne Batley-Burton, Kanoa Lloyd, Louisa Wall, Lucy Lovegrove and, all the way, from London Ian Towning, well known television personality and antique dealer. The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS
Hadley Pegden and Maverick Hadley Pegden is the owner of Threads store, which stocks local and internationally sourced men’s streetwear, apparel and sneakers. Hadley grew up in Takapuna on the North Shore but has been a Ponsonby local for the past five or so years now, originally opening his first Threads store at the Jervois Road end of the strip when he was just 21 years old. Hadley says, “I have a big passion for health, fitness and streetwear fashion. I’ve just opened my second store in Newmarket. I have been lucky enough to acquire a new little puppy/store mascot. ‘Maverick’, this January. How old is Maverick? Maverick is still very much a little pup, he is just 13 weeks old. He has some big paws on him though, so will definitely be a big boy once grown to his full adult size. What breed is he? Chow Chow (Songshi Quan). How long have you had Maverick? I got him just as he turned eight weeks old, when he was flown up from breeders in Christchurch. I had been on a waiting list for about 18 months - he definitely has been worth the wait.
DOGGIE PLAYGROUND TO HELP BUILD RESCUES’ CONFIDENCE At SPCA Auckland, we see so many dogs arriving at our shelter who have never known a normal and happy life. There are dogs that have been chained up their whole life and have never experienced anything outside of their backyard. We have blind, deaf or three-legged dogs needing to learn to navigate. These dogs need all the support they can get to prepare them for life outside the SPCA - so we’ve come up with an idea to help them find their feet. We are excited to announce that we in the process of building our very own doggie playground! This will allow our dogs to experience joy, perhaps for the first time, as they slip down slides, climb up ramps, and run through tunnels. But this doggie playground is not just for fun, it will also change lives. It is designed to familiarise dogs with everyday objects to help prepare them for life in their new home. We will introduce them to different-textured walking surfaces, street signs, poles, drains, gates and more. It will build confidence, provide them with mental stimulation, improve co-ordination and turn them into the happy, self-confident pups they deserve to be! We are desperately reaching out to all animal-lovers to help complete the doggie playground. We need to raise $25,000 in funds to complete the build and ensure all of our dogs have the best shot at a happy and confident life. F PN If you want to donate towards this cause, please call T: 09 256 7300, Ext 8807, or visit our website for more information: www.spcaauckland.org.nz/doggieplayground
How did you come to chose him? I have always been a fan of the Chow Chow breed, with their interesting story of having been the model for Buddhist temple guard dogs. The bonus was that here in New Zealand they are very rare. Having Maverick as an unusual breed of dog has been great, he is definitely something you don’t see walking down the road every day. He has a great relaxed and mellow temperament which has made life a lot easier. How did Maverick get his name? It was a struggle finding a name that was different, I wanted an old-fashioned name that matched his sense of uniqueness but the name also had to be masculine. After being told we had secured him, I was watching an old Mel Gibson movie where the name popped up. From that point onwards he was Maverick. Top Gun also helped back the decision. What is your favourite thing to do together? Before we go into the shops for the day, we get up and go for a big walk on the shore along Milford beach through to Takapuna. This is a pretty special place to take him as the views are stunning. It’s a good way to reset and start off each day, weather permitting. Does Maverick have any friends? Yes, he definitely does. As soon as he came into Threads Store, he met Cedric the local pug. He also has a few other friends over on the North Shore, like Astro the Husky from NZ Muscle. On his morning walks he meets his fair share of local dogs, plus he has a good little following on his Instagram, @Maverickthechow. What does Maverick like to eat? He loves his raw mince - the breeders raised him on a pasta and mince diet. So we have kept to that while he’s growing - which is very fast - but will look at switching him across to dry food soon. THREADS PREMIUM STREETWEAR STORE, 3/130 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 214 9053, www.threadsonline.co.nz
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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: LOGAN GRANGER
Tax on short-term rentals With the rise of websites like Airbnb and New Zealand’s tourism boom, renting out your personal home or second home has become easier and more profitable than ever. During the Lions Tour coming up in June and July, a four bedroom villa in central Auckland could easily be rented for upwards of $2000 a night or $14,000 for a week. This quickly adds up to a considerable amount of taxable income. In recent years the IRD has been cracking down on taxing cash transactions, meaning it’s important to include any income received from renting out your property in your annual tax return. Not to fear though, there are ways of reducing your tax bill. A portion of expenses relating to the property can be claimed against your rental income - the likes of power, rates, repairs and maintenance and especially interest on your mortgage. Not all types of rentals are treated the same when trying to calculate what figure to file in your tax return. Holiday homes are often classed as a mixed-use asset if they’re unoccupied for 62 days or more. Mixed-used assets have their own set of rules about what’s deductible and what’s not. If the income from a mixed used asset is under $4000 there’s no need to include it in your tax return. If you have a boarder you can apply the standard-cost method. This states that if you have one or two boarders paying less than $257 a week each, you don’t need to file a tax return. The same applies if there are three or four boarders only the subsequent two boarders have an allowance of $210 each. If you have five or more boarders you must file a tax return. Unlike paying the kid next door $40 to mow your lawn, the cash transactions for short -term rentals are generally done over the internet. The websites that bookings are made
through have electronic records of the amount of income generated by each property. Inland Revenue has the power and ability to request these records. For long-term leases on residential properties, GST is not required to be paid on the income, no matter what the amount. However, a property used for short-term accommodation is generally considered to be a commercial property, meaning when the level of income being received exceeds $60,000 the owner is required to become GST registered. This can have serious implications, firstly 15% of the rental income will have to be paid to the IRD (this is before tax). Secondly, it’s more than likely when the house is sold it will be sold on a GST inclusive basis, meaning the seller will have to pay 15% of the sale price to the IRD. Although you can get a credit of the GST portion of the original purchase price of the property, you still lose 15% of your capital gain. If a person decided to go back to using the property for private purposes and deregister for GST, they’re deemed to have sold the property at market value and they would need to fund a GST cost without receiving any cash from the sale of the property. Tax and GST on short-term lease properties can get very complicated and if not done correctly can be very costly. We advise you talk to your accountant about how to prepare PN your return. (LOGAN GRANGER) F Disclaimer - While all care has been take, 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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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: METROLAW 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:
I parked in Ponsonby Central the other day and discovered that they have a fancy new parking ticket system where you enter your rego number into the machine and you don’t have to put the ticket on the dash. Trouble is that when I got back to my car I had got a ticket from the parking warden for “failing to enter my rego number correctly” or something like that. Annoyingly I had not chosen the option to print a receipt but I’m sure I put my number in right. I’m kicking myself because a friend had told me that you always need to print a receipt with these systems, is there anything I can do? Thanks, Jade, St Marys Bay
A:
Ha, the same thing happened to me just the other day so you have my sympathy to start with. There are a couple of legal issues and some practical steps you could take.
