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SEPTEMBER 2026
NEW ZEALAND FASHION WEEK 2026, THE FUTURE OF FASHION DRIVEN BY GILTRAP GROUP - P4 CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF PUBLISHING HISTORY!
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At New Zealand Fashion Week 2026, the Future of Fashion Driven by Giltrap Group show saw eight emerging designers present collections to a packed audience at Shed 10. Designers were selected following a judging process by a panel featuring designers Vicki Taylor, Wynn Hamlyn, NZFW Creative Director Dan Ahwa and Giltrap Group CEO Steve Kenchington. Finalists worked to finish collections ready for the runway, which spotlighted new season looks from Anthurium, Heather Brennan Evans, iTi Clothes, Laurence Sabrine, NIQ Atelier, Rhian, Winnie Catherine and Zoe Langley. Designer Winnie Solomon, of Winnie Catherine, walked away with the award which includes support from Giltrap Group brand Škoda, financial support, mentorship and media exposure, helping her transition into the next phase of her business. Winnie Catherine has also recently been welcomed into The Shelter, a Ponsonby concept store curated by Vicki Taylor that showcases emerging, established and international labels. www.instagram.com/winniecatherine
FUTURE OF FASHION DRIVEN BY GILTRAP GROUP 20TH AUGUST, 2026
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Fashion designer Winnie Catherine is Wellington based and won the 'Helping Kiwis Fly Award: Fashion Edition’ in last month’s NZ Fashion Week. This includes financial support, mentorship, media exposure and more, helping her transition into the next phase of her business. She makes womenswear and focusses on tailoring and workwear and recently became available through Ponsonby’s The Shelter, her first stockist.
Photography: ‘Radical/New Zealand Fashion Week'
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 5
THIRD HARBOUR CROSSING
PN | LETTERS & EMAIL
I'm interested in Winston Peters' recommendations about going to market now on a third Harbour Crossing (the second is at Hobsonville). The Herald summed them up as follows: 1. Make the information held by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Auckland Council available to infrastructure builders through an open tender process on the Government Electronic Tendering System; 2. Under disclosure agreements, let infrastructure builders assess all available information and address where and how is the most cost-effective solution to moving people across the harbour while spreading demand; 3. Enable those infrastructure firms to put forward and compete for tender, with the Government and Auckland Council selecting the best solution. At a high level this is the sort of procurement process that Watercare is moving to as a way of harnessing the innovation, ideas, experience and capacity of the private sector upfront (second stage tenders would be funded to make their case). Notably, locally funded Watercare's Central Interceptor tunnel has come in on time and on budget, while many other centrally led infrastructure projects haven't. If the Government wants to delay because the project doesn't stack up against other projects then that's fine but they could stop throwing money at it in the meanwhile. There are plenty of good programmes being cut that could use those dollars. I'm putting this picture in below because it seems to suggest that an underground passenger rail tunnel could be part of the mix (and wouldn't that be nice!) Alex Bonham, Waitematā Local Board
37 MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA TREES
Auckland Council has planted 37 Magnolia Grandiflora trees down Anglesea Street which are slowly taking away the best view from Ponsonby. Right outside Chapel and Elmos, the council even put a seated area there for us to enjoy our beautiful city. When I first came to New Zealand in 1999 with BBC Television, filming it was the opening shot for our Travel show; it's an iconic spot for tourists who now stand in the middle of the road to get the view. We have lived in the Ponsonby area for over 20 years and have a one of these Magnolia Grandiflora trees in our garden. They are rigorous growers that need regular pruning. Because of their size they are meant for parks, not berms next to heritage villas. They can grow up to 24m tall with a root system that is four times as big as the tree. They are not native, they are evergreen so take light and their roots can be invasive, get into drains and unlevel pavements. This has already started down Anglesea Street where the council has bandaided a couple of spots. It feels like it's just the start. I foresee the next decade will be that Anglesea Street becomes like Franklin and Picton where the trees have overtaken completely. We will not only have the hefty rates bill for the fixing of drains and pavements along with the closure of the street to complete these works, we'll also have absolutely no view out over our beautiful city from Ponsonby Road. Isn't this a lose lose for everyone? May I suggest we replace the trees with low level natives? Clare McIntosh, Ponsonby
LETTERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media Limited & Ponsonby News.
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There was debris everywhere but thankfully there were no children affected.
Our cover star, Designer Winnie Solomon, of Winnie Catherine, walked away with the award which includes support from Giltrap Group brand Škoda, financial support, mentorship and media exposure, helping her transition into the next phase of her business. Winnie Catherine has also recently been welcomed into The Shelter, a Ponsonby concept store curated by Vicki Taylor that showcases emerging, established and international labels. Last Friday we attended the opening night of Cirque Alice, an epic new circus production inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, playing at The Civic until next Sunday, 6 September 2026. Cirque Alice features mesmerising aerialists and acrobats, mindbending contortionists, exquisite puppetry, special guest musical and comedic artists and more, accompanied by a soundtrack of newly arranged remixes of classical favourites. Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says Cirque Alice brings a special cultural moment for Aucklanders and visitors alike. “Productions of
HELP WITH ESTATE CLEARANCES We can manage the whole process or any part of it - you choose. We will ensure that special personal belongings are kept safe for the family, unwanted items sold and reports provided to the family, lawyer and executor every step of the way. Elderly Assist’s years of experience and proven processes take the stress out of this difficult time. Here’s what Jeanette had to say on the No Cowboys website 6 March, 2019: "I used Elderly Assist to clear and clean my deceased mother’s house which had not been well maintained for the last few years. From the first phone call to the end result it was stress free and professional. Everything was handled with care and we were kept informed every step of the way.” Rating: 100% Visit www.nocowboys.co.nz/businesses/elderly-assistlimited#ratings for more authenticated testimonials from dozens of Elderly Assist’s happy customers.
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Photography: Connor Crawford
What a good month August was. We had NZ Fashion week and 15 local designers walked the runway showing off their collections. The Future of Fashion Driven by Giltrap Group show saw eight emerging designers present collections to a packed audience at Shed 10. Designers were selected following a judging process by a panel featuring designers Vicki Taylor, Wynn Hamlyn, NZFW Creative Director Dan Ahwa and Giltrap Group CEO, Steve Kenchington.
PN | FROM THE EDITORS
Last Tuesday afternoon and just as we were about to upload our September eMag, we heard that a huge tree had fallen across the playground at the bottom of Ponsonby Park playground.
Jay Platt & Martin Leach
this scale bring fresh energy to the city centre, drawing audiences, supporting local hospitality and retail and creating memorable experiences for people of all ages. I’m particularly excited to see yet another internationally acclaimed show coming to Auckland – it’s events like these that remind us how vital and powerful live performance is in shaping a vibrant, creative city.” Be quick if you want to see the show and tickets are available via Auckland Live. On the subject of live shows we are looking forward to seeing Cabaret next month at the ASB Theatre. The production starts on 22 September and we are pleased to hear they’ve extended the event through to Sunday 25 October. (JAY PLATT & MARTIN LEACH) PN
We are an owner-operator business specialising in estate clearance and helping elderly people transition into retirement care. What we do: • Pack up the house and prepare property for sale. • Assist with the sale of furniture and belongings. Elderly Assist does not take a commission on the sale of goods. • Assist with gifting to friends and family and making donations to charity. • Ensure that special personal belongings are kept safe for family. • Provide a full inventory of individual items of property and what has been done with them. • Liaise with and provide reports to the Lawyer, Power of Attorney, Estate Executor and/or family at every stage.
Janice Willis
Phone: 0800 839 874 www.elderlyassist.co.nz www.movingassist.co.nz
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 7
PN | INSIDE THIS MONTH
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COVER STORY: NEW ZEALAND FASHION WEEK
006
LETTERS & EMAILS
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DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW
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HELEN WHITE: MP FOR MT ALBERT
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CHLÖE SWARBRICK: MP FOR AUCKLAND CENTRAL
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SARAH TROTMAN: WAITEMATĀ LOCAL BOARD MEMBER
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DESLEY SIMPSON: DEPUTY MAYOR OF AUCKLAND
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CANDACE KINSER: AUCKLAND CENTRAL CANDIDATE
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MIKE LEE: AUCKLAND COUNCILLOR
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TE RIMUTAHI UPDATE
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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS
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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
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FACES AT GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET
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LIVING, THINKING & BEING
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SARITA: AYURVEDA NEW ZEALAND
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CRUISING WITH ROSS THORBY
Editor/Publisher: MARTIN LEACH M: 021 771 147 martinleach@xtra.co.nz or martin@ponsonbynews.co.nz
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ARTS + CULTURE
Deputy Editor: JAY PLATT M: 021 771 146 jayplatt@xtra.co.nz or jay@ponsonbynews.co.nz
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HOROSCOPES
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Operations Manager: GWYNNE DAVENPORT M: 021 150 4095 gwynne@ponsonbynews.co.nz
THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES
Designer: ARNA MARTIN M: 021 354 984 arna@cocodesign.co.nz
Cover Photography: ‘Radical/New Zealand Fashion Week'
PONSONBY NEWS is published monthly, excluding January by: ALCHEMY MEDIA LIMITED, P.O. BOX 47-282 Ponsonby, Auckland 1144, www.ponsonbynews.co.nz
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- Gusto Italiano GUSTO MEANING ‘TASTE AND ENJOYMENT’
When you dine with us, the focus is on freshly prepared classic dishes, featuring an excellent range of pasta, seafood, meats and our pizza classics.
We also offer our pasta dishes to takeaway, phone for details or check our website for the menu. 263 PONSONBY RD, THREE LAMPS, 09 361 1556 www.gustoitaliano.co.nz
The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission, in writing, of the copyright owner. Colour transparencies and manuscripts submitted are sent at the owner’s risk; neither the publisher nor its agents accept any responsibility for loss or damage. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may occur.
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LETTERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
PN | LETTERS CONTINUED
WEE PROBLEM WITH THE TRAIN STATIONS
The stations serving K’ Rd were by far my favourite of the three train station openings that I attended over the last three weeks. What made them particularly exciting were the curved walls, for leaning against, that continued to wrap commuters with curved ceilings as one tunnel intersected with the next. These stations were designed through a collaboration between Grimshaw, Jasmax and WSP Architecture working alongside mana whenua, who also provided the indigenous artworks. The first problem of Mercury Lane being too steep for mobility access to the infamous Karangahape Road was solved by removing the old public convenience from Beresford Square for access landing at the ridge in K’ Rd. During the construction, K’ Rd was plagued with a problem of the lack of public toilets and those provided were unfit for public use. The public then took to urinating in shop doorways after hours. Now that the station is opening on 13 September, those lavatory problems should be in the past but the inconvenient truth is that the toilet in Mercury Lane, that 250 business owners and managers objected to in a petition to Auckland Transport and Waitematā Local Board, may have to stay. There was a wee problem on the open day of the K’ Rd stations. The crowds were fewer than are expected when the stations are fully operational and open. “Auckland's City Rail Link (CRL) opens on 13 September, 2026, and is projected to handle up to 54,000 passengers an hour at peak times by 2035. From day one, the underground network will eliminate
train reversals at Newmarket, dramatically cutting travel times and doubling overall rail capacity.” One News But there are only six toilets at the K’ Rd station. One of those is wheelchair accessible. The others are single stall and open to male and female users. So there was a queue to use a loo on the open day. Surely, that will be even bigger during rush hour. “The new Karanga-a-Hape Station on Karangahape Road at peak capacity inside the station is designed to accommodate about 1400 people per hour through its Beresford Square and Mercury Lane entrances.” Auckland’s Council Projects. The Wellesley Street end of the city station has six single stall toilets open to both sexes and one that is wheelchair accessible and a ‘men’s’. This is missing the ‘urinal’ sign, so that they don’t take up those much needed stalls for women. When will designers learn that more toilets are needed for women with less convenient plumbing? BUT at the Victoria Street end of the platform, this becomes a huge design flaw by not having any toilets at all. Someone who did ‘give a crap’ foresaw that as a problem, so for open day provided three prestigious port-a-loos. However, there will need to be a more convenient solution for train passengers. Gael Baldock, Community advocate GaelB@xtra.co.nz
LETTERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
Opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media Limited & Ponsonby News.
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 9
PN | OUR CONTRIBUTORS
IT’S A TEAM EFFORT... WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT OUR CONTRIBUTORS CANDACE KINSER I'm a proud Aucklander with a deep passion for the people, places and energy that make Auckland Central such a remarkable place. That's why I'm standing as the National Candidate for Auckland Central.
CHLÖE SWARBRICK Chlöe Swarbrick is the MP for and the biggest fan of Auckland Central - she is Co-Leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa NZ.
DAVID HARTNELL - MNZM For the last 53 years I’ve been a freelance entertainment journalist and author. I’ve lived in the Grey Lynn area for over three decades; I have met and interviewed some amazing people.
DESLEY SIMPSON I am a dedicated and approachable Deputy Mayor of Auckland, with a handson approach and genuine commitment to improving local communities and solving issues in Auckland.
KEN RING My yearly NZ Weather Almanacs began in 1999. During the tragic 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, my work created international interest. I currently live in Ponsonby.
LISA PRAGER A life long advocate for community issues, I am passionate about protecting and enhancing our natural environment and built heritage.
MIKE LEE I am the councillor for Waitematā & Gulf. A former seafarer, former chair of the ARC, conservationist, PT advocate, and author. I have represented the Ponsonby area since 1992.
PHIL PARKER Journalist and published author, I have had a career involving both wine writing and hosting boutique wine tours in the Auckland region.
GAEL BALDOCK
ROSS THORBY - QSM
We each follow our moral compass shaped by training. Mine is sculpting, architecture, sociology, anthropology and betterment of our shared world by community advocacy… and saving trees.
I have had a wanderlust for travel ever since I was old enough to own a passport. Since I discovered cruising, I have become unstoppable.
HELENE RAVLICH A freelance writer and copywriter for almost 20 years, I have written for publications all over the world and couldn’t imagine myself in any other job.
