The Hobson Jan-Feb 2016

january/february 2016

matters of principal • summer diversions monkey business • local news & informed opinions

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DUR AVIT

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AL APE

GL ASS DESIGN

VOL A

The January/February Issue, No. 25 6

26

40

the editor’s letter

the hobson + remuera

the appetite

8

Chef Sue Fleischl offers up delicious recipes for summer eating

the columnists

This month, we introduce Mikko Shoes’ Michaela Longstaff and Remuera Gallery’s Scott Dargaville

12

28

the village Plans for The Domain – more traffic nightmares on the way? Chinese New Year in the neighbourhood, school prizewinners, local board news and more

19

the leaders Lizzie Marvelly sits down with EGGS’ Madeline Gunn and St Cuthbert’s Lynda Reid, two outstanding women in girls’ education who are leaving their highprofile posts

the reps

32

News from local MPs David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith

the second act

20 the local Surprising things about Desley Simpson

21 the investment Warren Couillault rates the predictions he made for 2015, and looks to this year

22 the suburbanist Holiday options for the mega-wealthy intrigue Tommy Honey

23 the plan Hamish Firth looks at the decisions to be made this year that will shape our city’s

Sandy Burgham extends her learning, sometimes in her pjs, with the world of online courses

33 the living Medical specialist John Harman takes a surgical approach to his St Marks apartment and clinic development

36 the pretty Your seasonally adjusted beauty needs, as selected by Justine Williams

38 the magpie For him, for her, for them, here’s all you need for a finely-feathered nest

42 the psyche Dr Amrit Kaur has a strategy to improve the behaviour of an “unlikeable” child

43 the bookmark Gail Woodward’s diverse selection of holiday reading

44 the cinema Movie choices for both January and February, selected by Caitlin McKenna

46 the sound The melodic reasons why Andrew Dickens is looking forward to his holiday

47 the district diary Dates to note for January and February

48 the cryptic Introducing our first-ever cryptic crossword. Do let us know how you get on

future

N WIN!

How pretty would one of these Petra Bettjeman Jewellery Super Fine Black Diamond stacker rings look on a deserving hand?

A trained goldsmith, Orākei local Petra works from her Coates Ave studio (just along the street from her family’s salon), designing and crafting beautiful pieces of quality jewellery for retail, and on commission.

Courtesy of Petra, we have two Super Fine Black Diamond stacker rings, RRP $274, to give away, one each for two lucky readers. To enter, email business@thehobson.co.nz with DIAMOND in the subject line by 5pm, January 29.

Two names will be selected at random. Visit petrabettjeman.com to learn more about Petra’s work.

The fine print: By entering a giveaway draw or competition, you agree that your name and email contact details will be retained by THE HOBSON for our own database purposes. We do not share this information with anyone else, but we may contact you occasionally regarding a survey or similar.

Jerry Clayton BMW

Takapuna

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FROM $72,000.* JOIN THE LEGACY. BOOK A TEST DRIVE TODAY. Jerry Clayton BMW 445 Lake Road, Takapuna. (09) 488 2000. www.jcbmw.co.nz

*Recommended Retail Price based on BMW 320d Sedan and includes GST, excludes on-road costs.

issue 25, january/february 2016 Editor & Publisher Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz Art Direction & Production Stephen Penny design@thehobson.co.nz Advertising Sales Sarah-Jane Cooper thehobsonads@gmail.com Writers Kirsty Cameron, Penny Lewis, Lizzie Marvelly Sub-editor Fiona Wilson Columnists & Contributors This Issue Sandy Burgham, Warren Couillault, Andrew Dickens, Hamish Firth, Sue Fleischl, Paul Goldsmith, Tommy Honey, Maya, Caitlin McKenna, Desley Simpson, Justine Williams, Fiona Wilson, Gail Woodward Photographers Vanita Andrews, Kirsty Cameron, Stephen Penny, Dominique White Cover Local principals Madeline Gunn and Lynda Reid, photographed for THE HOBSON in Cornwall Park by Vanita Andrews.

See story page 26 THE HOBSON is published 10 times a year by The Hobson Limited, PO Box 37490 Parnell, Auckland 1151. www.thehobson.co.nz F: TheHobsonMagazine T: @thehobson Ideas, suggestions, advertising inquiries welcome. editor@thehobson.co.nz Or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheHobsonMagazine

THE HOBSON is Remuera, Parnell and Orākei's community magazine. We deliver into letterboxes in these neighbourhoods, and copies are also at local libraries, cafes, and at businesses including the Vicky Ave and White Heron dairies, and Paper Plus Parnell.

For more about us, visit www.thehobson.co.nz or TheHobsonMagazine on Facebook.

The content of THE HOBSON is copyright. Our words, our pictures. Don’t steal, and don’t borrow without checking with us first. We aim for accuracy but cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies that do occur. The views of our contributors are their own and not necessarily those of THE HOBSON. We don’t favour unsolicited contributions but do welcome you getting in touch via editor@thehobson.co.nz to discuss ideas.

The Hobson Ltd is a member of the Magazine Publishers Association

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This publication uses vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible papers.

AMANDA NGO

NZ REPRESENTATIVE TO THE HAGUE INTERNATIONAL MODEL UN

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T

here’s plenty of good reading in this issue, which we hope you’re enjoying somewhere relaxing. As always, we aim to bring a mix of views and news, with the only rider being that the topic is either local, or of what we hope is of interest to you, the local community.

For that reason, we thought it well worth marking a changing of the guard, so to speak, at two of our local schools. Epsom Girls Grammar School is the largest girls’ school in the country, and at Christmas, Madeline Gunn ended her eight years as principal. Just down the road at St Cuthbert’s College, Lynda Reid announced that she too was stepping down, after 19 years. Asking Lizzie Marvelly to interview them together, was, I think, an inspired choice. Better known to most as a singer, Lizzie has a passionate interest in the lives of young women. Like any publication worth your time, we’re only interesting if there’s a range of voices and points of view aired.

In this issue we’re also trialling a new feature — a cryptic crossword. We were contacted by a person who works in Parnell, and enjoys reading THE HOBSON. As a hobby, they create puzzles under the nom-de-plume, Māyā. So on page 48, with Māyā’s compliments, is a cryptic tease to keep you sharp over the break. It’s rated as “medium to hard”. If you need help along the way, check Māyā’s blog, https://thehobsoncrossword.wordpress.com. Let me know what you think, and whether you think cryptics would be a good addition to the magazine this year. I’m no judge, having never really tried to fathom these puzzles, so I need your feedback.

Wherever you are spending this summer, have a happy and enjoyable time. This issue carries us through to mid-February, so we’ll see you again then.

Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz 0275 326 424 Facebook: The Hobson magazine Instagram: TheHobson

“When Kirsty approached me to interview Mrs Gunn and Mrs Reid, I jumped at the opportunity, ” says singer/commentator Lizzie Marvelly, photographed by Vanita Andrews during her interview with Madeline Gunn (on right) and Lynda Reid (obscured) at the Cornwall Park Cafe. “I suspected that bringing two women, who have played an important role in shaping so many young women, together around the table would make for a fascinating conversation. I was not disappointed.”

See Lizzie’s story, “The Principals of Girl Power”, page 28.

Congratulations to the winners of competitions in our November issue.

Angela Haig won tickets for the Diocesan School “Houses for Causes” day, and Stef Paull collected a copy of local author Elspeth Hardie’s rich history of convict women, The Girl Who Stole Stockings.

The Parnell Festival of Roses was held on a Sunday in late November.

As well as the spectacular blooms, there were food stalls, entertainers and a large crowd, including these dressed-for-a-day-out visitors.

Why am I getting THE HOBSON? If you've only just noticed us turning up in your letterbox, it may be because you live in Orakei or a part of Remuera which we have recently added to our distribution area. We launched two years ago as your local, community magazine — that’s our brief, to be local, inform and connect our community. We also put copies into the Remuera and Parnell libraries and various dairies and cafes around the place. There’s more about us on our website, www.thehobson.co.nz. the hobson 6

The Columnists

Left to right from top row:

Sandy Burgham (The Second Act) is a brand strategist and an executive coach with a special interest in midlife change and transformational behaviours. She runs a central Auckland practice. www.sandyburgham.com Remuera resident Warren Couillault (The Investment) is CEO of Richmond Investment Management, a private investment advisory partnership. He is a shareholder in and director of Generate Investment Management Ltd; manager of a registered Kiwisaver scheme and an adviser to S.AG Private. www.richmond.co.nz Andrew Dickens (The Sound) is the host of Andrew Dickens’ Sunday Cafe on Sunday morning, from 9am, on Newstalk ZB. He is also the music reviewer on Jack Tame’s Saturday morning show on Newstalk ZB. He grew up in Remuera.

Hamish Firth (The Plan) lives and works in Parnell and is principal of the Mt Hobson Group, a specialist urban planning consultancy. www.mthobsonproperties.co.nz Sue Fleischl (The Appetite) is a caterer and passionate foodie. She heads up The Great Catering Company, and also manages the heritage Abbeville Estate function venue. www.greatcatering.co.nz, www.abbeville.co.nz Urban design critic Tommy Honey (The Suburbanist) is a former architect, Remuera resident and Dean of College at Parnell’s Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design.

Dr Amrit Kaur (The Psyche) lives in Meadowbank. She is a NZ-registered clinical psychologist specialising in helping children, families and young adults, and is part of the KidzTherapy practice. Her column appears bimonthly, alternating with Judi Paape.

Caitlin McKenna (The Cinema) of Remuera is passionate about the cinema — she majored in film, sociology and marketing for her conjoint BCom/BA. Judi Paape (The Teacher) is a parent, grandparent and highly-experienced teacher and junior school principal. A Parnell resident, her column appears bi-monthly, alternating with Amrit Kaur.

Justine Williams (The Magpie) is an interiors stylist, writer and fashion editor. The Remuera resident has been the editor of Simply You and Simply You Living.

Gail Woodward (The Bookmark) of Meadowbank is the senior book buyer for Paper Plus Newmarket.

She belongs to, and advises on selections for, a number of book clubs.

the hobson 8

You are invited to:

CHINESE NEW YEAR in Remuera Friday 12th February 5-9pm

诚邀您参加2月12日下午5点-9点在 Remuera举行的春节庆祝活动 Join us in Remuera to celebrate Chinese New Year 2016 is the Year of the Monkey!

Winners of the School Lantern Competition will be announced on the night so come and see their fabulous lanterns.

Bring the whole family to enjoy Chinese cultural performances, lantern making, traditional dragon dance and a range of Asian food stalls.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

For more details visit www.remuera.org.nz

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the village

Town & Around IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN: PLANS OUT FOR COMMENT The Draft Plan that will map changes to The Domain is to be released for consultation. Penny Lewis reports on what that entails, Councillor Mike Lee's concerns over pressure to treat The Domain as maunga, and rumblings about a change in traffic management that could affect access from the Ayr St side of the park.

Draw a red circle around Leap Day on your calendar if you want to have a say on the management of Auckland Domain. Formal consultation on the Draft Auckland Domain Plan opens Friday, January 29 and closes this Leap Day, Monday, February 29.

Auckland Domain Committee deputy chair, Waitemata Local Board chair Shale Chambers, told THE HOBSON the draft plan will be made available to the public in January, ahead of the formal consultation period. There will be a “soft period” of consultation with iwi and other interest groups during January.

The public will be able to attend a draft plan open day at The Domain on Saturday, February 13. Information leaflets will also be distributed to neighbours and Domain users, including sports clubs.

A preliminary draft plan seen by THE HOBSON was attached to the Auckland Domain Committee’s November 4 meeting agenda, which has been subject to minor amendments. Also changed was the period of consultation, which was noted as November/December 2015, but committee members agreed this was not realistic ahead of Christmas.

Much of the plan centres on making The Domain more pedestrian and cycle-friendly, with landscaped walking and biking routes pegged to replace some parking areas.

“There will certainly be appropriate consultation for such an important part of Auckland,” says Chambers. “An amenity of such regional significance deserves appropriate consultation. We will welcome positive reinforcement or constructive suggestions to improve the draft plan.”

Councillor Mike Lee has flagged concerns that there could be a threat to The Domain remaining as intended and enshrined in the Auckland Domain Act of 1987, as a place for all, “at all times free access to all persons”.

“Council officers, I fear, are under a lot of pressure to treat the management of The Domain as if it were one of the maunga which were handed over to iwi as Treaty of Waitangi redress,” he says.

Lee says the pressure is coming from members of the Independent Maori Statutory Board (IMSB), the non-elected board commissioned under the Local Government Act to ensure Auckland Council takes

the view of Māori into account when making decisions.

Contacted by THE HOBSON, a spokesperson for the IMSB said the board would prefer not to comment at this time.

