The Hobson - May 2015

may 2015

WIN

A LUXURY WEEKEND WITH

BMW AND

THE BLACK SWAN ROTORUA

celebrating mothers — our special portfolio local news, views & informed opinions

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The May Issue 8

the village Buses and trains in Parnell, fields of play in Remuera, EGGS celebrates, Orākei and Waitematā local board updates, and more

19

the reps Columns from local MPs David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith

20

the suburbanist Tommy Honey pushes back on the port

21

the investment Temper your excitement about the Aussie dollar, says Warren Couillault

22

the plan Urban planner Hamish Firth takes another look at Ports of Auckland’s push for land

26

the district diary May in the neighbourhood

28

the business Meet Mimi Gilmour, who’s bought Burger Burger to our door

29

the wellbeing Lee Parore on keeping hormones at optimal levels

30

the pretty Beauty tips for ball season

32

the wheeze Princes and princesses of this realm — Eloise Grace wants to talk to you about Mother’s Day

34

the portfolio We mark Mother’s Day with this special photo essay

42

the second act Sandy Burgham on rewriting your life story — for the better

43

the teacher Our newest columnist, educator Judi Paape

44

the cinema What’s on at the movies in May

45

the bookmark Reading ideas for Mother’s Day

46

the sound Our music man, Andrew Dickens, sorts out the stuff well worth a listen

47

the arts Leigh Melville is dazzled by Michael Parakowhai at Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art

48

the anzacs Remembering WWI air ace, Thomas Culling

WIN

A LUXURY WEEKEND WITH

BMW AND

THE BLACK SWAN ROTORUA

O

nce again, we’re partnering with Jerry Clayton BMW and the Black Swan luxury retreat in Rotorua to offer a very special competition prize. Our lucky winner will receive the keys* of a new BMW for a weekend, so you’ll be able to enjoy a driving experience in comfort and style to the Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel, where you will be treated to two nights (for two) in a luxury room, and breakfast. Relax and recharge before easing back into your BMW and heading home again. Plus, courtesy of Jerry Clayton BMW, we have two runner-up prizes: a fabulous photo package (worth $590) from Jo Head Photography, and shoes from Kathryn Wilson. The photo prize includes a photo session, and a print of

your choice. BMW ambassador Kathryn Wilson has come to the party, with another lucky winner able to select a pair of shoes from Kathryn’s latest collection. To enter, email “BMW Weekend” in the subject line to business@thehobson.co.nz by 5PM Friday May 22. The three prizewinning names will be chosen at random. *By entering, you understand and agree with the following: that the BMW driver will be over 25 and has a full NZ driver’s license. No smoking or pets in the car, an insurance excess of $2500 applies. The car can be collected from Jerry Clayton BMW, 445 Lake Rd, Takapuna, on a Friday and returned on the Monday. The BMW and accommodation package at the Black Swan must be taken at a mutually agreeable date before October 1, 2015. Car pictured not necessarily the same model as the vehicle to be provided.

Jerry Clayton BMW

Takapuna

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W

e left town for a break over Easter, making the most of this endless summer of blue skies. Some Easters require puffer jackets, this one saw us swimming and enjoying the many good reasons to visit Matakana. We did our trip in style, driving the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, courtesy of THE HOBSON’s friends at Jerry Clayton BMW. Smaller than the X3, bigger than the 1 Series, with a feisty 1.8L diesel engine, the Active Tourer (pictured left and below) is a great drive. It took the three of us in comfort, along with all the bags needed. At around the $50,000 mark (there’s petrol and diesel options), it is, said an admiring, tyrekicking friend, “a lot of car for the money”.

Visit jcbmw.co.nz for more information.

issue 18, may 2015 Editor & Publisher Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz Art Direction & Production Stephen Penny design@thehobson.co.nz Advertising Inquiries business@thehobson.co.nz Writers Kirsty Cameron, Zac Fleming, Justine Williams, Melissa Williams-King Proofreader Fiona Wilson Columnists & Contributors This Issue Sandy Burgham (The Journey), Shale Chambers, Sue Cooper & Jenny Haggitt (The Anzacs), Warren Couillault (The Investment), Andrew Dickens (The Sound), Hamish Firth (The Plan), Paul Goldsmith (The Reps), Eloise Grace (The Wheeze), Caitlin McKenna (The Cinema), Leigh Melville (The Arts), Judi Paape (The Teacher), Lee Parore (The Wellbeing), David Seymour (The Reps), Desley Simpson, Melissa Williams-King (The Pretty), Gail Woodward (The Bookmark)

Back in the neighbourhood, we’ve followed up with things you’ve flagged as wanting to know more about. In the time that passes between the consultation stage, plans, consents and finally action, you can lose the thread of what’s hapening — case in point, the Shore Rd sports fields. Zac Fleming has an update on page 8 on the redeveloped grounds. And because it’s May, we are proud to present again a portfolio of local mothers and children, photographed by Todd Eyre and produced by Justine Williams. We wish every mother/other mother/special auntie/gran in your life a wonderful Mother’s Day on May 10.

Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz

Photographers Todd Eyre, Stephen Penny Cover Mia Ricketts and daughter Lily, photographed

by Todd Eyre. See our Mother’s Day portfolio, page 34 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

Z Thank you to The Aromatherapy Company for the gifts to the women who took part in our Mother’s Day gallery.

The limited edition Mother’s Day Therapy collection benefits women’s wellbeing with a percentage of sales to the Mental Health Foundation.

Visit aromatherapycompany.co.nz

Ideas, suggestions, advertising inquiries welcome. editor@thehobson.co.nz Or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/ TheHobsonMagazine

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

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

Distribution by

This publication uses vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible papers.

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 a partner in and director of Richmond Investment Management, the manager of a boutique fund of hedge funds. 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. mthobsonproperties.co.nz Caitlin McKenna (The Cinema) of Remuera is passionate about the cinema — she majored in film, sociology and marketing, graduating recently with a conjoint BCom/BA. Leigh Melville (The Arts) is director, art, at ART + OBJECT auction house. She has worked for several Auckland galleries and is co-chair of the Patrons of the Venice Biennale. She lives in Parnell.

Judi Paape (The Teacher) is a highly-experienced teacher and junior school principal, and a parent herself.

A Parnell resident, she writes for us on alternate months about children and education.

Lee Parore (The Wellbeing) is an expert in executive health. A qualified naturopath and a personal trainer to elite athletes and executives, his wellness clinic is in Newmarket. www.leeparorehealthlab.com One of New Zealand’s leading lifestyle and beauty editors, Remuera’s Melissa Williams-King (The Pretty) is a former editor of Fashion Quarterly.

Gail Woodward (The Bookmark) is the senior book buyer for Paper Plus Newmarket. A “forgiving reader” across genres, she belongs, and advises on selections, to book clubs.

the hobson 6

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the village

Town & Around

Shore Rd Reserve and Thomas Bloodworth Park Masterplan. Image courtesy of Auckland Council.

SHORE RD FIELDS — THE STATE OF PLAY Works are well underway improving the sports fields at Thomas Bloodworth Park (at the junction of Brighton Rd, Parnell, and Shore Rd, Remuera) and its neighbouring turf, the Shore Rd Reserve. Used in summer for cricket and during winter for rugby, the grounds are the home of both Grammar Juniors Rugby Football Club and the Parnell Cricket Club. But locals and members of the Parnell Cricket Club are concerned that the grounds’ full potential is not being utilised.

The works currently being done at Shore Rd Reserve will see a range of upgrades to the two existing rugby fields, including upgraded sand-carpeting and new lights. The reserve will also see new cricket nets, more parking, and a new wharf to facilitate water sport access to Hobson Bay. Thomas Bloodworth Park will also receive similar upgrades.

However, due to budget constraints, a proposed third rugby field at the eastern end of Shore Rd Reserve will miss out on being sandcarpeted, and proposed extensive upgrades to utilise the Shore Rd East grass (between the current fields and the inlet) will also not go ahead.

Locals contacted THE HOBSON, saying they felt Auckland Council ignored their concerns around the now-omitted works.

Auckland Council’s Parks Specialist and Programmes team leader, David Parker, says the plans were agreed to, including by the Parnell Cricket Club (PCC), during the 2013 consultation process.

“Members of the club then approached the Parks Sports and Recreation Department in late 2014 requesting some changes to the plan,” he says.

“Since the budget for stage one works had been set, consents were sought and the contract was in the process of being tendered, it was too late to incorporate these changes.

“However, it was agreed that future works on Shore Rd Reserve East would incorporate the club’s recommendations, providing it aligned with other Council plans.”

Member of the PCC’s Presidents team, Greg James, says he is worried that if the proposed works are not done now, they will never get done.

“If you do something right the first time it ends up costing less,” James says. “If you don’t do it right the first time, it never happens again. They’ve got all the machinery, why not do a good job while it’s still there?”

James’ concerns are somewhat echoed by PCC’s secretary, Bryan Haggitt.

Haggitt says the club is “hugely appreciative” of the work being done, “but it could be done a bit better”.

“Not sand-carpeting [rugby field 3], that’s a major disappointment,” he says, “because it won’t be deemed acceptable to play on.”

Haggitt says while he understands there are budget constraints that hamper development, “why not wait and do the whole thing?”

“It’s only a small bit they’re not doing. They’re going to save peanuts and they’ll have to bring everything back in. They’ll disrupt the whole business again. Really we just want the best for the club and less disruption, because it’s a heck of a thing.”

Parker says Council is seeking additional funds through the 20152025 Long Term Plan “to deliver additional stages of the plan in the future”. — Zac Fleming p

the hobson 8

FINAL WHISTLE AT WAIPAPA With the Parnell Rail Station going ahead, the Waipapa Valley, land occupied for more than 25 years by the heritage train body Mainline Steam is now on the market.

The 2.2ha of land, at 23 Cheshire St, was listed for tender on behalf of KiwiRail Holdings Ltd on April 13. Previous estimates have placed its value upwards of $25 million.

Mainline Steam’s Michael Tolich says the move to a yet-to-berevealed destination in South Auckland is a huge task that marks the end of an era, but he is “hoping it’s going to also be the start of something exciting”.

“If you think moving house is difficult, try moving a locomotive depot. The plans will generate a lot of interest for the whole of Auckland. Not just the rail fan community but the population at large too.

“It’s just unfortunate that we have to move before we’re quite ready to get into the new place. But we understand the land is very valuable and, unfortunately as a non-profit organisation, we couldn’t come up with the money to buy it.”

Also affected is noted NZ sculptor David McCracken, whose workshop also uses part of the sheds on the site. The sheds, about 100m long, were constructed in the 1950s to service diesel engines.

KiwiRail said the money from the land’s sale “will be reinvested into network-wide improvements”. The rail station is being developed by Auckland Transport and the KiwiRail land is not longer required. Council has issued consent for the buildings on the site to be demolished. The tender is open until May 21. p WINE SHOP APPLICATION An application to open a liquor store on the corner of Parnell Rd and Ayr St has been met with opposition from locals, who say it’s too close to ACG Parnell College.

ECO NZ E&G Ltd has applied to sell alcohol between 9am and 10pm, seven days a week, at 486B Parnell Rd. The site was formerly a pizza shop, between the dairy and hair salon.

Auckland Council’s manager of alcohol licensing, Rob Abbott, says the council received two objections to the application. Abbott says the District Licensing Committee will soon set a hearing date for those objections to be heard.