Private parking lots are basically run under a type of contract where you, by choosing to park in their lot, are accepting the terms and conditions that they ought to have prominently displayed. There can sometimes be circumstances where it is not made sufficiently clear that you are subject to their terms or particular terms like the fee they want to charge you. It is an interesting aspect of contact law that you can’t impose a penalty, so if the fee they charge you bears no proportionate relation to the loss they suffer then it might not be enforceable. Worth a letter to find out how much they recover and how they calculate the damages they perceive they are suffering. It seems to me to be quite odd that they have issued a ticket for “failing to enter your rego number correctly” because it seems to imply that they know you did enter your rego number but just got it wrong rather than say “not bothering to enter your rego number at all” because you were just getting a coffee. It seems to me that it would be worth writing them a letter to ask the for all of the rego details that they recorded that day so you can see if your rego is in there or not or if you just got it a bit wrong and whether they also issue tickets for “not bothering to enter your rego number at all”. The other reason for writing letters apart from the vain hope of getting to the truth of the matter is that it creates more expense for the parking company. In fact if everybody that got a ticket queried their ticket it might make the whole exercise quite uneconomic for them. With the benefit of hindsight you could now always choose the 'print receipt' option or you could just take a photo of the rego number you enter into the machine and see whether they still issue you a ticket. I for one would be interested to know the result of PN that experiment. Best of luck. (MICHAEL HEMPHILL) F 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
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CHURCH AND BUILDINGS FOR SALE A church - complete with the vicar’s residence and separate congregation hall - has been placed on the market for sale. The 99-year old Church of the Ascension in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier closed its doors as a house of worship in July last year and was deconsecrated shortly after, with parishioners having the choice of four other Anglican churches to attend within a 10-minute drive. The property contains three buildings - all of which have the potential for redevelopment into character homes. The trio of structures includes: • A church complete with stained glass windows, bell tower and sarked ceilings which could potentially house a mezzanine floor. • The vicarage - a four-bedroom, Californian-style bungalow in need of refurbishment and; • The adjacent church hall built in the 1940s and used for scores of events ranging from Sunday school and bible studies through to community group meetings. The trio of religious premises - sitting on 2004 square metres of land in Dignan Street - has been placed on the market for sale by tender through Bayleys, with tenders closing on 9 March. Bayleys Auckland sales team Daryl Spense and Karen Spires said the three buildings were virtual “blank canvases”. “Admittedly, there are no toilets or bathroom facilities, and minimal kitchen amenities in the main church... but the stained-glass windows and native timber walls and flooring just ooze character. It’s fairly easy to imagine what some of those creative interior decoration types from The Block NZ could do with this space,” said Spense. He said the vicarage was perfectly habitable in its current state, but could likewise benefit from a new interior décor. “Homes built in that post-war era have a reputation for solid foundations and ‘good bones’ inside. It’s like the old cliché... ‘they don’t build ‘em like this anymore’,” Spense said. “Likewise with the church hall - which does have a kitchen and toilet amenities. It’s got the potential to be reconfigured in so many ways.” None of the former church buildings is heritage listed. The address is zoned ‘mixed housing suburban’ under Auckland Council’s Operative In Part Plan - allowing for considerably more dwellings to be potentially built on the site, which is encompassed on two titles. The church properties border onto the back of the Point Chevalier Tennis Club courts. Spires said: “It’s quiet a spiritual experience walking through all three of the structures,” she said. “You can definitely feel there is a very positive aura and energy emanating from within the walls - walls which have witnessed hundreds of christenings, marriages, wedding celebrations and wedding anniversaries.
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“While there is every possibility that a commercial developer might look at relocating the existing buildings off site and starting anew, we’d like to have faith that almost a century of heritage and presence that the Church of the Ascension bestowed on Point Chevalier PN will continue on... albeit with a new look.” F
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STREET NAMES: THE HISTORICAL BOROUGH OF PONSONBY AND GREY LYNN
Boardman Lane Grey Lynn was once divided into three wards, Richmond, Surrey and Sussex. When the borough was formed in 1885 it was named Newton but later in 1889 there was a name change to Grey Lynn in honour of Sir George Grey. Boardman Lane was previously called Prime Lane named after Frederick L. Prime who was briefly Mayor of Auckland from 1874 to 1875. Abraham Boardman’s tenure as Mayor of Auckland was just as brief, lasting from only 1896 to 1897 when he retired because of ill health. He was born in Lancashire and after serving as headmaster of an important church school in London, he emigrated to the colonies, arriving in Auckland in January 1864 when the Waikato Campaign was in full progress. Almost immediately he obtained a position in the Superintendent of the Province’s office and was later Curator of Intestate Estates under the General Government. He also served on the Auckland Harbour Board, the Auckland Savings Bank Board as trustee, and was extensively connected to many earlier gold mining companies. Another of his roles was as general manager of the South British Insurance Company, which was first established in 1872 as the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand but subsequently underwent a name change. Under his management, business got off to a brisk start and its first policy was issued to William Morrin who insured his furniture against fire. A further 35 more proposals were received just three days after commencement of operations and then the company accepted its first marine risk on the hull of the ‘Forest Queen’ owned by Captain Daldy but the first major marine risk was written for 25,000 ounces of gold in transit from the Thames Goldfields. It was also a prime mover in the establishment of the Northern Club.
BECOME A FRIEND OF KELMARNA GARDENS FOR AS LITTLE AS $5 A MONTH 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
Boardman was also an active member of other organisations, including the Anglican Church and for many years served in the Diocesan Synod, and was for a long time associated with the trust boards connected to the diocese. He was also a standing member of the Diocesan Pension Board. When he died at his residence on Ponsonby Road, the New Zealand Herald published a long obituary notifying readers of his unexpected death. Apparently he caught a cold while attending a meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association on the North Shore which developed into a severe bronchial affection. He succumbed quite rapidly in spite of the skill and attention administered by his doctor till finally death brought an end to his suffering. Boardman was an old colonist and of great service to Auckland with his excellent management of so many companies. He also took an active part in local government and was successful in bringing Ponsonby into the city and served on the Ponsonby School Committee. The funeral service took place at All Saints Church in Ponsonby and he was interred Purewa Cemetery. Flags were displayed half-mast on the Municipal Buildings, the fire brigade station and at Albert Park out of respect to the memory of Abraham Boardman who had long enjoyed the respect and affection of his fellow PN citizens. (DEIRDRE ROELANTS) F
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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS
TIMELESS DESIGN IS A SOUND INVESTMENT The Furnishing Room is a boutique design studio that specialises in beautifying and styling your interiors with timeless yet on-trend custom-made furniture, accessories and window treatments of the highest quality, function and design. Lisa Marcellus, interior designer and director of The Furnishing Room approaches design with an inquisitive mind to possibilities. Drawing on her creative passions and experience, Lisa responds in depth to her clients' needs with great understanding and a well laid out plan of action. Lisa and her team offer the best in professional and inspiring design and decorating services for residential and commercial projects. In addition, The Furnishing Room is incorporated as a supply partner to Yellowfox - an interior design company, and commissioned to design and supply window
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treatments, soft furnishings and custom-made furniture for their discerning clients. What do you need help with in your home or space? Lisa Marcellus and her team can assist you in developing a unique style for your home, holiday home or business. From concepts to completion, they will work with you to produce the interior you only ever dreamt about... and more. Your plans and ideas will be brought to life by The Furnishing Room team of experts and creatives. Services include - in-house interior styling consultations as well as free measure and quoting for drapes, roller blinds, wooden blinds, shutters and many types of window treatments.