The nine-person Auckland Domain Committee is chaired by Councillor Christine Fletcher, and has three members from the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee, three Waitematā Local Board members and a representative from the IMSB. It’s the only shared governance committee of its type.

Parnell Community Committee chair Luke Niue has seen the preliminary draft plan. His concerns include the connection between Parnell and the museum, such as the well-used Ho Chi Minh trail, a popular pathway linking Parnell to the parklands. “At the top it just ends and has no links to The Domain.”

Also of interest is the state of the footpaths leading to the museum from Parnell Rd, particularly around the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club.

“They’re very uneven, especially for older people and need attention as a priority.”

Another priority for Niue is how the still-under-construction Parnell train station will connect with the University of Auckland and AUT. “Everybody who gets off the train will have to go down Nicholls Lane and across Stanley St, and then up the hill to walk to the edge of the university quarter. A better option would be an existing Watercare road near the station. Connecting that would be easy and at little cost. Students could go on that road and link to Grafton Rd and Wellesley St — that way they’re not fighting a high volume of traffic on Stanley Street. We put this idea forward and Auckland Transport [AT has responsibility for roadways within The Domain] just squashed us, but we’re not going to let it lie. It’s a very practical, low-cost option, but really they’ve refused to acknowledge it.”

Auckland Transport spokesperson Mark Hannan says AT is looking at a number of options to improve connections with the University and Parnell station. “We are also looking at improved access through Carlaw Park.”

Hannan says the earliest opening date of Parnell train station would be mid-year, “but there is much work to do to bring the old heritage building [the historic Newmarket train station building, now in storage] back and to construct accessibility and walkway connections”.

Another access issue, which Niue has labelled as “daft”, is a potential closing of access to Domain Dr from the Ayr St intersection.

This scenario is included as a potential medium-term option in AT’s Parnell Rd Corridor Management Plan. Traffic would instead need to turn right at lights at Maunsell Rd, before turning right into Titoki St and then into Domain Dr. “One of the proposals was to restrict access into Domain Drive, which was to deter through traffic going to the city, this is only a suggestion and not a firm plan,” Hannan says.

“It came up as an item with potential merit and may be looked at by our operations team in the future if an upgrade of those signals occurs, to see if this or any other change may optimise their operation.”

Orākei Local Board chair Desley Simpson says a dog-leg approach would affect drivers from the eastern suburbs, who use Domain Dr as an access route to the city and Auckland Hospital.

First-response vehicles use Domain Dr as a route from the east to Auckland Hospital. Douglas Gallagher, St John District Operations Manager, Auckland, says St John is not aware of the Corridor Management Plan proposal so cannot comment specifically. “With any changes to arterial hospital routes that could impact our response times, we would consult with Council.” — Penny Lewis See the draft plan at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz p

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REINVIGORATING PARNELL: HAVE YOUR SAY Parnell’s business association, Parnell Inc, is leading a consultative process to “Reinvigorate Parnell”, aimed at restoring the dazzle and formatting a strategic plan for Auckland’s oldest suburb.

“Parnell is in a renaissance, and we want to accelerate this,” says Parnell Inc general manager, Cheryl Adamson. “Starting with an exciting engagement process with various focus groups, we asked participants what do you think and feel about Parnell today? Where do you see Parnell in five years time?”

Several focus groups conducted late last year have given input into a base document. Groups have included local businesses, retail and hospitality representatives, residents, landowners, local board member and mana whenua. Topics have included living, doing business, investing, visiting, shopping and dining in Parnell.

The ensuing document was available online in late December, and will be open for feedback through to late February.

The outcome of this first phase of the project will assist with the repositioning of the Parnell brand to support its growth and evolution — to live, invest, learn, play and visit — says Adamson, and to provide the brief for a visual and campaign rebrand for the business district, which currently works under “Parnell, The Creative Quarter” branding.

"We are looking for as much feedback as possible in this process from a wide range of stakeholders, and invite you to have your say online via our website www.parnell.net.nz,” says Adamson.

“Parnell is developing into an exciting precinct that is both eclectic and diverse and will be positively shaped in the future with the development of many new commercial buildings as well as residential apartments. It is essential that we ensure that public transport and infrastructure changes keep up with these requirements".

The Reinvigorate Parnell document can found at www.parnell. net.nz p

Wings of gold — crowds at the Parnell Festival of Roses event in November enjoyed a day of entertainment, stalls and of course, roses.

the village THE HONOURS BOARD Congratulations to students who received subject, service and sporting commendations at end-of-year prize-giving ceremonies. Here are some of the top and senior prizewinners, and 2016 leaders, at our schools.

AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL Dux Yu Tong Liu Sportsman of the Year Conal Wilson (also Hal Radford Memorial Trophy for Individual Sports) Burroughs Cup (all-round effort in sport) Paddy Carter Douglas Cup (most outstanding performance in any sport) Guy Kilminster Ian Turner Cup (all-round participation in school activities) Phillip Brumby Ian MacKinlay Memorial Scholarship (commitment and dedication in school activities) Antonio Ripata Torch of Tradition Ben Toogood Rope Cup (best all-round boy) Jamie Sandelin

The Trophy of the Sacred Heart Rewa Kendall Chan Cup for All-Round Achievement Louise Piggin Pinto Cup (for celebration of diversity and inclusiveness of all cultures) Keera Ofren Becky Sorensen Memorial Cup (maturity of thought, generosity of spirit) Grace Cussell 2016 Leaders Head Girl Theresa Filipo Deputy Head Girls Chelsea Samuel, Zoe Vaunois

DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Dux Christine Li Proxime Accessit Georgia Lala (also winner of 2015 Prime Minister’s Future Science Prize) Eliza Edwards Memorial Award (contribution to many school activities, with high personal standards and qualities) Alice Tilley 2016 Leaders Head Prefect Rebekah Adams Deputy Grace ‘Otai

BARADENE COLLEGE OF THE SACRED HEART The Madeline Sophie Medallion and Cup (the student who most closely represents the philosophy of Sacred Heart schools) Sophie Brooke The Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne Pendant Margo Garcia, Jennifer Graydon Dux Laureen Saavedra Proxime Accessit Myrene Otis School-wide Leadership Award Gabrielle Husband Dedicatio Diligentiaque Trophy Rebecca Ranjan Te Taonga ote Manuwa Tapu –

EPSOM GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL Dux Bomi Aum Proxime Accessit Jessica Wong Te Kaitaka Cup (Community Spirit) Grace O’Donnell Te Ropu Wero Cup for Service Hilary Metcalfe, Briana Siteine Akoranga Cup (significant contribution to learning) Grace Stevens, Sameera Wali Victor Macky Memorial Cup for Service to School Sport Emma Jackson

Albert-Eden Cup Juliet Berg, Alice Webb-Liddell 2016 Leaders Head Girl Michelle Schneidemann Deputies Jade Beckmann, Cindy Burgess, Lily Trinh

KING’S COLLEGE Dux Martin Luk Proxime Accessit Victor Chen Taylor Cups for Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Takaji Young Yen, Emerson Deverell Foster Prize (best all-round ability male student) Harry Leggett Lawry Prize (best all-round ability female student) Amanda Ngo Harry Maisey Prizes (all-round ability) Taehoon Kim, Catherine Fu Stan Empson Prize (all-round ability, boarder) Trent Tipene Philip Bird Prize (all-round ability) Sophie Nathan Lloyd Seabrook Memorial Prize for the Arts Sapati Apa-Fepulea’i 2016 Leaders Head Boy Samuel Milne Head Girl Kate Prebble Deputy Head Prefects Joshua Bansal, Hye-Song Goo, Benjamin Goodwin, Ciarahn Matoe

KING’S SCHOOL Foster Cup for Loyalty to the Ideals of King’s School Matthew Griffiths Glenie Cup for All-round Performance: Year 6 Charles Couillault Baker Cup – Commitment to King’s School Edward Yates

the hobson 14

Headmaster’s Special Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement Johnathan Leung D G E Brown Plate and Award for All-round Performance in Year 7 Lachlan Chan Major Memorial Cup Max Chaplin Whitecliffe Prize for Excellence in Art Wesley Tam Walker Trophy Preparatory School Fixtures Konrad Lotu-I’iga Kay Award for Sportsmanship James Robertson Worsp Citizenship Cup Samuel Snell Hsu Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Music Iele Ieremia J S Lazarus Trophy Louis Ralph King’s School Old Boys’ Cup – Contribution to King’s Luron Iosefa Hellaby Cup for All-round Performance Charles Cleal Headmaster’s Prize for Head Boy Cody Heron Victor Ludorum (top sportsman) Michael Sheed, James Robertson The Pengelly Trophy, Dux 2015 Nathan Chen

ST CUTHBERT'S COLLEGE Senior School Duces Soo Kyung Choi, Victoria Lowe Old Girls’ Award for Citizenship Tiffany Lowe House Cup for Senior Music Francesca Browne Student Council Award for Support and Dedication to the College Ella Brownlie Art Cup for Most Dedicated Art Student Georgia Arnold Joan Holland Award for Poetry Writing Amelia Kendall Mae Lovie Speech and Drama Memorial Trophy Sara Cronin

Special Award from Old Girls’ Association for Head Girl Mackenzie Morrison Middle School Year 8 Prize for Academic Excellence Keying Huo Smith Trust Board Scholars Award Keying Huo Smith, Millicent Caughey Sydney Old Girls’ Award for Citizenship and All-round Excellence Rebecca Greenwood Outstanding Achievement in Sport Award Georgia Milne

SAINT KENTIGERN COLLEGE Dux, International Baccalaureate William Xu Dux, NCEA Marieke Kruiswijk Dux of Middle School Andrew Chen 2016 Leaders Head Boy Edward Barry Head Girl Sydney Fraser

Clockwise from top left, Diocesan dux Christine Li, Saint Kentigern College duces William Xu (IB) and Marieke Kruiswijk (NCEA), King’s College Amanda Ngo accepts the Lawry Prize from Sir Jim McLay, Dio Proxime Accessit to dux, Georgia Lala

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2016

YEAR OF THE

MONKEY

MONKEY EXHIBITION

6-21 FEBRUARY

A unique exhibition of painted monkeys in Parnell galleries and retailers parnell.net.nz

the village

Remuera New World's annual Christmas party is a much-anticipated local event. Hosted by owner-operator Adrian Barkla and his staff, the party draws a big crowd of locals keen to catch up, enjoy the entertainment and of course, sample the wine, food and treats on offer. p Clockwise from top left, host Adrian Barkla with Sigita Kupaca, Joelle Gorton and Flora Gorton; operatic entertainment; Santa's helpers in fruit and veg; an hospitable offering. Opposite: Christmas fairy guests Vita, left, and Evie Houtman; Jenefer Bilkey, Emma Glynn.

THE CURTAIN COMES DOWN ON THE HANNA BLOCK Efforts by advocates to save King’s School’s Hanna Block from demolition did not end as they hoped when Auckland Council voted 11 - 7 in mid-December against a last-minute protection order requested by its Heritage Advisory Committee. The red brick 1920s building is due to be removed over the summer to make way for the purpose-built, $30 million Centennial Building. Resource consent to remove the Hanna Block, which was orginally built as a boarding house and was not heritage listed, was granted a year ago.

Advocates for retaining it were hoping for an 11th hour reprieve. “We’re disappointed by the outcome, but at the least, it did highlight issues around non-notification,” says King’s old boy Rob Thomas, a leader of the Save the Hanna Block lobby. “Auckland has lost too many of its important heritage buildings.” There are plans to include architectural elements of the Hanna Block, including its clock tower, into the Centennial Building. p

NEW PRINCIPAL FOR EGGS The Board of Trustees has appointed Lorraine Pound as the new principal of Epsom Girls Grammar School. A deputy principal at the school for six years, Pound was previously a DP at St Mary’s College and held senior roles at Dio. She takes over from Madeline Gunn, who stepped down at the end of the year. (See our interview on page 28). p

MONKEY BUSINESS WELCOMES IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR Both Remuera and Parnell have big plans to welcome in the Chinese New Year in February.

2016 is the Year of the Monkey. According to the Chinese zodiac, people born under the ninth sign of the monkey are curious, mischievious, clever and playful.

Chinese New Year celebrations run for two weeks in early February, culminating in Auckland with the annual Lantern Festival on February 18 - 21. This year, the Lantern Festival will be held in The Domain, its popularity forcing it out of the too-congested Albert Park.

To celebrate, both Remuera and Parnell are bringing out the red bunting.