‘Friends of Parnell College’ objected to the application because it would be “on the main thoroughfare past which students will walk to and from school each day.” The group submitted a 47-signature petition along with their objection.

One of the two directors of ECO NZ E&G Ltd, James Li, told

the village THE HOBSON he is “looking forward to hearing from people and letting them have their opinions expressed”. Li says the store would not be a chain or franchise outlet. “No ugly green or yellow or blue colours,” he says. “No big advertising, just a very low profile wine and beer shop. We don’t even want to sell spirits.”

Nearby Cowie St resident and Parnell Community Committee member, Martin Putterill, also objected, saying the application “runs counter to the legislative aim to improve our drinking culture and reduce harm from excessive drinking”. p A MOVING STORY A grand kauri villa that once stood on Domain Drive, Parnell, has been brought back to life some 30km away from its original site. The double-story house, built circa 1878, was earmarked for demolition in the early 2000s to make way for townhouses subsequently constructed.

In 2002, Harold Church and Jill Horsfall were looking for a character home to relocate to land they’d purchased in Dairy Flat.

“I was absolutely horrified,” says Jill of discovering the Parnell house was not protected, and was to be wrecked if a purchaser could not be found. The couple bought the house, which was cut into eight sections to be transported, then reassembled, on their 1.53ha (3.8 acres) rural property.

“We really squatted in it for two to three years once it was moved,” says Jill. “There was a 1980s addition on the back which was the only insulated room in the whole house, so that was our bedroom, office, day room during winter. We had a plank to walk to the kitchen before the stairs were restored.”

Now extensively renovated from the ground floor to the attic, the 600m2 four-plus bedroom home, plus a large barn with further accommodation, is for sale – Harold and Jill are looking to travel more. “It would be a wonderful family home,” says Jill. “ A friend told us that Lady [June] Blundell remembered visiting the house as a child and sliding down the banisters.”

The property, pictured below, has been listed for sale by tender by Ross Hawkins, New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty. View online at www.nzsothebysrealty.com/NZE10407. The tender closes at the end of May. p

DESIGN ON SCREEN One of the largest architecture and design film festivals in the world gets underway at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket this month. Now in its fourth year, the Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival 2015 will showcase around 20 films across NZ’s four main centres.

Auckland runs from May 7 – 20.

Films are split across four main categories: architecture, design, experiments in space, and gardening. One of the architecture highlights is expected to be The Nature of Modernism, about the late Palm Springs architect, E. Stewart Williams.

Director Jake Gorst told THE HOBSON from New York that he started the film around 10 or 11 years ago, and it’s “a bit different to others, because the architect passed away in 2005”.

“We’d only interviewed him three times before then. But, and I couldn’t believe this, the family gave us four VHS cassette tapes, around two hours each, of Stu telling his life story.” The tapes were a treasure trove, recorded in a professional sound studio.

Gorst, whose previous work includes the documentaries Farmboy and Leisurama, says he feels “a need to document the history of these mid-century modern architects”.

“Sadly they’re getting up there in age, and their stories will disappear with them unless they’re captured.” — Zac Fleming p For more information visit rialto.co.nz A TOAST TO THE ARTS

The house today, in its rural setting. The sympathetic renovation honoured the original layout with a few subtle changes.

EGGS principal Madeline Gunn with MP and Minister for Commerce, Paul Goldsmith

Epsom Girls Grammar School marked the 10th anniversary of its Raye Freedman Arts Centre, with a celebration of art, jazz, dance, theatre and music.

The Raye Freedman Arts Centre is home to the school’s well-regarded music and drama programmes. The centre was endowed by the late Auckland philanthropist Raye Freedman, who believed in the important of education for young women. She also gifted EGGS three arts scholarships, which continue to be awarded annually in her name.

Manager Jo Kelly says that the venue has added considerable value to the school and community. the hobson 10

Left, Raye Freedman celebration guests Margie Elley-Brown, MP for Epsom David Seymour, EGGS Trust Board chair Dr Gerald Young, MP Paul Goldsmith. Below, Olivia Hadlow and Anna Dolan, a deputy head girl and music leader

“The Raye Freedman Arts Centre is not just a building; it’s a place for young girls to develop their creativity. The arts are vital for young women whether they go into the arts or into law.”

In addition, the multi-purpose venue, which features a 258seat auditorium and rehearsal studios, is open to benefit the wider community and has seen a range of events from classical to rock

music performances, to dance and film, and conferences.

EGGS acknowledged Auckland Council, the Raye Freedman Trust, Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust, The Lion Foundation and ASB Community Trust for their contributions to the centre. p

the hobson 11

the village throughout his or her career”.

Bettjeman first picked up his scissors as a 16-year-old apprentice, and opened his eponymous Orākei salon in 1998 after returning from two years working in Italy with wife Phif, also a hair stylist.

Along the way he has won numerous national and global awards, including the L’Oréal Colour Trophy in London, the HITO (Hair and Beauty Industry Training Organisation) Trainer of the Year in New Zealand, and HITO Salon of the Year for Bettjemans. Bettjemans is a long-time brand partner to fashion designer Dame Trelise Cooper, creating the hair looks for more than 25 fashion shows, including at NZ Fashion Week.

LION RED: THEY’RE DRINKING IT HERE

A CUT ABOVE THE REST Popular Orākei hair salon owner Grant Bettjeman (above, with wife, Phif) has been honoured by his peers with induction into the Industry Hall of Fame. An important industry recognition, a Hall of Fame honour is awarded to “the person who has made an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand hairdressing industry

THE HOBSON’s man about town, Zac Fleming, reports in from the field on a development you need to know about: Lion Red’s rising cool.

Picture your average Wither Hills sav drinker.

Kind of hard, right?

Now picture your average Lion Red drinker.

Much easier.

Unlike wine, in the beer game you’re judged on the brand you drink. Also unlike wine, it’s not a simple judge of affluence and social standing; with beer and cider, people assume they know your personality.

Simple example: I could be the manliest man in Auckland but if I order a Rekorderlig, my friends would give me grief.

In the same vein, ‘normal’ or ‘mainstream’ beers are universally the cheapest, but they’re looked down on by many as being for the plebs who have uneducated taste buds, or can’t afford the pricier, and therefore obviously tastier, craft or imported beers.

And as craft beer gets weirder — chocolate with your hops, sir?

— more expensive and the glasses smaller, cheap beers are enjoying a resurgence in cool bars and restaurants.

Lion Red is a perfect example. It might make you think of Once Were Warriors, grassroots rugby and pokie machines, but crate bottles and cans of it are served up at happening places like Burger Burger, as well as an increasing number of central Auckland bars.

Ben Hartigan from Jellicoe St’s 16TUN, which has nearly 4

M O T H E R ’ S D AY 2 01 5 C O L L E C T I O N S U N D AY M AY 1 0

5 2 3 PA R N E L L R O A D

PH 303 1038

W W W. F L O W E R S A F T E R H O U R S . C O . N Z

the village 20 different craft beers on tap and more than 80 different bottled varieties, says craft beer is partly driving the resurgence of Lion Red. “With the culture moving to higher quality beer, it’s kind of going to counter culture.”

Hartigan says he’s seen bars offering up crate bottles of cheap beer in ice buckets, as if it was champagne (or the champagne of beers). “It’s a little tongue in cheek way of taking the Kiwi classic Lion Red, and making it seem a bit more upmarket.”

But he says the people opting for Lion Red and other crate bottles are the type “more concerned with the brand of the beer, than its contents”.

“When people move on to craft beers, they move away from those kind of beers. Once you start it’s hard to go back.”

And it seems he’s right. Lion, which has 46 per cent of the NZ beer market, recently saw a 20 per cent reduction in full year net profit despite its nascent hipness, whereas Wellington craft brewers Yeastie Boys raised $500,000 in half an hour through an equity crowdfunding campaign; further reflecting the growing demand for craft options. Kiwis drank 6.5 million litres less beer last year compared to 2013, Statistics NZ says, but sales of high-strength beer have almost doubled since 2009.

Burger Burger’s Mimi Gilmour has a simple explanation for putting Lion Red on the menu of her two restaurants.

“I actually like it. It’s got to be cold though. To be honest it was about a little bit of something for everyone — if someone wanted just a really giant beer, then I was going to give them a giant beer.”

I like that. — Zac Fleming p

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

LET’S SPEND A [STRANGE] NIGHT TOGETHER

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

Promoted by David Seymour, MP for Epsom.

The Strange Day’s Night concerts are back at the Auckland Town Hall next month, this time with a celebration of The Rolling Stones.

The brainchild of Remuera muso/Play It Strange innovator Mike Chunn, last year’s event celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Beatles playing in Auckland.

“1965 saw The Rolling Stones rock the Auckland Town Hall,” says Chunn. “Rumour has it they even wrote the song ‘Paint It

Black’ while in Auckland, where the old Royal International Hotel used to stand.”

This year, the Stones-singing and playing line-up will include Split Enz and Citizen Band bass player Chunn himself (pictured back in the day in Citizen Band), Jordan Luck (The Exponents), Peter Warren (DD Smash), Eddie Rayner (Split Enz, Crowded House), Peter Urlich (Th’Dudes) and Leza Corban (Strawpeople).

In keeping with the philosophy of Play It Strange, the artists share the stage with school student performers. In all, more than 200 musicians will be involved. “It is certain to be a majestic event”, says Chunn.

A Strange Day’s Night is a fundraiser for the Play It Strange Trust, which works with schoolkids to develop interest in songwriting and musical performance. Concerts will be at the Town Hall on June 3 and June 4. Book via ticketmaster.co.nz p

LETTER TO THE EDITOR The story in our April issue about Parnell Rd’s landmark pine drew this response.

“In detailing the history of the Norfolk pine at 320 Parnell Road, your correspondent Carolyn Cameron wrote a fascinating piece on a great subject. She missed one relevant event.

An important and ultimately determinant impact — which left the historic giant with its present rugged characteristics — was Cyclone Bola. Prior to March 7, 1988, the tree resembled your photo of it “in its glory”.

Two days later, it was more like the second photograph.

I’m somewhat surprised it hasn’t recovered to a greater extent over the intervening 28 years. But that may be just because of its grand old age, plus hydration and nutritional limitations imposed by concrete cover close to its base.

Garth Cumberland Retired forester, Parnell

HOLA LITTLE HAVANA! The opening of the Little Havana bar and eatery in the Village Green, Remuera, was celebrated by guests including (from top) Buki Prekazi and Amy Yang (from Remuera Local Cafe Bistro); Ali behind the bar; John Lawlor, Blerta Radovica, Pippa Lawlor; Abbie Dingle, left and Zosia Mnich; Des Shinnick and Amy Yang. p

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the village

¯ Local Board Orakei

T

hanks to the vision of Saint Kentigern Boys’ School art teacher Tom Barter, joggers and walkers along the Hobson Bay walkway behind the school will now find themselves passing moas, dinosaurs and other large mosaic and ceramic artworks.

More than 60 students from local schools, including Orākei Primary, Victoria Avenue Primary, Remuera Primary, Remuera Intermediate, Kohimarama Primary, and Saint Kentigern Boys’ have created 11 outdoor sculptures for the public to enjoy.

