The Hobson May 17

may 2017

the mother's day issue local news, views & informed opinions

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The May Issue, No. 38 10

36

57

the editor’s letter

the culture

the appetite

12 the columnists

From her Remuera home, Noriko Collins links her heritage to her adopted country by upcycling old kimonos

In honour of Mother’s Day, mother and chef Suellen Sawbridge shares recipes from her Brighton Road Cafe

14

38

60

the village No longer protected, the removal of old trees from our suburbs alarms many, new businesses and new appointments to the King’s board, the Baradene Art Show is back, reports from our local civic representatives; and more

the suburbanist

the bookmark

Want examples of great urban design?

Tommy Honey suggests Auckland looks south for inspiration

Favourite titles that will make meaningful gifts this month

41

the cinema

the portfolio

the reps

It’s Mother’s Day, and people in our community open their photo albums in tribute

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

46

26

28 the plan The Resource Management Act may not be the bogeyman when it comes to action on planning, says Hamish Firth

29 the investment Warren Couillault offers some understanding on the lending strictures placed on banks

30 the teacher Learning music is a big advantage for moldable young brains, says Judi Paape

31 the second act Sandy Burgham reflects on her parenting journey, as her elder child officially enters adulthood

61 Caitlin McKenna picks the best of this month’s releases, from French humour to all-action thrillers

62 the sound

the family Six years ago, Colyn Devereux Kay was a dynamic businesswoman, living life to its fullest. Here, her daughter Charlotte writes tenderly and lovingly of her mother’s Alzheimer’s Disease, and her own journey to acceptance

50 the tale Precious Clark’s mother, Patu, loves to knit. In this humorous essay, it may be best not to ask what she’s making

Andrew Dickens feels just a little conflicted when favourite artists are picked for prime-time exposure

63 the district diary Calendar dates for May

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

53 the pretty Justine Williams finds beauty treats for mamas of all tastes and styles

54 the magpie The Magpie wings it for Mother’s Day, with a shopping list of inspiring ideas

We've got you in The Corner This prize won’t be able to be sorted in time for Mother’s Day, so you can take anyone you like as your guest, even Baby, for brunch, lunch or dinner at The Corner, Remuera’s newest hospitality hotspot.

To win a $200 voucher courtesy of The Corner, email business@thehobson.co.nz with “The Corner” in the subject line by 5pm, Friday May 19.

The winner will be selected at random. Browse The Corner’s menu at thecornerremuera.co.nz, or call in and check it out, right on the corner of Remuera and Upland roads.

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issue 38, may 2017 Editor & Publisher Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz Art Direction & Production Stephen Penny design@thehobson.co.nz Advertising Sales Rex Pearce rex@thevalueexchange.co.nz 021 883 191 Writers Charlotte Devereux, Chantelle Murray, Wayne Thompson, Justine Williams, Fiona Wilson Sub-editor Fiona Wilson Social Media Editor Jenni Mortimer Columnists & Contributors This Issue Sandy Burgham, Precious Clark, Warren Couillault, Colin Davis, Andrew Dickens, Hamish Firth, Paul Goldsmith, Tommy Honey, Mike Lee, Māyā, Caitlin McKenna, Judi Paape, David Seymour, Desley Simpson, Gail Woodward Photographers Vanita Andrews, Jeff Brass, Stephen Penny Cover We have two covers for this issue: each is half of a photo taken at the Peter Pan Ballroom in 1961. Who are they?

See The Portfolio, page 41 THE HOBSON is published 10 times a year by The Hobson Limited, PO Box 37490 Parnell, Auckland 1151. www.thehobson.co.nz F: TheHobsonMagazine T: @thehobson Ideas, suggestions, advertising inquiries welcome. editor@thehobson.co.nz Or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheHobsonMagazine

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

For more about us, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

The content of THE HOBSON is copyright. Our words, our pictures. Don’t steal, and don’t borrow without checking with us first.

We aim for accuracy but cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies that do occur. The views of our contributors are their own and not necessarily those of THE HOBSON. We don’t favour unsolicited contributions but do welcome you getting in touch via editor@thehobson.co.nz to discuss ideas.

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ver the almost four years we have been publishing THE HOBSON, we’ve found a rhythm with topics that have become regular features in our calendar. Father’s Day in the September issue, and Mother’s Day in the May issue are two such annual celebrations we mark with a photo portfolio. We’ve published some lovely images and moving words as part of each feature. Many of them are funny, candid moments evoking happy memories. Two that stand out in my mind are poignant — Councillor Mike Lee’s comment about his Dad, Ted, in the September ’16 issue: “I still dream about him”.

And, Hedgerow owner Sarah Clark saying of her father, Bernard, that she still misses him “every day”.

Charlotte Devereux sees her mother, Colyn, most days, but is suffering a different sort of loss, a grief she is working through and addressing with courage, as her mother slips further away with Alzheimer’s Disease. Charlotte, who lives locally in Remuera, has written movingly, and with honesty, about the journey she’s taking as one of Colyn’s carers, and of her decision to talk freely and openly about the disease — one she thinks has for too long been talked about in hushed tones. Charlotte’s story is on page 46.

Once you’ve dried your eyes, enjoy a comedic story courtesy of Precious Clark. Our “The Kaitiaki” columnist put aside her usual contribution to the magazine to share a Mother’s Day story inspired by both homesickness and a lot of aroha too.

Wherever this May 14 finds you, I hope there is happiness.

Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz 0275 326 424 Facebook: The Hobson magazine Instagram: TheHobson may 2017

the mother's day issue local news, views & informed opinions

may 2017

the mother's day issue local news, views & informed opinions

Which cover is on the magazine you are reading?

For the first time, we have published two different front covers, each showing half of a “moment in time” image. The full picture is of two Remuera couples, enjoying a night out in 1961. To see who they are, and what their daughters say about this lovely photo, read our special Mother’s Day feature, which begins on page 41.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mum. My mother, Cheryl, my sister Sarah, and I look like we’re dressed for Moscow, but it was just your usual Wellington winter afternoon, sometime in the late ’60s. By the time my youngest sister, Charlotte, arrived in more temperate Auckland, we were doing fewer matching outfits, but no doubt Charlotte had to wear out both of those coats. The coats would have been special too, because they were bought. Whatever we had on under there, you can bet the dresses and jerseys were home-crafted. For a great example of sewing skills so typical of the time, enjoy the picture shared

by Janet Mikkelsen in our Mother’s Day portfolio.

Why am I getting THE HOBSON in my letterbox? We are your local, neighbourhood magazine — that’s our brief, to be local, inform and connect our community. We distribute to households in Remuera, Parnell and Ōrākei. We also put copies into the Remuera and Parnell libraries and dairies and cafes around the wider neighbourhood, including Newmarket. You can read back issues on www.issuu.com, or on our Facebook page.

the hobson 10

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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 Precious Clark (The Kaitiaki) is a professional director who sits on several boards, and a young leader of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. A law graduate, she lives in Ōrākei. Her usual column will appear next issue: this month, enjoy her special Mother’s Day essay, page 50.

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

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

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

Hamish Firth (The Plan) lives and works in Parnell and is principal of the Mt Hobson Group, a specialist urban planning consultancy. www.mthobsonproperties.co.nz Urban design critic Tommy Honey (The Suburbanist) is a former architect. The Remuera resident is a regular guest on RNZ National, discussing the built environment.

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

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

A Parnell resident, her column appears bi-monthly.

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

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

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

the hobson 12

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Town & Around

THE (UN)GREENING OF OUR SUBURBS The removal of established trees across older suburbs like Remuera has locals concerned, as Wayne Thompson reports Leafy suburbs embracing Hobson Bay are losing their shady green canopy to chainsaws, as landowners exercise their newfound freedom to manage trees as they see fit.

What some celebrate as a uniquely diverse urban forest — thanks to the toil of six generations of gardeners — is thinning in response to the Government’s lifting of general tree protection rules from September 2015, and Auckland Council’s new liberal rule book for development.

The rapid pace at which veteran pohutukawa, titoki, oak and shrubs are disappearing across the Waitematā and Ōrākei wards has prompted people to call chainsaws “the new lawnmowers” or “Remuera violins”. Ōrākei Local Board member Troy Churton is one resident who is saddened and frustrated by the destruction of big trees.

“There’s a gold rush mentality city-wide for infill housing,” says Churton. “But the mature vegetation environment which has made our areas blue chip [real estate] is sacrificed. In just about every desirable street in Remuera, developers have felled attractive mature trees, with no consideration for intergenerational amenity.

“At least the old tree rules compelled the owner to show there

was a rationale and sense of diligence before interfering with something that contributes to the neighbourhood beyond their property.”

Waitematā Local Board — the ward which includes Parnell, Grafton and Newmarket — aspires to be a place where “the natural environment is respected and enhanced.” However, board chair Pippa Coom says there appears to be no reason for felling some trees. “People just don’t like them.”

A stocktake of the “urban forest” in Waitematā, which includes the concrete jungle of the CBD, compares poorly with other urban boards at 19 per cent. But even mostly-suburban Ōrākei (Remuera, Meadowbank, Kohimarama) only holds 20 per cent. Most leafy is Kaipatiki on the North Shore, with 30 per cent tree cover.

But Coom worries about the 2013 urban forest snapshot’s revelation that half of suburban Waitematā’s trees over 3m are on private land.

“It’s a tricky one, because the local board has no powers to stop people chopping on private property if the trees are not on the council’s schedule of notable trees.”

Last year, that list had about 6000 trees across the Auckland isthmus. Remuera had 64, spread over 21 locations, and Parnell had about 60 listed, at 25 places.

In actuality, Parnell has fewer listed trees. A 100-year-old pohutukawa and a mature English oak on the list were removed from a property on St Stephens Ave last year. After a public

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hearing, Council independent commissioners granted consent for removal, saying the trees no longer met the notable standard.

The applicants and three of their neighbours had said the trees were unhealthy, a safety risk, created maintenance problems and damaged and limited use of the property, particularly its tennis court.

Protesting the removal were Parnell Heritage, the Parnell Community Committee, a neighbouring resident and Tree Council chairman Sean Freeman. A tree surgeon, Freeman says the pohutukawa is a sad loss because it was as healthy as any in the city. “But the way the law has changed makes it very difficult to consider the importance of these natural assets in evaluating what development is appropriate.”

As part of the removal application, the property owner offered to replant the berm with a specimen tree to replace the pohutukawa. Nothing is planted and the property has since been sold. Parnell Community Committee chair Luke Niue is trying to find out from Council what, if any, responsibility the new owner has to make good on the planting.

Arborist Simon Williamson, of Arbor Vista, says he finds that half of property owners won’t listen to alternatives to tree removal, such as pruning to let in more sun. “Some people are dogmatic and say ‘get rid of it, I don’t like it’. They want to take out perfectly healthy trees, while others say they did not necessarily want to cut the tree down but thought it was the only option.”

The cost of removing significant trees ranges from $2000 to $6000 and could be “in the tens of thousands” if a crane is needed, says Williamson.

In Parnell, Tohunga Cres is distinctive for its canopy of massive pohutukawa, one of which arcs over the road. Residents Elviena Collins and Anna Killgour-Wilson raised concerns after five mature pohutukawa were removed from the street.

“Mayor Phil Goff has promised a million trees will be planted to improve water and air quality, restore cover and enhance wellness in our human and bird population,” the two women wrote in a joint letter to the NZ Herald. “But with almost all mature trees being on private land and most having no protection, this programme will make little difference and will take generations to address. It took 80 to 100 years for the trees cut down in our street to grow.”

Tohunga Cres touches Hobson Bay and the Unitary Plan designates it for the low-density Single House Zone but with a Special Character Overlay — a measure meant to maintain the relationship of buildings with landscape qualities, including topography, trees and vegetation.

At one of three properties in the crescent showing dark red pohutukawa stumps, THE HOBSON asked the owner of four months why the trees had to go.

“It was not for the sake of removing them but for functional reasons,” the owner told THE HOBSON. “It’s enabling a garage into our hill. You can’t put a garage in if you have two whopping trees there. Look along the street and you see that in the past people have been able to remove trees to do their alterations and improvements.”

Forest and Bird Society regional manager Nick Beveridge says it is not only the felling of big trees that is eroding bird and biodiversity at an alarming rate, but also the way they are pruned to fit building plans. “I’ve seen some trees so butchered that they are little use to diversity. Leaving it to function as a tree provides most benefits to wider biodiversity and provides connections between habitat areas for birds to thrive and

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spread.”

Troy Churton and Pippa Coom both say the Government must rethink its streamlining reform of the Resource Management Act tree rules and reinstate more protection, or Aucklanders will see not only the spoiling of the skyline and streetscape but also more serious flooding, erosion and pollution, which trees help prevent.

Coom says Waitematā is working toward an Urban Forest Strategy by mapping the tree cover to get a better idea of where Council needs to focus on replacement. By midyear, the board expects to know how much cover has been lost since September 2015.

Churton meanwhile looks forward to a new round of applications for his idea to make board grants available to Ōrākei residents, who can request financial assistance help to maintain their notable trees. Two applications and 20 inquiries were received for the first round of grants, of up to $2000 per property. For more information on the grants, see Ōrākei Local Board’s page on aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

“All we can do is to keep arguing that trees are doing a massive service as part of the urban infrastructure, and ask how this is going to be replaced without flow-on effects such as localised flooding,” says the Tree Council’s Sean Freeman. p

. . . AND MORE POHUTUKAWA UNDER THREAT Auckland Transport is seeking resource consent to remove 14 pohutukawa from the Quay St central strip, to extend the cycleway from the CBD. The agency says all of the 20-year-old pohutukawa will be relocated to the waterfront pocket oasis of TEAL Park. A five-finger tree on the berm will be cut down to make way for a new bus stop. In a completed stage of widening to provide for a cycleway, the agency removed nine pohutukawa to TEAL Park and Harbour Bridge Park.

Parnell Community Committee successfully pushed for public notification of AT’s submission, at a hearing at a date to be advised. Chair Luke Niue questions the need to move away from shared space for pedestrians and cyclists on Quay St, especially if it’s at the expense of the burgeoning boulevard of pohutukawa.