Remuera will kick off in early February with a “red packet” promotion, where shoppers have the chance to win a lucky $888, donated by ANZ. Remuera Rd will be decorated with red lanterns, as will Parnell Rd. A highlight is expected to be the Chinese New Year event itself on Friday, February 12, in Remuera. Running from 5pm to 9pm, the top of St Vincent Ave (near the Library) will be closed off to allow for a street festival. There’ll be food, lion dances, cultural performances and the winners will be announced from the local schools’ lantern-decorating

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¯ Local Board Orakei

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competition. Up to 10 schools will be creating lanterns, and the 20 finalists will be displayed in shop windows in Remuera from February 8 to 14. Sponsors including local businesses Bakers Delight, Barfoot & Thompson Remuera, Paper Plus and ANZ are offering prizes.

Meanwhile, there’ll be a monkey “sanctuary” along Parnell Rd as the area’s art galleries, hospitality spots and retailers get into the spirit of the festival.

Between February 6 and 21, around 100 monkeys will be spotted along Parnell Rd. In a similar vein to the international elephant or cow parades in world cities, well-known New Zealand artists and celebrities will personalise 30 life-sized monkey sculptures (a prototype is pictured, above), which will be auctioned for charity.

Retail and hospitality outlets are onboard, displaying monkeys in a variety of ways, offering merchandise and other clever creative ideas. A lion dance troupe will feature a display on February 13. p

A NICE WARM BATHS The swimming season of the Parnell Baths will be able to be extended after the Waitematā Local Board voted at its December meeting to allocate $140,000 for heating via rooftop solar panels. Currently the salt-water pool complex is only open between Labour Weekend and Easter, but once installed, the new heating system will allow for extended use. p

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ANSWERS (page 48) Across: 1/27 Busman's holiday, 5 Urged, 10 Emperor, 12 Hobson's choice, 13 Preview, 14 Electioneers, 15 Nicest, 16 Many, 18 Swallow, 22 Untrained, 23 Splashier, 24 Theagenes, 26 Hostilely, 28 Psst, 30 Portia, 31 Augmentation, 33 Ratteen, 34 Going downhill, 35 Nemesis, 36 Tiger, 37 Unbends.

Down: 2 Urodela, 3 Mystery, 4 Nonet, 5 Unhandled, 6 Guide dogs, 7 Deeps, 8 Braided rivers, 9 Are we there yet, 11 Premiership, 16 Mount Aspiring, 17 Not before time, 19 Waning, 20 Hang-gliders, 21 Alaska, 25 Sloughing, 26 Heidegger, 28 Prithee, 29 Singled, 31 Angst, 32 Aswan.

eeping active and healthy is something we all aspire to.

The Orākei ward has a number of great places in which to do just that, with our beaches and parks all extra busy during the summer months with locals and visitors alike.

It’s great to finally see the Orākei Basin access road open to the public. Wet winter weather and mitigation work to deal with contamination levels have compounded to significantly delay the project, but the repaved road is finally finished and ready for summer users. A passing bay has been added to create safer vehicle access, rock work at the water’s edge protects against erosion, and stormwater treatment has been installed, which will improve the quality of water. I know how many people love walking around the basin and to have this finished and opened is a great relief.

For those interested in cricket, the practice cricket nets at Shore Rd Reserve have also been reopened. The Parnell Cricket Club is adding additional protective mats around the batting bays. By the time you read this, the remaining sports fields should be open for public use too. There should also be new dog access bylaw signs installed, so that the public is made fully aware of the changes to access rules at Shore Rd. With many people leaving Auckland for at least some of the holidays, security is always something to be extra vigilant about.

The Ōrākei Community Patrol (OCP) has been operational for a few months now, with the police telling me they have definitely noticed a reduction in crime in the area. The OCP is officially affiliated with the national body, Community Patrols of New Zealand. Having worked with Orākei Marae and CPNZ to help get the patrol under way, I was privileged to attend the ceremony where patrol coordinator Neil Maihi was presented with the affiliation certificate. It’s wonderful to see the patrol doing so well and I am sure you join with me in thanking Neil and all the volunteers for their hard work. If you are interested in joining, contact Neil at neilmaihi111@hotmail.co.nz. All volunteers are vetted by the police, and trained.

From a transport perspective, Auckland Transport’s red light trial is under way at the Clonbern Rd, Victoria Ave and Remuera Rd intersection. The LED studs have been installed and they light up to indicate a red light. The idea is to make it easier for drivers to know when to stop at the intersection and prevent people from ‘accidentally’ running red lights. The trial is likely to run until the middle of 2016.

With primary schools set to open again in February, it’s important that children are able to walk to school safely.

The majority of our primary schools already have walking school buses in place, but if you are thinking of starting one, I encourage you to visit the Auckland Transport website for information and resources. For those dropping children at school by car, please follow the guidance from schools so this is done safely and with consideration to others. And of course we all need to keep a special eye out for those who will be starting school for the first time.

2016 will be an exciting year, starting with input from our community to discuss our local board projects and the wider regional priorities as they currently sit within the Draft Annual Plan and the Long Term Plan. I do hope you manage to get some ‘down time’ over the holiday period and enjoy time with friends and family. — Desley Simpson, chair, Orākei Local Board

the hobson 18

the reps

DAVID SEYMOUR

W

e should celebrate entrepreneurship, especially in young people. The grizzle brigade say the youth of today lack it, but intersection window washers are at least getting off their chuff to earn a buck.

The trouble starts when they’re antisocial and hazardous.

While this is strictly a council issue, I have had many complaints about window washers in Greenlane, for instance, being a wee bit too entrepreneurial for drivers’ liking.

There is already a law in place, the Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw. It states that a person must not use a public place to wash a vehicle in a manner that may be unsafe, intimidating, cause a nuisance to any person, or cause an obstruction to traffic. When the bylaw first came into effect in mid-2014, Auckland Council staff took an educational approach with offenders, focusing on voluntary compliance.

However, the carrot approach has been only so effective.

Drivers still feel uncomfortable or even threatened. There are territorial battles for prized intersections. It’s all getting a bit Sicilian.

To their credit, Council started a clampdown in December 2014. Since then, 33 window washers have been prosecuted for a total of 55 offences. Fines have typically ranged between $200 and $400. Recent targeting of key offenders has resulted in some window washers being prosecuted for multiple offences, and being fined up to $800.

The problem is they can’t keep up. Enforcement through the District Court is a slow and cumbersome process for such high-volume low-level offending. Speeding and parking fines, for instance, are done through an infringement notice regime, where the onus is on the recipient of the fine to prove it was wrongly issued.

Something needs to change with window washing. With the school holidays and the summer sun, standing with a squirty bottle becomes even more appealing, and there will be more annoyance, more strain on council staff and police, and the potential for serious accidents.

I have written to Hon Paula Bennett, Minister of Local Government, proposing an infringement notice regime, as we do with parking and speeding. This move already has the support of both Auckland Council and the Police. It would enable more effective policing of window washers at intersections.

The threat of instant fines would no doubt deter all but the hardiest of window washers. If you support an infringement notice regime for window washers, I encourage you to voice your support by writing to Paula Bennett at p.bennett@ ministers.govt.nz.

If there is any local issue that you feel I can be of assistance with, please contact my electorate office at 522 7464 or email me at davidseymour.epsom@parliament.govt.nz.

David Seymour is the MP for Epsom.

PAUL GOLDSMITH

N

othing beats the Auckland summer. I’m at my happiest running up Mt Hobson and looking out to the activity in the harbour, going out to Little Huia, my stomping ground in the Waitākeres, to enjoy the cool of the forest on a hot day, or the simple pleasures of a swim out to the buoy at Kohi, followed by an ice cream with the kids.

The only downside of the summer months is that the tuis in the trees over the street from our bedroom kick off even earlier in the morning. So much for the dawn chorus – some mornings the cacophony starts at 4am. On the topic of native birds, I was dive-bombed by a fat kereru on Remuera Rd last week. It’s great to see our birdlife coming back so well.

I’m sure it will be another bumper tourism season for the country, which is something to celebrate. Auckland is the main point of entry and, notwithstanding the worthy attractions of many far flung parts of the country, I do believe our city remains the jewel in this country’s crown.

We often hear of the difficulties facing the dairy industry, with low international prices. It’s worth remembering that tourism is going from strength to strength.

In August we celebrated our three millionth visitor to New Zealand in the past year. Those visitors spent $8.7 billion — up a colossal 28 per cent on the previous 12 months. Tourism now represents 17.4 per cent of our total exports and is second only to dairy, creating many jobs throughout the country. Hobbiton in Matamata is a great example. They have hired 92 new staff in the past three months, and now employ more than 200 people.

Looking back on the year, I’m very conscious of the privilege I’ve been given to be a minister in the National Government. I’ve concentrated on the Commerce and Consumer Affairs portfolio, working to raise confidence in the conduct of financial markets in this country, to deepen our savings; working to improve our living standards by ensuring our competition regime is robust, so that Kiwis have access to good prices for the things they want to buy, and working to help some of the most vulnerable families successfully avoid hugely damaging debt spirals, by improving financial literacy and enforcing basic Responsible Lending principles.

Looking forward, I’m optimistic for NZ. Our position in the world, far away from much of the tumult that we see daily on our screens, has never seemed better. Our economy has weathered the storms of the past few years well. Our government is strong, stable and its finances are sustainable.

And with the TPP agreed, our exporters have the promise of greater access to hundreds of millions of customers over the next few decades.

Wishing you and your families all the best for the Christmas and New Year period.

Paul Goldsmith is a list MP based in Epsom and Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs

the local

10 Notes About Desley Simpson

With mostly music in mind, we asked Desley Simpson to tell us 10 things you may not know about her, musical and otherwise.

I learnt to play the organ at school. My great-great-great uncle, Henry Brett, was the third mayor of Auckland. He donated the original organ to the Town Hall, and a second one to the building that’s now Hopetoun Alpha.

Before I played the organ, I had piano lessons. I also played the cello and later, the flute.

I was the national manager of the Yamaha Music Foundation, teaching young people music. It’s based on fun and singing and enjoyment as a way into music. The Yamaha system is based on how you learn language as a child. First a child listens, then says, then writes and reads. With music, the Yamaha way is to first sing, then play, then learn to read the music.

She will have music — Desley Simpson at the Town Hall organ, circa mid 1990s

Y

ou may know Desley Simpson as the indefatigable chair of the Orākei Local Board. She’s a manicured dervish in bright pink; here, there, everywhere around the ward — meetings, openings, events, plunging into Mission Bay for the local mid-winter swim, kayaking in Hobson Bay to draw attention to the need for launching pontoons. You would be aware through her regular board report in THE HOBSON that she is an advocate for her constituents, taking on Council or AT when she believes Orākei, which she described, memorably, as “Auckland’s EFTPOS,” is being poorly served. You may even also know she’s married to Peter Goodfellow, chair of the National Party. And that with her former husband, she’s a mother of two, grandmother of one.

What you may not be aware of is that for the past three-plus decades, she’s been the director of the annual Auckland Primary Principals’ Association Festival of Music, stepping down this year after her 35th festival. The biggest musical event of its type in the country and some 75 years in existence, the APPA festival runs for eight nights at the Town Hall every November. This year featured some 4500 students performing in school choirs and cultural groups. Local participants included Remuera Intermediate, Dilworth Junior, St Michael’s Catholic School and Meadowbank, Newmarket, Orākei and Parnell primaries.

As well as being festival director and at times stepping in to conduct, or accompany on the piano to fill in for an injured musician at short notice, Simpson often played the Town Hall organ during performances. A talented musician, she grew up “with the genes and osmosis” of a musical family — her mother, Leonie Lawson MNZM, was head of music at Diocesan for many years and today still leads the Auckland Girls’ Choir.

“I will miss it incredibly,” Simpson says of having produced and played in her final APPA. The time pressures of wrangling such a vast event made her decide to let others take over the management — it’s telling that the director’s to-do list will now be shared amongst three people with skills not only in music, but also event management and staging.

“I hope to go back and play for them at some stage but with the demands of my political commitments, I can’t commit to APPA at the level of festival director.” the hobson 20

I co-founded Kiwi Can, it’s still going as a Foundation for Youth Development values program in primary schools. I’m a trustee on the Foundation for Youth Development in Auckland. I’ve always had a passion for inspiring young people to achieve what they want to achieve.

I was a foundation member of the Organ Society of New Zealand, which started an examination system for electronic keyboards and organs. I was an examiner.

I was paid as an examiner but I reinvested it back into children, sponsoring them to have music lessons — kids who had the talent, but the family didn’t have the money for lessons.

I hate the wind. Maybe I was scarred by seeing The Wizard of Oz as a child! But if it’s a windy night and it’s blowing around the house, well, I’m not good with that.

I have a beautiful grand piano. My exhusband used to say, and I think Peter would say the same, that he could tell when he walked in the door what kind of mood I was in by what I was playing. It if was Rachmaninoff, well you might want to come back later! Jazz, everything was great. I play my moods.

I have a diploma in psychology, majoring in infancy to adolescence.