HELEN WHITE Helen is the Member of Parliament for Mt Albert and has a long-standing commitment to social justice, community well-being and ethical leadership. She is also keen on yoga.
SARITA SOLVIG BLANKENBURG I am a passionate Ayurveda practitioner based in Ponsonby for the last 15 years. Inspiring others to live a healthy and fulfilled life is my higher purpose.
SARAH TROTMAN, ONZM She has been rated the most effective Governor on the Waitematā Local Board. However, we rate her as the most effective community advocate, who led the C&R team from her sole voice on the Board to the majority at the last election, until...
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PN | LOCAL NEWS
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CURTAIN HARDWARE Lahood shares insights into curtains that move as elegantly as they look. Choosing the right curtain tracks or rods can have a
significant impact on both the look of a space and the everyday experience of using your curtains. “It is one of those decisions people don’t realise matters until they experience the difference,” says Sharlene Thompson, Design Consultant at Lahood® Window Furnishings. Discreet or Decorative? Curtain tracks are the quiet achievers. Wall mounted, ceiling
mounted or recessed for an almost invisible finish where the fabric is the hero, they suit contemporary interiors and can be curved neatly around bay windows or corners. They are also the most common choice for motorisation. Curtain rods by contrast, are made to be seen. A decorative
pole often finished with statement finials, a curtain rod becomes part of a room's interior design, particularly suited to more traditional or classic settings.
Recessed Curtain Track
Curtain Rod with Decorative Finial
Moving as Beautifully as They Look
Good hardware is felt as much as seen. Lahood works with Silent Gliss, who’s patented 2C Glider technology delivers a smooth, near silent glide whether curtains are opened by hand, cord or motor. It is this quality of movement that makes a curtain feel considered and premium. Dual System for Day / Night Flexibility
For homes wanting a light-filtering sheer by day and more light control by night, a double track or double rod system offers the best of both worlds. “Sun-protection, light and privacy during the day, blackout and warmth at night,” says Sharlene. A Trend Worth Watching
One trend Sharlene is seeing more of is wave pleat curtains on recessed or ceiling mounted tracks. “A floor to ceiling
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Wave Pleat on a Double Recessed Track
wave pleat is one of our most popular requests. It adds sophistication and height to a room, and can look as though the curtain is floating.” It's this attention to detail, from design consultation and fabric selection to the right pleat style, hardware and final installation, that ensures Lahood curtains always move as elegantly as they look. Limited Time Offer
During September, Lahood is offering a free remote worth over $500 with orders for Silent Gliss motorised Wave Pleat curtain (Ts & Cs apply). Visit Lahood at 104 Mount Eden Road or alternatively book a complimentary in-home consultation at lahood.co.nz or call 0800 LAHOOD.
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Coeliac disease is a common condition where the body’s immune system reacts to gluten, causing damage to the gut. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Around 1 in 100 people have coeliac disease. The risk is higher if someone in your family is affected — about 10–20%. Despite this, around 70% of people with coeliac disease are undiagnosed. It is also being diagnosed more often in older adults, with one in four cases found after the age of 60. Why is coeliac disease often missed?
Coeliac disease can be difficult to spot because symptoms vary widely. Some people have clear symptoms, while others have very mild symptoms or none at all. Common symptoms include:
· · · · · ·
Diarrhoea Bloating Abdominal (tummy) pain Unintentional weight loss Fatigue (tiredness) Poor concentration or ‘brain fog’
Why does it matter if symptoms are mild? Even without obvious symptoms, untreated coeliac disease can cause long-term health problems. These may include:
· Weak or easily broken bones · Anaemia (low blood count) · Fertility problems · An increased risk of certain cancers How is coeliac disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually straightforward: 1. A blood test to check for coeliac antibodies
2. If positive, a small bowel biopsy is recommended in adults to confirm the diagnosis
PN | LOCAL NEWS
COELIAC DISEASE – RECOGNISING THE SYMPTOMS AND WHY DIAGNOSIS MATTERS
The biopsy is done during a gastroscopy — a quick and minimally invasive test where a thin camera is passed through the mouth into the stomach and small intestine. How is coeliac disease treated?
Treatment is simple but lifelong: a strict gluten-free diet. Most people notice an improvement in symptoms within weeks to months, and over 90% will have complete healing of the gut within a few years. Seeing a dietitian is strongly recommended to manage your diet confidently. Gluten can be hidden in many unexpected foods, and accidental exposure is common. At Waitematā Endoscopy, we’ve been working hard to reduce wait times, and can offer most standard Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy appointments within seven working days of receiving a referral. Our experienced Specialists can guide you through the process of diagnosis and treatment of coeliac disease, including linking you with our dietitian. To meet the team at Waitematā Endoscopy visit www.waitemataendoscopy.co.nz
Dr Carl Freyer, Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist Waitematā Endoscopy T: 09 925 4449
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 13
PN | LOCAL NEWS
ALIEN ET ENCOUNTER IN NZ SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH An Auckland-based Tarot Reader, Helena Bethune experienced an intense ET visit where a visitor claiming to be from the 9th dimension zapped her with healing energy before showing her an image of outer space. The encounter happened at approximately 2.50am on 18 August 2026 until 3.20am in Ms Bethune’s home in central Auckland. “I was wide awake as I could not sleep and suddenly the energy source was in the room. It was a white mist that vibrated above me," said Ms Bethune. “I felt a weight above me and a light zoomed in closer. It felt like it was examining me. “There was also an energy surge in my foot and my body felt elevated. It was an intense pressure, but not painful,” she explained. “A bright yellowish light was beaming just above my head and an image appeared of a tunnel that had energy flowing through it like a current. It looked like outer space. “It communicated to me telepathically saying it was from the 9th dimension. I think it was showing me a portal that connects us to outer space,” said Ms Bethune. Ms Bethune contacted the physics department at Auckland University. She hopes this ET visit could develop into a research project. “I’m a live case study. I did some research including an academic paper on ET life by Cambridge University.
Ms Bethune said that this is her second significant ET experience. The first was 23 years ago in December 2003 when another ET visit showed her an angelic realm and gifted her psychic ability.
“This ET visit is groundbreaking because it suggests that consciousness is visible to the human eye and that a higher intelligence is visiting planet Earth,” said Ms Bethune.
Helena Marie Tarot, Auckland, New Zealand Email: helenamarietarot2018@gmail.com Mobile: 022 099 4557
IS YOUR FLATS PLAN DEFECTIVE? Fix it before the buyers find it.
Contact us today, to make sure your property is fit to sell. Scan to find out more
14 PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026
0800 953 273 | hello@goodtitle.co.nz | goodtitle.co.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Elegance In Motion
lahood.co.nz
For over 40 years Lahood has been the name behind transformational window furnishing solutions. Combining beautiful fabrics with leading edge engineering in rods and tracks ensures Lahood curtains always move as elegantly as they look.
Visit the Lahood Showroom at 104 Mount Eden Road, call 0800 524 663 or book a complimentary in-home consultation online.
Curtains | Blinds | Shutters | Awnings | Accessories
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 15
ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH KIM WILLIS
DAVID HARTNELL: PN | LOCAL NEWS
With Home Ease Solutions, Kim’s focus is on helping people navigate change with ease — whether that’s preparing a home for sale, managing a move or creating an environment that supports comfort and independent living over time. How did you come up with the idea?
My background is in the film industry, buying for and dressing sets, where I developed a strong eye for seeing the potential in a space. When I decided to step away from film, I wanted to create something that used those skills in a practical way. Home Ease Solutions grew naturally from that, combining styling with hands-on help to get homes ready for sale. Tell us about set dressing?
I’ve worked in the film and television industry for around 30 years, starting in drama on Shortland Street, then shows like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. After returning from living overseas, I got involved in larger international productions including Mulan, The Meg, Mission Impossible, Lord of the Rings and The Wrecking Crew. What I’ve always loved is the variety from creating intimate spaces to building entire worlds and working with incredibly talented crews. Tell us about your gentle, considered approach to home staging ― what does that mean?
I think selling a home can be quite an emotional and vulnerable experience for people. Our homes are very personal as they’re our safe places. My approach is always gentle and respectful. It’s about guiding people to present their home in a way that appeals to buyers, not judging their taste or lifestyle. I work with homeowners at a pace they’re comfortable with so the process feels supportive and not overwhelming.
have shaped my life? It hasn’t been perfect, but at the end of the day I only have myself to answer to and I can say, yes, I’ve done all those things.
What is your golden rule?
My golden rule is simple as it’s their home and they need to feel comfortable with every step. I’ll gently guide and suggest changes, but never push beyond what feels right for them. It’s about balance, trust and respect.
Who would you like to star in a movie with?
What do you like about Ponsonby?
After a day of filming, it would be all about an incredible location, amazing food and hanging out with the cast and crew. That’s really the dream. The only condition is no singing or dancing on my part as no one needs to be subjected to that.
Ponsonby has a real sense of character and soul, a bit like a suburb in a European city, which is rare in Auckland. The mix of old buildings, long-standing restaurants and independent shops gives it a strong identity and a feeling of place. And Prego is a one of those restaurants I’ve loved since it opened and that’s not me trying to get an outside table any time I want. What was your childhood like?
My father worked for the United Nations, so I was born in Bangkok and lived there on and off until I was eight. From there we moved to Egypt, to a small town on the Suez Canal, and then on to Cyprus for four years before returning to New Zealand. It gave me a real sense of adaptability and ease with different cultures and environments. I feel very grateful for it. I will die happy if?
if I’ve lived each day with intention and without regret. If I was told that tomorrow would be my last day on earth, could I say to myself that I’ve lived with integrity, experienced what I wanted to experience and made the most of my time, including the human connections and sense of family that
16 PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026
Meryl Streep as she’s incredibly talented, grounded and seems like she’d be a joy to work with. If it happened to be Mamma Mia 3, even better, because I love Greece.
Favourite TV series?
Deadwood. The writing, acting and characters are outstanding. I never expected to be so hooked on a series about a rough as guts gold rush town in the 1800s, but it completely pulls you in. In my humble opinion, Ian McShane’s character is one of the greatest in television history. Dream holiday?
I never thought I’d be a cruise person, but I recently watched a video about a 14-day icebreaker expedition to the North Pole and it looked absolutely incredible. It’s not one of those giant floating-city cruises as it’s much smaller, more bespoke and beautifully done, which really appeals to me. The idea of travelling through the Arctic, seeing polar bears and experiencing that kind of vast, icy landscape feels pretty extraordinary. It costs an eye watering amount of money and I’ll probably never be able to afford it but a girl can dream. (DAVID HARTNELL, MNZM) PN www.homeeasesolutions.co.nz
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LETTERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 WAYNE BROWN'S 80TH BIRTHDAY
This is for two reasons: By 80 years of age, you have done your bit and both deserve and have earned your retirement. And: By 80 years of age, scientific evidence concludes that each of us is 'past our best' and it's time to step aside, relax and let the next generation shine!
PN | LETTERS & EMAIL
Reading last month about Wayne Brown's 80th birthday reminded me that I genuinely believe that not only should there be term limits for elected or ‘government’ officials in New Zealand, but also an 'expiry date' of 80 years of age.
While I wish Wayne a very happy birthday, it is apparent from his now public modus operandi and often bizarre decisions and behaviour that it is time to enjoy his retirement. Eg, yet another rates increase over twice the rate of inflation! PS. A harbour crossing on Meola Reef has zero chance of being approved. The Greenies amongst us will use every possible opportunity to prevent damage to the valuable ecological resource that is the Meola Reef. In addition, the obvious problem is where is the northern end of a Meola Reef crossing supposed to end up? Destroying Birkenhead, Birkdale and Glenfield by driving a motorway through them is not an option (quite apart from the additional cost). A tunnel with light rail, bus lanes and multiple lanes for vehicles from Esmonde Road to the bottom of Stanley Street for traffic not stopping in the CBD makes much more sense. Happy birthday Wayne, I hope you enjoy your retirement! Roger Hawkins, Herne Bay
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HELEN WHITE, MP FOR MT ALBERT: PN | LOCAL NEWS
POLITICS IS PERSONAL Democratic politics, at their best, put the wellbeing of people at the heart of the collective decisions we make as a nation. Having been in Parliament for six years, I am not struck by the ‘genius' of those who represent us. Instead, I value the fact that in New Zealand, the best of our MPs still come from every walk of life and seek to listen to and represent people from every walk of life. I do worry, however, that some MPs do not understand what it is like to have limited resources, to lose a job or to have a harder hill to climb because of circumstances beyond your control. Some politicians have always felt powerful, and feeling disempowered is simply beyond their experience. It often shows in the language they use and in the ideology of 'winners and losers’. I hear this way of thinking repeatedly spouted and it can betray a smugness I call the 'I’m sorted' mentality. What worries me most is when this becomes an argument for 'self-responsibility' that simply loads more weight onto families already under pressure. MPs with an electorate like mine are among the luckiest because we meet and represent an incredibly diverse range of people. We see firsthand the impact of decisions made in Parliament and the consequences when Parliament fails to act. I am constantly considering the impact of laws and political decisions on my constituents and their families. It also helps that my own family is affected by the ordinary economic and social pressures that affect everyone else. I have lived in Mount Albert for almost 40 years, and recently said I would like to see house prices come down because my kids, and the kids they grew up with, are increasingly locked out of the area.