They offer free estimates from house plans. Custommade soft furnishings and New Zealand-made furniture. Re-upholstery, designer wallpapers and a complete textile library as well as bespoke headboards and bedding. F PN SPECIAL OFFER 15% off Luxaflex Rollershades and 15% off Countrywoods Shutters. Until 31 March 2017. Conditions apply. Offer does not apply to Installation. THE FURNISHING ROOM, 49 Main Highway, Ellerslie, T: 09 579 0143, www.thefurnishingroom.nz
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MILLY NOLAN: DESIGNER GIFTS
Entertain them As Summer extends into March, make the most of the light-filled evenings by inviting your nearest and dearest over for sundowners or dinner alfresco. These organic-inspired tableware and entertaining picks are sure to make for a great evening. 1. Sunnylife Outdoor String Lights - $110 Set the mood with these outdoor lights which can easily be strung along roof lines, pergolas, trees and courtyards alike.
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2. Nkuku Salad Servers - $30 Organic in shape and made from sustainably grown mango wood, these servers are perfect for serving summer salads. 3. Olio Jug By Barber & Osgerby for Royal Doulton - $70 Modern yet also timeless in its appeal, fill this jug with water and generous helpings of lemon and mint or with your favourite sangria mix. 4. Olio Serving Bowl By Barber & Osgerby for Royal Doulton - $120 The perfect shape and size for serving a crowd, this salad bowl will look fabulous on any table.
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5. Cabin Lantern By French Country - $30 Entertaining by candlelight has never looked better with this simple cabin lantern - perfect placed on a table or even hung in a tree for ultimate ambience. 6. Citta Design Dine Linen Napkin Set - $52 Soft in texture as well as colour, you won’t want to limit these linen napkins to entertaining only!
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7. May Time Organic Water Glass Set - $114 Irregular in form and light to hold, these water glasses are the ideal choice for entertaining whether for water or something more exciting. 8. Olio Rectangular Wooden Serving Platter By Barber & Osgerby for Royal Doulton - $109 An entertaining must-have, serve antipasti in style on this rectangular wooden serving platter.
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9. Intrepid Home Valentina Outdoor Picnic Rug - $390 Water-resistant and hardwearing, this Persian-rug lookalike is meant for the outdoors - perfect for PN a bohemian-chic themed picnic. (MILLY NOLAN) F 9
All products available at www.mildredandco.com
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Brand new, outstanding homes
G R E Y LY N N
Great North Rd
Compare features • Three bedrooms, three bathrooms • Side-by-side double garage • Fabulous sunrise and sunsets • Focussed attention to detail • Engineered timber floors • Recessed LED lighting • High ceiling heights • Reverse-cycle heating and cooling • Poggenpohl kitchens • Integrated Miele appliances • Brick, cedar and concrete • Designer landscaping
Barrington Rd
Exclusive Grey Lynn homes ranging from $ 1.75 to $ 1.89m Now complete, these spacious designer homes have already become a welcome addition to the Grey Lynn community. Character, texture, finish and build exceeding even our own expectations. Barrington Rd homes with spectacular sunsets and large decks; or city facing townhouses, with potential retail / office / studio. To view the few remaining properties:
• Secure vehicle access • High-profile cornerstone location
554 GT NORTH RD and 12 BARRINGTON RD
Talk with Virgil
021 883 193
fresh realty
www.freshrealty.co.nz Fresh Realty Ltd Licensed (REAA 2008) MREINZ
MY FAVOURITE ROOM Millicent Austin - La Femme Fleur florist “I was inspired by my neighbourhood florist when I lived in Paris, where locals treated flowers like a luxurious necessity. "When I came home to New Zealand I wanted to create the same community feel when I opened my flower truck in 2014 in Cox’s Bay. Late last year, with the regeneration of the historic Ponsonby Post Office, I had the chance to put my flowers in the entrance to Augustus. My Parisian-inspired flowers were the perfect partner to the beautiful new French bistro. "Most recently I’ve teamed up with Veuve Clicquot at the Land Rover NZ Polo Open, to bring to life a new theme: I brought my bright florals and bespoke Polo décor to create the first ever Veuve Clicquot Rosé Garden. I’ll also be hosting a series of floral masterclasses as part of the Rosé Garden Pop-Up at Ostro.” Where do you live? I now live in Titirangi with my husband and Freida the dog. But for years I lived on Franklin Road. I miss the grind and glamour of Ponsonby, but I relax every time I get to the birds and the native bush of West Auckland. Were you a long-time greater Ponsonby resident? I lived for many years in the greater Ponsonby area. From Herne Bay to Freemans Bay, and now my little flower shop is in St Marys Bay. My burgeoning business couldn’t cover a mortgage in the suburb yet, but one day... What do you call your favourite room? This is my flower shop. I fill it with the most beautiful New Zealand-grown flowers and plants, for local residents to take home and fill their houses. Why is it your favourite room? It’s my favorite because it squeezes all the natural things I love into a tiny space. At the moment it is full of bright purple hydrangea, phalaenopsis orchids, cacti and stunning New Zealand-grown roses.
