The Hobson Magazine: March 2019

MARCH 2019

walking the city p tomorrow’s schools local news, views & informed opinions

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Decorative Arts Online — 6 March - 11 March Fine Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Accessories Online — 11 April - 15 April

Live Auction Schedule

A Private Collection of Vintage Photography Online — 27 February - 4 March

Enjoy the excitement of a live auction or follow and bid online at www.webbs.co.nz

Online Auction Schedule

Webb’s online auctions are designed for the new collector or those looking for quality pieces at accessible price points from across our multiple departments.

Be inspired by the latest styles in bathroom and kitchen designed by Philippe Starck, Sieger Design, Matteo Thun and Arne Jacobsen. Our unique collection has everything you need to create your very own sanctuary.

Fine & Rare Wines Online — 19 February - 24 February — 27 March - 31 March

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Fine Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Accessories — 24 March Fine Art — 26 March Decorative Arts — 10 April Asian Art — 11 April Fine & Rare Wines — 16 April

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The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars Part II — 17 March (Southward Car Museum, Paraparaumu)

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Auctions Private Sales Valuations

The March Issue, No. 56 8

38

the editor’s letter

the teacher

10

The beginning of a new term is a good time to revisit learning goals for the coming year, writes Judi Paape

the columnists

39

13

the hobson + st cuthbert’s college

the village

Principal Justine Mahon introduces the girls’ school

What you need to know about freedom camping (coming to reserves and berms near you), local works and updates, a Very VIP visits St Cuthbert’s, Remuera hangs up the lanterns and celebrates the Lunar New Year, plus The Remuera Village Voice introduces the Maman sisters; and more

28 & 29

40 the schools In this special opinion piece, Epsom MP David Seymour writes of the challenges to school management by the recommendations of the Tomorrow’s Schools Review taskforce

42

the councillors News from the Ōrākei ward Councillor, Desley Simpson, and Mike Lee, Councillor for Auckland for the Waitematā and Gulf ward

30 the politician

the suburbanist & the second act Our Suburbanist columnist Tommy Honey tries to Kondo up his home, while The Second Act’s Sandy Burgham realises that in one area of her life at least, her kids are right — she just doesn’t get it

43

MP Paul Goldsmith share his update

the sound

32

A find in a small-town junk shop throws Andrew Dickens right back into the mellifluous embrace of Casey Kasem

the plan Free to buy his beer where he pleases, Hamish Firth considers the liquor licensing trusts operating in other parts of the city

44

33

Meet Monique, a new stylist at Stephen Marr Newmarket

the investment As the market turns a little choppy, Warren Couillault lists his investment guidelines, with some sage advice from another Warren

the hobson + stephen marr

46 the magpie The bird has spied all sorts of lovely things to bridge the seasons

48

34 the walk

the district diary

In Auckland Architecture, A Walking Guide, writer John Walsh and photographer Patrick Reynolds have compiled a guide to 50 buildings and structures around six city routes. We enjoy a few of the Parnell stops

50

The important stuff going on in March

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

“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

Tickets! Books!

Would you like a copy of Auckland Architecture, A Walking Guide ? Courtesy of Massey University Press, we have three copies of this handy little book to give away. To win, email business@thehobson.co.nz with WALKING in the subject line, by 5pm, Friday March 22.

And, courtesy of the Auckland Arts Festival, we have double tickets to “Grand Finale” (UK dance, March 21 ) and “The Dreamer” (Chinese physical theatre, also March 21).

Email business@thehobson.co.nz with the name of the show you would like to see in the subject line, by 5pm, Friday March 13. We also have a pair of tickets to the Australian circus co, Gravity & Other Myths’ “Backbone” on March 14. You’ll need to be a subscriber to our newsletter, The Hobson Weekly, to win.

Sign up via Facebook or email hellothehobson@gmail.com.

All winners will be selected at random.

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.

To find out more about how we can care for you and your baby call our team on 09 3671200 or visit our website obstetrics.co.nz.

Lynda Batcheler | Astrid Budden | Eva Hochstein | Katherine McKenzie | Kirstie Peake | Martin Sowter

the hobson 6

issue 56, march 2019 Editor & Publisher Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz Art Direction & Production Stephen Penny design@thehobson.co.nz News Editor Mary Fitzgerald maryfitzgerald.thehobson@gmail.com Writers This Issue Mary Fitzgerald, David Seymour, John Walsh, Justine Williams Sub-editor Fiona Wilson Columnists Sandy Burgham, Warren Couillault, Hamish Firth, Paul Goldsmith, Tommy Honey, Mike Lee, Māyā, Judi Paape, Desley Simpson

W

elcome to our March issue, and all the reading that lies before you. Our editorial brief, to “be local or of interest to locals” is more than fufilled this month, in part “thanks” to Auckland Transport and their seemingly never-ending black hat thinking of ways to make life more difficult. My dog-walking route in the early mornings takes me along Orakei Rd, and in recent weeks, I’ve noticed a sudden increase in the number of big trucks roaring past. When councillors Desley Simpson and Mike Lee sent in their March columns, I found out why. The trucks are thanks to AT’s decision, without consultation, to halve the number of traffic lanes on Quay St, a main arterial route between the eastern bays and the CBD. You’ve probably had the misfortune to be stuck in the resulting gridlock, which fans out to Stanley St and the motorway access, causing trucks to leave the port and use Orakei Rd to get to the motorway. Both our Councillors are furious with AT and are on the case — read their respective columns on pages 28 and 29.

Another AT initaitive that no-one asked for — the removal of the 10-minute parking zone outside the building housing the post office boxes on Parnell Rd, in favour of long-stay metered parking. It had operated well for a long time, a quick in-and-out bay for box holders to clear their mail and be gone again. The Parnell Business Association didn’t ask for its removal, users weren’t asked. AT points out the first 10 minutes of the metered areas are free, but that’s of little help to drivers circling to find an empty space within a 10 minute walk.

It’s a minor annoyance compared with the Quay St debacle, but another example of AT fixing a problem that didn’t exist. Cheers guys!

Photographers Stephen Penny, Patrick Reynolds

There’s still time to own an apartment with a difference.

A handful of premium apartments remain available.

Find the lifestyle balance you require with

Cover The Domain gates, photographed by Patrick Reynolds for Auckland Architecture, A Walking Guide. See our extract which starts on page 34

our unique mix of premium service and Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz 0275 326 424 Facebook: The Hobson magazine Instagram: TheHobson

THE HOBSON is published 10 times a year by The Hobson Limited, PO Box 37490 Parnell, Auckland 1151. www.thehobson.co.nz F: TheHobsonMagazine I: @TheHobson

an unrivalled urban lifestyle where you can enjoy your independence. We offer sophisticated independent living matched with exceptional services and facilities, including meals prepared by our Executive Chef, unique wellness and exercise spaces,

Ideas, suggestions, advertising inquiries welcome. editor@thehobson.co.nz

access to special Rawhiti Estate events, cutting edge technology, full care options on-site and stunning New Zealand art.

THE HOBSON is Remuera, Parnell and Ōrākei’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, see TheHobsonMagazine on Facebook.

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Don’t steal, and don’t borrow without checking with us first.

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and discuss the unique services Rawhiti Estate provides.

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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.playclc.com Remuera resident Warren Couillault (The Investment) is an executive director and the major shareholder of Hobson Wealth Partners, a private wealth advisory group. He is a shareholder and director of Generate Investment Management Ltd; and manager of a registered Kiwisaver scheme.

Visit Kouzina to see the inspirational and extensive new Miele display of laundry and kitchen appliances. Kouzina will work with you to design the perfect appliance solution for your home and lifestyle.

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Andrew Dickens (The Sound) is the host of the afternoon show on Newstalk ZB. For 13 years he was the breakfast host on Classic Hits. 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 Mary Fitzgerald is The Hobson’s News Editor. A Mainlander who transplanted to Remuera 14 years ago, she is passionate about hearing and telling our stories.

Urban design critic Tommy Honey (The Suburbanist) is a former architect. The Remuera resident is a regular guest on RNZ National, discussing the built environment.

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

A Parnell resident, her column appears bi-monthly.

Contributing writer Wayne Thompson is a former The New Zealand Herald journalist, covering Auckland news. He has been a resident of Parnell for 34 years.

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

Introducing Lesley McLellan We’re delighted to welcome Lesley McLellan to our Auckland Central office.

Lesley is a highly professional and accountable businesswoman with the capacity to navigate complex and delicate situations.

A skillful negotiator who garners trust and respect from peers and clients by conducting herself with honesty and openness. With an extensive 20 year career in real estate, Lesley has sold more than 480 homes and is one of the most highly respected agents in New Zealand.

Contact Lesley for a no-obligation appraisal of your home.

M +64 27 453 5070 T +64 9 353 1220 lesley.mclellan@nzsir.com 295 Parnell Road, Parnell nzsothebysrealty.com Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.

the hobson 10

11/2/19 10:21 PM

the village

©mychillybin.co.nz/cherie palmer

Town & Around

FREEDOM CAMPING — A COST TO LOCAL RESERVES The opening up of reserves and residential streets for freedom camping is planned by Auckland Council to manage the swelling numbers of freedom campers to New Zealand’s largest city. The Ōrākei ward, which stretches from Remuera to St Heliers, stands to be one of many areas impacted by the proposed new Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw 2019.

The Ōrākei Local Board and local residents have concerns about six reserves within the ward which currently prohibit overnight stays of any kind, but have been flagged by Council as becoming sites for overnight freedom camping. As well, kerb-side freedom camping will also be allowed as part of the plan.

The proposed Auckland Council bylaw will sit under the Freedom Camping Act (FCA) that was rushed through parliament before the Rugby World Cup in 2011 to enable tourists in campervans and vans to park up in areas previously restricted. The FCA was broad in its approach and subsequently has been the root cause of well-documented problems in popular tourism areas across the country. In 2018, 110,000 international freedom campers visited NZ according to a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment report, and Auckland is a popular starting and finishing point for many of these visitors.

Council has developed the proposed bylaw to address problems caused by increased freedom camper numbers, reduce camping overcrowding by increasing the supply of more free overnight sites, and improve enforcement of camping rules. It will seek to revoke legacy bylaw provisions for freedom camping, in favour of the new bylaw. It is worth noting these existing legacy bylaw provisions generally prohibit freedom camping, except in designated places.

Council’s public consultation and feedback period on the proposed new Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw 2019 ended in February. Locally, Ōrākei Local Board chair Kit Parkinson organised a community drop-in evening mid-last month to get constituent views, so that the board could provide feedback to Council. He says during the initial stage of the consultation, the board rejected many reserves and parks as they were unsuitable for freedom camping.

He says kerb-side freedom camping needs to have controls and enforcement in place prior to any authorisation, and that the board questions the suitability of residential streets for unrestricted freedom camping.

Also underwhelmed by Council’s plans is the Waitematā Local Board. One of the areas identified for freedom camping in the proposal is Parnell’s Fred Ambler Lookout, below the Rose Gardens, on Gladstone Rd. “As a matter of principle the local board doesn’t support freedom camping in central Auckland’s parks and reserves,” says board chair Pippa Coom. “We’d prefer to see locations utilised that have appropriate facilities. However we recognise the change to the law that requires us to consult on possible permitted locations. We welcome feedback on the three locations in Waitematā, including Fred Ambler Lookout.”

Kohimarama resident Fiona Hyland is one local resident who’s flagged up concerns about the impact on local residential streets and reserves. Hyland says the proposed bylaw will create more problems than solutions, and that there are two key issues, the first being the bylaw will take away reserve protections in neighbourhood reserves, meaning public spaces like Madills Farm Recreational Reserve can be used for overnight camping.

The Reserves Act 1977 gives robust protections to Auckland reserves against camping, and Bylaw 20 prohibits camping unless in designated areas. Hyland says Council has provided information online on 107 sites that they are calling “restricted”.

“Council says they will restrict freedom camping in these 107 sites. But 87 of these sites are already protected under the Reserves Act 1977, therefore prohibiting camping, unless designated. So, while it looks like Council is restricting camping in these areas with the proposed bylaw, they’re actually opening these sites up for freedom camping.”

