The Hobson October 2018

october 2018

eating in p eating out p local spring deliciousness local news, views & informed opinions

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The October Issue, No. 52 8

34

the editor’s letter

the auckland foundation

10

A year on from its launch, Delwyn Stewart salutes the winners of Women’s Foundation grants

the columnists

35 the hobson + farro

13 the village

Fresh picks from the Farro shelves

Salvation for the Clonbern Rd carpark woes, the Ōrākei Basin fence saga goes on, an aerial memorial and more, plus, enjoy The Village Voice, the Remuera Business Association’s new page

36 the appetite Lauraine Jacobs shares recipes from her latest book, Always Delicious, all cooked up in her Remuera kitchen

24 & 25 the councillors

40

News from local ward Councillors Mike Lee (Waitematā) and Desley Simpson (Ōrākei)

the providore Janene Draper came back to live in Remuera from Wellington with a bold idea — 12 years on, Farro is flying

28 the politicians

45

Local MPs David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith share their updates

the hobson + morell Meet the family behind our chic new neighbourhood bistro, Morell

30 the plan

46

Hamish Firth tried really hard to be positive this month.

Did it work?

the magpie You might need your sunnies for this one — spring is all about colour

31 the second act The things Sandy Burgham never thought she’d see

48

32

The tinkling keys of Clayderman, Herb Alpert’s brass . . .

Andrew Dickens reconsiders his first reaction to instrumentals

the sound

the investment Would you risk it? Guest columnist Ed Glennie subs for Warren Couillault this month

49

33

What’s going on in October

the diary

the teacher Judi Paape helps you navigate the assessments, tests and exams coming up for school students

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

34 the suburbanist Not quite halfway down Dominion Rd, Auckland Council has a problem, writes Tommy Honey

Good Eating with Lauraine We’re lucky to have one of NZ’s leading food writers living in our neighbourhood, and are delighted to share recipes from her latest book, Always Delicious.

We have three copies to give away courtesy of Lauraine Jacobs, so if you’d like one for your kitchen, please email business@thehobson.co.nz by 5pm, Friday October 26, with “Delicious” in the subject line. We will select three winners at random.

In the meantime, enjoy a taste of Always Delicious, on page 36. the hobson 6

“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 obstetrics.co.nz.

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

T

issue 52, october 2018 Editor & Publisher Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz Art Direction & Production Stephen Penny design@thehobson.co.nz

his month, we’re eating well. This issue presented itself with a natural them3 — local food. From our Village pages, where New World Remuera owner-operator Adrian Barkla talks about some exciting plans, to Mary Fitzgerald’s chat with Farro co-founder Janene Draper in her Remuera kitchen (see page 40). Talking about food trends Janene’s observed over 12 years of Farro, kale, Mary reports, won’t be going anywhere soon. That’s either good news or bad, depending on your view of the bitter green. I remember going into Jack Lum’s a few years ago and asking for it. “No-one’s asked me for kale for 10 years,” said Michael Lum, “but you’re the second person this week. What magazine are you guys reading?” Michael — because he’s good like that — promptly stocked kale and we’ve dutifully been digesting it ever since.

News Editor Mary Fitzgerald maryfitzgerald.thehobson@gmail.com Writers This Issue Kirsty Cameron, Mary Fitzgerald, Ed Glennie, Lauraine Jacobs, Justine Williams Sub-editor Fiona Wilson Columnists Sandy Burgham, Warren Couillault, Andrew Dickens, Hamish Firth, Paul Goldsmith, Mike Lee, Māyā, Judi Paape, David Seymour, Desley Simpson, Delwyn Stuart Photographers Liz Clarkson, Todd Eyre, Mary Fitzgerald, Stephen Penny

Cover Lauraine Jacobs’ Avocado & Gin and Lime Cured Salad, from Always Delcious. See page 36 THE HOBSON is published 10 times a year by The Hobson Limited, PO Box 37490 Parnell, Auckland 1151. www.thehobson.co.nz F: TheHobsonMagazine I: @TheHobson Ideas, suggestions, advertising inquiries welcome. editor@thehobson.co.nz

We’re also delighted to share some recipes from another local, Lauraine Jacobs, pictured here. The doyenne of NZ food writers, Lauraine buys as much as she can locally for her recipes, the most recent of which are published in her new book, Always Delicious. Lauraine lives on Remuera’s northern slopes, with a garden of roses, productive vege beds and fruit trees, including my personal favourite, a flourishing guava. She puts out the call in the autumn to come around and scoop them up. My guava shortcake is a seasonal treat that tastes sweeter by the gift of the fruit.

Enjoy cooking from Always Delicious, which begins on page 36.

Happy eating,

*

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

ARE YOU WRAPT ABOUT OUR WRAP?

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

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

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

The Hobson Ltd is a member of the Magazine Publishers Association This publication uses environmentally responsible papers

Shortly after our September issue was delivered, I received two emails.

The first was to say how much this reader enjoyed the magazine, and she appreciated that it was wrapped to “protect my treasured reading from the Auckland rain”. Then, a day later, another reader got in touch to express his disappointment that the magazine is wrapped in plastic, and could we please not. To be clear, we wrap our home-delivered copies because of our soggy climate. Our wrap is food-grade film and fully recyclable in the soft plastics bin at Remuera New World but yes, it is plastic. What do you think? Risk a sodden magazine and not wrap? We’d love to hear your views — check our Facebook page for a poll or email your thoughts.

ICG Logo CMYK.pdf 1 05/08/2015 6:19:01 AM

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The Columnists

Left to right from top row: Sandy Burgham (The Second Act) is a brand strategist and an executive coach with a special interest in midlife change and transformational behaviours. She runs a central Auckland practice. www.playclc.com Remuera resident Warren Couillault (The Investment) is an executive director and the major shareholder of Hobson Wealth Partners, a private wealth advisory group. He is a shareholder and director of Generate Investment Management Ltd; and manager of a registered Kiwisaver scheme.

Andrew Dickens (The Sound) is the host of the afternoon show on Newstalk ZB. For 13 years he was the breakfast host on Classic Hits. He grew up in Remuera.

Hamish Firth (The Plan) lives and works in Parnell and is principal of the Mt Hobson Group, a specialist urban planning consultancy. www.mthobsonproperties.co.nz Mary Fitzgerald is The Hobson’s News Editor. A Mainlander who transplanted to Remuera 14 years ago, she is passionate about hearing and telling our stories.

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

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

A Parnell resident, her column appears bi-monthly.

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

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

the hobson 10

A past to celebrate, a future to embrace Old Boys, current and past parents, and all friends of the School are invited to register to take part in a week of events to celebrate our sesquicentennial from 17-24 May, 2019.

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the village

Town & Around

ARTISTIC VISIONS AT RAWHITI A unique gallery is opening in Remuera, with art drawn from some of New Zealand’s most recognised artists. On behalf of Rawhiti Estate, Gow Langsford gallery director John Gow has commissioned artists Paul Dibble and Karl Maughan to each create a significant work. The artworks will be permanently displayed at the new retirement complex on the site of the former Rawhiti Bowling Club, Rangitoto Ave, Remuera.

In addition to the commissioned works, Gow is curating a collection of 60 artworks by “good, well known artists, such as Stanley Palmer and Marilyn Webb and Dick Frizzell” to create a New Zealand art showcase on Rawhiti’s walls. Gow says Rawhiti Estate is taking a visionary approach, and that this is the first time an installation of this standard has been commissioned for a retirement village in this country.

“This showcases Rawhiti Estate’s commitment to artworks in New Zealand. When there is more art out in public spaces, the wider population is better for it. The 60 art works will be spread across the estate and will occupy the common areas. Friends and family will be able to view the works exhibited throughout.”

The commissioned works include a substantial quadriptych by painter Karl Maughan and a dramatic wall relief installation by sculptor Paul Dibble.

“The Maughan piece is made up of four panels of oil on canvas from his well-recognised garden works series. The panels are full of beautiful colours, and will hang above the stairwell at the main entrance,” says Gow (pictured above with the Maughan work at its

pre-installation storage site).

The Dibble commission will be within the main atrium void, and will have the appearance of floating down three floors. The artist has incorporated native fauna and flora iconography, and the 24-piece work is patinated with bronze and gold leaf.

“The commissions were made on the basis of their appeal and contemporary nature, and also in the case of the Dibble sculpture, for its sympathy with the highly sculptural nature of the new building’s interior,” says Gow. Another 2.4m Dibble sculpture will also be located in the atrium.

Rawhiti Estate general manager Helen Martelli says there is growing recognition of art as a therapeutic tool in different settings, and a significant body of research is available showing the various ways art can benefit people as they age. She says this includes supporting emotional wellbeing, reducing stress levels and reducing feelings of loneliness, as well as providing direct benefits to cognitive abilities.

“This puts Rawhiti Estate in a separate category of aged care – the quality of this collection and these commissioned pieces will provide residents with a special environment – and there are the great benefits from an art therapy point of view,” says Gow. “I think it is a way of giving back to the community by Rawhiti Estate and it will create conversations within.”

The commissioned artworks will be celebrated with a special opening ceremony at Rawhiti Estate at a date to be announced. See rawhiti.co.nz for details. — Mary Fitzgerald p

the hobson 12

SPRING IS HERE! THINKING OF SELLING?

REMUERA’S RETAIL AND PARKING GEARS UP Get ready for some big changes to Remuera retail – it’s on track for a facelift with some major changes planned for the New World Remuera site and the challenged Clonbern Rd public carpark.

Remuera New World owner-operator Adrian Barkla says that the vision for the redevelopment, “is to wipe the slate clean and to start again”.

“We plan to build a new retail complex with a combination of supermarket and retail space, supported by two to three levels of underground parking with over 400 parking spaces.” All parking spaces will be extra-wide to accommodate the popular local choice of larger SUV vehicles, now banned for weight reasons from the top level of the Clonbern Rd carpark. “I know this will make a real difference to our customers.”

Barkla (pictured above) says Foodstuffs, owner of the New World brand, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Auckland Transport — owner of the carpark — to develop the site and that a design scoping document has been put out to three architectural practices. “We are going to invigorate Remuera with this development and I would provisionally estimate that the project will be completed in three to four years,” he says. “It is likely that the laneway alongside the Clonbern Rd carpark will also be given a facelift.”

Barkla says the brief to the architects is to work with potential tenants and landlords to create a retail space that will be great for Remuera. Also happy with the upgrades mooted is Ōrākei Local Board chair, Kit Parkinson. “We at the Local Board are looking at the possibility of a community space in what will be the redeveloped retail space,” Parkinson told The Hobson. “This is one option among many we are considering as a possible community facility.”

The long-awaited upgrading of the two-level Clonbern Rd carpark and its 165 parks also has the support of the Remuera Business Association, which Barkla chairs. “The existing carpark is definitely over its use-by date,” he says.

The top level of the carpark was built in 1982 by private interests.

After 10 years, it passed into Council ownership, and is now owned and managed by the Council organisation, Auckland Transport (AT). The covered bottom level is also owned by AT. The uncovered area of the lower level, nearest the supermarket, is owned by Foodstuffs, who also lease some of the covered carparks from AT for New World customers.

In 2014, AT fenced off the parks on the outer edge of the top level due to seismic safety concerns, and made repairs to the structure.

AT considered closing the top deck completely, but the Ōrākei Local Board fought for it to remain open, with regular monitoring.

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the village

“The results of an assessment of the carpark a number of years ago indicated that it had a number of issues,” says former OLB chair and now Ōrākei ward councillor, Desley Simpson. “The board recognised the importance the carpark had to users of the Remuera business district, and was committed to ensuring that if at all possible, it stayed open”.

Monthly checks have occurred to monitor the carpark, its weight levels and seismic condition. As a result, weight restrictions for the top level are now in place, with signage requesting that heavy, SUV-type vehicles, vans and utes park elsewhere.

“Clonbern Rd carpark users either need to abide by the weight restrictions, or face the real possibility that the top section will be further restricted in how it can be used, or potentially closed,” says Simpson.

“I’m hopeful users will understand the importance of the weight restrictions and abide by them to ensure the existing carpark remains safe to use until the new carpark is developed”.

“Foodstuffs understands the importance of the shopping area to Remuera as a whole, and that it not only needs a well-designed shopping complex, it needs to be supported by a modern, functional carpark,” says Barkla.

“The property guys at Foodstuffs have been absolutely excellent to deal with, keeping us really well informed. I am certain that this project will flow well and be great for Remuera residents once it is finished.”