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What are your favourite things in the room? My favourite things in the room are the trailing indoor plants. They have a mind of their own and I love watching them grow. I refuse to sell my favourite heart-leaf philodendron. He’s been with me since I opened the shop and he has become a permanent resident. LA FEMME FLEUR MASTERCLASSES AT OSTRO, 22 February to 12 March 2017 www.iticket.co.nz/events/2017/feb/veuve-clicquot-floral-masterclass www.lafemmefleur.co.nz
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COPY DEADLINE: Monday 20 March PUBLISHED: Friday 7 April
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TO BOOK ADVERTISING: Call Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or on Melissa Paynter 027 938 4111 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: melissa@ponsonbynews.co.nz w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz
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@ CITTÀ
Elevation - Home beneath Bolivian skies
Welcome to a Città winter collection inspired by the natural wonder of Bolivia. Rugged, raw, and impossibly beautiful, our destination is a land of lofty heights, snow-capped peaks, russet red earth and moonscape salt flats. Beneath a blanket of stars lies the beautiful geometry of a sophisticated lost civilisation. 1. Moss Stitch Wool Throw $229 2. Woven Storage Basket $99.90 3. Hola Knitted Wool Cushion Cover $59.90
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www.cittadesign.com
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HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN It was this time last year when I first saw a pair of tui juveniles together. There were no adult tui in sight and the juveniles stayed around the property for several weeks. This year I'm seeing exactly the same thing, but this time I'm noticing something rather odd about their interaction with one another. One of them appears to be bold, leading the way, with the other following closely behind. The tui that's shadowing the other is peeping incessantly as if demanding to be fed. At first, I thought I was imagining this. They look the same age, it's impossible for one of them to be the parent. Perhaps we have a dysfunctional tui family in the area where the parents have left the young alone far too soon. We have decided to name our apparent orphans Feisty and Squeaky. Feisty, the reluctant parent seems to barely tolerate the noisy sibling shadow. Every once in a while I see aggressive posturing and chasing. Feisty isn't the least bit shy and is spending a great deal of time on our deck. This tui is chasing off all the other birds, including adult tui, which has really surprised me. Meanwhile, Squeaky sits observing from the manuka tree, peeping loudly for attention. There were times when I found them playing together. One morning I saw them in our manuka. Recently some of the manuka branches had been damaged in a storm, so we had tied some of those branches together using garden tie. This is a fabric somewhat similar to a wide boot lace. The tui orphans seemed to find the movement of the garden tie irresistible. They were snatching at it as it swung back and forth in the breeze. It was like watching mesmerised kittens. I think my initial impression of intolerance and aggression may have been incorrect, because I also found them snuggled up together at dusk, no doubt preparing for the night ahead. Then it finally happened. I witnessed Feisty feeding Squeaky. Perhaps it was just a one off to get a moment of silence, but it was a delightful scene none the less. My favourite photo of late is when I found them huddled together, gazing up in wonder at the last flower on our pohutukawa tree. There's something incredibly delightful about seeing tui juveniles frolicking in the trees. I find their behaviour fascinating. The more I observe, the more I learn. If you're lucky enough to have tui visiting your garden I do hope you take some time out and get to know them. (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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FLESH OF THE GODS DEBUTS AT AFF @ DAWSON & CO A string of gods are taking on physical form as part of the Auckland Fringe Festival.
Lighting by Timothy Oulton 1. Crystal Chandelier - The Crystal lighting collection is inspired by the elaborate designs of late Georgian-era chandeliers. This handcrafted chandelier features many hallmarks of Georgian design including large crystal baluster centrepieces, precision, cut-glass crystals, candle lights and corresponding bobeche dishes originally used to collect candlewax.
FLESH OF THE GODS is spearheaded by Andrew Gunn, who grew up in the Ponsonby/Herne Bay area and went to Bayfield Primary.
2. Stalagmite Chandelier - Inspired by the crystallised rock formations that grow over centuries on cave floors, the Stalagmite Chandelier mixes this exotic geological elegance with distinctly modern glamour.
“They are arriving for a long overdue session with a shrink. Unpacking their experience, they are trying to process how their actions and inner worlds are manifesting in the human realm.” Flesh of the gods is ‘a psychedelic dive into world mythology, a poetic feast for the mind and senses, full to the brim with philosophy and grandiose entrances’. It is the ‘spiritual successor’ to Auckland-based theatre collective Pressure Point's Potato Stamp Megalomaniac (Excellence Award for Overall Production, Auckland Theatre Awards 2016).
3. Paradise Spiral Chandelier - Inspired by the magnificent Odeon buildings in ancient Greece and Rome, originally constructed for musical performances. Traditionally, they had beautifully carved domed roofs for maximum acoustics, with a space in the top for natural light to flood in. 4. Zig Zag Pendant - The Zig Zag collection features delicate spheres of optical -grade glass around an intricate metal skeleton. Like a galaxy of suspended planets, each sphere bounces the reflections and refractions of the others to project almost kaleidoscope patterns of galactic beauty.
Mythic rap battles, apocalyptic relationship problems and live sound by the inimitable Tom Dennison (APRA Award for Best Sound Design (Auckland Theatre Awards) nominee): “You’d be a fool to miss this show.” F PN FLESH OF THE GODS, 7 and 9-11 March, www.aucklandfringe.co.nz 1
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DAWSON & CO, 115 The Strand, Parnell and 38 Constellation Drive, North Shore, T: 09 476 1121, www.dawsonandco.nz
@ DESIGN WAREHOUSE 1. This beautiful outdoor dining set features the Harbour Wicker Chair, Raw Concrete Trestle Table and Bench. Choose this set or create your own with any dining chair or dining table. At Design Warehouse you get to choose! Everything arrives fully assembled! 2. The A-Grade Teak Ibiza Collection is beautifully designed and very comfortable. Sunbrella® cushions with quick dry foam are included with all deep seating purchases as shown at Design Warehouse. Compare before your buy anywhere else. Arrives fully assembled!
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DESIGN WAREHOUSE, 137/147 The Strand, Parnell, T: 09 377 7710, www.designwarehouse.co.nz 2
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@ FORMA 1. Forma New York Barstool $995. Timeless, contemporary elegance in European oak. 2. Forma Ella Swivel Chair $595. Simple and modern with a sculptural shape, and swivel base, it makes a sleek desk chair. 3. Forma Astro Chair $975. Viro outdoor wicker is specifically designed and engineered for outdoor use and is UV resistant.
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FORMA, 51-53 The Strand Parnell, T: 09 368 7694, www.forma.co.nz, ww.facebook.com/formafurniturenz
ARE YOU SELLING YOUR HOME? ‘you can’t sell a secret... good marketing makes a difference every time’ www.ponsonbynews.co.nz
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BARRINGTON - ENDURING QUALITY Five years from now locals will say “I should have bought at Barrington.” The location, quality of design and build, extensive fit out and ease of living will guarantee owners with smiling faces.
The other five houses face to the west with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a study area.
Month by month, with the immense pressure on Auckland’s construction industry, we see less quality at higher prices for future buildings. Now complete, Barrington has escaped this trend and the attention to detail is very apparent.
Barrington houses also provide great security, side by side double garages for two cars with internal access, a proper laundry and tub discretely behind integrated cabinetry, great spaces, multiple bathrooms and expansive decks.
The use of enduring materials, sound and temperature insulation, modern joinery and top-quality construction, will mean no time or money to spend here as opposed to the continual upgrading and maintenance needed on older-style homes.
No one living above or below you, and as there are only eight homes in Barrington it feels safe and neighbourly. All in sought-after Grey Lynn. We’re certain that in five years’ time, owners will still be smiling. F PN
Three of the houses face east to the city and have a small retail/office space included. Talk with Virgil, M: 021 883193, www.freshrealty.co.nz
@ FREEDOM 1. Freedom Furniture Blizzard Cushion 50 x 50cm in Frost, RRP $44.95 The finishing touch to any bed, chair or sofa, Freedom’s Blizzard cushion adds texture and softness that beckons to be snuggled up next to. 2. Freedom Furniture Florian Pendant Graphite, RRP $179 Elegantly shaped with a smooth finish, the Florian pendant is as much at home draped over a dining table or kitchen bench as it is posing as a feature light in a bedroom.
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3. Freedom Furniture Dylan Mirror 90cm, RRP $299 Minimalist and sleek, the Dylan mirror blends effortlessly into any bedroom while allowing key statement pieces to be reflected in all its beauty. 4. Freedom Furniture Astrid Bedhead Queen in Cosy Nightshade, RRP $499 Complete with wrap around detailing, this elegant and solid bedhead sets the foundation for a bedroom that will see many sound sleeps ahead.