Waitematā Local Board chair Pippa Coom says she personally feels the trees should stay if they are going just to make space for three lanes of traffic.

AT manager walking, cycling and safety, Kathryn King, told THE HOBSON that the Quay St cycleway first stage opened last July and had since carried 50,000 trips. Its potential to carry more would be realised by the second stage extension towards Tamaki Drive — from the cement silos to the railway bridge — planned for this year.

“The purpose of the project is to provide a safer, more coherent and attractive route for existing and potential riders,” says King.

Space on the corridor was squeezed by the central median trees and after looking at a range of options, it was decided they must go. - Wayne Thompson p

LOCAL PARENTS JOIN KING’S BOARD Two local parents have been appointed to the Board of Governors of King’s College.

Old Collegians David McConnell, of Parnell, and John McKay, from Remuera, are two of the three new appointments — they’re joined by another former student, Shan Wilson.

McConnell, a current King’s parent, has a background in business development specialising in property, construction and infrastructure; and is chair of both ATEED and the University of Auckland Business School Advisory Board. McKay is a future parent, and is the CEO of AsureQuality Ltd, a State-Owned Enterprise that provides food safety and biosecurity services to the

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AN UPDATE: ŌHINERAU/MT HOBSON Following our story in the March issue about local residents’ concern for the weedy, unkempt state of Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson, the Ōrākei Local Board has made the discovery that it has some sway over the maunga.

Unlike several other volcanic cones, governance for Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson is split between the Tūpuna Maunga Authority (the eastern side) and Auckland Council (the western side), presumably because of the Watercare reservoir and site, currently undergoing extensive works. Ōrākei Local Board chair Colin Davis says the Board has received many complaints from constituents about the deterioration and apparent lack of maintenance, which includes the fire risk of dry grass and weeds. The Board is asking for overgrown pathways on Mt Hobson to be cleared and maintained, and grazing to continue to

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control the length of grass “and to bring an element of rural New Zealand to urban Auckland”.

The Board is also seeking proactive rabbit control, native trees to be re-established to replace the diseased elm trees which were removed a few years ago, and the retention and ongoing maintenance with community groups of the war memorial planting area on the northern slope, says Davis.

The Board has advocated to the Authority that it should communicate clearly its vision for maunga, consult with the local boards and open up better lines of consultation with the wider Auckland community, says Davis. “Particularly with its hard line approach to cut off, limit or deny convenient access by older or infirm residents, to the summits of some of the cones with their stunning views of the region, enjoyed not only by local residents but also by international and national visitors”. p

SAILING ON AT OKAHU BAY Work is progressing apace at the new marine sports centre at Okahu Bay. Demolition of the former Royal Akarana Yacht Club is well underway. The clubrooms are making way for the $13 million Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, which is scheduled to open late next year.

A blessing by Ngāti Whatua Ōrākei and a sod-turning ceremony on April 12 drew a number of people to both farewell the old clubrooms, from where generations of locals learned to sail, and look forward to the future of the site. Special guests at the event included the Councillor for the Ōrakei ward, Desley Simpson, and water-sport superstars Ian Ferguson and Chris Dickson, who spoke of the importance of youth sailing programs and support for highperformance sailors.

“In 1952, the Royal Akarana Yacht Clyb was built by ourselves, but today we are building a club with our friends,” RAYC Commodore Sally Garett said at the ceremony. “The Akarana Marine Sports Charitable Trust has brought to us the opportunity to make friends with other users of Okahu Bay . . . and together,

this will be better than anything we have had before.”

Once completed, the centre will be the new home base for the RAYC and the Auckland Sailing Club, and clubs including Waka Ama, Sailability, Waterwise, Auckland City Triathlon Club and the University of Auckland’s water sports clubs.

The University has signed as a key partner in the development, to secure a permanent home for its student marine clubs. Last month, Andrew Brookland, general manager of the Akarana Marine Sports Charitable Trust, said the university’s commitment and investment in the project was “hugely significant” in helping the Trust deliver a true community hub.

The completed complex will include a public café, training and function rooms, boat storage and the Joyce Fisher Youth Education facility.

With the $10 million required to commence construction reached, fundraising is ongoing for stage two, to reach the $13 million total target. For further information about the project, or to donate, see www.akaranamarinesports.co.nz. p

ARTS SCHOOL This month sees the 28th Baradene Art Show, a weekend that brings together fine art, community spirit and fundraising.

More than 130 established and emerging artists will be showcasing and selling some 750 works. The works cover the breadth of artistic expression, including classic and modern painting, ceramics, glass and bronze, through to large scale sculpture.

“This year’s show is an equal mix of favourite artists who have exhibited with us previously, along with an incredible array of artists that are new to us,” says the show’s coordinator, Justine Williams.

“Over the years, successive teams of Baradene parents have worked tirelessly to put together this incredible event, ensuring it is kept fresh, exciting and relevant, while always striving to maintain the balance of a community event with real heart, and an important fundraising revenue stream for the College.” ➤

the hobson 18

PAUL GOLDSMITH

NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN EPSOM A

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

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The event is held in the Baradene College hall, entry off Victoria Ave, Remuera. Previews of the art can also be seen on baradeneartshow.co.nz p

HISTORY IN THE MAKING Parnell Heritage is calling for submissions for the next edition of the Parnell Heritage Journal. The high-quality magazine-style publication features “a diverse range of stories about the people and places which contribute to the rich history of our suburb,” says Journal editor, Joanna Boileau. Dr Boileau welcomes inquiries from anyone with a story, long or short, to tell about the history of Parnell. For further information, she can be contacted on joanna1bolieau@gmail.com p

THE RIGHT PATH Auckland Transport is considering seven options for the extension of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared cycle and pathway, advises Ōrākei Local Board member Troy Churton, a champion of the development of the pathway since he was on the then-Hobson Community Board in the 1990s.

“The final stage of the shared pathway is in my view, the most critical for achieving an outcome that serves pedestrians and cyclists, while complementing our coastal environment,” Churton

ōrĀkei local board

COLIN DAVIS

T

told THE HOBSON. “It is also the stage most likely to attract local and international attention given its link to the CBD and Tamaki Drive area. Investing fully to get it optimal from the get-go requires bold vision.”

With the pathway along the southern side of the railway line across Ōrākei Basin a resounding success, Churton says the Board recently resolved to advise AT that its preferred option for the final stage is to extend that path south of the rail line across Hobson Bay, linking it to Tamaki Drive at Point Resolution, where it would continue towards the city, with a connection to the Parnell Baths as well.

Options under consideration by AT include directing users to the intersection of Ngapipi Rd and Tamaki Drive; or use the north side of the rail line.

“I think one of the reasons the existing Ōrākei Basin walkway has been so successful, is because people who use it come to realise how valuable it is to have amenity that mixes recreation and functionality,” says Churton. “It offers a direct route through an outstanding natural area, while being segregated away from arterial roadways.” p

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Yassas Gerome, which has opened at 269 Parnell Rd, offering modern Greek dining. The interior is a sophisticated palette of blue velvets and brass accents in the downstairs bar and eating area. Upstairs, there’s more tables and a terrace with views to the museum. At 336 Remuera Rd, jewellers Alluvium have revealed an elegant new shop. The arrival of Alluvium makes Remuera even more of a destination for fine jewellery. p

he Ōrākei Basin Management Plan was approved by the former Auckland City Council in September 2010, after consultation and a public hearing. Since then, there has been much talk but little action in implementing the plan. Management plans are largely aspirational but without action or development plans, and the allocation of the necessary funding, they are largely ineffectual.

This plan covers the following reserves also: Ōrākei Basin West Reserve, Ōrākei Basin East Reserve, Lucerne Rd access, Kelvin Rd Reserve, MacPherson St Reserve and access, Waiatarua Rd access, Bonnie Brae Reserve, Meadowbank Reserve.

Following the 2016 elections, I have made implementation of the plan a priority for the Board. One of the first issues was to remove any doubt about which part of Council had the political governance of the Basin and the reserves. Although the Council’s Governing Body in 2013 clarified that governance for the Basin and local reserves sits with the Board, there was still confusion within the organisation. This has now been sorted out. Responsibility for implementing the plan lies with the Ōrākei Local Board.

The management plan also provided for an advisory group, which was established in 2011. The stated purpose of this group was to assist in managing the Basin and surrounding open spaces, and the listed reserves, by providing advice and advocacy, although it was made clear the group would not have any regulatory or decision-making responsibilities, and will not hold any funding. Appointments would be made triennially.

Since the elections, there has been positive progress.

In January, instructions were given to the Council’s Healthy Waters section to clean and maintain two important silt traps in Waiatarua Reserve. Water from Waiatarua Reserve is filtered through the wetlands and travels through pipes under Remuera Rd into Ōrākei Creek, and then into the Basin.

Plans approved by the Water Ski Club have been drawn up, and tenders called, for works to stabilise and plant the bank above the clubrooms.

Work is due to start soon, which will mean that the steps from Lucerne Rd will be closed during the construction period — an onsite meeting is being arranged for local residents to be briefed.

The Board has recently authorised specialist hydro engineers to investigate and report on the state of the water quality of the Basin and creeks, which will provide a benchmark for ongoing monitoring and action. Despite greater use and enjoyment of the Basin and adjacent reserves by growing numbers of walkers; the water quality, siltation and apparent general lack of maintenance have resulted in widespread dissatisfaction by residents and maritime users. Our aim is to turn this around. Last year the road into the Basin was reconstructed, although there is some concern expressed about the final product, and we have authorised an audit of the project.

The Board is identifying other outcomes listed in the plan to determine areas of priority and to allocate budget funding to deliver the objectives. A top priority will be to improve the path from the carpark and jetty to the Ski Club steps.

A “Friends of Ōrākei Basin” group, which is required by the plan, is also to be formed, to work with the local community and landowners to advocate for practices which support the objectives such as erosion control, planting, and weed clearance on private property. Vermin control is another priority.

A positive start has been made. — Colin Davis, chair, Ōrākei Local Board

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the councillors

DESLEY SIMPSON

E

aster means different things to different people. For some it is a special time of the year that has strong Christian meaning, others see it as a holiday; one of only three-and-a-half days a year people can rely on having off work (those being Christmas Day, Good Friday and the morning of Anzac day). For others it is family time, or an opportunity for a busy day of trading.

At present some areas are allowed to trade over Easter while others are not. This creates variability which is potentially unfair, prescriptive and lacking in transparent reasoning for those granted exemptions. Last August, the Shop Trading Amendment Act 2016 came into effect, giving councils the power to decide whether shops in all or part of their district could trade on Easter Sunday, from 2018.

The Act, whilst giving the choice to councils, does protect the individual choice of workers. They can refuse to work on Easter Sunday and can bring a personal grievance if they are compelled to work, or treated adversely for their choice. The Act also states that councils cannot require shops to open, so on an individual and business level, freedom to observe Easter or spend time away from work is protected.

I didn’t believe that the mayor and councillors should make a decision on Easter trading without consulting Aucklanders, so consultation is due to open mid-May. For more information, please see shapeauckland.co.nz Ensuring our town centres are clean, our parks mowed satisfactorily, and our community centres wellpresented is core Council business and important for all communities.

There has been “significant criticism” of the levels of service in this area since the Super City amalgamation (don’t start me on losing our berm mowing). Local boards have responsibilities for parks and community facilities, but not the budget or oversight to monitor and improve the delivery of their maintenance.

We have had different contractors responsible for different service tasks that specified the frequency of each activity, but not necessarily the outcome. For example, a lawn mowing contract might be to mow a park every two weeks. This would occur regularly, even if the grass hadn’t grown at all. In the same park, there was potentially one contract for mowing, another for weeding and another for tree maintenance. Each contractor would work independently, and all ratepayers would see was days of orange cones!

At our March 30 meeting I voted to change that. Now, local boards will be able to work with communities to set the standard, and have those outcomes reported on every

month. This way, the grass will be mowed when it needs to be mowed — not just because a set time has passed. Likewise, rubbish bins will be emptied before they are full. Contracts will be also grouped together so a visitation to one park will cover mowing, weeding and tree maintenance all at the same time. It’s more efficient and effective, and there are also added environmental and ecological benefits. Monthly reporting on any herbicide use on a site-by-site basis will be provided to local boards too.

Suppliers and subcontractors will also be required to establish and document an environmental management system. At a minimum, this will monitor and measure energy conservation, water conservation, waste management and recycling.

Business owners in Remuera contacted me last month, concerned that the combined effects of several pieces of roadworks on Victoria Ave would cause significant loss of revenue, and in some cases, threaten the viability of their business. Auckland Transport (AT) and their contractor had not followed the correct practice of informing affected parties, and had neglected to tell the Remuera Business Association that works impacting the footpath were even coming. On top of that, they did not design the works in such a way that would allow normal business to continue. To AT’s credit, the mistake was quickly admitted and corrected; the works were postponed and then split into two sections to minimise the effect.

As an elected representative, I have a dual role in high level direction for the Council, and then in holding Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs), such as AT, to account in performing their duties. When this happens against a background of low trust and scepticism towards the organisation’s ability to deliver, there are additional challenges.Receiving an email that says that AT will be responsible for putting shop owners out of business through failure to communicate, can never be acceptable from an organisation that serves the public.

Finally, thank you to all who submitted on the Annual Plan.

Although there was some disingenuous media to the contrary, everybody who asked to be heard on regional issues has had an opportunity to have their say. I am working through every submission from Ōrākei ward ratepayers (along with others) in preparation for my vote, and will keep you informed through our residents’ and business associations.

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

the councillors

MIKE LEE

T

he recent typhoid outbreak in Auckland, in which at least one person has died, reminds us that a city can never take for granted the importance of sanitation.

Typhoid is a deeply sensitive subject for any first world city – it is usually associated with poor countries of the “developing world”, which may explain why health authorities have been very reticent about releasing information. The cause of this outbreak is as yet unknown or has not been released, however one of the causes of typhoid, according to the Ministry of Health, is “shellfish taken from sewage-contaminated beds”.

In recent weeks, heavy rains overwhelmed the combined sewerage lines serving the older parts of Auckland, popping manhole covers and pouring raw sewage into the harbour. In one publicised case, sewage-contaminated stormwater flooded a Remuera basement.