The artworks sit at various locations along the walkway between Wilson’s Beach and Martyn Field Reserve. Some sit up high in the trees, some on the school fence and some waterside, with a few in the grounds of Saint Kentigern Boys’ School, but clearly visible from the walkway itself.

Whilst Tom Barter conceived and managed the project, teachers from the various contributing schools mentored the students in designing and creating the artworks.

It’s wonderful that we were able to involve children in giving back to the community by creating such interesting features for the walkway. With the schools, students and the local board all collaborating, we were able to achieve something lasting and tangible for the community for only $5,000. There’s nothing better than to give our children the opportunity to give back.

“Each sculpture was a major project in itself. All students put in a huge amount of effort and did a great job on their piece. I encourage you to take a walk and see them up close,” says Tom Barter.

This project reflects the board’s desire to include student artwork along our walkways. It’s certainly been a real thrill for me to lead this project for the board, and I’m really excited that Saint Kentigern Boys’ School have agreed to let

us work with Tom on even more student-based art projects.

Moving on to the topic of transport – or not moving, as the case may be – our board has strongly advocated for improving the intersection of Grand Drive and Abbots Way – preferably with a roundabout.

Unfortunately, Auckland Transport (AT) have told us that a roundabout is no longer a viable option due to the volume of traffic using the two roads, and the construction needed to extend the north west corner and its effect on neighbouring properties. AT are now investigating the possibility of signalising this intersection to coordinate with the light sequencing at Ladies Mile and Lunn Ave intersections.

As reported before, the electronic speed sign used in Omahu Rd has had much success, with a discernible speed reduction. Our board is now proposing that this become permanent as this road is an important feeder road to four schools. The existing portable sign will be used to address speed issues in other streets in the Orākei ward.

Work to upgrade the Remuera Village Green and Clonbern Service Lane began in March and all going well, will be completed in June.

Last month I mentioned that AT would trial an inpavement light warning system at the intersections of Remuera Rd/Victoria Ave and Clonbern Rd. But due to budget constraints (again), AT need to delay this project. We will let you know when this trial will begin. In the meantime we are looking at putting other pedestrian safety initiatives in place.

Next month the mayor and councillors will make a decision on the 10-year budget. A total of 1142 people from our ward made a submission. Let’s hope at least some of our rates funding is returned to us.

— Desley Simpson, chair, Orākei Local Board p

the hobson 16

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the village

waitemata¯ Local Board

Newmarket Laneways Plan Newmarket is a main focus of our attention in May. It is one of Auckland’s busiest retail hubs, growing busier every year.

The Waitematā Local Board has been working alongside local groups and the Auckland Council planning team to create a draft plan for the Newmarket laneways. This plan looks to continue to previous good work in Osborne and Teed streets, looking at roading and traffic issues and solutions; footpaths in need of upgrade and widening; nurturing of the local identity and ensuring the area is safe, child-friendly, and accessible to all.

Over the past 24 months we have seen tremendous improvements made in the central city’s shared spaces. We look forward to seeing what we can make of Newmarket’s laneways, and I encourage everyone to get involved in the consultation process.

Kingdon St Mural Another stunning addition to envliven the Newmarket streetscape is the new black and white mural at the end of Kingdon St, next to the rail tracks.

We commissioned local Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design student Jessica Ellis to create the mural, which has recently been completed.

75-hectare park’s future development. It is expected to be published this month, so keep an eye out for it.

Ports Harbour Expansion Local politicians recently joined 2,000 concerned Aucklanders, and a support flotilla of 300 boats, to say no to any imminent Ports of Auckland expansion into our precious Waitematā Harbour. The harbour used to be 2,000 metres across. It is now less than 1,000 metres.

The extensions further narrow the harbour to close to a river, and completely block any view of the harbour mouth from the waterfront. Let’s just put a dolphin structure at the end of Queens Wharf to cater for larger cruise ships, at a fraction of the $200m price tag of shifting it to Captain Cook Wharf.

Our local board position remains that any further wharf extensions or reclamations should be halted until the Ports Study has been completed, and any expansion plans can be measured against an integrated Auckland Inc. view of the social, environmental and economic costs and benefits of the Port and its future expansion plans.

We call on our Mayor, Len Brown, to intervene.

Kingdon St mural by Jessica Ellis We say enough is enough.

Auckland Domain Master Plan An historic first joint committee of the governing body, Māori Statutory Board and the Waitematā Local Board, was recently established to provide better governance of The Auckland Domain, previously governed on a split basis with the local board. One of the committee’s first tasks is to complete an Auckland Domain Master Plan, to plan for the

Parnell Train Station Finally, after overcoming many last minute hurdles, Auckland Transport began work on the long anticipated, simplified, Parnell Train Station earlier this month. It is expected to be completed by June. An important day for Parnell.

— Shale Chambers, chair, Waitematā Local Board p

the hobson 18

the reps

DAVID SEYMOUR

W

ith a little luck for the nation’s mums, May 10 will be a day of breakfast in bed, sublime behaviour, and loving recognition for the most important job in the world.

However this column is political and, with enough will, even a stage as sacrosanct as Mother’s Day can be trafficked by a spot of politicking.

For example, one of the most dramatic recent changes in motherhood is that the number of NZ teenage mums on benefits has halved since 2009. The figures have gone from 4,263 mothers between 16 and 19 years of age relying on a benefit, down to 2,210 by last December. This is part of the reason there is almost no political attention on the topic. It’s very difficult to attack such figures. Even my party, which led the welfare reform debate long before it was fashionable, struggles to find fault with the present situation.

What is the cause of this effect? The government would like to attribute it to its policies that put sanctions on teen mums; requiring them to get kids vaccinated and do parenting courses in order to continue receiving benefits, parts of which come as in-kind payments for food and rent.

Surely extra rules and less cash must discourage teen pregnancy, but policy changes may not tell the whole story.

Similar trends exist around the world, and not every country has had Paula Bennett in charge of welfare policy.

What is the common denominator? Indeed, there appear to be wholesale changes occurring with youth globally.

They don’t seem interested in driving. Sixteen years ago, your 31-year-old correspondent showed up for the theory test on his birthday, having practiced for a year. Such earnestness must now be rarer, because the annual number of learner licenses issued halved between 2003 and 2012.

Statistics are similar for drugs and alcohol, and without cars, drugs, and alcohol, they’re waiting longer to have sex, which closes the loop on teen motherhood. So what on earth are they doing? Apparently spending time on social media.

Perhaps it is not so bad after all.

On the other hand motherhood, and parenthood in general, has been treated with contempt by the free-food-in-schools brigade. The test for a good policy is of its results rather than its intentions. Nobody could be against the intention of ‘feeding the kids,’ but indiscriminately expanding state responsibility must erode the responsibility of parents.

Notice how unfashionable — make that unconscionable — it’s been to ask about parental responsibility in this debate, though. It is taken as read that thousands of parents out there have had children whom they didn’t plan to feed.

Try suggesting that the real problem is parents taking parenthood too lightly, and stand well back for your safety.

Then ask them who will feed kids in the school holidays.

If you’ve read this far, the commandeering of this column has now concluded. Here’s to a happy May 10 for mothers of every kind.

David Seymour is the MP for Epsom.

PAUL GOLDSMITH

F

or many years now I’ve made the slow, thoughtful grind up Ayr St in the pre-dawn chill in time for the Anzac Day dawn ceremony at Auckland War Memorial Museum.

It is always deeply rewarding, taking the time, alongside a large crowd, to reflect on the sacrifices of our forebears and on the ideals for which they fought.

This year is special because Anzac Day marked 100 years since New Zealand soldiers landed at Gallipoli.

Like most Kiwi families whose roots in New Zealand extend back to that period, my family suffered from that brutal campaign. My great-grandmother’s brother, Edgar John Penman, a trooper in the Auckland Mounted Rifles, was killed in action at Gallipoli, on 19 May, 1915. He was 20. His death, one of the 2,779 New Zealand deaths that occurred during the eight months of the campaign, broke the hearts of his entire family, with the sadness of his life cut short lingering with my great-grandmother for decades.

As a young boy I was fond of my great-grandmother, Ethel, primarily because she’d lost her short-term memory and would repeatedly offer us Mallowpuffs whenever we visited. But looking back now, she was my direct link to that awful conflict. In her long life she’d also borne the horror of watching two of her sons go off to WWII. Fortunately, both returned, although one was a POW for many years.

In our neighbourhood, people will gather at Newmarket, at College Rifles, at Auckland Grammar School, and elsewhere, as well as at Auckland War Memorial Museum.

For me, Anzac Day is also a time to be thankful that ordinary New Zealanders of my generation and my father’s generation have been spared from such calamities. We all hope that our children’s generation will likewise not be drawn into a great war. And much of our international engagement as a small country dependant on collective security, sets out to achieve that end. There will always be local and regional conflicts; we play our part, alongside like-minded countries, to help where we can to end those conflicts and to prevent their spread.

The New Zealand centenary of WWI marks the role the nation played in a global event. The experiences of New Zealanders are a part of our sense of who we are. The centenary will touch many New Zealanders at a personal level, building respect and understanding over the next four years.

There will be the opening of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, and the dedication of the Australian Memorial. The Australian Memorial is a reciprocal gesture to the New Zealand Memorial built on Anzac Parade in Canberra. It acknowledges the unique Australian-New Zealand relationship, including our shared military history.

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

the suburbanist

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Harbouring Shared Views

T

he work done by Waterfront Auckland to date has been fantastic.

Wynyard Quarter is an outstanding piece of urban infrastructure built to world-class standards, that has completely revolutionised how Aucklanders interact with the water at the edge of the city.

The idea of a walkway (and cycle path) from Westhaven through to the bottom of Queen St is now a reality. This is no mean feat; it takes vision, years of planning, sensible investment and deep public consultation.

All of which seem to be lacking in the recent plans to extend Bledisloe Wharf to accommodate the growing pains of Ports of Auckland Ltd (POAL). If there is a vision (and certainly one is yet to be articulated), it is a commercial one only. Planning has been brief, there has been no discussion about investment and the public consultation has not only been non-existent, the parties involved have been actively trying to keep this out of the public gaze. More doors have closed on interested members of the public than ever closed on Maxwell Smart.

If it were not for these individuals asking questions, the two finger wharves would be extended before we noticed. But we have noticed, because that’s what happens in a democracy and in a city where we love the water. It started with a modest public meeting that led to the formation of a group called “Stop Stealing Our Harbour”. A grassroots campaign, they quickly put together an open letter from a number of prominent Aucklanders concerned that Ports of Auckland was about to start extending Bledisloe Wharf by nearly 100m into the Waitematā Harbour. The work was due to start in April and time was running out.

The group’s main concern is that we have already invested heavily to create the harbour gateway to our city on Queens Wharf. The proposed extensions will block the view from Queens Wharf to the outer harbour, one of the most significant views on our waterfront.

The extensions will also unnecessarily narrow an increasingly congested harbour. They see the Waitematā as Auckland’s greatest asset, one held in trust for future generations.

Most Aucklanders wouldn’t disagree; but most Aucklanders didn’t even know this was happening.

Resource consents for the extension were issued in late December 2014, without any consultation, notification or knowledge of the wider Auckland community and other stakeholders. This was despite high levels of public interest, and while the contentious issue of port expansion was being addressed in the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan hearings.