— Mary Fitzgerald p

THE GREAT ŌRĀKEI BASIN PATHWAY FENCE-OFF Information remains on hold by NZTA relating to their costs and management of Ōrākei Basin’s shared pathway development. NZTA is not prepared to provide details on costs of the pathway, or indeed who the main contact person is representing them and Auckland Transport for the project.

In June, the 1.4m high metal railings installed on the pathway left residents and local authorities frustrated due to the impact on views across the basin. It became apparent the fence had design faults, including visually turning into a solid wall from some angles, taking away the basin views .

The $4.9 million project to widen the Ōrākei Basin boardwalk from 2.7m to 4.5m, is one stage in the four-stage Glen Innes to Tamaki Dr shared pathway project, a partnership between NZTA and AT. In our September issue, The Hobson reported there was good news regarding the Basin’s much maligned metal fencing.

The then-partially installed fence would be replaced, but first, was to be fully installed to ensure the totally pathway connection was completed. NZTA chief executive Fergus Gammie confirmed to The Hobson in August that “work is progressing on the Ōrākei Basin boardwalk of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Dr shared path and this is scheduled for completion by the end of 2018. Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency thank the public for their patience while this work is completed”.

Gammie confirmed that AT and NZTA

Years 1–13

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the hobson 14

planned a public consultation on the design of the next stage of the project (Stage 2).

The specific timing was still being finalised, but once details are confirmed, they will be communicated to all interested parties.

“Following the consultation process, the design will be finalised and apply to that section. It will also be considered for the remaining sections. Auckland Transport and NZTA will consider if design changes are also appropriate to the boardwalk section (section 3)”, Gammie said.

NZTA is yet to respond to five of the nine questions The Hobson submitted in August relating to the costs, design and management of the shared pathway.

In late August, NZTA communications spokesperson Darryl Walker confirmed NZTA would not be answering the remaining five questions. “I’m very sorry but I cannot provide answers to your second set of questions. I can’t get them signed off. We will have to stand by the response we first sent you from the (NZTA) Chief Executive.”

The unanswered questions: 1. Who is the spokesperson representing Auckland Transport and NZTA on the cycleway project?

2. The final cost of the 1.4m metal railing fencing and the cost of replacement with a new design along Ōrākei Basin pathway 3. The cost of the Ōrākei Basin shared pathway redevelopment 4. What is planned for the existing northern timber handrail on the railway line side of the Ōrākei Basin shared pathway — will the existing wooden fence remain or will it be removed and replaced with a metal railing?

the hobson + the remuera village voice

Welcome to Remuera

T

he Remuera Business Association is proud to announce an ongoing presence in The Hobson with our own page, The Village Voice. This is an opportunity for the Remuera Business Association (RBA) to keep you abreast of the events and news in the Remuera Village. For the first issue of The Village Voice we wanted to highlight how Remuera Village is performing.

Whether you are a Remuera resident or a visitor, no doubt you are well acquainted with the beautifully maintained historic Edwardian houses blended with the modern, architecturally designed new builds and developments along with the picturesque streets lined with lush trees. And the area’s 360˚ views of Rangitoto, Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill and the Sky Tower to Maungarei/Mt Wellington. A quick hike up Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson reveals some of the most exquisite views of Auckland city, while a brisk walk to Wilson’s Beach or Waiata Reserve helps many locals start their day.

If you are one of the 19,000 residents of Remuera, no doubt you share an innate sense of pride, status and belonging in this idyllic place in the world. However, at the heart and core of Remuera, keeping the community together, is our Remuera Village.

Remuera Village, with its timeless charm but modern appeal, has, in a tough volatile retail market, survived the test of time again and again. It’s held tight to its reputation and has not relinquished its traditional roots and as a result, Remuera is flourishing.

With the RBA investing in marketing and events, we are also focused on economic development too, working with landlords and prospective retailers to get ready to develop a strong ‘clicks and mortar’ approach and promote the area — and it is proving to be fruitful. Figures show that the number of shop vacancies have reduced from 11 to six in the last 12 months.

Empty shops are a worldwide neighbourhood issue due to a decrease in traditional retail. However, Remuera is having positive growth and a positive effect with more than 5000 transactions per day by active shoppers, and some of the best performing retailers in the country. Total spending within the Remuera Village has increased in the past 12 months with more than 90 per cent of Remuera’s customers coming from Auckland’s central suburbs. With 54.5 per cent of the spend coming from Remuera residents, they are staying true to the Village brand of ‘Live Life Local’.

In combination with Remuera Village’s community events such as Bastille Day — which this year attracted approximately 5000 people and a retail spending boost of 46 per cent on the day — its central location, heavy foot traffic, influential private and public schools, close proximity to the CBD, motorways and train routes including the Ōrākei, Greenlane and Remuera stations, it’s no wonder new businesses are arriving. Remuera Village has attracted some household names with Redcurrent, Baksana, Bed Bath N’ Table and Go Go Kids recently opening.

Blended with Remuera’s existing desirable retail stores and businesses, the Village is attracting thousands of shoppers from across Auckland into the Remuera community each week. Along with this, the RBA’s recent ‘Live Life Local’ video marketing campaign features local businesses and customers, attracting more than 37,000 views.

With prospective developments in the two-to-three year pipeline, business owners are taking notice. As the RBA continues to plan and roll out community events and work in

Welcoming faces in the Village: from top, Christie Fan and Mari Taylor show Bastille Day style at Maman, business owner Sarah Clark with Sandra Madden at Hedgerow, your refreshment specialist, Tea & Coffee Lovers' Echo Li

collaboration with landlords, our vision is to keep Remuera connected and to keep strengthening community spirit, to achieve more positive growth, increased foot traffic, and to continue local community spending, while attracting new visitors.

In essence, with the current retail economics and trends, market view reports suggest Remuera is still holding strong and is a desirable location to be operating businesses.

Next month, The Village Voice will introduce a few of the exciting new business faces in the precinct. We look forward to sharing their stories with you.

the village

5. Does an up-to-date schedule exist, providing works costs and timings for completion of the Ōrākei Basin shared pathway and commencement and completion of the remaining two stages? Is this publicly available?

We’ll keep you posted. — Mary Fitzgerald p

THE STORY OF . . . THE FLYING SCHOOL PLAQUE

Mission Bay is a special place to amble with family and friends, to take in the views across the Waitematā to Devonport and Rangitoto. With so much to see it can be easy to overlook the New Zealand Flying School sundial and plaque, located next to the fountain on Mission Bay Reserve.

The New Zealand Flying School was established by brothers Vivian and Leo Walsh in 1915. The Walsh brothers went on to train 110 pilots who served in WWI, gaining commissions in the UK’s Royal Flying Corps and, subsequently, the Royal Air Force. The pilots received most of their initial training in flying boats at the Walsh Brother’s Flying School at the part of the Kohimarama coastal strip which is modernday Mission Bay. (Mission Bay suburb was not given a separate name until the 1920s).

The New Zealand Flying School was the first private flying school enterprise to be established in New Zealand, and the stone Melanesian Mission building was used as the school's headquarters. According to Te Ara, the encylopedia of NZ, the Walsh brothers designed the first flying boats in the Southern Hemisphere. The first flight took place in January 1915.

Four two-seater training aircraft were built at the school, based on USA Curtiss biplanes, and rigged out to operate as seaplanes.

The government purchased the assets of the flying school in 1924 and it was relocated to Hobsonville a few years later. The legacy of the Walsh brothers’ achievements and name lives on in the Walsh Memorial Scouts Flying School at Matamata, which trains young aviators. p

LOCAL BOARD NEWS A new path funded by the Waitematā Local Board that connects Parnell Train Station to Nicholls Lane — a key accessway to Stanley St and the university — is now open for pedestrians. Work has also started on a walkway to improve access from the station to the Museum.

Also in Parnell, Auckland Transport has agreed to fast track the implementation of proposed Parnell parking changes, which will see the extension of resident-only parking areas. There are still issues to resolve regarding how the current scheme is working for residents. For updates see at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/parnellparking-improvements Parnell Cricket Club chair Craig Presland has

Mary Fitzgerald

Mary Fitzgerald visits the memorial to Mission Bay’s significant aviation history

presented a proposal to the Ōrākei Local Board on behalf of the Club, which is looking for funding to upgrade Bloodworth Park, bringing it up to the same standard as the neighbouring Shore Rd fields. PCC is also proposing to build a new club pavilion on Bloodworth Park, for which it is fundraising. It will remove the small club building sited near Shore Rd, and will seek a partner for winter use of the new pavilion.

The Ōrākei Local Board is applying to Auckland Transport for a bylaw that will have trucks and other large vehicles prohibited from using Ngapipi and Kepa roads, as advocated for in the board’s threeyear plan.

Holy Trinity Cathedral has been granted $1500 by the Waitematā the hobson 16

Local Board, for costs associated with providing a tour of the cathedral and related heritage buildings as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival, which runs from 29 September to 14 October. For Festival events locally, see The District Diary, page 49.

The Teed St upgrades are complete, and have been marked with a ceremony by the Waitematā Local Board and area retailers. A commissioned artwork by sculptor Ray Haydon has been installed as the finishing touch on the revamped streetscape.

— Reporting by Mary Fitzgerald p Correction: We were supplied the wrong information for our September issue about the JP desk at Remuera Library. JPs are available Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Fridays 12-2pm.

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the village

Meet Your Reps

Continuing with our series profiling local board members, this month Mary Fitzgerald meets the Waitematā Local Board’s Shale Chambers Shale Chambers lives in an apartment in Beaumont Quarter in the CBD. Chair of the board for six years since its inception in 2010, he handed the reigns to Pippa Coom after the 2016 election and became deputy chair. A lawyer for 35 years, he’s a partner in the legal practice ChambersCraigJarvis and has served as a director of entities including NZ Post, Vector and MetService, and is a two-term elected trustee of Entrust.

Why did you stand for your local board?

I was a support person to my Councillor spouse (Glenda Fryer, now deputy chair of the Albert-Eden Local Board). I was attracted to the new role of local board member because it seemed to offer the chance to meaningfully reflect local wishes and to bring what skills I possessed to the important centre of the new Super City.

What board portfolios are you responsible for?

As a long-standing member and former chair, I’ve covered many roles and projects in eight years, but am presently lead in Parks and Recreation, and support in Arts, Culture and Events.

What do you consider to be your top achievements?

The achievements aren’t mine, they are

the result of team efforts. But I am proud to have led or overseen some fantastic projects through to completion. The Ellen Melville Centre is a wonderful community facility. The Pt Resolution Bridge and stairways won awards. Newmarket’s Laneways Plan, including the Teed St upgrade, will position a critical retail destination for the future. The WeonaWestmere Walkway is magnificent.

Ponsonby Rd’s pedestrian streetscape upgrade is innovative. The there’s the Victoria Park Skatepark, the historic Tepid Bath redevelopment, the Symonds St Cemetery upgrade, Myers Park and Western Park upgrades.

There is also is the playing a part in the revival of Wynyard Quarter and our waterfront. I’m fond too of some of the smaller but rewarding projects, like the Misery artworks in K Rd, and bringing bees back to our city centre.

Another achievement has been helping shape local boards from scratch as effective voices, including developing the process for input into resource consents, being part of the working party that developed the Auckland Unitary Plan, and membership on the leadership team of the recent governance framework review.

What top four things do you intend to yet achieve, and why are they important?

Seeing a whole-of-site Ponsonby Park under construction to create a civic space in an urban park. Completing our remaining Parks Development Plans to help drive improvements in the hobson 18

our destination parks. Getting basic maintenance right with our park contractors – shortly to be extended to streets. Ensuring progressive voices that will help drive Auckland forward continue to be heard in Waitematā.

Tell us something about yourself that will surprise your community.

I am retiring from elected office next year, satisfied with what our board team has helped deliver to date for Auckland. I urge forward-thinking people who want to be part of making a contribution to their community to think about coming forward as new board members.

If you were prime minister what would you do to improve Auckland?

This government is fast ticking off my list, but solving our growing homelessness problem and housing affordability issues would be top of my list.

What is your favourite escape in Auckland?

Orere Point on the east Manukau coast.

Tell us a little about your family.

I have been married to Glenda Fryer for more than 30 years, and together we have four, now young adult children.

Both Glenda and my ancestors’ arrived in Auckland in 1840 and were, together, two of the first 13 government employees of the new capital.

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the village

What you need to know about . . .

This month, we meet Anton Coetze, who tells us about the social and sports institution, the Remuera Club in Ohinerau St What does the Remuera Club offer?

We have a pleasant, friendly and relaxed atmosphere in modern premises. We’re centrally located, with ample parking, personal, efficient service and great catering.

Why would someone decide to join?