The autumn storms revealed just how stretched Auckland’s civic infrastructure has become. More “chickens coming home to roost” after years of Council and government high-growth policies and Super City inaction on separation of stormwater and sewerage lines. Growth, specifically population growth (two-thirds of it from record immigration), is placing great stress on our infrastructure and also driving the current boom in the housing market. Ironically, it was in the name of solving the “housing crisis” that Special Housing Areas and the Unitary Plan were log-rolled though by the government and Auckland Council, the former suspending normal rights of affected neighbours, and the latter “upzoning” most of the Auckland isthmus for intensified housing.

The Unitary Plan’s Independent Hearing Panel made no secret of its complete disinterest in infrastructure — the necessary reticulated water, wastewater, stormwater, roads, public transport and public facilities, parks, libraries etc. The costs of ratepayers providing this are truly enormous. There is

also another cost, that borne by the environment.

THE HOBSON’s readers are now better informed than most on the problem of sewage-contaminated stormwater from our overloaded combined sewerage system polluting Judges Bay, Hobson Bay and the inner Waitematā Harbour. The scale of this pollution has been covered up for years, but according to Watercare, amounts to 2.2 million cubic metres per year.

In the January-February issue, I wrote of the history of Browns Is and Sir Dove-Myer Robinson. As we know, Robbie’s defining achievement was his long battle to stop Auckland’s sewage being discharged into the inner Hauraki Gulf at Browns Is. Against the odds, Robbie managed to defeat the political establishment’s plans, thanks to a grass-roots citizens’ organisation – the mildly-named but militant “Auckland & Suburban Drainage League”. As historian Graham Bush recounted, the first meeting of the League took place at the old Parnell Library. Soon other organisations like the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron joined – and the rest is history.

Last month, at a meeting which I helped organise, I had the uncanny feeling that what was taking place was of similar historical importance. It was at the Ponsonby Yacht Club, where the leaders of the St Marys Bay Association, Herne Bay Residents Association and harbour environmentalists agreed to form a coalition, with a mission to raise awareness and exert political pressure on Auckland Council to clean up the appalling level of sewage discharges into the harbour, by resuming the task of separating stormwater and sewerage.

The coalition has a working name, “Stop Auckland Sewage Overflows Coalition” and a watchword, “natural streams – clean harbours”. As I write, other residents’ associations, mainly representing ratepayers living in older parts of the city, are rallying to the new Coalition. The advent of the coalition is remarkable. It appears to be history repeating.

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

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the reps

DAVID SEYMOUR

PAUL GOLDSMITH

C

abinet meets on a Monday, so I was in Wellington on March 13 when the Parnell Railway Station was officially opened. I was sorry to miss the ceremony, because it’s been a long time coming. The arrangements are pretty basic at the moment but it's already providing a real boost to public transport in Auckland. Later in the year, a new walkway will punch through the Carlaw Park area down to Stanley St, and taking the train to work will be a more realistic option for more Aucklanders. That’s a good thing. Anything we can do to reduce the congestion on the roads of this growing city is welcome.

Auckland city ratepayers are paying for the station. But it is worth noting that the massive investment in urban rail in Auckland in the past decade has been a combined effort from both central and local government.

The Government has invested around $1.7 billion in the upgrade of the Auckland metro rail network and trains in the past few years. Project Dart included double tracking the Western Line, the Newmarket rail upgrade, re-opening the Onehunga branch line, constructing a new link to Manukau and investing in the reliability of the system. The Government, on behalf of taxpayers, has put in half a billion dollars to electrify Auckland’s rail network from Swanson to Papakura, complemented with a state-of-the-art signalling and train control system. That investment has enabled the introduction of new electric trains on the Auckland rail services. Then government worked out a joint funding and ownership agreement with Auckland Council to purchase 57 three-car electric trains for the Auckland network. The electric trains have transformed the network.

As we all know, the next big thing is the $3.4 billion City Rail Link, which the Government, on behalf of New Zealand taxpayers, has committed to half-fund. Once finished, the CRL loop will make the network much more efficient, and will substantially reduce travel times, especially from the west.

These are colossal sums, to be considered alongside the equally large investments on roads and buses, as well as more modest investments in cycling. The Government’s $1.4 billion Waterview Connection will provide another route for a great deal of traffic that currently passes through this part of the city.

The East-West Link, between Mangere Bridge and the Southern Motorway, will provide Remuera and the eastern suburbs a faster route to the airport.

Everyone in Auckland knows that we need to keep investing in transport infrastructure, to keep the city moving. We’ve tried to keep the balance right between the various modes of transport, public and private. And, as Simon Bridges has noted, we are open to looking at new tools, such as road pricing, if they can be shown to reduce congestion.

In the meantime, it’s a nice thought that someone living in Papakura or New Lynn, who works at the University of Auckland or at Auckland Hospital, might now be more inclined to leave the car at home because they can hop off the train at Parnell.

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

M

y suggestion last year that we replace the Minister for Women with a Minister for Gender sent the militant political left apoplectic, which is often a clue that an idea has merit.

In an ideal world, we would actually go further and abolish all “demographic” ministers – all ministers should work for all New Zealanders. Nobody seriously pretends the Ministers for Ethnic Communities, Senior Citizens, Pacific Peoples, Youth, and Women, have achieved anything more for their particular demographic than having lots of photos taken with them. That’s why you can see Minister for Youth Affairs Nikki Kaye smiling with young people, and Minister for Senior Citizens Maggie Barry smiling with old people, but you probably didn’t know either held the post.

If we suspend our disbelief and accept that appointing demographic ministers really makes a material difference, where should we stop? It’s not obvious why we have a Minister for Pacific Peoples (seven per cent of the population) but Asian people (nine per cent of the population) are lumped into Ethnic Affairs. It’s random.

That brings us to men. In most areas, men are doing far worse than women. Nearly every physical or mental health and education statistic has women and girls outperforming men and boys. On top of that, men are also more likely to be victims of crime and workplace accidents. With such dismal statistics, it’s surprising the government hasn’t set up a Minister for Men long ago.

I don’t favour that approach, there are already too many demographic ministers, but a Minister for Gender could at least do better than a Minister for Women. Not only do men need help too, but the areas where women are still behind are areas where men are at least half the problem. As Harvard labour economist Claudia Goldin points out, the final chapter of closing the gender pay gap will require men to start pulling their weight at home.

Take the complex issues of pornography, objectification of women, and sexual consent. These affect women, but are largely a problem of male attitude and behaviour. A Minister for Gender could reach across the aisle and confront this much more effectively than a Minister for Women. Domestic violence, again, is going to require a change predominantly from men, but can a minister devoted to everyone but men lead that change?

Some people will be outraged at a call to abolish the Minister for Women in the THE HOBSON’s Mother’s Day edition. However, the truth is that the old adversarial model has had its day. New Zealand has led the world on gender relations before, and we can do so again.

We need to enter a new era of tackling gender issues collaboratively for all our sakes. A Minister for Gender would be a step in the right direction.

David Seymour is the MP for Epsom.

the plan

Is the RMA Really the Problem?

T

he Productivity Commission has issued its final report into the investigation of urban planning. Aptly titled “Better Urban Planning”, the 498-page report sets out a diagnosis of the current planning system and suggests changes.

Its diagnosis — • planning legislation lacks clarity and focus, and is prone to overreach • too little direction and guidance from central government • prioritisation is difficult • the system lacks responsiveness What changes are needed according to the report?

• new mechanisms and models to overcome supply failure • more responsive infrastructure provision • better planning and better quality plans through spatial planning, and reviews by independent hearings panels • more representative, less rigid consultation • stronger and different capabilities and culture within councils, and central government From here, everyone is who anyone waded in, backing up the report’s findings with planning horror stories. Business NZ chief executive Kirk Hope noted on RNZ National that the Resource Management Act was largely causing the problems of housing shortages, high house prices and lack of infrastructure.

Mr Hope took the view that “the RMA does not direct planners to restrict boundaries and impose trivial conditions, but it allows them to – and that’s how we become over regulated”.

I take a slightly different view. Yes, we need more central government direction to speed up consenting and reducing the over regulation, essentially, a system that provides for development while managing the environment. But the real problem is at the coalface, when we make applications or request the Council to do their job. Time after time, we find it

is not the rules or the legal framework, but how those rules are interpreted and administered. Generally, there is no sense of urgency or real requirement to deliver.

We often look at it like this — if we did not get back to our clients within 48 hours, the client would go elsewhere, so we respond. Recently a Council planner rang me two weeks after I had left a message. By the time she replied, I had forgotten who she was and what the issue was. To her, the response timeframe was acceptable as she had been busy.

Remember the recent story of the local Remuera family whose property has been flooded six times since November?

Their house has been flooded with up to half a metre of water reaching up the walls. The cause is a broken public stormwater drain, which in turn has caused a sinkhole to appear in the back yard. The stormwater drain is an Auckland Council asset that should be managed and maintained by Council. Not only is there a stormwater issue, but the public sewer has been overflowing onto the property as well.

The family has been calling the Council since November. They only visited the site in mid-March, and now plan to fix the pipe “as soon as possible”. That is a five month response time. This would seem a little slow to me, and reflects what we see on a daily basis — that is it does not matter what rules and regulations you have in place, it is how the system is managed and the concept that time is money, or in the case of the family being flooded, the stress and direct cost of Council inaction.

While the rules are part of the problem, the main issue is the mindset of your garden variety bureaucrat. If they returned phone calls and emails within 24 hours, provided report responses within five days and made decisions on applications with urgency, then there would be no productivity issue.

Changing the RMA with another planning framework will do nothing to change response times. You cannot legislate for incompetence.

— Hamish Firth

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the investment

The Bastard Banks

A

couple of my friends have senior positions with two of our trading banks and both have commented to me about tighter lending conditions over the past few months. These comments seemed a little off to me, given what looks to be a strong domestic economy, booming property markets and healthy overall economic activity levels. These characteristics are usually synonymous with lots of bank lending. So why these comments to the contrary? To help explain what’s going on, and what it might mean, it is necessary to start with the big picture.

In spite of continued global jitters and uncertainty, the New Zealand economy has enjoyed a reasonably long period of rather decent economic growth: GDP increased at more than 3 per cent in 2016. Although most economists expect this rate of growth to ease back this year, they consistently expect growth to remain high by historical standards and relative to a lot of other developed economies.

And as touched on earlier, we all know and can see the drivers of this strong growth: namely a strong construction activity (although not enough new houses are being built!), persistent record high immigration levels, record high tourist visitations, and very low interest rates.

A notable omission from this list of economic drivers is strong business investment. Such investment is a necessity to drive improvement in labour productivity (economist-speak for producing more output for a given level of labour input). Without such investment, businesses start to suffer from capacity constraints, which hampers their ability to grow and can often be the cause of price rises and inflation. So business investment is crucial in the overall scheme of things and this is where banks play a critical role: they provide the necessary capital to fuel business expansion and provide another leg to economic growth. We don’t want to hear the comments I refer to above, quite the opposite in fact!

One current feature that is readily identifiable and goes some way to explain the comments my friends have recently made is a slowing down in the rate of term deposit growth, relative to that of

lending growth. Put simply, and most likely because deposit/savings interest rates are currently very low, the banks are not currently able to readily attract deposits, and therefore are somewhat unable to sufficiently grow their domestic deposit base in order to fund more loans and advances. So, the banks need to increase the interest rates they offer to attract deposits – this of course will make borrowing more expensive.

For many, many years, banks have borrowed in offshore wholesale markets in order to fill this gap in funding. Recent moves by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand requiring banks to allocate more (quasi) equity capital to loans funded with foreign facilities is now making these loans more expensive. But if the regulators require the banks to allocate too much capital, it could backfire: too higher capital requirements would likely provide additional drag for the banks, further hindering their collective ability to provide capital for businesses thereby undermining economic growth.

So, higher interest rates being offered to attract deposits, and higher capital retention imposed by the Reserve Bank on foreign funded loans both combine to lead to an unhelpful situation of lower, but more expensive, lending.

My banking friends are seeing the difficulty in attracting deposits and upward pressure on deposit interest rates, at the same time as the Reserve Bank is requiring them to allocate more capital against foreign-sourced funding.

No wonder they’re talking about tighter/more expensive lending.

I think interest rates are likely to stay relatively low for quite some time (notwithstanding the upward pressure on some deposit rates discussed above).

These low rates will be helpful to economic growth but to really kick things along, businesses will require access to capital for investment and expansion. We want the banking environment and conditions to be such that they can lend to businesses as required.

Hopefully over the coming months the comments I glean from my banking friends will be along these lines.

— Warren Couillault

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the teacher

The Rhythm of Learning

E

ducation seems to be on everyone’s lips at present, or has it always been that way? From setting up a business in Auckland to teach children table manners, to sex education for our boys to teach them to become fine men, to the ongoing problem of bullying, and as always, academic streaming of classes, it’s a continuous debate.

I can tell you from experience that streaming can have a catastrophic affect on many students, knocking their confidence and creating, and affirming, low self-esteem and attitude towards school. Once a student loses these vital qualities, especially in early adolescence, it can be very hard for them to work their way out of it. Not only is streaming an issue for the students in lower classes, but top streamed students have their own set of issues, often creating high stress if they don’t perform. However, many of our schools continue to organise classes by ability, mainly from Year 7, and seem reluctant to change. There is a lot to be said for mixed ability classes with our excellent, hard working New Zealand teachers, managing and planning for them. Primary schools work well this way.

All of this got me thinking about how we can support children better to help them to avoid the pitfalls and challenges they face on a daily basis. After observing, researching and talking to those who know about these things, I heard over and over how learning music at a young age can stimulate the brain mechanisms that improve learning ability. Who knew?

Perhaps this could be an answer to solving some of the issues I’ve mentioned above.

It is so important to support children by providing opportunities that will encourage them to learn the best way they can, no matter where they find themselves placed at school.

Academic development varies hugely in all children, some develop really early, while others can take quite a while longer.

I have always loved and have been a strong advocate for learning music. Talking to King’s School music director, the talented Emma Featherstone, I learned that backed by science,

music training is the only proven method to boost the full intellectual, linguistic and emotional capacity of a child.