The mayor, Len Brown, has said that in the long-term, Aucklanders must face a choice of freight being imported either through the downtown port, or into another port and taken by truck or train to Auckland. Without these imports, he says, the city’s economy would quickly grind to a halt.

Mr Brown is adamant that this is what managing a growing city is all about — making tough decisions.

Which begs the question: if we’re facing tough decisions, why doesn’t he trust the citizens to be involved in them – or at least be engaged in the discussion about them? And if he was so confident that the city was behind him on this, why the closed doors?

After the work of Stop Stealing our Harbour, the doors are starting to open. Mayor Brown has suggested that POAL should cool its heels for a bit, while we assess the economic, environmental and social cost of all options. When he says “we,” I hope he means to include you and me. It would be nice to be asked. — Tommy Honey

the investment

The Problem with Australia

I

am in a bad mood with Australia at present, but at the same time also a good mood. The reason for the bad mood is obvious: the Black Caps resoundingly and convincingly lost the final of the Cricket World Cup, beaten by the Australian team at the MCG. A disappointing end to an otherwise wonderfully enjoyable campaign. The reason for the good mood though is because of the relatively weak Aussie dollar. I take the family to Queensland every October, and I just received the reminder to pay the deposit for the apartment. I paid the deposit, noting that one New Zealand dollar was buying A$0.97. This is the highest I can remember, and compares favourably to the rates I’ve incurred over the past five years: A$0.75 in 2011, A$0.77 in 2012, then A$0.80 in 2013 and A$0.92 last year. Essentially my NZ dollar buys about 30 per cent more in Australia than it did in early 2011, so this next trip looks to be a much cheaper visit than usual. But is the weaker Aussie dollar, and the underlying reasons for it being so, actually that good for us?

This dilemma made me think about how important Australia is to us New Zealanders, above and beyond what happens on the sports field. We actually rely on Australians to come to New Zealand for their holidays. Remember that tourism accounts for about 10 per cent of the NZ economy, and directly and indirectly, 8 per cent of all jobs. In the past year, the 1.25 million Australian visitors accounted for 43 per cent of tourists coming to New Zealand. This number is projected to increase by 28 per cent over the next few years, to more than 1.6 million.

New Zealand relies heavily on Australia as both an export market for goods and services we produce here, as well as products we need to import too. There was $24 billion in two-way trade last year, made up of $13 billion of exports from New Zealand (just behind what we send to China) and $11 billion of imports from Australia.

And what about the banking system? Australian-owned banks have around about a 90 per cent share of the New Zealand market, and send home something like $4 billion of profit every year.

However, Australia is a massive risk to New Zealand: it’s close and it is big. Young New Zealanders can move there, get a job which will typically be paid higher than in New Zealand, but easily come home for the long weekend for mum’s birthday or Christmas.

GDP per person is 40 per cent above that of New Zealand’s, hence the higher wages. Around 40,000 to 50,000 New Zealanders move to live in Australia every year.

So Australia is a very important place for us – an export market, a source of tourists and our main provider of banking products services. The big worry I have is the state of the Australian economy and dollar, both of which are weak, in line with the slump and commodity prices.

We’ve seen this weakness, and will likely continue to do so for some time, in oil and gas prices, in gold — in fact most soft and hard commodity prices. These important commodity prices are all driven by sluggish global growth and concerns that activity may stay slow even in places like China. A slow Australian economy, and a weak Aussie dollar, are actually not good for us.

We want Australian tourists coming and spending here, and we want Australians buying our export products. For both to continue, we need the Australian economy to be healthy, and the Aussie dollar to be strong. In the meantime though, while the Australian economy restructures and recovers, we’ll take the weak Aussie dollar thank you and enjoy cheaper family vacations in Queensland! But enjoy it while it lasts … — Warren Couillault

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the plan

Our Harbour. Our Port

T

he expansion of the wharves and additional reclamation at the Port of Auckland, located between Mechanics Bay and the Ferry Terminal, has been a hot topic of late. However the formal designation for the proposed works was a battle had long ago. So it is all good to go. The expansion is needed (and has been costed on a return on investment basis) to cater for the demand for cars, goods and cruise ships which continues to rise as Auckland grows. The Auckland councillors, who are like our board of directors, gave the tick of approval for the Council Controlled Organisation that runs the port to go ahead. Done and dusted.

And while the councillors have a conflict of interest in favour of the port growing — and thus providing greater income for the city, offsetting rates — they are now faced with a conundrum. Vocal and passionate Aucklanders have said enough is enough! The port cannot keep growing in its present location. The encroachment into the harbour has reached its zenith.

Our councillors do their best to represent the public, while balancing the economic interests of our city and region. No doubt they will revisit the Auckland District Plan provisions regarding reclamation, and may even support a stricter “non complying” classification in the Port Zone. It would seem odd, would it not, to have a “Port Zone” that is an area for port activities, and not allow for reclamation and growth.

So perhaps we need to have a wider, less parochial discussion.

Firstly the port is owned by us. It provides the city a dividend each year which helps pay for the running of the city. It provides jobs, and is the gateway to economic activity through imports and exports. It is a viable business that no logical person would allow the value to diminish. And there is real demand for the location and service it provides.

On the counter, it is 55 hectares of waterfront land (albeit mostly reclaimed) that is inaccessible to the people of Auckland. It appears on the surface to be a storage facility for cars and shipping

the hobson 22

The changing foreshore: left, Auckland’s port today (photo: Ports of Auckland).

Below, St George’s Bay, Parnell, in 1912. The brick Farmer’s Warehouse Building — now the Saatchi & Saatchi building — has reclaimed land in the foreground and right. (photo: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland City Libraries).

containers. In terms of a land asset that could be sold down or leased in a similar way to Wynyard Quarter (thus still providing income for the city), it is worth around $2.2 billion (at $4000/ m2). The land is in close proximity to the CBD and public transport. And it would provide land supply for 15-20 years. And apart from Marseille in France, there are few ports located adjacent to the CBD. So what are the options? Do we say no to more reclamation, thus restricting the Port’s ability to allow for additional capacity? What needs to be remembered is the process to allow

allow for the port at Auckland to cater for current demand, while benefitting offsite from future growth. Maybe it is time to say the port will be disestablished over the next 20 years, and the land returned to the city with the business being split between Marsden Point in Northland and the publicly-listed Port of Tauranga.

It is important to put this issue in context.

The shore line around the CBD in 1870 was St Georges Bay, The Strand, Beach Rd, Fort St and Shortland St. Reclamation has been substantial and continuous. This does not mean it needs to continue unabated, but as the city has grown and

this reclamation was carried out over 10 years ago in a very public, notified forum. I imagine Ports of Auckland Ltd will take the issue of their consented property rights being curtailed very seriously.

Is it time for the government to become involved and look at a business sharing model with the deep water port at Marsden Point?

This may involve the railway being upgraded, and an inland port storage facility being built somewhere on Auckland’s fringe. This would

demand for goods and commerce has increased, so has the demand for more land.

There is no simple solution to this emotive issue. Wise heads are needed to navigate the next 30 years of anticipated demand.

— Hamish Firth p

the hobson 23

Suggested reading: Auckland Council has published a booklet titled Auckland City Heritage Walks – Auckland’s Original Shoreline www. hotcity.co.nz/aucklandcityheritagewalksshore.pdf

Simply Matching Pe

www.remuerareale

25 March 2015

ay concern

home of 50+ ing our family av le t ou ab cision ve made a de e when we ha available if necessary. lif of e tim at re is e to th ehensive We have com g to an apartment where ca been very appr rams, open ve in ha ov d m an d te an og ta es g pr years e world of real rtising, staging, marketin ve perience of th ad ex .. tle ... lit re ry du ve have hers en Trouble is, we process we have seen ot ng lli and with se e th t abou . lists in the area on ia so ec d sp an r, n te io is eg . homes, auct Real Estate R to the property t the Remuera ing buyers who are suited ou ab n io at rm e and target e upon info Then, we cam ch - selling by agreed pric y curious. oa pr ap may be merel a different ho w d an e m co all who want to open home to no n, io ct au No very straighterty. It was all op pr k? e or th w ll is se th s to Could d Diana. d on a proces sit and advise d open approach of Terry an vi a us id pa ear an na King exactly fitting Terry and Dia were impressed with the cl language was otographs, e th e w of d e an us d is n. H eat ph forwar ting descriptio gether with gr y created a lis erty in a different way. To rr Te so d, ee prop proc We decided to ing us think of our familiar ourselves. it ak e, y m t bu ye ld , te ou ra accu at day. We wer good we sh so ed ok onally later th ded. lo iti it nd t co gh un ou th ld e so w nclu was ocess was co morning and whole sale pr t on a Friday is ke th ar ch m hi to w t at en d w lt.

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the district diary - may

monday tuesday wednesday

thursday

Got an entry for The District Diary?

Community groups, schools, special events, birthdays and anniversaries too if we have room! Email details to hobsondiary@gmail.com

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St Cuthbert’s College Conversation with the Principal for prospective parents, plus meet various heads of school. 6pm. Call 520 4159 for information

Girls Campus Tour, King’s College 9.30am. Come along and see what Kings offers Y12 & Y13 girls. kingscollege.school.nz

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Preschooler storytime at Parnell Libary Stories and songs for 3 to 5-year-olds. Every Monday from 11 to 11.30am. Parnell Library, 525 Parnell Rd

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Book Group at Remuera Library 11am

Wriggle & Rhyme Tuesdays Active movement for babies to 2-year-olds, 9.30 - 10am every Tuesday, Parnell Library, 545 Parnell Rd

Book Group at Remuera Library 11am

Rhymetime at Parnell Library A new program for the tinies, from 18 months to 3-years-old.

Free, Parnell Library, 11 11.30am every Wednesday

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Parnell Community Committee Monthly meeting (last Tuesday), 7.30pm, Jubilee Building, Parnell Rd. All welcome

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the hobson 26

Letters in Wartime A special evening with the APO to discuss their “Letters in Wartime” concert in conjuction with the museum.

Free. Refreshments from 6pm, event from 6.30 to 7.30pm, call 373 5084 to register. Parnell Library, 545 Parnell Rd

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Teen Book Club at Remuera Library 4 - 5.30pm 429 Remuera Rd (always fourth Thursday of the month)

Grandparents’ Day, St Cuthberts College

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friday

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Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Grammar/EGGS production, at the Centennial Theatre until May 9. Book at boxoffice.ags.school.nz Theo Schoon at Kinder House Exhibition runs this month, see kinder.org.nz for details

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The Resene Architecture and Design Film Festival now running at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, until May 20. Visit rialto.co.nz for information

saturday sunday

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TEDxAuckland The forum for great ideas worth spreading. Lineup info at tedxauckland.com, tickets eventfinda.co.nz. From 9am,Victory Convention Centre, Freemans Bay.

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La Cigale French Market Saturday and Sunday mornings, 69 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir & All The King’s Men in concert, Holy Trinity Cathedral, 7.30pm, book at iticket.co.nz

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Parnell Farmers’ Market Every Saturday from 8am, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, Parnell

Breakfast in bed... it’s Mother’s Day today

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Happy birthday! Sofia Mrkusich turns 2, and Josie Desmond is 21

King’s College Big House Music, 7.30pm, Vector Arena

Parnell Farmers’ Market Every Saturday from 8am Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, Parnell

Grandsons at War A Heritage NZ exhibition related to the WWI experiences of the Lush family of Ewelme Cottage. Every Sunday to June 28 at Ewelme,14 Ayr St, Parnell, $8.50 adults, children free, heritage.org.nz

Auckland Youth Orchestra: Free Concert Auckland Town Hall, 7.30pm.