The club has a beautiful north-facing courtyard garden with outdoor seating, table umbrellas and colourful gardens.

The spacious club houses a sports bar, a restaurant, fully catered function rooms seating up to 200 guests; plus snooker and 8-ball, big screen TVs for live sport, TAB and dart boards. The Gaming Lounge has 12 machines which are continually being upgraded. We also have over 200 car parks!

What are some of the things that go on?

Wednesday and Friday evenings are ‘Club Nights’ where we have raffles and draws.

We also have a monthly entertainment schedule — this month we’ve got The Mermaids performing ABBA, and in November, Brown Sugar is a Rolling Stones tribute. Besides that, we have jazz afternoons and in summer, “Lazy Sundays,” with live music in the courtyard — you can relax with a platter and a drink. There’s several sections or interest groups, including our wine section, which meets once a month. Normally six wines are tasted with dinner, for $35 all included. Then there is also the golf section, cricket, snooker, bowls, a ladies’ section.

What’s the history of the club?

Formerly known as the Commercial Travellers Club, the club was formed in 1901 in High St, in the city. It moved to its current location in Ohinerau St in 1968, and is now known as the Remuera Club.

star hotel in London, to being in charge of the private dining rooms of HSBC, also in London. In New Zealand I worked for a couple of hotels and spent some time at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron before coming here to the Remuera Club.

What is your role? And what did you do before?

I am the general manager and have been here over 10 years. I have a Diploma in Hotel Management and over 30 years of experience — I have worked in many sectors of the hospitality industry, from a small boutique hotel in South Africa, to a four

What about outside of work? What will we find you doing?

Gym, family, friends, food and wine. Not necessarily in that order!

The Remuera Club, 27-33 Ohinerau St, Remuera. remueraclub.co.nz (09) 524 4094

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the village

DILWORTH HONOURED — AND THE FUTURE MAY BE FEMALE Dilworth school founder, investor and philanthropist James Dilworth, has been inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame along with eight other notables honoured for making a “significant contribution to the economic and social development” of NZ. Marking the occasion, the school’s Trust Board has also announced plans for the upgrading of its senior school campus, and the further investigation of creating an additional boarding school for girls too.

The Irish-born Dilworth (1815-94), with wife Isabella, left a legacy to create a school for boys “from good families with limited means” so they could reach their potential and become “good and useful members of society”. Over the past 112 years, more than 5000 boys have received a fully-funded boarding school education. Today, the school operates over three sites — the Y5-8 campus on Market Rd, Remuera, a rural campus for Year 9 students at Mangatāwhiri and the senior school on Great South Rd, Epsom.

While James Dilworth’s fortune provided for a school for boys, there is provision within his will to investigate a girls’ school, but the development and operation costs cannot be funded from the existing Trust — the board will need to raise funds and attract investors. “Opening a school for girls would be an exciting evolution for the Trust as it would clearly address an unmet need, but it will take some time to fully plan and secure funding,” says Dilworth Trust Board chair, Aaron Snodgrass.

Snodgrass says there are ongoing inquiries from the community for girls’ education. “We also receive approximately five applications for every [boys’] space we have available so we know there is a need

for what we offer. We are strongly of the view that the sisters of Dilworth students and others in need should be provided with the same opportunities.”

An old boy of the school, Snodgrass says educational statistics and outcomes for girls in low decile schools “are almost as bleak as they are for boys, as are child poverty statistics in our country”.

“We know Dilworth works. Immersing boys in a wrap-around environment of learning, support and care helps them achieve things they could never have imagined. Once they leave our gates, Dilworth students achieve a higher level of education than many of their peers, which correlates to higher incomes.

“A recent social impact study that we have completed shows that a boy who goes through Dilworth contributes incrementally at least $1m more to the New Zealand economy over the course of their lifetime, than their peers from lower decile schools.

“With an average of 80 boys graduating each year, this equates to around $80 million more over the lifetime of just one year of Dilworth graduates. We’ve only had a small number of Old Boys send their own sons to Dilworth, which is a measure of success, we believe.”

The upgrade of the senior campus is likely to include high-tech learning centres, workshops and innovation labs. The board has approved an 18-month best-practice global research process to guide the redevelopment. A search is also underway for a new head to start next year — after more than 20 years, principal Donald MacLean is retiring. — Kirsty Cameron p

the hobson 22

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the councillors

Desley Simpson

I

f you are one of the ratepayers who has objected to your new valuation, you are not alone. Auckland Council has found itself in a situation not of its making, whereby the valuation contractor has not met its obligations to respond to objections in the time set. Over 5000 ratepayers are waiting for their objection to be processed, and at time of writing, there was still a huge backlog. By law we had to send out the rates notices based on that new valuation and this has upset many, especially those who wanted their new valuations assessed lower. I was alerted to this by a constituent and quickly found this to be a region-wide problem.

Council has now contacted those affected with options for payments until the revaluation backlog has been cleared. Whilst our valuation contractor has had payment withheld as a result of contractual obligations not being met, I can only apologise for this inconvenience which I reiterate, has not been of Council’s making.

Another rates issue which has caught media attention is Council’s rating for church properties. Prior to amalgamation, different councils rated churches differently. Some were rated with remissions options, some weren’t.

At the end of the last political term, the former Auckland Council decided to review this issue. The review identified some anomalies but no political decision was made. For some churches, the implementation of Council staff decisions has seen rates go from $400 per annum, to $28,000 pa. with no notification of cost increases.

Rates for churches have been halted, with no penalties, until a full report comes to Councillors on the impacts and assessments with remissions options.

More and more, church meeting rooms and halls are used for community meetings. With intensification occurring rapidly, this type of space will be harder for Council to find, and the desire by the community to have spaces available becomes greater.

Onto transport. I recently received the first report on the implementation of the Tamaki Dr/Ngapipi Rd intersection safety upgrade. To my surprise — yes, I’m

honest enough to admit it — the report found that the new traffic lights have improved vehicle movements east/west along Tamaki Dr during peak hour, by an average of one minute. The Ngapipi Rd traffic however, has slowed by an average of 90 seconds as a result of the traffic lights. Auckland Transport tells me this may be because vehicles are still getting used to the two left turn lanes onto Tamaki Dr, and that they will continue to monitor and tweak light movements to get improvement. The safety aspects,

design and form of the original stonewall (as you’ll see in the photo), in keeping with its historic look and feel.

There is also welcome news from AT and other agencies following my advocacy regarding road safety improvements for the Ōrākei ward. Recent statistics have our ward well down the list in terms of road safety. In fact, we are a disappointing 17th out of the 21 local board areas for road safety issues. Our death and serious injuries have also increased by 4 per cent in the last five years.

especially for pedestrians and cyclists, show significant improvement.

The intersection also came with an extension of the seawall, which many of you know has considerable historical significance. When the Tamaki Dr seawall was built in the 1930s, most of the stone came from Mt Wellington quarries, but some of the stone used came from the old Shortland St post office when it was demolished (yes, they were into recycling even back then). The new stone we have used isn’t new either. It too has been ‘recycled’, mostly from excavation associated with old Transpower projects to underground power lines. It has been hand-placed by contractors to match the

So, I am pleased to advise that this financial year we will be investing over $1 million on new initiatives in the ward to address road safety, including 14 pedestrian safety projects planned for completion in the next two years.

the hobson 24

Desley Simpson is the Councillor for Auckland representing the Ōrākei ward

Mike Lee

P

eople may have noticed a subtle change in the wording of the latest official publicity about the proposed $3.5b light rail project to Auckland International Airport. Mysteriously the word ‘airport’ has been airbrushed out. ‘City to Airport’ has been replaced with ‘City to Māngere’. What can this mean?

It would appear that the idea of trams providing a feasible ‘rapid transit’ (average speed, 23.3kph) solution to and from Auckland airport has been grudgingly accepted by officialdom as unrealistic.

Not that officialdom would ever admit this. It’s just the latest twist in Auckland’s light rail saga, which tragically has become dominated by political egos, technical ignorance and group-think, instead of being about Aucklanders’ needs and reducing traffic congestion.

It wasn’t always so. As recently as May 2015 I was able to write: “Auckland Transport’s announcement in January that it was seriously investigating a light rail solution for Auckland as a part of the draft Regional Land Transport Plan . . . is the best news on the transport front for Auckland since the go-ahead for rail electrification.

Auckland Transport (AT) has taken this remarkable step – leap more like it – because its modelling in the City Centre Future Access Study kept pointing to the inescapable conclusion that by 2021, the recommended maximum of 130 buses per hour on key city corridors like Symonds St will be seriously exceeded – even with the City Rail Link. This means chronic grid-lock.

AT is therefore scoping a modern Light Rail Transit (LRT) system comprising four lines, Dominion, Sandringham, Mt Eden and Manukau roads, converging on Queen St and Symonds St, with the first stage a 7km Wynyard Quarter, Queen St, Dominion Rd line. Much more modest than Auckland’s historic 72km electric tramway but, in our time, without doubt a bold and visionary concept.”

Sadly that original sensible approach, phasing in modern trams to replace buses on congested arterials, well supported by Aucklanders at the time, was received with behind-the-scenes anger by the National government. In response, Auckland Transport senior management ditched the previously agreed future heavy rail link to the airport, proposing instead a single tramline via Dominion Rd. They also quietly dropped original plans for a Melbourne-style modern tram network for the Auckland isthmus and inner city. Excuse the pun, but things went off the rails from then on.

In late 2015 Phil Goff, after briefings from AT, announced light rail to the airport as a key policy of his mayoral campaign. In June 2016, the board of NZTA voted to exclude any future heavy rail connection to Auckland airport. A couple of weeks later the board of AT followed in lockstep, with only one director voting against – me. A few months later, cheered on by the trucking lobby, AT demolished the Neilson St overbridge replacing the road at grade, thus blocking the rail corridor from Onehunga to the airport.

In 2017, taking the cue from his old political mentor, Labour’s Phil Twyford took up the policy of light rail to the airport – taking it over completely when Goff, after commissioning another secret report, this time from AT — and evidently being put off by what he read — appeared to lose interest. Ironically, responsibilty for the light rail project has been taken off AT and placed in the hands of

Melbourne's public transport network includes the extensive light rail (tram) network, and trains (heavy rail). Further investment in trains to the city's airport was recently announced.

NZTA, which has always been a roads agency.

No matter, NZTA appears to have the requisite enthusiasm. In a recent New Zealand Herald opinion piece, its CEO Fergus Gammie extolled the “transformational”, “rapid” light rail plan as a “game changer” etc.

But our politicians and bureaucrats have been too clever by half and have got themselves into a strategic muddle. Servicing Auckland airport and reducing road congestion — the original primary objectives — are now being downplayed, the new reason for light rail, as Mr Gammie enthusiastically announced, is as a catalyst for more residential housing investment and ‘growth’. Graphically underscoring just how removed from the practical realities of public transport, and the best use of light rail, our decision makers are, they intend to replace 20 existing bus stops in the Dominion Rd corridor (south of New North Rd) with only eight tram stops. As for residents and business owners in the Dominion Rd area, after putting up with prolonged disruption from construction, they can look forward to a rather long walk to catch a tram. This can only mean more use of cars and so even more congestion.

This does not mean the powers-that-be are now open to a separate solution for the 25 million passengers predicted to use Auckland International Airport by 2028 — namely a 6.8km fast electric train connection from Puhinui. No. Long-distance passengers with their baggage not willing to take the slow, crowded tram will have to take a bus (perhaps one day a tram) to and from Puhinui train station. Researcher Paul Miller, who is about to launch a new transport lobby group, START (Straight To Airport Rapid Trains), recently released data showing Twyford’s trams to the airport will be one of the slowest airport rail services in the world. Transformational? $3.5b and counting is a huge amount of money just to sabotage two very sensible transport plans and turn them into a dysfunctional lash-up. Auckland deserves better than this.

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

the hobson 25

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the politicians

David Seymour

E

psom MP David Seymour is putting out the call for committed student politicians Youth Parliament is a simple but brilliant concept for engaging young people in politics. An MP picks a high-school aged student to sit in their seat for two days every two years. That individual will be speaking in the House, sitting on select committees, and hopefully doing as little damage to the nation as possible, just like a real MP. The twist is that this year I’m going to shake up the selection for Youth MP for Epsom, with a contest that no electorate has seen before.

Usually each MP advertises, interviews, and appoints a representative, but that is undemocratic. Instead, the Epsom electorate will host a no-holds-barred election to find out who will represent the electorate in my place for Youth Parliament 2019.

Any smart candidate starts their campaign by finding out the electoral rules.

