THE HOBSON March 17

march 2017

shakespeare's local hero p eggs turns 100 local news, views & informed opinions

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Artist’s Impression

The March Issue, No. 36 6

33

the editor’s letter

the kaitiaki

8

Precious Clark considers the generational legacy of the Treaty of Waitangi

the columnists

34

10

the arts

the village

An artists’ collective thrives at Orakei Bay Village

What is happening in our part of town — concern over the state of Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson; Parnell gets trains and probably, a cycleway too; a hero police officer turns cafe owner in Remuera; reports from our local Councillors and local board chairs, and more

36 the pretty No nasties — Justine Williams finds gritty skin scrubs that won’t damage the environment

20

40

the reps

the teacher

Words from our men in the House, MPs Paul Goldsmith and David Seymour

Judi Paape on why parents should put their hands up, too

21

41 the second act

the suburbanist Tommy Honey listens to an expert view on where Auckland is placed on the modern city arc

22

Sandy Burgham tries to follow her own advice about screen time v sleep time

42 the magpie

the plan

Sweet dreams are assured in this nesting attire

As our city sprawls, Hamish Firth wonders whatever happened to town planning

44 the bookmark

23

Modern American history is Gail Woodward’s choice this month

the investment Warren Couillault decodes the movements of the Dow

45

23

the cinema

the neighbourhood

Caitlin McKenna’s selections at the movies this month

Remuera real estate agent Terry King on the influences affecting the local housing market

46 the sound

26 the celebration

Andrew Dickens and the life lessons to be learned at a summer music festival

Epsom Girls Grammar School lights the candles for its 100th year

47 the district diary

30

Dates to note for March

the play's the thing A life-long love of Shakespeare has given Dr Miles Gregory his career, and us, his Pop-up Globe theatre company

48 the cryptic Our puzzle, by Māyā. Hint: some of the answers are local

WIN a Night of Tragedy and Great Theatre!

Courtesy of the Pop-up Globe, we have two double passes to give away to the April 27 performance of Shakespeare’s Othello, the dramatic tragedy of love, deception, racism, revenge. These are B-reserve tickets, and can only be used for the 7.30pm performance on Thursday April 27.

To win a double pass, please email OTHELLO in the subject line to: business@thehobson.co.nz, telling us why you’d like to be part of the Pop-up Globe audience. Entries close 5pm Friday March 24. the hobson 4

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issue 36, march 2017 Editor & Publisher Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz Art Direction & Production Stephen Penny design@thehobson.co.nz Writers Kirsty Cameron, Najira Khanam, Penny Lewis, Wayne Thompson, Justine Williams Sub-editor Fiona Wilson Social Media Editor Sarah Lynch Columnists & Contributors This Issue Sandy Burgham, Precious Clark, Warren Couillault, Hamish Firth, Paul Goldsmith, Tommy Honey, Terry King, Māyā, Caitlin McKenna, Judi Paape, David Seymour, Gail Woodward

he enduring fascination with the works of Shakespeare would seem to be growing stronger with each decade, four centuries after the playwright’s death. Next month, more than half of New Zealand’s secondary schools will present scenes in the annual Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival, run by the Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ and the University of Otago. The regional festivals offer students acting and directing opportunities, and for some, like St Cuthbert’s student Sophie Barrell, the opportunity to be selected for workshops at the Globe Theatre in London. Locally, St Cuth’s, EGGS, Grammar, Dio and St Peter’s are regular participants — good luck to everyone taking part this year. For this issue, I had the privilege of meeting Dr Miles Gregory, creator of the Pop-up Globe theatre. As we publish, Pop-up Globe will be opening for its 2017 season at the Ellerslie Racecourse.

Miles, who grew up in Remuera, is one of New Zealand’s MVPs, the sort of person we should honour and support and thank from the bottom of our hearts for deciding to bring his talents home from an established career in the UK. If you didn’t go last year because your sixth form English teacher turned you off Shakespeare, put that aside and buy a ticket this season. It’s world-class theatre, in our neighbourhood. And, as Miles himself said, it’s just fun to have them around.

Photographers Stephen Penny, Nick Barnes Cover The Pop-up Globe’s creative force, Dr Miles Gregory, Photograph by Pop-up Globe/Peter Meecham. See story 30 THE HOBSON is published 10 times a year by The Hobson Limited, PO Box 37490 Parnell, Auckland 1151. www.thehobson.co.nz F: TheHobsonMagazine T: @thehobson Ideas, suggestions, advertising inquiries welcome. editor@thehobson.co.nz Or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheHobsonMagazine

THE HOBSON is Remuera, Parnell and Orākei’s community magazine. We deliver into letterboxes in these neighbourhoods, and copies are also at local libraries, cafes, and at businesses including the Vicky Ave and White Heron dairies, and Paper Plus Parnell. For more about us, visit www.thehobson.co.nz or TheHobsonMagazine on Facebook.

The content of THE HOBSON is copyright. Our words, our pictures.

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

The Hobson Ltd is a member of the Magazine Publishers Association

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This publication uses environmentally responsible papers

And we get around: our November ’16 story on the local work of midcentury modernist architect Vlad Cacala drew a lot of interest, including from the NZ Chinese Building Industry Association. Here’s Penny Lewis’s story, translated with our permission into Mandarin for the NZCBIA magazine, b + d

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

As a recognised community magazine, THE HOBSON may deliver to all letterboxes in our distribution area, except if yours says "Addressed Mail Only" or similiar. Additional copies can be found at the Remuera and Parnell libraries, at dairies and cafés in our wider area. Our issues are posted digitally too on our Facebook page: The Hobson Magazine

“At Auckland Obstetric Centre we understand that pregnancy and childbirth is the most important time of your life and that you and baby should have the highest standard of care.”

– Jane Patten, Clinic Manager

Auckland Obstetric Centre is a unique practice in Parnell made up of six leading specialist obstetricians and support staff. Together we have many years of experience and feel privileged to be able to share in the care of women during their pregnancy.

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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 Precious Clark (The Kaitiaki) is a professional director who sits on several boards, and a young leader of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. A law graduate, she lives in Ōrākei.

Remuera resident Warren Couillault (The Investment) is an executive director and the major shareholder of Hobson Wealth Partners (formerly Macquarie Private Wealth NZ), a private wealth advisory group.

He is a shareholder and director of Generate Investment Management Ltd; and manager of a registered Kiwisaver scheme.

Andrew Dickens (The Sound) is the host of Andrew Dickens’ Sunday Cafe on Sunday morning, from 9am, on Newstalk ZB. He is also the music reviewer on Jack Tame’s Saturday morning show on Newstalk ZB. He grew up in Remuera.

Hamish Firth (The Plan) lives and works in Parnell and is principal of the Mt Hobson Group, a specialist urban planning consultancy. www.mthobsonproperties.co.nz Urban design critic Tommy Honey (The Suburbanist) is a former architect, Remuera resident and Dean of College at Parnell’s Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design.

Caitlin McKenna (The Cinema) of Remuera is passionate about the cinema — she majored in film, sociology and marketing for her conjoint BCom/BA. She works in film.

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

A Parnell resident, her column appears bi-monthly.

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

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

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

the hobson 8

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the village

Town & Around Gone — grazing cattle have been removed from the slopes of Ohinerau/Mt Hobson (photographed in 2015 by Stephen Penny)

DEFENDING OHINERAU Remuera residents’ complaints about the unkempt state of Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson this summer have brought promises and some remedial work from the new authority in charge of Auckland’s volcanic cones, or maunga, since they were returned to Māori management in a Treaty of Waitangi settlement.

However, residents have been challenged to extend their show of concern for the welfare of the mount in their midst. It’s mooted they form a “Friends” group of volunteers to “Love our Maunga” and to help preserve its recreational allure and archaeological treasures.

Complaints about the deteriorating paths and parkland on the historic defended pā site surfaced at the November meeting of the Remuera Residents Association. Regular walker Helen Miken raised her concerns about neglect, reducing safety and access, and the banishing of cattle, which have grazed the mountain for decades.

Miken told THE HOBSON she has spoken to about 300 “brassed off” people who did not know about the authority or its changes to the management of the green space.

“The livestock provided us all with a rural urban environment, which has a calming effect and makes Auckland a desirable place to visit,” says Helen Miken.

the hobson 10

She adds that without the grazing cattle this summer, the grass grew to waist-height, depriving people of access to parts of the slopes where they might have sat to look at the views, or find a quiet spot to picnic or read a book. The long grass, she suggests, also creates cover for destructive rabbits, which undermine trees and slopes. It also invited “undesirable behaviour” by people, and increased the risk of fires.

On December 13, Miken joined the Remuera Residents Association chair, Iain Valentine, for a site meeting with the Tupuna Maunga Authority to discuss management plans.

She was unimpressed by the explanation that in the absence of stock, tracks through grass are mown to enable easy access for pedestrians, and other formed tracks are maintained by trimming vegetation.

Her concern remains that the rights of the wider community to access all parts of a public reserve should be considered first. At the meeting, Miken also raised the removal of stock pens and water troughs, and a shelter, with seats, on top of the municipal water reservoir.

The Maunga Authority says these are not heritage features but redundant assets, and removing them achieves the “decluttering of a nature space” and will save on maintenance costs.

Authority chairman Paul Majurey told THE HOBSON that he respects conflicting views about integrated management plans for the 14 maunga returned to the Ngā Mana Whenua Makaurau Collective, which represents 13 iwi and hapu.

Co-governance with Auckland Council, as provided for in the settlement legislation, he says, allow the mana whenua, who have not been at the management table in the past, to bring their values of what ancestral mountains mean to them. Public access is guaranteed, says Majurey, but livestock, cars and foot traffic have effects on maunga.

The authority is trying to steer people around wahi tapu (places sacred to Māori) and archaeological features, in order to protect, preserve and enhance them.

In the two years since the authority took over, it has banned, with some controversy, vehicles from the top (tihi) of Maungawhau/Mt Eden and this year extends those bans to Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill, Ōwairaka/Mt Albert, Maungarei/ Mt Wellington, Puketapapa/Mt Roskill and Takaringa/Mt Victoria.

On Remuera’s mount, there is no public road, and the one road is only accessible by Watercare staff accessing the reservoir.

Peter Linton, whose family grazed the small mob of cattle on Ohinerau/Mt Hobson from 1960, cannot recall any reports of stock damaging old pa terraces and kumara pits, only a “tremendous problem” when the odd cow escaped. One was found standing on the porch of a house near King’s School.

Current works to upgrade pipes for the reservoirs, he says, would have forced the cattle off in any case. His stock have been relocated to other grazing sites. He predicts noxious weeds will reinfest the slopes now grazing has stopped not only at Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson, but also Maungawhau/Mt Eden, Ōwairaka/Mt Albert and Puketapapa/Mt Roskill. Cattle still graze Maungarei/Mt Wellington, Ōtahuhu/Mt Richmond and Mangere.

Maunga Authority manager Scott De Silva says that before Christmas, firebreaks were cut in the dried long grass around the maunga boundary to a 10-metre width, as recommended by the Fire Service, and were due to be assessed again last month.

A rabbit control programme is in its third year on Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson, which has tallied 350 rabbits and reduced the number of fresh burrows. De Silva says a mature cow weighs about 450kg and therefore a herd of them will inevitably cause significant hoof

the village

says Davis. “Looking at the pictures [of Ōhinerau’s present state], I can’t see a good standard of maintenance.” — Wayne Thompson Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson

• Named after Captain William Hobson RN, first governor of New Zealand, 1840-42. It was referred to as both Remuwera and Ōhinerau by Ngāti Whātua • 143 metres high, 9.4 ha. It can be accessed from Remuera Rd, Mt Hobson Rd and Dilworth Ave. There is no public vehicle access or public toilets • It was a defended pa, occupied by Waiohua. About 1741, they were defeated by Te Tauo, a sub tribe of Ngati Whātua . It contains 27 middens and 42 terraces, which contained houses, store houses and kumara storage pits for about 1000 inhabitants in pre-European times • Became Crown land from 1847, known as the Mt Hobson Domain • Features include three water supply reservoirs, built between 1900-55 • The maunga has pohutukawa, oaks, macrocarpa, Port Jackson figs • A 1950s proposal to site an observatory on the maunga was defeated by opponents concerned it would spoil the cone

damage to sensitive historic places.

Phasing out grazing was publicly notified in the integrated management plan under the objective of restoring the biodiversity.

It’s intended to reintroduce or attract indigenous species, including invertebrates, lizards and birds.

Residents’ Association chairman Iain Valentine is keen on the idea of a “Friends” group, following the example of the Friends of Maungawhau/Mt Eden, which has 300 members and 15 active volunteers who remove pest plants, restore native flora and maintain tracks. Valentine says a group would help with liaison with the Maunga Authority, and channel residents’ feedback. The RRA has won commitment from the authority to carry out urgent maintenance of trees and vegetation on the paved section at the Remuera Rd entrance to the mountain.