Chris Cameron’s 80th birthday

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Taku Tamaki - Auckland Stories The stories that have shaped a city: a special exhibition starts today to mark Auckland’s 175th anniversary. Auckland War Memorial Museum, free with museum entry

Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend FIFA Under-20 World Cup kicks off Watch football’s next (and already) big names: all Auckland games are at QBE Stadium but there’ll be “Fever Pitch” fan fun at Queens Wharf too. See fifa.com

The Auckland Youth Orchestra, right, will perform a free concert (donations at the door welcomed) at the Town Hall on Friday May 23. Under the baton of Antun Poljanich, the AYO will present its “New World Symphony” program — Borodin Polovtsian Dances, Dvorak’s Symphony No 9 and Shostakovich Cello Concerto No 1.

the hobson 27

notes

the business

Burger Queen The opening of Burger Burger in Newmarket is both another coup for hospo talent Mimi Gilmour, and for east-side locals who now don’t have to haul to Ponsonby Central for a really good hamburger.

Zac Fleming sat down to talk food with Mimi Gilmour.

M

imi Gilmour’s CV is impressive. No caveat, it just is. Even more so when you learn she only turned 31 at the end of

April.

First in Gilmour’s food world — she’s not a chef, but has worked in hospitality since university — was the District Dining restaurants, first in Sydney and then in Auckland, with a former partner. Next came the wildly successful Mexico at Britomart, which rapidly expanded to six stores and which Gilmour has since sold out of. Now on her menu is Burger Burger. With the original Burger Burger in Ponsonby Central not even celebrating its first birthday, her second restaurant, in Osborne Lane, Newmarket, opened last month.

Remuera born, bred and educated (Dio), Gilmour says she’s “excited about starting a little bit of a movement back to Newmarket”.

“We just have so many ideas,” she says, referring to her team of five, which also includes her partner, Stephen. “We have to filter them down into what we can manage.” (Those ideas include an

app that will make the table-wait process a breeze).

“My strength is definitely the creative front end of it,” she says. “I don’t think you can bluff your way through hospitality, unfortunately. It’s just got to be in your blood. and got be in your bones. You’ve got to know what you’re doing. It’s a really easy way to lose a lot of money fast.”

Fortunately, the DNA is there and there’s been more success than setbacks. Mimi’s mother, Emerald, and her first husband opened and ran Auckland’s game-changing Clichy in the 1970s and 80s (exposed brick walls, chalkboard menu, radical stuff for the city of the day).Today, Emerald is maitre d’ at La Cigale, and Mimi’s sister, Sophie has also gravitated to the food business — she left her career as a lawyer to open and develop Bird on a Wire, which offers free-range takeaway chooks. (The girls’ father is an orthopedic surgeon-turned medical entrepreneur, so there’s even more helpful business-brain DNA there too).

So with all this food and hospitality in her system, I asked Mimi some leading questions.

Mimi Gilmour, photographed at her first Mexico restaurant, since sold. Photo courtesy of Mimi the hobson 28

the wellbeing

What would your last meal be?

Bœuf bourguignon. Because it’s delicious. It reminds me of my mum and comfort and home.

If I came to your house what would you cook me?

I don’t know, it depends what phase I’m going through.

If I came tomorrow night?

I’ve been cooking a lot of lamb racks and a myriad of different salads at the moment. And cheese. I love cheese. Just all cheese.

Mainly really stinky ones.

What if Barack Obama was coming too?

Lamb racks and salad. I like soul food, I don’t think fancy is necessarily better.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

One of the best dining experiences I’ve had was with my sister in New York at [Michelin-starred] Momofuku Ko. It’s a 12-seater restaurant, and we did a 20 course lunch on a Sunday in New York, and it was awesome.

Where have you spent the most money dining out in the past year?

Coco’s Cantina, Ponsonby Rd Bistro, Blue Breeze Inn. I’m very boring. I go to the same places over and over again.

What’s your go-to food when you’re sick?

Soups. Stewy things. I’m not very precious when I’m sick, I just get on with it.

If you could run any restaurant in the world . . .?

Chez Panisse, just out of San Francisco. [Alice Waters] started the slow food movement, which is all about locally sourcing. She only cooks with produce that’s been sourced from within a certain radius from the restaurant.

And if you could open a Burger Burger anywhere in the world?

I wouldn’t mind opening one in Paris, just so I could live there for a while. Or New York.

What do you think about food blogging and Yelp?

I have mixed feelings about it. You just have to take it with a grain of salt from our perspective, because the nature of it is it’s a community platform where people can speak freely.

Unfortunately, when someone writes something bad, you’re always going to pay so much more attention, than when they say something good. I just learned a long time ago to not let them worry me. But to be honest, some of them have got quite good feedback — if something’s consistently popping up then it’s something you need to pay attention to. So they can be useful.

If you could pick a celebrity ambassador for Burger Burger, who would it be?

I can’t really answer that. I think we’d rather use our own team and people we work with.

If I gave you $20,000 and a month off, where would you go?

Probably Europe. Italy, Greece, Turkey. I love being by the sea, and I want to eat good food and drink wine and lie down in the sun. I think I’d be a quite good Italian.

Thanks Mimi. p

Healthy Hormones

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our body contains more than 100 different types of hormones that pour into your bloodstream at the rate of thousands of billions of units per day. They are crucial to every single function in your body.

When all your hormones are at optimal levels, your body stays healthy, efficient, resilient, flexible and strong. While growing older might be unavoidable, the negative consequences are optional. So, the sooner you pinpoint any deficiencies and take action, the easier the transition will be, and the less damage your body will suffer.

There is no magic-bullet hormone. By ensuring that key hormones are present in the right combinations, and that the body is getting the essential nutrients it needs, you can maintain your health and vitality well into your senior years.

The amount of hormones your body needs, and makes, shifts as you age.

The big problem is that we’ve got to the point where deficiencies are considered normal. ‘Normal’ means nothing more than ‘that which is frequently found’ when interpreting blood test results amongst the general population. It does not define good health.

At best, they’re ‘reference values’. What you should strive for are ‘optimal levels’, which vary from one individual to another.

An ideal approach is to combine modern technological medicine, like blood tests, with a detailed history and physical examination.

This way you can interpret lab results within the context of what is observable to the patient and the experienced clinician. This affords you the best of both worlds, whereby the body doesn’t lie, and a good dose of common sense prevails.

A classic example is cortisol, know as the ‘stress hormone.’ When it’s out of whack, you may experience powerful sugar cravings, with the need to eat anything put in front of you. In this scenario, you make more cortisol when you eat, so the overeating is your body’s way of getting the hormone balance needed.

Without enough cortisol, you feel drowsy and can’t concentrate.

Every little stress feels like too much. Too much cortisol, on the other hand, can lead to an unhealthy feeling of euphoria.

Some stress is good. But lots of stress can be detrimental, making you age faster by reducing hormone levels across the board, hitting the anabolic (tissue building) hormones hard.

If the stress lasts too long, the endocrine glands just can’t compensate for the overuse, and the hormone reserves get used up.

The body gets worn out, minor tissue damage shows up, a feeling of fatigue sets in, and a deep-seated anxiety takes root.

Then there’s ‘growth hormone,’ often referred to as the ‘leaders hormone,’ that makes us feel assertive, strong-minded, decisive, calm. It provides a deep feeling of serenity and security. Telltale signs of a deficiency are carrying extra weight all over, an overhanging belly, low back pain, little cushions of fat above the knees, and on men, ‘breasts’ almost like a woman’s. You may have a hard time controlling your emotions or asserting yourself when required.

As for those pesky sex hormones, like testosterone and estrogen, they’re responsible for everything from foreplay to afterglow.

They’re what keep you juicy, enabling you to turn desire into action.

Protein and healthy fats increase sex hormones, fortifying libido and erections. (For those with heart issues, taking statin drugs and using Viagra or similar is like playing Russian roulette. Dumb).

Minding your hormonal status at any stage in life is what makes the difference, be it from normal wear and tear through the passage of time, to winning the battle of the bulge, to losing your libido.

When you get your hormones right, it keeps you firing on all cylinders, stronger for longer. — Lee Parore

the pretty

Belles of the Ball The beauty arsenal you need to shine for a very special occasion, selected by Melissa Williams-King

Rely on Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup for foundation with staying power that won’t smudge or rub off on clothes. Good news – the price has now dropped to $69. Life Pharmacy 277, Newmarket

Pimples can pop up at the worst moments, but Shiseido Ibuki Multi Solutions Gel, $69, will help keep the coast clear. Life Pharmacy 277, Newmarket

Stand out from the crowd with some extra dazzle. Tonight’s the night for Benefit’s Bling Brow Crystal Kit for Face, Body and Brows, $47, which contains 52 self-adhesive Swarovski crystals. Smith & Caughey’s Newmarket

Dance the night away without ruining your style thanks to Claudia Schiffer’s new Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime Amino-Q Hold Hair Spray, $9.99. At New World, Remuera

Who needs a fairy godmother when there’s MAC’s Cinderella-themed makeup collection? Shown here, Beauty Powder in Mystery Princess, $55. At Smith & Caughey’s, Newmarket

Take flattering lighting with you wherever you go thanks to Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, $54, which is marbleised to provide pretty pigment plus depth and luminescence.

Mecca Cosmetica, Newmarket

Book a school ball makeup session at eleanordornmakeup. com ($70), or do your own face with the help of her deluxe range of makeup brushes. (Choose from Face Set, $135. Eye Set, $80. Essential set, $115.

Complete Set, $288.)

If the hairdresser is overbooked on ball night, don’t despair. Get bouncy waves thanks to the easyto-use VS Sassoon Secret Curl hot rollers, $119.99.

Farmers, Newmarket

The inimitable Karen Walker has branched into fragrance with three highly addictive new scents, simply named A, B and C (from $130). Karen Walker, Newmarket

A flash of metallic nail polish will make you shine on the big night.

Meteor-Shower, You’re On Pandora, and Lunar Skin nail polish from the Future Faby collection, $20.

For stockists see probeauty.co.nz

the hobson 30

For vibrant lipstick that lasts all night long, try Clinique’s new POP Lip Colour + Primer, $46 (16 shades – shown here in Wow and Grape). Life Pharmacy 277, Newmarket

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the hobson suggests

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the wheeze

To all the foxy mummies, with love Eloise Grace is back, this time to save you from gift shame on Mother’s Day

1. Once, while lunching in a café in Parnell, I witnessed a Devil Wears Prada moment. That devil was a seven-year-old child, who was sitting with her equally young friend. Acting as if they were the archetypal ladies-wholunch, the young CEO (Child Exercising Obscenities) ordered herself a long black. After a 10-minute conversation with my own friend about how our future children will be less ridiculous, our embarrassment was taken to an all-time high when the child returned the coffee, complaining it tasted both “dirty and sour”. No my dear, the adjectives you were looking for were “black and bitter”, and your sentences should have gone as follows: “I’ve made a mistake. I am a child and I don’t like this. Please take it from me now. Sorry”. If you are one of these coffee drinking preteens – constantly typing on your iPhone/checking your Instagram/sending pictures of Dylan O’Brien to your chums — here’s the Mother’s Day gift for you. Give her a set of black porcelain latte glasses ($14.99 each) and a matching milk jug ($10.99) from Bolt of Cloth.