their business, their fear about the future or their pride in their community. If we want better politics, we need politicians who can look beyond the focus group and see the person. We need policies that begin with human experience and return to it. We need economic arguments that remember the household behind the statistic and housing debates that remember the family behind the dwelling. And we need a public culture in which disagreement does not require us to stop recognising one another as neighbours, colleagues, parents, friends and fellow citizens. (HELEN WHITE) PN www.labour.org.nz/our-team/helen-white/ helen.white@parliament.govt.nz www.labour.org.nz/HelenWhite
One of my daughters is a special-needs teacher. She cannot realistically buy a house in Mount Albert and has chosen to move to a smaller city where she can afford a future. I could not be prouder of the work she does, but it is never going to make her rich. My son, who is a lawyer, would have a much easier time choosing to live here because he earns considerably more. I am equally proud of him. But why should one child be so much more disadvantaged simply because of the value society places on their work? I value the inclusiveness of our community, and I want political solutions that mean both of them can have a future here if they choose. My own experience is reinforced by what I see across generations as the MP for Mount Albert. Many families in the electorate rent, and our rental laws do not protect their interests well enough. Recently, my members’ bill requiring rental homes to have curtains was drawn. It sounds small, but curtains can reduce energy costs and help keep homes warmer and healthier, reducing the risk of children being hospitalised because of cold and damp conditions. That bill came directly from what I have learned as an MP. Before I took on this job, I did not know that curtains were not required. That is why being a politician should involve more than knowing which policy position is popular. It should involve listening, really listening, to the lives behind the numbers. The most meaningful political conversations I have rarely begun with a policy paper. They began with someone telling me about their mother, their child, their mortgage,
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
SOFITEL AUCKLAND PARTNERS WITH STYLIST LULU WILCOX To Launch In-Room Styling for Guests. ‘Style Me From My Suitcase’ brings editorial styling to Sofitel Auckland. Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour has partnered with one of the country’s most sought-after fashion, interior and celebrity stylists, Lulu Wilcox, to launch a signature guest experience exclusive to the hotel. ‘Style Me From My Suitcase’ is a private, in-room styling session that turns a guest’s own wardrobe into a series of complete, photographed looks for their stay. Known as a stylist to the stars, Lulu brings more than 25 years of experience across fashion, television, advertising and editorial, having styled magazine covers, television personalities and high-profile talent. Now, guests of Sofitel Auckland can book that same expertise without leaving their room or suite. During a 60-to-90-minute appointment, Lulu unpacks and assesses everything a guest has brought with them, then builds complete day-to-night outfits, introduces unexpected combinations, additional accessories and photographs every finished look as a personalised digital lookbook. Guests are welcomed with a glass of bubbles, luxury amenities and a personal card from Lulu, and leave with fresh confidence in a wardrobe they already own. “Almost everyone has stood in front of an open wardrobe or suitcase feeling like they have nothing to wear,” said Lulu. “This experience is the opposite of shopping. It is about revealing the potential already hanging in the wardrobe and sending guests out the door as the most confident version of themselves.”
For Sofitel Auckland, the partnership is a natural extension of its French-inspired approach to luxury and personalised service. “Our guests come to us for far more than a beautiful room on the water,” said Reto Borer, General Manager at Sofitel Auckland. “Style Me From My Suitcase gives them private access to an editorial stylist, and it is exactly the kind of signature experience that our Sofitel guests are looking for.” The collaboration launches following New Zealand Fashion Week (17-22 August), with Lulu joining Sofitel Auckland as its fashion ambassador. Staying at the hotel during the week, Lulu shared a series of fashion and lifestyle moments from behind the scenes, capturing the meeting point of style, hospitality and harbourside luxury. The partnership will be officially celebrated at an exclusive media and VIP event at Sofitel on Thursday 27 August 2026, where Lulu will give an insight into her styling philosophy and visually present several looks from a single suitcase in the hotel’s harbour-view Opera Suite. Sofitel Auckland’s 'Style Me From My Suitcase' package is available year-round from $510 including a glass of bubbles and can be booked through reservations or concierge, for one or two guests (second guest is an additional $250). Guests complete a short personal style questionnaire before arrival, so every styling session is tailored to their trip, wardrobe and plans. For full details visit Sofitel-auckland.com
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PN | LOCAL NEWS
CABARET EXTENDS TO A FIFTH AND FINAL WEEK DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND Auckland Theatre Company and Auckland Live have extended their major new production of Cabaret, the musical at the Kit Kat Club, adding an extra week of performances through to Sunday 25 October. Directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, following his acclaimed, sold-out season of Macbeth, this major new staging brings together a stellar cast of Aotearoa musical theatre performers. Sixty years after it first premiered, Cabaret remains one of the most iconic and enduring musicals ever written. Cabaret concludes a year of strong audience response to the engaging storytelling on the ASB Waterfront Theatre stage. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Helen Clark in Six Outfits, RBG: Of Many, One and Macbeth all finished their seasons with sold-out performances. CABARET – THE MUSICAL AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Book by Joe Masteroff Based on the play by John Van Druten and Stories by Christopher Isherwood Music by John Kander | Lyrics by Fred Ebb 22 September – 25 October 2026 ASB Waterfront Theatre, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland Tickets on sale now at atc.co.nz and ticketmaster.co.nz
Presenting partner: MiNDFOOD Creative Team
Director – Benjamin Kilby-Henson Musical Director – Robin Kelly Choreographer – Kira Josephson Set & Costume Designer – Dan Williams Lighting Design – Filament Eleven 11 (Rachel Marlow &
Bradley Gledhill) Sound Design – Sam Clavis Engine Room Assistant Director – Jthan Morgan Assistant Musical Director – Billie Hart Engine Room Assistant Designer – Grace Newton Voice & Dialect Coach – Kirstie O’Sullivan Cast
Susan Brady (Fräulein Schneider) Nomi Cohen (Sally Bowles) Jonathan Martin (Ernst Ludwig) Hillary Moulder (Fräulein Kost) Matu Ngaropo (Emcee) Steven Ray (Herr Schultz) Justin Rogers (Clifford Bradshaw) Kit Kat Club ensemble features:
Monēt Faifai-Collins Vincent Farane Joel Hewlett Sophie Jackson Kira Josephson Josh Morris Emily Patterson Waikamania Seve Adeel Surendran Te Ohorere Williams Tickets are on sale via www.ticketmaster.co.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
CHLÖE SWARBRICK: PN | LOCAL NEWS
CO-LEADER OF THE GREEN PARTY AND MP FOR AUCKLAND CENTRAL Our city is brimming with talent and hard work. We want world-class infrastructure, we want events that bring us all together and we want to have fun and enjoy life. That’s been on display in abundance with each rolling sneak peek of our long-awaited City Rail Link Stations, as people from every walk of life have come out to join in celebration of the future within our grasp. This massive project represents what serious investment, long-term thinking and working through the hard stuff across political party lines, central and local government can get us. When we share a vision of what our city and country can be and we orient our work towards that big, common picture, we can see the wood for the trees. We understand that no one is going to fully get their own way, that trade-offs have got to be made, but that we’ll get somewhere new, exciting and better – together. You don’t expect everyone to agree with you in politics, but you hope that the people New Zealanders elect to Parliament have the integrity to be honest and keep their word. That would mean confronting the reality of the challenges facing us from the $200 billion infrastructure deficit, to the emergency department crisis, to the desperately needed investment to build a climate resilient, flourishing economy. It would mean working out some common ground on those big problems with local authorities and sticking to the agreed plan to start fixing them. It would mean being straight up about how these things do and will cost money, and engaging in thoughtful, transparent discussion and debate about how we fairly distribute those costs. Unfortunately, in the past month, the current Government has demonstrated it has no interest in taking on the leadership our country so desperately needs right now. It’s really important to note that much of this is despite repeated attempts from the Greens to try and patch across the aisle to ensure some consistency and consensus on the big stuff, from climate adaptation to reducing our exposure to fossil fuel inflation to a Parliamentary Budget Office, which would stop the he-saidshe-said election merry-go-round. The National Party decided in last August to rip up the foundation of the Auckland Deal, which would have seen tourists to our wonderful city paying a small fee, common in many other jurisdictions, to generate the revenue necessary to support the infrastructure and events they use and come to see. This means costs will continue to be borne by general ratepayers. They then announced they’re moving ahead with a rates cap, to seemingly clamp down on the increased rates bill they’d just created – resulting in international ratings agencies being clear this would also increase the cost of borrowing, while local authorities confirmed it’d mean they’d have to increase fees and charges in other ways.
Which brings us back to the critical point: if we want to fix the problems our country is facing, it’s going to cost us money. Someone is going to have to pay for it. Right now, it’s working New Zealanders who disproportionately shoulder that burden. IRD work from 2022 told us that the average hard working New Zealander pays 22 cents in tax on every dollar earned, while the very wealthiest 300 households pay just 9 cents. That’s why the Greens have proposed a tax plan that would give income tax cuts to 96% of New Zealanders, paid for by a 2.5% wealth tax on individual net wealth in excess of $10 million, which would also unlock the resources necessary to pay for investing in our public infrastructure and services which would lower our collective, baseline cost of living. My wish for this election is that all New Zealanders have the time and space to engage properly about the problems facing our country, and what the actual solutions (that might not fit neatly on an attack billboard) look like. The standard and substance of our political debate deserves to be so much higher. That’s how we build an economy that works for all of PN us. (CHLÖE SWARBRICK)
chloe.swarbrick@parliament.govt.nz www.chloeswarbrick.co.nz
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PN | LOCAL NEWS Pictured above: Stephanie and Alex at the Winter Scooptopia launch at Four Square Onehunga
FOUR SQUARE SERVES UP SCOOPABLE COOKIE DOUGH FOR WINTER SCOOPTOPIA The Treatory's (based in Ponsonby Central) scoopable cookie dough, served with ice cream and chocolate sauce is available now at selected Four Square Scooptopia stores in the North Island. New Zealand tops the world for ice cream consumption and Four Square is giving customers another reason to indulge this winter. Four Square is bringing a New Zealand-first dessert to selected North Island stores this winter, partnering with Auckland cookie maker The Treatory to launch an exclusive scoopable, par-baked cookie dough developed especially for its Winter Scooptopia range. The winter Scooptopia menu has been designed to offer customers warm dessert options during the colder months. Scoopable cookie dough joins a range of warm desserts including gluten free brownie, Belgian waffles and lava mudcake – all topped with ice cream. The scoopable cookie dough is vegan, served warm and gooey, with vanilla ice cream and a choice of chocolate or caramel drizzle. It is made in New Zealand by Aucklandbased cookie business The Treatory. Founded by Stephanie van der Merwe in 2019, The Treatory has come a long way from its beginnings in her small home kitchen, now selling over 2000 cookies a week. What started as a passion project has grown into an award-winning cookie business, with a 'cookie crew' of 12 staff, a cookie factory and a Ponsonby Central store that opened in 2024. When Four Square was looking for a partner to help bring the cookie dough concept to life, Stephanie worked closely with the team to develop a product exclusively for the Winter Scooptopia campaign. "We'd never made a product like this before, but where there's a will, there's a way," says Stephanie. "A bit of tweaking of our hero recipe and here we are – par-baked cookie dough that's crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside!" To celebrate the launch last week, the first 150 customers at participating stores, Four Square Onehunga, Four Square
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Papamoa and Four Square Ōtaika received a free scoopable cookie dough and ice cream dessert. Alex Gagebrown, owner operator of Four Square Onehunga, says it's the kind of launch that's hard not to get excited about. "When the weather's cold like this, who wouldn't want warm cookie dough and ice cream? It's a fun wee treat, and we think it's going to put a smile on a few faces around Onehunga." For Four Square, the collaboration is also about more than a winter dessert; it's an opportunity to support a fellow New Zealand business while giving customers something new to enjoy. Ben Waru, acting Head of Four Square North Island, says the collaboration is a great example of local businesses coming together to create something new. "We're always looking for ways to bring fresh ideas into our stores, and partnering with The Treatory felt like a natural fit. We know customers enjoy discovering new treats alongside their everyday shop, and this partnership helps us do that." Stephanie says seeing the product launch in Four Square stores is a proud milestone. "When I started The Treatory in my home kitchen in 2019, I never imagined we'd one day be creating a product for a national retailer. Working with Four Square on Scooptopia has been an incredible opportunity for our team, and we're proud to show that small Kiwi businesses can deliver innovative products that customers love." The launch also marks a New Zealand first, with Four Square becoming the first retailer to roll out scoopable, par-baked cookie dough at scale across multiple sites in the North Island. While all Four Square North Island Scooptopia stores are serving up at least one warm dessert option paired with ice cream this winter, the scoopable cookie dough offer is available for a limited time at 13 selected stores. PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Leading contemporary dance company BLACK GRACE is proud to announce the establishment of their new urban Fale along with the launch of their much-anticipated dance Academy. NEW HEADQUARTERS
After seven years, Black Grace has relocated its creative headquarters back to central Auckland, taking up residence within the artistic hub of Auckland’s Karangahape Road. The new site is a sizeable, multi-purpose, state-of-the art dance studio and event space. Black Grace plans to utilise the space for a range of events including intimate performances, mixed-media and immersive digital experiences, as well as offering the space to other like-minded arts organisations when the company is touring internationally. Black Grace is also thrilled to announce the launch of its inaugural dance Academy. The academy which commenced on 1 August with six new recruits is a three-month intensive dance programme. The part-time academy is designed to train dancers, with preprofessional or professional experience, primarily in the Black Grace technique and with the aim of identifying future company members.
The programme will be delivered by current and past Black Grace company members alongside guest tutors and specialists giving candidates a truly unique experience. The academy will also include classes in classical ballet technique, vocal training, Pacific dance, choreography and the creative process among other disciplines.
