SCENEZINE PROPOSED HOTEL BRITOMART STREETBALL NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOURS
THREE
EDITION WINTER‘08
CONTENTS
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03 04 06 08 09 10 12 13 14 18 20 24 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 38 40 41 42 43 44 46
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR EVENTS AT BRITOMART BRITOMART STREETBALL A PAGE ABOUT ART 42BELOW SPACE HE’S COOL COOPER AND COMPANY DEVELOPMENT DOWNLOAD IN THE SUMMERTIME COOPER AND COMPANY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOURS ELFVIS IS BOLD ELEMENO P ALI & MONIE REVIEW YOUR BITS BRITOMART ONLINE HISTORY NEVER REPEATS RANDOM BITS CHECK IN, CHECK IT OUT... THE BRITOMART HOTEL ON THE SCENE BRITOMART MOVERS AND SHAKERS GUEST WRITER ARTICLE COCKTAIL BY SMITH/CROWN FOR DOWNTOWN UPDATE CITY FARMERS’ MARKET AT BRITOMART GOING GOING GONE BRITOMART TENANT NETBALL SOUL: AT BRITOMART WHERE TO GET IT GUIDE
CONTRIBUTORS
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SARAH HULL, GEMMA STANTON, NICKI JUDKINS, MELISSA ROBINSON, KIRSTEN ANDREWS, SARAH BALLANTYNE, TANIA KENT, CLARE BUCHANAN, SUSIE DRUMMOND & LIZ MACINTYRE CONTACT: INFO@BRITOMART.ORG
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
It’s been a while since our last edition but we’ve been busy down at Britomart on a number of fronts as you’ll see. We’ve had many events over the last while and there are plenty of images to show you the action. As you’ll see on page 42 the Pavilion has now been removed to make way for the East Building, so these were the last events to take advantage of that fantastic venue. We’ll continue to hold events at Britomart but they will now all be ‘open air’ events. Big news around the ‘traps’ is that the East Building is now underway – there are a number of articles in this edition giving you all the info. We also have plenty of interesting art projects underway and more planned, so keep checking the website for updated information. We have a variety of new neighbours on the scene so don’t be shy, introduce yourselves and check out how you can work or play together. We have all life’s good stuff at Britomart, think what flowers, 42BELOW cocktails, bike rides and concert tickets could do for your life! Enjoy this packed edition and we look forward to bringing you a fourth edition later in the year.
- ED
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EVENTS AT D
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Britomart Streetball was a 2 v 2 soccer competition for 10-16 year olds held over three Sundays in May. Soccer legend Noah Hickey was MC for the event, the Redbull Hummer provided the beats, and Goodnight Nurse injected a bit of rock.
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Network Visuals (Altrans Building) provided the fancy mobile grandstand for the supporters to park on and the smaller kids got to go mad on the bouncy castle and get their face painted with I Noah. Lots of cool prizes were handed out from Samsung, Puma, the Northern Steamship Co Brew Bar and Kim Crawford for both kids and parents. Bike Central (Kiwi Tavern) generously donated four bikes to the winning teams - Bays Shore and Bays United. You can check out more photos and vids on the net at www.britomart.org.
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THIS IS A PAGE ABOUT ART. AND THIS IS THE TITLE OF THAT PAGE ABOUT ART. ART AT BRITOMART. YOU CAN READ IT AND LEARN MORE. LEARN MORE ABOUT ART, LIFE AND THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE. BY LOOKING AT WORKS OF ART WE SEE OURSELVES REFLECTED IN THE ART. MUCH LIKE A MIRROR. BUT FLASHER. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IT TAKES AN OPENED AND TRAINED EYE TO RECOGNISE ART, AND WHAT CONSTITUTES GOOD ART. HERE AT BRITOMART WE MAKE THAT EASY FOR YOU. WE ONLY HAVE GOOD ART.ENJOY. THE LIGHTS ARE ON AT OLD SOFRANA HOUSE If you’re wandering through Britomart after dark, chances are you’ll trigger our newest artwork, Lux Flux, on the rear façade of Old Sofrana House. It’s a light-based installation by Auckland artist John Radford, previously famous for his TIP sculptures in Ponsonby’s Western Park and for stunts like covering vintage cars in clay on High Street. People passing trigger points near the volcanic cone water feature in Station Plaza (behind the Britomart Transport Centre) and outside the Northern Steamship Co Brew Bar will activate the lights, causing them to flicker in a seemingly random 15-second sequence across the Galway Street façade. The 200 small, clear LED lights and incandescent bulbs have been carefully placed to highlight the architectural features of this grand old building (which currently has Eon Design Centre on its ground floor). The artwork is designed to remind Aucklanders of the importance of appreciating and preserving their heritage buildings. “People come and go, but buildings remain largely constant,â€? says John. “Historic buildings are repositories of deep layered histories of memory, people and place, and it’s vital for us to preserve them.â€? Lux Flux was commissioned by the Britomart Arts Foundation as the first of a series of temporary installations that will appear around Britomart in the coming months. It will remain in place at Old Sofrana House for up to two years, until refurbishment of the building begins.