Bolt of Cloth, 2-8 Osborne St, Newmarket 2. Now, all young girls have been through a fairy princess phase, but we Parnell girls know we’re slightly better than the everyday plastic-crown-andpurple-tulle crowd. When we dress as princesses of a fantastical nature, it’s done with art and whimsy – and often with our shopping bags being carried by

the fairy helpers (Dandelion Daddy and Brother Bumblebee). Thus, in the spirit of an idyllic autumn, I suggest you let Mummy join you in your Pre-Raphaelite princess ways. Let her float around the house barefoot and barefaced in an Indian Floressents floral print robe ($79.95) from Isabel Harris. Just ensure that she looks like a beauty of nature in the same vein as Vera Wang’s spring collection, and not a 45-year-old cast member of Children of the Corn. Isabel Harris, 3/1 Teed Street, Newmarket, or isabelharris.co.nz

3. As children of the millennium, we are what’s referred to as ‘Generation Y’ and our inherent alleged faults are as follows — we are co-dependent, we live in our parents’ basements for the majority of our lives, and we are resistant to authority. Our parents, on the other hand, (the latch-key kids), are apparently independent, self-reliant and hard working. If I could roll my eyes back

the hobson 32

any further without seriously damaging my extraocular muscles, I would. In addition to being apparently perfect and — as my uni lecturer so enthusiastically phrased it — “responsible for fixing the world and making everything cool”, they have also been cooking from a young age, having been ‘abandoned’ by our hardworking grandparents. Take my father, for example. Often I hear of how he, at the tender age of nine, would make a roast dinner for the family. And I am supposed to be amazed, despite the fact that he cannot today cook neither rice nor pasta, without both resembling porridge? As a child of Gen Y, you should feel the duty to act on your anti-authority predispositions, and teach a thing or two to the generation that learned to cook in a microwave. Buy Mum the S.P.Q.R cookbook ($60) from Paper Plus Newmarket, and put an end to her ’70s opinions on the importance of mayonnaise in every meal. Paper Plus Newmarket, 255 Broadway 4. Are you a bit of an MTV junkie? Do you wear spandex, despite the fact that you’re under 18? Do you think Kim Kardashian is a ‘natural beauty’? Do you drink mochas?

If you do one or all of these things, you are what I call a ‘Dolly Parton in the making’ (see Miley Cyrus, Amanda Bynes, Lindsay Lohan or any other of the old Disney gang gone rogue). You’ve probably brought into the junior Kardashian Instagram sales pitch that 16-year-olds need anti-aging cream. Well, here’s something that will be in your ballpark, while bringing your game down to a more Little League level.

GlamGlow ($89) is a facemask that is currently making Hollywoodites buzz.

Made in France from volcanic minerals, it’s the perfect mummy and daughter Mother’s Day activity. It’s a win-win really, you can feel ‘younger’ and mum

Olga Angelloz/shutterstock.com

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o doubt your plan is to give your mum a last-minute handmade card and a bunch of ‘wild’ flowers that you ripped out of her garden.

Well, that’s just not on, is it? So, I’m giving you some ideas that will suit both you and her. Let’s make fun this Mother’s Day, starting with making fun of you …

can actually look it! Available at Mecca Cosmetica, 264 Broadway, Newmarket

further bet my grandmother’s life that your Instagram has historically been a serious dedication to documenting your many meals out (ranging from the Carl’s Junior that you brought, and the Milano pasta your mother brought you) or the perfect selfie – or both?! Well, here’s the perfect photo opportunity! Woodpecker Hill is the Parnell newcomer and boy are they coming in strong! Buying mum their kingfish with pomelo, lemongrass, chili jam and lime ($18 per person) will make everyone like you more – Mum especially. Woodpecker Hill, 196 Parnell Rd. Book at woodpeckerhill.co.nz

5. Are you constantly being accused of smelling like garbage? Do your family greet you with phrases like “Hello, mop hair”, “Want some lasagne, Garfield?” or “Can you please get your toe nail clippings off my floor!” ? If they do, you’re likely to be a bit of a paradox, because you are a Hobson bogan.

Unfortunately, you are also likely to go through your teen years worshipping Mike Myers in the movie Wayne’s World and quoting the lyrics from Nirvana songs that we all hoped would just fade away. How about giving it a rest for just one night, sweeping that long greasy hair back, (maybe even showering?) and taking mother out to Remuera Local for the evening. Cough up for a delicious meal and delectable wine (for her) and remind her why she loves her headbanging son. Remuera Local Café Bistro, 371 Remuera Rd, call to book, 520 2900

7. Are you a militant veganista? Do you wear baggy paisley travelling pants, despite never having been to an Asian country? Do you ‘namaste’ to your parents in the morning? Unfortunately, my dear, you are a Hobson bohemian ninny. You likely spend your hard-earned (or not so hard-earned) allowance on fair trade bracelets, but wear them in conjunction with your Nike Roshes.

The bumper sticker on Daddy’s car may be “Save the Planet” but it’s attached to an eight-seater SUV. Give mum a

6. If you’re a teenage girl from THE HOBSON’s area, I’d bet my life you have an Instagram account. I would then

break from the nonsense, and pass on to her what works best on you: the boho blow wave. Spend some of your charm bracelet money treating her to a session at Bettjemans salon (blow waves from $69), so she’s looking her most fabulous on May 10. Bettjemans, 52 Coates Ave, Orakei, book by calling 522 8030 8. Finally, are you the kind of child who thanks your mother for taking you overseas by screaming until you turn blue? Do you pull her hair, hard? Or wear designer shorts, and soil them? If you are, you’re likely to be a toddler (or a very unfortunate teenager) and probably don’t have the ability to read this suggestion.

However, dads … I call on you to buy the presents from the little darling! Give your spouse a chance to relax and send her to Lucy & The Powder Room for the “Autumn Hour” luxe facial-and-footmassage treat ($99) and she’ll return so relaxed you’d never guess she has children! Which she’s likely to thank you for, or at least until you hand over the kid, both of you in tears. Lucy & The Powder Room, upstairs at Stephen Marr, 16 Morrow St, Newmarket, call 524 6702 p

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the portfolio

To

The Moon and back In honour of Mother’s Day on Sunday May 10, we asked some local families to share a little bit of their family life with us photography by todd eyre interviews by justine williams

Jacqui Ansin with husband Jon Ramage’s daughters, Samantha, 15, left, and Georgia, 19, photographed in Little Rangitoto Park with their Lhasa-Apso/Bichon Frise dogs, Louis and Lily.

“Having kids in my life took some major adjustment, that’s for sure. I remember the girls missing the school bus one day, so I said I’d drive them — until we remembered that I had a two-seater car. Now I couldn’t imagine life without them.

They are great girls, and they bring so much life and fun to the house.”— Jacqui

the hobson 34

the portfolio

Mia Ricketts, with Lily, six months. Mia and husband Sam also have sons Sebby, 10, and Jack, 8.

“We were always determined to have three children. We tried for years to have Lily — by the time I’d turned 40, I’d pretty much given up. It was almost unbelievable when we found out we’d finally done it! Every day I look at them all and think, “How lucky are we?” The funny thing is that after having had two boys, I keep forgetting to put her in dresses. She spends a lot of time in grey and white leggings and singlets.” — Mia

the hobson 36

Prue Olde, centre, with daugher Mindy Levene, and grand-daughter, Natasha Levene, 10, in the Levene family kitchen, Remuera.

Prue and husband Denver also have sons Duncan and Matt; and Mindy and husband Mark also have Samuel, 20, and Benjamin, 18.

“Cooking is a religion in our family, so my kids really know how to get to me. They say “Granny’s cooking is way better than Mummy’s”. I don’t know what it is about her food, but even a simple coleslaw — three ingredients — I can’t make taste as good as hers. Apparently my lemon chicken is great, but then Mum’s never made lemon chicken.” — Mindy

the hobson 37

the portfolio

“Mum taught me the flower industry. I worked for her for four years, and now I’m the grower and auctioneer, and she’s the one still one step ahead of the competition, with great ideas.

I love that Mum and I have flowers in common.

It’s our own special thing.” — Brook

Wendy Hart, photographed at her Parnell business, Flowers After Hours, with sons Brook Thomson, 25, and Thomas Hart, 14; and daughter Billie Hart, 13

the hobson 38

the hobson 39

the portfolio

Georgina Robertson with her mother, Margaret Gilbert, photographed at the Gilbert’s Remuera apartment. Margaret and Stephen Gilbert have three other children, James, Charlotte and Nicholas. Georgina and husband James are parents to Eva, 9, and John, 7.

“Mum has always been this gorgeous, glamorous, elegant and entirely capable woman, but at the same time had always just been “mum” to me. I lived overseas for 12 years. When I returned, I starting working on the business [Prescription Skin Care] with her, and suddenly our relationship was very different. I got to see how much respect people in our industry have for her — I got to see her as so much more than “mum”.” — Georgina

the hobson 40

the hobson suggests

Make Mother’s Day with gifts from Remuera

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Remuera makes choosing a perfect present easy, with gift ideas for mothers of all tastes, from classic to modern. 1. Enjoy 20 per cent off custom framing and mirrors until Mother’s Day at Sgraffito, 520 5090. 2. Spoil mum with Ecoya — purchase any full-size Ecoya diffuser and receive a limited edition Coconut & Elderflower mini diffuser (pictured) at Hedgerow, 524 0843.

3. Gift the write note with “Flora” (top, from $23.60) and “Classica Italia” ($34.50) Italian stationery, Poppies Bookshop, 524 4001. 4. A Pantone flower pot, $38 (other sizes available, plant not included) will brighten any room, Design Quarter, 524 9663. 5. Gorgeous cushions for Mother’s Day from The Sitting Room, 520 2200. 6. Art makes a memorable gift: Annette Isbey “Head of a Woman III”, 1550 x 1680mm, at Remuera Gallery, 524 7403. www.remuera.org.nz 7. Shipshape“Maritime” is a teapot, cup and saucer for one ($49), at Coffee & Tea Lovers, 523 4540.

the second act

Rewriting the Script

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ere’s a question to answer right here, right now, honestly and with no fence sitting. Would you say who you are today has been shaped more by pain and disappointment; or joy and happy occasions?

Usually when I ask this, there are more people who admit to the former; and these are happy, successful well-rounded types too. I ask this question particularly to those who are moving toward their “second act” — that lifestage from middle age. Answering it can help explore how much their “story” is holding them back.

You often drag the story of your past around as a badge, an excuse for not being able to do the things you wish to do. “I’m like this because my father did/said/didn’t …” “I can’t lose weight because my mother fed me …” Or, even better, “They should have/ shouldn’t have sent me to [insert any school name here]” . . .“I’ve had a series of bad relationships because …” You know the phrases; you may have used them yourself.

While often there is indeed a link between current behaviours and past occurrences and relationships, it is the weight we give to the meaning, and story, of the occurrence, which is the real thing that holds us back.

We all have a story that defines who we are. I’ve trotted out mine out for years. It’s a mainly tedious chick-lit classic, but with some high drama at certain places.