Children who learn a musical instrument at a young age have a huge advantage over those that don’t, in that they are strengthening both the left and right side of the brain.

According to studies, just one hour a week of learning music is enough for the full brain benefits to take place — benefits that can last a lifetime.

Many schools run excellent music programmes to cater for their students, but I’m hugely impressed with the one run

by Emma at King’s, where, from Year 2, every boy learns an instrument. I asked her why this was so important to the school.

“It is not about producing child prodigies,” she told me.

“Learning music before adolescence is an essential part of brain development that when pursued, will strengthen all parts of the brain connected to learning, particularly in the areas of language acquisition, reading skills and mathematics. Children have fresh, malleable brains, that can be trained to improve all pathways to learning.

“Music is one of few activities children can do to develop fine motor skills along with many other excellent learning advantages. It provides a sense of beauty, is engaging, and links to stimulating feelings bringing people together.”

By the time King’s students reach middle and senior schools, many will have developed their musical skills so well that they can perform in a wide variety of string, jazz and concert bands, and orchestras, as well as being able to perform in an annual school music production.

So, no matter where your children are along the learning spectrum, listening to, appreciating, performing or playing a musical instrument can have a huge and positive affect on learning. Starting early is the key that will make the difference in supporting how they will learn. It all makes a lot of sense to me.

— Judi Paape

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the second act

My Daughter, Raised

S

o, she’s got to 21, pierced but not deflated, sprinkled with tattoos but ironically anti-brand, penniless but independent, a little bruised yet fully resilient. My daughter has character, with strains of what some might see as my most unappealing traits — mouthy and anti-establishment — but what I love most, is that she is unimpressed by bullshit. She’s an artist. Not that I even know what that means anymore.

She apparently loves me, despite me being “a capitalist”. She swings from being withering to adoring of her Dad, and after years of being a horrendous bully to her younger brother, she is now fiercely protective of him and pretty much on his side all the time. In our family of four, it’s now an “Us vs Them” situation, with a lot of open, critical commentary about my husband’s and my relationship, and our parenting skills. Argh.

She lectures me on feminism. Me! I’m the one doing the degree in gender studies, remember? I broke through a glass ceiling, I have had four bloody careers! But what the hell would I know? Allegedly, I “don’t get it”.

Over the last 21 years, I’ve been busy; had my eye off the ball at times, overcompensating by being too hands-on at others. To be honest, we spent a lot of time fighting and then cuddling, watching movies, then fighting, then talking, then fighting, then laughing.

My mantra in her teen years? OMG what now? You have got to be bloody joking . . .

I have been mortified by some of her actions, until my sister reminded me of what I was doing at that age, in those years before social media recorded your mistakes for posterity.

These days, our kids are in tribes that seem so distinct compared to the middle-of-the-road herd we largely were in the 80s, moving en masse to Duran Duran and the Stones after a flirtation with punk and New Wave. I see many tribes now amongst older teens and kidults – the heavily made-up Kardashian types, the ‘perfect’ exercise-obsessed Lululemon wearers, the psychologically anxious, the super-ambitious academics. I guess she is in the “alternative” tribe, but I don’t really know, and anyway, she HATES that term.

Once, when I was deploring her antics as posted on social media, desperately wanting her to be more mainstream — probably so I

wouldn’t be judged as a terrible mother — she asked me, “So what do you want me to do — put on a silly hat and go to the f**king races and drink Lindauer?” My thought was more along the lines of, actually I was rather hoping you’d just go to the library all day, then come to the movies with me. Fat chance. I can say with certainty she’s not in the Kardashian-lookalike tribe.

I thought her childhood would last forever. It felt like I’d be waiting outside jazz ballet, tapping on my cellphone, for the rest of my life; a life where I’d always be racing to New World at 9pm on a Sunday night to buy the lunchbox food desired. It seemed I would be combing out nits till I died. To be honest, a lot of this parenting was pretty tedious. And unnecessarily expensive. Especially those ridiculous, over-the-top birthday parties I staged (what the hell was I thinking?).

So, what sticks? The funny moments, the hilarious exchanges, the listening and sharing; just lying on the couch with my baby girl or awkward teen in my arms. Stroking her hair. I want to do that for the rest of my life, but I guess within a blink of an eye she will be stroking my hair, making me soft foods and taking me for a walk.

Of course, she’s not exactly going anywhere. She’s flatting in what appears to be some sort of hippie commune in Ponsonby. I know she’s not going anywhere fast because she has no actual money.

I can’t stand those parents who only tell you the good stuff about their kids, selling them to the world like a personal brand extension.

Our daughter is as deeply flawed as she is completely fabulous.

Aren’t they all? Aren’t we all?

She has a life, not the one I had prepared for her earlier, but her own. She has an emerging value set, with some values at odds with mine, and she has opinions. Quite a few of them.

She was born on an Easter Sunday. And quite fittingly, it has been a little like the Easter Show – the roller coaster or perhaps the ghost train – laughter and screams, when deep down we know there is nothing to worry about. And as the carriage has slammed through those final doors into the sunshine and normality, I’m left feeling a little dazed.

So world, she is all yours. Brace yourself.

— Sandy Burgham

Customers are at the heart of everything we do We go the extra mile to ensure our customers are happy.

We also target the right buyer – not just the first buyer working hard to get the best result every time.

We care about what our clients think and experience and are committed to delivering the best possible real estate experience.

Phone Libby today in confidence if you are considering your next move or are wanting to know about values in your neighbourhood.

Trust Credibility Professionalism = Results

Libby Greenwood M: 021 937 470 E: libby.greenwood@bayleys.co.nz

Bayleys Real Estate Limited, Licensed under the REA Act 2008

Simply Matching Pe

www.remuerareale

Arney Cres Family Home, Extraordinary Views

Set peacefully down a private driveway, behind security gates, the separation of spaces plus the reality that both main living areas and the master bedroom suite can share the extraordinary views, are made even more practical by the provision of a full lift if you don’t wish to use the stairway.

Terraces on all levels, the pool area a natural extension of the downstairs family living.

Three living areas, four or five bedrooms, four bathrooms including two ensuites, storage or wine room, separate laundry, guest’s powder room, triple car garaging plus a floor plan that makes all the spaces work for family living.

Built to the highest specifications less than 15 years ago, recent building surveys attest to its enduring quality. Floor 402m² Land 750m².

For Sale 56b Arney Crescent, Remuera

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4

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Terry King 021 484 332 terry.king@remueraregister.co.nz

Telephone: 0

Remuera Real Estate Register

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Proving to be the best way to buy and sell local property Remuera’s only “specialists”

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the hobson + remuera live life local

The Family Jewellers Sanders of Remuera is a sparkling family business

M

ark Sanders didn’t set out to become a jeweller, but a twist of fate saw him trade plans to work in accountancy for a more glittering career.

Has Sanders Jewellers been in the family for generations?

My wife Cheryl and I opened the first Sanders Jewellers in St Heliers 25 years ago, then the shop here in Remuera a year later. If you ask our daughter, Lucy, the same question in 30 or 40 years’ time, hopefully by then the answer will be that yes, it has been in the family for generations!

So Lucy will take over at some point?

That’s the plan. Once upon a time she didn’t want to be “shopkeepers like mum and dad are”, but after finishing school and work experience elsewhere, Lucy is now an integral part of the shop – her and Frankie.

Frankie?

Lucy’s Huntaway cross. You might have seen her sunning outside the shop! She comes in every day with Lucy.

Do you have other children?

We have two sons, both of whom have worked in the shop at various times. But now, James is an architect doing his OE, and John is a mechanic at Continental Cars Volkswagen.

Did you always want to be a jeweller?

I was very good at maths and book-keeping, so I was going to be an accountant! Being a jeweller didn’t cross my mind until I was head-hunted by a well-known jewellery wholesale company.

So you found your passion?

Yes, and I’ve been in it since 1976. First as a sales rep, then

in 1986, Cheryl and I started our own manufacturing and wholesaling business, before opening the shops.

Did you train as a jeweller?

No, it’s just years and years of experience. Lucy and I design bespoke pieces using CAD design software and 3D imagery, and we employ a jeweller. We buy most of our other stock from Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, America and Italy.

What’s the most unique piece of jewellery you’ve sold?

Well, I can’t give too much detail due to confidentiality, but I can say we turned a 10 carat round diamond into a ring. The diamond was the size of my thumbnail!

Do people still buy jewellery as a gift?

These days it is mostly self-purchase; necklaces, watches, rings for the right hand. And, of course, engagement and wedding rings.

What do you do in your spare time?

I play golf twice a week, so you’re not likely to see me in the shop on a Friday afternoon! We also love to socialise, and we try to get away to our beach house at Waihi Beach on a regular basis, and overseas at least once a year.

SPECIAL READER OFFER FOR MAY TO CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY, SANDERS OF REMUERA IS OFFERING THE HOBSON READERS 20 PER CENT OFF ALL PEARLS. OFFER VALID UNTIL SATURDAY MAY 13

Mark Sanders in his store at 385 Remuera Rd. To read more about Mark and his business, see www.remuera.org.nz the hobson 34

live life local

Schooling for Success Upstairs at 305a Remuera Rd, there's a world of learning going on at Thinking2morrow

I

f x equals y and b is 4, how many apples does Fiona have? Confused by your child’s homework? You’re not alone, and that’s where Sarah-Louise Hayton of afterschool tutors Thinking2morrow enters the equation.

How would you describe Thinking2morrow?

We teach maths and English to students of all abilities in a fun learning environment; we support children who are struggling, stretch able students, and coach for internal and external exams amongst other things. Our courses are tailored, so students from Year 1 to 13 work on what they need to. We’re small and flexible, so that we can change our courses to match what your child is doing at school.

Do you have a background in teaching?

Yes, 20 years of it. I trained and taught in primary for a number of years, both in New Zealand and the UK. I’ve also taught computer skills to secondary students and adults.

I’ve always liked the way that the combination of good teaching and computers can make such a great difference, and I saw that put into effect when I taught and managed an established after-school program for a couple of years.

Have you always wanted to teach?

Definitely, and from a very early age!

Could you run this business without having been a teacher?

For us to be successful an understanding of the NZ school system is crucial. We run our programmes alongside the NZ curriculum, and my background allows me to do curriculum-based research for key subjects.

How involved can the parents be?

We work very closely to create a partnership where we are working together on their child’s education and academic confidence. We start with a free assessment to measure skill levels, then we plan a programme together that is constantly evolving and being modified as their child progresses.

Are parents unduly worried about academic progress?

Well, there’s only so much a school can do. Parents want more, and schools struggle to provide ‘extras’ outside of mainstream learning. Here, children are tutored in groups of four. Small group learning has proven wonderful for confidence building, and it’s fun and enjoyable.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

When I see kids start out below standard with no confidence, then I see them blossom . . . they come in and tell me they won an award at school. It’s truly rewarding.

What’s something your students and families might be surprised to know about you?

Well they all know Floyd, my Shih Tzu, but what they might not know is that his mode of transport into work is in a backpack, on the back of my scooter, wearing his own custom goggles!

SPECIAL READER OFFER FOR MAY ALL NEW STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR TERM 2 WILLL START WITH 50 POINTS TOWARDS THEIR REWARD PROGRAMME. THIS MEANS A PRIZE ON DAY ONE! QUOTE CODE T2M0517HOBM AT TIME OF BOOKING

Teacher and tutor Sarah-Louise Hayton in her Thinking2morrow "classroom". To read more about Sarah-Louise and her business, see www.remuera.org.nz Photos by Vanita Andrews, interviews by Fiona Wilson the hobson 35

the culture

the hobson 36

The Threads of Connection Noriko Collins’ Kimono Kollab enterprise helps her build bridges in her new land.

By Chantelle Murray

W

hen Noriko Collins was 20 years old, she – like thousands of other Japanese women – celebrated “Seijin-no-hi”, a coming-of-age ceremony. It was here that Noriko wore the most beautiful, rich green floor-length kimono with deep sleeves, which she will pass on to her own daughter when she reaches 20.

Ever since then, the kimono has been a part of Collins’ life, a deeply meaningful garment she takes with her wherever she goes.

Collins was born and bred in Tokyo, and she has become an immigrant twice over – first to Singapore, where she lived with her husband, Graham, for 18 years, and now to New Zealand. Graham Collins is a Kiwi, and two years ago brought his and Noriko’s two teenage children, Jack and Mia, to Auckland for a visit, with Noriko remaining in Singapore.

In a snappy, two-week decision, Collins joined her family here. “They didn’t come back!” she jokes. Now, the family have settled in Remuera.

When Noriko first visited New Zealand herself 25 years ago, she says she hardly saw any other Asian people, and she felt alien.

However, now she sees her adopted country as much more “cosmopolitan”, especially in its efforts to create harmony between Māori and Pākeha. She herself wants to make a wider circle of connections.

“I’m an immigrant, right?” Collins says. “I really want to find a way to mingle with local people. I don’t just want to mingle with Japanese people, because I’m here now.”

This is why Collins is introducing her enterprise, Kimono Kollab, to New Zealand. An idea she first initiated in Singapore, the project takes Japanese kimonos which have been abandoned due to small tears or stains, and

upcycles them. Or as Collins describes it, “giving new life to a kimono”. Whether this be through creating new fashion garments, appropriate for both Japanese and Kiwis alike, through to using the fabric for lampshades or screens, the aim is to repurpose kimonos regarded as no longer fit for wear due to even the tiniest of flaws.

Collins hopes to collaborate with painters, architects and designers in New Zealand to create art which celebrates cross-cultural connections. Lately, Kimono Kollab has been focusing on fashion, with the goal of attending New Zealand Fashion Week at some time in the future. It’s just one of her goals — she sees possibilities for Kimono Kollab across a range of media. Imagine, she says, if the kimono joined forces with the Indian sari?

Along the way to realising Kimono Kollab from her Remuera home, Collins launched Project Wa, “wa” meaning harmony. For this, she contacted Japanese women living in Auckland, offering them pieces of kimono fabric with which to make new items.

What resulted included beautifully patterned handbags, stuffed toys, small colourful brooches and more, which they sold from a stall at craft fairs.