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HOARDING ART – NOT THE SAME AS COLLECTING IT!
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Keep your eyes on that space where the Pavilion used to be â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as well as the birthplace of the brand-new East Building (see page 13 for more), it will soon be the location of a cool new rotating art exhibition. D5.A 1< F<B We thought the safety hoardings around the East building site would A56;8 make an awesome blank canvas to showcase some hot young artistic =4 B63 talent, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve commissioned several2E56/6A6<;, up-and-coming Auckland-based artists to create a series of temporary painted artworks. These will be exhibited on a section of hoarding facing Takutai Square, adjacent to a temporary above-ground access tunnel linking the Square to the Britomart Transport Centre.
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D5.A 1< F<B
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The exhibition, which will remain in place until the completion of the East Building in 2010, will feature the work of two or more artists at any one time and change every five or six months. It is entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bare Rock & Backbonesâ&#x20AC;? as a tribute to the hard work and determination of the people who helped physically shape Britomart as a place. (More about Britomartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early history on page 29.)
@=19 /<;2@ Other areas of the East Building hoarding will feature the familiar Britomart lettering, but with an interactive twist. Sections of it will be blocked out in blackboard paint and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be laying on the chalk, so all you other budding artists out there can roll your sleeves up and make your mark too. The hoardings around the East site will be erected over the coming month and the first artworks will go up around the end of August.
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SPACE 42BELOW MONTH OF STREET ART IN THE 42BELOW SPACE 29TH AUGUST - 26TH SEPTEMBER INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS INCLUDING LOGAN HICKS (USA), HAHA
(MELBOURNE), VEXTA (MELBOURNE) AND CUT COLLECTIVE (AUCKLAND) Stencil art has been a hot topic in the international street and pop art scene over the past couple of years. There will be a two week exhibition showcasing local street artists Cut Collective, followed by an exhibition of three renowned international stencil artists hitting our shores for the first time. They will be creating pieces live in the gallery, with everything up for sale, including a bespoke piece that 42BELOW will be giving away. Check out some of the artists to the left.
INSPIRED COCKTAILS AND CREATIVITY Fancy a drink in some exclusive company? Then the Botanical Bar is
the answer. Created by Bombay Sapphire, the Botanical Bar will be serving original cocktails designed by the country’s leading bartenders. But these delicious drinks aren’t the only things exclusive to the bar. Seating, lighting and the bar itself are totally original design pieces, as are the artworks on display. Bespoke one-offs from furniture designers Simon James and David Trubridge, photographer Chris Sisarich, glass artist Stephen Bradbourne and artists Billy Apple and Rachel Walters are among the specially commissioned pieces. Britomart residents Eon Design are also involved in developing furniture for the bar. The bar will be open for only two weeks in Auckland before moving to Christchurch. After the event all artwork and design pieces will be auctioned at Fisher Galleries in Christchurch, including the bar itself. Absentee bids can be made via Webb’s Auction House or via the bar in Auckland. More details will be loaded at www.botanicalbar.co.nz or www.webbs.co.nz. Proceeds will be donated to the Dowse Art Museum. Dates: Auckland: 7–15 August, 42BELOW Space, Cnr Commerce St & Customs St East, Britomart. Christchurch: 28–29 August, Fisher Galleries, 134 Victoria St.
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BOOK YOURSELF A CLASS AT THE 42BELOW VODKA UNIVERSITY “Vodka U” will be held in the 42BELOW Space, 20 Customs St East,
next to Smith. With one session daily (6–8pm), Thursday–Saturday, the classes run 16 October through till 20 December. Costs are $50 per person. No bursary entry required. To book a place contact Susie Drummond – susie@42below.com. Ph 09 367 9460
COOL
COOPER AND COMPANY BRINGS ALL ITS ACTIVITIES TOGETHER UNDER THE SAME NAME
In April 2008 Bluewater Management Company, responsible for managing the Britomart development, was renamed Cooper and Company in line with a rebranding initiative by its parent company. Cooper Group Holdings, along with its US-based operating entities Cooper Capital Partners and Cooper & Stebbins, are now simply known as Cooper and Company. “We felt the time was right to bring all our activities in New Zealand and the US under one name,” said Peter Cooper, founder and Executive Chairman of Cooper and Company. “We bought out our partners in the Bluewater Consortium, which was formed to develop the Britomart project, in 2006, so there’s no longer any need for Bluewater as a separate entity here in New Zealand. “Our new identity reflects the fact that we’re all one company, united by a common set of values and goals and drawing on the same set of core skills across everything we do.” Cooper and Company is a private investment company with interests in real estate, renewable energy and finance in New Zealand and the US. It has three offices, in Newport, California, Southlake, Texas and Auckland, New Zealand. Cooper and Company’s principal investments in New Zealand are Britomart and Mountain Landing in the Bay of Islands. Its interests in the US include the Southlake Town Square development in Texas, the Calnetix Group of renewable energy companies and financial services companies RiskSpan and Dimensional.
DEVELOPMENT
DOWNLOAD
EAST DEVELOPMENT
WESTPAC CHARTER HOUSE
Construction of the East Building commenced on Friday 4 July with the site being handed over to Hawkins Construction. The base building construction is programmed to take approximately 26 months and will be completed in October 2010 with the tenant fitout works being completed shortly after.