A bit boring, but essential. Who is allowed to vote (students holding a current ID for a school located within the Epsom electorate), when will the voting open (after each candidate has debated at Auckland Normal Intermediate at 1:30pm on Sunday, October 14), how does one qualify as a candidate (must hold a valid ID for a school in the electorate and be nominated by two people who hold the same, email mpepsom@ parliament.govt.nz for nomination forms), who wins (the person with the most votes, there is no second ballot or transfer of votes), when do nominations open (they opened on September 1) when do nominations close (September 30), how will the votes be recorded (by secret ballot, forms issued on the day)? These are some of the questions a candidate might ask, the full rules are shared on my Facebook page.

The next part of a successful campaign is political strategy. Political strategy comes down to having compelling answers to two questions — who is going to vote for the candidate, and why? Then, tactics: how will the voters be reached and motivated to turn out? Critical decisions: will the candidate avoid certain issues, will they attack opponents directly or stay positive in their campaigning? Budget, will they spend money getting elected, how much, how will they raise it? Organisation, will they have a campaign manager, who, and what other positions?

Here are a few things that I think might happen, that would be allowed within the rules. Students will use Facebook and Instagram to promote their campaigns.

They will seek endorsements from various figures. There will be custom t-shirts.

Potentially, whole schools will rally around a candidate. Having one of the big state high schools on side would be very powerful, but how do you avoid splitting the vote within such large schools? Students will try to send their IDs along to the debate with friends, so their vote can count. This last tactic will not be allowed.

Ultimately, the successful candidate will be the one who manages to motivate the most eligible voters to turn out at the convention on Sunday, October 14, and vote for them, or perhaps persuade some of those who turn up.

Of course, it would be a lot easier to simply interview a few kids and send one of them to Wellington. The 2016 Youth MP for Epsom, Hannah Monigatti, acquitted herself very well. But I’m doing this for a few reasons.

Too often, I knock on a door and a teenager answers, then runs to get their parent before I can even ask their views.

This is worrying, and I genuinely don’t

think it is me. I have one of the biggest youth social media followings in New Zealand politics, but there seems to be a problem with translating from online following to real life discussion, let alone action. Hence the in-person vote.

Just this morning I read that schools are removing the three-legged race because losing might hurt feelings. I hate to think what kind of teacher thinks kids invest their self-esteem in three-legged races, but this will be a real contest of the sort kids should be able to handle.

I also believe that there is not enough talent in Parliament. We have people who are Ministers of the Crown who do not grasp the underlying policy principles of their portfolio (just look at Phil Twyford).

We need to widen the pool of potential MPs, and we won’t get far by sending one of a dozen kids who sent their CVs to Youth Parliament every two years.

With a little luck, this contest will get the students of the Epsom electorate off their phones and into the frontlines of the political traditions that have served our country well for 170 years.

David Seymour is the MP for Epsom

Paul Goldsmith

T

he last week of August brought an invitation from the Newmarket Rotary Club to speak. Coincidentally, the lunchtime address came the same day that the Prime Minister delivered a breakfast speech designed to launch the government’s economic development strategy. So I offered a critique.

Having scrapped the previous National government’s Business Growth Agenda, which outlined many detailed policies to build a more competitive and productive economy, the business community the hobson 28

particularly was keen after 10 months of government to see what would replace it.

In short, growth has been taken out of the Business Growth Agenda. We now have the Business Partnership Agenda.

The Prime Minister listed various goals and objectives – inclusivity, sustainability, fairer distribution of wealth and productivity gains – but sadly there was virtually no detail. Focusing on the economic growth strategy, just saying you want higher productivity is not sufficient.

The question is how?

There is not a single detail, proposal or policy in the PM’s speech that points to increasing our productivity or growing our per-person income. It’s not what you say that matters, it’s what you do.

One way to increase productivity is to increase investment.

What has been done? This government has made it much more difficult for foreign investment to come into the country.

Meantime, would-be investors don’t know if they’re going to pay a capital gains tax on their investment. That’s pretty important.

Another way to improve productivity is to deliver a skilled and willing workforce. What has the government done there? It’s spent $2.8 billion on tertiary students, producing no increase in students and no improvement in the quality of the institutions. It has done away with national standards in the schools and is going to reduce or jettison sanctions designed to encourage jobseeker beneficiaries to be drug-free and available to work. How is that going to help?

Most other countries in the world use their natural resources to make a living – look at the US and Australia.This government thinks we are the only country in the world, aside from France, that is so rich that we don’t need to open up new areas of exploration for oil and gas. It also wants to block off one third of New Zealand – one third – from any mining whatsoever. How is that going to help lift our incomes?

The Prime Minister says she wants to increase our exports.

But they are adding massive costs onto business, not the least of which is a 27 per cent increase in the minimum wage in the next three years. Meantime, her government has been hostile to three of our biggest export earners: oil and gas, dairy and export education.

Businesses are rightly worried about the uncertainty that is evident everywhere we look, partly because of the 100-plus reviews currently underway.

The Prime Minister’s response is to say, people should just read the Speech from the Throne and the coalition documents. It’s all there. Ha! High level statements again; no detail. That’s what people are worried about.

She can’t understand why business confidence is down, because unemployment is low and the economy is quite strong.

But it’s not what a government has inherited that determines confidence, it’s what it’s done and what it’s signalled that counts.

This government has sown uncertainty, pushed costs onto business and brought in specific anti-growth policies.

Finally, it is particularly galling for the PM to say she understands the weight of responsibility being an employer, since, she says, ‘In some senses I am the largest employer in this room’. Like any business, she says, the government has to balance competing interests.

I’m sorry, the government is not like any business. Businesses only survive if they give their customers, who are free to go to anyone else, what they want at the right price. Governments give services whether people want them or not, make people pay for them whether they’ve received them or not, and can throw you in jail if you don’t pay. It’s not the same as business. My suspicion is that this government has no concept of how difficult it is to survive in most businesses. When it thinks of business it thinks of fat cats, cigars and corporate jets.

Most businesses in New Zealand are small and they struggle against relentless competition here and overseas. They worry about a government coming along and putting the minimum wage up 27 per cent in three years. They worry about tax uncertainty. They worry about finding staff and keeping them.

Ten months into government, we deserve better than a list of good intentions from the Prime Minister.

Paul Goldsmith is a National list MP based in Epsom

the plan

The Sound of My Head Banging My Desk

I

wondered if you were getting sick of reading negative articles on the Council’s poor performance. The same old porridge served up month after month. Well, I was. I find the negativity to be like a wet, cold fog. So I thought this month we would look at something positive. Alas, the fodder is too easy. So I promise for the last time this year, I will tell you how bad Auckland Council is.

Many of you as individuals will have experienced the Council’s hand on an individual basis. The usual “the computer says no” from a wet-behind-the-ears or fresh-off-the-boat officer. However unless you have experienced it first-hand, you do not know the cumulative effect it can have on you; swimming against the tide is emotionally and mentally draining, and often added is a financial pull that is relentless.

One of our clients is a big player in industrial development, and used to this sort of Council behaviour. They are thick-skinned and experienced enough to know that time and money will overcome, eventually. A project gets delayed, but not cancelled. A whole bunch of us paper-pushers get to go out for lunch on the extra fees and life carries on.

They were stunned beyond belief recently however, when we lodged with Council a hefty application, to be told that we need to pay a deposit. The $10,000 required was not a problem. Our client’s response was, as usual, ‘raise an invoice and we will pay’.

Three-and-a-half weeks later — or 18 working days in my language — after we asked Council, every 48 hours, we finally got the invoice. It was paid 18 minutes after it was received. Meanwhile, the application had sat in a pile while the invoice was raised. We were told it could not be processed, nor would the application process clock start, until the fee was paid. We got the usual “we are sorry,” but also as usual it was qualified with an excuse — “the accounts department did really well to get it done once they received it”. So, the invoice request presumably sat on someone’s desk before it meandered to accounts.

Remember, you are paying for a service you cannot even get.

Any company I know can raise an invoice – they are the lifeblood of a business. Auckland Council do not understand the delays they cause. They do not see it happens at every step.

Part 2: You may have heard that the Council misinterpreted its own rules and issued 430 resource consents that were invalid.

That is, cannot be relied upon. Some of those people have finished building, some have started, and some are appointing builders. All have had to go through a gruelling and costly consent process, which I bet wasn’t processed within the 20 working day timeframe.

Now they need to apply again. And while Council will waive processing fees, they have said — in that way only Council can — “we will look at compensation on a case by case basis”. Which means “computer says no”. Some smart lawyer should look at taking a class action.

So people have been told to stop building, to make the project watertight and then re-apply. I can tell you now some of them will not get a revised resource consent approved. Council has also said they will give priority to these applications. My interpretation of this is; they will work as fast as they can, but no faster than usual.

Heads should roll. Will they? Of course not. Nobody gets fired at Council unless you are judged corrupt or have had hanky panky in the Ngāti Whatua room – and even that took three years.

And then there’s the bombshell that Phil Twyford has decided to set up his own consenting agency because, and I quote, “the Government wants more houses built, more quickly, and does not trust that the Council has the planning processes in place to deliver.” This is a Labour minister telling a Labour-led Council it is rubbish. There is no politics going on here, no voice (mine) crying in the wilderness. This is honesty from the biggest developer in town. And here is the Council’s response, from the Mayor, Phil Goff. “In principle the Council's got some sympathy” for the proposal, he said. But he did not accept the Council was moving too slowly on housing developments.

This is bureaucratic arrogance at its highest. If the government cannot work with you, and you are told every day by customers you are doing a bad job, and the Environment Court pulls you up, how can you say you are not doing anything wrong?

Nothing will change, except next month I will write about all things positive. — Hamish Firth

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the hobson 30

the second act

Well, I Never

I

am mopping up my degree this year with two papers taken for sheer enjoyment, one of them being the history of NZ popular music. By now, I am well used to being the oldest one in the class, but this particular paper has me considering my age. Aside from the fact that my classmate is one of my son’s best friends, (we sit together occasionally, much to their amusement), the music we are studying is the music of my youth. Yes, I was there first time around, and to be presented with Bunny Walters, Craig Scott, The Chicks, and even The Fourmyula as important turning points in NZ music, is really rather strange. I never thought of The Swingers and Split Enz as historic. I nailed the first listening test without even studying, but my lecturer tells me not to be too overconfident, as mature students usually fall apart once we hit the new millennium hip hop lectures.

We never think that perhaps right now we are in a moment in history that people, our descendants, might even study with curiosity in the not-so-distant future. It has made me reflect on the social shifts, some smaller than others, that I have lived through and that have changed who I am, and how I live my life.

There are the obvious things of course: cellphones and the Apple Watch. I was raised lining up as if in prison to use the household landline, inconveniently located on the staircase landing. But I remember the first “test tube baby” being born in the 70s. It was sort of Frankenscience and I couldn’t envisage this catching on.

Social roles were very prescriptive. When I was about 10, I was fascinated by a family friend, a “women’s libber” who wore a badge that read “women make politics not tea”. What would she now think of our 37-year-old, unmarried new mother Prime Minister?

What would she now think of aggrieved men, thinking they are discriminated against on the basis of gender? (Yeah, doesn’t feel so good, huh?). And what would she think if she, like myself recently, encountered a large march on Queen St featuring mainly white South Africans protesting against violence, genocide and minority rights in their homeland? (Yes, colonisation certainly leaves a long, messy trail).

Our family friend would have been around 50 at the time of her political awakening; how sexual politics were expressed was

a little different to that of Madonna, who has recently turned 60.

Talking of 60, I was brought up in the land of 60 million sheep.

(Oh god, not roast lamb again). But we seem to have eaten through or exported 20 million of them, and sheep products are now a novelty. Proud carnivores, it was impossible to imagine veganism becoming increasingly mainstream and a political statement about the environment. I brought vegan cheese last week to give it a try — I remember when camembert was introduced locally and gagging at eating mould. Considering I had my first taco at 19 and my first avocado at 21, it’s hard to remember what I actually ate in those early years. Lamb, I guess. Certainly not kale.

I don’t remember in my ‘tomato sandwiches made with white bread youth’ being particularly healthy. We played sport but didn’t exercise as such, aside from a bit of jogging and Jazzercise for the extra keen. When I started work I smoked Pall Mall Menthols . . . at my desk!

And speaking of smoking, we never imagined that New Zealand would consider decriminalising marijuana. Marijuana as medicinal? I am not sure Mum and Dad would have brought that line in my youth. Their lack of involvement in our school lives would look downright slack today — helicopter parenting was yet to be invented. And the thought of paying for a taxi to ferry me to and from parties would have been unheard of. You organised that under your own steam.