“I think the ladies were quite happy because the things they made actually went to local people,” she says.

Locals, migrants, new arrivals and old, all the threads are gathered together with skill and love in Noriko Collins’ world.

Interested in knowing more about Kimono Kollab?

Noriko Collins can be contacted via info@kimonokollab. com or messaged on the Kimono Kollab Facebook page.

Noriko Collins in the garden of her Remuera home, with two of the kimonos she saved for a new use. Most of the kimonos are sourced from vintage stores in Osaka, Japan —they would usually be thrown out as they have no value as garments.

Photos by Stephen Penny

the hobson 37

the suburbanist

Looking Abroad . . .

T

he Auckland Unitary Plan became “operative in part” on November 16 last year. There are still some outstanding appeals to the Environment Court and the High Court; once these are resolved, Auckland Council will notify the date on which the plan is fully operative.

Now that it is with us, thought is being given to how its implementation might change the way our city looks. Concerns remain about both affordable housing and the degree of intensity possible in the unfortunately-named THAB zone (Terraced Housing and Apartment Buildings), where fears of massive monstrosities unfriendly to the street abound.

For examples of how to address these issues well we should look abroad, beyond the Bombays, to Cambridge and Wellington. For it is here that innovative architects have been doing extraordinary things with limited space.

In Cambridge, architect Chris Beer has designed a 159m2 house on a commercial site of 315m2, adjacent to a service lane for a supermarket. While this may not sound appealing, the result certainly is – so much so that it has just been named Home magazine’s Home of the Year for 2017. The architect and his clients have worked together to create, in a few deft moves, a human-scaled building that happily occupies its corner site, that is kind to its neighbourhood and passers-by. The interior of the building is conceived as a series of free-flowing spaces and courtyards that bring the outside in.

We have long had a tradition – perhaps, obsession – with plonking our houses in the middle of our sections and surrounding them with front, rear and side yards; all of which is enshrined in our town-planning regulations. Much of this land – particularly the side and frequently the front-yards – are unusable as quality outdoor space. Putting our living spaces on these boundaries and containing outside space within, as courtyards, makes so much sense but alas we are culturally conditioned to shy away from this. Chris Beer shows how to do it in the country; there is no reason we couldn’t do it here in the city.

Further south, Gerald Parsonson has designed Zavos Corner (the pictures on these pages), a medium density housing development on a site in Wellington’s Mt Victoria, with one two-level and seven single-level apartments spread over three stories, all of them sitting over an in-ground carpark.

Where other architects might have assembled a block of apartments, sharing walls, in pursuit of efficiency (another tradition, past its time), Parsonson has arranged the apartments around an open north-facing area with public and private courtyards at ground level. The apartments all connect to both street and this outdoor area, and are sometimes attached to each other,

sometimes not. Visually the form of the building draws on the surrounding villas of Mt Victoria, matching roof lines, heights and scale, creating a village not a behemoth.

Two things stand out about this development. First, the site

the hobson 38

Photos by Jeff Brass, courtesy of Parsonson Architects Ltd

is only 564m2 making it smaller than many lots in in residential Auckland, demonstrating that high quality intensive development can occur on “regular” sized sections. Second, a single family owns the site, built the development and is keeping it as a development for future generations. They have no intention of selling off the apartments to make a quick dollar, but are content for the rental returns that they will get over time. A rare thing in an overheated property market and an example for anyone wishing to develop their land.

The lessons for post-Unitary Plan Auckland are clear: be kind to your neighbours, generous to your street, provide for your family and contribute to your city. It isn’t hard and doesn’t have to be ugly.

Start now. — Tommy Honey

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

– Jane Patten, Clinic Manager

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

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

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

the portfolio

Our Mothers In honour of Mother's Day on Sunday, May 14, we asked locals to share special photos from the family album

In 1961, Beverley and Noel Walker, left, joined their good friends, Ray and Greta Blair, right, for an evening at the Peter Pan Cabaret.

Their friendship endured — each had a son and a daughter, and in later years, Greta would employ the Walker’s teenage daughter at her Remuera boutique, Raggedy Anne, sharing their mutual love of fashion and design.

“This photo, in fact all the photos of my late parents out at black-tie dinners, balls and cocktail parties, just sings out glamour,” says designer Karen Walker. “I’m not sure that it was in fact all as glamorous and chic as it suggests, but there is undeniably something going on — at the very least, a polish and care that have certainly informed my life, style and career. It also speaks to me of a dedicated partnership, of the love my parents had for one another — notice the way my father’s holding Mum’s arm. This too is a great gift my parents gave to me, both in setting the stage for a loving place in which to grow up, and as an example to strive for myself.”

Likewise, artist Lisa Januszkiewicz, née Blair, sees her mother’s ongoing influence in the image (Greta only recently retired from her second Remuera fashion store, Collezioni). “I’m reminded of the way my mother has always influenced me through fashion. Her involvement in the industry for most of her life had such an impact on how important style was to me, which it continues to be to this day. In this photo, Mum is the same age as my daughter is now, 20, and I think that all four of them look a bit as though they’re children pretending to be adults. Even now, Mum has a tangible air of being a teenager stuck in an older woman’s body — she’s unfailingly bubbly, fun and endearing in every facet of her life. I’m thankful for the way she showed me that true happiness comes from doing what you love. I feel so incredibly lucky to have her.”

the hobson 41

the portfolio

“My mother Mary grew up in Malaysia and met my Waikato-born father, Rodney, when he was involved with Volunteer Service Abroad in his gap year after university. They got married in Mum’s hometown of Kota Kinabalu and moved to Auckland, where I was born. When I think about Mum moving to another country and having her first baby at what seems such a young age, it moves me.

Mum didn’t have her mother around to support her in the way she later supported me, when I had my first baby. Luckily Mum is very good at making friends, and she has told me I was a very placid baby.” — Penny Lewis, journalist, photographed at three months, with Mary, 22.

“Glenda Gregg (Ngāti Mahuta) posing at a typewriter in Alberta, Canada, aged about 24. I’m not sure if it was her typewriter, as she wasn’t a writer. However she was definitely an explorer, and as I get older, I put my intrepid streak down to her. She was always up for an adventure. — Stacy Gregg, author.

“This is us in Wellington, in 1967. My mother saved on fabric and lace by getting three dresses and one pair of shorts to match. There was only two-and-a-half years between the first four of us.” — Janet Mikkelsen, director and celebrant, State of Grace. From left, Gillian (Craig), her twin Janet, mother Marion Mikkelsen, sister Louise (Perkins) and brother Greg. The family would later by joined by two more boys, Adam, and Andrew. the hobson 42

“This was our first family reunion for 30 years, taking place in Malaysia this year during the New Year Spring Festival. The reunion’s theme was prosperity, hence the symbolic yellow colour.

My mother, Ah Moi Wong, née Chan, centre, is a mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother to 37 direct descendants. My late father, Ah Kow, was a Special Branch officer who fought with ANZAC forces against communist insurgency in Malaysia in the 1960s and 70s.” — Arthur Wong, owner, Parnell’s Kopio restaurant (famous for its Malaysian rendang), centre, in red.

“I chose this photo to acknowledge my mum, who’s been leading the way to make Auckland a great place to cycle by using a bike for transport for over 35 years. She’s now enjoying all the new cycleways that make it so much safer to ride, and have encouraged lots more people her age, and all ages, to give cycling a go. I’m sure she’ll keep riding into older age, especially as she now has an electric bike that smooths out Auckland’s hills.” — Pippa Coom, Waitematā Local Board chair, with her mother, Barbara Grace, on Te ara i whiti Lightpath cycleway last year.

“My mum was a special inspiration. As one of the last people in the western world to contract polio, she was told that she would never work, drive, go to university or have children. She overcame each of these predictions. She did postgrad work at Otago and became the Chief Pharmacist for Northland Health.

She produced a civil engineer, a pharmacology PhD and, just to show nobody’s perfect, a politician. I maintain that they were at least half right about the driving part, however. She is sorely missed, but her example of what it means to overcome adversity and succeed, lives on in the minds of my brothers and I.” — David Seymour, Member of Parliament for Epsom, photographed with his late mother, Victoria.

the hobson 43

“When I gaze into the eyes of my daughters, I see not only the lineal strengths of my grandmothers, my mother, mother-in-law and myself, but also the evolved gifts of precious hopes, dreams and resilience. My greatest honour is the gift of motherhood, a blessing spanning the eternal wings of love, possibilities exchanged through the whispers of the winds in seasons of time.” — Jillian Friedlander, artist/ philanthropist, at her Remuera home with her mother, Marion, and twin daughters Arielle, left, and Maia.

“Remembering this holiday in Paris as a family sums up the adventure and sense of fun mum has instilled in me. I love my mum to bits.”

— Richard George, Parnell District School principal, with his mother, Annette, in Paris.

“It’s a long way from Hiroshima to Pakuranga.

My mother, Michiko, was a survivor of the bomb, and met my father, Bob, when he was in the J Force after the war. Barely a decade later they were a young family in a new suburb and she’s doing things like sewing a cover for the TV. I love this photo because Mum’s so happy.”

— Sandy Burgham, THE HOBSON’s "The Second Act" columnist. Sandy in front, with sisters Robyn left, and Michele, and Michiko and Bob at home in Pakuranga.

the hobson 44

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the family

Charlotte and her mother, Colyn, at Colyn and husband Les’ Parnell home. Inset photo, right: Mother and daughter on the cover of Who’s Who, only six years ago.

the hobson 46

My Mother, Our Journey Colyn Devereux Kay is known to many as the dynamic woman who launched Les Floralies, a category-defining business that introduced Kiwis to modern potpourris and home fragrances in the 1980s. Energetic, intelligent, inquiring, she was an entrepreneur, and the much-loved mother of son Danvers and daughter Charlotte, and in turn, an adored grandma. Six years ago, Colyn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, taking her family down an unfamiliar path, a journey that would become a learning experience for them all. Here, Charlotte Devereux writes for our Mother’s Day issue of being on that path of discovery alongside her mother.

I

n 2011, my mother, Colyn Devereux Kay, was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to business.

Little did we know that only a few months later she would be diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. She was only 65.

In her mind, she was not sick and now, I see this as a blessing, that she never accepted that she had this terrible disease that would rob her of her beautiful mind and body.

Mum had been the first woman chair of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and had mentored and helped so many women set up businesses. She tirelessly chaired the Breast Cancer Foundation and was instrumental in setting up the first Glassons t-shirt campaign to raise money for breast cancer research. She was so giving of her time and never stopped.

Weekends at their beach house at Leigh with her adored husband, my darling stepfather, Les Kay, were spent in the garden or working on other business plans. She was always busy, and always willing to help anyone and everyone.

I was incredibly blessed to have been Mum’s partner in our EGG Maternity retail and wholesale business for 15 years. How lucky was I to get to work with an incredible businesswoman who inspired so many? We had an absolute ball, and many adventures were had on trips to visit stockists and manufacturers, and purely for inspiration.

Shopping trips were definitely high on our agenda, with many “samples” acquired — hello Zara and Top Shop!

Last year, I had a very intense period in my life. I realised I had gone through a mourning process for the mother I once had, as well as looking after my own family, including a teenage daughter who had been unwell. I had also been working long hours on a new skincare business, Girl Undiscovered, plus a busy crossover period selling EGG. I was burned out. I went away at Christmas to Pauanui and it was there, walking along the beach with the waves crashing, that I had a little “light bulb” moment. I had been wanting to create more awareness around Alzheimer’s, and here was my

perfect opportunity to create a blog with strong social media content, and spend more time with my mother as well as my children.

For the first time in quite a while I simply felt everything made sense and that is when the sun truly came out! I had also been worrying about getting Alzheimer’s myself, as my grandmother, auntie and uncle had died from it. I could not only create Alzheimer’s awareness, but also look at ways to prevent it for myself and others.

Once I got started on this journey there was no stopping me. With the love and support of my husband, Geoff, and my family, I started my research. Sadly, the more I read, the more the cold hard facts emerged.

Over 35 million people worldwide struggle with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. Yet, despite the prevalence of Alzheimer’s, there’s still a powerful, stigmadriven taboo attached to the disease.

In the minds of many, Alzheimer's is a slow death sentence that gradually morphs a vibrant human being into a shell of their former selves. Those with the disease hesitate to divulge their diagnosis to friends — and even family — for fear of being subjected to unintentional prejudice, and isolation.

The incredibly tough part is that the only individuals who really understand what life with Alzheimer’s is like are those who are living with the disease — the patients, and their family members and carers. One thing that really stood out to me, Alzheimer’s is NOT an old people’s disease nor an ageing disease, which is what people tend to think. There have been cases of people in their 30s being diagnosed, and the very frightening fact that women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's over the rest of their lives, as they are to develop breast cancer.

And the disease affects more women than men. Why? At first glance, the answer may be that women generally live longer, making them more likely to reach the ages of greater risk.

However, there is emerging evidence that suggests there may be biological reasons, one of them being estrogen.

Basically, in terms of a cure, Alzheimer’s is where we were at

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the family

with cancer in the 1950s. We are so close, yet so far away. How can this be? The biggest struggle is with awareness, and lack of funding. Ten times more money is spent on cancer research, yet if we don’t find a cure for Alzheimer’s, the numbers of people diagnosed will double in the next decade. I don’t want to draw attention away from cancer research, I just want to shine some light on a very real disease that everyone has the potential to have, and not just when they get old.

Even with unsettling news there is always some good, and there is a lot of research into what can be done to keep it at bay or delay it. Only around 10 per cent of people have the gene identified as common to Alzheimer’s, and even if you carry the gene, you may never get the disease.

So, what can you do to help prevent Alzheimer’s? My research has been wide-ranging, and fascinating! I’m not coming to this from a medical background, but purely as a daughter concerned to know as much as possible about the disease, how best to help my mother in its grip, and its prevention. In my year of researching, talking to experts, attending courses and immersing myself in knowledge, these are some of my discoveries:

DIET A Mediterranean diet, loaded with lots of oily fish, legumes, nuts, fresh green leafy veges and high antioxidant berries, would seem to be good for the brain, and disease prevention.