The authority says its annual operating budget for Ōhinerau/ Mt Hobson is $110,000 and this covers all maintenance, plant and animal pest control. In addition, it has allocated $180,000 to upgrading the track from Remuera Rd to the tihi over two years.

Remuera Heritage Society chair, Sue Cooper, sees the need for new information signs and tending of a war memorial seat on the northern slope. The daffodils and jonquils that grow on that slope are a memorial to locals killed in WWI and WWII. Cooper says the bulbs and the memorial are important to locals, who pause at a plaque noting the planting is for “the boys who played here on the slopes and made the supreme sacrifice”.

In 2014, the Maunga Authority decided to keep the daffodils, albeit in a smaller area, and to incorporate low-growing native plants below the grove. Ōrākei Local Board chair Colin Davis says the board granted money for last winter’s planting of 1800 bulbs

by Remuera Intermediate School pupils to enhance the memorial.

However, he says what happens on Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson is outside the local board’s jurisdiction, though Auckland Council provided much of the Maunga Authority’s $4.7 million spend on all maunga last year. “The ratepayer pays, and that’s the issue for me,”

The Tupuna Maunga Authority will support the formation of a Friends of Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson group. Anyone interested can call Council on 301 0101, and ask for their contact details to be passed to the Authority’s manager, Scott De Silva.

HANDBRAKE ON CYCLEWAY PLANS? Auckland Transport’s board meeting on February 16 was due to consider an overview of submissions on its Parnell cycleway, which, as planned, would see the removal of 95 car parks along St Stephens and Gladstone roads. Locals — including the Anglican Church — have voiced concern over its design and implementation.

AT released its consultation document on the cycleway in December, and 789 submissions were received by the December 23 deadline. A well-attended meeting organised by the Parnell Community Committee (PCC) on December 13 saw support for safer cycling, but also dismay about the timing of the consultation, and the design, which looks much like the cycleway on Carlton Gore Rd, rather than adding positively to the streetscape.

PCC chair Luke Niue says he believes there’s an entrenched view at AT that the cycleway should proceed as currently planned.

“They have a confirmed budget of $4.8m, and a planned build date of mid-2018. This level of money only allows for a basic design similar to Carlton Gore Rd. “It will be an outcome that no one fully embraces, as well as being a real lost opportunity when it comes to integrated urban planning. We are hoping the AT chiefs will do us the courtesy of hearing our concerns [at the Feb 16 meeting], and take action to achieve a solution for Parnell that everyone looks on with pride.”

Waitematā Local Board chair Pippa Coom says the board hopes that AT can find a best-practice design solution that addresses community concerns about the streetscape, safety and parking.

In a letter to user groups of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Dean Jo Kelly-Moore strongly encouraged recipients to make submissions.

In the letter, she said that while the Cathedral supported cycling initiatives, any reduction in on-street parking would be detrimental for the “full capacity events” that see the Cathedral’s carpark fill, and parking become necessary on nearby streets.

“Unlike other cycleways in Auckland City, this route incorporates a well-used public precinct, the Cathedral, for which easy access is paramount,” she wrote.

“Typically, it is not practical to arrive at a school prize-giving, concert, funeral or wedding by bicycle”. p For more on this topic, see David Seymour’s column, page 20.

PARNELL STATION COMES ON LINE After 10 years of planning, indecision, and finally, approval, Parnell Train Station is due to open early on Sunday, March 12, to limited passenger services.

Auckland Transport has advised that initially, Southern Line services will stop in both directions at Parnell every day, with six trains an hour in each direction during peak periods (weekdays 7.30-9.30am and 4.30-6.30pm), and three an hour between peaks.

After 7pm on weekdays, and all day during weekends, Parnell will be served by both the Southern and Western Lines, on a

the hobson 12

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Onehunga Line services won’t stop at Parnell for the time being.

AT told THE HOBSON it wasn’t possible to bring full services to the station until other network projects are completed.

AT will conduct an opening ceremony on Monday, March 13, to acknowledge that the station is at least partly operational. Still to be completed are accessways to The Domain and to the Stanley St precinct, which will be the main access for the university.

Ticket machines, CCTV and shelters are in place on the platforms, and work has begun, by KiwiRail, on the restoration of the historic Newmarket Station house, which has been relocated to Parnell Station after years in storage. No final decision has been made, says AT, on the ultimate use of the building, which it takes over once KiwiRail has finished the renovation work.

Mike Lee, the Auckland Councillor for the Waitematā ward, has been a long advocate for the station. Please see his regular column, on page 18, for how the project will now roll out. p

©Fairfax/Nick Barnes

A HERO COPPER, & LOTS OF COFFEE After four very popular years, business partners Buki Prekazi and Blerta Rakovica have sold the Remuera Local Café Bistro and its cool little below-stairs cousin, Laneway.

The new owners are Aji and Sukh Basra, who come new to the café business. Basra says he does not plan to make any changes to the successful Local and Laneway operations. “There’ll be no changes, we’re just planning on helping the staff.”

He will be at the café as his rosters permit — Aji (pictured right in 2012 )is a NZ Police constable, based at Otahuhu. He’s also the hobson 13

the village

been one of the faces of Police recruitment, starring in a campaign after he rescued a man who had passed out on railway tracks.

Basra pulled him to safety, moments before the train arrived. His act of bravery was the subject of an artwork installed at Kingsland Train Station (pictured on previous page), to both promote Police recruitment and to highlight the dangers around railway tracks.

Buki Prekazi and Blerta Rakovica will continue to run their restaurant, Artusi Cucina, in the Village Green.

Also new in the Remuera neighbourhood, to the delight of people really serious about their coffee, is Catalyst Coffee, in the Village Green, 415 Remuera Rd. Awardwinning baristas Hanna Teramoto (winner of the 2014 NZ Barista Championship) and Xin Ye Loke (2014 Singaporean Barista Champion) have created a cool, clear space to serve their organic, hand-selected brews. And it’s all about the perfect joe: there’s no skinny milk or soy on offer, and the food is a small cabinet of treats only, flavours that will enhance, not detract from, the coffee experience. Hana travelled to Ethiopia to find her perfect source of single-varietal coffee to harvest and roast under her direction. Catalyst Coffee is open Tuesday to Sunday.

In Parnell, the vibrant Winona Forever has opened in the ground floor of the Geyser Building, 100 Parnell Rd. (The name? It’s what Johnny Depp had tattooed on his arm when he was dating Winona Ryder. Post-relationship, it was altered to “Wino Forever”). The Parnell cafe is the newest venture from the team behind Greenlane’s popular Hello Friends + Allies, in the Great South Rd/ Market Rd precinct. Winona Forever is licenced, with a full menu and open seven days. p

LAUNCHED! The Shore Rd Reserve now has a kayak/paddleboard launching platform. The sturdy set of steps into the water was built over the summer, to the relief of local water sports fans who have campaigned for a safe launching area from the park. Public gatherings were organised by local resident Margot Nicholson to ensure launch platforms indicated on the Ōrākei Local Board plans for the parkland came to fruition. The platform is accessed from the gravel pathway which borders the park, behind the cricket club rooms. p

WAKE UP PLANS REVIVAL Wake Up, the yoga/Pilates/café/holistic living centre which opened on Parnell Rise late last year is currently shuttered, after one of its key investors withdrew funding.

It was to have been the first site of a global roll-out of the Wake Up brand. THE HOBSON has been advised that discussions with a new investor are progressing, with the centre hoping to reopen within the month. p

ŌrĀkei local board

COLIN DAVIS

W

elcome back. I hope you managed to find a pocket of sun in this unusual summer weather.

I’d like to tell you about a relatively little known Trust: The Auckland Library Heritage Trust, which I chair.

As a bit of background, Auckland Libraries owes the beginnings of its world-class collections of rare books and manuscripts to Sir George Grey, book collector and statesman. In 1882 he donated his valuable and extensive library to the citizens of Auckland, conditional upon a public library being established in the city.

This gift included many rare manuscripts and early printed books, and a large collection of books and manuscripts in the Māori language; in all some 14,000 volumes. This gift inspired other benefactors who have added significant collections over the years.

Features of the renowned collections include Grey’s correspondence with Florence Nightingale, Charles Darwin and many rangatira; a large collection of medieval manuscripts, many printed before 1500, and rarities such as William Blake’s America and Europe, and a Shakespeare First Folio; maps, photos and ephemera.

The Auckland Library Heritage Trust was formed in 1991 as a charitable trust. It is independent of the Auckland Council. The Trust provides financial and other support to assist Auckland Libraries, and the Council, to preserve, care for, add to and promote the collections, now collectively called the Sir George Grey Special Collections, for the benefit of the people of Auckland. A particular aim is to make the Collections more accessible, believing they tell us much about our heritage and history.

The Trust has raised over $1 million for specific projects. These include the preservation and microfilming of the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly from 1932 to the 1960s; digitising and preserving 4500 WWI photographs of soldiers (many from the original glass plates); funding the cataloguing of the Reed Dumas collection of material relating to Alexandre Dumas (the author of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, it is the largest collection of such material outside of France); funding for arranging the Performing Arts, Social Action and Environmental Archives; a pilot project to digitise historic maps; specialised cataloguing for an online record of rare books held before 1800, and the Early Printed Māori Collection.

The rich variety and depth of the Special Collections are illustrated in Real Gold: Treasures of Auckland City Libraries. The book features 100 treasures pictured in full colour with accompanying text. Have a look for it when you’re next in your local library.

And, while the Trust has received many grants and financial gifts, it has also received donations of items that have enhanced the collections, including a bequest of manuscripts and a number of 17th and 18th-century books. It has also established an annual scholarship to encourage use and scholarly research based on material it holds. This includes a collection of rare Japanese woodblock books, early herbals and botanical books, an Eastern manuscript collection, and research on the jazz age in Auckland.

If you haven’t yet enjoyed the Sir George Grey Special Collections, I thoroughly recommend it. Check it out online too.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and the local beauty of our lovely Orākei ward.

— Colin Davis, chair, Ōrākei Local Board

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waitematĀ local board

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cross the Waitematā Local Board area only two stretches of original coastline are fully accessible to the public. The Board has been working to improve coastal connections and pathways. Over in the west, the Weona-Westmere Coastal Walkway officially opened at the end of December. It has taken many years to open up the public reserve land established when Westmere was subdivided in the 1920s. The new 1.4km path takes walkers through native bush and on a boardwalk with views of the Waitematā Harbour. The project is part of a long-term goal to complete a signposted coastal walkway from Meola Reef to Hobson Bay. It also adds to Auckland’s expanding network of coastal walkways, including Waikōwhai Coastal Boardwalk at Taumanu Reserve, which opened in late January on the Manukau Harbour.

The Hobson Bay Walkway is currently a combination of low, mud-crete paths (in varying condition), natural beaches and small sections of boardwalk. The Point Resolution Taurarua Development Plan, adopted by the Waitematā Local Board in April 2015, identifies current and aspirational states for the Hobson Bay Walkway, including a connection to Pt Resolution Taurarua Reserve.

The Board’s focus and budget (approximately $245k) is currently directed at upgrading the Pt Resolution steps, which connect to the newer bridge and provide access to Parnell Baths. Construction should be underway this month, once resource consent has been secured. This project is deceptively complex and costly due to the physical instability of the headland and the geological, cultural and historical significance of the site. The steps are still in the detailed design process, and Council staff will advise on the location of the detours and how long they will be in place within the next month.

Over the summer, water quality of the Waitematā Harbour is of particular concern. For far too long, unacceptable levels of pollution regularly flow into the harbour, partly due to the older parts of Auckland’s ageing infrastructure and inadequate wastewater systems.

At Judges Bay the water is swimmable most of the time, so that visitors and locals are able to enjoy the swimming platforms. Over the 2016-17 monitoring season thus far, only two out of the 13 samples collected from Judges Bay exceeded Ministry for the Environment action guidelines.

On both occasions, health warnings were issued for a total of four days. Judges Bay is included in the Council’s Safeswim monitoring programme, which runs on a weekly basis from November to March. Test results are published on the Council website (aucklandcouncil.govt. nz/safeswim).

All are welcome to explore Waitematā with board members and Walk Auckland when we “Beat the Bounds” on March 4. We’ll be walking the inland Waitematā Local Board boundary, from Meola Rd to Pt Resolution. See the details on Facebook: www.facebook.com/waitemata — — Pippa Coom, chair, Waitematā Local Board

the councillors

All aboard from Parnell!

P

arnell Station has taken an excruiatingly long time (10 years so far) to achieve, and for most of that time I have been working with local community organisations, Parnell Inc, Parnell Heritage and the Parnell Community Committee.