I trot out the lyrics of the music of my youth effortlessly. They are programmed in to my cellular memory, as is threading a sewing machine, which after 40 years of non-use, I recently discovered my brain and hands still knew how to do.

But with some shame, I have embedded in my very earliest memories the knowledge that New Zealanders were prone to littering, before the government urged us to be a “tidy Kiwi” — we even needed reminders on rubbish bins. We of course don’t litter today but we do step over the homeless. We tolerate a society where we have a very visible underclass. What will our descendants think about that when they study us? Will we feel a sense of shame?

I never thought I’d see the day.

— Sandy Burgham

Yes, even Mahé needs a navigator.

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

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

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

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RGB Colours

David Seymour MP For Epsom

the investment R=255 G=218 B=55 R=0 G=64 B=139

What's the Risk?

Authorised by David Seymour, Suite 2.4, Level 2, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, AKL

David Seymour ACT Logo Colour mark up Black & White

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ndrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist, led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late PMS Colours 19th century and is often regarded as one of the wealthiest K=100 people of all time. He became a leading philanthropist and, in the latter years of his life, he is believed to have given away almost 90 PMS 7404 C per cent of his fortune. In doing so he stimulated a wave of largescale philanthropy across the US and Europe, in particular giving PMS 287 C to local libraries.

In a speech to a group of students in Pittsburgh in June 1885, he famously said to his audience: “put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket”. When it comes to investing we are CMYK Colours often taught to diversify in order to reduce risk. In simple terms, diversification is about not having all your eggs in one basket but rather spreading them across a number of baskets. By spreading C=0 M=9 Y=79 K=0 out your eggs there is less chance that one bad egg, or one dropped C=100 M=68 Y=0 K=12 basket, will ruin all of your eggs.

Andrew Carnegie didn’t like people who scattered their capital, which in his mind meant “that they have scattered their brains also”. The steel magnate benefited first-hand from concentration and made sure to keep a close eye on his business interests. In RGB Colours modern day New Zealand we too have seen evidence of this, and a quick glance at the NBR Rich List would show that many of the country’s wealthiest have made their money from concentrating R=255 G=218 B=55 their efforts and energy on one investment or in one sector, and that strategy has been the key driver of their wealth creation.

Level 2, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket R=0 G=64 B=139 MP For Epsom For the average investor however, the same is unlikely to be Authorisedby byDavid DavidSeymour, Seymour,MP Suite Level27 2, Gillies 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, AKL applicable. Having a single concentrated investment suffers from Promoted for2.4, Epsom, Avenue, Newmarket greater volatility, leads to more sleepless nights and runs the risk of losing it all should that particular “egg” break. The principle of diversification is easy to understand and in most cases offers Black & White important benefits for investors who do diversify. By having a mix of investments in different asset classes, like fixed interest and K=30 shares, you reduce the risk that all of your investments will suffer K=100 if one investment or one specific asset class is not performing well.

Spreading your risk between more than one asset or asset classes gives you the potential for varying returns from each asset or asset class, as each in turn contains a different level of risk.

Fixed interest investments are typically lower risk and provide income, while shares offer equity ownership and arguably more upside but with that comes the risk of your return fluctuating in line with the fundamental performance of the underlying asset.

At a portfolio level, diversification reduces the risk that one rotten egg or poor performer could undermine your entire savings.

By spreading your eggs among a variety of options, you can reduce the effect of one negative result on your whole portfolio which lowers the overall investment risk. A well-diversified portfolio is Remuera’s Best Kept Secret designed to be more resilient in more market environments.

One of the key trade-offs facing every investor is that of risk The centrally located Remuera Club caters for versus return. At Hobson Wealth Partners we construct client both men’s and women’s social activities, with an portfolios that seek to maximize the expected return based on a a la carte restaurant, wine club, golfing section and given level of risk and to do this we rely heavily on a diversification women’s group. Our spacious, newly renovated facility approach. Andrew Carnegie would not have achieved the great also offers snooker, 8-ball, TAB, and gaming machines successes in his life had he not been a believer in concentration. as well as banqueting/conference facilities for up to 200 In effect, he was taking more risk by concentrating everything in guests. Open 7 nights a week, there are regular events and steel but in doing so he achieved a far greater return. For most of activities, ample parking and most importantly, a friendly, us however diversifying investments is a way to reduce the risk welcoming atmosphere. Come down and see for yourself, of a tumble in markets, and losing what we have worked hard to save. — Ed Glennie we look forward to welcoming you. Remuera Club

MP for Epsom K=30

(and Mt Eden, Newmarket, Parnell and Remuera)

Contact me for an appointment ph 09 522 7464 mpepsom@ parliament.govt.nz

Epsom Electorate Office David Seymour

— where strangers become friends.

27-33 Ohinerau St, Remuera (09) 524 4094 remueraclub.co.nz anton@remueraclub.org.nz

Remuera resident Ed Glennie is a Hobson Wealth Investment strategist and is deputising this month for our regular The Investment contributor, Warren Couillault, who is out of town

the teacher

Here We Go Again!

M

amma Mia, Here We Go Again!”

If your household is anything like mine, these words will have been belting out from your children after viewing the recent movie. After what seems like months of cold, wet school days and dealing with children with coughs and colds, it is at last starting to feel like spring has finally arrived. With lighter mornings and longer evenings, it certainly makes for psychological change. It is also now the end of the third term, and feeling like “here we go again” when the pressure really begins for teachers and students.

It is the time of year when all teaching and learning will be tested in some form or another, to help prepare students and teachers for end of year exams, in the case of older students, and assessments for the younger students. This helps teachers to assess individual planning for each student, and to revise their programme to ‘fill the gaps’ in order to make sure they are all well prepared.

Student success is the main goal for all teachers, making preparation for exams and assessments extremely important.

However, we also remind students that much of the responsibility also depends on them and their commitment to wanting to succeed. It’s about effort, sacrifice and planning.

This is a good time of year to offer some support in setting up study routines and time management skills. There are many students who find this difficult, especially if they are distracted by social media, so

some firm rules may be needed to help them to succeed. I am well aware of the resistance you face, but students need to understand that success does not ‘happen’.

It actually requires a work ethic and a strong commitment, and for them to know they are supported.

Every year is so important to students as it is a collective curriculum that builds on itself year upon year. I tell children it is like putting money in the bank. The effort you put into each year at school can be banked into your knowledge bank, making the following year a little easier. And by the time you reach senior school you will be rewarded with the pay-off.

I also see first-hand the stress that goes on households at this time of year and the pressure it places on the whole household. Has it always been like this, or is it the NCEA system? I vividly remember ‘swotting’ a few weeks before School C and UE, but don’t recall the year-round pressure that is on our students, families and teachers today.

Therefore, I am delighted that the NCEA qualification review is well underway and hopefully a team of intelligent educators from the teaching sector are included on the review team. The dropping of national standards in primary schools has made a huge difference to primary teachers’ time.

All primary schools have always had their own set of assessments firmly in place, and there are NZ Educational Standards that can be referenced.

No wonder teachers are putting pressure

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on the government to do something about the workload, and the lack of students entering the teaching profession. I am aware everyone has an opinion on this, perhaps depending on how much the teacher strike inconvenienced them! (I totally understand this as well). Teachers and students are reaching burnout levels.

This essential, and valuable, profession needs to be supported and protected because the result is the future of our country.

New Zealand is a small, remote country, with the vigilance that comes with knowing that it has little choice other than to be globally competitive now, and in the future. Therefore this qualification review will be extremely important for our schools, our childrens’ future and for the teachers who will have to follow it.

I wish you well for the coming months.

A few tips that may be of help to students in your home sitting exams: • Set up an organised, quiet space • Plan a schedule of subjects to be studied and, depending on age, how long they’re studied at one sitting • Give themselves enough time to study before exams start • Monitor regular brain-friendly snacks, exercise, water and sleep • Know they can ask for help to test and listen • Carefully controlled screen/social time • A calm and supportive household — Judi Paape

the suburbanist

(Not quite) Halfway down Dominion Rd

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or several years since amalgamation, Auckland wrestled with the Unitary Plan, the set of rules that would ‘unify’ the various district plans of its constituent cities. These plans were similar but not the same, and ‘same’ was needed if the Super City was going to operate efficiently and fairly, without conferring any unfair advantage to some areas and depriving others. Unfortunately the development of the Auckland Unitary Plan and its public consultation quickly descended into an — often acrimonious — battle about unfairness, advantage and deprivation.

The central issue became one of density — how much, where and what effects would it have. Faced with going ‘up’ or ‘out,’ the AUP allows for both: increasing density close to urban areas while still allowing for the city to grow outwards, opening up new greenfield sites. The AUP was finally approved in 2016 and is now operational. Much of the opposition and argument has died down, perhaps because finally there is a degree of certainty about what might happen.

That is, until recently when a planning decision concerning a proposed project on Dominion Rd in Mt Eden seemed to undo the work of the AUP, heralding the return of uncertainty. It is not so much the decision, but the way it happened, that is confounding.

The site is on the corner of Dominion and Valley roads, on land owned by the Council. Panuku, the development arm of Council, proposed a build of 102 apartments in a series of four to five-storied buildings. The development included the demolition of the Universal Building, a somewhat non-descript, post-war two-storey building. Because of this, and the proposed height, a resource consent was required. This was notified to the public who were given the opportunity to object to — or endorse — the development. An independent panel of three commissioners conducted the hearings and made their decision, which was to decline the development. A number of local residents objected but the most interesting objection came from Council itself. They had concerns about the scale, design and the demolition of the Universal Building, which their heritage specialist described not as a character building itself but as ‘character supporting’. So, the Council owns the land, is responsible for Panuku who proposed the development, wrote and passed the Unitary Plan which applies here, and employs the staff who objected to the proposal.

What is remarkable is that the development got as far as a resource consent hearing without the resolution of what appear to be internecine issues within Council. A generous view might be that the Council used the resource consent process as a litmus test to see how independent commissioners would view such a proposal. However, Todd Niall writing for Stuff said “the issues which scuttled the design had been repeatedly flagged by Council experts, but largely ignored by Panuku”. Which would be fine if they weren’t using our rates to test the waters. Is something rotten in the state of Tāmaki Makaurau?

All of this may be moot however, as housing minister Phil Twyford has arrived in town on his white – carbon neutral – steed, to announce the establishment of an Urban Development Authority with wider powers to plan and develop some large projects. He has his sights on areas like Dominion Rd, where there is an expectation of higher density housing that will support the proposed light rail route.

It is all vaguely reminiscent of an earlier time when Nick Smith waved a big stick, butted heads with the Mayor and said ‘sort it out or we will’. Perhaps it is time for Auckland to get its house in order. Don McGlashan was onto something when he wrote “Dominion Rd is bending under its own weight”. — Tommy Honey

the auckland foundation

Women Making our City Work

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o mark 125 years since women won the right to vote, Auckland Foundation’s Women’s Fund brought together 30 female changemakers from around the city. The fund’s many donors have been entrusting their collective donations to us since we got started in November last year. These donors come from all walks of life and have a common interest in improving the lot of our women and girls. We’ve met consistently since November, heard from many great speakers on how girls and women are doing, and been inspired to celebrate the special way women express their generosity.

While the Women’s Fund can still be described as fledgling, the suffrage anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate and support the important work still needed to get to a truly equal playing field.

We celebrated the spirit of our original suffragists with a one-day event at the Ellen Melville Centre. People working at the grassroots came together to reflect and connect and be inspired for the next stage of their work.

The day was paid for by the Fund, which also gave out a handful of small grants to projects that had been voted on by the fund members. Though small in amount, many of these projects are run on the smell of an oily rag, so it’s great to know some now have $1000 or $2000 extra to draw on. They’re people like Jackie Clark from The Aunties, who provides love and support to the vulnerable, particularly those who have experienced domestic violence. The Kindness Institute founder Kristina Cavit focuses on resilience, mindfulness and self-care amongst marginalised young people, and young women in particular. Soala Wilson’s organisation SPINZS helps keep girls at school by delivering sanitary products to schools where the girls don’t have access to them at home.

Mengzhu Fu, who provides a platform and safe space to discuss issues facing migrant and refugee youth.

Then there’s Gabriella Brayne, who is developing and leading Auckland Women’s Centre’s new High School Feminism Project, and was the main organiser of their recent Feminist Leadership Event. And Amie Maga, who provides a low cost way to teach migrant and refugee women to drive, meaning they are not isolated and can better integrate into the community. Elizabeth Ferris manages Te Papapa pre-school, which provides scholarships for pre-schoolers to learn to swim. Renu Sikka’s project ‘Our Stories on Plate’ encourages community and connections through food.