PN | LOCAL NEWS
BLACK GRACE LAUNCHES DANCE ACADEMY AND NEW FALE IN URBAN AUCKLAND
Black Grace founder and Chief Executive Neil Ieremia, ONZM, said: “The intention to launch the Academy has been a long-term objective by Black Grace to create real opportunities for the next generation of contemporary dancers. I’m thrilled to welcome our inaugural six dancers and finally see the academy up and running. Ieremia added, “I’m proud of our new multi-purpose studio. We’re excited to once again be part of a wider, multi-cultural community and look forward to hosting a range of exciting events in the future.” Dancers who qualify from the academy will join Black Grace’s ‘Company B’ performance season this October, details of which will be released soon. blackgrace.co.nz
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PN | LOCAL NEWS
THE CIVIC TRANSFORMS INTO WONDERLAND FOR THE NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE OF CIRQUE ALICE Auckland Live today announces the New Zealand premiere of Cirque Alice, an epic new circus production inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, playing at The Civic until Sunday, 6 September 2026. Created by Simon Painter and Tim Lawson, the team behind Cirque du Soleil's Mad Apple and the Broadway smash hit The Illusionists and Le Noir, Cirque Alice reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic adventure, bringing to life iconic characters through extraordinary circus acts, music and theatrical spectacle. Presented by Auckland Live in association with Painter and Lawson, the New Zealand premiere arrives in Tāmaki Makaurau following successful seasons in Australia and Singapore, transforming The Civic with immersive staging and on-stage VIP seating. Cirque Alice features mesmerising aerialists and acrobats, mind-bending contortionists, exquisite puppetry, special guest musical and comedic artists and more, accompanied by a soundtrack of newly arranged remixes of classical favourites. Creative Producer Simon Painter says he is incredibly excited to bring Cirque Alice to The Civic for its New Zealand premiere: “The tales of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland provide the perfect backdrop to create a magical narrative about a cirque show. Filled with some of the most eccentric and larger-than-life characters and creations, the original stories have provided such amazing inspiration for this groundbreaking new production.” Executive Producer Tim Lawson adds he is equally thrilled: “Cirque Alice is spectacular entertainment that dazzles audiences of all ages – whether you’re on a date night or you want to bring the whole family along, do not miss this performance of jaw-dropping acts set around one of the world’s most magical stories.” Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says Cirque Alice brings a special cultural moment for Aucklanders and visitors alike. “Productions of this scale bring fresh energy to the city centre, drawing audiences, supporting local hospitality and retail, and creating memorable experiences for people of all ages. I’m particularly excited to see yet another internationally acclaimed show coming to Auckland. It’s events like these that remind us how vital and powerful live performance is in shaping a vibrant, creative city.”
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Painter says expect a lineup of some of the greatest circus and magic performers on earth – from America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League winners, and Cirque du Soleil cast members, to exciting new talent from the international circuit: “I believe the cast that has been selected for this show is among the very best acrobatic, music, dance and magic talent that has ever been presented in New Zealand in any circus show, and we cannot wait to share these truly unbelievable acts with Auckland audiences.” Daniel Clarke, Director at Auckland Live, says: “This show is unmissable. I saw the work play to a sold-out audience in Sydney – all ages thoroughly enjoying themselves. It is mind blowing, so funny and also extremely beautiful. I have seen many circus shows in my life and the acts in this literally had me at the edge of my seat awestruck. We are so lucky to have secured this show for Auckland before it makes its London debut.” The creative team is headed by Creative Directors Ash Jacks McCready and Kirsty Painter, with choreography by Dane Bates, costumes by Angela Aaron, Lighting by Hugo Mercier and musical arrangements by Martin Raabe-Olsen and Marius Christiansen. The show ends on Sunday 6 September and tickets are on sale via Auckland Live.
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
It’s not just the insulation from elected political accountability that has resulted in Auckland Transport to be ranked one of the most disliked institutions in New Zealand, it is also daily commuter frustrations from cancelled services and their contentious local infrastructure choices stemming from ‘traffic calming’ techniques.
PN | LOCAL NEWS
AUCKLAND TRANSPORT GOES IN-HOUSE AT AUCKLAND COUNCIL
When the National Party’s Rodney Hide set up the Auckland Supercity, he didn’t legislate for Auckland Council to have control over so called 'Council Controlled Organisations'. That is about to change. Or is it? I’m sceptical. On 1 October, the new slim Auckland Transport will only be responsible for public transport networks and operational delivery – buses, trains and ferries under CEO Stacey van der Putten alongside the AT Board chaired by Andrew Ritchie, who has immense experience from owning his bus company. The board includes councillors Maurice Williamson (Howick Ward) and Shane Henderson (Henderson Ward). All the other responsibilities for local roads will be in-house at Auckland Council under a new ‘Road Controlling Authority’ (RCA) that has been set up by the National Government. Shane Henderson chairs this committee with members Maurice Williamson, Andy Baker and Mayor Wayne Brown. Local board members will make decisions over local roads (brown ‘collector roads’ and orange ‘local roads’ on the map). The question is: will they listen to their community or will they follow their political party’s philosophy? City Vision members control the vote of the Waitematā Local Board and have a pretty ‘anti-car’ stance on roading design. It will be very interesting to see how our local roads fare after the decisions on local roads are made by this woke, car-hating group of bicycle pushers. Decisions on arterial roads (blue on the map), for consistency due to their regional ‘significance’, as they carry a large volume of traffic, freight and public transport, will be governed regionally instead of locally. Presumably each councillor will input local knowledge. Franklin Ward councillor Andy Baker chairing and Shane Henderson deputy of the ‘Transport and Infrastructure Delivery Committee’ (TID) with all councillors and two members of the ‘Houkura’ (new name for the Independent Māori Statutory Board) able to vote on these.
established with a net staff loss of 17. So, not a lot of saving. But hopefully a new attitude towards traffic movement minus the ‘road obstacles’. I, for one, am not holding my breath. “Even more of a concern is that some councillors have indicated that they would like to hand over decision-making of the blue roads to transport staff, but because most of those staff have come from Auckland Transport, the decisionmaking might not be much different to what we've seen the last 16 years.” North Shore Ward councillor John Gillon The Mayor wants YOUR input to be reviewed via the ‘Road Optimisation Team’ (ROT). These could include (but are not limited to): 1. Removing or changing on-street parking where it blocks traffic flow 2. Improving road layouts that create unnecessary congestion 3. Optimising traffic light timing to reduce delays 4. Fixing confusing road signs and road marking 5. Improving bus and high-occupancy vehicle movement through traffic bottlenecks 6. Upgrading intersections where turning traffic creates delays www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/report-problem/ report-a-problem/report-traffic-issue
The Henderson, Baker, Williamson ‘boys club’ continues without expertise of long-time transport advocates Christine Fletcher, Mike Lee (ex-chair of Auckland Regional Authority) and John Watson.
For starters, hopefully we will have: 1. Road obstacles removed 2. All congestion causing traffic delay techniques stopped (as admitted by NZTA CEO youtu.be/jBHPBdjKJik) 3. Light timing to pull traffic off the motorways 4. A consistency of T3/bus lanes 7am to 9am towards the city and 4.30pm to 6.30pm away from the city 5. AT revenue traps removed
Auckland Transport staff have been transferred to the RCA. Some roles have been dropped and new roles have been
GaelB@xtra.co.nz
The WLB area also includes the central city (pink area of the map) where decisions are also made by TID mega committee.
Gael Baldock
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SARAH TROTMAN, ONZM: PN | LOCAL NEWS
DEMOCRACY WORKS BEST IN THE LIGHT, NOT THE DARK One of the most important principles of local democracy is also one of the simplest: the people have a right to see and hear how decisions affecting their communities are made. As elected members of the Waitematā Local Board, we are there to represent the people from Newmarket and Parnell, across the city, through Ponsonby and Herne Bay, across to Grey Lynn and Westmere and everyone in between. That means listening to them, advocating for them and, importantly, being accountable to them. I have long championed that openness should therefore be our starting point. Introducing Open Workshops to Waitematā Local Board being an example. Confidentiality should be the exception, used only when there is a genuine and lawful reason for it. The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 makes this principle clear. Section 47 provides that, except where the legislation allows otherwise, local authority meetings are open to the public. Section 48 permits the public to be excluded on specific grounds. Importantly, the legislation allows the public to be excluded from the whole or the relevant part of proceedings. That distinction “whole or the relevant part” matters. At the Waitematā Local Board meeting on 25 August, the adoption of our 2025–2026 Annual Report was moved into Confidential. The report contained detailed financial information that needed to be released to the New Zealand Stock Exchange before it could be made generally available. There was a legitimate reason for confidentiality at the time we moved to Confidential. But confidentiality should not become a blanket covering for everything that gets discussed while a meeting is behind closed doors. During the discussion, we were informed of an additional statement to be included in the report. It became contentious. The proposed addition had not been something board members had been expecting, and it risked unfairly damaging the reputation of an important and highly respected stakeholder. My concern was particularly significant given that this stakeholder had already faced unfair adverse media attention as a result of ill-informed comments by our Chair, Alex Bonham. At the August meeting, Board members were blindsided by Chair Bonham, despite her leading staff to believe “the Local Board was keen” on the proposed addition. At that point, the issue was no longer simply about adopting the confidential draft Annual Report. The statement under debate was contentious, and I believe it should have been debated in an open part of the meeting. I asked that this part of the discussion be moved into an open meeting. That request was declined by the Chair with no reasons given. I then requested this part of the discussion be recorded, that too was declined with no reason given. There are times when confidentiality is necessary. Commercially sensitive information, personal privacy, legal privilege and other matters specifically recognised by law must sometimes be dealt with away from the public gaze.
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But the existence of one legitimate confidential matter should not mean that every related issue can automatically be dealt with behind closed doors. There is a practical principle here that I believe all elected representatives should follow: if a matter can be discussed openly, it should be discussed openly. Our constituents pay us through their rates. They should not have to wonder what is being discussed behind closed doors whether they would agree with it, or whether their representatives had an opportunity to challenge it. They should be able to watch us debate difficult issues and ultimately make decisions. Transparency is not an inconvenience to democracy. It is democracy. Trust in public institutions is built when people can see how decisions are made. Accountability is meaningful when elected representatives know that their decisions and their reasoning are visible to the people who elected them. Politicians are entrusted with power. That power belongs to the public, not to individual office holders. Using it responsibly means recognising that openness is not something to be offered when convenient, it is a fundamental part of the responsibility that comes with public office. The people of Waitematā deserve a Local Board that is prepared to have difficult conversations in the light whenever the law permits it. When people with power choose secrecy where openness is possible, something important is lost.
It is a dark day for democracy when people entrusted with power do not use that power responsibly. To contact Sarah Trotman in her capacity as a C&R Member, email her at sarahtrotman@outlook.com To contact her in her capacity as an Elected Member of Auckland Council’s Waitematā Local Board, email her at sarah.trotman@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or you can give her a call on M: 021 487 583. (SARAH TROTMAN, ONZM)
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
THE BANK OF MUM AND DAD Filby’s point is more that meritocracy is no longer as important as a defining factor in shaping lives as the assistance of inherited wealth. My point is that we are noticing more and more that parents (or other family members) are involved in financial assistance in getting young people onto the property ladder. And this can bring complications.
PN | LOCAL NEWS
I’m reading a great book (Inheritocracy by Eliza Filby) which does a deep dive into the pivotal role that families (some families) are playing with financial assistance to their children.
Lucky young people having the $200,000 deposit paid for by parents – but this can become complicated and involves a myriad of deep dive questions. The bank wants to know that the funds are a gift so as not to complicate the banking loan to value requirements. But is it? Should it be a loan? Scenario – young couple have been in a relationship for two years. They are totally in love, nesting, find a house to buy and his parents assist with the deposit. Nothing is documented. This reduces the financial stress on the young couple, but what happens if they separate after a year. Did his parents actually like her enough to now let her leave with half of that ‘gift’? What happens when the siblings of that first child then want to buy a house and consider it unfair that this has been done for one, and insist on the same treatment for them too? Are the funds actually an advance on any inheritance and need to be taken into consideration when drafting a will?
milestones. However, informal arrangements can create significant legal and family difficulties.
What happens if the parents’ circumstances change and one must go into care, but they don’t have any available funds to pay for this? Can they call up the ‘loan’, or is it deemed to be a gift in the absence of express documentation?
Steindle Williams can assist you by asking the difficult questions, drafting proper documentation and carefully considering the long-term consequences to preserve both financial security and family relationships. And that last bit to my mind is perhaps the most important, because there is nothing worse than a family divided over money.
The Bank of Mum and Dad can provide incredible financial support and help young generations achieve important
Allison Stafford-Bush, Associate Legal Executive E: allison.stafford-bush@swlegal.co.nz
STEINDLE WILLIAMS LEGAL, Level 2, Suite 2.1, 18 Sale Street, T: 09 361 5563, www.swlegal.co.nz
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PN | LOCAL NEWS
NEWS FROM KELMARNA COMMUNITY FARM As the days grow longer and we start to see flowers blooming and trees growing fresh new leaves, we know it’s time to get stuck into our spring to summer gardens. The air and soil are getting warmer too, so it’s a good time to be outside preparing and making plans for the months ahead.
· Fill with topsoil or potting mix.
You may be tending to the ends of a winter garden or bringing together a new garden. Here’s how to get your space ready for spring:
· If growing in pots and using container mix, consider switching to or incorporating topsoil — a more mineral rich medium that will keep giving nutrition to your garden year on year.
An existing garden:
Next, what to plant and where?
· Take out crops that are going to seed — try chopping them back at the base, leaving the roots in the soil and ‘chopping and dropping’ the tops as mulch.
Summertime plants that love full sun, warmth and shelter include tomato, capsicum, eggplant, chilli, beans, basil, flowers like zinnias and cosmos, okra, zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkin, beetroot.
· Weed out your weeds — compost them. If you’re worried about seeds, soak them for a few weeks before you compost them. · Amend the soil with a 5cm layer of compost or a sprinkle of worm castings (homemade is best), or by adding a small amount of organic fertiliser — less is more. Starting a new in-ground garden, three ways: · Lasagne beds — a thick layer of cardboard to suppress grass and weeds, then layers of carbon rich and nitrogen rich material — wood chip, banana leaves, cardboard, coffee, compost, etc. · No dig — killing off the grass with cardboard or plastic, then aerating the soil with a garden fork and adding amendments.
Plants that love medium sun (sun for ¾ of the day) are lettuce, kale, perpetual spinach, broccoli, radish, turnips, carrots, spring onions, herbs like thyme, oregano, sage, flowers like viola and chamomile. For those shadier spots in your garden (indirect light/just a few hours), plant parsley, coriander, perennial herbs like okinawa spinach and garlic chives. Some plants, such as tomatoes, take a long time to mature. Try planting quick maturing crops like basil or lettuce close by to maximise your space and harvest. At Kelmarna we’ve been busy growing a wonderful variety of organic seedlings for you to pick up at our October Seedling Sale or from our farm shop.