And one glass of red wine a night, topped off with a few squares of dark, high cacao chocolate is part of that antioxidant-rich menu. I told you there was some good news!

It is also essential to have a healthy gut. Bacteria in the gut is determined by a mix of genetics, lifestyle factors, diet, exercise, stress and toxin exposure, which all play a huge role in the gut’s bacterial makeup. The “right sort” of gut bacteria can be enhanced by things including drinking Kombucha, eating sauerkraut and taking a probiotic. I’ve been developing my own wellbeing powders, and have been slightly obsessed learning about Korean temple food, where fermenting is key, and the food made with much love. This has inspired me to create my own blends for brain health, that I call Temple Powders (available via beautifulmindnz.com). They can be tailored to help with clear skin, energy and sleep.

DANCE, MUSIC, PLAY Although exercise is an obvious key to health, learning a new skill that involves exercise can be even more beneficial. I have taken up ballet barre which I love, and keeps my brain ticking over. I also highly recommend ballroom dancing — this would be the best of all for improving your cognitive brain function.

Music and dance is so evocative, conjuring up memories, reaching into pockets of the brain that other things can’t. It soothes, de-stresses and can change our mood in an instant.

Listening to music, and playing it, stimulates the brain in a very powerful way. I love playing Neil Diamond to my mother.

He’s one of her favourites, and mine, and hearing him always brings a sparkle to her eyes, so I know it does connect.

There are countless ways to cut out stress (which is always beneficial) but one of them I love is to stop and play with my children, which also leads me on a path of the benefits of play.

I’ve played Nintendo with my son (in moderation of course) and in the course of research, came across the most incredible game, Sea Hero Quest. I love this! It is the world’s first mobile game where anyone can help scientists fight dementia.

By playing Sea Hero Quest for just two minutes, you’re giving scientists research that would take about five hours to collect in a lab. The game has been played by over 2.8 million people, generating over 73 years of gameplay, making Sea Hero Quest the largest dementia study ever. So please play this game — it’s fun, it’s free and helps with both your cognitive skills and incredible research. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play. Learn more and about the research behind it on www.seaheroquest.com

SLEEP, AND STRESS My mother was extremely active and had a very good diet, and there was definitely no shortage of her using her brain, so I started looking at her lifestyle choices compared to mine, and what I could do that was different. A very big highlight was her ongoing problems with sleep. My mother had always been a terrible insomniac. She used to say to me, “Oh darling, you have inherited my insomnia, here’s a sleeping pill”. My addiction to these little blue pills started when I was 16 and my father took his own life. It continued until only three months ago where I finally kicked the habit. And you know what? I

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am not an insomniac, as I always thought. I can sleep, I just had to make some big changes in my life, and one of them was cutting back on stress. Stress is a big factor to causing Alzheimer’s. I saw my mother also so busy and stressed over the years, working so hard. Now it was my time to change this and pull back a little, and be kinder to myself.

I

have been told by a few people that I should not show photos of my mother as she is now, as they are disturbing and not appropriate. I got quite angry about this, but then I finally worked it out. It is a combination of people not wanting to see their own mortality while there is no cure, and, it is people’s guilt. My mother very rarely has friends to visit now, apart from her best friend, who visits weekly. Everyone else dropped by the wayside as I guess they felt Mum wouldn’t know, or that they wanted to remember her how she was.

I completely understand that, but what I don’t understand is the need to hide her sickness. I don’t show images of me changing my mother’s nappy, or washing her, feeding her, or her slumped in her wheelchair. I show her as the beautiful and incredible mother that she was, and still is. She helped so many people, and I know in my heart she would have been happy and given her blessing for me to help others through sharing her story, and mine. (Before I started my blog and telling her story, I talked to both Les, and my brother, Danvers, and have their blessing).

Every 66 seconds, another brain will develop Alzheimer’s disease. Two out of three will be women — our grandmothers, our mothers, sisters and daughters. I have seen the power of what research can do, what awareness can do. I know we can make a difference and a change to this terrifying disease. It is time to stop hiding it.

I have found my peace with my darling mother’s illness.

And although I still have sad days, many now are joyful ones, knowing that in some small way I can make a difference to other people’s lives. I feel it is in some way Mum’s final legacy to me, and perhaps at 47 years old, I have finally found my calling. Please join me on my quest to create more awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease and a beautiful mind.

Charlotte Devereux’s blog can be found at www.beautifulmindnz.com She can be contacted via charlotte@beautifulmindnz.com All photos courtesy of Charlotte Devereux

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Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia. “Dementia” is an umbrella term, used to describe a group of conditions that affect the brain. It can affect anyone, but as people age, the chances of developing dementia increase.

The symptoms experienced depends on the parts of the brain affected. The most common symptoms include changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, personality and emotions. It is a progressive disease, with no known cure.

More than 170,000 Kiwis will be living with dementia by 2050, and the total cost of care will reach around $5 billion by that time.

Source: alzheimers.org.nz

the tale

A Love Story, in Knitting In honour of Mother's Day, our “The Kaitiaki” columnist, Precious Clark, shares a story, written with love, by a homesick daughter.

“I moved to London in 2006, and it didn’t take long for me to miss my family, but especially mum. I missed her laughter, her nuances and even her growlings! The phone calls and visits home were many, but the longing remained, so I turned to song and story writing to bring my mum closer to me. This is one of the stories I wrote, inspired by my mum.

My mum, Patu Clark (née Hawke), is a caring and strong woman, always ready with a prank.

She is one of the coolest people I know and I love her. Ko ia taku aukaipo — she's my life blood.”

T

ink tink tink, loop. Two plastic blades gently colliding together. The sound signals that we are in autumn in a land of deciduous trees.

“Oh good, I need a new pair, mine have holes in them. Can I have plain black and blue ones, Mum?” She looks around at her supplies.

“I don’t have any black wool, but you can have some yellow, ummm, . . . grey and blue ones,” she replies.

Hmm, not really my cup of tea, not exactly what I’d want to show off at the marae, and as usual, she can read my reluctance to her idea of fashion. She gets agitated, shifts in her seat and quickly remarks in her authoritative voice, “What’s wrong with those colours?

They’ll look great.”

If there’s one thing I learnt from my Dad, when it comes to Mum, it’s easier to just say, “yes dear”. Only I replace “yes” for “yeah” and the “dear” for “Mum”.

“Yeah Mum. OK.” They really are a labour of love, each one taking a morning to create, uncreate sometimes and recreate again. Each one flawed in its own way to remind us that it is a unique masterpiece.

Ahh, and the mastery lies in the ability of the knitter to make the mistakes look like they were always meant to be there.

I have never known anyone to not be pleased by receiving a pair of Mum’s knitted slippers for a gift.

I wonder if anyone wonders what Mum wears, daydreams about or talks about when she knits their one-in-a-million pair of slippers. Sitting on the comfiest couch in the world, in her yellow woollen cardigan, wearing her $2 Shop glasses upside down, because her nose is so flat, it doesn’t have a bridge for them to sit on. Depending on the time of the day, the sunlight might stream through the window and highlight

her beautiful face and the glistening slivers of silver that burst from the edge of her hairline.

My mum is getting old— all us kids and moko made sure of that, but my mum is beautiful. And cool. She is one of the coolest chicks I know.

If Mum’s stories were woven into each pair of slippers, they would look like Joseph’s technicolour dreamcoat. The stories she weaves usually leave me in fits of laughter, or in awe of her character, or sometimes leave snail trail-like streaks down my face.

There is never a dull moment when we have a good old catch up over a cup of tea that can, and does, last for hours.

She easily shares her stories of her childhood, like the wailing of the kuia and the smell of fire she still remembers to this day when they burnt down her papakainga, and moved her world to “Boot Hill”.

“I couldn’t understand why they were crying — we got houses with real floors and running water,” she whispers under her breath. But the loss of the land that her kuia understood immediately, soon found her too. It helped her become wise to this world.

She tells me about how she used to have a flat chest, just like me, and then one day she got boobs and was showing off in her new bikini to her mum. My Nan, who had borne 13 children by then, suggested she take a pregnancy test. Nan was right. Drumroll please . . . introducing my eldest brother, and my mum as a mother.

Tink tink tink, loop. She sits, chatting away. Her cup of tea getting cold at her side. She likes it that way. Personally, I think she just likes to have a half full cup of cold tea next to

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Left, and right, Precious as a child with her mother, Patu, and brother, Hepa.

Below, mother and daughter in more recent times.

her, not that she actually likes cold tea.

She switches over to her posh voice and says, “Oh Paaaatrrrrrriciaa, darling. How lovely to see you.”

I like this story. I’ve heard it a million times, but I like hearing it, and love the ending. It’s about when she was working as a waitress and a pretty, pompous and mean prefect from her school — that she affectionately called “the concrete jungle”— came to dine at her restaurant. As a teenager, the Pretty Pompous Mean Prefect made Mum feel shorter than her petite 5 feet, and on this night she was trying to do it again.

I egg Mum on like it’s the hottest news off the press.

“And then what happened Mum?” “So I told the crew how she had treated me, and they all wanted to give something of themselves to make her soup all the more special.”

Struggling to find opportunities to make audible sounds through her laughter, “Ha aahh haa, she, ah haha, said she, ah haa haha liked her soup!”

Moral of the story: Don’t be mean and belittle people because one day, they may hold the balance of power. Noted.

Tink tink tink, loop. I know I’m fortunate to have parents that are still together and still very much in love with each other. I look around to my left and my right, and they are a rare breed, few and far between. I wonder if couples that stick it out for the long haul are almost extinct.

Don’t get me wrong, if my parents need to get something out, they will. No holding back on the lyrical waxing. The neighbours could probably recite back verbatim some of the blues they’ve had. But on the plus side, once it’s out, you gotta deal with it, and mum and dad are good at dealing with things.

“What’s your secret to making it last Mum?” I admit, my mum and dad are my role models when it comes to love. They were both my first loves, in equal parts, in different ways.

“Never finish each others stories, and always laugh at each other’s jokes”.

Such a simple recipe, but when I think about it, by jingo, she’s right. It drives me crazy when I hear couples talk as one – especially when I actually want to hear the story firsthand without the hoha butt-ins from the partner I’m only just tolerating.

“Well, just as well I can still laugh at your stories after the gazillionth time, aye Mum.” “What do you think I’ve been training you for?” she says, with a glint in her eye.

Tink tink tink, loop. I’ve only just realised that mum isn’t actually making slippers. The pattern is too narrow and cylinder-like, with no heel or toe part. I roll my eyes and chuckle to myself. We’ve had these inventions hanging up all over the house and people would often ask what they were.

Sometimes they would have an animal face sewn on, like an elephant with the knitted cylinder forming the trunk.

Sometimes they would be multicoloured, or come in varying lengths. I’d make up all sorts of stories in response, while trying to hide my burgundy, flushed cheeks. “Oh, it’s a coin purse with no lid” or “it’s a pen holder”.

Most years around May, Mum knits one for her hero. Gaily weaving stories of love, memories of times past, tender moments in each purl, each stitch, each colour, each drop.

This year’s laho warmer is a rainbow of colours, roughly 15cm long with a 5cm diameter.

Clearly Mum thinks Dad is a champ at the moment. Either that, or she thinks he needs to feel like a champ. Their love is so unconventional, but sincere, and nothing says it better than a laho warmer. I wonder if Hallmark would print a card like that?

Like I said, my Mum is one of the coolest chicks I know.

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the pretty

Make Mother's Day Any of these beauties would make a lovely gift, or work as a special treat anytime, says Justine Williams Makeup artist Francois Nars was inspired to create his cult product, Nars The Multiple, after he used a single lipstick on a model's eyes, lips and cheeks during a photo shoot.

A foolproof, lightweight, cream-topowder formula, it can add a pop of colour, subtle highlights or a light glow to any skin tone. In a range of matte and shimmer shades, Nars The Multiple is $62, from Mecca Cosmetica. meccacosmetica.co.nz

This glamorous floral fragrance opens with the scent of bergamot, mandarin, a dash of rum and honey. There’s orchids in there, Turkish rose oil, and jasmine too. Swooning yet? Underneath lies warm notes including balsam, myrrh, sandalwood and vanilla.

Oh, Mr Ford. Tom Ford Velvet Orchid Cologne, from $145 at Smith & Caughey’s Queen St

Eau de Parfum Miu Miu L’Eau Bleue is all about joy and light. It’s feminine and sophisticated, but youthful.

Classified as a “fresh floral” in the fragrance family, it’s a perfect pick for lovers of fresh, green scents, with notes of lily of the valley and honeysuckle. From $100 for 30ml, at Smith & Caughey’s

Pretty, oh so pretty. Delicate white blossoms bursting with spring’s sparkling charm; Jo Malone’s Star Magnolia is in bloom.

Spirited magnolia, magnolia leaf and orange blossom are mixed with a hint of lemon and ginger. Available this month from Jo Malone, Britomart, 100ml is $232

Treat your mother figure to the guidance of hair and makeup queen Eithne Curran in her CBD studio.

Curran says her workshops are “tailored especially for women who feel ready to explore their next beauty chapter”. Discover a personal colour palette, makeup application and skincare, plus tips and tricks gleaned from Curran’s three decades’ experience.

Eithne Curran Timeless Beauty Workshop, $200. eithnecurran.com

An Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Powerfoil Mask is a secret weapon before any special event. Ideally a weekly treatment, these are the heavy hitters of the plump-and-repair arsenal. $144 for a box of 4 masks, from Estēe Lauder counters My personal, all-time-favourite, skin rejuvenation treatment. Escape mentally to a tropical island as you bathe in the warm glow of the Omnilux light therapy at Stephen Marr Skin, upstairs at Stephen Marr, Morrow St, Newmarket. Sessions are under 30 minutes, your skin looks amazing for weeks. Nine sessions, $405.

Call 524 6702 to book

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Wake up and smell YSL Black Opium Floral Shock, which the creators describe as “a ricochet, shock and aftershock reverberating through the body, waking up the senses”. Another update on Opium, the game-changing 1970s fragrance, we’re up for a bold scent with coffee and white flower notes that will hit us “like that first jolt of espresso”. From $117 for 30ml. At YSL Beauté counters

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A LE AF O U T OF

A D E L E’S SONG SHEE T - Cathy Roselli, local Ray White real estate salesperson Photo credit - Jonathan Zhang @borderx

Adele! With Mother’s Day upon us I can’t think of a better person to shine a light on as an example of how to conduct yourself with warmth and humility. Like many of you, I had the pleasure of seeing her in concert in Auckland recently and was blown away not only by her immense talent but by how down to earth she seems.