Lily Henry manages To Wahi, a centre that provides connection, belonging, free training in skills like coffee making, projects to recycle and teaching sewing skills and nutrition.

These women also left the event with a toolbox to build on their work and make a bigger impact. Tools to help them pitch, present, make successful grant applications and overcome challenges. It’s been humbling to meet and support these grassroots leaders who are making Auckland a better place to live. They step up to do this work because they see a need for change – they are a vital part of what makes our communities work.

— Dellwyn Stuart, CEO, Auckland Foundation To find out more about the Women’s Fund visit www.womensfund.org.nz

the hobson + farro

Feast on the Latest Food Finds This month, Farro is sharing its favourite food and drink discoveries. Make room on your shelves for the latest unique and tasty treats!

Midnight Baker Natural Freedom Loaf The delicious, nutritious Freedom Loaf from the Midnight Baker is the product of baker Yeshe Dawa’s search for gluten free bread. It is a dense, seeded loaf, free of wheat, gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, refined sugar and yeast. Try it toasted for a nutty flavour, with a varied texture and satisfying crunch! $16

Wholesome Merchant Rocky Road A wholefood rocky road that’s a wonderful raw treat, and free from refined sugar, rockets straight to the top of our shopping list! A delicious blend of hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds, cacao, goji berries, dates, buckwheat, coconut and dried apricots.

Enjoy! $6.50

Piece of Cake Chilli & Beer Peanut Brittle A delicious snack that’s so hard to put down — peanuts encased in a beautiful brittle toffee, with a subtle hint of chilli. It’s sweet and salty, and contains no additives and preservatives. It’s also egg-free, vegan, dairy-free and vegetarian. Perfect as predinner nibbles or great on a cheese plate. $8.79/150g

Gnarly Head Chardonnay Gnarly Head Chardonnay is a juicy, full-bodied Californian wine that explodes with bright citrusy aromas of lemon zest, honeydew melon and just a hint of toasty oak. Big bold flavours of citrus and apple with a touch of vanilla ensure a perfect match with a range of cuisine. Try it with grilled scallops, roast chicken or fresh mixed green salad. $19.99

Fork Brewcorp Wellington brewery Brewcorp has a tasty beer range that gets bonus points from Farro for its retro packaging and catchy names! The range includes Alpha Geek India Pale Ale, Hyperlocal NZ Pale Ale, Tainted Love Passionfruit & Juniper Sour Ale, and Golden Handshake Pilsner. $7.99-$9.99

Grinning Gecko Kau Piro Washed Rind Cheese Meaning smelly cow in te reo, Kau Piro Washed Rind Cheese is a tasty addition for the cheese board.

Made from organic milk from Scottish Ayrshire cows, the award-winning cheese from Grinning Gecko Cheese Co has a luscious creamy interior with a savoury earthy flavour, which becomes more complex and robust with age. $15

Lewis Road A2 Gold Top Harking back to childhood memories of collecting the milk from the gate and peeling off the foil lid, Lewis Road’s brand new A2 gold top boasts single-estate farm milk and is exclusive to Farro in glass bottles. A2 milk is 100 per cent natural fresh cows’ milk, which you may find easier to digest than regular milk. $6.49/750ml

Visit your local Farro today: Mt Wellington, Constellation Drive, Grey Lynn, Epsom, Ōrākei, Mt Eden the hobson 35

Farro Kitchen Marinated Chicken Drumsticks Add extra spice and zest to your meals with tasty Farro Kitchen marinated chicken drumsticks in three new flavours – teriyaki, harissa, and honey soy. Simple to roast in the oven or pop on the barbecue when the warmer weather arrives.

Ask for these at the service butchery. $11.99/kg

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the appetite

Local Champion From her Remuera kitchen, Lauraine Jacobs creates recipes that celebrate not only good eating, but also mark the seasonal availability of great New Zealand ingredients

Grilled Vegetable & Black Rice Salad This is a wonderful recipe. It will make a substantial salad that’s easy to prepare ahead or to transport when you’re asked to contribute to a meal where a crowd is expected. Black rice has a delicious nutty flavour and is too often overlooked.

SERVES 6–8 Wine suggestion A hearty red wine such as Cabernet Merlot Best in Summer/Early Autumn

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emuera resident Lauraine Jacobs is one of the country’s best-known food writers, and a champion of our food producers. Her weekly recipe column in the New Zealand Listener focuses on seasonally available ingredients, which, in the Jacobs’ kitchen, is the obvious place to start when thinking about what to have for dinner.

Whenever she can, she shops locally to fill her pantry and fridge, singing the praises of neighbourhood suppliers such as Jack Lum’s, New World Remuera and the Remuera fish shop. A generous mentor to other cooks and food writers, her kitchen, in the villa where she and husband Murray have lived for 42 years, has seen many locals learn the insights of great cooking at her kitchen bench.

Jacobs’ latest recipe book, Always Delicious, is a standout compilation of close to 100 of her Listener recipes, organised by food category, and helpfully, with a reference to the season too — her eyebrows are often raised with discussion about the exorbitant price of cauliflowers or avocados out of season. “There’s no fun for cooks who, having decided on a recipe for dinner, find that the ingredients are out of season, have rocketed in price, or are even unobtainable,” she writes in her introduction. Guided by her mantra of “fresh and simple”, the recipes she selected for inclusion are her favourites from the close to 700 she has devised, tested and trialled since she took up the Listener’s “Food” column seven years ago.

Jacobs regards recipes as gifts, from her kitchen to yours. Reprinted with permission, here are three suitably seasonal plates for your household to enjoy.

1 cup black rice 2 cups water 2 ears corn, shucked 2 sweet red peppers, seeds removed 6 small beetroot, peeled 3 carrots, peeled 3 courgettes 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup rocket leaves To finish 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 lemon, grated zest and juice salt and freshly ground black pepper Preheat the oven to 180°C. Wash the rice well under running water in a sieve. Tip into a heavy-based saucepan and cover with the water. Bring the rice to a simmer, reduce the heat, clamp the lid of the saucepan on and allow the rice to cook for about 30 minutes until all the water is absorbed, the rice is soft and the grains are separated.

Stir well with a fork so the grains do not stick together and keep aside to cool.

Meanwhile cut the corn into 3cm pieces, slice the peppers, and cut or slice the beetroot, carrots and courgettes into even chunks. Place them all together in a roasting pan and toss in the olive oil with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Roast for about 30–35 minutes or until the vegetables are soft when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and cool.

Wash and dry the rocket leaves and trim off any long stalks.

Prepare the dressing by mixing the balsamic, olive oil, lemon zest and juice with salt and pepper to taste in a small screw-top jar. the hobson 37

the appetite

Pile the rice on a dish. Add most of the vegetables and rocket. Add the dressing and toss everything together. Finally garnish the top with the remaining vegetables and rocket.

Pea, Parsley, Mint & Feta Fritters I love to whip fritters up if we are sharing a glass of wine with friends. I think of them as beautiful blotting paper, and it's always good to offer something substantial to eat when serving alcohol.

Peas and mint are natural partners and combine beautifully in this fritter recipe with the help of some sharp feta cheese.

You could exchange the peas for other green vegetables: broccoli, finely sliced beans, chopped fennel, grated courgettes or finely sliced asparagus.

so small lumps of feta remain. Taste the mixture and season with black pepper, adding extra salt if needed, although watch carefully as feta can be very salty.

Note: If you do not have a food processor or blender you can mash the peas, finely chop the herbs and stir everything together really well. The resulting fritters will be a little chunkier but just as delicious.

To cook, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a frying pan until it is quite hot. Add tablespoons of the pea mixture, turn down the heat and cook gently on both sides for 3–4 minutes each side or until the fritters are just firm to the touch.

Cook in batches of four or five at a time, adding extra oil to the pan as needed between batches.

Makes about 15–16 fritters. Serve on a platter, with a side of spicy chutney to dab on the fritters.

SERVES 6 Wine suggestion Oak-aged or wild-ferment Sauvignon Blanc

Avocado & Gin-andLime cured Salmon

Best in Spring and Summer 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 tsp butter 250g baby peas, thawed ½ cup roughly chopped parsley and mint 3 eggs 2 tbsp flour 1 tsp baking powder 100g crumbly feta salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 4 tbsp grapeseed or other vegetable oil To serve ¼ cup spicy chutney Place the chopped shallot with the butter in a microwave-safe dish. Cook for two minutes on high until the shallot is softened and translucent. This can also be done in a frying pan over gentle heat.

Another joy of spring produce is the arrival of the new season’s avocados, when we can purchase them in abundance again, with prices dropping to an affordable level. It always amuses me when people groan about the price when trying to buy them out of season.

I guess we still have a way to go in educating that the prime seasonal fare is usually when prices are at their lowest.

Avocados are extremely versatile. The texture of a just-ripe avocado is perfect to add to salads and sandwiches, as in this recipe. Always treat the avocado with respect and nothing more than the gentlest handling to avoid bruising and creating dark marks in the flesh.

It is important to purchase the freshest salmon possible for this sophisticated salad recipe (this dish is pictured on the cover of the magazine).

SERVES 4

Tip the cooked shallot into a food processor with the peas, parsley and mint and pulse until the mixture is almost smooth. Add the eggs, process again, and then add the flour and baking powder and pulse a couple of times to incorporate everything. Tip this mixture into a bowl, crumble the feta in and mix very gently

Wine suggestion Sauvignon Blanc Best in Spring/Summer 300g fresh salmon fillet, skin on, pin-boned the hobson 38

2 tsp sea salt 1 tsp caster sugar 1 lime, juice and grated zest 4 tbsp gin 2 avocados 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced 1 cup watercress 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper For the garnish 1 extra lime, very thinly sliced; mint leaves and herb flowers (optional) To prepare the salmon, combine salt, sugar, lime zest and gin. Gently rub this over the surface of the salmon. Place in a shallow dish and cover with plastic wrap.

Chill the salmon for at least 4 hours or overnight.

When ready to prepare the salad, peel and slice the avocados. Sprinkle the fennel with a little extra salt, and pick the watercress leaves from any thick stalks.

Toss the fennel and watercress together in a small bowl with the oil, the juice of the lime and some salt and pepper to taste.

Remove salmon from dish and pat dry with a paper towel. Slice the salmon into paper-thin slices on the diagonal, discarding the skin.

To serve, arrange the salmon around a serving plate, evenly spaced between slices of avocado. Place the fennel and watercress salad around and decorate with the lime slices, mint leaves and any spring herb flowers from the garden.

Always Delicious

by Lauraine Jacobs is published by Potton & Burton in hardback, RRP $49.99.

Photographs by Liz Clarkson.

Reprinted with permission from Lauraine Jacobs and Potton & Burton.

We have three copies to give away: see page 6 for details.

the hobson 39

“

I grew up in a big, Brady Bunch-type of family, and my job was to fill the biscuit tins, says Janene Draper of her early passion for food and cooking

�

the hobson 40

the providore

Recipes for Success If that’s an heirloom tomato you’ve just tossed into a microgreens salad with artisan goats cheese, chances are you have the Drapers to thank. Mary Fitzgerald sat down to espresso and freshly-baked fruit tart at home in Remuera with Farro co-founder Janene Draper photographed by todd eyre

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uckland’s food retailing landscape has flourished thanks to the innovation and hard work of Remuera locals, Janene and James Draper. The couple opened their first Farro store in 2006 and now have six dotted across the isthmus, employing more than 400 staff and counting 40,000 customer visits every week. With instore product demonstrations introducing new tastes to consumers, the Drapers have created everyday demand for locally-produced, artisan-made edibles.

Janene, what inspires you in your work life?

My love of food – if I am picking up a book it is always a cookbook. I love business and I certainly love challenges. I enjoy that the food world is always evolving – it is not a stagnant environment.

What came before Farro for you?

I come from a family of retailers — my mum’s side was in fashion, Du Barry Gowns had three stores in Queen St. My dad’s side had Furniture Crafts, three stores in Queen St — they were about two blocks from each other.

At school, food wasn’t considered academic, so I ended up going down the science route.

I trained as an optometrist, and practiced optometry for 10 years, but food has always been my passion.

What motivated you to set up Farro?

I had always wanted to have my own business. It was after we came back from living in Wellington, where James had been in the golf business and had driving ranges and golf shops. In Wellington I’d discovered food market Moore Wilson’s and I loved it. There was nothing similar in Auckland.

When we came back, James was selling out of the golf industry and we were looking for something new to do. I said I wanted to open a concept similar to Moore Wilson’s but take it a step further, with everything under one roof, with open cookbooks, and to support local artisans.