Growing in pots:
So come along to the farm on Saturday 10 October 10am1pm to scoop up a fabulous variety of organic seedlings to get your summer garden growing and enjoy our Garden Party celebrations at the same time! And, right now, we have strawberry plants and seedlings in our farm shop ready to go.
· Put a small layer of drainage in the bottom — scoria or broken terracotta.
Check out www.kelmarna.co.nz for more information and advice.
· Double digging — cutting ‘sods’ of soil, turning them over so the weeds are facing down, then adding amendments.
KELMARNA COMMUNITY FARM, 12 Hukanui Crescent, T: 09 376 0472, www.kelmarna.co.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
DESLEY SIMPSON: PN | LOCAL NEWS
DEPUTY MAYOR OF AUCKLAND New York, London, Milan, Paris and Tāmaki Makaurau! Last month I wrote in these pages about the Michelin Guide arriving in Aotearoa, and what that vote of confidence means for our city. A few weeks later I found myself in another room full of people putting Auckland on the map – this time a car showroom on Great North Road that had been transformed into a runway. It was the 25th anniversary of New Zealand Fashion Week, an event that began in 2001. The opening night show, The Art of Style, was curated by NZFW creative director Dan Ahwa around the whakataukī He toi whakairo, he mana tangata – where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity. It set the tone for the entire week. From there the programme moved to Shed 10 and out across the city. Twenty-five years on, Fashion Week is no longer a closed industry trade show. Tickets were on sale, there were public activations and pop-up retail and thousands of Aucklanders got to experience the talent within our fashion industry. The New Zealand fashion, textile and clothing industry is a hidden powerhouse that contributes $7.8 billion to the economy (that’s 1.9% of GDP) and 78% of the workforce are women. Auckland is a hub for the industry in New Zealand. A show I want to tell you about, though, was on the Thursday. Kāhui Collective is the indigenous designer showcase founded by Kiri Nathan. Kiri debuted at Fashion Week in 2009 after winning the inaugural Miromoda emerging designer award, and in 2023 became the first Māori designer to open NZFW in its history. Kāhui made its own debut on the runway last year with six designers. This year it returned with 15. Eight Māori and Pasifika labels alongside seven international indigenous designers from as far afield as Alaska, Taiwan and Fiji. The show was sold out. Kiri also led the first New Zealand Indigenous Fashion Symposium at The Cloud, bringing designers and makers together from around the Pacific and beyond to talk about trade, growth and intellectual property. I was pleased that Auckland Council, through our economic development office and Māori outcomes team, was able to help make that happen, and that Tātaki Auckland Unlimited continues to back Fashion Week itself.
I have often said I want Auckland to be the best arts and culture city in the Southern Hemisphere. Michelin gave us a claim on food. Fashion Week reminds us that we have a claim on design too. We’re a city of clever and creative folk and I love these events which showcase that. DESLEY SIMPSON, Deputy Mayor of Auckland www.desleysimpson.co.nz
What strikes me about Kiri is that her ambition has never been to be let into someone else's club. She points out that the big fashion capitals – New York, London, Milan, Paris – operate within a system that was never built for indigenous designers who carry responsibilities to their people and their whenua. So rather than knock on that door, she has built her own house. Kiri is a third-generation Glen Innes local, and with her eldest son and moko, her whānau now has five generations from GI. Te Pā, on Apirana Avenue, is Aotearoa's first Māori and indigenous fashion and arts precinct, home to the Kāhui Collective Department Store and dozens of labels and makers. I look forward to the day when Tāmaki Makaurau is spoken of in the same breath as Milan or Paris. A few years ago that might have sounded like a lovely piece of hyperbole. Standing in Shed 10 watching a sold-out audience applaud designers who had flown here from the Arctic Circle to be part of it, it sounded like a plan.
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 29
PN | LOCAL NEWS
GROWING AUCKLAND CENTRAL, NOT THE TAX BILL
CANDACE KINSER:
Across Auckland Central, I hear the same concern every day. People are working hard, paying higher rates on their house and asking whether their hard-earned savings or home will become the next target for tax. Is this still a place where people can build a good life and feel confident about the future? I believe it is, but this election could take New Zealand in a very different direction.
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That is why National’s commitments to introduce no new taxes and to cap annual council rates increases at 4 per cent if reelected on 7 November are significant. Government should not answer every fiscal challenge by reaching further into household budgets and take more of your money or assets to fund poor planning.
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National has also recently ruled out a bank tax and accommodation levy. We should encourage visitors to spend money here to add value to the economy, but not tax Aucklanders wanting a weekend away in Queenstown. Nor should we pretend a bank tax would necessarily remain with the banks rather than being passed on to customers. No new taxes is possible because National is sensible and disciplined with your money and we’re getting better value from existing funds. Frontline services must come before back-office growth, and National is working to ensure every Government agency delivers better, more efficient services for the New Zealanders who rely on them. I want Ponsonby’s independent businesses to believe their best years are ahead. I want Karangahape Road and Queen Street alive after dark, with people, performances and businesses worth coming into town for. That requires good transport choices, sensible parking, well-lit streets and visible policing. I want Wynyard Quarter, our universities and the city centre to form a corridor of science, technology, design and creative enterprise. Graduates should see an exciting future here, whether joining growing businesses or building companies of their own. Auckland ideas should become exports to the world. That ambition requires sound foundations. Intensification must be supported by reliable water infrastructure, cleaner streets, affordable ferries and practical access for customers, workers and deliveries. Growth should follow intelligent infrastructure investment, not outrun it.
I understand why aspiration and economic policy are inseparable. My career has given me lasting respect for people who take a risk, employ someone, study at night, save for a home or build a future for their children. A confident country rewards that effort rather than treating success as another opportunity to take more. Not everyone agrees, and the alternative is taking shape. Labour, the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and The Opportunity Party have proposed the biggest tax grab in New Zealand’s history. These include capital gains and wealth taxes, an inheritance and large-gift tax, higher personal and company tax rates, a bank levy, taxes on foreign investment and large technology companies, land and land-banking taxes and a vacant-house tax.
PN | LOCAL NEWS
Government should increase funds used by removing barriers, cutting waste, inviting smart investment and helping New Zealand grow, not to increase taxes. When employment, wages and businesses grow, government collects more money and this means we can invest in the public services that New Zealanders rely on, without adding new taxes.
Labour has $18 billion in unfunded policies. They will need these taxes in order to afford the promises they are making to Kiwis at this election. Auckland Central is New Zealand’s front door. When its streets are safe, its businesses flourish and its people feel ambitious again, the benefits reach far beyond the electorate. That is what no new taxes should represent. It is not a government standing still, but a country advancing through growth, discipline and confidence. National will keep taxes low, rebuild confidence and create the conditions for New Zealanders to get ahead. The choice is clear, No new taxes under National or the biggest tax grab in New Zealand’s history under a Labour, Greens, Te Pāti Māori, TOP Government. PN Authorised by C Kinser, 188 Ponsonby Road, Auckland. Follow on Facebook or Instagram @candacekinserace
CANDACE KINSER, National Party Candidate for Auckland Central.
candace.kinser@national.org.nz www.national.org.nz/team/candacekinser
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U3A PONSONBY AUGUST PN | LOCAL NEWS
THE STATE AND FUTURE OF AUCKLAND’S HAURAKI GULF and THE STARLIGHT TRUST. U3A Ponsonby enjoyed two presentations at the recent August meeting. A ten minute presentation was given by new U3A member Kathy Simpson explaining the work of the Starlight Trust that she founded in 2000. The Trust provides support for mental health patients hospitalised in Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Wellington by the distribution of amenity care packages. The Trust is strongly supported by regional branches of Rotary in the four areas while in Auckland the congregation of St Mark’s Church in Remuera also provides strong support. Cathy’s presentation included numerous accolades of support, confirming the successs of the Trust. Kathy is keen to see such support expanded throughout New Zealand. The main speaker was Professor Simon Thrush of the Institute of Marine Sciences (University of Auckland) who gave a fascinating, yet sobering presentation on the current sad state of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and its uncertain future. Simon has over thirty years experience in marine science. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand with research experience in many countries including Antarctica. His gulf research has focussed on the identification of several key tipping points that are contributing to the current poor health of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. The presentation included a series of aerial photographs of estuaries and harbours bordering the Hauraki Gulf (Okura River Estuary, the Mahurangi and Whangatea Harbours) taken during high rainfall events which clearly illustrated the clay-rich plumes which are evident both within and outside these harbours. These increasingly frequent plumes are the outcome of historic poorly controlled land development and forestry activities. Professor Thrush then explained that when our shallow marine environment becomes flooded by clayrich sediments, these clays reduce local permeabilities in the uppermost layers of the sedimentary column. What were previously permeable sandy silts have become impermeable clay-rich layers which are disastrous for the survival of the very small marine organisms and shellfish that live there. Simon then focussed on the impact of these clay-rich layers on diatoms. Diatoms are extremely small micro algae that reside in these top few centimetres of healthy sandy marine sediments which have traditionally thrived within our local estuaries and harbours. Diatoms are amongst the smallest components in the marine food chain and worldwide they generate between 20 and 25 percent of the World’s atmospheric oxygen. The loss of these diatoms in combination with reduced oxygen availability and increasing quantities of toxic microplastics are having devastating impacts on all members of the marine environment. This is evidenced in the Hauraki Gulf and elsewhere in coastal New Zealand including:
Professor Simon Thrush
Professor Thrush closed his presentation on a very sober note by stating that: · Although several small areas of the Hauraki Gulf have recently been designated for protection, they are indeed small in area and they do not include the most vulnerable heavily fished sectors. · Increasing quantities of toxic microplastics are confirmed to be entering our marine environment. · The Maximum Sustainable Yield Model that was developed and approved internationally in 1958 leading to the survival of whales, has never been followed through for other marine species. · The irreparable damage to the marine environment caused by bottom trawling has been widely known for over 35 years and yet bottom trawling is still allowed in many parts of our Hauraki Gulf. U3A Ponsonby NEXT MEETING: Friday, 11 September 2026 TOPIC:
The Central Interceptor
· the total decimation of the scallop industry throughout New Zealand since 1991
SPEAKER: VENUE:
Bojan Jovanovic. Maria Hernandez and members of the Ghella Project Staff Herne Bay Petanque Club, Salisbury Reserve, Salisbury Street, Herne Bay
· The severely reduced quantities of other shellfish, mussels, etc
ENQUIRIES:
Bronwen Hughes, President, Ponsonby U3A www.u3a.nz
· kelp forests dying due to increased temperatures or toxins being replaced by kina (urchin barrens) · reduced coastal fishing stocks
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
PN | LOCAL NEWS
NEWS FROM THE LEYS LITTLE LIBRARY Kia ora koutou, This month we have two things to tell you about: Māori Language Week and the Auckland Heritage Festival. You could use Te Wiki o te Reo Māori as a catalyst to learn a little or expand your existing Māori vocab. If so, we have some recommendations, books that customers have found useful and consequently provided great feedback on. The other event, the Heritage Festival, runs from 26 September to 11 October 2026. Across Auckland Libraries there will be lots of things to do and see. So, have a look at the Auckland Libraries' website. Leys’ contribution to this festival is a little booklet which provides a culinary history/tour of Ponsonby Road. We think you will enjoy it. Monday 14 September marks the beginning of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Our book recommendations will help you incorporate Māori words, phrases and simple sentences into your life. Customers speak highly of Māori at Home by Scotty Morrison. The book has lots of words and every day, helpful phrases such as Homai te ranu tomato – pass me the tomato sauce – for you to use. Scotty Morrison has, of course, written many other books, including the Māori Made Easy series and Māori at Work. Here at Leys, we also have a Māori section for tamariki which includes some beautifully illustrated board books by Gavin Bishop. The books focus on single Māori words and are a great introduction for little ones. The theme for this year’s Heritage Festival is Tastes of Tamaki: the history of food and drinks in Tamaki. We have an exciting
little booklet that provides a culinary history/walking tour of Ponsonby Road. Booklet in hand, you can start either end of Ponsonby Road and read about, and visit, the sites of eateries that have been helped define Ponsonby. For example, The Bronze Goat, which opened in late 1970s and ran for around 25 years. The guide may spark nostalgic memories – for instance, the mere mention of the Bronze Goat may bring back memories of its signature breads served in flowerpots. Or you may remember another establishment, The Open Late Café, with its sister business Ponsonby Pies, which offered casual late-night food. The guide is also illustrated with lots of lovely historic photos, including the food bar and car yard which is now the site of the current Leys Little Library. The booklet will be available towards the end of September. We hope you have a good Mahuru, and you grab a copy of our heritage booklet when you visit us. Mā te wā Hours: Monday - Friday 9am to 6pm Saturday - 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed LEYS INSTITUTE LITTLE LIBRARY, 14 Jervois Road, T: 09 377 0209, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz leysinstitutelibraryponsonby@aklc.govt.nz
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 33
MIKE LEE:
‘JEWEL IN THE CROWN’
PN | OP ED
Arnold Turner and the legacy of Auckland’s regional parks. On a recent wintry Sunday morning, rising early, leaving my home at Onetangi, Waiheke Island, I journeyed from one side of the Auckland region to the other. To the mist-shrouded Mount Donald McLean, in the Waitakere Ranges overlooking the rugged splendour of the Tasman Sea and the Manukau Heads on Auckland’s west coast. I had been invited by the family of the late Judge Arnold Turner to speak at the unveiling of a memorial seat in his honour. Arnold Turner, a founder elected member of the Auckland Regional Authority (ARA) is recognised as the architect of Auckland’s regional parks network. Of course, such an achievement took more than the efforts of one man. Arnold was supported by visionary post-war ARA politicians like Dove-Myer Robinson, Jim Holdaway, Hugh Lambie and others, inspired by the visionary planner FWO Jones and the legendary waterworks engineer Arthur Mead. These visionary Aucklanders were aware that the nearest national parks were some 400km away. They were concerned that Auckland’s growing population, young people in particular, should have ready access to the great outdoors – the countryside, bush and beaches – they believed to be the birthright of all New Zealanders. At the same time, they were anxious to preserve Auckland’s outstanding coastal landscapes from the suburban sprawl starting to occur at that time. Building from the Waitākere Ranges Centennial Memorial Park, from 1963 Arnold supported by fellow ARA members began a race against time to secure prime areas in public ownership, notably Wenderholm, Long Bay, Mahurangi and Shakespear. With the sheer hard work of uniformed rangers led by Bill Beveridge they created the popular regional parks we know today.