The former Newmarket Station heritage building has finally been brought out of storage and is now on site, on its specially engineered foundations. KiwiRail is currently restoring the historic George Troup-designed building, under the direction of general manager Brent Lancaster and heritage architect Dave Pearson of Pearson Architects. The building’s structure is being repaired and Brent advises it will receive a (new) traditional tile roof, chimney, veranda and repaint. When KiwiRail’s work is completed in May, the building will be handed over to Auckland Transport, which will then become responsible for restoring the interior.

Disappointly, despite years of notice, timing of completion of key station elements has become awry. AT will be opening Parnell Station for passenger services from March 12, at which time a lot of the ancillary work will still be uncompleted.

AT has given an assurance that while this will not present the station in a finished state, it will be functional and safe to access and board trains. What will be ready by March 12 will be lighting on platforms, along the concrete paths extending from the platforms, the underpass and the access way from Cheshire St. There will be temporary steps to the Parnell village-side platform, but no ramp (disability groups have been consulted and advised); but there is a ramp to The Domain-side platform.

For security tactile paving will be on the platforms, and CCTV monitoring of platforms, the underpass and pedestrian paths.

Entry via Cheshire St will be pedestrian-only, via a temporary path bordered with orange netting to segregate pedestrians from construction access vehicles. There will be no public vehicle access.

Auckland Transport reports further stages as follows: Stage 2: June (tender in market) Installation of the Carlaw Park footpath (funded by the Waitematā Local Board), from The Domain platform to Nicholls Lane, to Stanley St, to the University, including lighting and CCTV.

Stage 3: October Station access road Cheshire St to be completed with one disabled car park, and one short-term pick up and drop off. Permanent stairs and ramp will be installed for access to the Parnell platform.

Ticket gate lines (to prevent fare evasion) will be installed for both platforms. Meanwhile, Auckland Council Parks will be upgrading the pathways up to Domain Drive and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

As I have observed previously, good things in politics never come easy (see my earlier story on the station at mikelee.co.nz) and Parnell Station certainly proves the maxim. It’s been a long and difficult saga and will go on for yet some time. While the trains will be stopping in March (disappointingly no peak hour Western or Onehunga services, initially at least), the whole station precinct and connections will take many months to complete.

Still, I am not too disheartened, as I am only too aware that at several points over the last 10 years the whole project was only narrowly saved from being cancelled. Realising the full potential of Parnell Station (the first new train station on the old rail network in 100 years), its linkages with the University of Auckland, Parnell, the Museum (the platform is seven minutes from the Museum doors) and the ASB Tennis Centre will still take some time to achieve. But have no doubt this will be a massive step forward for Parnell, and for Auckland. It’s history in the making.

I am very pleased to update readers on progress on Motukorea (Browns Island) reported in my column in the last issue of THE HOBSON. Council announced that it is taking direct management of the island, effective as of last month. So hopefully I can close the file on this case, which I have been working on since 1995.

However, there is still some work to be done before we see a regional park on Motukorea. If anyone is interested in doing volunteer work on the island, please get in contact with me: mike.lee@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Mike Lee is the Councillor for Auckland representing the Waitematā & Gulf ward, and chair of the Domain Committee

Desley Simpson is the Councillor for Auckland representing the Ōrākei ward desley.simpson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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uilt in the Depression, and now with 33,000 traffic movements a day, Tamaki Drive is one of Auckland’s busiest roads directly entering the CBD. The vision by our city forefathers to build a road along the Waitematā coastline, to open up settlements between the city and St Heliers, was quite outstanding. You have to admit that even after 80 years, it’s holding up pretty well considering the huge increase in vehicle movements and public use. However, there are sections showing great need of investment.

The Tamaki Dr/Ngapipi Rd intersection is one of those. In its current configuration, this intersection has significant safety flaws. There have been 21 crashes in the past five years, over 60 per cent of which resulted in an injury. For an intersection that is unavoidable for many Orākei commuters, as well as being the gateway to the eastern beaches and the CBD, statistics this bad are unacceptable so in April, work will start on a major revamp of the intersection .

In my previous political role as chair of the Ōrākei Local Board, I oversaw the production of the Tamaki Drive Master Plan, which allowed the people of Orākei to have their say on the development of Tamaki Dr and its environs. The Tamaki Drive Master Plan was the first plan for Auckland Council that involved all levels of local governement decision makers, however the driving force was the input we receieved from the community.

Three of the Tamaki Drive Master Plan’s six key moves are incorporated in Auckland Transport’s solution. These are; to provide more space for leisure along Tamaki Dr, improve quality of the environment in seaside villages, and provide a range of ways getting around Tamaki Dr. Vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists will be separated, and there will be signals installed at the intersection at Tamaki Dr/Ngapipi Rd. Whilst many people wanted a roundabout, an independent panel approved a design that will increase the space available for all road users, including vehicles, as well as controlling movements so that everyone is kept safe. The traffic signals will be connected to AT’s operations centre, so that signal phases are kept optomised and synchronised with the wider network.

In a perfect world, Auckland Transport would do this work in conjunction with raising the section of Tamaki Dr before the intersection which regularly floods, but sadly, AT’s prioritisation logic and money didn’t follow that train of thought.

I will ensure our community is kept up-to-date on this project’s progress in future columns.

Finally, the process of developing the 2017/18 budget, or Annual Plan, for Council is keeping me particularly busy at present, especially given my role as deputy chair of the Finance and Performance committee. The public consultation on this closes on March 27. The particular regional items for consultation this year include: percentage of rates increase, raising the Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC), the introduction of a visitor levy, targeted rates on new developments to pay for infrastructure, and changes to the wastewater targeted rates.

I look forward to discussing these with you further, and reading your submissions. It is always important to have your say.

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the reps

DAVID SEYMOUR

PAUL GOLDSMITH

I

n an uncertain world, the New Zealand economy continues to deliver. Collectively we created 137,000 new jobs last year, growth is good and our public finances are sound. This year we will remain focused on building a more competitive and productive economy.

Personally, I am very pleased to join Bill English’s new Cabinet, as Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Minister of Science and Innovation and Minister for Regulatory Reform. These are exciting areas, dear to the heart of most HOBSON readers. I’m particularly determined that we do everything we can to equip our young people to succeed in whatever they choose to do.

A skilled workforce, a strong innovation framework and regulatory restraint are important ingredients for a successful economy. But a successful economy is meaningless without people enjoying a strong sense of personal security.

We are fortunate in this part of Auckland to enjoy safe streets. By one measure New Zealand is the fourth-safest country in the world. We want to make it number one.

That’s why I was pleased that the Prime Minister has unveiled a significant Government investment in police and the wider justice sector to reduce crime. The half-billion dollar Safer Communities package will provide an extra 1125 police staff, including 880 sworn police officers.

All police districts will receive extra frontline officers, with the Police deciding how many will go where, based on need. This package unashamedly targets offenders to ensure they are off our streets. The extra police includes 500 to go out on the beat and into community policing. Those officers will improve the speed of police to attend emergencies.

They will also focus on youth offending, burglaries, and community crime.

Ethnic communities also get more support, and there will be more specialist investigators in the areas of child protection, sexual assault, and family violence. As well, more officers will target organised crime. We’re also providing additional resources to address the underlying drivers of crime – through preventative work by the Police and greater investment in rehabilitation for prisoners.

By focusing on specific areas, we will deliver a more responsive police service, prevent crime and victimisation, resolve more crimes, and more effectively target criminal gangs and organised crime. The package also comes with a range of challenging targets for the Police. Those include higher attendance at burglaries, more assets seized from organised crime, fewer deaths from family violence, and a reduction in reoffending by Māori.

Investing more in police will make our communities safer. It will reduce crime and reoffending, and help steer some of our most disadvantaged young people onto a more productive path. That’s an outcome worth investing in.

Paul Goldsmith holds three ministerial portfolios, including Tertiary Education, and Science and Innovation. He is a list MP based in Epsom.

R

egular readers might remember that I got an e-bike last year. I love it, my pedalling is boosted by an electric motor, which effectively flattens out Auckland’s hills. I can power up Ayr St in a suit without sweating, and still get some exercise on the way to the office.

The bike was a little pricey, but all new technologies get cheaper over time. It might not be long before we have a transport revolution with thousands of people taking advantage of this new technology. Then again, if I knew which technologies were likely to take off, I’d probably be in venture capital instead of politics. Next time one of my parliamentary colleagues tells you they have a plan to fast-track us to the future by subsidising this or that new technology, just ask them why they are in politics.

Anyway, despite all this enthusiasm for cycling, I haven’t become a strong advocate for cycle lanes. They just don’t work unless they’re everywhere. For example, Carlton Gore Rd has them, and Khyber Pass does not. If you’re coming down Khyber Pass it isn’t worth it to pedal up Mountain Rd just so you can cycle on Carlton Gore’s green paint. That may be why the Carlton-Gore cycleways are tragi-comically underutilised.

They’re also a good example of why the proposed Parnell Cycleway along St Stephens Ave and Gladstone Rd should not proceed. We live in a time of intense competition for urban space, and blocking off a strip (literally, with concrete blocks) down either side of these streets to be underutilised makes no sense, especially when Gladstone Rd is already a pleasure to cycle up and down.

The proposed cycleway would remove 95 carparks that serve the Gladstone Rd shops, the nearby hotels, and the Parnell Rose Gardens. It would significantly reduce the space available for people picking up and dropping off children at Parnell District School. These were among many concerns aired, quite forcefully, at a public meeting convened by Luke Niue of the Parnell Community Committee, held at the school late last year.

But what really annoyed some people is the way that the so-called consultation has been undertaken by Auckland Council. The feedback form begins with the leading question “what do you like about the project,” and continues in a similar vein. It claims that, other things being equal, a cycleway can carry 7500 people per hour, compared with a lane of traffic that can carry only 1000. It makes no mention of actual usage, probably because nowhere in Auckland is a cycleway 7.5 times busier than a road.

Of course, much of this is a matter for Auckland Transport and the Council, but for my part I have told the Minister of Transport that we must stop funding these projects with central government money. While they may make for a good photo opportunity on opening day, the negative effects on local residents and businesses will be remembered long after the publicity becomes fish and chip wrappers.

David Seymour is the MP for Epsom.

the suburbanist

Global Cities

B

ack in November when the city was embroiled in a crisis generated by the supposed development of a new brand for the town (which boiled down to the dregs of a storm in a cracked teacup), Auckland city hosted old friend and urban historian — more of the future than the past — Greg Clark. While he was here he launched his new book, Global Cities – a Short History, although it would not be surprising if he ‘launched’ the book every time he touches down in a new city.

And touch down he does, a lot. Clark is a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, headquartered in Washington, D.C., and a global fellow on the Global Cities Initiative. Hail Greg, well met. He has acted as an international advisor on the metropolitan strategic plans of major global cities, including New York, Sāo Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona, Gauteng/Johannesburg, Western Cape, Toronto, Glasgow, Mumbai, Turin and, yes, Auckland.

In his new book, he asks why have some cities become great global urban centres, and what cities will be future leaders?

From Athens and Rome in ancient times to New York and Singapore today, a handful of cities have stood out as centres of global economic, military, or political power. In the 21st century, the number of truly global cities is greater than ever before, reflecting the globalisation of both economic and political power. Clark examines the enduring forces — such as trade, migration, war and technology — that have enabled some cities to emerge from the pack into global leadership. Much more than an historical review, his book looks to the future, examining the trends that are transforming cities around the world as well as the new challenges all global cities will increasingly face.

He identifies three waves of contemporary city development, from 1966–90, 1990–05 and 2005 to the present. This third wave is notable for what he calls city regions, more global cities and networks and city-states; and it is in this group that he puts Auckland. He divides the third – or current – wave into three groups: “established global cities” (London, New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Tokyo and Singapore); “emerging global cities” (Shanghai, Beijing, Istanbul, Mumbai, Sāo Paulo, Mexico City and Johannesburg); and “new global cities” (Brisbane, Stockholm, Barcelona, San Diego, Nanjing, Oslo, Capetown and Auckland).

Clark raises a number of questions: Which cities will be the global leaders of tomorrow? What are the common issues and opportunities they will face? What kinds of leadership can make these cities competitive and resilient? He advocates greater connection with cities with similar issues – certainly the company he describes for Auckland is at least energising and at most, dynamic and innovative. Clark sees Auckland as a city whose time is about to come. Auckland, as a genitive city-state, has the potential to drive trade relationships more in its own, rather than national, interests.

Certainly, regarding migration, the country’s issue is Auckland’s issue. Perhaps it is time for Auckland-generated solutions. While Clark sees trade and migration as drivers of a city’s growth, across the ocean, the new president of the USA sees them as direct threats to sovereignty and national identity. If Clark’s ideas take hold in the US, then perhaps we will see some of its major cities looking to go their own way and secede to become city-states in their own right. This might seem ludicrous but it is no more far-fetched than the situation the US finds itself in now. Would Auckland, given the chance, consider secession?