What were those early days like?

They were interesting times. When we started we had no point-of-sale system and so many suppliers didn’t even have barcodes.

When I look back on it, it was crazy – James

the hobson 41

and I were working very long hours. People talk about our overnight success, but don’t see the 12 years of effort!

The only thing that was really stable was our coming home after a big day of work — at that stage our sons were aged eight, 10 and 11, and we would come home, have dinner with the boys and sit as a family at the table.

Then either James or I would have to go back to work that night. We did have Sundays off — we had ‘Sunday Simon’, who’s still with us now. He was our support person in the shop every Sunday, which meant James and I could be at home. Our sons are grown men now, two have completed their studies, the youngest is at broadcasting school.

What do your customers expect from Farro?

I think they have always expected quality, and for us to support local artisans. We chose the name and went from there, building the brand. To begin with it was hard to get customers to understand what Farro was — being a fresh food market — a place where you can get everything that’s in the cookbook.

How is Farro different?

We’ve changed the way people shop — people visit us more than once a week to do that regular top-up shop. Early on, a customer told me that she would come in to shop for that day, rather than grocery shopping for a week. I was really excited because that is what we hoped to create.

And adding a taste experience that was not available previously is a big part of Farro. If you have tasted a cheese instore, learnt about where it’s from, if you know the back story, it makes the food experience so much more enjoyable.

the providore

At what point did you sense the first shop, in Lunn Ave, was getting traction?

The first time James realised we had a business was when a customer was buying our free-range rotisserie chicken. She was going to a friend’s place for lunch and had been asked to bring chicken. She asked us to take off the price, which James started to do. She stopped him, asking that the Farro brand part of the sticker remain – she wanted the people at lunch to know the chicken was from Farro. At that point James was like, “Yes, we’ve got a brand!”.

as a family, and with friends. Conversation is what helps people grow and coming together to share food is a big part of that.

Sitting people down with something simple and delicious – it doesn’t have to be expensive – you can just put a few good ingredients in, and it’s delicious. If I was having friends around for lunch, I’d do something like a big charcuterie board that guests can help themselves to, along with a good glass of wine.

Do you have plans to extend beyond Auckland?

At this stage we’re expanding in Auckland. We’d love to open three more stores here.

What are you proud of?

Being a supporter of local artisan producers, helping them start in the market place. As we have grown, so have over 550 artisans around the country. A few we’ve launched into the Auckland market include Pure Delish muesli, Pic’s Peanut Butter, I Love Pies, Clevedon Buffalo Co, Lewis Road Chocolate Milk, Kohu Road Ice Cream, Wild Wheat Bread, Fix & Fog, Curious Croppers Tomatoes, Supreme Coffee, and Blue Frog cereals.

When you’re not at work, how do you spend your time?

You’ll find me in my happy place, pottering around the kitchen, cooking up a storm and experimenting with recipe ideas. I also love walking, fishing and playing golf.

Have there been any failures?

Going online was not a huge success – we launched last year and have virtually taken it right off again. We’ve realised people are happy to order gift cards and hampers online but want to come in and explore the store.

What are your most popular products?

We get shifts between really popular products. It used to be our packs of chocolate fish! Our fruit and vegetables truck out the door. Things like Delish muesli move very quickly – it’s become an absolute staple.

Are we moving past trends like kale, and parsnips?

No, I think it is great to have these choices.

There will be more and more food options coming through. Hemp is going to be the next big thing — the hemp nuts are incredible, adding a nutty flavour to salads.

What food trends have you observed since you started the business?

I think the biggest movement we’ve supported is the coming together to share food. When you share food that’s when you grow as a person individually, and also

likes of more plant-based food coming on board, like Sunfed Chicken and Impossible Burger.

Also, Farro has a keen focus on sustainability. We’ve reduced our own internal waste by 70 per cent over the last 18 months, and we were the first to introduce a five-cent credit on bringing in your own reusable bags. We’ve removed single-use checkout plastic bags, and we are now the first supermarket chain to introduce bring-your-own container at all serve-over areas of the store.

The super-food and paleo movements have been huge. [People eating] paleo diets are prepared to pay $16 for a loaf of paleo bread – the same value of a bottle of wine – but they don’t want the wine. They’re really happy to pay for a good quality loaf of paleo bread.

The ready-to-go movement is big, the “I want it now and I don’t have a lot of time” trend. We have some lovely preprepped, marinated things rolling out of the butchery now – legs of lamb, teriyaki chicken, pork ribs. You can literally go home, pop it in the oven and feel like you have done all the hard work.

The biggest new direction though is plant-based food. Meat fridges in the US are now being called ‘protein fridges’, and this sector will continue to grow with the the hobson 42

You do have a beautiful kitchen here at home, but you’re busy. Do you ever use Uber Eats?

No! But I do love eating out, finding out what is new. I sit in restaurants, taking notes mentally on how I could recreate my own twist on things. We have great dining options in Auckland. Al Brown would be one of my food heroes here. I love that he has made using secondary cuts of meat fashionable – there was so much wastage in the industry beforehand. Now pork cheeks and the flaps and all sorts of other cuts are being used.

With all your food knowledge, is there a Farro cookbook on the horizon?

There has been a lot of talk! Perhaps it could be a next-year kind of project.

Finally, you have a shopful of choices, but what’s your current artisan-made favourite ingredient?

Clevedon Buffalo Co’s marinated buffalo cheese. In the weekend I sautéed scallops with onions and chorizo, smeared the marinated buffalo cheese underneath, then piled the scallops on top with Italian parsley and gave everyone a fork. It was fantastic! p

Everyone needs a foolproof, incredibly tasty recipe up their sleeve. We asked Janene Draper to share one of hers.

“This is my Toulouse Pork and Mushroom pasta, with pancetta, mushrooms and beef jus, it’s a firm favourite.

All you have to do is let it bubble away then toss it through the pasta, it’s so quick and delicious. It’s so easy to prepare. It takes less than 30 minutes to create a delicious pasta dish that’s perfect to share with friends and family.”

Janene's Toulouse Pork and Mushroom Ragout Pasta. Photo courtesy of Farro

Janene's Toulouse Pork & Mushroom Ragout Pasta Prep time 15 minutes, cook time 20 minutes, serves 4 Ingredients salt 2 tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, peeled and diced 1 pack pancetta, thinly sliced 1 pack L’Authentique Toulouse sausages, squeezed out into poplettes (small nuggets, discard the casing) 1 pack brown button mushrooms, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 can cherry tomatoes 1 pack Foundation Foods beef jus chilli flakes, (optional, if you like a bit of spice) 1 bunch Italian parsley, roughly chopped 1 bag Filotea linguini pasta 50 grams fresh Parmigiano Reggiano, grated to serve To serve Green rocket salad

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Method Three-quarter fill a large pot with water, add 1 tsp salt and bring to boil.

Meanwhile, heat a frying pan. Place olive oil in the pan and gently sauté the onion until soft. Add the pancetta, then sausage poplettes, and gently brown. Add mushrooms and garlic and stir for another 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, beef jus, chilli flakes (if using) and parsley and gently simmer for another 7-10 mins (or as long as your pasta takes to cook).

While the sauce is simmering, put the pasta in the boiling water and boil until al dente.

Once it’s cooked, drain the pasta and fold it through the sauce.

To serve, place the finished pasta into a large serving bowl and top it with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve with a green salad on the side.

Kouzina Hobson HH 09_18 MieleĆ’.indd 1

9/9/18 11:22 PM

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the hobson + morell

Morell - A Family Affair With a corner outlook and the kind of sun-soaked, leafy feel common to many of Sydney’s inner-suburban bistros; Morell on Upland Rd, Remuera, is a local with a lot of love

F

rom the moment Morell opened its doors, Remuera residents could rest easy knowing that their newest dining spot lay in the experienced hands of husband and wife duo, Sarah and Daniel Morini, who met while doing the hard yards at Ponsonby’s legendary SPQR. Daniel was head chef and Sarah managed front-ofhouse, and not long after laying eyes on each other they realised they had a shared vision for their own dining establishment one day. “We fell in love with each other and with each other’s love for great food,” explains Sarah, and both knew that it wouldn’t be long before they set about putting that passion to work as a pair.

Daniel describes himself as being born with “cooking in my blood”, the Māori-Italian son of a chef and restaurateur. “Both of my cultures love cooking and love great food,” he says, “and I literally grew up in kitchens.”

There was never any question that Daniel was going to follow his father into the hospitality business, and he started as a dishwasher at SPQR when he was just 17, eventually working his way up to head chef.

Sarah and Daniel are both in agreement that a great dish “shouldn’t be messed with too much”, and the fare on the menu at Morell has been designed both for regulars wanting a casual bite and diners looking for something special on a night out.

Dishes flying out the door include mouthwatering seared scallops, a bouillabaisse and beef carpaccio, which Sarah’s sister Rachel Shenkin — Morell’s marketing and

operations manager — says can “never be taken off the menu”. A favourite with a very special backstory is the Morell mushroom risotto, which comes with walnuts, wood sorrel and handfuls of parmesan. When the Morinis travelled to Thailand several years ago they found themselves in an Italian restaurant on Koh Samui. “We ordered the risotto, and it turned out to be seriously the most incredible risotto either of us had ever tasted,” explains Sarah. “I looked at Daniel and said ‘we have to put this on the menu of our own restaurant one day,’ and there it is.”

Providing a great night out for locals is key given the suburban location of the bistro, with Sarah saying: “we wanted to make sure the locals were taken care of, first and foremost”. So why did they choose Remuera as a locale, after years spent on the Ponsonby strip? A few years living in Sydney meant that Sarah and Daniel could also see the Woollahra-like feel of the cosy corner. “I’d always thought it would be such a great spot for a bistro given the leafy aspect and the huge amount of sun,” says Sarah, “and then one day I noticed by chance that the Maple Room was for sale and it was now or never. It was just meant to be.”

The bistro is definitely a family affair, with Daniel and Sarah’s 11-month-old daughter, Mataya, often to be found at the pass, and Daniel’s three brothers making cameo appearances in the kitchen. Several of the kitchen staff came from SPQR and have been working together for a decade, whilst the hobson 45

Morell's chic dining space; a plate of scampi to enjoy; Sarah, Daniel and Mataya Morini. The team's summer plans for the bistro include more planting outside and shared platters to enjoy in the sun.

front-of-house manager, and long-time friend, Gemma Whenmouth is a face you may recognise from Prego. “We think of all of our staff as family,” says Sarah, “and we hope that they feel as good about coming to work as we do. It’s a type of culture that we experienced at SPQR and absolutely loved being a part of, but it’s becoming increasingly rare in hospitality these days.”

They hope that the love that they all feel for each other translates into the food, and to the service. “We hope that if someone comes in who’s had a bit of a tough day that we can put a plate of bouillabaisse and a glass of wine down in front of them and help them leave feeling a whole lot better.

It’s all about the love and the passion, and we hope people can feel it.”

Morell 91-95 Upland Rd Remuera, Auckland (09) 600 3259 morell.co.nz bookings@morell.co.nz

the magpie

Pop Fiction 1

The Magpie tells a great story with colour this spring

1. Happy Chopard Eau de Parfum Collection in Felicia Roses and Lemon Dulci both bring a joyous sensory note to your day. $99 each, from selected Life pharmacies 2. Glamorous and wearable — these Miss Wilson Messenger Heels will put spring in your step. $299, kathrynwilson.com 3. You’ll be the hottie at Hottie (or at New Chums, Palmy or Pauanui) in the Solid & Striped Nina Primary Stripe swimsuit. $285, only at Maman, 2a Clonbern Rd. maman.co.nz

4. This Helen Cherry Bailey Dress merges an elegant cut with a softly feminine print to create the perfect summer dress. $489, workshop.co.nz

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5. First, it’s pronounced “boom boom”. Second, beauty editors are swooning, and so is your Magpie, over Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream for the body. It uses caffeine-rich guaraná extract, cupuaçu butter and acaí and coconut oils to help tighten and improve the appearance of skin, and the pistachio and salted caramel fragrance takes it up another notch. $71 (240ml), from Mecca Maxima and online at meccabeauty.co.nz 6. WORLD nails the summer brief with the Love Hangover Jacket. With its classic tailoring and WORLD-ly colour and pattern – this could be your favourite piece for seasons to come. $599, worldbrand.co.nz 7. No summer fun is complete without a lick of YSL Dazzling Lights Rouge across the kisser. Pure colour and intense hydration, it’s everything you need in a lippy. $66, smithandcaugheys.co.nz

8. A fabulous light scarf is a year-round wardrobe essential and Bird & Knoll’s designs are a favourite. The Magpie is wrapt with this Italian silk-cotton Palm Springs Cactus print. $170 from Maman, 2a Clobern Rd, Remuera. maman.co.nz 9. A bag worn over dresses as a belt is the new-new. Join the movement with Gucci GG Marmont matelassé leather belt bag. $1475, Gucci.com/nz 10. The Magpie loves this happy little number. It’s the sunniest shade of yellow and the perfect between-season weight. Storm Billow Sleeve Sweater, $169 from stormonline.com 11. Eyewear is a fun and easy way to dip your wing to some colour madness. Try Karen Walker Return To Sender sunglasses in watermelon. $349, karenwalker.com

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the sound

Instrumentally Successful

R

ichard Clayderman is coming to town! He’s the French pianist whose hit, “Ballade Pour Adeline” came out in 1976 and entranced the world. Co-written by Olivier Toussaint, who is actually a genius, and some guy called Paul de Senneville, it’s all about Monsieur Senneville’s baby called, well, Adeline. The boys wanted a pianist who had a light touch, and Richard was their man.