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www.freedomfurniture.co.nz
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photography: Evan Donnelly
photography: Evan Donnelly
OUT + ABOUT
Festival goers meet Mayor Phil Goff
Victoria McHugh, Amber Paki, Grace Munro and Katie Letica
Zara Johnson, Victorias Secretzz and Bonnie Bartle
Daphne Bush and Ian Towning
Helen Fletcher SAFE for Animals
Georgia Milne, Karen Joe and Zahn Brazil Seed and Soul
Mieke Grooten, Jenny Springett, Neil Johnson & Vanessa Barbarich
photography: Clare Gemima
photography: Clare Gemima
Festival goers meet Prime Minister Bill English
BIG GAY OUT 2017 @ COYLE PARK - SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT
BIRD OF THE MONTH
The lights of Te Atatu - Dominic Blaazer
We’re going to learn about one of the most infamous stories of extinction in New Zealand this month - the Stephen’s Island or Lyall’s wren.
Dominic Blaazer is a Ponsonby musician about to release brand new album, Getting to the Place. He has two shows at Garnet Station in Westmere on Friday 10 March and Saturday 11 March as part of the Auckland Fringe Festival, called The Lights of Te Atatu. The show contains a batch of his newest songs, and he’ll be performing with a small ensemble! I asked Dominic a few questions before the show about how his music has evolved. Born in Jamaica, he spent time in London before finding Auckland as his current home. Getting to the Place is his first Dominic Blaazer solo album, but he’s released albums in bands and has performed on other people’s - including The Clean, The Chills, SJD and Don McGlashan. He’s almost finished it, with a few bits left to tidy up, and it’s been over a year in the making. As a songwriter, his influences range from Burt Bacharach to Marvin Gaye and Barry Gibb, with organists Booker T, Issac Hayes and Georgie Fame and on piano Nina Simone also come to mind. His blend of chamber pop is peppered with influences but he’s pretty confident in his sound and style by now, “Generally it's a set thing but it can wobble a bit. Each song feels like a room to me and I mostly know what kind of sonic furniture I like by now. I'm pretty big on mid-century design.” His school brass band was possibly the only thing that kept him there, although ironically he is now a music teacher, so he can’t have hated school too much. Music has always been a large part of his life, from his parents, grandparents and siblings, and got him through school to the point where he was able to perform and record in the United Kingdom and Europe. I asked him about the new show, The Lights of Te Atatu, “It's a song born while dog-walking in Ponsonby. I see them as some sort of beacon seen by a great many people over a huge area. It's not about the place though, it just tells me where home is.” Ponsonby has been home since the early 1990s, “with the occasional sojourn to less stimulating suburbs,” with his first jobs being at Verona and SPQR. He’s assembled a tiny orchestra for these shows at Garnet Station and he’s loved the process of putting them together. “The classical sounds fit my kind of pop nicely.” (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F PN You can find all the ticketing details at www.iticket.co.nz. Admission is $20 or $15 for teachers, a nice little bonus if you’re an educator!
The story goes, “This bird was both discovered, and soon after eliminated, by a lighthouse keeper’s cat.” This story has been used often to show the effects of mammalian predators on island species that are unadapted to them. The bird was first noticed by the lighthouse keeper, David Lyall in 1894, but could easily have been known to the workers building the lighthouse in 1892. The last one known was brought to Lyall in February 1895, so in the space of between one and three years the feral cats that had made a home on the island alongside the workers and the new lighthouse had wiped the species out. The cats would have found the island’s fauna easy to catch and plentiful and the only specimens of the wren were those found by Lyall, already dead. Only 16-18 specimens were ever collected, sometime in 1894. It was a tiny, drab bird, with big feet and solid legs. Much discussion has been had about whether the Stephen’s Island wren could fly, as it was never observed to fly but there was no unequivocal evidence that the bird was flightless. Fossil remains were found in the North and South Islands and at other locations that suggested that it would have been a weaker flier than the rock wren, which itself is a poor flier. This has led to the conclusion that it was flightless and would have run like a mouse. There are only a small handful of songbirds known to be flightless and none other had survived until European contact. Very few living birds were ever seen, but it is imagined that kiore would have wiped the species out from the mainland long before the final population was found on Stephen’s Island. If the wren had indeed been flightless it would have occupied a very similar niche to that of the kiore and would have been easy prey for the introduced rat. The few recordings of the bird from Stephen’s Island were that it was semi -nocturnal and “running around the rocks like a mouse and so quick in its movements that he could not get near enough to hit it with a stick or stone.” This last quote does signify the attitude toward birds in the late 19th Century. Collecting specimens was often more important than ensuring the species survival, as a specimen proved it had existed, which is what counted. Unfortunately the Stephen’s Island wren didn’t really have any hope of existing once cats arrived on the small island. This is my last Bird of the Month. I've really enjoyed bringing you a new native bird to learn about. I would highly recommend getting out to Tiritiri Matangi Island, you will see many of the birds I've written about, both on the island and on the water around it. If you're lucky enough to see native birds in your gardens or when you're out of town, make sure you take care of the environment you're in, pick up your rubbish, keep your pets on their leashes and think about your impact. You'll still find me writing about music in the Ponsonby News, and I'm still going to be on the look out for the tui or kereru PN calling in my garden. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F
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FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT
Originz perform on Tiritiri Matangi Island Tiritiri Matangi is not only the source of a lot of my birds of the month, but it occasionally provides other interesting news. Saturday 4 March is going to be the 2017 Tiritiri Matangi Concert, musicians surrounded by nature. This year they have two stunning acts, Rob Thorne and the 15-piece fusion band OrigiNZ. I caught up with leader and organizer Nigel Robertson to find out what OrigiNZ is and where it’s come from. Nigel Robertson juggles many roles in the music world, including President of the Auckland Folk Festival and Chair of the Gaidhealtachd Summer School at Whangarei Heads, as well as being an accomplished musician himself. I asked Nigel to tell us a little about the Gaidhealtachd. The Gaidhealtachd is a Celtic summer school situated at Whangarei Heads School every January. It includes the culture of all of the recognised Celtic nations and all creative art forms and artisan activity. The main focus is on music and dance, a key part of the week being the ceilidhs or dances that are organised at the Taurikura Community Hall, featuring traditional dance to live music. The summer school is run by a Charitable Trust, of which I'm the chair. Being Scottish by birth, this is a very important way for me to keep the culture of the ancient Celtic lands relevant and fresh by encouraging young people to learn and engage in the culture of their forebears in a fun and interactive environment.