Chapter 1. Working-class upbringing when money was tight (yawn) — an important link apparently to the heroine’s later becoming a bit of a spendthrift.

Chapter 3. An average education, which apparently explains why the heroine had confidence issues in her early years, or so it goes.

Chapter 4. Mother dies — an important part of the storyline relating to her ability to ‘get back on the horse’ later on.

Chapters 6-8. The patchy marriage years where her husband “just doesn’t understand me”. And so forth.

Largely a work of fiction, I woke up one day and was simply bored reading it. It was like watching continuous reruns of Coronation Street.

It’s embarrassing even giving you the plot outline here, but I do it as I am encouraging any reader to actually write their life story.

Not a timeline of what has happened in your life, but write your own back-story with meaning, the meaning you actually give it in real life.

Then, read it to yourself continuously (it works even better to read it to a friend, whose job it is to do nothing but listen) until you are bored. What I am asking you to do is to disconnect to the story itself, to get greater understanding of the meanings you’ve given it.

Recently someone came to me for coaching, with the primary reason to stop being held hostage by their “story”. Depending on how committed the client is to their story, I often refer people to a counsellor, as the good ones are expert at exploring the story, untangling the threads, working out what you made it mean versus what it might actually mean, thus helping the protagonist move forward.

From a coaching point of view, my preference is to work with clients who really are ready to look forward, and to help shape what that might look like. Within this, stories and meanings (or beliefs) that hold you back are often revealed, and these can be identified as fictitious as we go.

While most of my private practice work is in leadership, with whomever I work with, understanding the person’s personal journey — and the story attached to it — is critically important. We may be outwardly successful, but who knows what we might achieve if we got over ourselves?

At the end of the day, who we are today is bound together by a unique concoction of beliefs. And if we are ever stuck in our lives, it is often because we have our foot both on the accelerator and the brake at the same time, due to some beliefs that drive us forward, and others that hold us back.

This is one of the reasons why I agreed to do this “The Second Act” column, because midlife is as good a time as any to drop whatever you have made the past mean, and get on with reinvention.

Easier said than done, but not impossible. — Sandy Burgham

RAINS AT HEDGEROW New styles for 2015 in store now

09 524 0843

the hobson 42

the teacher

A Team Effort

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ith summer and the first term well and truly behind us, it is now time to prepare for two winter terms. I hope the school holidays were an enjoyable time for you to have shared new experiences with your children, and a rest from formal learning and often over-scheduled programs.

We would all like to believe that having children is our right; it surely is a huge privilege. To be honest when it was my turn to make this life-changing decision, I gave the ‘long term’ reality of it little thought. All I wanted was a baby, or two, even more would have been a delight. After spending much of my time as a teacher with other people’s children, I had this overpowering urge to have a few of my own. And what a blessing that decision turned out to be, as I now reflect on the often-scary journey of parenthood. What a commitment it is, but even better than that, what a hugely rewarding experience that takes you to places, personally, that you never dreamed of going. Parenthood has to be the most joyful and rewarding experience of all time (well, most of the time!).

Starting school is always a milestone for a child, as it is for parents. If your little one is starting school for the first time this term, make sure the transition is easy and exciting for them. No doubt you will have looked at schools in your area and made an informed decision about which school would suit your child best.

School cultures, while all good, are often quite different so visiting a school, attending an open day or checking the website, are all good things to do prior to entering. You will certainly know which one is best for your child, as it will have a certain ‘feel’ about it. I know that sounds a little like waffle but it actually works. I have four grandchildren in four different schools, each one of them knowing that their one is the best!

The first three years of school will be the most valuable, putting in place all the basic learning skills your child will need for all future learning. These are the years when your time spent with them doing little tasks set for revision at home will be

essential, and highly rewarding for future success. For example, reading with and to them, listening to them reading the early readers they will bring home, and them seeing you enjoying reading as well, will model great learning habits. I am only too aware of the pressures on families in the hours before bedtime, but I can’t stress enough how important time spent now will be of great benefit later on.

It is during these three years, as teachers, we are able to monitor for any learning issues or difficulties a child may be experiencing. All children learn differently and at their own pace, but can become very good at setting up strategies to hide a problem they may be experiencing. Good, well experienced teachers will be well aware of these as the first year passes and will have it well documented, often discussing their concerns with parents as well. Good parent/teacher partnerships are essential.

As students progress through the rest of their schooling, the experience should be exciting, fascinating, challenging, and fun. It is not about achieving the next ‘A’, says Carol Dweck, a Stanford University professor in psychology, or being in the ‘top’ class! This unnecessary expectation can often put pressure and stress on children when they should be focused on learning to take risks, and developing a growth mindset (versus those with a fixed mindset, who are adverse to the failures a challenge may bring).

There is no doubt there are more distractions bombarding students today than ever before. This cultural shift means in addition to helping students gain the skills and knowledge they will need in the future, we as teachers have to plan our programs using smart strategies to link the onslaught of technology in all its forms, to meet the needs of the ‘language’ of their future.

So keeping children focused on learning in all its forms is quite a task for teachers and parents. The old saying, ‘it’s not what we learn but how we learn’, still holds true today, probably even more so. — Judi Paape

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the cinema

May at the Movies PAPER PLANES — director Robert Connolly. Starring Sam Worthington, Ed Oxenbould, Deborah Mailman, David Wenham. When Aussie kid Dylan (Oxenbould) decides to take his love for flight to the next level, his whole town gets involved in this whimsical tale that proves it’s okay to be a bit different. With the support of his dad, Jack (Worthington), Dylan sets out to not only enter the World Paper Plane Championship in Japan, but to win it.

Dylan takes on the best in the world as he sets out to prove wrong those who said he couldn’t do it.

childhood in 1950’s Ireland — the death of her mother, a dissolute father, state care.

A brutal rape at 17 led to pregnancy, her child adopted against her will. In middle age, Noble (played by O’Kane) set out

SLOW WEST — director John Maclean. Starring Michael Fassbender, Rory McCann, Kodi Smit-McPhee. Another true story, with scenes filmed in NZ standing in for 19th century frontier America. Naïve 16-year-old Jay (Smit-McPhee) leaves Scotland in search of the love of his life. Accompanied by troublesome Silas (Fassbender), the boy encounters drifters, bounty hunters and all manner of ne’re-do-wells on his fraught journey.

NOBLE — director Stephen Bradley. Starring Deidre O’Kane, Sarah Greene, Brendan Coyle. The true story of humanitarian and children’s rights activist Christina Noble, OBE, known to many from her best-selling biography, Bridge Across MyRADFF Sorrows.

Noble had a1 tortured HOBSON AD.pdf 4/2/15

for Vietnam, driven by recurring dreams of the country’s children. The charity she established to care for orphans and streetkids, the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, continues its important work in Vietnam and Mongolia.

A ROYAL NIGHT OUT— director Julian Jarrold. Starring Sarah Gadon, Emily Watson, Bel Powley, Rupert Everett.

A comedy-drama set against V.E. Day 1945 — the unconditional surrender of the German forces, bringing the end of WWII in Europe. King George VI (Everett) allows his daughters, the princesses Elizabeth (Gadon) and Margaret (Powley), to covertly join the celebrations outside of the palace walls. It’s a last hurrah for Elizabeth before taking up her official duties as heir-incumbent. This is fiction, but based on a real event — the princesses did have an evening out to celebrate the end of the war.

THE GROUND WE WON — director Christopher Pryor. From director-cinematographer Pryor comes this extraordinary look at our contemporary world, and what it means to be a good Kiwi bloke. Set in rural NZ, the documentary follows a rugby club of farmers as they attempt to rescue their season after a long run of losses. The weight of balancing family, farming and rugby is daunting, and the weekend game is one of honour, defending their patch from those that would seek to claim it.

— Caitlin McKenna All films listed will screen at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket this month

4:12 PM

Rialto Cinemas and Clearly & Co present

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CM

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AUCKLAND Rialto Cinemas May 07 - 20

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WELLINGTON Embassy Theatre May 28 - June 10

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DUNEDIN Rialto Cinemas June 11 - 21

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CHRISTCHURCH Academy Gold June 25 - July 08

www.rialto.co.nz Photo © Iwan Baan

the bookmark

Mother’s Day Books with Love

LISTS OF NOTE — Compiled by Shaun Usher (Allen & Unwin) The first thing to read is the cover review from The Sunday Times, which encapsulates this book as “the literary equivalent of a box of chocolates – bite-sized and pure addictive pleasure”. All mothers know only too well the pleasure and pain of lists, but this book will be an inspiration to all.

NOVEL INTERIORS: LIVING IN ENCHANTED ROOMS INSPIRED BY LITERATURE — Lisa Borgnes Giramonti (Random House) You don’t just read a good book, you inhabit it.

The key to a stylish life is in

the details, and the details are found in books — from the stately homes of a Henry James novel, to the sleek mirrored homes in the works of F Scott Fitzgerald. Chapter headings like “Embrace the Patina” for a charming and cozy hideaway you might find in a Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell novel. Or, “Adopt the Unconventional” by mixing unexpected patterns and bold colours inspired by Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield and Lawrence Durell.

HEART AND HOME: ROOMS THAT TELL STORIES — Linda O’Keefe (Rizzoli) Here, “home” is defined as an emotionally-

arresting space that nurtures and inspires the many creative people who live there. The varied spaces are all imbued with character, originality and personal meaning to their owners, whose impressions and thoughts begin every chapter.

A FOOD LOVER’S PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE — Dee Nolan (Penguin) From the vineyards of Burgundy to the mountains of the Basque Country; food, wine, walking and history on the French pilgrim paths to Santiago de Compostela.

Winding through magnificent and changing landscapes, Nolan visits vineyards, markets and cooks traditional recipes

the hobson 45

in home kitchens. The lush photography honours the spirit of the book.

THE COTTAGE UNDER THE BIG PINES: MEMORIES & DETAILS FROM FOXGLOVE SPIRES — Susan Southam (Murdoch Books) In this lyrical illustrated memoir, Southam — bestselling author of Velvet Pears — invites us to take a journey. This collection of gentle meditative essays themed around seasons, colours and living spaces, recounts the nostalgic love story between Susan and her century-old timber cottage.

— Gail Woodward

the sound

FOMOOGM

(Fear Of Missing Out On Great Music)

M

y first article for THE HOBSON was about two young blokes from England who had restored my faith in songwriting, performance and good old-fashioned passion. They were Jake Bugg and Tom Odell.

Jake Bugg has been called the ‘East Midlands Bob Dylan’. Born in Nottingham, his self-titled debut album charted at No 1 in the UK at the start of 2013, and his song Lightning Bolt was played before the Olympics 100m final. The lad was 18 at the time. He’s followed that up with a second album, Shangri-La, which was produced by Rick Rubin, which suggest he’s made it.

Tom Odell is the next generation’s Chris Martin, but don’t tell him that to his face or the conversation will end rather quickly.

He’s an angsty piano playing singer born in Chichester. He briefly lived in New Zealand, in Ellerslie, when his pilot dad was transferred here, before returning to the UK. His debut album Long Way Down debuted in the UK at No 1 and he won a Brit Award for it. People were fond of saying Odell is the new Adele.

Except obviously he’s male.