At the launch in Auckland, Clark appeared genuinely fond of Auckland and its potential; for many of the guests – thinkers and policy makers – the feeling was equally genuine and mutual.

— Tommy Honey

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the plan

Towns Unplanned

F

or some unknown reason I have been hosting and presenting to monthly delegations of Chinese officials who manage and run cities of between 2 million to 6 million people from all over China. I get the sense we were found via a Google search.

Anyway we now have a snappy presentation and everyone seems happy.

Groups of Chinese CEOs and infrastructure managers wander in with an interpreter and a hostess, and are given an hour-long presentation on how our magnificent city works. They want to know about waste from the kerbside to the dump, they want to know about rates and how infrastructure is managed and funded.

The Q&A time is fascinating for both parties. Their eyes light up when I explain how Watercare manages the water and wastewater network, and how each house has a meter and receives a monthly invoice for both water in and water out, charged at different rates.

They ask me, “But why in Christchurch is the water free?” I have to explain it is not free but bundled in the rates, which does not help with conservation, or efficient management.

I also discuss how development occurs in Auckland, taking them through the District Plan, plan change and resource consent process. This is where it gets interesting for me. They seem perplexed that there is no overall master planning — the location of roads and parks and infrastructure, with a guide on the number of people expected so you can plan schools, shopping centres and transport routes, and major infrastructure requirements. I explain that we have not had that sort of centralised planning for 30-plus years.

Their response is they, in their country, are not the developers of the units or apartments, but provide that higher level planning so the whole town or city is thought-out and planned in a sensible way.

It got me thinking. We are doing a lot of “green field” subdivision consents in places like Karaka (35km from the CBD), where all you can see are 10-acre blocks and the Sky Tower is but a needle on the far horizon. These sites, prime for Auckland’s expansion, are accessed by country roads with no footpaths or shops and one motorway access point.

There are expectations this area could accommodate 20,000 people. Each site is being developed independent of the other, with the locations of parks and pump stations up for grabs in a haphazard way. The densities are going to be around one house per 300m2 with no real planning for public transport or school locations or neighbourhood shops. There is simply no overall masterplan, which will mean more of the same – more congestion and more pressure on services and no sense of community or “heart”.

Based on my experience the last thing we want is Council doing full masterplanning. We will end up with a bus terminal in the middle of nowhere and combined sewer and stormwater infrastructure. However, I see real merit in providing an overview which links up all the matters many of us take for granted. Those matters which help create the communities we live in within the town we live in, and then within the city and region we live in. We want streets that link, and corner parks and walkways that provide a link to the area. What we want is well thought out communities, sensible early intervention, not a mish mash of never ending, faceless subdivisions.

If you think about where we live, say Remuera or even more fine grain, the Benson Rd shops precinct, there is a town centre and a network of parks and interlinked walking tracks and schools surrounded by residential development of various densities.

Schools, churches and the more modern service stations and childcare centres are located in places to support the community.

Plunket, the local football or cricket club take up space on reserve or public open space and it all works pretty well. Let me tell you none of this happened by accident. There was planning at a city level to set this basic arrangement out, with the house builders and developers filling the land in with built form and infrastructure as required.

Once the roads are laid and the houses built there will be no change for 50-plus years and no real thought will have been made for all those thing we take for granted. Alas, I cannot see the necessary intervention, AKA “town planning,” making a comeback any time soon. — Hamish Firth

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the investment

the neighbourhood

No Dow About It

T

he Dow, as it is commonly known, is the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It represents a price-weighted index of the 30 largest listed US companies, and is broadly seen as an indicator of the strength and health of the US stock market and economy. However, it’s important to realise that the Dow is a price-weighted index, meaning that stocks with higher prices have a greater influence on the Dow’s direction. The larger S&P 500 index, which is weighted by market capitalisation, is therefore more influenced by its components’ actual stock-market value, or the size of each company.

The Dow hit the 20,000 level on 25 January, 2000. Interestingly, it broke 1000 for the first time back in 1972 (I was three years old), 2000 in January 1987 and 5000 in November 1995. The “unreachable” 10,000 was reached in March 1999 (I was 30 by then!). Its peak preGFC was 14,164 on 9 October, 2007, before it began its more than 50 per cent post–GFC decline, bottoming out at 6596 on 5 March, 2009.

On that date I had just enjoyed my 40th birthday.

So the Dow’s had a rocky road to get to the current level but it does tend to keep rising with the fullness of time. So what does the current 20,000 level — if it’s still there when this is published — mean for the market and the economy?

Well, on its own not much actually — it’s just a round number much like the 30th and 40th birthdays mentioned above. But it’s what brought the market to this level, and what may happen next, that’s worth paying attention to.

President Donald Trump, considered the doomsday election candidate for the market, has so far turned out to be just right for investors — at least based on the Dow’s close to 10 per cent jump since Election Day. Part of the post-election rally was down to Wall Street’s sigh of relief after Trump won the Electoral College by a strong margin and Hillary Clinton conceded defeat. The postelection rally has been more about a reduction in the uncertainty, ie “we basically know what we’re getting”. Since the election, investors have started to come to terms with the unexpected realities of what Trump would mean for markets and the economy. The promised and campaigned-upon policies of lower corporate taxes, fewer business regulations, and big infrastructure spending all appear to be pro-business, clearly boosting confidence.

And President Trump got started straight away. On the first Tuesday after his inauguration, he signed an executive order to proceed with the constructing of two important oil pipelines and met with CEOs of key motor vehicle manufacturers to urge them to consider more domestic production, in effect switching back from foreign (mainly Mexico) plants.

But it’s not all beer and skittles and it’s not all crystal clear: stocks do look to be expensive again. PE ratios, as well as most other valuation metrics, look to be above their historical averages.

So maybe the Dow at 20,000 is a good opportunity to take check and to consider how expensive stocks are? However, high valuations don’t always imply an imminent crash in the share market. Earnings growth may finally be catching up to the rise in share prices. In aggregate, S&P 500 companies’ profits increased in quarter three of 2016 — the first time in more than 18 months — and appear on track to increase again in the fourth quarter based on analyst forecasts.

So historic high levels, high valuations and maybe some earnings growth — what does it mean? Well, I’d guess that the fact the Dow has finally pushed through the 20,000 barrier would suggest that the share market rally is likely to continue. Barriers like that are hard to break and once they are, they can often act as a key support level. We’ll see over the next few months.

— Warren Couillault

The Local Market

I

s Remuera housing becoming a buyers’ market? In the past when that term has been used, it’s gone hand-in-hand with real estate markets having over-supply problems and prices falling as a result.

According to Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data, Remuera sales, 1 January to 31 December, 2016, numbered 550 properties in total. This was a drop in volume over 2015 of 15 per cent, and brought the market back to a similar number as 2014.

But there has been an ongoing shift upwards in the numbers of properties sold in excess of $2m. The higher the price category, the greater the percentage increase.

In 2014 the $2m+ market represented 26 per cent of the local market. By 2016, it had risen to 42 per cent. The volume of properties sold at $3m-plus has risen almost 100 percent over what was transacted in 2014. In numbers terms, this is around 100.

49 properties were recorded as having sold for $4m or more, and 27 — or more than 50 per cent — of these were for more than $5m. So at this point the market value of properties continues to rise.

This in itself is creating a negative impact on sales volumes, not because there are fewer people in the over $3m price category, but because of the lack of stock available in the higher-quality segment.

Remuera, with its proximity to private schools and largely zoned for both Auckland Grammar and EGGS, has always been attractive to families seeking established character homes, and the main purchasers we are seeing in Remuera fall into two broad categories: families with children looking for homes for the next 10 years or so, or older couples whose family have married and moved on.

And here is where the volume of sales is being unnaturally affected, by the reluctance of the older group to provide their house as stock for the family buyers. These “next home” buyers are reluctant to put their homes on the market until they find a smaller, very well-appointed home in the area. They are very specific about what they want, and where they want to live.

In the meantime, the families with children and a budget of $3m+ are just as specific. Gone are the days of any real compromise over location or aspect. These buyers see a purchase price/value ratio in the longer-term context, and in relation to their way of life — after all, this will be the house for their family’s growing years.

So Remuera buyers are very specific about where they want to be, and what they want in terms of land, house, character and even street. Heartland Remuera is a buyers’ market for all the right reasons — the growing reality that people know what they want, and that, in the $3m+ category, price is only one factor.

My marketing background — and natural intuition — tells me the best results are likely to come from changing methods of selling, to capture the change in consumer behaviour.

Maybe it is time for the market to reverse its focus, so the buyer or agents advertise what the characteristics and location of the property needed is, and the owners of such properties respond because it sounds like a description of their home.

Sales would then be market driven by ‘needs and wants,’ rather than availability, as is commonly done now.

So to us, the term “buyers’ market” could not be more positive for the Remuera real estate market at this time. — Terry King

Terry King is a director of the Remuera Real Estate Register.

Statistics used in his commentary were compiled by Remuera Real Estate Register on 31 January, 2017, using a combination of REINZ Statistics and Property Guru information.

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ur existing d vendors of o n a y rt e p ro p na King. asers of a new Terry and Dia y b d e rv se e As both purch to b ere privileged property we w proach measured ap d n a lm ca l, a lex task. hly profession with this comp d te a ci o ss Their thoroug a n the stress ofte saved us from iana! u Terry and D yo k n a h T l. fu re most grate For that we a n

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the celebration

A Centenary Pride Epsom Girls Grammar School conducted its first classes on February 12, 1917, with a roll of 170 students. A century on, 2200 girls attend EGGS, making it one of the largest girls’ schools in the country. Centenary committee member Najira Khanam writes for THE HOBSON on how the school community is celebrating this milestone

the hobson 26

The EGGS campus, bordered by Gilles Ave to the west and Manukau Rd to the east. Since this image was taken, the Joyce Fisher Sports Centre has been built adjacent to the netball and tennis courts.

the hobson 27

the celebration

2

017 marks Epsom Girls Grammar School’s leap into a new century as it celebrates its 100th birthday — 100 years of excellence in girls’ education; 100 years of proud traditions sitting easily with being at the cutting edge of learning; and 100 years of timeless core values and a sense of community.

“There is a real buzz around the centenary and I feel very proud and privileged to be leading EGGS at this wonderful time,” says principal Lorraine Pound.

“A centenary is literally a turning point, a pivot point from the past into the present and ahead to the future. It is an opportunity to honour the past, celebrate the moment and embrace the future.

“Over the summer it had been great to connect with a number of alumnae purely by chance – in shops and cafes in Auckland, at Waikanae Beach and in the Matakana area – and to hear their plans for coming to the centenary events”.

EGGS will be hosting a variety of events over the week of April 5 to 9, starting with an official opening and the launch of a book marking the centenary, and concluding in a large community festival, EGGSFEST. There will also be school tours, cocktails, a brunch for former boarders at the school’s hostel, Epsom House, sporting events and a gala dinner. The events celebrate the outstanding women who have been a part of the 100 year journey: the influential leaders, the talented sportswomen, the scientists,

the businesswomen and those inspiring women who are still emerging.

The making of the centenary has been a heartfelt school community effort. The Centenary Committee has been meeting for the last four years to decide on, and plan the celebrations. Students and teachers past and present have contributed to many projects including designing the centenary logo, memorabilia and a commissioned 100 Flowers artwork; creating a “100 Wonderful Women” exhibition; and writing a centennial book which details the proud history of Epsom Girls Grammar School’s evolution under the guidance of its 11 principals.

The school’s current head of social studies, Pauline Farra, is the author of the centennial history. She has written four history books about North Canterbury in the past. When asked about the book she says “it is hoped that by concentrating on the people that their stories will present the story of the school”.

Old Girl Jane Waterhouse (2010-14) designed the centenary logo. The logo resonates in all the centennial communications from an email signature to outdoor banner displays on Gillies Ave and Manukau Rd. The artwork of a lioness and lion cub symbolises the strength, courage and leadership of Epsom Girls; a sense of community and care for ongoing generations. It is a depiction of how the school has been empowering young women since 1917.

“I am proud to be a part of EGGS history and am honoured that

The original Speight homestead on the 2.6ha that became EGGS. Initially the villa served as classrooms, the headmistress's study and staff accommodation. Inset, the centenary logo, designed by former pupil Jane Waterhouse. the hobson 28

Left, future PM Helen Clark in the fifth form (shown second from left, second row), above, the staff of 1948.

Notable EGGS Alumnae include: Politics Helen Clark (Hon) – 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand

my logo design was chosen to represent the centenary,” says Jane.