Yes, people probably know I like pink jackets! They might not know I have more than 200 hats.

the investment

The Forecast, Adjusted

I

thought it would be good to look into 2016 and provide a set of predictions for what we expect to happen in the financial markets this coming year. But first, let me check on how accurate my predictions were in THE HOBSON this time last year.

First, exchange rates. Last year I predicted: “I think the NZ dollar will continue to fall throughout 2015 . . . and I’m expecting it to get into the 60s over the next 12 months”. An excellent call, with the Kiwi slipping quickly into the low 60s against the US dollar in the first half of 2015. It subsequently bounced a little, getting back up to 0.67. I think 2016 will see the Kiwi range from 0.55 to 0.65 against the US dollar for a couple of reasons. The US Federal Reserve has not yet begun to remove emergency monetary settings and actually increase the Fed Funds Rate, but doing so is inevitable and might even occur in 2016. Note I got the US interest-rate prediction wrong last year, as I thought the Fed would have increased by now! With US economic growth continuing to recover, and indeed broaden, rising interest rates will see the US dollar strengthen further, drawing even more money into the US. Outcome: soft Kiwi.

Inflation: Last year I predicted “forget about it!” Another excellent call with NZ registering annual CPI increases of just 0.3 per cent, 0.4 per cent and 0.4 per cent in the 12 months ended March, June and September 2015 respectively. My 2016 prediction: “forget about it!”

Interest-rates here in NZ. Bad call, as interest rates across all maturities have pretty much declined across the board in 2015, contrary to my expectation of some lift. Steady-ish employment numbers and unemployment rates, moderate at-best GDP growth and collapsing commodity prices put paid to any need for NZ’s interest rates to rise. Good for borrowers, but awful for those with term deposits. SBS has recently released a 12-month fixed mortgage rate of a staggering 3.99 per cent, while consensus economist forecasts have the Official Cash Rate falling to just 2.0 per cent in 2016. The rates for 12-month to five-year term deposits are currently in a narrow band of approximately 2.0 to 3.6 per cent and that’s before tax. Regardless of any pick-up in domestic growth, our interest rates won’t be too

much different from today’s levels throughout the next year.

Stock markets. Last year I said for 2015 “I do not think we will see a continuation of such strong stock markets . . . I do think that continued economic expansion — sometimes strong — will provide share markets something of a tailwind, so you will probably see positive returns next year but somewhat more modest than recent gains”. I score myself five out of 10 for that, as the world share market average index has gained about 13 per cent year to date, admittedly better than I would have thought. The main driver of that growth was the change to a view of lower interest rates for longer. For 2016, I expect more of the same (sorry to be boring). Real question marks remaining about China’s actual economic growth, as well as continued economic difficulties in the Eurozone, combined with increasing security threats, will undermine any market boosts from continued US expansion and interest rates remaining low.

Residential property prices. Last year I said: “House prices are going one way and that’s up”. Good call, as they certainly did. And the conditions for further price increase in 2016 remain — strong inward migration flows, population growth in Auckland, and nowhere near enough new dwellings being constructed. Demand continues to exceed supply. Simple. The added twist from now is that the fall in the NZ dollar makes our housing stock even more attractive to foreign buyers.

So not a bad scorecard overall. However, my other “interesting observations” saw mixed success. There has not been a noticeable rates revolt yet in Auckland, but we may see the issue incorporated with that of profligate Auckland Council expenditure become a major influence in the local body elections. The All Blacks did retain the Rugby World Cup. Sales of Apple’s new watch did not exceed my expectations, but I think it will over coming periods. And finally, you might recall that I predicted Apple’s market capitalisation would top US$1,000,000,000, or one trillion dollars, in 2015. Well sadly I got that wrong, as it peaked at “just” US$764 billion. Maybe next year.

Safe and happy holidays. — Warren Couillault

the suburbanist

The Post-Modern Vacation

S

o you’ve left it too late – again! – to book a bach in Matapouri for the holidays. Stuck for an idea? Money no object?

Perhaps you’ve just won Lotto, or sold your house and got $200,000 more than you were expecting. You want to travel but don’t know where? Or can’t be bothered with the details or complex arrangements? Look no further. Have we got a deal for you . . .

For a mere $120,000 (USD of course) you can purchase the Four Seasons 24-day round-the-world fantasy trip! (And for those of you for whom this kind of coin is not mere, perhaps you should stop reading now, and go out and buy a Lotto ticket).

The high-end – to put it mildly – hotel chain offers an allexpenses-paid, all-arrangements-made holiday flying around the planet in a Four Seasons-branded jet, a retro-fitted Boeing 757.

Departing from Seattle, you will stop off in Tokyo, Beijing, the Maldives, the Serengeti, St. Petersburg, Marrakesh and Boston, going from Four Seasons to Four Seasons, with optional outings offered at every two or three-night stop.

There is a full team at your service, including a guest services manager to help you book spa appointments and other such essentials, an onboard concierge and dedicated staff at each hotel along the way. Such attention to detail and to you means that in the morning you leave your luggage at the door of your hotel room, and it miraculously appears waiting for you in a different continent and a different hotel room in the evening. Vans take you straight from the hotel to the tarmac of the airport, bypassing the hoi polloi and their uncomfortable customs queues. Four Seasons staff even fill out your customs forms so you don’t have to lift a pen — or it seems, a finger — the whole way round. When you land at each new city, they provide an envelope with some local currency so you can buy a souvenir should you need to.

Of course if this kind of luxury is too much for you to bear, and you would prefer to rough it, perhaps you might like to consider a guided tour to Latin America or the Caribbean with El Camino

Travel. This US-based agency specialises in travel to exotic places with the millennial market in mind. They offer “curated travel and authentic experiences” with the encouragement to “be a traveller, not a tourist”. Of course if one thing clearly distinguishes the difference between these two categories, it is the selfie. Don’t worry, El Camino has taken care of this. You get to travel with a “personal photographer,” whose job it is to capture candid moments throughout the day. Every morning the photographer distributes to the group 20 to 30 edited images, which you are free to upload to your social media accounts, taking the hassle out of the equation. Not only are your authentic experiences curated, so too are their representations. You are now officially, post-postmodern.

The eight-day, nine-night packages go to places like Nicaragua, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago, making an effort to introduce participants to the locals. Though it begs the question that if such introductions are necessary, perhaps those on tour are really just tourists in travellers clothing; albeit very hip outerwear?

Is this such a bad thing? Perhaps the overworked tech exec from Silicon Valley has only nine nights to spare; hordes of Kiwis on their OE, with nine months to play with, might find these experiences on their own, and take their own pictures while they’re at it. But they might not have a high-paying job to return to.

What Four Seasons and El Camino travel offer are exclusivity and a pre-written narrative for those too busy to write their own. They take the hassle out of planning and deliver their own versions of “authenticity”. It was Alain de Botton who posited in The Art of Travel that the best part of a vacation was planning it and the anticipation of something good in the future – being there is almost always a let down. As he wrote: “The pleasure we derive from journeys is perhaps dependent more on the mindset with which we travel than on the destination we travel to”.

— Tommy Honey

the hobson 22

the plan

On The Drawing Board for 2016

T

he Auckland region heads into this new year with Auckland Council consent levels approaching all-time highs, migration at record levels and a shortage of experienced builders and subcontractors.

The future direction of development in Auckland should finally have a regional direction in the later part of 2016. The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) hearing panel is required to provide recommendations by July. Council is then expected to make a decision in September. The ensuing Unitary Plan will allow for future growth and infrastructure decisions to be made at a more holistic level, instead of by the fragmented decision-making process that hampered Auckland growth previously.

It is hoped that the right balance is found to allow for intensification, while preventing haphazard development and protecting what is important to us.

The demand for housing in Auckland will not abate in 2016 but the supply will increase as consented developments slowly become a reality. Migration will remain strong in Auckland, which will keep pressure on the construction sector that seems, in Auckland at least, to be experiencing a shortage — try getting an experienced builder at short notice at the moment. One builder I spoke to has 15 staff, and is booked up for the next 18 months on all sorts and sizes of projects. Consents numbers will increase, which will only put more pressure on the building and subcontracting industry.

Migration to NZ will remain at current high levels, which will only add to the pressures in housing supply. This will be from new migrants and Kiwis returning home from Australia and further afield.This will be driven by the economy doing well, and people wanting a safe place to reside.

In terms of major infrastructure, the City Rail Link, or CRL, will begin with lower Albert St being dug up to relocate services that currently run beneath us. This work will continue up Albert St for around four years, which means more congestion on the other CBD arterials. Major changes to bus routes and terminals will occur. The benefits will be worth it, as the CRL is a key driver for the continued development of Auckland’s public transport system.

The 4.5km Waterview Connection and its 2.5km tunnel is expected to be completed later in the year. This link is the last section of SH20 and will complete the western ring route, providing another access to the Harbour Bridge and the airport.

At an estimated cost of $1.4 billion, this is the largest-ever New Zealand roading project. For the long-suffering people who live in and around the construction, the end cannot come soon enough.

In bricks and mortar, a new waterfront theatre is expected to open later this year too. The 650-seat theatre is located next to the ASB at Wynyard Quarter, and will be the home of the Auckland Theatre Company. Having another theatre in the city will allow for more shows, both local and international.

We will have a new mayor, and rates will increase. The new mayor could well be Phil Goff. While his style will be different from Len Brown, the pressure on Auckland ratepayers will not abate. Expect 4 per cent rate rises on average next year. Voter participation will be down, as people further lose interest in local politics.

That said, Auckland is bubbling with activity and optimism. 2016 should be another year of growth for the region. There is a lot to look forward to, part of which will be enjoying the summer and what Auckland has to offer. — Hamish Firth

PAUL GOLDSMITH NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN EPSOM

107 Great South Road, Greenlane PO Box 26 153 Epsom, Auckland 1344 P: 09 524 4930 E: paul.goldsmith@parliament.govt.nz W: www.paulgoldsmith.co.nz facebook.com/PaulGoldsmithNZ Funded by Parliamentary Service and authorised by Paul Goldsmith 107 Great South Rd Auckland

www.national.org.nz

Epsom Electorate Office Suite 2.4, Level 2, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket.

PO Box 9209, Newmarket 1149.

To contact me for an appointment please call 09 522 7464

David Seymour, MP for Epsom davidseymour.epsom@parliament.govt.nz

Promoted by David Seymour, MP for Epsom.

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the hobson + remuera live life local

Picture This For Scott Dargaville, his Remuera Gallery combines his loves of fine arts and the local community

S

cott Dargaville says he loves Remuera’s village atmosphere and the friendly people who both frequent his Remuera Gallery at 360 Remuera Rd, and stop to chat to the long-time local when he’s out and about.

How long has Remuera Gallery been established?

It’s been a landmark in Auckland for over 30 years now, having gone through various owners and name changes before I took over in 2005.

What is your background?

I had a picture framing business called Scott’s Framing in Upland Road for 15 years, and prior to that I had a gallery in Sydney for a couple of years.

How did you originally get into this business?

In my younger years I worked for an Italian guy framing and selling art. I’d love to say it was a career move, but it was more a means to an end — I needed a job! It wasn’t until my aunt left me some paintings in her will, and I sold them, that I got a taste for it.

You opened another gallery in Cambridge in 2013. How does that compare to having a business in Auckland?

We’ve discovered that it’s a much slower pace of life down there. We see a smaller dollar spend, but far more foot traffic.

You have an unusual surname. Any connection to the town of Dargaville?

Yes, and it’s probably my biggest claim to fame! My great-

great-grandfather was the original settler there, and the town was named after him.

Are you very creative yourself?

Put it this way – I leave the painting to the artists. I have an eye for, and an appreciation of, art, but that’s as far as my creative skills extend.

What’s the most unusual, or rare, artwork you’ve sold?

We’ve bought and sold a couple of Goldies, and we come across treasures all the time.

What’s been your favourite exhibition, and why?

Ron Stenberg. For the last 10 years we’ve held an exhibition on his birthday. He is in his 96th year and still painting!

Does your home reflect that you own an art gallery?

We have around 100 — and counting — paintings, and probably have 50 hanging at any one time. I rotate them frequently, but I can’t sell any of them — the kids notice straight away when one has been moved.

SPECIAL READER OFFER Mention this story and receive a further 10 per cent off artWORKS puchased in remuera gallery's january stock sale. read more about remuera gallery at www.remuera.org.nz

Scott Dargaville with some of the works in his gallery. Interviews by Fiona Wilson, photos by Vanita Andrews

the hobson 26

live life local

If The Shoe Fits Michaela Longstaff’s passion for shoes drove her to launch her Mikko stores

M

arilyn Monroe famously said, “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world”. In Michaela Longstaff’s case, the right shoes were high quality, stylish and European, and she’s on her way to conquering the traditionally male-dominated world of the shoe industry.

Mikko is an unusual name. What’s the story behind it?