Raised by a single, working-class mother in London, Adele’s frank honesty and self-deprecating sense of humour had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. In a music industry that appears to be dominated by self-involved, superficial prima donnas, Adele is, to put simply, real.

When the rain poured down last Sunday and the audience got soaked, Adele got soaked with them –donning a poncho and braving the elements.

Despite her abundance of riches, she seems grounded, genuine and still very much the girl that would rather be drinking cider in the park with her friends than in the media spotlight. She opens her heart to us and reveals her insecurities and shortcomings but at the same time comes across as composed, confident, self-assured and independent. No mean feat.

While other performers are swinging across the stage with choreographed acrobatics and dance routines, Adele lets her voice do the talking. She also lets you into her world regaling you with stories from her life, without a PR filter, that builds a bond with her audience that few other artists can replicate.

“I don’t make music for eyes, I make music for ears,” she once told Rolling Stone magazine. This really resonates with me because I don’t sell houses purely for financial incentives, I sell homes because I love people and homes.

Adele’s authenticity is what really struck a chord with me.

I’m sure we can all think of people we know in our personal or business lives whom we’re unsure of how genuine their intentions are. So much of the business world is about appearances and talking a big game. I’ve always been about building genuine connections with my clients that are built on trust - purely because doing so is what I love about being a real estate sales person.

Selling your home requires putting what is most likely your most valuable asset in the trust of someone else. It’s a responsibility I take very seriously and I work tirelessly to ensure I deliver and reward that trust.

On the flipside, buying a home is very much like an Easter Egg hunt when you were a child – you often had to search high and low and turn over every stone to get your reward.

Or, you could just ask the person who hid them where the best place to look is – when it comes to finding a new home, I’m here to help.

Home is where the heart is so as much as I wish I could see Adele in concert every week, I’m glad she’s back home with her daughter for Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to all you mums out there. If you want to know where the best eggs are hidden or need someone you can trust to sell your home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

021 750 454 cathy.roselli@raywhite.com www.cathyroselli.com

the magpie

Mothering Sunday Celebrate the ladies in your life with gifts of meaning and love After an “experience” gift? Check out the Local Food Experience, $225 per person, or Cooking Classes, from $120, available from Matakana’s The Local Food Kitchen. Founded

by Matakana husband and wife, chef Mark Griffiths and Carmel Draper, The Local Food Kitchen was created to realise their vision of sharing the region’s local fare and its producers with visitors, and to celebrate a mutual love of good food, wine and country living. thelocalfoodkitchen.co.nz

Sneakers are everything to a woman on the move. The Magpie spied these cool silver butterfly-winged Etsy sneakers by MaiMai, $460, at Runway, Nuffield St

You can never have enough scarves (or handbags or shoes, but that’s for another day). The Magpie can just see herself soaring over the suburbs in this jazzy print scarf from Ketz-ke. $29 from ketz-ke.com Winter is coming. A wet winter too, we’re picking. Arm Mother against the elements with a good looking and totally robust Blunt X_Metro collapsible umbrella, $89. Available in many colours (this is Metro Pink) from Hedgerow, 371 Remuera Rd. hedgerow.co.nz.

How about sharing a delicious bottle of Chardonnay with your special girls this Mother’s Day? The Allan Scott Generations Chardonnay 2015 is a particularly nice drop of Marlborough’s finest. $31 from good wine retailers.

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An electric bike takes the sweat but not the glamour out of cycling. Designed to tackle commuting or touring, the Kalkhoff Agattu i7 HS e-bike makes our suburbs’ hills a breeze, and the valleys just plain fun. Not to mention the endorphin rush of knowing you’ve made a green choice for your transport. $3999, it’s just one of the e-models to chose from at Rush Velo, 52 Remuera Rd. rushvelo.co.nz

Designer Karen Walker (above left) and The Caker baking queen, Jordan Rondel (right) have collaborated on a limited edition, supremely delicious Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Cookie Mix. The cookie mix is $22.50, from Karen Walker boutiques, or online from karenwalker.com and thecaker.co.nz

These styley felt storage receptacles are as awesomely useful in the laundry as they are in the lounge or wardrobe. They can keep scarves tidy or be just as useful for holding those photos to be sorted. $8.50 for a two-pack, from K Mart, kmart.co.nz

No nest is complete without fresh flowers, and these House Doctor Organic Handled Vases (in three sizes) are not only gorgeous, they’re just perfect for hiding stems and murky water, and they look great too without foliage. From $30 to $70, at Leopold Hall, Morrow St

The Magpie is all a-flutter over fashion designer Ingrid Starnes’ segue into beauty. Ingrid Starnes Vetyver Bergamot Hand Cream, $99 for 500ml, is all natural, made in New Zealand and smells absolutely divine.

It’s also available as a duo with matching soap for an even more luscious gift.

From Ingrid Starnes, Teed St or ingridstarnes.com

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“Esalare” means “exhale” in Italian. It might be more of a gasp when you see the prices of this online store, but you’ll gasp again when you feel the quality. Curating the globe’s finest in luxury sleep and loungewear, all collections feature the highest quality natural fibres, including silk, cashmere and merino. The Hesper Fox Aurora Silk Nightdress, $530, might be just the ticket for Mum, although the jammies are also heavenly. esalare.co.nz

the appetite

Brighton Road Memoirs Who better to share recipes perfect for Mother’s Day, than a mother and chef/owner of a local cafe famous for its food?

R

egular patrons — and there’s a lot of regulars — of Parnell’s Brighton Rd Cafe will have noticed many of the people bustling in and out of the kitchen and around the cafe look a bit like each other. The resemblence between siblings Tom, Oliver and Freya Sawbridge is strong to both each other and in particular, to their mother, Suellen.

Suellen is the creative force and chief foodie behind Brighton Rd. Husband Ian works alongside her, managing the front-ofhouse and the books — he’s a former banker — and until very recently, three of their four children were also working in the business, inbetween OEs and their own career commitments.

“All my kids have learned to cook, and they’ve all worked with us since we had our first cafe, seven years ago,” says Suellen.

“Oliver’s a great chef, and Tom has stepped in as a baker. I’ve taught him how to make birthday cakes for his future children!”

At home, student Lily, 17, whips up her own vegan meals, and at family mealtimes, everyone takes turns in the kitchen. Shortly after The HOBSON spoke to Suellen; Oliver, 26, was due to depart the BRC kitchen for Europe, having recently graduated with a Masters in International Relations and Human Rights; Freya, 23, was boarding a plane to Germany to finish her law degree, while baker Tom, 28, was heading back to Tauranga, where he works as a project manager in construction.

It may be a smaller Sawbridge household this Mother’s Day, but at the cafe, it will be business as usual. With its herb gardens,

“locavore” philosophy, free-range and organic ingredients, Kokako organic coffee and Coke-free fridge (there are fizzy drinks, generally organic and more interesting), the cafe reflects both the Sawbridges’ passion for good food, and how they choose to live.

At home in Glendowie, Suellen has a flourishing vegetable garden and fruit trees, and the family has beehives from which they harvest honey. When they do sit down for a meal together, by popular request it’s likely to be one of Suellen’s soups on the menu.

“I’m known for soup. I love gathering things from the garden — I’m really a bit of a hunter gatherer.”

Trained as a florist, Suellen is a self-taught cook. “I absolutely love it.

I love being in the kitchen. When I was young and things were stressful, I found it a bit of a refuge.”

This Mother’s Day, Suellen will be doing what she loves, cooking, creating and enjoying the energy of her business. The cafe is a seven-day operation, open from breakfast through to late lunch. It’s full-on, but Suellen lives the maxim that when you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work.

“When you do what you love, when you have a passion for it, you always have the energy”.

Following are three Brighton Road Cafe recipes to recreate at home, courtesy of Suellen and Ian Sawbridge.

The Brighton Road Cafe, 56 Brighton Rd, Parnell, is open Monday to Sunday, from 7am. See brightonroadcafe.co.nz

The Strawbridge Six: from left, Ian, Oliver, Suellen, Lily, Freya and Tom.

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the appetite

POTATO GRIBICHE This is a simple potato salad without the heavy mayo dressing.

We occasionally prepare this salad for the cafe but it is mainly one we do for catering jobs, and it is very popular. Seasonally, I’ll add other herbs from my garden, such as dill and mint. For a variation, add 400g of chopped chorizo to the potatoes during the last five minutes of roasting. This recipe will serve up six people as a side dish.

For the salad 1.5kg new potatoes, scrubbed olive oil for drizzling salt and pepper 3 handfuls of coarsely chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley 2 tablespoons capers 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped 100g gherkins, sliced For the dressing 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 125ml extra virgin olive oil

BANH XEO

Preheat the oven to 220C. Put the potatoes in a saucepan with cold water to cover, bring to boil and then drain immediately.

Place on a baking tray and drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and roast until golden.

Combine the dressing ingredients, and mix well. When the potatoes are ready, pour over the dressing while still warm (this allows them to absorb the flavours). Fold in the parsley, capers, chopped eggs and gherkins. Serve warm.

We were inspired to put this Vietnamese rice flour pancake on the menu after one of our past chefs mentioned its popularity back home in Vietnam. We fiddled around with it a bit to get it right, and when we put it on the menu, it was an instant hit.

I add Thai basil when in season, and use Vietnamese mint and lemon balm from my garden. It’s a great vegetarian dish, but you can also add some cold, sliced poached chicken if you wish.

This mixture will make approximately six Banh Xeo.

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For the pancake batter 200g rice flour 1 egg pinch of salt 1 teaspoon turmeric 400ml coconut milk sunflower oil for shallow frying For the filling About a quarter of a cup each of picked leaves of coriander and mint 1 spring onion, sliced thinly on the diagonal 1 carrot, peeled and julienned half a cup of bean sprouts For the sauce 40ml lime juice 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar 1 teaspoon sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) 2 teaspoons ginger, freshly grated 1 fresh red chilli 1 garlic clove, crushed Start with the batter. Place the rice flour, egg, salt and tumeric in a large bowl. Slowly add the coconut milk, whisking well to avoid any lumps. You want to get a thinnish pancake batter, with the consistency of single cream. Add more coconut milk or water if necessary. Set aside to rest.

To make the sauce, whisk together all ingredients, adjusting the amount of chilli to your liking.

When you are ready to make the pancakes, heat up a large, nonstick frypan roughly 22cm in diameter. Make sure it doesn’t get extremely hot. Add a small amount of sunflower oil.

Pour in about one quarter of the batter and swirl around to coat the bottom of the pan. The edges of the pancake can be thinner than the centre and turn crisp, or it can have all the same thickness like a regular pancake. Once the underside is golden brown, turn the pancake over and cook the other side. Remove from the pan.

50g icing sugar 225g unsalted butter, cut into chunks For the topping 6 eggs 590g caster sugar 115ml freshly squeezed lemon juice 50g plain flour 3/4 teaspoon baking powder Icing sugar for dusting Preheat the oven to 180C. Lightly grease a 33 x 23cm cake pan.

Place a warm pancake on each serving plate and pile with the herbs, carrot, spring onion and bean sprouts (and chicken if you’re including). Drizzle with the sauce and serve immediately.

To make the base, sift the flour and icing sugar into a large bowl.

Rub the butter into the flour and sugar using your fingertips to make a soft dough. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until lightly golden.

LEMON CURD SLICE

While that bakes, prepare the topping. Beat the eggs, sugar and lemon juice together in a bowl. Stir in the flour and baking powder.

Our lemon curd slice is one of our most popular slices from our traditional cake selection.

For the base 250g plain flour

When the shortbread base is ready, remove from the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes. Pour the lemon mixture over the base. Return to the oven, and bake for a further 25 minutes, or until the topping is set. Leave to cool in the pan for several hours before dusting with icing sugar. Cut into bars, and serve.

the hobson 59

the bookmark

To You, From Me This month, we revisit recently-reviewed favourites, with Mother's Day gift selection in mind

FIRST WOMEN Kate Andersen Brower (HarperCollins) Whether the recipient loves a delve into American history, or is just fascinated by the private world of the White House.

Brower has written an intimate portrait of modern first ladies, from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michelle Obama. I described it as a “candid and enlightening look at life upstairs and down at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave” when I first selected it as part of a cache of US political history books.

WHY WE LOVE MUSIC John Powell (Hachette) This is a fun, and informative, read for anyone with a musical ear. Scientist and musician Powell went through decades of research to delve into music and emotion, music as medicine, music and intelligence.

Did you know that carrying a musical instrument makes you more attractive?

That it can reduce pain at the dentist?

A delightful journey of psychology and science.

PLAYING FOR BOTH SIDES Love Across the Tasman

PLANT Exploring the Botanical World (Phaidon)

Stephanie Johnson (BWB Texts) Buying for someone who has lived in Australia? Well known novelist Johnson admits her relationship with Australia, and Australians, has been a confusing and complex one. She lived there, and had books published, so why didn’t she stay? Johnson explores her elusive, and somewhat ambivalent, feelings for that sunburnt country in this fascinating essay of place, and its part in one’s life.

A thumping tome of treasures for anyone green-fingered, or who just relishes the natural world. It’s a compilation of botanically-themed images, both photos and illustrations, which bring plants vividly to life. Many of the images are rare, or have never been published before.

THE NAME ON THE DOOR IS NOT MINE C.K. Stead (Allen & Unwin) An elegant collection of short stories that will delight lovers of the genre, and convince the more hesitant reader too.

When I first read these works, it reaffirmed for me that Stead is simply the best, and every time I pick it up, I’m still of that view.

Cleverly comic, thoughtful, an absolute delight.