Deputy principal, Karyn Dempsey, and art teacher Ella Brewer managed the 100 Flowers project. “Lorraine Pound initiated the concept for a large collaborative artwork,” says Ella. “Many staff, students and old girls have contributed, and the artwork has been an integral part of the look and promotion of the centenary.

“The work is a beautiful reflection of the natural environment so many of us have enjoyed while teaching and learning at EGGS. The diversity, beauty and generosity of our students and teachers is also symbolised by the wide range of materials and styles employed in this work”. The work will go on permanent display in the Marjorie Adams Hall foyer.

Former staff have also contributed — former art teacher Liz McCready, now living in the UK and working in textile design, created the artwork for tea towels, one of the memorabilia items that will go on sale next month. The final designs incorporate ginkgo leaf and a magnolia flower, “since these tied in closely with the school environment. I chose a bright colour palette for each design to reflect the vibrancy I see in the staff and students of EGGS”.

Together with Lorraine Pound, four former principals — Gae Griffiths (1979-88), Verna Dowdle (1988-96), Margaret Bendall (1996-04) and Madeline Gunn (2009-15) — will play a significant role in the celebrations. All four have been filmed for posterity by a former student, Gabrielle Larsen (2011-15), who was recommended for the project by her former teacher, media studies head, Susan Johnston.

The centenary celebrations honour 100 years of excellence in girls’ education. Join us as we lead our Epsom Girls into a new century.

For more Centenary information visit www.eggs.school.nz.

To register for the events see: www.iticket.co.nz/go-to/eggs-centenary-events-2017

Arts and Culture Karen Walker (MNZM) – fashion designer Rima Te Wiata (MNZM) – actress and writer Dame Robin White - painter and printmaker Ann Robinson – cast glass artist Marte Szirmay - sculptor Rowena Jackson – ballerina Dr Ngapere Hopa – Maori arts and services Lauraine Jacobs – culinary professional Kate Hawkesby – television presenter Petra Bagust – television presenter Jude Dobson – television presenter Liz Mullane – casting director Education and Community Dame Joan Metge – social anthropologist Dame Miriam Dell – President, National Council of Women Dame Judith Binney – historian Joyce, Lady Fisher – philanthropist Dame Augusta Wallace – District Court judge (the first woman appointed to the bench in New Zealand) Justice Judith Potter – High Court judge Judge Heather Simpson – District Court judge Sports Sheryl, Lady Wells – netball player, coach Brenda Perry (MNZM) – professional tennis, world ranked NZ representative Jan Martin – Olympian, hockey Kylie Walker – trampolinist Kylie Foy – Olympian, hockey striker Sarah Macky – Olympian, yachtswoman Melanie Hulme – Olympian, softball Marnie McGuire – professional golfer

the hobson 29

the play's the thing

Perchance to Dream After a wildly successful debut season last year, the Pop-up Globe is back.

Artistic director Dr Miles Gregory spoke to Kirsty Cameron about realising his dramatic vision

T

he play’s, or the plays, are the thing, and very pressing things too. Opening night for the season of Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, As You Like It and Henry V is a just over a fortnight away, but Dr Miles Gregory has found a small window in his diary to talk to THE HOBSON about his creation, the Pop-up Globe theatre company.

All around him at Ellerslie Racecourse, Shakespeare is under construction. Actors walk past, getting some air between rehearsals in a room in the main stand. Everywhere are men in high-vis and hard hats — the Camelspace scaffolding and construction crew building the “pop-up” part of the menu. It’s a samesize replica of the second Globe theatre, which was built by Shakespeare and his King’s Company players on London’s Southbank in 1614, to replace the first Globe, lost to a fire the year before. It’s also the only one of its kind, anywhere — the Globe in London is based on the first Globe Theatre.

Here in present-day Ellerslie, the 17-tonne domed roof is the next day to be craned onto the structure, which stands in the gardens just inside the racecourse’s ticket turnstiles.

Most of the 90 people employed by the Pop-up Globe (PUG), the biggest theatre company in Australasia, are working today at the company’s headquarters in Grey Lynn, where there is more rehearsing, costumes are being made, props created and the richly detailed interior finishes of the theatre are being completed. No-one knows exactly what the inside of the second Globe looked like, Gregory explains, as no drawings or paintings have survived, so the creative team have relied on contemporary written accounts and details of other theatres of the period.

“We’ve done a lot of research into Jacobean theatre — people who did write about the second Globe referred to it as being “sumptuously decorated”, and just as good as many of the theatres in Europe at the time.”

This desire to get the details as correct as humanly possible is but one part of the alchemy required to mount four Shakespearian works, simultaneously, to the highest possible standard.

“It’s a highly complex project, the most complex I’ve ever

worked on,” says Gregory. “It’s not just that we build it and do one show. We have to manage it as a 900-seat theatre — that’s a West End-scale theatre for 12 weeks. We do it all ourselves.

Everything — ushers, box office, house management, location management, dressing it, making props.

“A single Shakespeare play is very complex, four together is more than four times as complex, because of the scheduling as well.”

This sophomore season, the Pop-up Globe will present two comedies, As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing; a tragedy, Othello; and a history, Henry V. Gregory is directing Henry V, Ben Naylor Othello, Miriama McDowell, Much Ado and Tom Mallaburn, As You Like It. The program, devised by Gregory, is linked by the common theme of jealousy, as much as it also reflects the balance of what Shakespeare wrote. It is also unabashedly commercial, just as Shakespeare’s own company was.

“Comedies always sell best, universally. And famous comedies always sell better than nonfamous ones.

“The way we program the theatre, which is my job, responds to three things. The first thing is that we don’t get any funding. We receive no public money, which for a Shakespeare theatre is very rare, We do prefer to be independent, it gives us artistic freedom. It also means we’re totally reliant on ticket sales and sponsorship — ticket sales will always be a theatre’s main source of income.”

As with last year, tickets range in affordability from $15 for “groundlings” or standing, as did Shakespeare’s audiences, to deluxe seating in boxes. The season also includes matinees for school parties, at $12.50 a ticket.

“The second thing is,” Gregory continues, “we have a theatre that is a dimensionally exact replica of the second Globe. We don’t claim it’s authentic, but there’s a lot of integrity in how we’ve designed it.

“The third thing is there is 900 seats in that theatre. So, we have to program artistically to meet those three parameters.

That immediately precludes certain work — we couldn’t do Cymbeline for example, or Pericles. They’re not commercial.

We’d have to have a reputation artistically where people would trust us to see anything we made.”

The King's Men then and now— Miles Gregory, front row, centre, and Tobias Grant, second row, on left, in their King's College Year 12 class photo, 1993. Photo courtesy of King's College the hobson 30

The Ellerslie site is only a few kilometres from Gregory’s childhood home in Arney Rd where his father, Jim, was fond of citing Mercutio, from Romeo and Juliet: “Tis not so deep as well, not so wide as a church door, but tis enough”.

“I found these words fascinating, the idea that these were famous words.”

His interest was further fostered at King’s College, where English teacher Steve Walker “encouraged us to enjoy Shakespeare”, and Gregory found he had a natural ability for understanding and interpreting the Bard.

King’s also gave him a life-long friend, Tobias Grant (they

school in the then-Year 13 exam, Bursary English, “much to the surprise of everyone, including me and my parents,” scoring 100 per cent in the Shakespeare section.

After a gap year, he headed to the UK and Durham University to study not Shakespeare, but history. Shakespeare stepped into his path again when a girl he was rather keen on suggested he join her at Durham’s campus theatre, a Shakespeare company.

The torch was lit, not with the girl as it turned out, but with Shakespeare, and the theatre. He left Durham with his honours degree in modern history, following it with an MFA in staging Shakespeare, from the University of Exeter.

met as four-year-olds at King’s School), whom, in that way that things can work out, would become his producing partner, the commercial director of PUG. “What’s that saying? There’s no Punch without Judy? That probably sums us up,” says Grant of the collaboration. With his background in advertising, marketing and management, Grant sums up their responsibilities as “he creates art on the stage, and I make sure people get to see it.

“Miles and I have been on an adventure since we were kids. It seemed very natural to continue our journey together, regardless of the outcome. We are very grateful that things turned out the way they did — 100,000 people loved our project last year!”

At King’s, Gregory acted in plays, with the odd exception of Shakespeare — he can’t recall why he wasn’t in the production of Henry V. That aside, there were portents: he topped the

By the time Gregory was 23, he was the youngest director in the West End, staging Hamlet and Twelfth Night for the Westminster Theatre. Shakespeare productions across the UK and Europe followed, and at 32, he had completed his doctorate — Shakespeare in Performance — from the University of Bristol, and was living and working in Northumberland, the chief executive and artistic director of a state theatre company, with all the inherent stresses of securing funding as well as running a complicated business. At 35, he was exhausted. “Very tired is the truth, very, very tired.”

So when his parents said come home, come and help us out in the family knitwear business, he did, bringing his English wife, Bob, and then-toddler daughter Nancy (now six and since joined by Adelaide, 4, and Rupert, 2) to New Zealand and a literal change of scene.

After two years in the family firm, guest lecturing on theatre

Build it, and they will come — Gregory, centre, unveils a scale model of the theatre with PUG build project manager, David Rutland (left) and Camelspace operations director Mick Spratling, onsite at the Ellerslie Racecourse the hobson 31

the play's the thing

and remaining connected through his arts consultancy, Henslowe Irving (named for Elizabethan theatre owner Philip Henslowe, and the influential Victorian actor/manager Henry Irving), he and Bob had planned to return to the UK. But the idea of mounting Shakespeare in an authentic environment had been cogitating, and attending an ATEED sponsorship conference with Grant saw that “what if . . .” idea become viable when they realised that collectively, they had the skills and experience to realise Gregory’s vision. (ATEED became a season one sponsor).

The result was the 2016 PUG: the theatre erected last summer in the Auckland Council-owned carpark behind the Q Theatre sold 100,000 tickets during its twice-extended season.

“I’ve always know that the combination of this work, in this space, would be special,” says Gregory. “The Shakespeare I’ve made in my career has always been for theatres, either open air or indoors.

“I’m 40 next month, and for me, my days of making theatre that isn’t exactly what I want it to be are over. I’d rather not do it if I can’t do what I want to do artistically — it was always going to be all or nothing.”

And only two years into its life, the company shows every sign of playing to Gregory’s vision of a southern hemisphere “centre of excellence” for the production of Shakespeare, an artistic powerhouse that audiences will trust, and support.

There’s offers to play international festivals, and worldwide

interest from actors — PUG, unusually, holds open auditions for professionals, and about a quarter of the 2017 cast are from outside NZ. There’s an acting ensemble of 30, divided into two: the Queen’s Company is both male and female actors, the King’s Company is as it was in Shakespeare’s day, all male, triggering call-outs of “unfair!” from some female critics.

Gregory is sanguine, interested that he can “excite debate” but also asking that at this stage of the Pop-up story, people not be too quick to judge.

“What we do in the future, time will tell. We’re a very young company. We’ve only done one thing!

“People should be patient, let us grow — and they’ll see amazing things happen.”

The 2017 season of the Pop-up Globe runs from February 23 to May 14, at Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave. Tickets are available through eventfinda.co.nz. For program information, see popupglobe.co.nz, or Facebook: Pop-up Globe THE HOBSON has two double tickets to give away to Othello at the Pop-up Globe, courtesy of Pop-up Globe. See page 4 for details.

Dr Paul JM Salmon BhB MBChB FRACP FACMS AFFILIATED SOUTHERN CROSS PROVIDER

EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

the hobson 32

the kaitiaki

Reconciliation, Revisited

A

month after the first signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) my 7-times-great grandfather, Apihai Te Kawau, made his way to the shores of the Manukau Harbour. Along with his nephews Te Tinana and Te Reweti, he signed a version of Te Tiriti on 20 March, 1840.

So, as I was reclining in the sun watching people of all ethnicities partaking in the Waitangi Day festivities at Ōkahu Bay, I thought about what Apihai Te Kawau would make of it all. Would he have appreciated seeing such a culturally diverse group of people occupying the same space without significant tension? Would he be surprised that for many, the relevance of the Treaty is that it brings a day off from work and little more? Would he be dismayed that many of his own descendants don’t know what date he signed?

The relevance of the Treaty to people has changed over the years.

For decades, the 1877 judgement of Chief Justice Prendergast deemed it a “nullity”. In the 70s, the prevailing protest placards stated “the Treaty is a Fraud”, and calls to “honour the Treaty” echoed.

It dawned on me that since my 7-times-great grandfather signed Te Tiriti, every successive generation of his descendants have been engaged in a treaty related dispute. Whether it be through petitioning the Crown about the devastating impact of the Native Land Bill of 1877, or in 1905, opposition to the sewer pipe across our ancestral village, pumping raw sewerage into Ōkahu Bay, causing pollution and intolerable levels of sickness. Or, more recently, the occupation of Bastion Point, led by Joe Hawke. Every single generation has been involved in a treaty dispute. And today is no different.