When I started out my focus was on European shoes, so I wanted a name that was both European in origin, and that I had a connection to. Mikko (pronounced mee-ko) is Finnish and translates to Michael, the male version of my name.

What is your background?

My first real passion was clothes, so I did a Bachelor of Design and Fashion at AUT. I started out as a patternmaker then moved into clothing wholesale, finally ending up in the footwear business.

So why the change from fashion to shoes?

The creation of shoes is a niche market, with the technology and craftsmanship handed down through generations. It’s definitely not a skill that is easily trained – there is no degree for shoe making in New Zealand. My research showed a gap in the market for high quality European footwear that was also stylish and comfortable, and once I started the ball rolling, I very quickly became obsessed.

Does this obsession extend to a wardrobe full of shoes?

I don’t overdo it. I probably have 50 to 60 pairs, and whilst

I’d love to use the shop as a wardrobe, it is a business after all. I figure I have years ahead of me to generate a collection!

Has the rise of online shopping affected you?

While we do have an online store, I think with shoes in particular there’s been a resurgence back to bricks and mortar stores. Fit is so important! We have fantastic, talented staff with an eye for detail and size, and our customer service focus is very strong.

Do you travel to Europe to buy shoes?

Not often, as we have international agents. I do it every couple of years, as it’s a good chance to see what’s happening in retail. It’s quite hard work and not at all glamourous. We fly in, walk a lot of miles at a shoe fair and then fly out!

Why did you choose to open here at 402 Remuera Rd? I really like the village aspect, like our flagship store in Milford. Remuera has its own identity and personality, and we love getting to know our local customers.

SPECIAL READER OFFER Call in and go into the draw to win a special "feet treat" of a mikko voucher and a pedicure from forme spa. no purchase necessary. read more about mikko shoes at www.remuera.org.nz

Michaela Longstaff amid the shoes at Mikko's Remuera store

the hobson 27

the leaders

The

Principals of Girl Power Two of our local schools are in the process of change with the departure of principals, and leaders in girls' education, Madeline Gunn and Lynda Reid interview by lizzie marvelly photographed by vanita andrews

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t the end of 2015, Madeline Gunn, principal of Epsom Girls Grammar School, stepped down from her role. A deputy principal at Diocesan School for Girls for 14 years, Gunn has served for the past eight years in the top job at EGGS. With a roll of 2200, it is the largest girls’ high school in the country. And midway through 2016, another era will end when Lynda Reid brings to a close her 19 years as principal of St Cuthbert’s College, which has a roll of 1370 girls between new entrants and Year 13.

Given this confluence of events, we thought it a great opportunity to talk to both women about what they’ve achieved, their personal highlights and their thoughts on today’s teenage girls. For this assignment, THE HOBSON asked Lizzie Marvelly to take a turn as interviewer. A familiar name from her singing career, Marvelly is also a cultural commentator and keen observer of the world of young women.

Marvelly sat down with the two principals at the Cornwall Park Café one blustery morning in late November. “I developed a deep admiration for these passionate advocates of girls’ education,” she says of Gunn and Reid. “Leading a school during a time of high performance expectations for students and staff alike, ever-evolving digital learning and in the times of events like Roast Busters, cannot be an easy task. Mrs Gunn and Mrs Reid, however, have led their schools to great successes, despite the challenges of a constantly changing modern world. They exude girl power and together are quite something to behold.”

Madeline: For me, it’s really important that everyone there feels that they belong and they feel comfortable. I think for girls particularly, having strong relationships between students and teachers, and between students, really helps them to learn.

If they’re happy and confident they’re prepared to take risks with their learning, and that pushes them that little bit further.

Lizzie: You’re both leaving schools that are exceeding expectations. What are the most important components of creating a strong culture within a school?

Lynda: I think mine would be at the end of the first year we ran our remote campus, Kahunui, when we got all the parents’ and students’ feedback, and it was outstandingly successful.

Lynda: It’s about building a sense in the girl that, across all her dimensions, the staff know her well, know where she’s succeeding, but even more importantly, know where she’s not succeeding. It’s just knowing that there is a support network there, and knowing that people are actively interested in her, not her sister, certainly not her older brother, and that people have a really clear view of her as that unique individual.

Madeline: We also have a powhiri at the beginning of the year, which is quite emotional. A number of parents have commented on how powerful that is.

I think that’s a great ritual to establish. So, I know that this will be a very difficult question to answer, but what have been your favourite moments at your schools?

Madeline: Developing leaders is really important to me because I’m older in my career, so some of the highlights for me have been when my senior leaders have won promotions, like when I had one deputy principal appointed as principal of Whangarei Boys’ High School. Going to her [welcoming] powhiri and representing EGGS as a strong and powerful community of women was great.

Opposite: Madeline Gunn in the blue jacket, and Lynda Reid, in black, photographed in Cornwall Park

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the leaders

How have girls changed during the time you’ve been teaching?

Or is it just the environment that has changed?

Lynda: In lots and lots of ways they haven’t changed and I’m profoundly disappointed when I hear people making sweeping judgments about ‘young people today’. Because I think in most ways they are more thoughtful, more engaged, more considerate. The number of community service hours that our girls would do . . .

Madeline: Yes. It’s amazing. I mean, you feel tired reading their CVs. I think there is a change in that there are so many possibilities for girls. They’re not limited in any way.

Lynda: Also, I’m just reflecting on the University of Auckland youth study that they’ve been running since 2000. A lot of the risk-taking behaviours that have caused us all concern – binge drinking and things like that — the numbers have come down.

What do you think are the biggest challenges that are facing young women today?

Madeline: I think it’s coping with the number of choices and opportunities that are open to them. There are huge pressures to be perfect at everything.

Lynda: I do think there is a challenge for young women to construct the most robust and resilient view of their own selves. Every time I read another story about Roast Busters kinds of incidents [sexual violence against often underage and/or unconscious young women, frequently filmed and shared on social media] I think we must encourage them to put an even higher value on themselves, and to resist the kind of societal pressure to behave in certain ways. I think there is some powerful, and yet awful, modelling out there that our kids are exposed to.

How do you talk to your young women about incidents like Roast Busters?

Lynda: It’s never a one-off response to a situation because I think that has limited efficacy. I think it is about the programmes you develop. It’s really about helping them to understand how valuable [their] sense of self really is.

Madeline: And respect for themselves. You know, ‘what do I stand for?’ and any such behaviour, ‘what effect does that have on me and my sense of self?’

Do you think that sexuality education goes far enough in our schools? Do you think we need more consent training?

Lynda: I think some of the recent developments, particularly [education about] consent, have been quite powerful. I’ve spoken to colleagues in other schools where they are starting them at a younger age because so much of that formative [development] is actually happening back at Year 9 and 10. That age of maturation is coming down. Also, I’m a huge and passionate advocate of the great value of learning technologies, but we also have to be very aware of the negative side of that. I think it’s often quite a shock to parents that their children are so wide-roaming on the internet.

Madeline: And it’s not just what they’re looking at, but what they’re uploading. It’s the media as well. It’s the whole sexualisation of children, particularly girls, at a very young age.

Do you think that bullying is worse in the digital age? Or just different?

Lynda: I think it’s different, and there’s kind of a ubiquity about it. In the old days, the mean note, the things that happened in the playground, they happened in very finite places. Now, sadly, they mainly happen when they’re not in our care.

Madeline: That’s right, and then it’s difficult for us to be able to deal with it when we don’t have that evidence.

Where does the school finish and the parenting begin? What does a good parent look like, in your opinion?

Madeline: They listen to their children.

Lynda: Absolutely, they listen and they take notice. They always try to find ways for their child to exercise decision-making, but they are very thoughtful about the range of choice they offer. A wise parent knows that your daughter might look grown-up at 14, but she still needs your wisdom.

Madeline: And when it comes to the crunch, you actually have to have the courage to make decisions and say “no”. Because you need to remember all the way along that you are a parent, you’re not a best friend.

With a real focus on achievement in schools for our young women, is there a point where it can become detrimental?

Madeline: Yes. I think one of the most important things that our girls need to learn is resilience because they are very high achieving, they are perfectionists, but at some stage or another they are going to fail, and they need to know how to cope with that.

Lynda: I think that perfectionism and anxiety are 21st century ills internationally.

A high proportion of your students are financially privileged. How do you teach them about inequality?

Lynda: Through our service programmes. We expect all of our girls to be involved in service every year, from Year 1 onwards.

Madeline: For us, we have more diversity, and some of that is in front of them in the classroom.

Do you think that’s quite powerful?

Madeline: Yes, I think so. EGGS is very much a reflection of the diversity in Auckland, so the girls that are succeeding in that environment know that they can succeed when they go out [into the world].

Have you been surprised by the re-emergence of feminism?

Lynda: No, I haven’t. In fact, I was surprised by its diminishment; that was what really shocked me! I’m enormously encouraged by contemporary young women who are articulating [feminism]. I think it’s wonderful.

Madeline: I think there was a taking for granted of what had been achieved. And once you let that go on, [that sense of taking feminism for granted] it just builds up.

How do you inspire young women to be brave and bold?

Madeline: It’s the culture and the vision and the values of the school that build that up. [It’s important for students to feel that] this is a school that is brave and bold and I’m part of it, and that’s going to

the hobson 30

give me a basis on which to go forward.

Lynda: I think you do it by making sure that they have the broadest possible curriculum that sometimes takes them into things that aren’t their natural preference. We’re always saying to our girls, “have a go at this”. I believe that if you can just give girls enough room to try everything, it encourages them to risk, and I think that’s something in girls’ schools you can do.

If there were one thing that you could change about girls’ education, what would it be?

Madeline: I don’t know if I can say this, but more girls’ schools!

Lynda: The belief that [single-sex education] is somehow an oldfashioned view. Endless research studies show that actually girls’ schools are the place where girls can craft a strong and resilient sense of self.

What’s next for you both?

Lynda: I’m going to take a little bit of time out, and my husband and I are going to live in France for a while. Then I would hope that I might be able to use some of my skills at a board level, because something I’m passionate about is women as directors. I don’t wish to lead another school, because I love St Cuthbert’s. It’s my first and last school.

Madeline: I want to have a break and have time to develop some more personal interests. And yes, I certainly don’t want to lead another school, but I’m really interested in leadership, so I’d be interested in coaching or mentoring other principals.

And one last thing: in your entire career in education, what would be your proudest moment? [There are pained looks, and a long pause]. I saved the hardest for last!

Madeline: I think mine would be when students organised a farewell assembly for me before the seniors went off to their exams. They came and got me; it was a complete surprise. I walked into the hall and it was absolutely silent, but it was packed with all of the seniors, there were lovely speeches and then they took me outside and I looked up, and there was this guard of honour down the steps and the driveway, and the road; it was all of the junior students. It was lovely.

Lynda: When our kids leave Kahunui they write a letter to themselves that we send to them when they’re 21. Just recently, an old girl wrote back to us and said, “I got the letter and I sat down and I heard my 14-year-old self talking to me, and I want you to know that the person that I am today . . . a lot of it was the school, a huge amount of it was Kahunui”. And I just thought, wow. It’s not very often that you get to have a plan, and you see it grow from the absolute beginnings to that. That was a proud moment.” p

the hobson 31

the second act

Diving Into Online Learning

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tudying part-time at university in my second act has been an unexpectedly enlightening experience – not just because of the course work itself, but the fear I had to overcome.

While at 52 one doesn’t really care what the kids think, being the oldest student in the room takes some courage. You become a COW (Conscientious Older Woman), a cruel moniker attributed to us keen, mature female students sitting at the front. We sit there ostensibly to ensure we can read the whiteboard, but we also want our money’s worth out of each session. After all, I am paying cash — there’s no student loan or helpful parent to underwrite my efforts.

That aside, the biggest fear to get over was being a new migrant into a virtual world, neither fluent in the customs nor language but having to navigate online portals to learning. Now, two years in, just as I start to feel like I am fitting in with the digital natives, I find that online education has been shifting again, right under my nose.

It seems ironic that while I am shouting at my son to “get off that bloody iPad” (regulation issue at high school), I am spending more time online trying to catch a wave that broke some time ago in the form of MOOCs — Massive Open Online Courses. Globally, universities and other learning providers are increasingly offering MOOCs to those who want an introduction to a subject of interest, or a crash course in something to supplement other studies. You knew all this of course, I didn’t.

I had heard Frances Valintine, the much-awarded founder of both the Media Design School and The Mindlab by Unitec, talk about them last year. A recognised expert in the future of education, she explained that online education is the primary method through which new generations of people are, and will be increasingly, educated. This approach means learning will move from the classroom to the home, and the role of teacher morphs into one of facilitator.

Hmm. “Facilitated learning driven at home” . . . that made sense. Not only had I been taken with the online Khan Academy’s approach to teaching maths, but I had noticed my son seemed to

know a whole lot of things he had gleaned not through books, but online.