And don't forget: THE AUCKLAND WRITER'S FESTIVAL Not just one book, but a celebration of works from 170 of the world’s best writers and thinkers. The festival is a feast, whether you’re a fan of crime fiction (Rebus creator Ian Rankin is a guest); want to hear Man Booker prizewinner Paul Beatty (The Sellout) or enjoy political satire (The Thick of It and Veep’s Armando Iannucci). There’s current feminist writing (Bad Feminist’s Roxane Gay) and restaurant criticism too (The Guardian’s Jay Rayner). See writersfestival.co.nz for the program and tickets. — Gail Woodward

the cinema

Les Films de Mai LE CORRESPONDANT

story is based on the best-selling book by Diane Ackerman.

Director Jean-Michel Ben Soussan.

Starring Charles Berling, Jimmy Labeeu, Sylvie Testud If you’re looking for a French equivalent to British teen comedy The Inbetweeners, this is for you. When high school misfits Malo and Stéphane begin university, they have one goal — to become popular. Failing almost immediately, Malo’s life becomes even more unravelled when he crosses paths with another student, an unhinged Goth, who’s determined to make his next three years a living hell.

MEAT Directed by David White In an era of an intense focus on food and its sources, this New Zealand documentary is the story of the animals we eat, as told by the people who breed, raise and sell meat for our consumption. Meat focuses on the work of three farmers and a hunter; and the journey from field, barn and forest to the supermarket fridge, told by voices not often heard.

ALIEN: COVENANT

FRENCH CUISINE Director Florent Emilio Siri.

Starring Franck Dubosc, Pascale Arbillot, Audrey Dana, Gérard Lanvin In this remake of the 1963 comedy La Cuisine au Beurre, (unhappily) married couple François and Charlotte own a coastal hotel and restaurant.

Determined to attain his first Michelin star, François will stop at nothing to attain his goal; whilst Charlotte’s goal is keeping the family together. Testing their relationship further is the surprise return of Charlotte’s first husband Alex, who was believed to have died.

THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE Director Niki Caro. Starring Jessica Chastain, Daniel Brühl, Iddo Goldberg, Johan Heldenbergh In 1939, husband and wife Dr Jan and Antonina Zabinski were running the

highly-regarded Warsaw Zoo. But when Germany invaded Poland and WWII was declared, the zoo was shuttered as a public attraction and put to other uses. In an extremely dangerous move, the Zabinskis worked with the Polish resistance to help wanted Poles, and Jews imprisoned in the city’s Ghetto, to evade the Nazis, hiding people in their own home and in the tunnels and cellars under the zoo. Directed

by NZ’s own Caro (Whale Rider), this true

Director Ridley Scott. Starring Michael Fassbender, James Franco, Guy Pearce, Noomi Rapace, Katherine Waterston The bitch is back. It’s several years after the horrors that befell the space crew in 2012’s Prometheus. In this sequel — and it’s a prequel too, to the original Alien franchise — the crew of the colony ship Covenant are bound for a planet on the other side of the universe. Believing this unknown land to be a haven for humankind, what they discover is a dangerous world, whose sole inhabitant is David, the only, and synthetic, survivor of the Prometheus expedition, and . . . aliens. — Caitlin McKenna All films listed are due to release at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket in May

the sound

Big Little Heart

S

o, my new favourite TV programme is Big Little Lies, screening on Sky’s Soho channel.

The HBO series is based on the book of the same name

by Liane Moriarty. It stars Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, and it’s set in the affluent enclave of Monterey.

California. It’s a tale of love, lust, betrayal, domestic violence, selfloathing and eventually, murder. I love it.

It’s helicopter parents on steroids who are deeply flawed and hiding behind polished and sleek exteriors. As one character says, “things don’t blow over in Monterey, they blow up”. They react to an alleged case of schoolyard bullying with venom, and they’re well-heeled enough that it means lawyers are involved, and they’re all psychopathic enough that it escalates to homicide. But who dies? Watch it to the end.

Perversely, part of me imagines that some parents in Remuera or Herne Bay might be capable of the same outrages, but who am I to say.

It’s grade A telly and after reading the book a year ago, I sat down to the first episode and was not disappointed. But after the first dynamite piece of exposition, it settled into the opening title sequence that HBO does so well. And I got the surprise of my life.

The theme music was Michael Kiwanuka’s “Cold Little Heart,” from his album of last year, Love and Hate. An album that got great reviews but still sold badly. The more observant of you might remember that I called that album the greatest undiscovered record of last year.

It’s like my personal song and artist. It’s the record that I ask friends, “have you heard this?” and if they haven’t, I give them a copy. I'm a Kiwanuka maven.

“Cold Little Heart” is perfect for Big Little Lies. It’s a song of longing and loathing. “Did you ever want it? Want it so bad? Oh my. It tears my heart apart. I hate myself.”

The choice of the song by the producers is just so clever — not only in the theme of the song, but also in Kiwanuka. He's a 29-year-old from North London, born to Ugandan refugee parents. He’s the sort of gritty-yet-polished soul singer that urban liberals love to discover and play on their expensive sound systems. Like the millionaire protagonists in the series. So shoot me, I’m one too (without the millions). But my god, he’s good.

The rest of the music in the series is awesome too, and apparently a soundtrack album is coming out, which will be perfect when you're feeling blue and dangerous on a cold and

windy night in your Omaha beach house, wondering where your spouse is.

“Cold Little Heart” made me think of other songs that have been co-opted by TV shows. HBO seems to be the experts at the game. When The Sopranos debuted in 1999, the world was introduced to the song “Woke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3.

It was perfect. The interesting thing is that Alabama 3 is actually a British band that came out of the rave scene. “Woke Up This Morning” was first released in the UK in 1997 where it reached the stunning heights of number 78 in the charts. But someone heard it and realised its potential, and eventually it was rereleased in 2000, and bought its writers new houses.

No-one had heard of Jace Everett when he released a self-titled album in 2005 which failed to chart. But on that album was a song called “Bad Things”. When that was used in 2009 as the theme to HBO’s True Blood, he finally had a chart hit, and now has written a number of songs that have done well for other artists.

English bands have been the biggest recipients of the lucky TV break. Massive Attack is legendary in the UK but barely scratched the US charts until “Teardrops” was used in the theme for House. Charmed added to Morrissey and Marr’s bank accounts when they used The Smith’s “How Soon Is Now”, and CSI helped Pete Townshend buy new hearing aids when they used not one, but three Who songs in their opening credits, the best being “Who Are You,” which was a perfect fit.

Then, of course, there are songs like Joey Scarbury's theme for The Greatest American Hero and Andrew Gold’s “Thank You For Being A Friend” from The Golden Girls. I always thought that the biggest break was for the Rembrandts’ “I’ll Be There For You” from Friends. The song was written for the show and was originally just 45 seconds long.

When people showed interest, it was extended into a full-length pop song, released and went to No 1 for eight weeks. Interestingly, the cast of Friends always hated the song.

The Telly Fairy of Good Fortune has indeed waved her magic wand over Michael Kiwanuka, and it couldn’t have happened to a more talented chap.

Yet, if I’m to be honest, there’s a little bit of me that resents that my favourite secret artist has been stolen from me and given to the world by a TV producer.

— Andrew Dickens

Blessed by the Telly Fairy of Good Fortune, artist Michael Kiwanuka. Image courtesy of Universal Music the hobson 62

the district diary

May 2017 1 Term 2 starts for most area schools 2 Painter Shintaro Nakahara and sculptor Ray Haydon exhibit together for the first time with “Reflector” at Sanderson Contemporary, Osborne Lane, Newmarket.

To May 21. (pictured, Ray Haydon Manouever II, 2016, carbon fibre, timber veneer. 1200 x 1150 x 250mm. $10,750) 4 Interested in thought-provoking design, urban visions, how we live now and in the future? Don’t miss the Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival, at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket to May 14. See rialto.co.nz

day. Ticket price includes entry to the vintage wedding dress exhibition, “Till Death Do Us Part”. Limited places, email highwic@heritage.org.nz or call 524 5729 to book. From 11.30am, 40 Gillies Ave The annual 5km Jennian Homes Mother’s Day Fun Run/Walk supports the Heart Foundation for Women campaign. Starts 8.30am at the Ellerslie Event Centre, 80 Ascot Ave, tickets from $14 and include a Dick Frizell-designed t-shirt. Register at jennianmothersday.com 16 The stand-out literary event, the Auckland Writers Festival programme gets underway

13 Mary’s Market has everything you need for babies, toddlers and kids, all under one roof. Quality brands at discounted prices; this is the place to be if you love a bargain.

Freemans Bay Community Hall, 52 Hepburn St, 9am-1pm

Ōrākei Market – gourmet, artisan, vintage, fresh. Every second Saturday from 9am, Orakei Community Centre, 156 Kepa Rd Board Games by the Bay is a familyfriendly event with a board game library, prizes and giveaways, games for sale, and designers trialling new games. Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-6pm, boardgamesbythebay.org.nz for tickets.

Auckland Bridge Club, 273 Remuera Rd

21 The St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra and fleetfingered bassoonist Ben Hoadley play Weber’s Concerto for Bassoon today, 2.20pm at St Matthewsin-the-City. Also on the programme is Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony No 6.

Tickets at the door, $25/$20 (under 12s free) or via eventfinda.co.nz. smco. org.nz

A free public event, the Thinking of Living in a Retirement Village seminar offers impartial information about the personal, legal and financial implications.

Registration a must, call 0800 268 269. 6pm start, refreshments provided. St Chads Anglican Church, 38 St Johns Rd, Meadowbank 5/6 For anyone starting or furthering a career in Early Childhood Education, the Great ECE Expo features a huge range of home-grown products and services developed specifically for the sector. Visit eceexpo.nz to download a free pass. ASB Showgrounds, Friday 4-8pm and Saturday 9am-4pm

range of contemporary art from established names to rising stars. All welcome, free entry, onsite café. 10.30-4pm Saturday and Sunday at Baradene, Victoria Ave, Remuera

today, to May 21. As well as talks by notable authors, there’s panel discussions, a children’s schedule and workshops happening in and around the Aotea Centre.

See writersfestival.org.nz for the schedule and tickets

14 Happy Mother’s Day! Put your feet up and relax. You deserve it`

17 The Pussy Galore Party is a fun way to raise funds for the registered charity The NZ Cat Foundation, with the aim to desex all stray, unwanted, community cats. Hosted by Anne Batley Burton. R18, $120pp, tickets from eventfinda.co.nz or 0800 289 849. The Windsor Castle, 144 Parnell Rd

Bring mum along to Highwic for a High Tea-style lunch, to celebrate her special

20 The Baradene Art Fair is on, offering a wide

the hobson 63

Today is the final session in Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Volume Sunday Sessions. Enjoy the sharp tunes of Shakes, Dave Weir’s psychedelic pop and the indie-pop diamonds of Dictaphone Blues.

Museum Atrium, free with museum entry, 12-2pm 24 Until June 5, the Doc Edge International Film Festival is screening award-winning feature length and short films including Kiwi offerings The Common Touch and Hoka Hey: A Good Day to Die. Q Theatre, Queen St. docedge.nz 31 Parnell Farmers’ Market, every Saturday from 8am-12pm. Our favourite locavore market. Fresh, local, delicious produce and edibles. Jubilee Building carpark, 545 Parnell Rd

the cryptic by mĀyĀ

ACROSS 1/9 Gold Card Ken’s twirl, flirting with someone who might be found at the Michael King Centre (8,6) 10 May put another 13 in as caretaker of a fortress (9) 11 Fiona giving rag to servant (6) 12 Michele has spirit in battle (9) 13 See 22 16 See 22 18 The NZ band put out by those making overtures (7) 19 Statesman I had back with zip, an’... (7) 20 . . . also a backsliding serpent (3) 22/16/13 Roughly order funny lad for Poet Laureate (5,3,5) 26 Saddle pursuer of status with dog (both

tailless) for Glenn (9) 27 Ivan’s greeting in bird house (6) 28 Māori rota may create temporary suspensions (9) 29 Orderin’ Ian (6) 30 Iron Lady (short), good person I included in holiday (8)

DOWN 2 “Province in Zaire” - what butler might be heard to say before one (6) 3 Boasting, heading off, playing with toy (6) 4 With flowers like Molly or Leopold (6) 5 Fastest pace zombie can achieve? (4,3) 6 Zombie film drizzl’d in a drop of sweat (9) 7 Has origin in grassroots? (5,4)

8 Work not started, no excavations yet, and no openings for islander (8) 14 Showering with high-energy electrons not a double-crossing (9) 15 Ancient coil in the generator (9) 16 Qua third King of Judah (3) 17 Tuck may follow this bite and . . . (3) 18 . . . confront Joker for the Queen of Hearts, perhaps (4,4) 21 Boastful type announces cancellation of performance (4-3) 23 Squeal rudely at one’s peers? (6) 24 Goldberg’s band touring West Indies (6) 25 Charioteer: “Was it the Centaur I gazed upon? Not entirely!” (6)

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

APRIL CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across: 1 Acts up, 5 Anarch, 9 One another, 10/12 Balmoral, 11 Campestral, 13 Anorak, 16 Yeomanry, 17 Diagonal, 18 Lycées, 21 Eggs, 22 Ins and outs, 24 Sate, 25 Exorcising, 26 Duncan, 27 Easter.

Down: 2 Contain, 3 Snapper, 4 Pious, 5 April fool, 6 Rearrange, 7 Himalayas, 8 Cherry blossom, 13 Addressed, 14 Orang-utan, 15 Kentigern, 19 Crosses, 20 Entente, 23 Niche

the hobson 64

g

ET into the GROOVE

ARTUSI CUCINA

1-415 REMUERA RD, VILLAGE GREEN, REMUERA

START YOUR WEEKEND WITH DJs

NATHAN HAINES & JAIMIE WEBSTER HAINES artusicucina.co.nz nathanhaines.com

ON ROTATION EVERY FRIDAY FROM 6PM

Exceptional Year, Extraordinary Results New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty would like to congratulate Ross Hawkins on being awarded the title of our national top performing licensee for a fifth year running.

“It has been a fantastic and rewarding journey under the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty umbrella. I enjoy representing and contributing to the growth of the brand both locally and globally and I thank my established clients for their support in achieving my goals by both listing and purchasing the extraordinary properties we pride ourselves in marketing.”

Every home is different but the extraordinary deserve the best

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

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