She says the real question people need to ask is should local reserves, parks and streets be opened up for freedom camping at all, and if so, who is going to actively enforce and police it? The bylaw will allow enforcement officers to issue a $200 infringement fine to

the hobson 13

the village

Reserve Location Restriction on time & stay

Restriction on number of vehicles permitted overnight

Fred Ambler Lookout

97 Gladstone Road Parnell

Overnight only Vacate designated site by 9am

4

Tamaki Drive Reserve

Tamaki Drive Central Auckland

Overnight only Vacate designated site by 9am

2

Ōrākei Domain

40 Reihana Street Ōrākei

Overnight only Vacate designated site by 9am

8

Madills Farm Recreation Reserve

6 Baddeley Avenue Kohimarama

Overnight only Vacate designated site by 9am

2

Glover Park

32 Glover Road St Heliers

Overnight only Vacate designated site by 9am

6

Andersons Beach Reserve

379 Riddell Road Glendowie

Overnight only Vacate designated site by 9am

2

campers breaching rules but in reality, “Who is going to be standing at Madills Farm counting cars at 11pm telling the extra cars they have to go somewhere else? We know that the answer is ‘no-one’.”

Hyland says the second key issue is that the proposed bylaw will enable legalised kerb-side camping on Auckland’s residential streets. “By revoking Bylaw 20 and removing the prohibition of camping in our streets, Council is opening up the majority of the city’s kerb-sides to freedom camping and there are no restrictions in the bylaw around how long freedom campers can remain camping there.”

She points to Tamaki Dr as a good example of a stretch of road that will be opened up under this bylaw. “All along Tamaki Dr and Kohimarama, and every street leading from Tamaki Dr up to Kepa Rd, will be opened up to cars to camp kerb-side in any unrestricted area, indefinitely, unenforced. What could possibly go wrong in this scenario?”

Now that the public consultation period is over, a Council panel will review the feedback, and make recommendations to the Governing Body on the proposed changes. — Mary Fitzgerald p

WORKS ON ŌHINERAU

Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson received some TLC over the summer, which is ongoing until early this month. The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is resurfacing all of the pathways on the eastern side of the hill, and old stairways are also being replaced, complete with new handrails. Both the Remuera Rd entrances and tracks are closed until the work is due to be completed. If you are keen to blow off some summer excess, you can still reach the summit from the western side of the maunga via Mt Hobson Lane.

“As part of the track upgrade, measures have been taken to protect some archaeological features of the maunga,” says Tūpuna Maunga Authority spokesperson Mike George. “Areas of the track that had previously damaged archaeological features have been covered with a geo-textile to ensure what remains of the features are protected. An archaeologist has been present to ensure there is no damage as a result of the track construction work.”

George says that the ongoing annual grass maintenance programme on the maunga is focused on protecting sensitive areas first and foremost, and restoring a natural landscape.

“The maunga are mountainous reserves with natural settings that are not uniform, as opposed to some parks which are flatter and have different landscape values that allow for a more manicured setting. At Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson, formal grass paths over the maunga are kept mown for safe visitor access.”

He says weed densities are decreasing and that ivy, agapanthus and periwinkle are being removed. “These species are identified as pest plants in the Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy and each has an impact on native vegetation, preventing native groundcover and regeneration of native trees. Our management of hawthorn has effectively reduced cover for rabbits and significantly aided rabbit control.”

George says that the Authority is working towards and making good progress with Ohinerau/Mt Hobson’s rabbit eradication.

“Our biosecurity staff regularly monitor the maunga, and saw no sightings of rabbits last December which is a good sign.

“We are also taking a proactive approach to controlling any rats and possums that may present from time to time – presently we have seven possum stations and 36 rat stations across Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson.”

If you have any questions, get in touch with the Tūpuna Maunga Authority: maungaauthority@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz — Mary Fitzgerald p

READY, SET, TRAP

the hobson 14

Help Auckland become pest free, with affordable options for rodent control now available in the neighbourhood. Initiatives include the pest trap loan service at the Parnell Community Centre, and the Eastern Bays Songbird Project’s trapping scheme.

Additionally, the Ōrākei Local Board is supporting Auckland Council’s approach to plant and animal pest management on all Council-owned land. The plan is for Auckland Council to work with large landowners such as the Ministry for the Environment, the New Zealand Transport Agency, KiwiRail, Housing New Zealand and the Ministry of Education, to control and contain pests on their land and by doing so minimising the impact of pest species across the region.

“Overall we support Auckland Council’s proposed Regional Pest Management Plan,” says OLB chair Kit Parkinson. “It’s important the Council leads by example, so that we can have a coordinated and cohesive approach to the challenge of pest management across Auckland.”

The board has agreed to support additional regional funding being used to work with community groups and increase public knowledge of the implications of the Regional Pest Management Plan, with local communications and education.

Backyard trapping is key, says Anna Dadson from the Kaipatiki

HAPPY NEW YEAR! With schools now back, it’s clear many are thinking of making a housing change in 2019. We are busy listing, however things have changed – from 1 January part of the process for selling a home is the need to comply with the AML Legislation (AntiMoney Laundering).

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This has slowed the process of getting homes to the market, as in many cases, as it requires in-depth disclosure of the homeowners personal details.

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LICENSED AGENT REA 2008

Courtesy of Parnell Trust

the village

Three of the pest traps available to rent or own from the Jubilee Building. The wooden traps are made by Mens Shed East volunteers and cost $25 to hire, $20 being a refundable bond.

JUBILEE HALL SHUTTERED FOR WORK The heritage red-brick Jubilee Hall, to the rear of the communityhub Jubilee Building at 545 Parnell Rd, is out of commission until the end of July. The 1909 building requires earthquake strengthening, and its toilet block is also being upgraded.

The Jubilee Hall is managed by Parnell Community Trust, which runs community programs from the Jubilee Building, which is unaffected by the works to the hall. Built for the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind, the Jubilee Building also houses the Parnell Library.

While the hall is being renovated, the Trust has arranged to have use of the large recreation centre and its kitchen facilities in the neighbouring Blind Foundation building. Contact Sanjay Pereira, community venue manager, for any venue inquiries. (09) 555 5162, or venue@parnell.org.nz p

consulted about our services ending.” Fox says the Trust would have welcomed consultation about what changes the school wanted, but was not given the opportunity despite a 22-year long relationship.

“The Parnell Trust has done great things for Parnell District School and we love Parnell Trust,” says Parnell District School principal Richard George. “They run kindergartens that continue to feed students to our school and the Trust continues to be an important part of our community, and we are grateful for everything they have done.” George says the hiring fees involved in renting out the school space to the Trust did not cover the costs, and that the school had been reviewing their hiring of the space for a year, and that Parnell Trust had been made aware of the review.

George says that the school has an intimate relationship with the families it serves and has hired an in-house manager to run before and after-school services. The manager will be supported by the school’s teaching staff. “This enables us to tailor our own programmes for our students, and as an employer we can now extend opportunities to our teacher aides who can provide support to these programmes.”

PARNELL’S KIDS’ PROGRAMMES MOVE ON After more than two decades working, and playing, together, Parnell District School and the Parnell Trust have gone their separate ways after a decision by the school not to renew the Trust’s before and after-school care programmes. In response, the Trust has moved its services to the former Queen Victoria School premises on nearby Glanville Tce, where it also hopes to run its popular school holiday programmes.

Parnell Trust chief executive Lyn Fox says she was disappointed to receive notification from Parnell school principal Richard George in December, confirming that the school’s Board of Trustees had decided to look to a different model for 2019 and beyond.

“We were aware that they were looking into running programmes differently, and when we met with the principal at one point during the year, he indicated he would like to run cricket camps during the school holiday programmes,” says Fox. “But there was very little discussion with us before the decision was made to end our contract. The parents, from what we have heard, were not

the hobson 16

Parnell Trust, which also runs two daycare centres in Parnell and children’s services at other schools, has set up before-and-after school care on the old Queen Vic Glanville Tce campus, where its Parnell Early Childhood Centre is also located. It has organised a walking bus between Parnell school and the new location, accompanying children to school in the morning, and then back to Glanville Tce after school. Fox says she is in discussion with the Glanville Tce landlord — the site is owned by the St Stephen’s and Queen Victoria Schools Trust — about running holiday programmes from its halls, which currently sit empty. She expects to be able to update parents by the end of this month. — Mary Fitzgerald p

LOCAL BOARD NOTES If you enjoy Remuera’s Little Rangitoto Reserve on Upland Rd you will be pleased about its upcoming revamp. New park furniture and fencing will be installed this month, completing the upgrade that started last year with the resealing of footpaths. The improvements

IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON OUR PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET 2019/2020.

You’ll also be able to contribute to a discussion around how we manage water in our region.

As Auckland continues to grow and change, we need to look after the waters that sustain us. Help us shape the issues we need to focus on.

Visit akhaveyoursay.nz to find out more and tell us what you think. the hobson 17

19-PRO-1452

Project Environment Centre, which contracts to Council for services including pest management, and runs events like Parnell’s Waipapa stream weeding and trapping working bees.

Rats are threatening our native plant, insect and bird species, and despite there being several restoration groups actively trapping in the Parnell and Remuera area, it’s not enough to curb growing pest populations, says Dadson. “Backyard trapping will make a tremendous difference. It doesn’t matter where you live, if you have a backyard or not, you don’t need to be an expert, [or] identify as an environmentalist.”

Older suburbs like Remuera and Parnell are highly attractive to rats, with plenty of bush and gullies, and backyard fruit trees and unsecured compost providing food on the go. A female rat can have five litters a year of a dozen or more ratty babies.

In partnership with Kaipatiki, the Parnell Community Centre is running a loan-to-own trap service, with instructions and advice.

Call in at the Parnell Community Centre office in the Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, 9am-5pm weekdays to borrow a trap.

Another option is the Eastern Bays Songbird Project, which is working to a target of distributing 500 free rat traps throughout the community. The project targets Auckland’s Eastern Bays, covering 1380ha of urban Auckland directly facing the pest-free islands of the Hauraki Gulf. It includes the suburbs of Glendowie, St Heliers, Kohimarama, Mission Bay and Ōrākei. See songbird.org.nz for more information.

There’s also a handy beginner’s guide to predator control at predatorfreenz.org — Mary Fitzgerald p

the village

the hobson + the remuera village voice

will include eight new park benches ($19,590), six new rubbish bins ($14,900), and the 176m of rotten post and rail barriers along the Upland Rd side of the park will be replaced with 98 timber bollards ($55,798). The budget also allocates $2288 to reinstatement, topsoiling and grass seeding.

The Ōrākei Local Board says that the Tamaki Dr and Ngapipi Rd intersection redevelopment completed last year is a success overall, but there are a few minor areas for improvement. The board has asked Auckland Transport to put in place safer and clearer road markings for cyclists at the intersection, where cyclists have to merge with road traffic. The board has also asked AT to sort out the road user conflict which happens on the green light, between city-bound cyclists in the cycle lane, and left-turning vehicles into Ngapipi Rd. The local board has approved the sale of 4 Vicky Ave, the Councilowned Remuera property that houses the Citizens Advice Bureau, JP services and the Plunket nurse. JP services have already mostly relocated to the Remuera Library. The CAB will relocate to the Ōrākei Community Centre, at a date yet to be disclosed. Plans for Plunket are yet to be confirmed.

The local board is expecting feedback from AT on concerns about the increasing number of dangerous incidents involving Lime e-scooters in the Ōrākei ward. AT is to report on what measures

are being taken to ensure adequate enforcement of regulations around their use, and the feasibility of a change in regulation to allow e-scooter use on cycleways. “We support means of active transport, but we’d like to ensure that electric scooters are used safely with due consideration to other footpath users,” says OLB chair Kit Parkinson. “We’d like to see a restriction to 10km per hour with enforcement and also the use of helmets.” AT agreed to trial the e-scooters by granting the San Francisco-based Lime a license to operate on the isthmus. Parkinson says the board has written to AT to lodge concern that local boards were not consulted regarding the trial.

A Winning Combination Kate Boyden and Emma Main are sisters and owners of Maman, Remuera’s trailblazing fashion boutique.

Crowned Retailer of the Year in the Ōrākei Local Board Business Awards 2018, Kate and Emma sat down to talk shop

Waitematā Local Board Chair Pippa Coom has confirmed that the Parnell Plan driven by the Parnell Business Assocation was adopted at the board’s December meeting. “The Parnell Plan was developed using a collaborative, community-led approach and the results show that that approach works,” says Coom. “This plan is important because it sets out vision, strategy and objectives to guide the future development of Parnell over the next 30 years. The plan looks to foster Parnell’s creative identity, support its businesses to thrive, celebrate its heritage, improve accessibility and connections, enhance green spaces and make Auckland’s first suburb more child friendly.” Revamping Heard Park on Parnell Rd to provide a more usable space for recreation and events is one of the first initiatives.

Public consultation on Heard Park will be out this month.

— Local Board reporting by Mary Fitzgerald p

YEAR W E N INESE H C A R REMUE Kate, what was your inspiration to establish Maman?