Despite advancing years, Judge Turner’s commitment to the regional parks mission never wavered. As recently as 2022, he, along with his daughter Bronwen (chair of the Friends of Regional Parks), Sandra Coney and myself, joined forces to speak out against an outrageous council scheme to transfer 20 coastal regional parks into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park while concurrently lobbying the government to abolish the Marine Park and to transform the Hauraki Gulf Forum into an unelected, co-governed ‘Hauraki Gulf Authority’. Thankfully with the support of thousands of Aucklanders this was stopped. Arnold Turner was one of what I call the ‘post-war builders of Auckland’. In a remarkable span of 20 years they built the harbour bridge, the motorways, regional roads, Auckland International Airport, the Māngere wastewater treatment plant, four water catchment dams in the Waitākere and Hunua ranges, NZ’s biggest publicly owned bus company, Auckland’s container port – all within budget. And, of course, the ‘jewel in the crown’, the regional parks network which now covers 41,000 hectares including 226km of coastline, owned in perpetuity by the people of Auckland. It was the greatest honour as an elected representative, as chair of regional parks and later the ARC, to be able to make my own contribution in expanding that legacy. We must, as Arnold always was, remain on guard to defend it – from threats from within or without: from the privatisers, the country-sellers and the money-driven philistines who dominate public life today. Our regional parks are a precious legacy, owned by all the people of Auckland, to be held and PN handed on for future generations. (MIKE LEE) www.mikelee.co.nz
In 1968 having appointed Phil Jew as general manager of regional parks and satisfied the parks, so popular with Aucklanders, were in good hands, Arnold returned to law, building a distinguished career, becoming a Chief Judge of the Environment Court. But Arnold always stayed involved with regional parks, especially as trusted adviser to Phil Jew, undertaking important voluntary roles. In 1991 there was an ill-advised attempt by the National government to break up the regional parks network, requiring parks to be sold or leased. A campaign organised by Arnold Turner, Phil Jew and Jim Holdaway rallied the people of Auckland to defend the parks, resulting in such a public outcry that the government backed off. I first met Arnold soon after I was elected to the recently renamed Auckland Regional Council (ARC) in a by-election in February 1992. A few months later by pure luck, I became chair of regional parks, a position I was honoured to hold from late 1992 to late1995. I saw a lot of Arnold in those years. I was to find then and later when I became the chairman of the ARC from 2004 to 2010, he could always be counted on for wise advice especially when it came to regional parks. Wenderholm, one of the earliest regional park achievements of Arnold Turner. (Photo ARC)
34 PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
PN | LOCAL NEWS
KEN RING:
WEATHER BY THE MOON
AUCKLAND WEATHER DIARY, SEPTEMBER 2026 September may bring below average rain and above average sunshine. Temperatures may be normal. The first week may be the wettest with the lowest pressures, and the second week the driest with the highest pressures. The third week may be changeable, but the remainder of the month may be mainly sunny. The best weekend for outdoor activities may be 12th/13th. The barometer may average around 1019mbs. For fishermen, the king-tide is on the 12th. The best fishing bite times in the east may be around dusk times of 10th-12th and 26th-28th. Bite chances are also good around lunchtimes of 3rd-5th and 18th-20th.
For gardeners, pruning is best 1st-6th, and 29th-30th (waning moon descending), whilst planting is best on 13th-18th (waxing moon ascending). For preserving and longer shelflife, prevent waterlogging by harvesting crops or flowers on the neap watertides of the 5th and 20th. Allow 24-hour error for all forecasting. (KEN RING) PN For future weather for any date, and the 2027 NZ Weather Almanacs, see www.predictweather.com
Opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media Limited & Ponsonby News.
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housecoffee.co.nz | housecoffee@xtra.co.nz | 021 842 319
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 35
Photography: Sam Gould
PN | LOCAL NEWS
TE RIMUTAHI UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2026, FINAL UPDATE After more than 13 years of volunteer community advocacy work, Te Rimutahi was finally realised with a ‘soft opening’ in early May 2025. Following a dawn blessing by mana whenua, the construction fences were quietly removed and the community was at last able to access and enjoy the new civic space. The formal opening, hosted by the Waitematā Local Board, took place on Saturday 17 May 2025. Te Rimutahi is tangible evidence of what a group of determined community advocates can achieve against all the odds. The Waitematā Local Board initiated the Community-Led Design (CLD) process, with CLD referring to projects led by a community group or organisation. This process effectively involves local people in the decision-making process, from envisioning to implementation and, importantly, in an ongoing capacity throughout the entire project. The CLD process connected the community by: · Creating a collective vision for what could be · Developing a design brief informed by local knowledge · Holding that vision on behalf of the community to ensure it was always front-of-mind for the project team · Maintaining a communication pathway between the project team and you, our stakeholders
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This produced multiple community benefits, including: · Putting local people at the heart of changes made to their neighbourhood · Improving civic participation to ensure a more democratic outcome · Creating a strong sense of community by strengthening people’s attachment to their neighbourhood The CLD process, informed by the community’s sustained support and engagement through the long years of advocacy, achieved a significant milestone when Te Rimutahi opened. Unfortunately, in the 16 months since then, the Waitematā Local Board and council staff have chosen to revert back to their in-house, business-as-usual default settings with minimal (if any) engagement with the community. Seemingly random decisions have been made via inside channels which have not been shared, let alone discussed. Many only became apparent when onsite work began. The start of construction of a ‘storage shed’ in the Hybrid Park Room (the lower lawn and garden area) is a case in point. This was a shed that was non-permitted, failed council’s own
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
of Te Rimutahi by the beautiful people at LandLAB, who we now call friends, the close neighbourhood connections. So much that is wonderful, inspiring and cannot be erased.
Meanwhile, a storage facility is now being built as an extension to the toilet block, despite the Waitematā Local Board instructing all storage in the draft design to be removed*. After sustained pressure from the CLDG, council staff eventually took on one of our (many) recommendations, so at least the large double access doors will now be clad in the same material as the structure (rather than their planned ‘toilet style’ doors). We are still awaiting a response regarding the ramp that we requested be internalised, yet it wasn’t.
Te Rimutahi will continue to be defended, despite the machinations of convenience, siloed thinking, BAU, and backchannels that have re-established themselves. The Waitematā Local Board and council will continue to be held to account, as requested, through their online portal:
Recently, new lighting has been installed on the Te Rimutahi canopy sign, which is composed in the beautiful Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei-designed font. The lighting is garish, multi-coloured and rotates through the colour spectrum like a cheap disco. It just arrived, despite the Te Rimutahi lighting design having won GOLD at the Designers Institute of New Zealand – Best Design Awards for Lighting Design**. The original design left the Te Rimutahi sign unlit, silhouetted against the sky (Ranginui, the sky father) and enabled the Graham Tipene-designed pou marker*** to “do all the talking after hours”…. Not any longer. We are disappointed that all the hard work and goodwill of the community has been sidelined and disregarded in this way. We had, perhaps naively, expected better. Rather than engage with the CLDG as a stakeholder, council staff have advised us to use the online ‘report-a-problem’ portal: onlineservices. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/councilonline/rfs/landingpage#
Meanwhile, the Waitematā Local Board has not responded to our presentation at their 19 May 2026 business meeting, formally requesting that we be included as a Te Rimutahi stakeholder. After the 14+ years of work the CLDG has undertaken on the board’s behalf, this is a reasonable and logical request, as it is the CLDG that holds the long and detailed history of this project****.
And just LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED! The brilliant and beautiful Te Rimutahi. What’s not to love?
PN | LOCAL NEWS
planning rules and flouted CPTED (safety design) protocols. Although the shed build was abandoned, none of the topsoil where the ground was cleared for concreting has been reinstated, the irrigation system remains disconnected and the plants that were unceremoniously ‘dumped’ onto the hard shingle base are still uprooted and dying months later.
onlineservices.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/councilonline/ rfs/landingpage#
Which is a long-winded way of saying that the CLDG is now officially signing off. This will be our final Ponsonby News Te Rimutahi Update as we now devolve the continuation of this legacy to the community. And while we have your attention… don’t forget to VOTE in this year’s General Election! Ensure you are registered to vote at vote.nz or call free 0800 367 656. You MUST be enrolled to vote or have updated your details BEFORE midnight on 25 October 2026. Because if there’s one overriding lesson that the CLD process has taught us all, it is that YOUR VOICE DOES MATTER. We all look forward to seeing you at the magnificent Te Rimutahi soon. Kia kaha. Arohanui. For more information or to contact the Community-Led Design Group, see our website 254ponsonbyrd.org.nz Instagram te_rimutahi_ Facebook Te Rimutahi or 254 Ponsonby Road. (JENNIFER WARD) PN *www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz/uncategorized/ notes-given-to-te-rimutahi-design-grouppost-the-waitemata-local-board-workshop-on5november-2023/
The CLD process has been a wild ride: integrating with the community, local government, the many iterations of the Waitematā Local Board, council, et al. It has at times been both the most uplifting and the most soul-destroying journey. False allies, self-interested parties, manipulative and bad-faith actors being constant and unpleasantly reliable travelling companions.
**www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz/uncategorized/terimutahi-wins-gold-at-the-designers-institute-of-newzealand-best-design-awards/
However, we also recognise and celebrate the immense input from our engaged community through the years-long Community-Led Design process, the substantial and magnificent contribution by mana whenua, the multi-award-winning design
****www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz/
***www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz/urban-design/ te-rimutahi-march-2026-update-the-culturalcomponents-of-the-design/
We believe in freedom of speech and we love hearing from our readers - please send letters to the editor email info@ponsonbynews.co.nz PN DEADLINE - usually 20th of the monthwww.ponsonbynews.co.nz
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 37
JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES: PN | PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS
THE SUBCONTRACTOR VS EMPLOYEE PROBLEM If you use subcontractors in your business, this is worth reading. IRD has been actively looking at sectors and the distinction between a genuine subcontractor and someone who should properly be classified as an employee. Getting it wrong can be expensive, and the obligation to fix it sits with you, not them. Why It Matters
The difference between a subcontractor and an employee is not just about paperwork. It determines who pays PAYE, who is entitled to ACC levies, who gets KiwiSaver contributions, and whether your arrangement holds up if IRD decides to take a closer look. A lot of businesses have people working for them who look, on paper, like subcontractors but in practice operate more like employees. They work set hours, exclusively for you, and additionally they use your tools and your vehicle and do not have other clients. That profile, depending on their structure, may not be a subcontractor under NZ law regardless of what their invoice says. This is not a new issue but IRD review activity has increased. If you have not looked at your arrangements recently there is a reasonable chance something needs attention. The Tests IRD Uses
IRD applies a series of factors to determine the real nature of a working arrangement. No single factor is decisive but the overall picture matters. Things like whether the person works for other businesses, whether they supply their own equipment, whether they can subcontract the work themselves, whether they set their own hours and whether they bear any real financial risk in the engagement. If your subcontractors fail most of those tests, the classification is likely wrong. And if IRD reaches that conclusion, they can come back several years and reassess PAYE, penalties and interest included. That means back taxes, use of money interest, and potentially shortfall penalties on top. It adds up quickly. The other risk is that a misclassified worker can raise a personal grievance as an employee even if they have been invoicing you for years. The Employment Relations Authority
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looks at the same substance over form test that IRD uses. Two separate exposures from the same arrangement. What to Do
The first step is to review your arrangements and be objective about the agreements you have in place. Some of your subcontractors will be genuine. Some may not be. A straightforward review of each arrangement against the IRD criteria will tell you where you stand. If there are arrangements that need to change, it is far better to change them proactively than to wait for an IRD audit. This is about making sure your business is not carrying a liability and risk you don’t know about. The Timing
IRD attention on this is ongoing, so if you have not looked at your subcontractor arrangements recently, now is a good time to do it. The cost of getting it wrong can compound over time, while reviewing it now is a fraction of that cost. Call Logan Granger at Johnston Associates on M: 027 283 8331, email lgranger@jacal.co.nz or visit johnstonassociates.co.nz Disclaimer – While all care has been taken, Johnston Associates Chartered Accountants Ltd and its staff accept no liability for the content of this article; always see your professional advisor before taking any action that you are unsure about.
JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, Level 1, One Jervois Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 361 6701, www.johnstonassociates.co.nz
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WO R K I N G S T Y L E .CO. N Z
PHIL PARKER: PN | EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
NORTH AND SOUTH This month, featuring three wines from one of my all-time favourite wineries — north Canterbury’s Pegasus Bay. And then, for something completely different, two wines from the Nandi Hills in Karnataka, India's premier high-altitude wine region. Courtesy of Fine O Wines, Point Chev, I had the opportunity to review a fumé blanc and a blended cabernet sauvignon/ shiraz. The Nandi Hills provide a unique microclimate that allows premium viticulture to thrive at an albeit tropical latitude, but between 800 to 1000 metres above sea level, which effectively softens the intense tropical heat of Southern India. Pegasus Bay Estate North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2025 - $28
A softer style than your typical Marlborough sav. Cape gooseberry, lychee, guava and grapefruit with a hint of herbal thyme, black currant and finishing with crisp Meyer lemon citrus. 13.5% ABV Available: pegasusbay.com Pegasus Bay Estate North Canterbury Chardonnay 2023 - $45
Funky ripe grapefruit and gun flint aromas. Lean and elegant with hints of creamy cashew nut, toasty oak, grilled grapefruit and lime marmalade. Lengthy finish. Was gently trodden underfoot and the free-run juice was racked off into French oak puncheons for ‘wild yeast’ ferment. Available: pegasusbay.com, Glengarry - Caro’s
Grover La Reserve Nandi Hills Fumé Blanc 2024 - $35
Subtle aromas. Opens on the palate as a delicate, clean flavoured wine at a deceptive 14% ABV. Soft lemon acids and creamy texture. Mildly herbaceous, with grilled bell pepper, gooseberry and a hint of toasty resin from barrel ageing on yeast lees residue. Available: Fine O Wines Pt Chev Pegasus Bay Estate North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2024 - $60
Full flavoured and still very youthful. Boysenberry, prunes and spiced plum. Plus, umami soy, cassis and blond tobacco. Medium acids and a lengthy finish. Would cellar nicely for up to 6 years. Available: pegasusbay.com Grover La Reserve Nandi Hills Red Blend 2024 - $35
Intense and deeply flavoured. Smoky tar dominates the nose. On the palate it’s medium tannins, tar, dark Ghana chocolate, cassis, black cherry and kalamata olive, with a hint of eucalyptus. Lengthy dry finish. Would cellar well for up to 10 years. 14% ABV Available: Fine O Wines Pt Chev (PHIL PARKER) PN www.finewinetours.co.nz, phil.parker@xtra.co.nz
FINE WINE & FOOD TOURS Your host, Phil Parker, wine writer
· Boutique tours to Waiheke Island & Kumeu · Bespoke Fun Wine quizzes by arrangement E: phil.parker@xtra.co.nz
40 PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026
www.finewinetours.co.nz
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Wayne Raven offers delicious chocolate treats to customers at Grey Lynn Farmers Market on Sunday mornings. Where did you grow up?
In Taranaki – New Plymouth. I’m from small town New Zealand. You have a North American accent and refer to lengths in feet instead of metres.
PN | EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
FACES AT GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET
I lived in Canada for 13 years and I still have some Canadian habits. My wife is Canadian. Where did you meet your wife?
In a backpackers in Manly, Sydney. She was on a working holiday and I was on an Aussie adventure. What did you train as?
My foundation was in cheffing and patisserie. One of my tutors had worked in London as part of the Queen’s patisserie brigade. That experience inspired me and gave me a start to making chocolate. Is that what you did when you moved to Canada?
I started working as a baker in Calgary, but the pay wasn’t enough so I trained as a professional driver and drove large trucks across Canada and into the US. That’s different from patisserie.
Yes. Making chocolate was my hobby. I took lots of courses, including a course with Bernard Callebaut, one of the world’s premiere chocolatiers. I learnt a lot from Bernard. What brought you back to New Zealand?
Family – we wanted our four children to spend time with their New Zealand family. I was pleased to leave the extremely cold winters behind and I wanted to bring my chocolatemaking skills back to New Zealand. And the hobby has grown into a full-time business?
Yes. One Christmas, I made chocolate presents for everyone. It was a big hit, giving me confidence to attend the chocolate and coffee festival last year. I handed out a lot of samples and got very positive feedback, so we created packaging. Now I’m selling my chocolate online and at Grey Lynn Farmers Market. Tell us about your chocolate.
Cocoa solids (cocoa butter and cacao beans) and milk are the top ingredients. One of my milk chocolates is 41% cacao, compared to many big brands being around 30% cacao. Sugar always comes in third which is why my philosophy is 'Sugar is never first’. For me, sugar should be treated like a seasoning to bring out flavour without dominating the taste. What flavours do you make?
Milk chocolate, dark milk chocolate, white chocolate, and matcha. I’m also experimenting with making a darker chocolate because some market customers ask for it. Some weeks milk chocolate is the most popular, other weeks there is a run on white chocolate.
Is white chocolate really chocolate?
Yes. It is made with cocoa butter and milk. Market customers are pleasantly surprised by the taste of my white chocolate because they expect it to be very sweet but ours has less sugar than many other white chocolates. Where does your cocoa come from?
From the Solomon Islands and I’m exploring other Pacific sources. It’s important to me that the farmers get a good deal so that they can take the time to ferment the beans properly. Cocoa beans are fermented?
Absolutely – fermentation is a critical part of the flavour process. Farmers scrap purple beans into wooden boxes with some of the white flesh from the pods. Beans are rotated daily for a week until they turn brown. When we get the dried beans they have a vinegary smell which evaporates when I roast them. What happens after roasting?
I bring a few roasted beans to the market but most are cracked and winnowed so that I can separate out the papery husks to release the nibs. The refiner squashes the nibs between granite wheels until the particles are too small to detect in tasting. This is a mix of cocoa solids and cocoa butter – it’s the main ingredient in my chocolate, so it’s important to get good beans and roast them well. What happens to the husks?
Nothing goes to waste – the husks make a delicious tea. Some people add honey and milk, but I enjoy them plain. Do you have any other hobbies?
I love cooking, baking and experimenting with new recipes. We have a busy home with four teenagers and they love taste testing my products. PN www.wayneraven.com www.greylynnfarmersmarket.co.nz
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 41
PN | EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
DOWN TO EARTH: ORGANIC WINE RETURNS TO PONSONBY As part of Organic Wine Week (21-27 September), Down to Earth returns to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, bringing more than 70 certified organic wines to Jacuzzi Bar Ponsonby on Tuesday 22 September, from 6pm-8pm. Presented by Organic Winegrowers NZ, this relaxed walkaround tasting offers the chance to meet the people behind the wines, discover new favourites and learn more about the environmental benefits of organic winegrowing – all while enjoying thoughtful finger food, good conversation and a great Ponsonby atmosphere. Since launching in Auckland in 2023, Down to Earth has become a fixture on the city’s organic wine calendar. After previously being held at East Street Hall, Brad’s Warehouse and the Sapphire Room at Ponsonby Central, the event is returning to Ponsonby, this time at Jacuzzi Bar. “We loved the vibe in Ponsonby, so we’re delighted to be back,” says Organic Winegrowers NZ Marketing & Events Coordinator Naomi Galvin. “Jacuzzi Bar is an incredible space and the perfect new setting for this year’s gathering.” The venue at 150 Ponsonby Road also has plenty of history. For more than two decades, it was home to the legendary SPQR. Now, Jacuzzi Bar is bringing fresh energy to this iconic Ponsonby address. Across the country, Organic Wine Week features popup tastings, winemaker dinners, wine-list takeovers, retail promotions and more, with Down to Earth as its flagship event. “Organic wine consumption is growing, defying the global trend of declining wine consumption. A new generation of consumers is emerging – people who are increasingly environmentally conscious and demand transparency and integrity,” says Organic Winegrowers NZ Chair Nick Paulin. Organic wine is well placed to meet this growing demand. photography: Radlab
Down to Earth is a chance to discover what’s new in organic wine, with wines from 25 top producers to explore. Down to Earth Tickets: www.organicwinenz.com/downtoearth
Organic Wine Week Calendar:
www.organicwinenz.com/organicwineweek
Jacuzzi Bar, 150 Ponsonby Road TICKETS HERE
A O T E A R O A N E W O R G A N I C W I N E Tues 22 Sept, 6-8pm
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Z E A L A N D T A S T I N G ORGANICWINENZ.COM
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Photography: Babiche Martens
Photography: Babiche Martens
DINNER: Tuesday to Sunday from 5:30pm LUNCH: Saturday from 12 noon
Tuesday: Test Kitchen - $80pp Wednesday/Thursday: BYO & Duck Dinner for two - $95 + $25 corkage Friday: Steak Frites w Unlimited Truffle Fries - $49.50pp Sunday: Prix Fixe Menu - $75pp OPEN 7 DAYS! NEW tasting menus and Sommelier À la carte available MICHELIN Guide Award $75 Prix Fixe menu on Sunday & Monday
Highlighting the skills, knowledge, and passion of talented sommeliers in the industry, this year’s Sommelier Award is bestowed to Matthew Aitchison, General Manager and Sommelier Champagne Lunch bookings are now open - $120pp of The French Café, a MICHELIN Selected restaurant. Matthew 4-Course leads thelunch service a calm, relaxed and approachable style, underpinned withteam a glasswith of champagne on arrival & Saturday 12:00pm by strong organisation and deep wineFriday knowledge. Hisfrom passion for hospitality is reflected in carefully curated wine experiences and precise food pairings that elevate the meal. He has built one of the city’s most impressive SUMMER OPENING HOURS wine lists: broad in scope, thoughtfully Monday composed and especially strong by the glass. - Sunday 5:30pm - Late Friday & Saturday lunch 12:00pm - 3:00pm
210 SYMONDS STREET T: 09 377 1911 www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz thefrenchcafe
A NEW CHAPTER IN THE HEART OF AUCKLAND PN | EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
Cassia opened the doors to its brand new restaurant at 58 Albert Street on 1 September, marking a bold new chapter for Sid and Chand Sahrawat’s celebrated contemporary Indian restaurant and its return to the heart of Auckland city. The opening follows the conclusion of Cassia’s 10-week residency at Ozone in Grey Lynn on 28 August, with the team moving into a permanent new home at 58 Albert Street. Dubbed Cassia 3.0, the new restaurant marks both a homecoming and an evolution for the much loved Auckland institution, following the closure of its original Fort Lane restaurant after the Auckland Anniversary floods in January 2023, and its subsequent relocation to SkyCity, where it remained until June 2026. “For us, it’s a new beginning, finally coming home again, but with a fresh start,” says Chand Sahrawat. “We’re taking Cassia back to what it was at the very beginning – owner-operated, hands-on in the heart of Auckland and close to our guests.”
“It was important to us that Cassia 3.0 still had the dishes people know and love,” says Sid Sahrawat. “The pani puri and lamb chops have been with us for so long and are such a big part of Cassia – people would probably never forgive us if we took them off the menu!” “The move also allows us to evolve and introduce something new,” says Chand. “The tandoori chicken xacuti draws on the flavours of Goa, where I spent my summers as a child. On our first holiday to India as a couple, I took Sid to Goa and he fell in love with the unique Portuguese influence on Goan cuisine. The coastal ingredients, spice and tang from black vinegar stayed with Sid, but we’ve given it our own Cassia interpretation.
While unmistakably Cassia, 58 Albert Street will look and feel markedly different from the restaurant Aucklanders first came to know and love.
“That balance between familiarity and discovery is what I want this next chapter to be about,” says Chand.
Designed by Gerrick Numan of Millé, the new restaurant draws on the strongest elements of Cassia’s previous iterations while establishing a distinct identity of its own. In contrast to the intimate, subterranean and moody feel of the original Fort Lane restaurant, Cassia 3.0 is light, bright and open, with floor-toceiling windows connecting the restaurant to the city around it.
Returning alongside Sid and Chand is Matthew Aitchison, Cassia’s original restaurant manager and now General Manager of both Cassia and The French Café. Recently awarded the MICHELIN Guide Sommelier Award, Matthew will lead the front-of-house team and oversee a new wine list created to complement the menu.
Spread across two levels, the contemporary space combines exposed brick and industrial detailing with warm lighting and will accommodate up to 120 guests. Three private dining rooms will provide dedicated spaces for larger groups, celebrations and corporate events.
For Sid and Chand, opening on Albert Street also reflects their confidence in Auckland’s city centre and its future, following the transformation of Albert Street and ahead of the City Rail Link opening. “We want to be part of the revival, not arrive once the city is already humming and simply benefit from everyone else’s work,” says Chand.
The sense of evolution continues on the plate. The new menu brings together the dishes that have become synonymous with Cassia’s refined, creative approach to contemporary Indian cuisine, alongside new flavours created for Cassia 3.0. Fan favourites remain firmly in place, including Cassia’s iconic pani puri and much-coveted Mughlai lamb chops, alongside the crisp eggplant sev puri and Massimo’s burrata with pickled chilli salan. Joining them is a new Tandoori chicken xacuti, inspired by the flavours of Goa and served with Cassia (cinnamon) and black vinegar. The Goan-inspired aromatic curry pairs smoky tandoori chicken with fragrant xacuti, featuring a blend of cassia, black pepper, star anise and dry red chilies to create a balance of smoky, spicy and warming flavors, along with a hint of tanginess from black vinegar.
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“We’re backing our ambition with the city’s ambition to thrive and become vibrant again.” After more than a decade of Cassia and an unexpected journey following the floods, Chand says what she hopes guests will feel when they walk through the doors of Cassia’s new permanent home can be summed up in two words: “Welcome back.” Open 7 days a week: Dinner 7 nights from 5pm, open all day from lunch on Thursday and Fridays CASSIA, 58 Albert Street, Auckland CBD, www.cassiarestaurant.co.nz @cassia_auckland
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 45
PN | LIVING, THINKING + BEING
SARITA SOLVIG BLANKENBURG:
SPRING RESET: AN AYURVEDIC DAY RETREAT TO CLEANSE, RELEASE & RENEW As the days begin to lengthen and the first signs of spring emerge, nature invites us to do the same: clear away what has accumulated over winter, create space and begin again. In Ayurveda, spring is traditionally considered one of the most beneficial times of year to cleanse, making it the inspiration behind our upcoming Spring Reset Ayurvedic Day Retreat at Kula Muriwai. Just an hour from central Auckland, Kula feels a world away from everyday life. Set amongst the rolling green hills of Muriwai, with sweeping views towards the wild West Coast and Tasman Sea, it offers a beautiful setting to pause, breathe deeply and reconnect with yourself and nature. Ayurveda teaches us that we are intrinsically connected to the rhythms of the natural world. During winter, we naturally turn inward, eat heavier and more nourishing foods and often move less. As we transition into spring, the Kapha qualities of heaviness, moisture and stagnation can begin to accumulate. We may notice sluggish digestion, congestion, low energy or a general feeling of heaviness. Spring is therefore the perfect time to gently stimulate the body, rekindle our digestive fire, or Agni, and release what we no longer need. Our Spring Reset retreat has been created around the theme Cleanse, Release, Renew, exploring cleansing not only on a physical level, but also mentally and emotionally. We begin the day in Kula’s beautiful yoga shala with a cleansing yoga practice designed to awaken the body, stimulate circulation and digestion and encourage the release of stagnation. From your mat, surrounded by expansive views of the hills and ocean, there is an immediate sense of space and perspective.