It’s amazing just how much I hated this muzak at the time. So bland and schmaltzy. It was the soundtrack for every god-awful ‘70s New Zealand restaurant feigning class in a classless time. My Dad bought the album. I remember looking at him in shock when he put it on. This was after all the man who bought the complete works of the Beatles for me. How could his taste stoop so low? But what do I know? “Ballade Pour Adeline” sold 22 million copies.

To write this, I summoned the devil's music on YouTube. From the first stroke of the keys I was back. The arpeggios, the semi-quavers. The way the music speeds and slows which was supposed to evoke water. What it evoked was my Dad’s National 3-in-1 music system, my parents’ amazingly busy wallpaper, that you only see these days in episodes of Westside and retro museum collections. I could smell the Velluto Rosso and see the walk-shorts, long socks, dress shoes and plastic pocket protectors.

Then my mind swung to all the other instrumentals that, through time, have had a stronger ability than any other music to evoke the times they came in.

I should have known my Dad would be a sucker for Clayderman — after all, he always loved Acker Bilk. The British clarinetist would come out and Dad would go misty-eyed and then laugh like a braying donkey as he remembered his days as the son of a Croydon pub owner.

“The stories I could tell my son, the stories!”

Then there was Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra with their 1962 hit album, A Swingin’ Safari. The bizarre album art has a woman in a pith helmet, hot pants and various animal skins and vaguely tropical looking pot plants. The tune has trumpets, an African tin whistle and some woman whoa-whoaing like an angel killed by a rogue hippopotamus.

It's almost charming.

Kill me now. My brain is running

to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass performing “Spanish Flea”. Henry Mancini’s “Baby Elephant Walk” has just popped into my consciousness and then with the mention of Henry Mancini, the mind immediately runs to the “The Pink Panther Theme.”

I’m picking each one of these tunes has wormed its way into your brain too. That’s the power of the good instrumental. A piece of music that is not dependent on the literal power of lyrics.

Which is not to say they don’t have an evocative voice, which is why so many of them feature a wind instrument.

player from south of the border had made more money than I could ever imagine.

The memories of instrumental tracks just keep coming. Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s “Fanfare for Common Man” with its video shot in the ’76 Montreal Olympic Stadium. Focus’ “Hocus Pocus” so beautifully re-imagined in the film Baby Driver. “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock where jazz royalty hit hip hop.

“Pick up the Pieces” by the Average White Band — Scotsmen go all funky.

“Green Onions” by Booker T & the MGs. “Breezin’” by George Benson. ’Nuff said.

Connected to the human mouth, the wind instrument both mutes and amplifies the human voice.

Instantly I think of “Feels So Good” by Chuck Mangione. The world’s greatest flugelhorn hit, the horn delicately and huskily picking through the notes.

Writing this, I’ve found the original 9-minute 20-second album version. I love it. It’s Radio Hauraki in 1977 all over again. And a K-Tel 20 Solid Gold Hits I used to love, though I can't remember the other tracks.

Then there’s Herb Alpert's “Rise”, which was almost cool, expunging the torment of Dad's Tijuana Brass addiction.

It was around about this time that I found out that Alpert was the A in A&M records and realised that the trumpet

One particular favourite is “Oxygene Part IV” by Jean Michel Jarre. I have that on a number of party playlists and it never fails to blow people away. It was the start of the rise of the synthesiser which was carried on by French band Air, who do a mean instrumental, it must be said. As did our own Split Enz, who for a while there, had a couple of Eddie Rayner wig-outs on every album.

The funny thing about the instrumental is that it appears to have lost its ability to top a chart and so my thoughts are nostalgic. It’s a good piece of music without any vocalist stealing the show, the tune that shows that an instrument is instrumental in good music.

— Andrew Dickens

the hobson 48

the district diary

October 2018 6 Turn your waste into a resource for your garden with The Compost Collective’s sustainable urban living workshop, covering worm farms, Bokashi bins and composting.

9-11am, alongside the Parnell Farmers’ Market at 545 Parnell Rd

1-14 The theme for this year’s Auckland Heritage Festival is “Ngā iwi o Tāmaki Makaurau – Celebrating the Heritage of our People”. Visit heritagefestival.co.nz to see a list of events, exhibitions, walks, talks and tours 3/4 A fun school holiday activity, From Daguerreotype to Digital lets kids get handson with an early form of photography creating images using only the sun, photographic paper and interesting objects found in the garden at Highwic. School-aged children only, maximum of 4 per paying adult. Adult $10, child $3, Highwic, 40 Gillies Ave, bookings essential 524 5729 5 Hatched, Matched & Dispatched is a collection of christening and wedding dresses, and items to do with funerals and mourning memorabilia gathered between 1840 and the present. Selwyn Library, 8 St Stephens Ave, Parnell. 10am-4pm daily to Oct 14. Adults $10, children $5

Part of the Heritage Festival, Parnell, the Threads that Bind us starts at Stitch and Bitch Lounge Cafe at 11am for a talk on wartime knitting groups, followed by Linda Tyler, associate professor, Museums and Cultural Heritage at the University of Auckland, talking at Parnell Gallery about key people and places in early Parnell. The event wraps at Antoines, when owner/chef Tony Astle (pictured, below) reflects on the social whirl, scandales and society of earlier years. All details at parnell. net.nz, organised by Parnell Heritage and the Parnell Business Association 8 Joan Sutherland, Maria Callas, Pavarotti and Mario Lanza are just a few of the great singers showcased by Operatunity’s talented tenors at the Divas & Divos concert. Somervell Presbyterian Church, cnr Greenlane and Remuera Rd, 11am-1.00pm. Tickets 0508 266 237 or bookings@operatunity.co.nz 8-12 A rare chance to explore the rooftop of Auckland Museum. View recent heritage restoration work, see the field of solar panels usually hidden below the roof parapet, enjoy incredible views of the Waitematā Harbour.

Tours twice a day, see aucklandmuseum.com for times and tickets 13 Another Parnell Trust sustainable urban living initiative, take your bike riding to the next level by exploring local cycle routes and learning safe road skills. Bookings essential, call 555 5164 or email community@parnell. org.nz, 545 Parnell Rd, 9-11am Whether you sing in a choir, in the shower or just enjoy listening to music, the Voco2018 Voice Community Concert has something for everyone; choral, gospel, barbershop, jazz and contemporary. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell.

7-9.30pm, tickets from $15, voco2018.com 13/14 The Auckland Pet & Animal Expo. Hundreds of pet products and services on display, as well as entertainment, demonstrations, free samples and expert advice. You’ll need to leave your four-legged babies at home, but your human kids are welcome. ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane West, 10am-5pm daily, tickets from eventfinda.co.nz or at the gate

the hobson 49

14 Bring out your inner child at the Auckland Collectable Doll and Toy Fair where you’ll find Barbie, miniatures, doll houses and furniture, teddy bears, toys including Matchbox, Dinky, Lego and more. Tickets $7 at the door, under12s free. Alexandra Park Raceway, Greenlane West, 10am-3pm 15 Back to school for the start of Term 4 20 Enjoy an evening of classical Italian music

by Giuliani, Carulli and Piazzola, performed

by Luca Manghi on the flute and Matthew Marshall on guitar. St Luke’s Church, 130 Remuera Rd, 5-6.30pm, $25, door sales only 26 Auckland Grammar School’s Great Hall will host a special launch event for the school’s Art House Tour, with an exhibition of current student artwork for sale, an auction, and live art and entertainment. The Art House Tour, featuring eight superb local homes and gardens, will showcase a wide selection of art from artists and local galleries. All Art House Tour ticketholders are invited to the launch event, with doors opening 6.30pm. The Art House Tour is the next day, from 10am-4pm.

See grammar.school.nz/events for tickets 27 Celebrate short and sweet New Zealand cinema at the EGGS Short Film Festival, held in conjunction with the New Zealand Film Commission. Eight award-winning short films, from comedy to documentary will screen. $25, tickets from eventfinda.co.nz, Marjory Adams Hall, EGGS, 6.30-10.30pm Hola amigos! Head to Mexfestival 2018 for delicious food and drink, Mariachi, dancing, costumes, competitions, and all other things Mexican. Pavilion 6, ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane West. Familia (and children) time 12-6.00pm, amigos time 6-10.00pm, tickets from mexfestival.com The fourth Saturday of every month sees Craft Harvest set up shop alongside the Parnell Farmers’ Market. High quality, fresh and original, hand-crafted goods direct from the makers. Jubilee Hall, 545 Parnell Rd, 8-11.45am The Pink Star Walk is a fun event for everyone, so create your pinkest outfit and round up friends and family to walk with, and raise money for this annual Breast Cancer Foundation NZ Fundraiser. Starts at the Wintergardens in the Doman, 4.15-8.00pm.

Tickets/registration at pinkstarwalk.co.nz

the cryptic by mĀyĀ

ACROSS 8/30 11 was to settle on an alleged inhabitant of 28 (8) 9 Here, French Queen was less warm (5) 10 Foot, for example, has time after university (4) 11 One may sit back in their calling (6) 12 5's heart following relation with a spar for food delivery (5,3) 13 Leaves as group is playing “Taken in” (8) 15 Knock back drink with 11s and the mother of Tityos (5) 17 11 was at Melbourne Cricket Club with a sweetie (7) 19 Eats with cheek in, making more than one mistake (4-3) 22 Occasionally enrich Bill for nothing (5)

24 A stubborn creature is the Father, as 3 may have Cimabue (8) 26 Basket itched to drop bait, as 32 did Sigmund Freud (8) 28 Princess accepting head-to-toe help for Oracle H.Q. (6) 30 See 8 31 Type of paper computer, man (5) 32 Was this 11 in “About a boy”? (4) DOWN 1 Just as Yogi was losing heart . . . (4) 2 . . . girl ’ad Narnia adventure! (8) 3 11 was soldier and Holy Roman Emperor (6) 4 They're most in for joint annoyance (7) 5 11 in hairy entanglement with a measure of cloth (8)

6 11 gets a grand before rising in the morning (outside USA) (6) 7 11 made tax collector in an instant (4) 14 11 was rasher than most? (5) 16 11 was best thing in one's eye from a very soft Italian article (5) 18 “Fine city,” Simpson is heard to state (8) 20 What could precede and what could follow “AL” is voluntary (8) 21 11 was very ’elpful to cook losing glasses (3,4) 23 11 was sexy before (6) 25 11's girl going north (not west), say, heartlessly framed (6) 27 11 was finally sunk taking shelter (4) 29 11 was owned by Prince (4)

Set by Māyā. Answers will appear in our next issue (October 2018). Can’t wait, or need help? Visit https://thehobsoncrossword.wordpress.com/

SEPTEMBER CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across: 1 Spring, 4 Keyboard, 10 Loincloth, 11 Evils, 12 Nears, 13 Almshouse, 14 Mia mia, 16 Reverie, 19 Benzoic, 21 Len Lye, 23 Spellbind, 25 Otaki, 26 Icing, 27 Knighting, 28 Greeting, 29 Season Down: 1 Silent, 2 Ruination, 3 Nicks, 5 Exhumer, 6 Beethoven, 7 Adieu, 8 Dishevel, 15/9 Moonlight sonata, 17 Ray davies, 18 Abashing, 20 Chicken, 21 Ludwig, 22 Virgin, 24 Exile, 25 Ochre

the hobson 50

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RECENT SALES SOLD

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Ross Hawkins, National Top Performing Licensee 2013 - 2018 Ross Hawkins M +64 274 720 577 ross.hawkins@nzsir.com nzsothebysrealty.com Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.