“We owe our inspiration to our late mother, Debra Dixon, a woman with an innate sense of style, unwitting determination, admirable business sense and a hard-working mother. Mum’s story started in Remuera with a clothing boutique on Benson Rd. Her strong sense of style and love of fashion filtered down to us. We wanted to build a legacy in memory of her and establish a boutique she’d be proud of, whilst offering an exclusive shopping experience to the Remuera community.

brands. We often view a range and know straight away who the pieces will suit. Our business is in its fourth year and we have built a fantastic database of customers detailing their styles and sizes, favourite brands and key needs and wants. We innately know their style from spending time with them and building that relationship. Many of these ladies are now our dear friends.

O N I T I E T P M C O Kate, why Remuera?

ON CAMPUS IN NEWMARKET ACG Parnell College now has a large presence in Newmarket, opening a new senior campus in the building previously occupied

by Māori TV, in Davis Cres. The campus opened its doors to the first intake of 420 Year 12 and 13 students this term, giving ACG Parnell College three campuses in the area – Years 1-6 and 7-11 across the Parnell site; and Years 12-13 at the new site. There are also plans for early childhood education in the future.

Previously, Year 12 and 13 students were at both ACG’s Senior College in the city and the Parnell Campus. The city campus has now closed. Principal Russell Brooke says the move was a result of the school experiencing growth, and the buildings in the city no longer meeting their needs. They had been looking for a suitable

space out of the city centre and the Māori TV building was adaptable to the school’s needs.

The school is the only one in New Zealand to offer its senior pupils a choice of two international curricula – Cambridge A levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB). Unusually, it does not offer NZ’s own National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).

Brooke says the school does well in Cambridge but also wanted to offer IB as an alternative. He says IB is similar to NCEA, but with international rigour. “NCEA doesn’t suit ACG. While NCEA pass rates are increasing, New Zealand’s international education rankings as a country are dropping.” Brooke says students can choose either Cambridge which is content based, or IB. IB is usually an easier match to NCEA for new students coming into ACG. At the new campus, Y12 students wear uniform and Y13 are in

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Tell us what inspires you in your business.

YEAR We created Maman with a vision in mind. We had a passion to supply high quality international brands and designs, previously not seen in New Zealand, housed in a space that was reminiscent of a French-style boutique. We have built a business where new brands can be discovered, and women can come and be styled from head to toe in a true ‘effortless chic’ style. The name Maman, French for mother, is a salute to our dear Mum, and a word that immediately alludes to Parisian style.

Emma and I both grew up in Remuera and have chosen to bring I G We love the strong sense of being here, the up our H E Phere.

F Tfamilies Ovibrant, kind, warm community, and embracing the Remuera philosophy to ‘Live Life Local’. We saw a gap in the market and wanted our customers to know they didn’t need to travel abroad or across town to source exclusive, international fashion - it could be right on their doorstep. Our love for Remuera means we enjoy being involved in community activities and in supporting neighbouring businesses. I’m also an active board member of the Remuera Business Association. We are excited about the future of Remuera, to be moving forward with new developments and notably the arrival of new, young families to the area. It’s an exciting time to be living here.”

Create your very best lantern and enter it in our Chinese New Year competition to win awesome prizes!

Emma, who are your typical customers?

We love catering to a woman who loves to travel, has an eye • Lanterns must be at least 10cm Sitting down with Kate and Emma it is clear to see their for beauty and style and wants to be effortlessly presented, • Your lantern can made of ANYTHING! keep inand mind it needs tobusiness, be hung lit commitment dedication to their andand passion whether it is modern classic chicbe or casual-cool.

It’s really about Just for bringing leading fashion, world-class service and a unique empowering each woman and making them feel good. We love • The finalists will have their lantern displayed in Remuera shop windows leading up to the customer experience to Remuera. The Remuera Business to create full outfits – either building a new seasonal wardrobe, Remuera Chinese Festival, Feb Association sees Maman as an inspiration to business owners, providing the core basics women New can topYear up with, or selecting a 8, 2019 and is excited to see an increasing trend of innovative retailers unique statement piece – a special one-of-a-kind garment. coming to Remuera, broadening our demographic reach.

Where do you source your stock?

We consistently buy garments and accessories with our For full details visit www.remuera.org.nz Maman, 2A Clonbern Rd customers in mind, whether it be from Paris, Sydney, Remuera maman.co.nz Melbourne, LA and New York — we stock over 40 international

Remuera

Remuera Chinese New Year Lantern Competition Entry Form

the village

mufti, a legacy from Senior College being mufti and Parnell’s former Year 12 and 13 cohort being in uniform. The building underwent major renovation and refurbishment to become a modern learning facility. It’s retained the TV station’s studio as a large theatre (which is available for community use). Soon the corridor walls will house a gallery of student art, and Brooke (oictured above) says the school will continue to be strong in arts, along with academics and its sports programmes.

The classrooms have a simple design to be conducive to learning and are well resourced, says Brooke. Rather than “bring your own device”, technology is supplied, although students are able to bring their devices if it complements their study. The students’ large social space, dubbed the Koru Lounge, and the schools’ hours extended to 4:30pm all provide something similar to a university experience, says Brooke, so that it’s not such a big transition for those who go on to tertiary education. “Teenagers need structure and to develop responsibility. We want to help them become adults. They have to be in class, but they will also be out in Newmarket [in free periods] supporting businesses,” he says.

Tessa Barker, one of the 2019 student leaders, started at Parnell ACG College in Year 7 and is enthusiastic about the new campus for her last year. “There are so many things to be excited about. The new environment will be stimulating in both a learning and a social sense, and there’s such an array of opportunities. The students are a welcoming and enthusiastic bunch, so there’s healthy competition and a good sense of support.” — Gretchen Carroll p

therapies. There are two therapies to be trialled. Both use antibodies to seek out and target proteins attached to the cancer cell, which causes apoptosis, or “cell suicide”.

“We’re not Australian citizens, so for the Melbourne trials, the healthcare, all the nursing and hospital stays are not covered, it’s only the drug itself that is paid for by the drug company,” says Paul Bason.

“It could cost between $250,000 and half a million dollars to be in the trial, depending on how it goes and how long she stays, and all the variables that no-one knows until you start.”

A Facebook fundraiser started by friend Kim Hamilton raised $130,000 towards Nicky’s medical costs, and a Givealittle page has since been set up (see givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-an-amazingmother). Also planned is an event at a Remuera home on April 5.

The party, “Love A Little — Support A Friend,” will bring together the community supporting Nicky, and raise money from a silent auction to send Nicky to Melbourne, without further financial stress for the family.

“We’re an open book for anyone else who’s on a similar journey,” says Paul, who willingly shares the knowledge he’s acquired about cancer treatments, “which I’d prefer not to know, but I do. It’s not just about Nicky, it’s about everyone else who’s going through this.”

If you’d like to support Nicky Bason’s treatment by buying a ticket for the April 5 fundraiser, or if you have a product or service to donate as an auction prize, please contact Kim Hamilton: kimrob@xtra.co.nz p

NOT DOING THIS ALONE Friends and supporters have rallied to raise funds for local resident Nicky Bason, who is fighting myeloma.

Nicky discovered she had the blood cancer when she broke her leg four years ago — the break was caused by a tumour. Since then, she has stared down 13 more tumours, undergone multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

Now, she is hopeful that a meeting with doctors at Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre will confirm her suitability for inclusion in a clinical trial not available in New Zealand.

“Nicky’s treatments so far have exhausted all the government-funded treatments available to her in this country,” says her husband, Paul Bason. “We’ve also tried a drug that we funded privately, but it didn’t work.”

The family — the Basons have three teenagers — is looking to the Australian trials into targeted gene

RUNNING FOR GOOD Auckland Grammar students are taking on a “1000 Miler” race with the aim of raising $50,000 for targeted counselling services for at-risk youth and their families. The event, held at the school every four years, will take place from April 12 to 16, and will involve present students, teachers, old boys, past staff members and community and sporting personalities. The aim is for participants to run 1000 miles — or 1609km — in relay, within 100 hours. The runners will run a 1km circuit around the grounds of the school.

“The event creates its own collective spirit and unique character and becomes one of the major memories of a student’s time at Auckland Grammar,” says headmaster Tim O’Connor. “It instils many positive attributes in the young men taking part — they quickly learn the art of setting personal goals and the importance of working as a team.” O’Connor took part in the event four years ago — he’s pictured fourth from left with participants, above — and will do so again this April. O’Connor says that fundamental to the Grammar ethos is “developing the whole person and giving back to the community”. The event is part of the school’s wider 150-year celebrations that have the boys give their time and support to a wide variety of community organisations and activities.

Athletes taking part in the 1000 Miler event must be prepared to train and prepare themselves so that they are mentally and physically capable to take on such a gruelling challenge, says O’Connor.

The runners will be seeking sponsorship in return for their effort, with all money raised going to the Key to Life charitable trust, founded by comedian-turned mental health educator Mike King. King, announced last month as the 2019 New Zealander of the Year, says 100 per cent of the money raised will go to targeted counselling services for at-risk youth and their families.

“My late father attended Auckland Grammar and, as an old boy, I know he’d be enormously proud that we’re doing something that will specifically help at-risk youth.”

For event information and sponsorship, see Grammar’s Facebook page, Auckland Grammar 1000 Miler. For more about the Key to Life trust, see keytolife.org.nz p

THE STORY OF . . . THE NEW SCULPTURE AT JUDGES BAY Mary Fitzgerald’s ongoing series looking at the stories behind plaques and installations in the community

The Bason family at home in St Johns, from left, Georgia, Nicky, Paul, Will and Amber

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Over the summer, Judges Bay became home to a sculpture installation produced by artist Arekatera (Katz) Maihi. The corten steel sculpture is in the form of an adze, or wedge, with four further wedges integrated into the work. The installation

the village

Artist: Tanya McCabe

totara. A wedge may be small but it can fragment the totara.”

Maihi says that the historical narrative speaks of the Judges Bay area as a small parcel of land gifted to Governor Hobson by his tupuna. “[Ngāti Whātua leader Apihai] Te Kawau knew that this move was going to secure a safe future for his people and for the future generations to come, so this wedge references his forward thinking, and represents the first wedge.”

“This gifting is an important part of our history,” Maihi told The Hobson. “It was a commitment of better things to come for all involved. As history would have, it was not to be. In return, further sectioning and sales of this same land was seen as a sign of disrespect. This is the second wedge.

“One hundred years after Te Kawau gifted 3000 acres of land, he stood on Maungawhau and pointed to Opoutukeha (Coxs Bay) and to Taurarua (Parnell), and told Hobson “that is for your city”. Our iwi was left with about two acres, which was our cemetery along the waterfront. This to me was the third wedge.

“The last wedge references the rebuilding of our iwi in assets, in commercial ventures and cultural capabilities — we have become a large stakeholder in the city again. Rebuilding our own capabilities and rebuilding relationships required a wedge, a wedge of faith and perseverance. We have a lot of both.” p

SWEET SOUNDS FOR SWEET LOUISE was always planned as part of the $5m Judges Bay upgrade work completed in 2012, but Waitematā Local Board chair Pippa Coom says making it happen wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.

“Budget was set aside for a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artwork, but in the transition to the Super City, the budget was almost lost,” says Coom. “But our board chair at the time, Shale Chambers, fought to ensure that the commission went ahead. It’s been a long process but it’s great to see the impressive Arekatera Maihi sculpture has now been installed and sits proudly above the bay.”

The sculpture plaque reads “He iti te matakahi, pakaru rikiriki te

Save the date for Saturday April 13 (the weekend before Easter) for a special concert to benefit Sweet Louise, the charity supporting those with incurable breast cancer. With the support of Orakei Bay Village, the California Honeydrops — pictured below, a hit at the Byron Bay Bluesfest — will play a one-off concert in the carpark behind OBV. Ideal for families, bring a picnic (or buy food and drink onsite) and your deck chair, and enjoy an evening of great music. Tickets are available at i-Ticket or see sweetlouise.co.nz for details. p

St Heliers Village Association’s

Celebration of Art Art Trail & Art Exhibition

7th - 21st March 2019 Visit St Heliers Library for more details

OPEN NOW AT ORAKEI BAY VILLAGE Traditional Southern-style BBQ Slow-cooked, smoked meats Great vege and healthy options Fresh dressed and tossed salads Housemade sauces and sides Kids menu • Jam Jar Desserts

Over 80 pieces of unique art will be available for purchase

LISA THORSEN ST HELIERS

JUKE JOINT BBQ ORAKEI BAY VILLAGE 228 ORAKEI RD, REMUERA (INSIDE BROTHERS BEER)

P: 09 974 3380 WWW.JUKEJOINT.CO.NZ the hobson 22

the village

ST CUTHBERT’S VIP GUEST

(LION) DANCING IN THE STREET

The Australian MP, the Honourable Julie Bishop, spent an afternoon at St Cuthbert’s College on her recent visit to NZ. The former foreign minister and deputy leader of the Liberal party in the Turnbull government was greeted by a haka performed by Year 11 students, before she addressed the school’s middle and senior school pupils.