MOOCs education allows you to upskill in a particular area, without having to spend a Tuesday evening in a cold classroom in a badly-lit school. You learn in your own time, at your own place and the experience is enriched by a global homeroom.

So a couple of days after my last uni exam (held in a sterile lecture theatre, with expensive car parking), I enrolled in my first MOOCs course – a four week romp through “Cultural Intelligence” (a topic for a later column).

Within just four hours a week, a whole new world has opened up to me, literally. With around 600 other students of all ages and from many different countries, I have learnt as much from the other participants as from the course material. And there’s another benefit. Initially, I was a little shy leaving comments on the course page after each session, but realised that I had to again literally get with the program. Now I’m joining in with global discussions, and because of the interplay with social media, I have some new Twitter followers, plus I’m playing on two new social media platforms I’d never even heard of last month. It appears I am only beginning to understand this new world of possibility that lies within the computer.

One of the principles of good leadership is to be a lifelong learner. In an era where change is happening faster than at any other time, if we want to keep in the game and not lose relevance, our need to upskill is far greater. I So when I coincidentally bumped into tech-education guru Valintine just last week, I was keen to show off my new MOOCs know-how, so I didn’t appear a complete laggard. She was most encouraging, but then told me that there are literally tens of millions of MOOCs available in the world right now. Crikey, I must have been asleep! So it’s not a bad dream to realise we can indeed go to school in our pyjamas. — Sandy Burgham Interested in learning more about MOOCs? Sandy recommends checking out www.futurelearn.com or www.coursera.org

New styles in store now

the hobson 32

the living

The

Only Way is Up A medico turns developer with Remuera’s St Marks living, dining and working precinct

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r John Harman is a well-known name in New Zealand medicine. A long-established specialist breast surgeon, his St Mark’s Breast Centre is on the corner of Remuera’s St Marks and MacMurray Rds. In his professional sphere, Harman was founder of the Breast Cancer Cure Research Trust, now known as Breast Cancer Cure, which has funded to date some $7 million of research into the disease.

That has been his focus since his first steps into speciality, more than 30 years ago. He’s built a career, and is father to four children, three of them now young adults. And now, at 63, he is playing a new hand as property developer.

Harman’s St Marks development comprises three residential buildings of 48 one-to-four-bedroom configured apartments: the north-west looking The Mark, The Mac, north-east facing on MacMurray Rd and between them, The Grove. To the rear sits a five-storey medical centre, The Blade, which acts as a physical block and a baffle between the southern motorway and the residences. The need to update his current clinic was the starting point for the whole endeavour.

“Although the patients loved coming to an old villa, they feel it’s non-threatening, and it is, it just has limitations with how we use technology and how we [work],” Harman explains over a coffee a short walk away from his project.

Faced with having to redevelop the clinic or relocate his practice entirely — which he didn’t want to do given the medical precinct around St Marks Rd — discussions with Barker and Associates planning consultants about “what’s an efficient model to build” took an interesting turn. Harman realised he could stay where he was, and maximise his investment to a bold, new scale.

Any middle-of-the-night doubts about how to manage a surgical roster and drive the project simultaneously were settled for him when he took a tumble on a slippery floor in Montreaux, Switzerland, a year ago, and broke his wrist.

Bad luck for anyone, devastating for a surgeon. The enforced hiatus from surgery meant Harman had more time to take on a project of this literal and figurative scale.

He laughs good-naturedly about comments along the lines of, “C’mon Johnny, what do you know about property development? You’re a doctor.” The answer, he says, is his surgical approach.

“If you look at an operating theatre, you have seven to eight people there. You have the anesthetist, the anesthetist’s assistant. You have the charge nurse, you have the scrub nurse, you have the surgical assistant and you have the anesthetic assistant, and you have a runner. So if you have one of that team that’s not working to scratch, it slows things up and your efficiency and your end quality goes down.

“So if someone says, “you don’t have any skills in property development,” I say, “No, no, no. I have team leadership skills, that's what I do”. So I know how to build an A-team, I know how to recognise an A-team and I know how to get rid of B-team players if they’re not up to scratch.”

For St Marks, his assembled A-team is what he calls with some pride, “the best design team in New Zealand”.

Patterson Architects did the design — “I wanted to make it beautiful, Andrew is a genius” — the project and detail architects are Peddle Thorp, the builders are Dominion Constructors, and Holmes are the structural engineers. The sophisticated interiors are by designer Amelia Holmes, green walls and landscaping by Natural Habitats and the onsite café will be operated by the Hip Group (Rosie, Ortolana).

To be part of Team Harman, there are rules. “I like to give people very simple rules and these are the three rules if you want to be involved in this development. One, it has to be waterproof. The reason many buildings leak is either poor design or they’ve [the developers] run out of money. They skimp on stuff you can’t see, which is the water-proofing.”

Rule two is around the quality, a “highly buildable” complex with the best “high quality engineering you never see ... there won’t be a column in the middle of the bedroom.” And rule three is that it has to be, in Harman’s words, “highly liveable”.

After all, one of the apartments will be home to Harman, his Bayleys real estate agent wife, Karen Spires, and their son, Jack, 11, while his older sons, Oliver and Samuel, and daughter Madeleine and her husband are also buying smaller-scale homes off the plan.

Harman became a convert to apartment living when he moved to a Herne Bay apartment with Karen 13 years ago.

During his first marriage, he and his then-young family lived in a large villa on a quarter-acre site in Omahu Rd. It was lovely, but large and needing constant maintenance.

“I did it reluctantly because I couldn’t afford a house,” he says

the hobson 33

the living

Renditions of exterior and interior aspects of the St Marks development. Apartment living, says Harman "is living efficiently".

of the initial move. What he discovered, was that the apartment gave him freedom, security for the family when he travelled, and warmth — something hard to maintain in a villa. And, he swears, it’s great for family life.

“When you live in an apartment you tend to use every bit of the space more efficiently and it brings you together as a family. It’s not as if you can go down the bottom of the garden and sulk, and it’s not as if you can hide a conversation you're having on the phone with someone, because you hear it.

“You say, "Who was that who rung you?" "Oh, such and such”.

“You're a bit upset?" “Oh yeah, I was”.

"An apartment is smaller and brings you closer together as a family. I don’t think people quite understand that.”

That’s part of the reason that St Marks is being marketed to families. With its short walks to EGGS, Grammar, Dio and local primaries, Harman imagines his buyers will be a mix of emptynesters, couples and families. Plus, with transport links and The Domain a short walk away, there’s what he refers to as “living more efficiently” by taking advantage of all that’s around you.

The Harmans like to travel — Jack is a talented ski-racer and they spend winter school holidays in Queenstown, the summer often overseas — and once completed, St Marks will be their home. Is he not worried that when he steps out of the lift in the morning, he’ll be collared by a resident who wants a word about something that’s not working as it should?

At home with the Harmans: John, wife Karen Spires, and son Jack in their current Herne Bay apartment.

“No, it’s not going to happen,” he says with happy confidence.

“Well, if it does, you know who I'm going to be ringing — the A team. That doesn’t faze me in the slightest.

“What I do want is for people to get out of the lift and say, “Morning John, how are you? Wish I’d brought two, son, like you told me I should have”.” — Kirsty Cameron

the hobson 34

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the pretty

Get Your Glow On A new year deserves new beauty treats. Justine Williams selects some summer highlights Summer tends to dry out your skin, so you need to be extra careful not just with hydrating, but also with cleansing. Avoid stripping away protective skin oils by using Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse, $125. This conditioning cleanser is for daily use, morning and night. Bobbi Brown Counter, Smith & Caughey’s Newmarket.

What’s yours is mine with Comme des Garcons Parfum, Blue Invasion, $186 each. A series of three scents, all a variation of warm wood meets cool blues. Always different and captivating, but it’s the delicious contradictions that keep you guessing. Mecca Cosmetica, Newmarket

Summertime means guests and playing host at home. Ashley & Co Washup hand wash, $29.95, will keep all your guests fragrant and fresh. In four different fragrances, including this green tea and white lillies scent, Parakeets & Pearls. Locally made, it’s soap free and pH balanced. Available from Hedgerow, Remuera

Despite my preaching, there is a good chance someone in the family will cop some extra unwanted UV this summer.

Dermalogica After Sun Repair, $56, is absolutely packed with goodies to soothe redness, pain and irritation induced by sunburn. It also uses Japanese alder to scavenge free radicals and accelerate repair of UV damage. Always have a tube or two at the ready. SAS Clinic, Newmarket; Louise Gray Skincare, Mission Bay; Life Pharmacy Remuera

It’s like a cocktail you can wear. Even the name, Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent, $143, says it all, really.

Bergamot, warm amber, tiare flower and vanilla combine with delicious creamy coconut. Cocktails poolside, anyone?

Life Pharmacy 277, Newmarket and Smith & Caughey’s, Newmarket The MAC #187 Stipling Brush, $94, is an alltime favourite. Its circular formation of goat and synthetic fibres makes it perfect for the application and blending of face powders. I love it too for applying BB creams or tinted moisturizer-style makeup. MAC Counter, Smith & Caughey’s Newmarket

Hydration, hydration, hydration.

Estée Lauder Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Cream, $91, is like your eight glasses a day – for your skin. Available for dry or normal/combination skins this cool drink of water is just what your skin needs to get through the approaching El Nino. Life Pharmacy 277, Newmarket and Smith & Caughey’s, Newmarket

Look at your toilet bag. Look hard. Time to chuck and replace?

Keep your travelling potions and lotions in crisp new style with this super-cute TL&C Dorothy Rollie, $29.95. Available from Life Pharmacies in Remuera and Newmarket.

To aid beauty sleep or those luxurious afternoon zeds, we love this Deluxe Sleeping Mask from QVS, $10.99. Black satin, padded, and with an adjustable strap, it’s one for your holiday kit. Available from Life Pharmacies in Remuera and Newmarket

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the magpie + remuera

The Good Life Our Magpie, Justine Williams, makes for a sweet life in the nest this summer

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1 Kartell, creators of excellent goodies, have answered the call for portable happiness with this Battery Lamp, $335, by Ferruccio Laviani. Pesky cords be gone! As always with Kartell, they come in a rainbow of colours. Backhouse Interiors, 19 Earle St, Parnell. www.backhousenz.com 2 For followers of Melbourne chef and restaurateur Andrew Connell (Cutler & Co, Cumulus Inc, Supernormal), his latest book shares some of the magic, and recipes, behind the hugely popular pan-Asian Supernormal. Heavily influenced by Connell’s love for Tokyo, this is what we all want to eat in 2016. Supernormal by Andrew Connell, $64.99, from Cook the Books, 19 Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn. www.cookthebooks.tv 3 Exclusive in NZ to Fabric, these Kiwi-designed, Japanese-made Lewis Fredericks “The Lloyd” sunglasses are the business. The brand’s signature is its use of buffalo horn. Offered in dark horn, with navy blue polarised lenses and matte black titanium arms, or in yellow horn, with brown lenses and arms. $475, from Fabric, 6b Teed St, Newmarket. www.thisisfabric.com 4 How many times in this Magpie’s lifetime have espadrilles been back in fashion? Or, have they ever really gone away? Eternally popular on the Cote d’Azur, you too can make like you’re in the south of France with espadrilles by Deuce Generation, $99.90. Available at Merchant 1948 (Overland’s new name), Westfield Newmarket. www.merchant1948.co.nz 5 Display the kaimoana on this stylish piece of kiwiana in pretty summer-sky blue. Made from pre-shrunk canvas, the Ngahere screenprinted table cloth features the makaka, or New Zealand maidenhair fern. Available to suit either 6-seater or 8-seater rectangular tables.

Ngahere Rangi Blue Table Cloth $119 (1.8 x 1.45m) from Pauanesia 35 High St in the city. www.pauanesia.co.nz 6 It’s the casual, cool factor that we love with these Ottoloom Towels, $16-$85 each. Lie on them, dry with them or shroud yourself in them

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to look chic while being sun-safe. There’s a sea of soft colours to choose from at Maman, 2a Clonbern Rd, Remuera. www.maman.co.nz 7 A summer classic, the Madder and Rouge Deckchair, $215, brings joy to any outdoor space. The stripes spread a dose of happiness wherever you place them. For extra comfort as you lounge, try the Luxury Deckchair, $265. Madder & Rouge, 25 Teed Street, Newmarket. www.madderandrouge.co.nz 8 For the man on the go, the rucksack is the only way forward.

Once the domain of tech geeks and students, the leather Montblanc Extreme Rucksack, $1300, is form and function at its best whether you’re on the Link Bus to Britomart, or transiting through LAX. Montblanc, 87 Queen St, Auckland central.