What type of music does OrigiNZ play? Fusion implies a wide range of genres and sounds! OrigiNZ is a big and colourful unit, featuring bagpipes, drums, bass, keyboard, percussion, flute, fiddle, sax and trumpet, with voice on one track so a really eclectic mix! We play modern versions of traditional tunes and modern tunes composed by some of our great friends in music today. We put big drums n' bass riffs onto the back of jigs and reels basically... reggae, rhumba, South African kwela, calypso, etc. Are there plans to continue with the group going forward? We are all busy people with busy jobs so it's a bit of a challenge keeping it going but if we have a gig or festival coming up, we get down to work - we're working up two new numbers at the moment. Where do you feel the band fits in the live music scene? We fit into the Celtic fusion genre, alongside such greats as Shooglenifty, Peatbog Fairies, Salsa Celtica, La Bottine Souriante and many other great bands. It's not a common genre here in New Zealand but is very well established in Scotland particularly but also in all of the Celtic lands as well as Quebec, Canada. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F PN If you’d like to see OrigiNZ perform, head to: www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/concert-2017 to find out more about the concert on Tiritiri Matangi Island on Saturday 4 March from 4pm onwards.
photography: Tamara Josephine
The fusion band is called OrigiNZ and is part of the City of Auckland Pipe Band (CAPB) organisation. The CAPB was invited to join a delegation from Australasia to the Festivale Interceltique de Lorient, the biggest pan-Celtic festival in the world (700,000 attendees over 10 days) in Brittany, France in August 2016. The delegation required more besides the pipe band performances (which were the main part of the delegation) so we formed OrigiNZ to perform at the festival. Fusion Celtic bands have been around for more than 20 years, typified by Shooglenifty from Scotland and we covered some of their music
alongside fusion mixes of traditional Scottish bagpipe music, Breton traditional music and New Zealand song. The basis of the band arose from a previous ensemble but there were a number of personnel changes and additions and the final band had 15 members!
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. The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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EXPERIENCE A DIVINE CULTURE YOU CANNOT SEE ANYWHERE ELSE Exquisite beauty from the heavens. Profound wisdom from dynasties past. Discover authentic Chinese culture. Discover Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Aotea Centre this April. Thousands of years ago, Chinese believed that their culture was a sacred gift from the heavens. This ancient world of splendour has since been lost. But now you can watch it come to life on stage. Shen Yun takes you on a magical journey through China’s divinely inspired culture. Classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dances, authentic costumes, and breathtaking backdrops will do the storytelling, all accompanied by an enchanting orchestral sound. It’s a stunning experience that will leave you amazed and inspired. Melodies that capture the spirit of ancient China Music has had mystical powers throughout Chinese history. The Yellow Emperor used it to defeat his greatest enemy. Confucius claimed it could help govern a country. The ancient Chinese believed it even had the power to heal. Music is a big part of every Shen Yun performance - from the live orchestra that accompanies each dance to the vocal and instrumental solos on stage. Shen Yun’s unique orchestra harmoniously blends the grandeur of a Western orchestra with the distinct beauty of ancient Chinese instruments. The result is a gorgeous and vivid sound with great emotional range - perfect for bringing to life the soul of an ancient civilisation. Art that nourishes the soul Art can do more than make us smile. It is a universal language that knows no cultural bounds. It can inspire and uplift us. In ancient China, artists believed that to create true art, they must not only master their craft, but also cultivate goodness and inner purity. Today, Shen Yun’s artists carry on this noble tradition. Shen Yun takes timeless virtues - ideals like loyalty, humility, compassion - and presents what is beautiful and good in a powerful theatrical experience. You can see this positive energy in the genuine joy with which these artists perform, and feel it long after the curtain falls. Experience the wonder of China’s divine culture. Experience Shen Yun. Complimentary Program Book Ponsonby News readers can receive a complimentary programme book at Shen Yun's Auckland performances. Simply enter the code sy17MagPN when booking online at ShenYun.com/AKL, and pick up your programme book from the Aotea Centre foyer on the day of the performance. Offer only available when booking online. F PN April 7-9, 2017, four shows only! ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre For tickets visit ShenYun.com/AKL or call 0800 111 999
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“ABSOLUTELY THE NO. 1 SHOW IN THE WORLD” — Ken Wells, Former Lead Dancer for the English National Ballet
Experience a Divine Culture
APRIL 7–9 AOTEA CENTRE, AUCKLAND Book now for the best seats! The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
Visit ShenYun.com/AKL Call DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
(09) 280 3390 0800 111 999
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ARTS + CULTURE #AKLFRINGE @ GARNET STATION Humourism: Brendon Green, 9-11 March, 7pm, $15/$10 Brendon Green (Billy T Award nominee) debuts a new collection of songs, stories, and shenanigans. Humourism is a show of great stories told charmingly and comedy songs filled with just enough truth to be thought provoking. At the Age of 20 Something, 2-5 March, 7pm and 4pm Sunday, $20/15 A tornado in slow motion and the best years of your life are sometimes the same thing. Instant gratification, fluid identities and no clear path - what does it mean to exist in the liminal space between childhood and adulthood today? The Sunlight Liquid Collective debut show by Georgina Silk, James Wenley, Chye-Ling Huang, Andrew Gunn, Katie Burson, Mikaela Rüegg and Natasha Daniel.
@ TOI ORA GALLERY
The Everyday Creative 9 - 29 March Open for White Night, 18 March 6pm - midnight As part of Auckland Arts Festival and White Night, The Toi Ora Artists’ Collective present ‘The Everyday Creative’, selected works by Andrew Blythe (in association with Tim Melville Gallery), Anne Lai Ping Chan Ho, Patrick Te Ariki, Lance Glozier, Louise Williams, Kim Maree, Selwyn Vercoe and Victoria White. Wellbeing through creativity is the inspiration for the Toi Ora Artists Collective exhibition, PN bringing together painting, moving image, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media. F TOI ORA GALLERY, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn, T: 09 360 4171, www.toiora.org.nz
The Lights of Te Atatu, 10 - 11 March, 8.30pm, $20/$15 Appreciate Dominic Blaazer’s well-seasoned voice and blend of chamber pop in the greatest traditions of song writing. This show is the premiere of his latest body of work featuring a tiny orchestra in a tiny theatre with a brave new set from a brave new voice. What's not to love? Heartbreak Cure-all 16 - 18 March, 12noon-5pm and 18 March, 6-9pm koha Bring your art and writing and songs to this Voices from Rain event. In the daytime visit the Katy Soljak exhibition, Ray Star tarot and Nina Mercep astrology readings. Bring your stories, magic tricks, songs and poems to the evening event with performers Patrick Graham, Bertine Louise, Anne Speir, Fairy Bee, Peter Rabbitt and Raewyn Alexander. F PN To book email: garnetstation@gmail.com or call T: 09 360 3397 GARNET STATION TINY THEATRE, 85 Garnet Road, Westmere
The Epidemical Existence of a Personal Malfunction at the Age of 20 Something Selwyn Vercoe - Untitled 2016 Acrylic pen on canvas
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ARTS + CULTURE @ BECROFT GALLERY Inaugural North Shore Notable’s exhibition featuring Paul Woodruffe Until 26 March, Opening: 4 March 12.30pm
Many notable New Zealand artists have either grown up, lived on or produced art about, the North Shore of Auckland. The North Shore Notable’s series of exhibitions aims to profile these artists with solo exhibitions of their work and associated artist talks or events. Art translates the language of nature into the language of human beings.