“It was a privilege to host her,” says St Cuthbert’s principal, Justine Mahon.

“Julie Bishop is an inspiring role model and delivered a powerful speech to our girls about her career journey.

Remuera threw its annual Chinese New Year festival last month, welcoming in the Year of the Pig. As well as street food and entertainment, the winners of the children’s lantern decorating competition were announced. Congratulations to Samuel Cao (Cornwall Park District School), winner in the Year 1-3s, and Mary Meredith (Meadowbank Primary), winner of the Y4+ category. The “most entries” prize went to the creative kids of Churchill Park School. p

“To develop girls as leaders, it is really important that we teach them at a young age to use their voice, and that their opinions matter. She spoke about the importance of not letting others define how we see ourselves, and she encouraged the girls to believe in their own strengths.” p

-

Above, Year 11 students greet Julie Bishop with the school’s haka; left, Bishop with principal Justine Mahon, and at rear, deputy principal Fiona Cottam and head girl Johanna Setefano

The twilight festival is organised each year by the Remuera Business Assocation and supported by the community-minded team at Barfoot & Thompson Remuera, who also provide cash prizes for the lantern winners. Photos: Vanita Andrews

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the hobson 24

the hobson 25

Redefining Apartment Living

LEP Group is bringing an exceptional new offering to Parnell, Auckland in the form of the effortlessly stylish Edition Apartments. Situated on Churton Street, a short walk from the bustle of Parnell Road, the bold glass-brick facade of the Edition building presents it’s striking form to the neighbourhood. The captivating exterior of the building plays host to 19 exclusive residences, each handsomely proportioned and finished with exquisite fixtures and fittings.

The Edition apartment complex offers both two bedroom and three bedroom apartments each with a media room and patio featuring silver toned travertine tiles. Architects Monk Mackenzie have created a unique vision for apartment living, featuring luxurious spatial design with quality materials and textures. Windows stretch from floor to ceiling, casting sunlight across the impeccable interior design from Bureaux Limited. The kitchen area epitomises contemporary, functional design with textures of mitred stone offset by marble splashbacks alongside beautiful oak cabinetry which harbors a range of Miele appliances. The tiled bathrooms showcase Italian tapware across dual vanities. The upper levels offer spectacular panoramas across Judges Bay, Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto.

Other key features of the complex include ample secure car parking, close proximity to renowned cafés, restaurants, art galleries and studios.

If you’re after a luxurious metropolitan lifestyle, it’s time to make a move with only 6 Edition apartments left available.

Construction commencing in March and will be led by LEP Construction, specialists in residential developments with a keen eye for detail and craftsmanship.

2 Churton Street Parnell Auckland

Ross Hawkins ross.hawkins@nzsir.com +64 (0)27 472 0577

Phone for a private viewing.

Register your interest at editionparnell.co.nz

Jason Gaddes jason.gaddes@nzsir.com +64 (0)21 994 921

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

the councillors

Mike Lee

O

ver the next 10 years, Auckland Council has a vision to transform the waterfront into an attractive, people friendly environment. Auckland Transport will be delivering the first part of this vision from 2018 to 2021 . . . Mīharo (extraordinary) Manaakitanga (welcoming) Auckland to Tāmaki (authentic and beautiful).”

So says the Auckland Council/AT blurb on plans for the downtown waterfront, where major changes are underway. But hype is hype in any language. Aucklanders have found Council ‘official speak’ all too often actually means the opposite.

What is happening now can be traced back to Council’s behindclosed-doors ‘refresh’ of the popular Waterfront Plan. This took place in 2017 in the wake of the disbanding of the small, specialised CCO (Council Controlled Organisation) Waterfront Auckland, and its takeover by Auckland Council Property Ltd, which then became the much bigger Panuku. These major changes to the waterfront were agreed to by Council, AT and Panuku, but with the people of Auckland firmly shut out of the process.

I should point out the downtown waterfront is already ‘a people friendly’ environment, but it is also at the same time a working waterfront, where ferries and cruise ships embark and disembark thousands of passengers every week. Adjacent Quay St is also a vital arterial route. Under the Orwellian brand ‘Quay St Enhancement,’ work is underway to permanently reduce the present two lanes of vehicle traffic each way, to one each way. Despite the scale and length of the work and its permanent consequences, AT and Council refused to publicly notify the resource consent, claiming that the effects would be ‘no more than minor’. Approximately 25,000 vehicles a day transit this area. This traffic cannot be simply wished away. The end result of this Quay St ‘enhancement’ can only be deliberately engineered gridlock.

Another ‘enhancement’ is the planned use of Quay St by AT as an ‘interchange’ for double–decker buses. The wall of noisy, dieselemitting double-deckers will further compound congestion and

also compromise views and connectivity with the harbour. That move is strongly opposed by Cooper & Company, the owners of the Britomart heritage precinct, a highly-rated urban renewal project.

Another proposed change, thankfully subject to a notified consent, is a ‘mooring dolphin’ off Queens Wharf, to enable berthing mega-sized cruise ships. This is not really a mooring dolphin as normally understood by the term. Mooring dolphins used around the world, for instance at Circular Quay, Sydney, are anchored to the sea floor and positioned in the harbour like buoys or beacons, with no physical attachment to the land or wharves. In contrast this fake ‘mooring dolphin’ will be connected to the end of Queens Wharf by a 90m-long jetty. This flies in the face of the strong public consensus against further encroachments into the harbour. In 2015 there was a public outcry when Ports of Auckland tried to expand Bledisloe Wharf by a similar length. Auckland Council spent over $500,000 of ratepayers’ money supporting Ports’ plans in the High Court, and lost. Evidently Council and its CCOs have failed to learn the lessons.

This brings me to the proposed ‘Downtown public space’.

Ever since Auckland Council sold Queen Elizabeth Square (for a risable net price) there has been a push by Council officers to replace the open space so willingly traded away, by reclaiming a part of the ferry basin opposite Albert St. The people have not asked for this and have made it clear they want an end to harbour encroachments. The extension, with an associated twee, arty ‘blob’ sitting in the water, portrayed in Council publicity as “an oasis inspired by our coastal and cultural environment”, is in reality just another unimaginative encroachment. This will restrict ferries operating, make berthing cruise ships at Princes Wharf more difficult, and hinder navigation within the ferry basin. These are just some of the planned changes.

A working waterfront and a ‘people friendly’ waterfront, as the present situation demonstrates, need not be incompatible.

While improvements are always welcome, it requires a practical understanding of how the area works, if not vision. Such vision, let alone practicalty; is sadly lacking among Council and CCO bureaucrats. It appears to me that the objective of the exercise is to ‘transform’ our working waterfront into a sort of sterile playground for city hipsters. So not ‘extraordinary’, not ‘welcoming’ and certainly not ‘authentic’ or ‘beautiful’.

Mike Lee is the Councillor for Auckland representing the Waitematā and Gulf ward

Desley Simpson

I

n the past, I have been critical of Auckland Council meeting reports, as they often did not include all the information needed to make informed decisions. As a new Councillor, I was the first to put my hand up to chair the political working party to improve staff report writing. I set the targets high; so high, in fact, I was cautioned I had set them too high. But I held my ground.

We changed the format, made other changes and added a financial implications category – I know you’d think that would have been there already. The new reports were implemented in key committee meetings. I am pleased to advise the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, who independently evaluate local and central government report writing, evaluated Council’s improved reports and gave them the highest score out of any council in New Zealand. In fact, the score was higher than many central government departments.

That’s the good news. Now the bad.

The Quay St lane closures are an unmitigated disaster; particularly for those in Parnell and the Ōrākei Ward. Auckland Transport closed one lane either way at the end of December, permanently reducing a four-lane road to two lanes.

Here is what they didn’t do. They didn’t advise the Mayor and Councillors of this timing. They didn’t communicate with the thousands of people who use Quay St. They didn’t communicate with residents of 300 apartments, whose homes are severely affected. They didn’t allow for any trialling of new routes for east/ west traffic in advance of the closures. They didn’t consider the impact on businesses, bars, restaurants, shops, offices, and hotels.

They simply didn’t do enough to prepare for a change of this significance.

Traffic has now been at an almost standstill in peak hours, even in the January ‘holiday’ period. The Strand route is now clogged and trucks — who used this route to access the motorway from the port — are now using residential streets to access the motorway at Greenlane.

Years 1–13

Open Day Saturday 9 March 10.30am–2.30pm 2 Titoki Street, Parnell | 0800 222 877 parnellcollege.acgedu.com

Using Customs St to travel east/west is a potential option, yet it’s full of road cones due to the huge amount of construction going on there. So at the very least, timing of the Quay St changes is completely impractical.

In January, I wrote to AT’s chief executive asking him to return Quay St to two lanes each way. I have published it, in full, on my website, desleysimpson.co.nz (under recent news) if you would like to read it. AT is supposed to be a Council Controlled Organisation.

The Mayor and Councillors have a ‘no surprises’ policy. In my opinion, the Quay St decision broke that policy.

What AT has warned us of though, is a proposed bylaw to reduce traffic to 30km throughout the CBD and other places, including Mission Bay and St Heliers. The driver (pardon the pun) for reduced speed is safety. AT statistics reflect more than three serious injuries or deaths on Auckland roads each week. A pedestrian hit at 50km has an 80 per cent chance of death; whilst at 30km that drops to 10 per cent. At 60km, the chance of death is 95 per cent.

Those against the speed reduction want to keep traffic moving when it can, and say safety on our roads would be increased if those on foot walked on the footpath – crossing at pedestrian crossings as opposed to jaywalking; cyclists used cycle lanes; buses on bus lanes; and cars on the road, with serious repercussions for red light runners.

What do you think? Please have your say. Consultation is open through to the end of March. You can submit your views via the ‘Have Your Say’ section of the AT website, at.govt.nz To help inform your views, the AT board chairman has agreed to my request to come and speak on speed reduction at a community meeting. At time of writing, those details have not been finalised.

However, I will be writing more on this in my newsletter and will post the details on my site when I have them. Please contact me at Desley.Simpson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to be added to the newsletter distribution list.

Finally, as promised, I have always voted on feedback from the Ōrākei Ward and hope to hear from as many of you as possible on the Mayor’s draft Annual Plan. For the first time, Ōrākei has two funded projects in this budget, which I worked hard to secure.

The plan also includes a new investment to reduce homelessness.

Please go to: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/haveyoursay or pop into an advertised local drop-in session to learn more.

Desley Simpson is the Councillor for Auckland representing the Ōrākei ward

Nine retirement villages in Auckland

the politician

Paul Goldsmith

E

xpect to hear plenty about taxes this year. The Government is set to rake in billions of dollars of more taxes every year, due to economic growth, extra fuel taxes and a failure to adjust income tax rates for inflation. But that’s not enough. They want more.

Specifically, they want a new tax, the Capital Gains Tax. Finance Minister Grant Robertson tries to soothe us with the line that ‘one of the options’ is that they would introduce it in a way that was revenue neutral. That is, the new tax would be offset with cuts to other taxes.

You can be sure, however, that they’d go for the other option – that it would be an additional tax.

What does a Capital Gains Tax cover? They would exclude the family home – but every additional home, including the family bach, every business small and large, every farm, every share portfolio and Kiwisaver account, and maybe more besides would be covered.

The reasons the Government put forward are bunk. One, that it will solve housing affordability issues. Look at Sydney, Melbourne, Vancouver, London and countless other cities with high house prices and a Capital Gains Tax. It won’t solve housing affordability.

Only the provision of a far greater supply of houses will do that.

Further reducing overall returns to landlords, however, probably will lead to higher rents.

Two, that it will improve equitable outcomes. The rich will pay more tax. Well, everyone has a different opinion of how much tax other people should pay, and no set of arrangements is perfect. The New Zealand tax system is already very redistributive – particularly when Working for Families and other income supplements are taken into account. A relatively small group pays most of the tax.

But once the family home is excluded, which it obviously should be, it’s impossible to make any sense of a Capital Gains Tax on equity grounds. Someone with a $4m house in Remuera pays no Capital

Independent living • Assisted living • Resthome • Hospital • Dementia care Gains Tax, but someone with two $300,000 houses on the West Coast, one rented out, pays it on the second house because they are a filthy capitalist. Go figure.