9 If you had to pick one watch for your whole life, surely it would be the Rolex Submariner. First released in 1954, it is still unbeatable. All you need to do is select between steel or gold; date or no date; blue, black or green face. Phew, first world problems. This steel case, black bezel, dateless version is priced at $10,600. From Partridge Jewellers, 237 Broadway, Newmarket. www.partridgejewellers.com 10 Statement dining tables are a conversation piece all on their own.

This black marble beauty from Italy’s Arte Veneziana features Venetian glass as its base and legs, and is guaranteed to get your guests talking.

Price on enquiry to Sarsfield Brooke, opposite Milly’s on Level 2, 155 The Strand, Parnell. www.sarsfieldbrooke.co.nz 11 It was love at first sight for me and the GUBI Grand Piano Sofa. The colour, the curves, the perfect legs. Design perfection, now to measure up the nest. Sofa from $10,450, Gräshopper Floor lamp from $1580 and Bestlite Pendant from $520. From Bromhead Design, Level 1, 9 Railway St, Newmarket. bromheaddesign.com

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the appetite

A Summery Table This month our newest contributor, The Great Catering Company’s Sue Fleischl, gives us a couple of recipes perfect for summer eating. And don’t miss the cook’s tips which accompany each recipe.

Food photographed by Dominique White Photography.

Tomato, Pomegranate and Olive Salad This is a very easy salad to make. If you don’t like capers or olives, don’t add them. Sometimes I use fresh oregano or basil, it all depends on what’s in the garden. I have said telegraph cucumber here to give you an idea on how much I have used, but Lebanese cucumbers are small and sweet, and three of these would be a great substitute. Tomatoes are so fabulous at this time of year, I only wish I was good at growing them.

The snails get far more of a feast on them than I do, so I have resigned myself to the fact that the best snail -free tomatoes are from the local markets.

Serves 4

500g heirloom tomatoes, chopped Half a telegraph cucumber, chopped ¼ cup mint leaves, chopped ¼ cup flat parsley, chopped ½ cup pitted black olives, chopped 1 tbsp capers, chopped Grated zest of half a lemon Half a pomegranate. Hold the pomegranate cut side down over a bowl and tap the skin with a rolling pin – the seeds will just pop out. Add any of the juice to the salad dressing.

Dressing ¼ cup olive oil Juice of half a lemon 1 tsp honey 1 tsp pomegranate molasses Salt and pepper to taste Place dressing ingredients into a small jar with a well-fitting lid and shake well, or just whisk together in a bowl. the hobson 40

Mix all the salad ingredients together with enough of the dressing to lightly coat. Place in a serving dish and to serve, sprinkle the top with: 100g crumbled feta ¼ cup toasted pinenuts 3 tbsp Greek yoghurt (optional, drizzled over) Tips: The dressing can be made three days in advance. Any remaining dressing can be stored in the fridge.

You don’t have to use heirloom tomatoes, any fresh tomatoes will do, but for interest, mix up at least two different varieties.

Toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds can be used instead of pinenuts.

Spanish Style Lamb Cutlets with Hummus This lamb recipe is great for lunch or dinner. Sometimes I serve it with Caesar salad, or the tomato and pomegranate salad opposite. This is also an easy recipe to whip up when family or friends are popping over for a drink — keep the cutlet bones nice and clean so they are more finger food friendly.

Serves 4 To start: 16 – 20 individual lamb cutlets 1 clove of garlic, crushed 3 tbsp olive oil Juice of half a lemon Place the lamb cutlets in a dish and toss in the garlic, oil and lemon juice. Leave to marinade at room temperature for one hour, or in the fridge for up to three hours.

Spice Mix 2 tbsp cumin seeds, freshly ground ½ tsp sweet paprika ½ tsp hot paprika

1 tsp Maldon salt Fresh ground pepper Enough rice bran or olive oil to make a slushy paste Mix all the spice mix ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Heat the barbecue. Remove cutlets from the marinade and rub the paste onto the meat no more than 15 minutes before cooking them. Barbecue on each side for three or four minutes, to your liking.

Serve with hummus and salad Tips: You can make the spice mixture without the oil and store this in an airtight container for a month. The recipe does multiply well, a great mixture to take to the bach, beach or camping. Just add the oil when you use it.

I like to use this spice mix on whole or butterflied poussin, and slowly barbecue until cooked and succulent.

My all time favourite brand of paprika is La Chinata, available at most New World supermarkets and Sabato.

the hobson 41

Hummus Serves 4 One tin chickpeas Juice of a lemon 1 clove garlic 2 tbsp tahini 5 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1 tbsp olive oil to serve Place all the ingredients into a food processor and leave running until smooth, this could take a few minutes. Add a splash or two of cold water to get a nice creamy consistency. Make sure you have seasoned the hummus well, and add more lemon juice if necessary. Place on a platter or in a bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil before serving.

Tips: This can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the fridge.

Sometimes I add a big pinch of toasted ground cumin to the chickpea mix.

In the photo, I have sprinkled fresh chervil leaves on top of the hummus.

the psyche

I Don't Like My Child!

I

t surprises me still how often parents come into a first meeting, and describe their child as a “little shit”. The behaviour problems they describe are not so much the stealing and drug-pushing type, but more everyday problems — not listening to anything they are told to do, pushing the boundaries at every request, or generally being difficult or aggressive with their siblings.

When parents come in for help, what they look for is essentially a “cure” for what they often see as their child’s personality.

What I tend to see however, is a problem of behaviour management and essentially, compliance. It’s amazing how much of an impact can be made simply by teaching a child to do as they are told. I haven’t yet met a parent whose view on their child doesn’t change when they achieve that!

Little Annabel (not her real name) is a case in point.

Annabel’s parents were concerned that at seven, she was rude, bullied her three-year-old sister mercilessly and couldn’t be trusted to behave in a public setting. It was to the extent that the family was no longer going out together for fear of an embarrassing meltdown. Annabel’s father admitted, sadly, “I don’t like my child.”

There is a lot of literature on this issue of compliance in children, and my favourite approach has to be one called Parent Child Interaction Therapy, or PCIT. The key precepts of PCIT are that improved behaviour comes not only from improved discipline practices, but from improving the relationship with your child.

What PCIT proponents advocate is a two-phase treatment, often called “Time In” and “Time Out” for short. Most people look at parenting strategies and go straight to something akin to a Time Out procedure, but the mountains of research already published on PCIT show that what needs to come first is Time In, aimed at improving the parent-child relationship. By the time parents see their children as difficult and demanding, damage has already been done to the relationship, and the reparative nature of Time In is an essential component to the treatment.

Time In involves spending five minutes playing with your child in a way that is non-competitive, and during which you can play alongside the child, rather than against them. Good time-in activities include drawing and Lego, where you and your child can work alongside each other, each working on your own creation, and only for five minutes each day. Bad time-in activities would be ball games and competitive board/ card games as there is a real risk of misbehaviour.

There are five skills the parents learn to utilise here, essentially praise, reflecting, imitating, describing, and playing enthusiastically (PRIDE is the handy acronym).

Parents are trained in the therapy office in Time In procedures, with the therapist coaching and providing feedback as they go. The main skill is to let the child lead.

What this means is that as you’re sitting alongside your child, and he draws a castle, you draw a castle too. As he’s drawing

the castle, you describe it to him — “You’re drawing a castle”.

You then draw your own castle, and find something to praise about the way he’s behaving — “I love the way you’re making such straight lines for the walls. I’m going to make straight lines too”. If the child says, “The king lives in the castle”, you paraphrase and repeat back, “Your king lives in your cool castle.” You might then add, with enthusiasm, “Lucky king!”

While you’re doing this, you’re finding at least 10 meaningful things to praise the child for in the five-minute period. With some children this is really hard, but parents are coached to praise them for appropriate behaviours that they otherwise don’t notice, and essentially “catch them being good”. (I’ve written in a previous column about the values of this). When digging deep for things to praise, parents may be coached to say “I really like how you are sitting so quietly and concentrating”.

“I love that you’re working so hard on your drawing”.

Try to avoid correcting or disciplining the child in these five minutes. Keeping special time “special” is an important part of all this.

It takes some time for parents to get competent at this, and the biggest problem is often our tendency to ask questions. It’s important during special time not to ask questions, or to lead the play in any way, as it takes the control away from the child.

“Is that a crown on the king’s head? Would you like to make a moat?” It’s because this can be hard that we ask parents to limit Time In to just five minutes.

Very often, after being coached at the therapist’s office and practicing Time In over four to five weeks, parents in studies on PCIT are noted to quit the therapy. Anxious researchers write of their experiences calling these parents to find out what’s wrong, only to be told that many of the previous problems they had were reduced by this simple procedure, and they didn’t need the therapy any more. When the Time In has worked well, the child increased in his desire to please.

In Annabel’s case, Time In had worked wonders on the relationship between her and her father. Having practiced praising Annabel often in their Time In each day, Annabel’s father got into a habit of praising her for doing well in the day, rather than attending only to her mistakes. Annabel grew to enjoy receiving positive rather than negative attention, and she began to work hard for his praise, both during and after their Time In. To complete the treatment, Annabel’s parents were introduced to Time Out. Like many industrious parents, they said they are already doing a Time Out, but that it wasn’t working.

PCIT outlines specific tweaks to commonly practiced Time Out procedures, and it’s these tweaks that tend to make big differences. Again, this is all backed up by studies which test various aspects of the treatment to work out which are most effective. If you feel your Time Outs are not quite doing the job, go to www.thehobson.co.nz and read my “The Psyche” column in the April 2015 issue.

Contact me at amrit@kidztherapy.co.nz if you need more information on PCIT or Time Ins. — Amrit Kaur

the hobson 42

the bookmark

Your Holiday Reading

JOURNEY UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN Keigo Higashino (Hachette) The author of The Devotion of Suspect X returns with a 500-plus page turner. A 20-year-old murder, a chain of unsolvable mysteries. Can one detective solve this epic riddle? Detective Sasagaki is handed the case, which he spends many years trying to solve. Smart and original, Higashino continues to elevate the modern mystery as an intense and inventive literary form.

PRECIOUS GIFTS Danielle Steel (Random House) A father’s love will change his family’s destiny. From Rome to Paris, New York to Venice, the plot ventures through elegant apartments, luxury hotels and a French chateau. There’s beautiful, strong women, and of course a cast of handsome men, some good and some villains. The perfect beach read.

TOM CLANCY'S COMMANDER IN CHIEF Mark Greaney (Penguin) No surprises here — at 700-plus pages, this is a good old-fashioned action/adventure tale of politics and intrigue. Greaney gives

the former CIA analyst, now US president, Jack Ryan more headaches in this latest thriller. Actually, it’s Russian president Valeri Volodin who's giving Ryan grief, working hard to cut him off from other world leaders while planning to upend world peace. Thank goodness Jack Ryan Jr is in the wings to help.

EVERYBODY RISE Stephanie Clifford (Hachette) It's 2006, in the Manhattan of the young and glamorous. At 26, bright, funny, and socially anxious Evelyn wants to belong. From the Lilly Pulitzer dresses to the debutante balls and regattas, Clifford expertly conveys the ambition of an outsider desperate to make her way into a rarefied world. Says Malcolm Gladwell, “a smart, moving tale of class, ambition and identity.”

BOUNDARIES Brian Turner (Random House) This will be my favourite “dip in and out” book this holiday. Turner’s name is synonymous with Central Otago, albeit one well removed from the tourist centres and vineyards. This handsome

collection is charged with candid prose, and an inspiring alternative vision. All set within the spectacular hills, rivers and big skies of Central Otago and accompanied throughout with stunning photography.

POUR ME: A LIFE AA Gill (Hachette) If you have a tendency to over-indulge, this might not be the book for you. Funny, frank and flamboyant and full of unvarnished truths, it’s exquisitely written, as you’d expect from Gill. Pour Me is about lost time and self discovery, of a commitment to drinking, addiction and sobriety.

Lacerating, unflinching, uplifting, it is a classic about drunken abandon.

LITERARY LUNCH Various (Random House) A stellar cast of vintage authors showcase their talents. Food and drink are the writer’s friend. Faced with the need to establish a character as economically as possible, they send their imaginative inventions out for lunch. How and what we eat has been the novelist’s shorthand.

A small but perfectly formed book.

— Gail Woodward

the cinema

Summer at The Movies JANUARY

SPOTLIGHT — director Tom McCarthy. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci. “How do you say no to God?” It’s a question the father of a sexually abused 11-year-old boy poses to those who are trying to understand how the ongoing abuse happened. In the early 2000s, the Boston Globe uncovered numerable cases of child molestation and subsequent cover-ups within the Boston Catholic Archdiocese. Its series of articles would result in the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, and here, a critically-well received drama showing how the Church managed to cover up the truth for so long.