The funny thing was that these two huge talents somehow slipped completely under my radar and the radar of most New Zealanders. It was my boys discovering their music on YouTube that put me on to them.

It’s a very common story.

There’s such a wealth of music out there, the good stuff can be completely ignored.

The fact that there are so many ways music can be consumed today also means it’s easy to miss stuff. Then again, it also means that luck can strike, and strike quickly. Look how Lorde took over the world in six months.

So I’m getting a little more vigilant about the music that comes across my desk. Here’s two releases that I think you should look out for.

The first is James Bay and his album Chaos and the Calm.

James has had a good run with a load of hype in the UK and a single being played here on the radio. But I had the album for a couple of weeks and didn’t realise what I was missing until we put it on during a drive to Piha. It was one of those “a-ha” moments when the teens in the back seat sat up and said, “Who is this?”

James is from the little town of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, and was discovered after a fan uploaded a video to YouTube of him

performing in a local pub. Search him on YouTube and you’ll find loads of beautiful performances with just him and his guitar.

He’s certainly commercial. He’s a bit like our own Benny Tipene, with more money behind him and a more bruised heart.

My friend GlennZB from the radio described him to me as an amalgam of all the British James’ — Blunt, Morrison and Blake.

His hair is also an amalgam of Hozier and James May, which is a little disturbing. (Is a long hair period on its way back?).

Anyway, it was a thrill to be surprised by someone I didn’t know. It’s also a thrill to realise just how many young 20-somethings have got the singer/songwriter thing down. You’ve probably heard Bay’s single “Hold Back The River”. It’s one of those songs that you prick up your ears to halfway through and say “Who’s this”. It grows and takes you on a journey that’s not common in these days of hooks. The song “Scars” is a bit of a stunner. It took two years to write and it shows.

It’s about a long distance relationship, and it features his raspy voice and a spare guitar.

To be fair the rest of the album is a little over produced. But James Bay is definitely one to watch.

The other is our own SJD. Sean Donnelly has produced seven great albums in his career. He’s well known in music circles, producing Don McGlashan and being part of Neil Finn’s Pyjama Club. He’s won the Taite Prize, and his 2004 album Southern Lights is one of my all time favourites. But for all his success, most Kiwis don’t know him. He should be up there in the Don, Dave and Neil pantheon.

His new album, Saint John Divine, has already received well deserved 5-star reviews from the Herald, The Listener and any reviewer who’s ever heard it. It’s a sparsely beautiful record that has a classic timeless feel to it, much like Air’s output. Was this made in the 50s or in the future? Either/or.

This album is worth it for just the orchestral arrangements on the opening track. His clear high voice floats. The whole thing radiates confidence and beauty, but it will never be played on the radio. It’s kind of like Beck’s Morning Phase. Another of my favourites that went under the radar, until he won a Grammy for it.

Buy it. You won’t regret it, and SJD deserves it. Early contender for record of the year. — Andrew Dickens.

Image courtesy of Universal Music the hobson 46

the arts

The Promised Land

T

he latest exhibition to open at Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is a tour de force by the extraordinary New Zealand artist, Michael Parekowhai. I would have to admit to being a little biased towards his work, having worked with him on previous projects.

In 2011 he represented New Zealand at the Venice Biennale with an ambitious exhibition entitled On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer, featuring the now infamous bronze bulls atop grand pianos in the garden of a Venetian palazzo.

This latest exhibition is billed as a retrospective, but Parekowhai has not been content to simply gather together and exhibit work made over the past 25 years or so of his highly successful career. Instead, he offers us The Promised Land, a visual and sensory journey through a combination of major new work, familiar friends and pieces that we thought we knew, but that the artist has rewritten.

In typically New Zealand fashion, we enter the exhibition through the back door of a two storey coralcoloured house, constructed within the gallery, to be greeted by a larger-than-life stainless steel sculpture of Captain James Cook (The English Channel, 2015), pensively sitting upon a tripod table.

Cook is surrounded by a wallpaper army of Parekowhai’s familiar security guards and businessmen, cast on a smaller scale and in a variety of quirky colours. From here the journey through this delightful ‘memory palace’ begins as the viewer becomes immersed in the wonderful world of Michael Parekowhai.

GOMA’s huge Fairfax Gallery, which may be daunting to some, is skillfully divided into thirds, with the second part of the exhibition, The Homefront, taking place beyond a giant Cuisenaire-rod wall. Individual rooms within highlight aspects of the artist’s practice and perhaps provide insights into his interests — religion, war, the planets, music, home and places far away, to name but a few.

Parekowhai is interested in making the ordinary extraordinary, highlighting everyday imagery rather than the

exotic. One of the lightbulb moments for me in this exhibition was the skill with which Parekowhai gives what we may regard as ‘common’ items gravitas. Sparrows, rabbits, golf balls and lemon trees straight from the garden centre are transformed into beautiful sculptural objects via Parekowhai’s skilled hand.

Queensland Art Gallery holds a collection of Parekowhai’s work, with the most significant piece being The Horn of Africa 2006, a piano balanced upon a seal’s nose. Spectacular in its appearance, it sits playfully in one of the final rooms, amongst photographs from the series The Consolation of Philosophy: piko nei te maenga 2001. While Parekowhai can be playful, his work is always sincere, and to me this room feels like a true example of the artist’s ability to traverse a range of emotions.

From here you exit into a massive, magical room which holds what was the centrepiece of the Venice exhibition, the red piano, He Kōrero Pūrākau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu: story of a New Zealand river 2011.

As the artist says, no object can fill a room like sound can. A little girl danced and other visitors sat quietly in the bronze school chairs dotted around the room as the piano was played. Above it on a wall is a recent neon work which flickers on and off with the word “Closed”. At other times it says “Lose”. Perhaps he is reminding us that this art business is really just a game?

GOMA itself is a wonderful destination to visit. I can recommend lunch at the terrace restaurant, where the signature dessert appeared looking very much like an Aboriginal dot painting but is a delicate wattleseed custard. Outside the gallery, beside the river, don’t miss Parekowhai’s major bronze, The World Turns, commissioned in 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of GOMA, and 20 years of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. The exhibition continues until June 21, so if you are able to make it to Brisbane before then, you will be well rewarded. — Leigh Melville

Photo courtesy of Leigh Melville the hobson 47

the anzacs

Thomas Grey Culling, DSC In a series to mark the centenary of WWI, Remuera Heritage is discovering the stories behind the names commemorated around the suburb. This month, Sue Cooper and Jenny Haggitt celebrate New Zealand’s first air ace.

T

homas Grey Culling was born in Dunedin on 31 May, 1896, the only son of Thomas Shepherd Culling and Fanny Grey, of 23 Victoria Ave, Remuera. His early education took place in Dunedin, where his grandfather had made his fortune during the Otago gold rush, and Thomas senior was a local body politician — mayor of St Kilda — and a successful businessman.

The Cullings relocated to Auckland in 1906, and Thomas attended King’s College from 1909 to 1913. He had finished his schooling and was working as a salesman for general merchants A J Entrican and Company, when war was declared in August 1914. A member of Remuera’s College Rifles, Culling left with a contingent from the club for Wellington just four days later. He immediately volunteered for military service with the Advance Force, which was to occupy German Samoa.

Culling’s father was unhappy about this, as a letter to his sister reveals: “Our Tom was among the first to be called off to duty; he is now in Wellington in camp. I have protested against him leaving New Zealand, being only 18 years, whereas the government promised that they would take none under 20 years. I am trying to get him back to Auckland. If he got away, the probability is we would never see him again, and if he did come back, he might be quite ruined for work like many of the members of contingents who returned from the Boer War”. Thomas senior was successful in preventing his son embarking for Samoa, but in August 1915 at the age of 19 he did leave, bound for Britain.

Culling was accepted as an enlistee into the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on January 29, 1916. He began his flight training on Maurice Farman biplanes at Chingford Air Station in Essex, obtaining his aviator’s certificate in mid-July and graduating with his pilot’s brevet at the beginning of September.

On September 18, with under 50 hours of air time, he was ordered to Dover to await an operational posting. In the interim, he carried out nine sea patrols and, on the last day of the month, was released for foreign service. Culling ticked all the right boxes, his personal file recording he was “perfect in every way and a good type of officer”. This resulted in him joining a unit known as the “Detached Squadron,” which was part of No. 1 Wing RNAS at Furnes in Belgium, close to the border with France.

Culling was attached to Australian Flight Commander Roderic Dallas’ flight. Dallas was a striking personality who compiled a tally in excess of 30 victories, Australia’s most successful pilot of the war. Dallas and Culling flew frequently together and often were able to verify the other’s success in dogfights. The assessment given Culling at Dover proved correct, and he became a committed and forceful aviator, with an unquestionable appetite for engaging the opposition whenever the occasion presented itself.

In 1916 the German Albatros planes had dominated the skies with the loss of three British planes for every German one. In December

the squadron began updating with the new British Sopwith Triplane — the pilots nicknamed it the Tripehound or Tripe. A wonderful development, the Sopwith was powered by a 130-hp Clerget rotary engine and had a Vickers machine gun, synchronised to fire through the propeller. Its unique wing development gave the plane a phenomenal rate of climb, exemplary manoeuvrability and a top speed of 120 mph at 10,000 feet.

Culling was assigned to fly Sopwith Triplane No. N5444 with 1 Naval Squadron. He began to score victories in April 1917, with his first three coming that month. The combat of April 23 became one of the classic air battles of the war. Roderic Dallas and his wingman Culling took on a squadron-sized formation of 14 German aircraft, having gained an altitude edge. The aces exploited this edge by making quick diving attacks from opposite sides, culminating in short bursts of machine-gun fire. Using the Triplane’s superior climbing ability, they would then bob back up to position themselves for the next assault. In contrast to the usual hit-and-run tactics of most dogfights, the RNAS duo launched at least 20 gunnery runs over 45 minutes. The Germans were forced progressively lower, and then chased back over their own lines. Dallas and Culling also achieved a more important outcome by blocking, and then breaking up, a determined enemy effort against the British ground offensive. The action led to the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross for Dallas, and a Distinguished Service Cross for Culling.

In May, Culling received promotion to Flight Lieutenant. But less than three weeks later, he was missing. He fell into an airfight against an opposite from the German Maritime Air Service during an offensive patrol on the morning of June 8, 1917, inside the Belgium border. Just before midday an airman from Germany’s Marine Field fighting Squadron No. 1 shot down a Triplane believed to be the New Zealander’s. The 21-year-old’s body was never recovered. His name is on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in France, which commemorates nearly 1,000 airmen with no known grave.

Culling was survived by his mother, and sisters Mona, Gladys and Fanny. He is commemorated on the Remuera Primary School gates, King’s College roll of honour, St Aidan’s Church war memorial, College Rifles’ roll of honour and the Warbirds of Wanaka Fighter Ace wall. There are also two stained glass windows in King’s College chapel in his memory, commissioned by his mother.

The authors acknowledge the following in their research for this article: “The Air Aces — Thomas Grey Culling”, Paul Sortehaug, Pacific Wings, Dec-Jan 2014; “Naval Aces of World War 1”, Jon Guttman, and “Sopwith Triplane Aces of World War I”, Norman Franks, both Osprey Publishing; and Helen Vail’s 100nzmemorials. blogspot.co.nz.

Thomas Grey Culling. Photo: Archives New Zealand the hobson 48

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