After reaching settlement with the Crown in 2011, the Crown then offered land within the tribal boundary of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to a neighbouring tribe, giving rise to a breach of the settlement reached with Ngāti Whātua Orākei. So, we are in court.

This generational engagement with the Treaty is not unique to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. This is the experience of Māori all across Aotearoa. It’s legacy bound. It’s tiring. Fatigue sets in.

The vast majority of New Zealanders don’t have this same legacy relationship with the Treaty, and many won’t even know that there are multiple versions. Yet, many New Zealanders feel battered by Treaty processes and dialogue, battered by what mainstream media has told them they should feel about the Treaty — to be upset that Māori are trying to get more things for free. Fatigue sets in.

And so, we find ourselves at an impasse. Fatigued.

But — many millennials, young adults, aren’t fatigued. In fact, they are up for dialogue about how they make the Treaty more relevant to them in their personal and professional lives. They are asking questions about constitutional reform and how, through the Treaty of Waitangi, can we build a nation? How, through the Treaty, can we create fertile ground that allows multiculturalism to flourish with a bicultural starting point?

It’s exciting dialogue and it’s infectious. In the Māori cultural competency training programme I run called Te Kaa, I create a safe space so that we can courageously engage in the hard and uncomfortable discussion that surrounds the Treaty — conversations about our nation’s identity, anger, guilt, culture, loss and ignorance.

Conversations about the intersect of gender, class and race. It’s raw dialogue, it’s emotional and extremely challenging, but it’s the kind of dialogue that has forced me, and the participants on my workshops, to grow. We are discovering that there is no one answer to how we reconcile the Treaty, but there is awareness that the Treaty has relevance in Aotearoa in 2017 and beyond.

— Precious Clark

the arts

Welcome to Our Art House A developer backs an artists’ collective in Ō-rākei, with colourful results for the community. By Penny Lewis

I

t’s easy to find Arthaus Orakei. Just head along to the cluster of warehouses in the Orakei Bay Village retail precinct and look for the riot of colour next door. Artist Sarah Bing’s graffiti-style painting has transformed the outside of what was once a non-descript office. Arthaus Orakei, which opened in November, is a gallery and studio space for emerging artists. They work and exhibit in the space rent-free, but each pay a stipend to cover expenses. The concept is the brainchild of Kerry Knight from Equinox Group, the Orakei Bay Village developer.

“Many artists starting out can't afford to rent a studio or have anywhere to exhibit,” Knight says. “We wanted to provide a space where artists could do that. The idea came from a visit we had to Cuba last year where a developer in Havana had created the Arts Factory for artists, film makers and musicians. It was an amazing space. We wanted something similar on a smaller scale that worked with the entire Orakei Bay Village.”

There are 14 visual artists and two writers in residence at Arthaus Orakei. Sarah Bing, who holds a creative director role with Equinox, says the creatives found each other in a variety of ways, mostly through existing connections. “Most of it was a matter of happy coincidence and through chance conversations.”

It was by chance that light and installation artist Trish Campbell came to be involved. The Orākei resident had just finished a twoyear lease on a gallery space in Coates Ave. “I happened to be driving past the Arthaus site one day. I was used to the buildings

being vacant so noticed the workmen. Being naturally curious I stopped to ask what was happening,” she says. “It was sheer luck that Elliot Knight [Equinox development manager] was there. He told me they were putting an artists’ collective together. It was too much of a good opportunity and it was like the universe was telling me something.”

Campbell says it’s “incredibly generous” for artists to be given the building to use. “It’s not common for businesses to support artists in this way. It really takes the pressure off selling work and allows us to concentrate on more experimental things.”

Campbell’s fellow artists at Arthaus Orakei work in different fields. Margaret Bray is a potter, Sarah Walker-Holt a contemporary jeweller and Liam Gerrard draws with charcoal. Philippa Bentley is a painter and printmaker, who hand-paints limited-edition screen prints.

Each artist has their own studio in the building and share the gallery in the multi-level space.

Bing says Arthaus Orakei’s group exhibition, on display in the gallery, will continue to expand. “We’ll each be having our own private exhibitions throughout the year and will be hosting shows during the photography festival, Artweek, and targeted shows during the writers’ and film festivals.”

Arthaus Orakei is officially open during the weekends only, but artists work in their studios during the week. “If you can see the sign outside, it means someone is there if you want to knock on

the hobson 34

the door and come in,” Campbell says.

Being a space for creatives, the building will evolve. Knight says there is currently room for an artist or sculptor to work outside.

“We welcome exhibition and event-proposals,” Bing adds. “We could also be a venue for creative workshops. I also privately love the idea of a philosophy club. Apart from that, people are welcome to join our mailing list on our website to be kept informed of

upcoming exhibitions and through social media. We’re just starting out, but are all dedicated to the concept and plan to go from strength to strength.”

Arthaus Orakei, 228 Orakei Rd, Orākei http://arthauso.org/ Arthaus Orakei on Facebook @arthausorakei on Instagram

Left, from left, artists Sarah Walker-Holt, Margaret Bray, Philippa Bentley and Trish Campbell. Below, Bray at work, works in the gallery space, some of Campbell's neon light pieces

.

the hobson 35

the pretty

Scrubs Up Fine Justine Williams picks good news skin exfoliants — the ones without environmentally damaging microbeads Free of nasties including sulphates, animal derivatives, parabens and synthetic fragrances, Sukin Detoxifying Facial Scrub, $13.9,9 is super cheap, super natural and super cheerful. From supermarkets Coconut cream lathers around bamboo granules and jojoba wax beads to buff away dry and flaky dead skin cells in Nellie Tier Face Polish. The blend also has jojoba oil and shea butter to soften and heal, Vitamin E to protect and hydrate, green tea extract to counter damage and the pure essential oils of frankincense and neroli to calm and tone. $38, from nellietier.co.nz A mild body scrub of apricot seed and the seeds of passiflora (the passionfruit flower), NZ Spa Pohutukawa Body Scrub captures the summery essence of the beautiful Pohutukawa tree. Made in NZ, it’s free of harsh chemicals and just as lovely, $1 from full size bottles sold is donated to NZ Surf Life Saving. $32, nzspa.co.nz

More than just your run-ofthe-mill toner, Estēe Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Toning Lotion/Refiner, $62, uses a rice ferment/ glucosamine/bamboo blend to help break the bonds holding dull skin cells in place, and enhance cell turnover. The more you use it, the brighter your complexion appears.

From Estēe Lauder counters

Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub is another fantastic dual action scrub with both physical exfoliating particles, plus both AHA and BHA hydroxy acids to provide deep pore cleansing and daily exfoliation in one clean. The addition of passionflower and honeysuckle make it feel a bit special too. $75, Available at Vivo, 328 Remuera Rd

So much fun with its black muddy texture, this 3-in-1 formula fights pesky blackheads. Used as a wash, a gentle scrub or a mask, it’s the perfect weapon for anyone suffering from oily to combination, problematic or acne-prone skin.

Enriched with purifying salicylic acid, charcoal clay and blueberry extract, Garnier Pure Active Charcoal Anti-Blackhead 3-in-1 is $13.99 from supermarkets and pharmacies An oldie, but boy, it’s a goodie. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $99, is a crushed rice-based powder formula that activates upon contact with water, releasing papain, salicylic acid and rice enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, for smoother, brighter skin every day. From Dermalogica counters or dermalogica.co.nz A mix of chemical exfoliation by way of papaya extract, with the help of natural silica and bamboo, Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser is an ideal daily hack for those short on time. $38, from Clinique counters

Targeting the appearance of dark spots and sun damage naturally, Manuka Doctor ApiNourish Polishing Facial Exfoliator, $39.99, removes makeup, and impurities, and reduces excess oil while protecting moisture levels in the skin. manukadr.co.nz

Aesop has long been a leader in do-no-harm skincare, and their Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste, $67, is everything you’d expect from this brand. Suitable for most skin types (it especially loves dry and sensitive skins) the delicious creamy exfoliator uses quartz for physical exfoliation and lactic acid for chemical exfoliation. Aesop, 2/2-8 Osborne St

the hobson 36

THE RICHIE MCCAW

Of

REAL ESTATE

Steve Hansen knows how to get results. The All Black Rugby World Cup winning coach has one of the most successful records of anyone who’s ever held the reins of our national side.

As you may have seen or heard, he’s recently taken up a role as Ray White’s Global Brand Ambassador. So what does rugby have in common with real estate?

“Trust. That’s what matters to me, and that’s what gets results,” says a reflective Steve Hansen in a popular YouTube video about the keys to success.

When it comes to trust, there’s never been a more trusted All Black than Richie McCaw. Many came before him, but no one’s ever won over the nation like Richie. The same applies in real estate, many salespeople can sell your house, but how many can win your trust?

We asked a local resident called Stuart who sold two properties through Ray White salesperson Cathy Roselli last year, some 24 years after she first sold a home for him in Wellington back in 1992.

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When deciding between Cathy and two other salespeople, the choice for Stuart was clear: “Trust. That’s why we chose Cathy. And you can’t beat her expertise and understanding of the local market.

She has so much life experience and really understood where we were coming from. She’s not about the transaction, she’s about the relationship.”

In real estate it’s no different. Photographers, videographers, drone operators, home stagers, gardeners, landscapers, repair and maintenance staff all play a part in the sales process.

In talking to Cathy it’s very apparent that having the trust of her clients means a lot to her, she admits that doing right by them is what fuels her – something that didn’t escape Stuart’s attention.

“She knows everyone. She’s like the conductor of an orchestra - she waves a baton and they all go to work in unison,” Stuart laughs.

And did she deliver? “Cathy is an amazing salesperson who has a genuine and authentic interest in people and getting the best result for her vendor. But at the same time she’s great at looking after purchasers too.”

In the modern era, rugby is becoming ever more strategic and dependent on a team of experts to get results. Steve Hansen coordinates a team of backroom staff, high performance coaches, psychologists and nutritionists who all contribute to the team’s success.

“Cathy had it all covered – she leaves no stone unturned. Her attention to detail and level of service is second to none.”

I asked Stuart what the best thing about having Cathy on board was: “Just Cathy. She’s a personality, a real force of nature. She’s such a hardworking, dedicated professional – you just have so much confidence in her ability. On a scale of one to ten, I’d give Cathy an eleven.”

I think Steve Hansen would agree there are some striking similarities to a certain former World Cup winning captain!

the hobson + stephen marr skin

Beauty Reborn Stephen Marr Skin

At Stephen Marr Skin, upstairs at Newmarket’s Stephen Marr salon, world-class treatments await. Justine Williams spoke to Stephen Marr about his new direction in skincare

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T

he Newmarket Stephen Marr salon is busy with clients, but the calm and cool nature of the room is what prevails as I sit down with the guru of hair, Stephen Marr. I’m here to talk to him about the changes upstairs at Stephen Marr Skin (or SM Skin as it’s called inhouse), the beauty space formerly known as Lucy and the Powder Room.

It’s no secret that Stephen Marr salons are the go-to hair specialists for New Zealand’s top fashion designers and creative teams, and Stephen himself explains that he aims for a “holistic and progressive approach” in the salon.

What’s happening upstairs with SM Skin has recently been brought into line with this ethos.

Stephen describes what they do in both skin and hair as “editorial, effortless and natural”. In order to bring SM Skin into step with the hair division, Stephen has invested in training and a new partnership, with an aim of full service beauty for clients.

THE SALON The new Stephen Marr Skin team is headed up by manager/skin specialist Hayley Miller, and skin specialists Kirsten Price and Lydia Wheeler. Lydia has returned to NZ after two years working abroad, most recently at the Guerlain Spa at the Amsterdam Waldorf Astoria. Their passion is results-driven skincare — without any nasty ingredients. The therapists are uncompromising in their search for effective products that use safe, pure and highly active ingredients, giving you the skin you’ve always dreamed of. Says Hayley, “Our highly sought-after skincare ranges, Osmosis and Synergy, are loaded with everything the skin needs to repair and plump and even reverse signs of ageing.”

THE PARTNERSHIP

to injectables — Stephen describes it as a “more European way of use” — they specialise in a natural effect that compliments the client’s unique beauty and celebrates character. Dr Walker’s clinics run on Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings in the beautiful, refurbished treatment rooms of Stephen Marr Skin.

TREATMENTS AND SERVICES As well as the full menu of beauty clinic services (including restorative and targeted facial and skin treatments, nails, waxing, spray tanning and professional makeup applications), Stephen Marr Skin has introduced an Omnilux machine to its range of therapies.