Following an Ayurvedic welcome drink, I will share practical teachings on seasonal cleansing, digestive health, Ama or metabolic waste and simple Ayurvedic practices that can be incorporated into daily life. We will also explore Panchakarma, Ayurveda’s traditional system of deep cleansing and rejuvenation, and how this ancient therapy supports renewal of body and mind. Food is, of course, an important part of Ayurveda. At lunchtime, we will gather for a freshly prepared, plant-based Ayurvedic feast using seasonal ingredients and digestive spices. Weather permitting, we will eat outside overlooking the spectacular West Coast landscape, slowing down and enjoying both the food and the company. In the afternoon, our focus moves towards emotional release. We begin with gentle Qigong before moving into guided conscious breathwork for somatic emotional release. These complementary practices encourage us to connect more deeply with the body, release held tension and emotions and create space for something new. We finish our day together with time for reflection and integration before returning home. Spring Reset is more than a day away. It is an invitation to step out of the busyness of everyday life and consciously welcome a new season feeling lighter, clearer and more connected. A day to cleanse. A day to release. A day to renew. (SARITA SOLVIG BLANKENBURG) PN To book your ticket, please visit our website www.ayurvedanz.co.nz
AYURVEDA NZ, 386 Richmond Road, M: 021 144 5768, www.ayurvedanz.co.nz @ayurvedanz
M: 021 144 5768 E: sarita@ayurvedanz.com www.ayurvedanz.co.nz @ayurvedanz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
ROSS THORBY: PN | CRUISING
CRUISING "There are eight million stories on a cruise ship and this has been one of them.” The penultimate day for us on the Regent Seven Seas Navigator, was a Sea Day and, it being the weekend, it also happened to be… wait for it… Caviar Sunday! My favourite sort of Sunday. Another Regent tradition on a ship that seems rife with traditions, here every Sunday on board, is ‘a boots an' all’ extravaganza. I had eight helpings at breakfast alone. Is that wrong? On Cunard, the caviar is dealt out by delicate, careful and respectfully gloved hands and usually in front of an armed guard in case we get greedy. Here on Regent, it is left on its own servery with a large ivory spoon to help yourself, and we did, all day. So, although Regent is a more contemporary line than the one I am used to, it is nice to see that there are still some maritime standards being upheld somewhere at sea. Also, and luckily for me, Mother can't stand the stuff so I had her share as well. The last day at sea is always a bit of an anticlimax. Amongst packing, there are farewells with new friends you have just made and will probably never see again, last minute drinks to have in rooms on the ship that you had not yet had the chance to sit in and finally that last meal, also taking advantage of the fact that Regent is ‘all inclusive’, therefore no bar tab or hidden little extras to be a surprise on that last night. So, before you know it, it is time to finish packing and to consider the next day's travel arrangements. Then, after getting up at the crack of dawn to watch our entry into Port Melbourne and for Mother’s last Butler-served breakfast, for a while at least, we were sitting in our suite ready for the mandatory 7.30 departure time, when at 7.25 am, Mother asks, “Where is the TV remote?” I distinctly remember holding the remote as I fell asleep. It’s a ship so as soon as my head hits the pillow, l’m into a deep sleep. I do remember though, in my sleep, turning off the TV, but still holding onto the remote. Alas, this morning she is right, it is nowhere to be seen. I pulled the bed out, I pulled all the furniture out, I told Mother to go back into the bathroom and leave me alone while I looked. I pulled out the couch, I pulled out the fridge, no sign of it. Mother kept saying, “Don't worry.” “No,” said I, “they will think we stole it and I will not be accused of stealing anything less than a Bentley.” I told her to hide in the dressing room out of my way while I looked. I pulled back the curtains, I pulled up my mattress and turned over the bed. Nothing. I thought of ringing security in case they had a serial technology burglar on board, but then I thought I would try mother’s bed on the other side of the room. I pulled off her sheets, her duvet, I looked in her pillow cases, I turned her bed on its side...VOILA. The remote, on the other side of the room on the furthest point away from me, and, of course it had to be the Mother side. Hence, I blame Mother. It must have been her.
Mother emerged from the dressing room. I had redressed the room. "Where’s my watch?" she demanded. "It was here before you turned the room upside down." Mother hid in the dressing room… I turned her bed upside down, I pulled the furniture out, I looked in her pillow cases, I turned the couch side up, nothing, no watch, nadda, nowhere, no how. Ah, well, it was only her old Cartier. She could buy another. We are in Melbourne after all. Mother re-emerged from the dressing room. "Are you sure you're not wearing it?" I asked. "Oh, of course I am,” she said looking guiltily at her wrist. There are eight million stories on a cruise ship and this has PN been one of them. (ROSS THORBY)
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 47
PN | ARTS + CULTURE
KORIMAKO TRIO A New Chapter for Kiwi Classical Stars: Meet the Korimako Trio. For three decades, violinist Helene Pohl and cellist Rolf Gjelsten were the cornerstones of the New Zealand String Quartet. Having toured the globe, recorded dozens of albums, and been honoured for their services to music, they’ve shaped the sound of Aotearoa’s classical scene for a generation. Now, alongside internationally acclaimed German pianist Michael Endres they’ve formed a powerhouse ensemble: the Korimako Trio.
Named after the NZ bellbird for its pure, reverberant song, the trio brings together decades of deep artistic chemistry and world-class mastery, Their concerts to date have brought many of their audience to their feet and inspired one critic to heap praise on their “breathtaking mastery of intent, understanding and execution throughout” – Middle C. Elizabeth Kerr, in her Five Lines review highlights their “musical rapport and dynamic unity” and “the lovely resonant string playing” of the trio. The Korimako Trio is making its Auckland debut on Wednesday, 16 September at Kahui St David’s as part of a tour that also includes concerts in Warkworth, Kerikeri and Waiheke Island. The Trio’s Auckland concert shows off both the mastery and the rapport of these highly talented musicians with each other and with their audience in a programme that spans the rich, emotional depth of Haydn, Copland, Schubert and Brahms. The programme opens with one of Haydn’s most delightful piano trios – a work that features a variety of sound textures and atmospheres ranging from deeply moving to
48 PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026
utterly playful. It is followed by ‘Vitebsk', written by American composer Aaron Copland, which is based on a mournful old Jewish melody which is contrasted with music that can best be described as a raucous Roaring Twenties party. Spirits are then soothed with Franz Schubert’s soul stirring ‘Notturno' and the beloved and masterful Brahms C Major Trio, one of the finest, most sophisticated and symphonically rich chamber works of the late Romantic era rounds out the programme. For Auckland music lovers, the Auckland debut concert of the Korimako Trio offers a rare chance to experience musicmaking at the highest possible level – intimate, conversational and vibrant, in the atmospheric and historic Kahui St David’s – a very special event. Whether you're a lifelong classical devotee or simply looking for an inspiring evening of live performance, the Korimako Trio is a standout addition to Auckland's cultural calendar. (Brahms fans can also catch Helene and Rolf performing his Double Concerto at St Matthew’s in the City on 6 September at 4.30pm with the Wairua Sinfonietta, conducted by Elizabeth Lau.) KORIMAKO TRIO IN AUCKLAND
Wednesday 16 September - 7.30pm Kahui St David’s, 70 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton Bookings: Humantitix events.humanitix.com/korimako-in-auckland Adults $50 Concession $40 Tertiary Student $10, Secondary students free
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
St Matthew-in-the-City’s Blessing of the Animals service returns Sunday 4 October at 1pm.
This year we are delighted to support the work of Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust, a registered charity that trains and places Assistance Dogs with people living with disabilities and other challenges.
in Prison Programme, a highly successful venture run in partnership with the Department of Corrections. Prisoners value the sense of purpose the programme offers and in turn develop skills invaluable to their rehabilitation.
Mobility Dogs offer a variety of support:
The Trust relies entirely on grants and donations for its existence. No Government funding is received.
· Physical and practical task assistance for people with physical disabilities. · Therapy Dogs provide support within approved workplaces and the community. · Companion Dogs support an individual or family in their unique situations. The Trust has a small team of dedicated staff. Puppies are mostly socialised and trained in the community by volunteer puppy raisers. Advanced training occurs within the Puppies
PN | ARTS + CULTURE
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS AT ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY
The Trust’s motto: “Life Changing Loyalty” is truly demonstrated in all aspects of its work. All animals are welcome at the Blessing. Please ensure dogs and larger animals are on a lead; smaller animals protected in a cage. ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY ANGLICAN CHURCH, corner Wellesley and Hobson Streets, T: 09 379 0625, www.stmatthews.nz
Blessing of the
An im al s
SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER, 1PM ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY 132 HOBSON ST, AUCKLAND
ALL ANIMALS WELCOME
PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 49
PN | LOCAL NEWS
THE NATURAL FUNERAL COMPANY Two years on, The Natural Funeral Company continues to quietly build a reputation for meaningful farewells. Based in Eden Terrace, the company offers natural, bespoke and traditional funeral services, with an approach centred around helping families honour life in a way that feels genuine to them. Whether families are wanting something simple and intimate or a larger, more personalised farewell, the team works alongside them to create services that feel authentic, meaningful and reflective of the individual. With more than four decades in the funeral profession, John brings calm guidance and trusted industry knowledge to families during difficult times, while Tanya helps create the warm and approachable environment the company has become known for.
The business has also recently welcomed funeral director Kelsey McSkimming to the team. Kelsey began working in the funeral industry nearly 14 years ago and has worked across a range of roles before graduating with a Diploma in Funeral Directing in 2019. Joining the business part time, she brings a modern perspective to the profession. Much of The Natural Funeral Company’s growth in recent years has come through word of mouth and personal recommendation, with the team continuing to provide a more personal and relaxed experience for families.
Phone 021 234 5650 120 New North Rd, Eden Terrace contact@naturalfuneral.nz
50 PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
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HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS – what your stars hold for September PN | HOROSCOPES
Aquarius (the Water Carrier) 21 January - 19 February Don’t worry if you have realised that not all friendships last. Sometimes you have to sever ties to move on and this might be the crossroads that you’re at. You will instinctively choose the right path for you going forward. With chaos going on around you the common sense you have will overcome any obstacles.
Pisces (the Fishes) 20 February - 20 March Your perception of the world has definitely been altered as it has for many others. What was said yesterday may not be true tomorrow and you might be feeling disorientated with all the fake news that’s out there. Trust your gut and your instincts and keep safe.
Aries (the Ram) 21 March - 20 April The outlook on life that you have is infectious. The people that matter to you are the ones that help you grow and live life to the full. Keep your communication strong and your network will flourish.
Taurus (the Bull) 21 April - 21 May Be careful in how you speak or handle things with colleagues this month. You might be feeling sensitive but so are a lot of other people. Share how you feel rather than letting people think they’ve done something wrong. You have great skills that could be put to very good use.
Gemini (the Twins) 22 May - 21 June Unfortunately, you’re not a very good poker player. You have a lovely face but it’s far too expressive. That’s probably why you’re not always told everything especially when you tend to blurt things out without thinking. You are a fantastic communicator but you may be communicating in the wrong way.
Cancer (the Crab) 22 June - 22 July There is no need to feel like you’re not good enough for any situation. You have proved that you can hold your own no matter what. You could use this month to connect with your own ideas. Finding time for yourself is only the first part of a process to revitalize your life.
Leo (the Lion) 23 July - 21 August You have always been a workaholic and you’re positively bursting with new ideas. However, try and reign in your focus by concentrating and finishing something that’s within your capabilities. This way you’ll see progress made which in turn will fuel your desire to continue.
Virgo (the Virgin) 22 August - 23 September Whatever you feel inside does not reflect what’s shown on the outside. There is no need to worry about the details any more. You should take satisfaction knowing that you have a very open mind that in turn has opened lots of doors for you. The path your are on now has always been the right one.
Libra (the Scales) 24 September - 23 October You want to start something new as you feel like this year has been a bit of a non starter. You’re not the only ones to feel like this of course. You have been taking in information that you normally wouldn’t and want to do something about it. There are plenty of people that need help. Just look around you.
Scorpio (the Scorpion) 24 October - 22 November I know it feels like you are being attacked from all sides and you might feel overwhelmed by it all. You need to be clear to others this month that you’re not going to tolerate bad behaviour. Your opinions do matter so please don’t stop giving them.
Sagittarius (the Archer) 23 November - 22 December You’re making progress on creating the future that you want in both your professional and work life. You have been able to navigate life with ease. Share your knowledge in some way. You could make a difference in someone’s life.
Capricorn (the Goat) 23 December - 20 January You could let your guard down this month if you let yourself open to new ideas. The friendships you have developed over the years are very important to you. Try and not let emotion guide you though. Think about your next move before you make it.
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
• Completely clear the property, including garages & assist with the sale of possessions (No commission taken). • Provide detailed inventories.
Shop Local for European Antiques W W W. E U R O P E A N A N T I Q U E S . C O . N Z
europeanantiquesnz
• Ship within NZ and overseas. Call us and we will mail you a brochure.
0800 839 874
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PN | THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES
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The Covert Theatre in Mackelvie Street, Ponsonby is NZ’s home of improvised comedy. With workshops and shows every night of the week there is something for everyone. Be sure to check out www.coverttheatre.com You can support all the good giggle’s by donation right here, www.coverttheatre.com/how-to-help Registered charity CC53421 PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026 53
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54 PONSONBY NEWS+ SEPTEMBER 2026
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