Third, that it will shift investment from unproductive speculation in the housing market to other things. But how will increasing the tax on every business, small and large, in New Zealand lead to more investment? You get up every morning at 4am for years to build your café into a profitable business, for example, and when you sell it, the government snaps up 33 per cent. Meantime, if you reinvest tax paid profits to grow the business, you’re taxed twice. And if we want to increase investment, why would we tax savings more.

We’ll oppose this new tax and repeal it, if elected. Simon Bridges, by contrast, started the year by signalling that National, if reelected, will change the law to adjust income tax rates for inflation, every three years.

When the tax brackets were last adjusted in 2010. there was a $21,000 gap between the average wage and the top tax threshold of $70,000. That gap has narrowed to just $8000 today and if nothing changes then within a few years, the average wage earner will be in the top tax bracket. That was clearly not the intent of the Income Tax Act. The effect is known as bracket creep, where inflation steadily shifts more people into higher tax brackets, if they’re not adjusted.

It is taxation by stealth. National legislated to change the thresholds in 2017, but the current Government cancelled that. It was a mistake. Someone earning $70,000 doesn’t feel wealthy when all their costs are rising and they shouldn’t be punished for thresholds that haven’t moved with the times.

This is only one aspect of National’s policy programme but it goes to one of our core beliefs: that ordinary New Zealanders should be able to keep more of what they earn.

Paul Goldsmith is a National list MP based in Epsom

2 Rangatira Road, Birkenhead 482 1777

BEFORE INVISALIGN

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the plan

the investment

Trust Me on This

L

ong summer nights, barbecues, a syrah or rosé to hand. Life is good. No excess, no depravation, and if you live around here, you have choice as to when and where you buy your alcohol.

I move your location to west Auckland, where liquor supply is under the control of an entity called The Trusts. This means you cannot pop down to your supermarket and buy a bottle of wine, or beers. You have to go to a dedicated shop owned and operated by The Trusts.

It also means that if you just want to go somewhere for a drink, that you cannot. All taverns in the area are owned and operated by The Trusts, which is made up of the Portage and Waitākere licensing trusts. In this regard, you have little choice as to where you can buy alcohol, and where you can have a drink. This is in place to manage those westies! I imagine it would last about five minutes in our electorate.

I move your location to the far north – Kaikohe. There are numerous booze retailers, people drinking in public and there is no trust area, which means provided you meet the necessary tests and get your consents, you can open a booze shop or a wine bar.

A liquor licencing trust is set up to give back its profits to the community in the form of grants and other facilities – for example The Trusts Arena in Henderson.

It all sounds well-meaning until you look at the actual return on investment The Trusts makes – bearing in mind it has a large real estate portfolio, and a near-monopoly if you want to buy a bottle of wine, or just drink a glass of wine in a pub. The return back to the community on those assets and that monopoly is shameful.

There is no competition and no mandate to provide a return on all investments, so the situation just rolls along. Currently there is a petition circulating, seeking enough support to have the continued existence of the trust set-up in west Auckland to be a matter for the voters to decide in the upcoming local body elections.

More fascinating is that levels of alcohol harm in both the far north of the country and in west Auckland are similar. So the notion of restricting and controlling alcohol is not having an effect on the harm excessive alcohol has in both areas.

I suspect many of you are surprised at the level of alcohol restriction in west Auckland. I suspect many of you are not surprised at the level of harm caused throughout New Zealand by

Wisdom from the Warrens

excessive alcohol consumption.

To this end I have given much thought to a better system of providing benefit to the community from the sale of alcohol, more funds being directed to programmes to help people, but no trustlike control. While my thoughts are solid around this issue, the final outcome or system needs refinement, but the main purpose is to have a nationwide trust system which is tasked to distribute funds to community groups, help provide larger scale facilities for regions and help provide funding for alcohol harm reduction and treatment programmes.

What I think should happen — abolish all existing alcohol trusts throughout the country. Then establish a new trust in each region or area, which has no assets and is mandated to distribute funds received to benefit the local community, help provide larger facilities and provide funding for harm and treatment programmes as required.

And, quadruple the excise tax on all alcohol, raising in the vicinity of $650m per year, which is fed back to the regions and areas. This would see a glass of wine or can of beer go up by say 20c.

This is not to be seen as a means to reduce alcohol consumption – like the tobacco tax — but to fund much needed community requirements and better manage the harm caused by uncontrolled alcohol abuse.

Each trust would run in a similar way to the way Lotto grants are distributed, such that “trustees” do not become incumbent or biased for or against certain distributions. And they would have open and transparent accounts, which show that administration cost is minor to redistribution output. And it would ensure full funding to viable treatment programmes is provided, to ensure all those who need help can get it.

The idea of an alcohol trust has merit, and some, like the Invercargill Licencing Trust, run very well. I see a role for them, but not to control the retail or sale and distribution of alcohol.

I want to flesh these ideas further, and I would appreciate your thoughts and comments on this subject — email me at hamish@ mhg.co.nz. We will be facing similar issues when cannabis is legalised, so maybe by getting a structure in place for alcohol, we can use a similar structure for those that blow on the pipe.

— Hamish Firth

T

here’s been some recent wobbles in the US – and other – share markets causing increased volatility, the likes of which we haven’t seen for some time. The US share markets have been booming since Donald Trump won the presidential election back in November 2016, with the underlying drivers of real growth and corporate earnings being overwhelmingly favourable since.

But some rate rises last year from the Federal Reserve unsettled sentiment a touch and we saw markets falter. The US stock market index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, shot-up from around 18,300 after the election, pretty much in a straight line all the way to over 26,000 in January 2018. It range-traded between 24,000 and 26,500 for much of last year, before peeling-off 11 per cent in the final quarter. At the time of writing though, she’s back up over 25,000 again and looking rather rosy – thankfully! So I thought I’d look at this renewed volatility, or ups and downs, in the markets to remind us all of some great investment rules which have historically kept investors out of trouble over the longer term, and through periods of volatility.

Rule number one has to be the classic from Warren Buffett, notwithstanding its difficulty: rule number one, never lose money.

(His rule number two, never forget rule number one!)

Second rule, income is your friend: investment is an asset that will appreciate in value or generate income in the future. As you will hopefully remember me writing before, fixed income investments not only provide a return of capital function along with an income stream, they typically reduce portfolio volatility.

Third rule, you can’t eat paper profits. Like weeding the garden, you need to regularly take profits, selling underperforming shares and laggards. Portfolio rebalancing generally leads to a healthier portfolio over time. Four, wait your patience. Chopping and changing investments usually driven by emotional decisions generally results in bad investment performance. Successful investing requires you to maintain discipline in good times and bad.

Over the long term, sticking to what you know, and understand, will perform better than continually changing your mind and/or chasing hot stocks.

Five, you are a blind investor, not an informed investor. Warren Buffett is an informed investor as he takes control of companies and can affect their financial direction. You cannot, so bear that in mind

when assessing risk. Six, your most valuable investment is time.

After the tech wreck in 2000, it took markets 15 years to recover to the same level. Fifteen years of making up lost ground just to get back where we started. If one were 15 years from retirement in 2000, the retiree in 2015 had nothing more to show for it than what he or she had had over all those years ago – all things equal. Do not discount the value of “time” in your investment strategy.

Seven, is the trend a trend? Don’t make the unfortunate mistake of extrapolating a current trend into infinity. In 2007, pre-GFC, the markets were expected to continue to grow as investors continued piling in. In late 2008, everyone was convinced that the market was going to zero. Extremes are never the case. The “trend is your friend” as long as you are paying close attention to it and remain wary of it turning.

Eight, don’t get over-confident. Unlike doctors, lawyers, and engineers, an education or qualification is not required for you to invest or interact with the markets. For many of us, rising markets breeds confidence. The longer the market rises, the more we attribute our success to our own skill. The reality is that a rising market covers up the investment mistakes we make and are only revealed by the inevitable correction. Back to Mr Buffet — “when the tide goes out we see who’s swimming naked.”

Nine, sometimes go the other way. The best investments are generally made when going against the herd. Selling to the “greedy” and buying from the “fearful” are extremely successful investment strategies, although they are difficult things to do with precision and regularity. Ten, don’t compare. Don’t worry about what others are achieving with their portfolios. Just focus on what you want to achieve to obtain your investment or savings goals. If you’re happy with a 6 per cent annual return and it will let you meet your goals, don’t shoot for 10 per cent, as you’re likely to be taking on additional risk that you probably don’t either understand or need.

And finally, a couple of tongue-in-cheek rules we used to follow after the shakeout of the NZ market that followed the 1987 crash.

Never invest in companies that have a fountain in the foyer of their head office – it shows largesse and indicates the management still think they’re in the eighties! And never invest in a company whose name ends in “-ex.” Remember what happened to Fortex, Feltex and Vertex? I stress, tongue-in-cheek rules. — Warren Couillault

Public Meeting: Major Education Reform Proposals – What it means for schools in the Epsom Electorate The Taskforce Chair responsible for the proposals & three other speakers will present.

Bali Haque, Chair of the Tomorrow’s Schools Review Taskforce Dr Cathy Wylie, Taskforce Member Prof. Gary Hawke, Emeritus Professor Economics, Victoria University Hon. Richard Prebble, Cabinet Minister at time of Tomorrow’s Schools

Thursday 7 March 2019, 7.00pm – 9.00pm, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell.

S TAT E

of

G RACE

F A M I LY D I R E C T E D F U N E R A L S

At State of Grace East we encourage families to be involved as much as they wish in caring for their family member after death. Recently we were privileged to look after a man with five sons who had been very involved in caring for him at home before he died. They all came to help dress him amidst much animated discussion about what he should wear and how it should be worn! They were clearly a close, loving family and it was wonderful that they could continue that care after his death.

Our personalised approach ensures each family are treated with warmth, compassion and empathy.

David Seymour MP for Epsom

Authorised by David Seymour, Suite 2.4, Level 2, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, AKL. Funded by the Parliamentary Service.

09 527 0366 0800 764 327 www.stateofgracefunerals.co.nz

the walk

Tour Your Town

Map: Nick Eagles

Auckland Architecture: A Walking Guide takes residents and visitors on six guided rambles around our city. Admire Auckland’s significant public and private buildings by foot (or Lime), accompanied by the words of architectural writer John Walsh, and illustrated by photographer Patrick Reynolds. In this exclusive extract, we are delighted to present three highlights from Route 5: To Parnell

Grafton Bridge Linking Symonds St and Karangahape Rd with Grafton Rd and Park Rd Robert Forbes Moore and Karl (Charles) Rosegger, 1910 Historic Place Category 1 Grafton Bridge, which replaced a rickety footbridge over the gully separating the city from Auckland Hospital and the Domain, was a heroic enterprise for a young city and a triumph of contemporary concrete engineering. Nearly 300 metres long, the bridge is supported by a 97-metre load-bearing central arch — the ‘false piers’ at either end primarily serve an aesthetic purpose — which, at the time of construction, was the world’s largest single span of reinforced concrete. The bridge was technologically and commercially challenging; its builder, the Ferro-Concrete Company of Australasia, was bankrupted by the job, which had to be completed by council staff. The chief engineer was Royal Engineers veteran Robert Forbes Moore (c1865–1938), but it seems design credit should have been shared with Karl (Charles) Rosegger (1877–1919), a young American-trained Central European engineer whose backstory included arrest by Tsarist police in Poland, political exile in Siberia, and escape via the Gobi Desert, China, Tibet and French Indo-China. Grafton Bridge was strengthened early this century and, after an ill-fated experiment with their removal, suicide prevention screens were re-installed.

Grafton Bridge, photo by Patrick Reynolds

the hobson 34

the hobson 35

Patrick Reynolds

the walk

Domain Gates & Statues Park Rd and Domain Drive Gummer & Ford with Richard Oliver Gross, 1936 In the early 1930s, local businessman William Elliot, who had partially funded the Domain Wintergardens, paid for an ornamental gateway on the park’s western boundary. Elliot, as patron, picked the project’s architect: William Henry Gummer (1884–1966), of the practice Gummer & Ford. In turn, Gummer engaged sculptor Richard Oliver Gross (1882–1964), a memorial specialist who had carved the frieze on the façade of the War Memorial Museum. Gummer’s gateway, made of soft volcanic stone — Putaruru vitric tuff, also known as Darley Dale sandstone — is centred on two asymmetric plinths, each supporting a sculpture by Gross. One, unobjectionably, is the stone figure of a swan; the other, on the larger plinth, is a morethan-full-size bronze statue of a naked male athlete, a discus thrower or shot putter. The nude in classical, heroic pose was an aesthetic trope of the times — Gross’s athlete is a less fetishised version of the bodies beautiful in Olympia, Leni Riefenstahl’s film of the 1936 ‘Nazi’ Olympiad — but in Auckland it excited instant controversy. For a decade, moral campaigners tried to have the statue removed or ‘modified’.