A medical-grade skin machine, the Omnilux (in my experience) is one of the greatest treatments on offer in the skincare world. A combination light therapy, it stimulates cellular activity to make skin cells behave in a more “youthful” manner. 20 minute sessions under the Omnilux light leave you feeling like you’ve just been meditating on some tropical island — and you leave with glowing gorgeous skin. A series of treatments has a profound and lasting effect on your skin’s appearance.

Also new is the Transdermal Infusion Machine, which the therapists say is one the most effective skincare machines in the world today, infusing active vitamins into the skin at an incredibly high penetration to minimise pigmentation, increase elasticity and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Unique to the salon is the launch of the Stephen Marr Facial, a deluxe skincare treatment utilizing both Omnilux light therapy and highly concentrated vitamin infusions, personalised to address individual skin concerns.

The tools and treatments chosen for Stephen Marr Skin are designed to deliver maximum results for clients that all work in together, prolonging the life of injectables (such as Botox and Restylane), maintaining a naturally beautiful aesthetic.

And it’s time friendly too!

One of the services Stephen wanted to maximize was the ability for clients in the hair salon to make the most of their time. So, you can book to have services such as nail treatments, injectables or enjoy an Omnilux session while your hair colour is processing — just ask when you’re booking and the salon will take care of the scheduling.

EXCLUSIVE - THE HOBSON READER OFFER Stephen Marr Skin are offering a free skin consultation with therapist Lydia Wheeler along with a complimentary Omnilux treatment (together valued at $120) through the month of March.

To redeem this amazing offer, please call Stephen Marr Skin on 524 6702, and quote “The Hobson” when making the booking.

Partnership has come in the form of resident skin specialist Dr. Marcia Walker, who is also a qualified and practicing GP with a passion for skincare. Assisting her are highly-trained registered nurses. With their expert touch and gentle approach

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Stephen Marr Skin is upstairs at Stephen Marr, 16 Morrow St, Newmarket. Phone 524 6702 www.stephenmarr.co.nz

the teacher

Hands up for Community Service Whichever school you have chosen to send your child will welcome your input and support. In fact, I would go as far as to say schools cannot succeed without the help and support of parents in every aspect of education. Of course, classroom teaching is the job of the trained professionals, but a solid holistic education involves much more. I encourage you to get behind and totally support your children and their school. Put your hand up for a camp experience, coaching a sports team, running a cake stall to raise funds for a special event, or providing transport for a school trip, just to mention a few. Your involvement will make your school community a better place and able to provide many extra opportunities for not only your children, but all students. And guess what — you will enjoy the experience and your children will love having your support and involvement.

School is such a short time in the life of your children, and parents’ involvement in their child’s learning process offers many opportunities for success. It is a fact that parental involvement in their children’s learning not only improves a child’s morale, attitude, and academic achievement across all subject areas (and not only academics) but it also promotes better behaviour and social adjustment. Family involvement helps children to grow up to be productive, responsible members of society.

By the end of week six, your children should be well settled into their new class and routines. If you have any concerns, make sure you talk to your child’s teacher to clarify things. You know your child better than anyone, so an early discussion with his/ her teacher is always helpful.

I wish you all the best for 2017 and for a successful and enjoyable school year. Remember to get involved and experience what the school community has to offer. You will discover and learn so much about how a school works and come to understand the role your school of choice plays in your community, not to mention the wonderful new friends you will make.

— Judi Paape

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s I sit down to pen this article I have you uppermost on my mind, as you iron on/stitch name tags into school uniforms that you have had to purchase because your children have grown out of the one you so carefully laundered and folded neatly away, hoping you would get another six months out of it! And how about all those books that have had to be covered, and the beginning of the homework routine?

One thing I am sure of is that you welcomed back the new school term after what was a very disappointing summer break.

Children will have been happy to return to catch up with their friends, and to give them a focus for the year. Whether you stayed at home or travelled anywhere in New Zealand, one could not escape the cold, wet and windy weather. February has always been the beginning of our summer, which is such a shame as classrooms can get very hot and children and staff find it difficult to work comfortably.

I have been totally impressed with the summer programmes schools have offered their students over the holiday break. With three of my own grandchildren now attending three different secondary schools I can see, and applaud, the huge input of teachers and parents running sports programmes that keep teenagers focused, fit and continuing to be educated in other areas than academics.

I attended a rowing regatta at Karapiro in January to support a grandson, and witnessed a large number of secondary school communities in action. I was incredibly impressed with the organisation involving staff, parents (grandparents too) and students. What an idyllic setting for such an amazing event. No wonder so many of our NZ rowers do so well in world events with such stunning rivers to test their skills, and a community of supporters to encourage and support. Watching the interaction of all the school students with staff and parents and each other was heartwarming to say the least.

My point to all this is that schools have become the local community base where families feel a sense of belonging.

the second act

Another Name for It

R

ecently, my nephew tried to explain Airbnb to my 90-year-old dad; how we laughed. But after initially assuming it was Dad’s lack of digital prowess that lead to his bewilderment, it transpired that it was merely because it was nothing new – it was simply called “renting out a room” in his day.

Increasingly I find that I too am viewing “modern life” as all a little unnecessary in my second act — a sign of wisdom, or growing older, depending on one’s age and viewpoint.

For instance, I am not a cynic by nature and admit to have enthusiastically embraced new trends and great ideas with gusto. But the latest concept launched by Arianna Huffington, media mogul/millionaire entrepreneur, has really got me going.

Huffington is billing the universal imperative and biological impulse of sleeping as the next big thing.

It of course makes sense that I’d follow her advice, since I’m of the generation that championed bottled water and bought the US$100 mindfulness app to help me not think. (I stopped short of going to those oxygen bars in Japan where you can buy fresh air in different flavours. Why hadn’t I thought of that – branded air! Genius.)

But repackaging sleeping as a “revolution”? Are you serious?

Call me 53-years-old, but do we really live in an age where we can profit from encouraging people to do what their bodies were designed to do?

Huffington is championing the idea of sleeping well at night and napping during the day to increase wellbeing. It’s the “nana nap”, rebranded. Living near to the office is pretty handy if I want to nip home to have a cup of tea and a quick lie down during work time. And I must say doing this is getting increasingly more attractive, and easier to do as I get older, helped by the heady blend of two factors that occur in your second act – changing hormones and not giving a shit what people think.

Of course, if I told my clients I was having a nana nap they’d

be worried, put off perhaps that I was getting too old for the game. But if I rename it a “power nap” people are envious, and see it as a smart ritual for productivity. I have toyed with using the terminology ‘siesta’ to make it more gender-neutral, and then I’d also be applauded for being part of the European slow living movement.

As annoyed as I am that Huffington is profiting from promoting sleep as an original idea, with branded pillows and gift cards (!), she makes a valid point that a key roadblock to a good night’s sleep is our addiction to screens. “Take all devices and gently escort them out of the bedroom,” she says.

Just as I was lecturing my 16-year-old on the perils of the constant texting from his bed when he should have been asleep, I realised I too had an addiction issue – the NZ Herald and Facebook apps on my phone. I was using them as a way of relaxing, like I used to with television when we bothered having one. One night, I found that 90 minutes had just flown by, thanks to mindless scrolling through both apps, darting from one unnecessary snippet to another.

The first step was recognising I had a problem. The second step was taking action — deleting the apps from my phone.

Third, I asked for help: my husband was not to allow me to take screens to bed. It’s all helped, and I have only slipped up once, when he found I had sneaked his iPad into the bedroom while he was on another screen in another room. He gently lifted it from my hands and I felt a little ashamed.

So instead of screens to help me get to sleep — or not — I lay there the other night mentally listing all the trends I have subscribed to over the years. Walking (“powerwalking”), walking even faster (“jogging”), faster still (“running”), stretching (“yin yoga”), tidying up (“decluttering”), closing your eyes but remaining awake (“mindfulness”), and now closing your eyes and nodding off . . . “the sleep revolution”! Hmm, maybe I am simply a product of my time.

— Sandy Burgham

RAINS AT HEDGEROW New styles for 2017 in store now

09 524 0843

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the magpie

Goodnight, Mother Nesting never looks so good as when The Magpie plays The Sandman

Feel the vintage kimono vibe in this silky and slouchy Phoebe Long Kimono robe, $39.95, from Cotton:On Body.

Long in length, a threequarter sleeve and drop armhole make for comfort and practicality.

A dressing gown can be a most elegant addition to your wardrobe. The Bella Women's Dressing Gown comes in beautiful colours (charcoal, ice pink, ecru) is made from natural fibres and is machine washable. $159 from Citta, BLOC, Normanby Rd

A double-down collab of denim and linen, Father Rabbit Linen Denim Pillowcase set, $69, and Linen Duvet Cover, from $249, will have your nesting place on-fleek this year. Father Rabbit, Orākei Bay Village

Spritz this on the Magpie’s pillow and she’s out like a light.

Formulated with the essential oils of lavender, vetiver and wild chamomile to relieve tension, settle nerves and calm the body and mind, it’s pure bliss.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, $31, meccabeauty.co.nz Fine & Dandy Fairtrade Organic Chamomile & Cinnamon Tea is a soothing nightcap before beddy-byes. $16.90, fineanddandy.co.nz

The pared-back Father Rabbit aesthetic applies as the mind wanders to a calm, well-rested life. Classic cut Chalmers Pyjamas, $179.90 for the set, from Father Rabbit, Orākei Bay Village

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Crank up the central heating and keep this PJ set going well into the cooler months simply because it’s so gorgeous.

Pretty as a picture in Icy Blue we love the Talia Tank $29.95, and shorts, $29.95, from Cotton:On Body

Bangles, rings, studs — they deserve this glamorous marble tray for their overnight resting place. Perfect by the bedside or maybe one in the bathroom. Loft Marble Tray, $64.90 from Country Road

Steal this Washed Velvet Square Stitched Quilted Throw (130x180cm) from the end of the bed for couch naps, or to use as a rug anywhere you need some comfort. $179, from Citta, BLOC, Normanby Rd

Foot fashion with practicality too. These clever slippers

by Mahabis have detachable soles (available in multiple colours) for trips to the letterbox or clothesline. They’re wool-lined, breathable, comfortable and very cool.

Designed in London, made in Portugal, worldwide free shipping. Around $150 from mahabis.com

Luxurious Laing sleepwear is locally designed, for women who prefer not to look a like Disney character — or your nan — as they slumber. Their Frank Pyjamas are the perfect classic PJ. Fine cotton, classic tailoring, a comfortable fit but with a stylish silhouette. Available in navy, white, and blue and white stripe, $229, from Hedgerow, 371 Remuera Rd

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the bookmark

Writing History

THE MEANING OF MICHELLE

THE MAKING OF DONALD TRUMP

FIVE PRESIDENTS

Edited by Veronica Chambers (St Martin’s Press) A series of thoughtful meditations on the complexities of former First Lady Michelle Obama, a woman who is both partner to the former leader of the free world, and a powerful figure in her own right. An engaging collection by 16 different writers, to help readers recognise that Michelle Obama is a distinct American icon.

David Cay Johnston (Hardie Grant) Johnston is a Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times investigative reporter who has followed the real estate impresarioturned-US president for nearly three decades. He offers a searing indictment of Trump’s business practices and paints an unblinking portrait that makes the case that Trump has the attributes of both a dictator and deceiver, combined with all the chutzpah of a showman.

Clint Hill with Lisa McCubbin (Simon & Schuster) With a unique insider’s perspective, former Secret Service agent Hill reveals the character, personality and humanity of the presidents he served in a 17-year career — Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford. The best moments are the intimate ones with the first families. Hill has written about his working life previously, in the best-selling Mrs Kennedy and Me.

FIRST WOMEN

Want more modern US history? Well worth a read is 2012’s The President’s Club

by Time magazine senior editors Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duff, which looks at the interwoven personal relationships between America’s post-WWII leaders. Also look out for the February ’17 issue of Vanity Fair magazine, with features on the new US president, First Daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, and the older Trump sons, Eric and Donald Jr.— Gail Woodward

AUDACITY Jonathan Chait (HarperCollins) Chait presents Obama’s policy objectives and his record in achieving them, sometimes by clever manoeuvers and an admirable strength of character that enabled him to advance his goals in the face of an intractable Republican opposition. A clearly written case that will be valuable to future historians, although you wonder whether readers with differing opinions about the 44th US president’s performance will alter their view.

Kate Andersen Brower (HarperCollins) Brower has written a sophisticated and intimate portrait of modern first ladies, from Jacqueline Kennedy through to Michelle Obama. It’s a deep look at the women who help, and sometimes overshadow, their powerful husbands; a candid and enlightening look at life upstairs and down at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC 20500.

the cinema

March at the Movies RULES DON’T APPLY

Another true-life tale, but with more whimsy. James Bowen is a recovering drug addict, a homeless London busker. When he encounters, and befriends, a stray ginger cat whom he names Bob, life takes a turn for the better. With his new bestie, James, and Bob’s, lives are transformed as they become recognised for all the right reasons.