THE REVENANT — director Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Domhnall Gleeson, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter. Based on a true story, frontiersman Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) sets out to wreak revenge against the men who killed his son and left Glass for dead after a hunting party disaster.

Tracking his former posse across the wilds of 1880s America, Glass faces all manner of beast, weather and man to exact his vengeance. From the director of 2015’s Academy Award-winning Best Picture, Birdman, could The Revenant deliver four-timenominee DiCaprio his first Oscar?

THE HATEFUL EIGHT — director Quentin Tarantino.

Starring Kurt Russell, Bruce Dern, Walton Goggins, Samuel L Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth. The latest from the interesting mind of Tarantino, this is a Western with competing bounty hunters converging in post-Civil War Wyoming. Vowing to cancel the film after the script was leaked online in 2014, Tarantino later changed his mind, and

called together many of his merry band of recurring stars including Roth, Madsen and Jackson. Kiwi stunt actress Zoe Bell also has a featured role.

FILMS FOR

B R O O K LY N “ WO R K e d th e K i N d O f O Ld - fa s h i O N e d, R O m a Nti c m Ov i e m ag i c O N m e i N WaYs th at a R e a LL tO O R a R e ” B r i a n Ta l l e r i co, r o g e r e B e r T. co m

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THE DANISH GIRL - director Tom Hooper. Starring Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ben Whishaw. A bio pic drama from director Hooper, who gave us the rich period pieces of The King’s Speech and Les Miserables.

Based on the lives of artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegen, it’s the poignant story of Lili (Redmayne), born Einar, Gerda’s husband and in the 1920s, one of the first known recipients of sexual

CAROL — director Todd Haynes.

Starring Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, Jake Lacy.

This romance set in 1950s New York finds a department-store clerk (Mara) infatuated with the sophisticated, married Carol (Blanchett). As the two embark on an affair, reality sets in as Carol begins to lose all that she holds dear — including her beloved daughter — to her cuckolded husband (Chandler). Both Mara and Blanchett’s performances have been warmly praised, as has director Haynes, who adapted the story from Patricia Highsmith’s novel, The Price of Salt.

reassignment surgery. Supported by his wife, Einar went through the physical and emotional transition in an era when to be anything other than a biological man or woman was unheard of — never mind the considerations of the social, legal and political implications.

FEBRUARY DAD'S ARMY - director Oliver Parker. Starring Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Blake Harrison, Toby Jones, Bill Nighy, Catherine Zeta Jones. No, they weren’t kidding, Mr Hitler. It’s the last days of WWII, and Captain Mainwaring’s (Jones) Walmingtonon-Sea Home Guard is standing strong as defenders of Great Britain. As a German spy attempts one last incursion, the platoon must also deal with the arrival of a lady journalist (Zeta-Jones) who arouses more than a passing interest. Fans of the original BBC series will be pleased to know the ranks still contain Sgt Wilson (Nighy), gentle Private Godfrey (Gambon) and the hapless Private Pike (Harrison).

THE LOBSTER — director Yorgos Lanthimos. Starring: Colin Farrell, Olivia Colman, Ashley Jensen, John C Reilly, Léa Seydoux, Rachel Weisz, Ben Whishaw. In this completely fantastical sci-fi comedy drama,set in the near future, single people

are taken to “The Hotel”, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner. They have 45 days to strike success. If not, they are transformed into animals of their choosing and sent off to live in the woods.

Our hero, David (Farrell), who’s decided to be a lobster if all goes wrong, arrives at The Hotel with a dog, formerly his brother. Did we mention it’s completely fantastical?

THE LADY IN THE VAN — director Nicholas Hytner. Starring Maggie Smith, Alan Jennings, Jim Broadbent, Stephen Campbell Moore, Dominic Cooper, James Corden. As far a remove from Downton’s Dowager Countess as you can imagine, Dame Maggie plays Mary Shepherd, a seasoned transient woman living in her car.

Parked for 15 years on writer Alan Bennett’s driveway — it’s based on Bennett’s account of the true tale, which he first wrote as a play — the two form an unlikely bond. Bennett reveals Shepherd’s harrowing story with tender humour to dilute the undeniable sadness. =— Caitlin McKenna.

Films listed will screen at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket during January and February

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the sound

Golden Days

I

t was January 2008 and we were camping.

My family has been going to the same campsite for the past 15 years. It’s on Barron’s Farm in Whananaki, Winston Peters country. It's on a cliff. It’s a nightmare to set up, but once you’re sorted, it is perfection. Gear is dragged down 200m to a campsite cut out of the hill by a digger. To understand how precipitous the place is, there was one year when we had to be relocated because a winter landslide had wiped out the pad the tent is erected on.

Our nearest neighbour is 100m away, so it’s nice and private. A glistening white beach and pohutukawa grove is 50m below us, and the Pacific Ocean pounds away 24 hours a day. We have a 10-day booking, and by day three, we're in a somnambulant routine — Wake. Eat. Brew coffee. Stumble down goat track with book. Read.

Lunch. Swim. Walk. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.

But as the sun goes down, the temperature cools and the Milky Way appears, the iPod and travel speakers come out, and the hill hums to tunes floating out into the night air.

I’ve written before of the holiday when we introduced our kids to classic rock tracks of summer. That hill is where my kids first got to grips with Led Zeppelin. Where they found Rod Stewart’s “The Killing of Georgie” and “Sailing”. There’s something about summer holidays that makes classic rock make sense. Just like the Eagles make rum and cokes on a sailing boat make sense.

But in January 2008, the song that made the most sense came from New Zealand. Midnight Youth had just stormed the charts with their debut album that had instant classics like “The Letter” and the awesome woah-woahness of “All On Our Own”. I loved the band, and so we played the album one night.

To be honest a lot of it was too raucous for nighttime campsite listening, and the mother of my children was not best pleased with the choice.

Until, the track “Golden Love” played. A wistful remembrance of love past, written by lead singer Jeremy Redmore as a Christmas gift to his family. Jeremy's voice is one of the most beautiful in New Zealand, and as he hit clear notes over a gently plucked guitar it really hit the spot. And when a plaintive harmonica wailed away, we were all smitten.

It became our song of summer. It instantly takes us back to calm, warm, safe summer nights roughing it in luxury. Such is its power that on our recent trip to Europe, after a brutally cold and wet day in Paris, we put on the song and the whole family seemed to sigh and relax and imagine warmth.

The only drawback is that “our” song became Mike Hosking’s, as

he asked Jeremy to sing it at his wedding. But I guess “our” songs have to be shared. Watching an acoustic YouTube performance of “Golden Love,” I saw that the comments section was full of people saying how it was “their” song, reminding them of loves and days gone by.

“Our” songs of summer often seem wistful. My first was in 1978 when I was 15, and finally bought a cool album, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. While the radio was thrashing “Dreams” (which is an awesomely good summer song), I was thrashing “The Chain” and imagining having a love to form a chain with, let alone break it.

That was “my” song and I was always amazed to find that it was others’ favourite too.

The next summer, my Mum and Dad took a 16-year-old me to England, to see where I was born. On the way back we stopped

in Singapore, which was my first experience of tropical weather, and Asia. When I arrived back, Split Enz's True Colours was No. 1. The whole album takes me back to 1980. But the song I kept on hearing on the radio in the 7th Form common room that summer was “Asian Paradise” by Sharon O'Neill. It was as full as I was of longing for hot Asian tropical nights. When it featured recently in the excellent Prime Rocks doco, New Zealand Women in Rock, I just about melted.

I’ve had loads of songs that have been “my” summer songs.

Most weren’t hits. Radiohead’s “High and Dry”. Lorde’s “Buzzcut Season”. The Strangler’s “Golden Brown”. They all have that power not only to bring back memories, but also smells and feelings.

So the old man, his girl and his sons are going to struggle down the cliff path again this summer. I could do without the set up, but I cannot wait for the pinot noir and the music on a fragrant night to create another memory. — Andrew Dickens

the hobson 46

the district diary - january, february 2016

Save The Date!

JANUARY 2016 1 Happy New Year! It’s a public holiday today and Monday 4 New Year public holiday 4 ASB Tennis Classic opens, ASB Tennis Arena, Stanley St, Parnell. Tickets via asbclassic.co.nz 9 Parnell Farmers’ Market, every Saturday from 8am - 12 midday, in the carpark at the Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd 9/10 La Cigale French Market, every Saturday from 8am to 1.30pm, and Sundays from 9am. 69 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell 10 Enjoy jazz in The Domain, part of Auckland Council’s Music in Parks program.

Every Sunday afternoon until the end of February, 1pm to 4pm at the Band Rotunda. musicinparks.co.nz 25 Year 13 Leadership Camp starts, St Cuthbert’s College 26 Auckland Grammar starts the new school year 27 Saint Kentigern College middle school returns

28 Saint Kentigern College senior school returns 30 Mark Auckland’s Anniversary weekend with the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival, a new event celebrating Auckand's Maori heritage and contemporary culture. Queen's Wharf, free, until Feb 1

FEBRUARY 2016 1 Auckland Anniversary Day public holiday.

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival 11.30am, Silo Park. 18+ only, tickets from moshtix.co.nz 2 Back to school for Dio, King’s College, King’s School, Remuera Intermediate, Remuera Primary, Saint Kentigern Boys’ and Girls’, St Cuthbert’s 3 School starts for Y9 and new students to EGGS, and term starts at Parnell District and Victoria Avenue primaries. College photo day at St Cuth’s

6 Waitangi Day 6 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines today and Sunday, Eden Park: 288 rugby league players, nine-a-side, nine-minute halves. nrlaucklandnines.co.nz 8 Waitangi Day Public Holiday 12 Celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival in Remuera. Food, cultural performances, lantern art, at Remuera Rd/St Vincent Ave, 5 - 9pm 18 The annual Auckland Lantern Festival lights up, this year in its new home in The Domain. Until Feb 21 18 St Cuthbert’s senior school swimming sports 19 St Cuthbert’s Year 8 camp 25 King’s School Open Day, Contact admissions@kings.school.nz for information

4 All students now back at EGGS, school starts for Meadowbank Primary

25 Remuera Primary swimming sports, St Cuthbert’s senior school athletics

6 Parnell and Remuera welcome in the Year of the Monkey. Watch for monkeys on Parnell Rd from Feb 6, and Chinese New Year festive displays in Remuera from the 8th

28 It’s the inaugural Myers Park Medley, from 12pm. Music, stalls, art in the city park, 72 Greys Ave. See the Waitematā Local Board Facebook page for further details

the hobson 47

the cryptic

Your Holiday Puzzle by Māyā

ACROSS 1/27 He’s doing what he normally does for relaxation (7,7) 5 Pushed drug mixed with another one (5) 10 Agent in capital backed ruler (7) 12 Take it from me (or don’t) the magazine’s cool! (7,6) 13 Vicar sat in pew around one/To get a glimpse of things to come (7) 14 Eileen’s rector, not entirely unorthodox, tries to get the most crosses (12) 15 Murders in books are most pleasant (6) 16 From anything, yields a lot (4) 18 A summer won’t add up with just one! (7) 22 Bride’s outfit incomplete?

Much to learn! (9) 23 More flamboyant thrower

DOWN peaks before going west (9) 24 Australian newspaper needs to drop editor for old Greek tyrant (9) 26 Thrower and I left cathedral city in a huff (9) 27 See 1 28 Periodically poses it, it’s said for surreptitious attention seeking (4) 30 She’s left me one (6) 31 Originally, an ugly guy thought of enlargement (12) 33 Twill betray youngster (7) 34 Skiing: not as good as it used to be? (5,8) 35 Macnee dropping current athletic female - is result “The Avenger”? (7) 36 Woods line Golf Central (5) 37 Beds nun roughly, then becomes less stiff (7)

2 Salamander’s order: “Lead our organisation!” (7) 3 Nobody knows why autobiography has “ecstasy” instead of “love" (7) 4 Nine voices advertising daring trapeze artist? (5) 5 Organisation named? Not yet (9) 6 Steer follows visionary assistants (5,4) 7 Hurry up! They’re abysmal!

(5) 8 Sally in bed with Joan; they have a number of channels available to view (7,6) 9 Rough weather before, in addition to children’s chorus (3,2,5,3) 11 John Key’s trending (and his office) (11) 16 Put up with ambitious eminence (5,8)

the hobson 48

17 Finally, Wells’ machine is in its rightful place (3,6,4) 19 Needy, losing heart, 34 (6) 20 ’igh danglers, perhaps (4-7) 21 I explain (somewhat nasally) how I’ll find out where Sarah Palin was Governor! (6) 25 Betjeman’s bomb-site in grand act of removal (9) 26 Philosopher’s man I’d put with one who 5 across (9) 28 The ripe bananas, pretty please (7) 29 Chose one diamond (7) 31 Worry, as gnats about (5) 32 A bird found on the Nile?

(5)

Answers on page 18

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