Wintergardens & Temperate & Tropical Houses Auckland Domain W. H. Gummer and Charles Reginald Ford, 1921 and 1928 Historic Place Category 1 In 1843 Governor Fitzroy made the wisest political decision in Auckland’s history when he set aside 200 acres as the public reserve that became the Domain. That was a lot of land for a cash-strapped colonial city to maintain, and apart from some playing fields, the Domain remained untamed through the nineteenth century. (In 1899 a newspaper reported that blackmailers were preying on couples pursuing ‘immoral intentions’ in the park.) Respectability was promoted by the successful Industrial, Agricultural and Mining Exhibition in the Domain in 1913–14. William Henry Gummer (1884–1966) was then commissioned to design the Wintergardens. The result suggests the influence of his former employer, the great British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869–1944), and Lutyens’ frequent collaborator, the eminent garden designer Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932). A pair of barrel-vaulted, steel-framed glasshouses frame the Wintergardens’ enclosed courtyard. One, the Temperate or Cool House, is full of exotic flowering plants; the other, the Tropical or Hot House, designed when Gummer was in practice with Charles Reginald Ford (1880–1972), barely contains some dramatic equatorial species.

Extract from Auckland Architecture: A Walking Guide by John Walsh and Patrick Reynolds. RRP $19.99 Published by Massey University Press, 2019

The Wintergarden, photo by Patrick Reynolds

Courtesy of Massey University Press, we have three copies of this handy little book to give away: see page 6 for details the hobson 36

the hobson 37

the teacher

the hobson + st cuthbert’s college

Turning a New Page

A

s a child I always loved the first days of the new school year; the new exercise books always smelled so good and the first page so clean and new. 2019, a brand-new school year and time to turn the first page, setting new goals to achieve.

Your children have been at school for a few weeks now and will have settled into class routines and will be establishing new friendships, all a very important part of the new year.

Setting goals is a valuable and important part of these early weeks, particularly for older students.

However, I caution the setting of goals that are unachievable, as this totally defeats the purpose of them in the first place.

Setting realistic short, and long-term, goals can make life more challenging, but at the same time they will give a sense of satisfaction and achievement. Setting goals can also help students to focus, give direction and to keep track of progress. If they are set correctly, they will be strongly motivating.

An important thing to remember when students set goals is not to focus on the results. While the result gives the feeling of achievement and satisfaction, what actually gets that result is their progress and the process. However, by setting goals we are using a very powerful tool that leads to self-confidence and ultimately, success. Who can argue with that?

Starting back at school can bring with it many different feelings for students, no matter what age. A little five-year-old starting for the first time will often have a multitude of feelings from total excitement to absolute fear! This of course will depend on the experiences and opportunities they have already had.

Establishing a sense of belonging is vital to all students for healthy development and wellbeing, no matter where they are on their educational journey.

Professor Ian Shochet and Liz Parr, from the University of Queensland School of Psychology and Counselling, have completed important research on the importance of school connectedness and a general sense of belonging. If we consider the number of years our children attend school — 13 — there is a lot of accountability that rests on the shoulders of us as parents, and also on those of us who have chosen teaching as a profession.

As we head further into this century, the rapid changes we are facing to make sure we are providing for our students to be able to live in the future, are certainly a challenge.

The connectedness of teachers to students and parents to schools is a vital component of building a healthy structure that will enable our young students to journey through these important years with confidence, courage and resilience.

In this time of relentless change, resilience would be one of the most valuable attributes students will need.

Managing change and dealing positively with the challenges they will face will require lots of courage, great communication skills and a ton of empathy. In our schools today I notice students seem very aware of the skills they will require to enjoy a successful life.

With all this in mind, it is important to set up a good relationship with your child’s teacher/s. There is no doubt that students thrive if they know their parents have a good relationship with their school and their teachers. It provides them with the sense of belonging, connectedness and of feeling safe, all vital for a successful school year.

Talking to one of my grandsons, who is Year 12 this year, revealed his excitement, to my surprise, for this year of his school journey. In asking him why, he said it was because it’s the first year he has been able to map his own pathway; he was able to choose all the subjects he enjoys and feels that he can succeed in.

It was enlightening, and thrilling, to hear him say this. What does this say about how many students would like to learn?

I wish you a successful year as you navigate your children around setting realistic goals to succeed in the next steps of their educational journey.

Don’t ever underestimate your valuable role and support in this. While the 13-year journey sounds a long time, believe me, it will be over in a flash.

Support your children and support their teachers and schools.

In return you will receive an abundance of very special moments and memories and some very happy and successful children.

— Judi Paape

Yes, even Mahé needs a navigator.

J U S T N O T O N T H E W AT E R

GUIDING, GROWING, AND P R O T E C T I N G YO U R W E A LT H

H O B S O N W E A LT H .C O. N Z | 0 8 0 0 74 2 7 3 7 Hobson Wealth Partners Limited (FSP29782), is an NZX Advising Firm. The disclosure statement for Hobson Wealth Partners is available upon request, free of charge.

the hobson 38

Making an Educated Choice

F

or many children, the start of a new school year can generate a range of conflicting emotions. Whether your child is starting a new school or returning to a familiar place, he or she may experience nervousness about whether they’ll have friends in their class or apprehension around approaching a new classroom environment; settling your child into the new school year can be an uncertain time for the entire family.

and gently encourage their child to explore new ways of engaging with their school community.

“At St Cuthbert’s, we ensure that every girl is given the opportunity to discover her unique strengths. We encourage our girls to join co-curricular activities such as sports, community service, or the performing arts.”

“We place equal weight on those girls who go on to shine as athletes, artists, scholars, or those who excel in their loyalty and service to the school. Most importantly though, interacting with other students that have similar interests to their own leads to our girls making lifelong friends.”

A recent report, “Growing Up in New Zealand: Transition to School”, identified that the greatest concerns that mothers had for children starting their first year of school were “fitting in socially” and “making friends”.

Principal of St Cuthbert’s College, Justine Mahon, has a wealth of experience across the New Zealand education sector.

She says that irrespective of whether their child is starting or returning to school, it is imperative that parents talk to their children positively about the beginning of the school year, as they can often pick up on whether their parents are feeling apprehensive.

In addition, says Mahon, investigating whether a school places emphasis on social, emotional, and physical health is another way of ensuring that children are learning in a supportive environment.

“Being positive and building up a child’s confidence and selfworth helps them to settle into a new school year and a different classroom environment.”

One of the most effective skills that parents can utilise during this time, says Mahon, is their ability to listen to their child’s concerns

“As an independent school, we have the freedom and resources to develop programmes where we get to know each girl individually, to allow her to shine both in and out of the classroom,” says Mahon.

“It is this emphasis on valuing individuality that is so reassuring for parents when they are making choices about their children’s education.”

Amazing friendships Open Day

23rd March 2019 Register now: www.stcuthberts.school.nz

the hobson 39

the schools

Turning Back to Yesterday’s Schools The recommendations of the Tomorrow’s Schools Review have serious implications for good, well-managed local schools, in the opinion of Epsom MP David Seymour

T

he rest of New Zealand typecasts the Epsom electorate in myriad ways, not always flattering. But if you ask me what Epsom is about, it is aspiration. From 19th century colonial folk building homesteads on the northern slopes with views that they couldn’t dream of back home, to contemporary immigrants cramming their families into sausage flats to access an education and a future, this place to the south-east of downtown Auckland has always been about aspiration.

Close behind aspiration is its great enabler, education. Every weekday, 10,000 children attend school within 2km of Broadway in Newmarket.

Altogether the Epsom electorate contains 30 schools in an area of only 20 square kilometres. The electorate boundaries are nearly co-linear with the Epsom Girls Grammar and Auckland Grammar schools’ zone boundaries, and many plan their lives around buying inside those boundaries for the sake of their kids’ futures. If you like getting down to the very essence of a thing, then Epsom is New Zealand’s education electorate.

If you accept that premise, the Government’s Tomorrow’s Schools Review is the most important policy issue for the Epsom electorate since the establishment of the Auckland Unitary Plan. Here’s why you might think that’s the case.

Tomorrow’s Schools, introduced by David Lange in 1989, has given New Zealand the best top-performing schools. If you send your kids to AGS or EGGS, for examples, they are getting the best education in the world. One of the results is that New Zealand has comparatively few independent schools, and the ones that do compete are very, very good.

We also have some of the worst performing state schools in the world.

The OECD says that the gap between the top 10 per cent and the bottom 10 per cent of 15-year-olds in NZ is the third largest out of 72 countries studied.

This is where things get difficult.

For the Epsom electorate, and the overwhelming majority of schools up and down the country, Tomorrow’s Schools has been fabulous. It emptied out the education politburo at 27 Gillies Ave that one principal tells me used to literally allocate pencils to Auckland schools. Instead, it put communities in control of its schools through parent-elected Boards of Trustees. It works because our community has serious governance capability. In my time as MP, I’ve met representatives of every state school BoT in the electorate and each one has been impressive.

Tomorrow’s Schools hasn’t worked in communities without that kind of capability. At times in Northland, to pick on my home province, dozens of schools are under commission management where the Government effectively sacks the board and appoints a commissioner for reasons ranging from incompetence to fraud. The Government believes that gaps in school governance are one reason we have an achievement gap.

Wanting to close this gap is noble, but their approach is what we might call lowest common denominator equity. They want to reestablish the politburo. BoTs are proposed to surrender all legal rights and responsibilities to new ‘hubs.’ Each hub will govern approximately 125 schools, and will in the hobson 40

Photo courtesy Auckland Grammar School

turn be governed by Government appointees. In practice, they will be rebadged local offices of the Ministry of Education. As Education Under-Secretary in the previous Government, I was constitutionally in charge of parts of the Ministry of Education. Let me tell you, I’d back our BoTs any day of the week. The lack of competence in the Ministry is at the heart of the problem.

To the extent we have a failure in governance under Tomorrow’s Schools, it is a failure of the Ministry of Education to support schools. When David Lange introduced the system, there were 900 ministry staffers.

Today there are 2600 and they earn an average of $82,000. For perspective, secondary teachers start on $48,000 and work their way up to $78,000. The only difference between a hub and a Ministry of Education regional office will be that the hubs will have much greater power.

The hubs would become responsible for appointing school principals. Research tells us that school leadership is one of the, if not the most, powerful factor in student performance. We are lucky to attract outstanding school leaders to our community. Under the Government’s proposal, they could face five-year rotations, taken to another school for being too successful in the name

of system-wide equity. Ditto staff. The new hubs would control school budgets and be all powerful. Would schools be allowed to keep offering alternatives to the NCEA? The taskforce reviewing Tomorrow’s Schools cannot say.

But it’s not just students and principals that might be moved in the name of equity. Hubs would also replace Boards of Trustees as being in charge of zones. The review cites competition between schools as being harmful when students leave a school and go elsewhere. It is difficult to avoid the logical conclusion that hubs would break up successful school zones in order to ‘give’ more students to schools parents had eschewed.

This policy goes to the heart of the Epsom electorate’s values of aspiration and education. As someone who came from Northland to board at Auckland Grammar 22 years ago, I am personally invested in this story and intend to fight the government’s proposals every step of the way.

But politics sometimes involves the dirty c-word. Compromise.

If the Government is determined to reform, then what could we live with? There are already signs of compromise in the review. It says that competent schools might have the right to manage their property delegated back to them. Why not delegate back their full autonomy, if they perform to an objective standard, i.e. not one decided by the hub? A school that achieves student attendance, financial probity, and academic results should be able to maintain

its autonomy, à la Tomorrow’s Schools.

That is one idea, but most important is that you can help shape the outcome. The taskforce is accepting public submissions until April 7, and I believe it is important that our community makes informed submissions in large numbers.

To that end I have invited the taskforce chair to a public meeting on the issue. It will be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on March 7, at 7pm. The meeting will feature the Tomorrow’s Schools Review taskforce chair, Bali Haque, and his colleague Dr Cathy Wylie, presenting the case for the report. Their proposals will be critiqued by economist Prof. Gary Hawke, who was involved in the original Picot Report on Tomorrow’s Schools, and the Honourable Richard Prebble, an Auckland Grammar old boy who was in Cabinet when Tomorrow’s Schools was introduced. I hope you will be able to attend.

Public meeting on the Tomorrow’s Schools Review, March 7, 7pm at Holy Trinity Cathedral, St Stephens Ave, Parnell.

You can read the Tomorrow’s Schools Review taskforce report and make submissions via conversation.education.govt.nz

the hobson 41

the suburbanist

What do I Know?