Paul Woodruffe - Isle of Life
“The paintings here, as all my work in oil and pencil, are influenced by the landscapes of my youth, and the characters that inhabited these landscapes. I grew up in Campbell’s Bay, and our house backed onto Centennial Park, 80 acres of parkland, the beach was at the end of the street. These places gave me a profound love of the natural world, and a fascination with the sometimes surreal combinations of wildness and cultivation (in both people and place). "I am essentially as a painter, a storyteller. My work uses paint as a means to create the genesis of a narrative, they are ideas for films, or books that will never be made or written. They will never have a beginning or an end.” Paul Woodruffe, February 2017. Lake House Arts is easy access, straight off the motorway at Esmonde Road onto Fred PN Thomas Drive, Takapuna. Open seven days. F www.lakehousearts.org.nz
Paul Woodruffe - Red Cat
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MCO Simone Roggen
@ ST MATTHEWS-IN-THE-CITY photography: Gwynne Davenport
Vivacious violinist Simone Roggen and rising star conductor Vincent Hardaker. Performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor with St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra 19 March, 2.30pm Violinist Simone Roggen, who grew up in New Zealand, began violin lessons as a pre -schooler and from age 11 was concertmaster of various youth orchestras. Since 2004 Simone has travelled the world as a soloist and concertmaster, is primaria (Leader) of the award-winning Faust Quartet and regularly performs in diverse ensembles such as Camerata Bern, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Geneva Camerata and Lucerne Festival Strings. She says "I live to make music. It is the most direct way to touch the heart of humanity.”
Gary Brooks, Sarah Holden and Vjekoslav Nemesh
Vincent Hardaker, one of New Zealand's most promising up-and-coming conductors, is currently the assistant conductor of Orchestra Wellington and, in recent years, he has been been a NZSO Conducting Fellow. St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra which will accompany these two, produces the kind of music that is magic; excellence is its only option. Their concerts play to full houses. Make sure you get there early. TICKETS: Eventfinda or cash door sales, Adults $25 Concessions $20 children under 12 free. F PN ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY CHURCH corner Wellesley and Hobson Streets. www.smco.org.nz
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@ THE LITTLE GALLERY, VICTORIA PARK MARKET
Oil painting with Nemesh, 25 and 26 March 11am - 5pm Join The Little Gallery for a fun weekend of oil painting with artist Vjekoslav Nemesh. Nemesh is an established artist with more than 30 years' experience in the field, and has exhibited throughout New Zealand as well as internationally. This workshop is designed to suit artists and art enthusiasts of all abilities, from beginners to mid-level experienced painters. Vjekoslav Nemesh
Through a set of exercises you will learn how to handle oils using different tools and techniques.
Nemesh’s teaching methods will show you how to express yourself through oil colours and enable you to find your own unique style in painting. Investment: $175 for one day, $325 for two days. Cost includes paints and use of tools and mediums; attendees are required to bring at least two medium-sized canvases for each day.
ARTS + CULTURE @ THE LITTLE GALLERY, VICTORIA PARK MARKET Artist Demonstration Evening II 16 March, 5pm - 7pm The second Artist Demonstration Evening is with artists Jo Dalgety, Keron Smith and Kirsty Black and will be held at the Victoria Park Market gallery. The first Demonstration Evening was a great success with the audience loving the chance to see the process of art-making in action. This evening will similarly give the Artist Jo Dalgety - Mangawhai, oil on canvas public the opportunity to observe the processes behind the diverse range of art practices supported by the gallery, and experience a deeper level of engagement with the artistic process in an ‘open studio’ setting. The demonstration aims to bridge the sometimes mystifying gap between the finished artwork, and the ideas and techniques that led to its creation. The artists welcome any questions you might have for them.
For enquiries and to book a class please contact Sarah Holden on M: 027 368 1181.
We would love you to join us for a wine and see our talented artists at work. All are welcome. F PN
THE LITTLE GALLERY AUCKLAND, Shop 30-32, Ground Floor Victoria Park Market, 210 Victoria Street West, T: 09 354 4745 or M: 027 368 1181, info@thelittlegallery.co.nz, www.thelittlegallery.co.nz
THE LITTLE GALLERY AUCKLAND, Shop 30-32, Ground Floor Victoria Park Market, 210 Victoria Street West, T: 09 354 4745 or M: 027 368 1181, info@thelittlegallery.co.nz, www.thelittlegallery.co.nz
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UPTOWN ART SCENE What do Reims Cathedral and Grey Lynn’s Putiki Street have in common? Dealer galleries often bring us international contemporary artists well before we can see them anywhere else in New Zealand. In 2015, Two Rooms had the witty and very popular Scottish artist David Shrigley as their International Artist-in-Residence, packing the gallery for the opening of his first oil paintings since he was at art school. As it begins 2017 with long-time gallery manager Sarah McCrory as new Director, Fox Jensen McCrory opened with a solo exhibition of renown German artist Imi Knoebel. Knoebel mostly works with geometric shapes in primary colours, and in this show, artworks have been made from cutting and layering painted paper to build relationships between space, picture support and colour. They have a considered joy to them, recalling the Bauhaus colour teachings of Johanne Ittens and the Modernist principles of Kazimir Malevich.
Imi Knoebel 'Revolver Rot Gelb Blau' 2008
Knoebel used similar coloured paper cut-outs to design three new stained glass windows for the Reims Cathedral, damaged by German bombing in WW1, and as a gesture of reconciliation he refused payment for this project. As a student of Joseph Beuys in the 1960s, Knoebel has a strong belief in art’s ability to change society - his Star for Children project has raised millions of dollars for children in need. Before one enters into the gallery proper at Fox Jensen McCrory, there is a multipanel, coloured slate work by another German artist, Gunter Umberg, which sets up an interesting conversation with Knoebel’s work inside, of the play between gaps and lines and surface. Although we are thousands of kilometres from our closest neighbour, it’s great that art’s global conversation is happening in our area. International artists such as Whitney Bedford, Katharina Grosse, and Tony Cragg show here as regularly as our own artists do overseas. (WILL PAYNT STUDIO ARTS SUPPLIES) F PN
Imi Knoebel's stained glass at Reims Cathedral
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
SHOWING @OREXART Landed in New Zealand 9 March - 1 April Opening 9 March, 5-7pm
Landed in New Zealand features a number of OREXART artists who choose to paint New Zealand from their own perspective in a way that combines something of their past with a response to where they are currently. The West Auckland urban experience of Glen Wolfgramm contrasts strongly with the elements of the Pacific he brings into his work. His is a true blending of motives.
ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING @ WHITESPACE Vahine - Catching the Trade Wind, 14 March - 1 April Lily Laita, Niki Hastings McFall & Lonnie Hutchinson
It is 15 years since Niki, Lonnie and Lily exhibited the first Vahine show after a residency in Samoa. This exhibition celebrates their continuing friendship and the significant place they have PN established in New Zealand's contemporary art scene. F WHITESPACE, 12 Crummer Road, T: 09 361 6331, www.whitespace.co.nz
Each artist brings a sense of self to their work, an element Paul Jackson - Awhitu (2000), of separation, nostalgia, and oil on linen 1800mm diameter yet in equal parts elements of inclusion, submersion even, into this place. And, if one searches for it, perhaps an element of fear, unease, fracture. Time doesn’t soften the experience of departure, nor does it dull the anguish of arrival, time only creates space to live. For the children of new settlers separation isn’t so much measured by time and distance, it’s often measured by difference. Please contact rex@orexart.co.nz for details. F PN OREXART, 15 Putiki Street, Arch Hill, T: 09 378 0588, www.orexart.co.nz
Bepan Bhana Ranveer and Deepika at Piha (2016) acrylic on canvas 2@ 1200 x 1800mm (diptych)
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
Lonnie Hutchinson ink and acrylic on rag paper from the Light my Fire suite
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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING @ DEPOT ARTSPACE David Barker - Fragments 25 March - 12 April
The paintings in this exhibition share a common set of principles connected by technique and vision. The two centre-pieces are free-standing bi-fold screens, each a montage of images. One of seashells the other of ships. The reverse sides of the screens are covered with beautiful Fortuny designs from Venice. The five ‘shed’ paintings based on location sketches are carefully designed, depending on the near invisible phenomenon of perspective and architectural precision. The idea for the skyscape’s occurred to David while flying. He marvelled at the shapes and colours of the clouds. He says, “They are as challenging to paint as the reflective surfaces of water and glass. Volumes and spaces, soft and sharp edges are essential components of these vaporous compositions. Even with years of practice, painting has never become easy. I cannot say how long it takes to do a specific painting. The duration varies. All share an element of chance or risk. Each is but a fragment, a fixed format, a visual patch of life passing by.” F PN DEPOT ARTSPACE, 28 Clarence Street, Devonport, T: 09 963 2331, info@depotartspace.co.nz, www.depotartspace.com
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
ARTS + CULTURE WHITE NIGHT AT STUDIO ONE TOI TU 18 March, 6 - 10pm
Immerse yourself in the arts at White Night, on at Studio One Toi Tu on Saturday 18 March. The centre will be open late with special activities for all ages including screenings and four new exhibitions from Jacqueline Macleod, Negin Dastgheib, Sarah Smith and Yi Pei Loh. Studio One Toi Tu is a hub for the Auckland Art Festival’s White Night in the city. There will be tours through local art galleries in the Ponsonby and K’Road area, so you can also catch some of the other great arts events happening around the city - for one night only. Take a special sneak peek at the private creative spaces of the artists who occupy the studios at Studio One Toi Tu. The sculpture studio, cell block, Sergeants Flat (1B Ponsonby Road) and new artists-in-residence studios will be open for a rare opportunity to meet the artists and get insight into their artistic practice. If you’d rather sit back and soak up the event, there will also be a special outdoor chill-out zone. To find out more about White Night as well as Studio One Toi Tu courses, exhibition programmes and venue hire, drop by and see them at 1 Ponsonby Road, visit their website www.studioone.org.nz or check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/studioonetoitu F PN STUDIO ONE TOI TU, 1 Ponsonby Road, www.studioone.org.nz www.facebook.com/StudioOneToiTu
PLEASE HELP TO GET THE GIANT POPPY CREATED IN FRANCE The French town of Arras plans to replicate The Giant Poppy Art Installation in the Town Square in April 2017 and will be part of a commemoration for the New Zealand soldiers who built massive tunnels during the First World War that protected the town. This will complete the circle the artist Tony McNeight envisaged when he first created the artwork in the Auckland Domain in 2015 to commemorate those who protected our freedom and democracy. The poppy was created from thousands of heartfelt messages on metal poppy discs in the Auckland Domain, many of which will now rest on the soil of France. The effect of the Poppy and the way it engaged people resonated with the Mayor of Arras and he recently invited Tony to replicate The Giant Poppy Art Installation in their town square in April 2017. The Poppy petals are on their way but Tony needs the community generosity to get him there to create it. There is a tight deadline and a crowd-funding campaign at www.boosted.org.nz F PN
Tony McNeight with the Mayor of Arras, Monsieur Fredric Leturque The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
The Giant Poppy at Auckland Domain in 2015 DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
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HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS
What your stars hold for March ♓
♍ Virgo (the Virgin): 22 August - 23 September
♈ Aries (the Ram): 21 March - 20 April
♎ Libra (the Scales): 24 September - 23 October
Pisces (the Fish): 20 February - 20 March The current state that you’re in allows you to coast along on overdrive easily but don’t make the mistake and expect that everything will come to you just because you expect it will.
Deep down you know that doing nothing is really good for you but you want to connect with everything all of the time. If you really want to connect with people, recharge you and switch off.
♉ Taurus (the Bull): 21 April - 21 May
You don’t have to worry that everything that is said or that you overhear has an ulterior motive or is about you. Are you looking too hard at yourself and instead should be less paranoid?
♊
Gemini (the Twins): 22 May - 21 June You’re very good at blocking out distractions that ordinarily would drive anyone else insane. Just be careful you’re not missing anything important because occasionally you become oblivious.
♋ Cancer (the Crab): 22 June - 22 July
You can always take a step back if you feel like what you’re doing is going nowhere and the task at hand could become a chore. You can do what ever you want but don’t bite off too much.
♌ Leo (the Lion): 23 July - 21 August
You seem to have been sharing a lot lately and it has empowered you as you have found a willing audience. As your confidence inflates you have to watch that the buttons you push are the right ones.
Making any sort of adjustment to your lifestyle will likely make a tremendous difference to your well-being. You just have to take care of things in stages rather than all at once.
A blast from the past has activated something from the depths of your memory and for once it’s a good one. Your imagination starts to fire up and suddenly it's all systems go.
♏ Scorpio (the Scorpion): 24 October - 22 November
Don’t be afraid to connect with something so far back in your past that it brings the child out in you. Be yourself now and you will probably appreciate the experience even more now than when you first enjoyed it.
♐
Sagittarius (the Archer): 23 November - 22 December If you engage in gossip then it's likely at some point you might hear something that you don’t like or something that’s even a bit too close to home. You still have time to walk away before gossip becomes scandal.
♑ Capricorn (the Goat): 23 December - 20 January
You know that fact and fiction can often get confused with you - and it’s a place that you often like to get lost in. Sometimes the unexplained can hold a firmer hold on you than your own reality.
♒ Aquarius (the Water Carrier): 21 January - 19 February
Saying aloud what you feel or want to do can often make these things come alive. Perhaps you should do this in all aspects of your life and see what rewards it brings.
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
Taylor Boutique, 1 Teed Street
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
NORTH SHORE Rug Direct, Wairau Park Dawson’s Furniture, Mairangi Bay
PARNELL Jane Daniels, 2 Birdwood Crescent Parnell Community Centre, 545 Parnell Road
PONSONBY
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MT EDEN
WESTMERE
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KINGSLAND
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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
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The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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