Director Warren Beatty.

Starring Warren Beatty, Lily Collins, Annette Bening, Matthew Broderick, Candice Bergen, Alden Ehrenreich, Martin Sheen In this comedic and most unconventional of love stories, exactly that blooms between the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes (the Academy Awardwinning Beatty, who directs and stars), an aspiring young actress he employs, and in turn, her young driver. As the men vie for the young starlet’s affections, her straight-up Midwestern mother seeks to ensure that her daughter doesn’t stray from the path of the Lord in Hollywood, the town of temptation.

TRESPASS AGAINST US Director Adam Smith. Starring Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson, Sean Harris, Rory Kinnear The Cutler family are multigenerational modern-day outlaws, operating out of trailer parks in the British countryside.

Heir apparent Chad is his father’s golden boy, groomed to spend his life thieving, hunting, and tormenting the police. As his own son comes of age, Chad starts to reevaluate his life and what’s in store for his family, as the legal noose around the Cutlers tightens in this gritty, confronting drama.

ALONE IN BERLIN Director Vincent Pérez. Starring Emma Thompson, Daniel Brühl, Brendan Gleeson Based on a true story, Berliners Otto and Anna Quangel are bereft when their son is killed fighting in WWII. Grief stricken, the couple begin a subtle but highly dangerous protest against the Nazi regime. As their message — spread via postcards — urging people to take a stand again Hitler disseminates throughout Germany, the Gestapo begins to hunt for “the threat”.

A STREET CAT NAMED BOB Director Roger Spottiswoode. Starring Luke Treadaway, Bob the Cat, Joanne Froggatt, Ruta Gedmintas

Advance Screening Wednesday 8 March. Arrival 6:00pm for 6:15pm film start.

Tickets: $24.50* each and include a glass of wine & goodie bag.

Book online: www.rialto.co.nz Offensive language & sexual references

*Plus, $1.20 online booking fee.

— Caitlin McKenna All titles are scheduled to screen at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket in March

the sound

Rites of Passage

W

hat a summer of music it's been. Auckland has been blessed by a constant stream of high quality concert acts. We really are on the world stage when it comes to

rock’n’roll.

Coldplay started the summer with a kaleidoscope of a concert full of uplifting anthems and dazzling effects and lights. Guns N’ Roses and Bruce Springsteen did their thing and there's Adele still to come.

Then there's been the serious “artists”. Nick Cave played Vector Arena, while PJ Harvey played the Logan Concrete Centre. Both artists produced extremely dramatic and emotional shows combined with magnificent musicianship. They were quite simply stunning.

Out of town the nostalgia circuit has been huge. Bonnie Tyler, the Alan Parsons Project and Icehouse in Taupo was a particularly big event, proving that Auckland is no longer the home of big name concerts.

Local bands had big houses on the holiday circuit. The Mockers came back for the first time to celebrate their 30th year. What was surprising about that concert was how well the ’80s pop written

by Andrew Fagan and Gary Curtis has aged.

Everyone remembers “Forever Tuesday Morning” but it was the rediscovery of other gems that stole the show.

How good is “Woke Up Today”?! Honestly it's Beatlesque. And in other news Fat Freddy’s Drop sold out their largest New Zealand headline show ever at Villa Maria, with all 10,000 tickets snapped up.

With the postponement of Auckland City Limits, Auckland’s summer festivals were few but Laneways discovered a fantastic new home in Albert Park. Tame Impala amongst the oaks, fountains and rotundas of the innercity park was a beautiful thing.

And then we come to the multi-day camping extravaganzas.

Rhythm and Vines and Rhythm and Alps passed off mostly without problems, thank heavens, and then there was Soundsplash in Raglan, or as my son called it, “Hell on Earth”.

Last year my 17-year-old informed us that he and his mates wanted to go to the Raglan festival. I thought it was a great idea.

When I was his age, leaving school and about to go to uni, I took a job building at the Sweetwaters Festival. One month of living in a pup tent, digging long drops and hanging out with naked hippies from Arial Railway. I spent three days building the scaffolding for the stage. We were rewarded by being allowed to climb it

during Cold Chisel to watch the concert from on high. Imagine our surprise when Jimmy Barnes decided to climb up and join us, complete with a bottle of vodka, and belt out two songs from four storeys up! Anyway, it was the first time I had a grown-up job and it was a real learning experience.

So I considered the Raglan trip as a valuable rite of passage.

And it was. But not in ways I thought it would be.

Two days before the event my lad’s rides dried up as mates bailed. All the other cars were full. Find a bus, I said. Then there was the tent, a three-person tent we haven't used in years. I gave it to him and told him to put it up as practice. When I got home from work I found that he had decided to try to erect it in my bedroom as it was windy outside, but he had failed to get the thing up. For heaven’s sake! I showed him how, then told him to pack it up. Again, a failure. He couldn't fit the thing into the bag.

This was not going well.

The big day came and still no lift so muggins here, the good Dad, drove the ratbag to Raglan with a little lecture about planning and self-sufficiency.

In Raglan the sun was shining and the festival grounds were awash with teens and 20-somethings wearing very little, which was a reminder that camping rock festivals are not for oldies like me.

What happened next was an apocalypse.

Massive winds and rain arrived and the decision to build the tent on a ridge with a view was a fatal mistake. The tent was destroyed, leaving my boy homeless. He discovered he’d failed to pack a raincoat or a puffer, and so, drenched and freezing, he manfully slopped through the mud to watch Six60 do a slow ballad show in a biblical storm. His best mate broke up with his girlfriend so needed constant counselling, and then to cap it off the car he was going to get a ride home in broke down.

“It was hell on earth, Dad. I hate Raglan”, he said when he collapsed through the door on Sunday night. I thought it was hilarious.

Rock ‘n’ roll has always been an important part of growing up and finding ourselves. A rite of passage. My Sweetwaters experience taught me hard yakka. For my boy, I hope the disasters teach him personal responsibilty and forethought. He certainly learned fortitude in uncomfortable situations. He’s at uni in Wellington as we speak. I believe he’s still alive. Whatever.

That's his problem. — Andrew Dickens

Soundsplash, Raglan 2017. Photo by Tracie Heasman. the hobson 46

the district diary

March 2017 1 Join a tour of the Saint Kentigern College campus today. Register via saintkentigern. com The Pop-Up Globe has returned with four new productions of Shakespeare’s masterworks, now in a beautiful garden setting at Ellerslie Racecourse, with popup restaurant and bar. See popupglobe. co.nz for dates, times, plays. Until 14 May

Theatre. Tickets from ticketek.co.nz 4 Mt Eden village hosts the Little Day Out family fun day. From 10am to 1pm, enjoy pony rides, an animal blessing, kids market, food stalls, face painting and more 5 It’s the 24th Round the Bays race today, from the city to St Heliers, via Tamaki Dr

2 Until 22 March, the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival will feature over 30 of the finest French films, from more intimate stories to big entertainment.

Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, 167169 Broadway. See frenchfilmfestival. co.nz for program

3-5 International comedy star David Strassman’s new show iTedE is a riotous take on our technology-laden lives, through the eyes of sharp-tongued Chuck Wood and lovable Ted E. Bare. SKYCITY

18 Experience what St Cuthbert’s College can offer at the school’s Open Day, 12 3pm. Register via stcuthberts.school.nz Auckland Council’s Movies in Parks screens Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Roberta Reserve, Riddell Rd, Glendowie. Free entry, movie starts 7.45pm, pre-movie kids’ entertainment from 6pm. For more details see aucklandcouncil. govt.nz Parnell Farmers’ Market, every Saturday from 8am12pm. Think fresh, think local, think delicious produce!

Held in the carpark behind the Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd.

Take a trip down memory lane at the Grammar Class of 57 60 Year Reunion.

This evening of reminiscing and sharing good times includes a seated dinner and tour of the school, 5.3010pm. Contact Melanie Esplin, m.esplin@ags.school. nz for tickets The popular Untamed Stories returns to King’s College, with the theme of ‘Tales Old and New’. Featured speakers Sam Hunt, Mils Muliaina, Chloe Swarbrick, Wallace Chapman and Lizzie Marvelly will speak for seven minutes each, with no notes, images or technology. At the Great Hall, 7pm. Tickets from kingscollege.school.nz (KC students free, others from $10)

Ross Bay give a fascinating history of the library. Tickets $15 ($10 for members) from enquiries@parnellheritage.org. nz or 09 846 7661, includes drinks and finger food. 6.30pm, Selwyn Library, 8 St Stephens Ave, Parnell

11 Orākei Market – gourmet, artisan, vintage, fresh. Every 2nd Saturday from 9am, Orākei Community Centre, 156 Kepa Rd 16 Saint Kentigern welcomes visitors to tours of its Girls’ School and Preschool today at the Remuera Rd campus. Register at saintkentigern.com Come along to Parnell Heritage’s Evening at Selwyn Library to hear the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, the Right Reverend the hobson 47

19 St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra plays today with violin virtuoso Simone Roggen, and conductor Vincent Hardaker. These two New Zealanders are stars of the classical music scene, don’t miss your chance to hear them perform Bruche’s violin concerto No 1 in G Minor. 2.30pm, St Matthews in the City, Hobson St. Tickets $25/$20, children under 12 free, from eventfinda.co.nz or at the door.

24 Celebrate the role AGS’s Old Boys play in encouraging young students to be their best, with speeches and a hot breakfast at the Grandfather/Grandson Breakfast, 7am at the Old Boys’ Pavilion. Email m.esplin@ags.school.nz for tickets

the cryptic by mĀyĀ

ACROSS

DOWN

1 All the letters to a Parnell Café (8) 5/11 Mark tide via movement of waterfront road (6,5) 9 In French religious work, note interval (8) 10 Hot rock smell for basin (6) 11 See 5 12 Song from Bowie, initially without MacAdam (9) 14 Fashion icon voiced hesitation before vault, making a tiny step (7,4) 18 Jim Henson might have had a hand in this? (5,6) 21 How police arrange road block: second unit's heading off to get rock band (9) 23 Oddly, Keanu's ruin is a tree (5) 24 One of the Flintstones? (6) 25 Forbid torments from soldiers' quarters (8) 26 He had a plum job once (6) 27 See, space travelling freed them from time (8)

1 Plan to cook Ned in oven (6) 2 “Fitting 10 up with pole,” in the local dialect (6) 3 Be a square, performing dance position on one leg (9) 4 An utterable mess found at the top of a column (11) 6 Key absence causes distressed utterance (5) 7 Plant may, in this way, follow one (8) 8 In spite of leaders getting award (not hard!) it's the same whichever way you look at it (8) 13 Six-footer with a device placed by each nation's borders - the Spanish, in our case (11) 15 From Andrew Lomu to Korean island (9) 16 Afflict a shin protector, say (8) 17 Make Thomas go up and down for Nobel laureate (3,5) 19 Who's French, with revolutionary food? (6) 20 Rock band eats edges of XXX (6) 22 Drink dispenser may come after fibre (5)

Set by Māyā. Answers will appear in our next issue (April 2017). Can't wait, or need help? Visit https://thehobsoncrossword.wordpress.com/

JANUARY/FEBRUARY CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across: 1 Fairy godmother, 8 Scum, 11/17 Dalvanius Prime, 12 Lorde, 14 Cat, 15 Stadia, 16 Run-up, 19 Abattoir, 21/30 Beauty and the Beast, 23 Rye, 24 Lead pencils, 27 Drogues, 28 Hedonic, 33 Men, 34 Ouster, 35 Amphibia, 38 Blini, 40 Aisle, 42 Enrobe, 44 Cow, 45 Erica, 46 Trojan War, 49/41 Jack and the Beanstalk Down: 1 Fad, 2 Islet, 3 Year dot, 4 Oxidation, 5 Misery, 6 Talon, 7 Ezra Pound, 9 Cacti, 10 Mutterers, 13 Empty tomb, 18 Fall, 20/48 Aladdin Sane, 22 Eased, 23 Rhubarb, 25 Pantomime, 26 Inane, 28 Humpbacks, 29 Costa Rica, 31 Hammer out, 32 Team, 36 Herbage, 37 Lepton, 39 Iowan, 43 Bowie, 47 Ran

the hobson 48

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504 Trinity Apartments, Parnell

SOLD

7.4 The International, Princes Street, Parnell

SOLD

302 The Ford Residences, Parnell

SOLD

10 Judge Street, Parnell

Ross Hawkins +64 274 720 577 ross.hawkins@sothebysrealty.com

nzsothebysrealty.com

Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.

44 Glanville Terrace, Parnell