I

live in fear that my children will never be able to earn money after a lifetime of me probably doing too much for them, and in particular, for encouraging my daughter to go to art school. They assure me that “you just don’t get it.”

Art school, which we thought was a good idea at the time, ends up being the most agonisingly drawn-out four years of my life as I witness the slow unravelling of the person I knew, and the emergence of an unfamiliar creature. We try to be supportive, but don’t like her choices or ‘get’ her art at all.

She becomes cynical about art school, the world, capitalism, the system, working for the man, which now I come to think of it, I am too, but I don’t want her to be so cynical before she is 21. A friend who went to art school, now a successful creative business owner, reassures her and says its greatest benefit is that it teaches you to think “Fuck you!” She gets an A+ in that particular sentiment.

I’m banned from her social media accounts for posting comments like “put some bloody clothes on”. I find myself entertaining thoughts like, “that nice young lawyer would be a good person for her to meet,” or wondering if we shouldn’t have called her Charlotte or Emma, rather than the kooky name we chose. Her choices trigger my own identity crisis – am I conservative or liberal? I seem to swing wildly from one to the other.

Through all of this, she has a ball — partying, laughing, being naughty. All the things that I have done, in the days before social media. We press-gang her into taking up a great work opportunity, in a degree-related area but in another city. She is instinctively very unsure about it. She quits after two months. I seethe. She comes back home for free rent and food, and starts jobbing in the “gig economy”. Any conversation straying into “what are you going to do with the rest of your life?” is cut off at the pass by defensive, gnashing teeth. “You don’t get it”. She earns money, but doesn’t have a regular savings plan (ok, I didn’t at her age either, but this really irks me). She smells of cigarettes, which frustrates me — me who was hospitalised with asthma the evening of my 21st after smoking two packets of cigarettes and other stuff.

She starts communicating with a stranger on Instagram. This girl is allegedly the same age, and lives in Mexico City. I’m thinking it’s a drug cartel, is her surname El Chapo? “You don’t get it”. They like each other’s vibe (my word, not hers) and they want to “collaborate on t-shirts”. Yeah, whatever, I’m thinking, while the “Oh god, when is she ever going to get her shit together” ticker tape runs in my head. I see her t-shirt design. It’s true, I don’t get it. I fear no one will buy it and her dreams will be crushed. I pretend to love it. Time passes. She’s still jobbing in the gig economy when more lucrative, long-term work opportunities come up. But she’s not interested as she wants to go to Mexico to meet her Insta friend. I freak out and argue a case for longer-term contracts, which she ignores. “You don’t get it”.

A cutting-edge fashion brand picks up the Instagram friend’s range for stores in New York and LA. Our daughter’s t-shirt is amongst the selection. I worry for her, no one will buy it because they wont “get it” either — I can’t even work out what it says. It goes online, she is credited. I am proud of her, but still worry. My helpful offer to buy one is soundly rejected. “You don’t get it”.

One morning after Christmas, she is jumping for joy. Rap superstar Nicki Minaj has posted shots of herself wearing the t-shirt and social media is going crazy. My husband googles ‘Nicky Banage’ to find out who she is. I, at least, have heard of Nicki Minaj, not that I get her. Then it dawns on me that indeed, “I don’t get it”. I share the joy on Facebook, despite having just written about my loathing of bragging posts about kid’s achievements. Mainstream news picks up on it. I’m still puzzled by it all. Our daughter rolls her eyes and books a flight to Mexico. — Sandy Burgham

the sound

Just as William said

I

pull the grey marle t-shirt from the back of the drawer, softened through years of wear, hold it up, stare at it longingly. Nope, nothing. I scrunch it up and hold it to my face and breathe in the residue of one hundred washes of laundry detergent. Zip. After five minutes of focussed handling, finally, it sparks . . . ambivalence. Where’s the joy? Marie?

Where’s Marie? I need some help here.

Marie Kondo of course, is the Japanese wunderkind of decluttering, famous for her 2012 book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, and even more famous for her 2018 Netflix series, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo – the current bane of charity shops everywhere.

Her theory is simple: hold each item to you and ask yourself if it sparks joy. If it does, keep it; if not, thank it for being part of your life and move it on. Around the country – and the world – are bags of joyless clothes sitting just inside the front doors of houses and apartments, awaiting their next journey.

Apartment Therapy (a website devoted to everything the name suggests) calls this space your ‘outbox’. This year I tried (again) and failed (again) to complete their ‘January Cure’, a sign-up process that sends you an email every day through January with helpful suggestions about how to declutter (January 2: declutter a drawer; January 9: do a 30-minute closet cleanout . . . ). “Set up an outbox” was January 7’s suggestion – a bag, a closet or just a corner and use it as a holding place for things you are considering letting go. In our house we set up a whole room – a wall of books, a bench of miscellany and the floor covered with detritus. Then we invited friends around for drinks and insisted that they take something – a lot of things – with them when they left. Most of it is still there; the trick is to stop it migrating back into the house.

Houzz is an all-pervasive website that delivers daily listicles with far too much advice about what to do with your apartment, house, garden shed. In a somewhat circular move, they have been publishing articles that leverage the KonMari phenomenon, with their own take on Marie K, including explainers (as if she needs explaining) and the most guiltinducing, “10 Telltale Signs it’s Time to Reorganise Your Home”.

Around here, we hit 10 out of 10: There’s no room for your car in the garage (tick!); Items are falling out of your cupboards and drawers (tick!); You look in your wardrobe and have nothing to wear (tick!).

If sparking joy or an outbox is too much for you, perhaps you should try döstädning, also known as Swedish Death Cleaning, the ‘selfless art of decluttering your home to prepare for the inevitable and to respect those who come after you’. Essentially, get rid of your junk before you die so that your children don’t have to after the funeral. Throwing things away now to make the work of your executor easier . . . you decide what is vital for comfort and pleasure, and what is merely excess; keep the former, discard the latter. There might be a gloomier way to declutter but it is yet to be published.

There is an argument that these processes are a product of a consumerist society where we simply have too much stuff and, after the waste of the twentieth century, we are looking for a sustainable twenty-first.

But it was 19th century aesthete William Morris who said in a lecture in 1880, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

No list of 10 things to do, no website, no daily messages – just a simple idea eloquently expressed. Nailed it.

— Tommy Honey

The Hits, from the USA to Himatangi

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t was in the hinterland on a soporifically hot day when I spotted it in the second-hand records pile, in the sort of second-hand store you only get in small towns just off the beaten track. It was incongruous amongst the Mike Curb Congregations, Mantovani and Clayderman records you normally see, because it was not a record you could buy, so how it made it to Himatangi I’ll never know. But while you couldn’t buy the disc — apart from this summer, in the Manawatu – each week thousands were pressed and sent around the world to radio stations, and listened to by millions of ears.

It was one album from an episode of Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 broadcast, August 1982.

Go on. Admit it. You can already hear the jingle in your ears. “The hits from coast to coast. American TOPFOR-TEEE !!!!!!!!!!!”

The show debuted on July 4, 1970, and was broadcast on seven radio stations across America. At its zenith, Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 was heard on 1000plus stations in some 50 countries. American cultural imperialism at its best.

I loved the show in the late 70s. It played on Sunday mornings on Radio Hauraki. The tension of the countdown to Number 1! The official Number 1 as determined by Billboard magazine. Based on sales!

We all loved the Top 10 but I particularly liked the bottom 20. That was where I heard songs you never heard in New Zealand. Or if you did, you heard them three months later. It’s amazing to think how long it took for stuff to get to us, right up until the 80s.

And then there was the pure radio stuff that Casey did so well. The long distance dedication from Bob in a military base in Germany, to his sweetheart in Maine who was running the crab shack without him.

“Whatever happened to. . .”, the stories of the guys who had hits a whole two years ago. And then there was Casey’s famous sign off, “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.” Something he started saying in the 50s, and then for half a century afterwards.

Then Casey would say, “American Top 40 is heard in the 50 states and around the world every week on great radio stations like . . .” You’d hear three American stations and then something crazy, like “Radio Hauraki in Auckland, New Zealand”!!! Casey mangled the word and you punched the air.

AT40 is a thing for me, and so we come to 1987, when Radio Hauraki offered me a job doing their drive show.

We were still running AT40. I offered to panel it — work the producing desk — one Sunday just for kicks. Here’s how it worked. Each week a package arrived from the States, a fortnight late. Inside were four vinyl albums.

Each side was a commercial half hour, with three or four breaks. So you’d cue up Hour 1, Side A. The news would finish and then away we’d go. There was the time pressure when the segment ended and you played the ads, and then made sure you had the next track ready to go. Crazy really. You were getting paid to play someone else’s show. One of those vinyl albums was the one I saw in a second-hand store in Himatangi.

AT40 ended its run on Radio Hauraki in 1988,

replaced by Kevin Black’s “The Other Top 40”. Kevin Black and Derek Payne and Iain Watkin, all madly taking the piss. A lot of fun but ultimately just another way for Kevin to lose another chunk of his fortune.

AT40 continues today, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, but it’s a shadow of itself and that’s a reflection of the changing music business.

Back in Casey’s day things were so much simpler. All the Top 40 songs from Billboard’s charts were played.

Rock, reggae, rhythm n blues, even rap later in the piece. It was part of what I loved — the exposure to new stuff. But then radio programmers started getting leery.

I remember in 1988 that Public Enemy’s “Don’t Believe the Hype” was playing on the countdown and my programme director having kittens. Hauraki didn’t play rap. Days numbered.

Photo: ABC Billboard

the second act

The two current AT40s are pretty strange. There’s the traditional top 40, which is the least played. Then there’s a Hot Adult Contemporary, which is more popular, possibly because it’s way more white bread. Funnily enough, very recently Maroon 5, kings of early 2000s pop, were Number 1.

But there’s a more insidious reason the international Top 40 countdown is a thing of the past. The week I’m writing this, there are four Ariana Grande songs in the AT40 top 20. That’s because of streaming and downloading. We’ve seen that situation in the New Zealand charts, when Six60 released an album and ended up with 16 of the top 20 singles on the New Zealand chart. The desire of punters for an album has invaded the singles chart, but who’d want to listen to a countdown like that?

It’s a reason that albums have become bloated. Zayn Malik just released an album with 27 tracks on it. 27!

Half of which are good. But he doesn’t care, because each one can be downloaded and each one is a kerching. A Top 40 show used to be a snapshot of the music zeitgeist, but like so much the internet has touched, there is no zeitgeist any more. We’re all in our own echo chamber and no longer are there hits from coast to coast. — Andrew Dickens the hobson 43

the hobson + stephen marr

The Creative Space Stephen Marr Newmarket — a culture of creativity and style

T

he new year has kicked off with a bang at Stephen Marr’s Newmarket salon, with clients returning after a long, hot summer in need of cuts and colour refreshes. The team has returned fired up after the break, and there are some new faces stepping in as 2019 shifts into high gear.

A relatively recent arrival at Newmarket from the Ponsonby Stephen Marr salon is emerging stylist Monique Chapman, pictured right. Monique is winning over clients with her skills and unflappable nature. A trained dancer with 22 years of study and practice under her belt, she says that she always knew her heart lay in the hair industry, starting with a love of playing around with hair at a very young age.

“I loved dance but my heart just wasn’t in it anymore,” she says. “I had wanted to be a hair stylist from when I was a very little girl, and it seemed like the perfect time to retrain and follow my passion.”

“It’s been great working with a different team and discussing fresh ideas,” says Chapman of her move to Newmarket, and she is relishing the chance to expand upon her skill set and explore different techniques at her new place of work. She loves seeing the transformation that a great blow wave or carefully placed set of foils can achieve, and getting to work her magic on a range of new clients has definitely been keeping her on her toes.

“I love that for a stylist these days, the possibilities really are endless,” she says. “We aren’t seeing clients coming in demanding exactly the same look as their friends, people are taking a more authentic approach to beauty and want to see us work with their individual style and personalities.”

The stylist’s favourite products – both for her own use and for her clients – are usually found within the R+Co range, which is a game-changing line of hair products created by top stylists Garren, Howard McLaren and Thom Priano. R+Co celebrates the “culture of hairdressing and the spirit of artistic collaboration”, and Monique loves the range for its versatility and performance. “It really does offer something for everyone,” she says, “but my personal picks right now are the Rockaway Salt Spray for adding volume and texture, and Television Shampoo and Conditioner. That duo works for any hair type and leaves hair so shiny and easy to manage.”

Stephen Marr Newmarket’s ever-expanding parking offering is making things even easier for clients to spend time on themselves, with 10 new parks also now available exclusively for Stephen Marr customers above the building previously occupied by Zarbo. Accessed via a driveway just two doors down from the salon on Morrow St, they are covered and clearly marked. To ensure that you grab one of these super handy parks next time you’re heading to the salon, call and speak to reception on (09) 524 6702, or email newmarket@stephenmarr.co.nz

Stephen Marr Images from PLAY, Stephen Marr’s newest creative campaign. Styled by Imogen Wilson, photographed by Lula Cucchiara

the hobson 44

the magpie

Spark Joy

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The Magpie finds trans-seasonal, investment-worthy, classics that will survive your next KonMari cull 1. Year in year out, this style never lets you down. Team with everything from long skirts to jeans, or shorts if you’ve got the pins for it. Beau Coops Jerry Boots, $439, Superette, 34 Nuffield St. superette.co.nz 2. The monogram is coming back – I can feel it in my feathers. And what better way to embrace it than with the Louis Vuitton Utility Front Bag. Found in the men’s department, designed by Virgil Abloh (and inspired by his own utility box) it’s the perfect go-anywhere, hands-free style. $3450, Louis Vuitton, 56 Queen St. louisvuitton.co.nz 1

3. Post-summer skin (or year-round skin) just drinks this damage reversing wonder serum. It’s not a miracle worker, but damn it’s good. Every night, under your moisturiser. Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum, $159 from Dermalogica counters or dermalogica.co.nz

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4. New to our shores is Kule 2 – hailing from New York City and the creative mind of Nikki Kule. The Magpie says “j’taime” to the preppy luxe of the Modern Love Long Sleeve Tee, $198, from Workshop, 18 Morrow St. workshop.co.nz 3 5. In pursuit of the perfect shopping tote in this plastic-bagless world? Miller Standard Tote by Saturdays NYC in True Red. $85 from Superette, 34 Nuffield St. superette.co.nz 6. Sparkly without being flashy, these Laura B Spain 3&4&6 earrings in gold/white gold mesh and Swarovski crystals are just the ticket for a modern classic update. Team with anything and everything! $625, Maman, 2a Clonbern Rd, Remuera. mamanboutique.co.nz

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7. Dispense with the ‘sexy librarian’ imagery because Mahsa have re-tied the pussy into something simply beautiful and stylish. The Magpie can easily picture the whole collection hanging in her wardrobe. Mahsa Bow Blouse in Liberty silk/cotton. $470, available from mahsa.co.nz 8. Large, black Celine sunglasses are not going off the fashion radar any time soon, and for good reason. These plastic (acetate) fantastics are some of the most timeless, cool, quality glasses the Magpie’ss spied. Céline 40045i, $695. sunglassbar.com

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9. Every few years someone perfects the faded jeans, white-T and AMAZING red jacket look – and Tibi wins hands down this time around. Steward Blazer by Tibi, $1295, at Muse, 11 Teed St. museboutique.co.nz 10. Unisex dressing at its finest. The latest collection from Calvin Klein Jeans includes the Patch Utility Shirt which is begging for the double denim treatment. $389, at Fabric, The Pavilions, Britomart. thisisfabric.com

the hobson 46

the hobson 47

the district diary

the kiosk

March 2019

PAUL GOLDSMITH

NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN EPSOM Review taskforce report. 7pm, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell. All welcome, see page 40 for further information 9 ACG Parnell College is hosting an open day with tours of the facilities and classrooms, and an opportunity to meet the principal and talk to the school community. 10.30am2.30pm, 2 Titoki St The Auckland Baby Show debuts of the Autumn Baby Show. Exhibitors, products, freebies, seminars. ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane West. Today 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-4pm, babyshow.co.nz

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107 Great South Road, Greenlane PO Box 26 153 Epsom, Auckland 1344

P E

paul.goldsmith@parliament.govt.nz

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www.paulgoldsmith.co.nz

1 Saint Kentigern Boys’ School welcomes you to its first open day of the year, 9.30-midday at the Shore Rd campus. Register to attend via saintkentigern.com 2 Dress your Hollywood-best and walk the red carpet at Opera Takes the Oscars. A night of ‘musical winners’ performed live by Opera Factory, this gala concert will capture the glory and emotion of some of your favourite movie moments. Raye Freedman Arts Centre, EGGS campus. 7.30-9.30pm, tickets from iticket.co.nz Paws in Parnell would like to invite you to the wedding event of the year! Forget puppy love, this is the real deal — it’s A Great Day for a Dog Wedding! Like Married at First Sight but for . . . well, you get the picture. Paws in Parnell doggie market, Heard Park, Parnell, 10am-1pm, free 3 Now in its 47th year, the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays kicks off from 7am. All ticket sales support the event’s three charity partners, with more than 26,000 people expected to participate. Register at roundthebays.co.nz

4 It’s Summer Casual Nights at Auckland Badminton. No booking required, just turn up on the night. All grades catered for, racquets for hire. Every Monday until March 18, 7-9pm, 99 Gillies Ave, Epsom. $10 at door 7 The Auckland Arts Festival opens today, to March 24. Enjoy a program of New Zealand and international theatre — “Backbone” by Australia’s Gravity & Other Myths circus is pictured above — dance, opera, exhibitions.

There’s free events too. See aucklandfestival. co.nz for the full program and page 6 for our ticket giveaway Also starting today is the St Heliers’ Village Association ‘Celebration of Art’ trail and exhibition. There’s more than 80 pieces of art to admire and purchase. More details at the St Heliers Library. Event runs to March 21 Baradene College of the Sacred Heart hosts an open evening to introduce the school to prospective parents and students. 6.30pm, in the auditorium, use Gate 2 off Vicky Ave. baradene.school.nz Epsom MP David Seymour facilitates a public meeting tonight on the Tomorrow’s Schools

the hobson 48

DESIGN

John: 022 634 9708 www.mckenziegardening.co.nz Jo: 021 562 173 joannahazard@xtra.co.nz

Moving on -

30 The Ladies Social ‘Fur Baby’ Photography Adventure starts with coffee and finishes with wine, with learning about pet photography in between. Cornwall Park Cafe, 12.30 start, book at lesleywhytephotography.co.nz

Shirley-Ann McCrystal Funeral Ceremonies, Weddings, Name Givings, Business Card.pdf 4/02/19 11:10 AM Renewal of Vows &1 More Experienced, Professional. (09) 524 6812, or 021 283 8372. shirleanmcc@gmail.com

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Funded by Parliamentary Service and authorised by Paul Goldsmith 107 Great South Rd Auckland

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Thinking of moving to a retirement village, or just downsizing?

Moving On can assist with all things moving, from decluttering, to sorting, organising and unpacking.

Call Katie Fitzpatrick

0800 000 484

22 Tribute band Motel California will be rocking the Remuera Club tonight with all the Eagles’ hits. Come and meet fellow singles in a safe, hospitable venue. 7-10.30pm, 27 Ohinerau St. Door sales only, $20, aucklandsingles.co.nz

24 The 5km 2019 Walk for Dementia is an opportunity to walk in memory, or support, of a loved one living with dementia, whilst raising funds. Register at everydayhero.co.nz Selwyn Domain, 48 Tamaki Dr, 9am-12pm

MAINTENANCE

CELEBRANT

17 For vintage, retro, antiques, curios and collectibles, visit the Alexandra Park Collectables Fair, Greenlane West, 9am-2pm, $5 entry

23 What does a St Cuthbert’s College education offer your daughter? Tour the independent school for girls, meet teachers and pupils and enjoy a taste of life at St Cuths. 10.30am12.30pm. Register at stcuthberts.school.nz

PLANTING

John McKenzie (Dip Hort) Gardening Jo Hazard (DLD) Landscape Designs

facebook.com/PaulGoldsmithNZ

12 It’s Remuera’s Saint Kentigern Girls’ School open day — come along and learn about becoming part of the Saint Kentigern community. Details and registration via saintkentigern.com 16 Grab your sturdy shoes (and gardening tools if you have them) and join the working bee weeding Parnell’s coastal walkway, from Awatea Reserve north. From 10am to midday, email parnellpcc@gmail.com to sign up

REMUERA GARDENERS

09 524 4930

WORKING BEE Hobson Bay Coastal Track ( from Awatea Reserve north)

Do you have green fingers, strong arms, gardening gear, or just like to hang out with fun people and help?

We are doing a small community volunteer weed removal on this much loved track from 10am to noon on Saturday 16 March.

Please email us at parnellpcc@gmail.com to let us know if you would like to lend a hand.

noticed this page? advertise in the kiosk

Contact business@thehobson.co.nz

the cryptic by mĀyĀ

Supplying luxury outdoor furniture to architects, designers, landscapers, hotels, resorts, and private residences in New Zealand for over 25 years.

Everything has been carefully curated from Italy, Belgium, France, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

LODGE RECLAIMED TEAK FURNITURE COLLECTION

ORGANIC TEAK STOOLS

Set by Māyā. Answers will appear in our next issue (April 2019).

Can’t wait, or need help? Visit https://thehobsoncrossword.wordpress.com ACROSS

DOWN

1 Two men and a 3 (9) 6 3 of air plus first sharp intake of it (4) 8 Why fun gig takes place (may scare pets) (3,6,5) 10 Gallery’s got direction in a sense (5) 11 Sped back to traitor? I’ve got a story! (9) 12 Stole thus described, as is no more shooting (3,1,4) 14 Thus boy to get into a worse 3 (6) 16 Tyger taking a spin? (6) 18 Actors holidaying on a desert island? (8) 21 Coming swiftly over the matting? (9) 22 Small bark returned to Vanuatu, initially a subscription service (3,2) 23 Patriarch meets green President (7,7) 24 Earring, sire? (4) 25 Rodent’s significant other said “So, thanks for a 3!” (9)

1 Conductor mentions result of Stewart’s diet? (9,3) 2 Joyce’s day-long work during July’s sesquicentennial anniversary (7) 3 For example, liquid form of 10 (5) 4 3 are mostly another 3 (8) 5 3 ‘as very French erection! (6) 6 I pitch one in the wind, like Jimi Hendrix (9) 7 Comic gimmick, to cover church in glue? (7) 9 “N-navy spaniel went overboard!” - in a 3 (12) 13 Bear how a microphone could be supplied? (9) 15 God and little monster lose black anteater (8) 17 An uncommon little meal (7) 19 Encouragement to find the best route? (3,2,2) 20 Lady’s member to render innocuous (6) 22 Magician getting Eastern food (5)

ORGAIN TABLE & GAZZONI CHAIRS

RECLAIMED TEAK TRESTLE TABLE & USSO CHAIRS

MASELLO MODULAR SOFA

WASHINGTON RELAXING

STUDIO RELAXING

COAST ALUMINUM CLUB CHAIR

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across: 1 Bohemian, 5 Beelzebub, 11 Datum, 12 Skies, 13/16 Thunderbolt, 14 Vulcan, 15 Tangelo, 20 Reality, 21 Omits, 23 Miaou, 24 Zoysia, 26 Galileo, 30 Mercury, 31 Assist, 35 Exile, 36 Shama, 38 Fantasy, 39 Open, 40 Acronym, 42 Send up, 45 Inlayer, 47 Crate, 48 Ernst, 49 Landslide, 50 Rhapsody Down: 1 Bedivere, 2 Hotelman, 3 Mamma mia!, 4 Also, 5 Bass guitars, 6 Extol, 7 Zeus, 8 Bad, 9 Burst out of, 10 Figaro, 17 Orally, 18 Synonyms, 19 Émile, 22 Signs off, 25 Scaramouche, 27 Immemorial, 28 Dry ice, 29 Queen, 32 Knee-deep, 33 Fandango, 34 Sympathy, 37 Anyway, 41 Corgi, 43 Eyes, 44 Mesh, 46 Len

the hobson 50

BRADFORD TABLE & NATALIE CHAIRS

CONTEMPO SUN LOUNGER

All products are in stock, fully assembled, and available for nationwide delivery.

Sunbrella® cushions with QuickDry® Foam are free with deep seating purchases as shown on our website.

137 - 147 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland / Open Daily from 9:30 until 5:30 / 09 377 7710 / 0800 111 112 sales@designwarehouse.co.nz / commercial@designwarehouse.co.nz / www.designwarehouse.co.nz

THE FORD LOFTS York Street, Parnell, Auckland www.fordlofts.nz

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Luxurious character loft conversion designed by Cheshire Architects. Only three lofts remain. Now completed and available to occupy. Call for a viewing opportunity.

Ross Hawkins M +64 274 720 577 ross.hawkins@nzsir.com nzsothebysrealty.com/NZE10986

National Top Performing Licensee

2013 - 2019 Specialising in high end homes and apartments in the Hobson area

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