The construction of Westpac Charter House is now nearing completion with final handover to Westpac due in November 2008. The structure is now complete with glazing and first fix services completed to level 4. Westpac’s fitout is also underway and will be integrated to complete with the base building construction.
Site set-up has commenced with the erection of mesh fencing in local areas of enabling works. We expect to fully secure the site by mid-July when the hoarding goes up, with the impact being that Tyler Street will be closed to vehicular access from this time forward. Residents of the Precinct will also notice a reduction in width on Britomart Place to allow for a loading zone at the eastern end of the site.
The retail units to the ground floor are close to completion with joinery currently being installed. We are currently in negotiations with a number of retailers for the space and hope to be able to confirm the retailers who will be joining the Britomart community shortly.
Access to the Britomart Train Station will be maintained through the construction site with the implementation of above ground “tunnels”. We are working closely with ARTA and ARTNL to ensure minimum disruption to the public using the eastern entrance to the station – however as always, safety is of paramount importance. The construction of the East Building is an exciting milestone in the development of the Britomart Precinct and onlookers will quickly see the development progress with the erection of the steel structure due to start in August – watch this space!
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IN THE
SUMMERTIME
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Ah, summertime - donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you miss it? We sure do. So to salute the sunshine and reminisce of greener lawns and bluer skies here are some polaroids taken in a happier time. All goodies provided by Britomart shops - thanks guys. Models: Mira & Mike @ Britomartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next Top Model
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IN THE
SUMMERTIME
STOCKISTS: DEBUT: 368 5571 EON: 368 4860 FEDERATION: 303 3133 GUBB AND MACKIE: 374 1949 KAGI: 300 7476 MADE: 366 1693 NORTHERN STEAMSHIP CO: 374 3952 SANTOS: 337 0088 URBAN LOFT: 377 8199
INTRODUCING NAME: NIGEL BENT POSITION: DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FUTURE? Nothing.
DESCRIBE TWO THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB? The people I work with and the culture and character of the people we
WHICH BOOK DO YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN? The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
work and associate with.
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DO YOU MISS ANYONE RIGHT NOW? My Mum. THREE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT BRITOMART? My projects (proposed hotel and Stanbeth Excelsior heritage development). WHAT MUSIC WILL YOU TURN OFF? Hip Hop. Santos. Views of the harbour.
WHAT’S THE LATEST SPORTING EVENT YOU WATCHED LIVE? Cody’s soccer match. WORST INJURY YOU HAVE EVER HAD? I’ve never had a major injury.
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WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Billericay in Essex.
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WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR TONIGHT? Wednesday night; change the fish tank water and call my 15 year old son’s mother about him wanting an earring.
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? Cigarette lighters (Nigel is a reformed smoker - ED). WHO IS YOUR HERO? My Dad.
WHAT HIGH SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO? Mt Eliza High in Melbourne.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NZ? People, culture and environment.
ONE OF THE COOLEST PEOPLE I KNOW IS: Jeremy Priddy (Nigel is not a reformed greaser! - ED). THE BOLDEST MOVE I EVER MADE: Can’t say but the second boldest thing was seeing how fast my HSV GTS went.
THERE IS SOUL IN: Me.
LADIES&
GENTLEMEN
NAME: MICHELLE WALLS POSITION: FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FUTURE? I don’t look into the future too much but would like to know I’m making
DESCRIBE TWO THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB? My great team and the diversity.
WHICH BOOK DO YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN? Don’t have one.
THREE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT BRITOMART? The mix of old and new.
DO YOU MISS ANYONE RIGHT NOW? My dog (it died a few weeks ago).
The mix of people we have as tenants now and in the future. Location.
WHAT MUSIC WILL YOU TURN OFF? Guns ‘n’ Roses.
WHAT’S THE LATEST SPORTING EVENT YOU WATCHED LIVE? My son’s college rugby match.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Auckland.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR TONIGHT? Wednesday night; combined dinner with other families that host
E
WORST INJURY YOU HAVE EVER HAD? A thigh injury from mountain biking.
the right decisions.
WHAT HIGH SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO? St Dominic’s.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NZ? The outdoor activities.
Canadian students.
ONE OF THE COOLEST PEOPLE I KNOW IS: My daughter.
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? No.
THE BOLDEST MOVE I EVER MADE: Going to Outward Bound in my early working years.
WHO IS YOUR HERO? No heroes.
THERE IS SOUL IN: Arts, music and theatre.
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NEXT
DOOR NEIGHBOURS
New arrivals at Britomart - donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to say howdy.
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BOLD
ELEMENO P
Elemeno P released their new self titled CD at a party in Union Fish May 29th. Scenezine was lucky enough to score an invite and took some pics for yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all to look at.
ALI MONIE
REVIEW YA BITSÃ
MATCHBOX TWENTY 8TH APRIL GOOD BITS - Night out with a great friend - Rob Thomas - Rob Thomas - Awesome entertainment - FANTASTIC music - Oh Did I Say Rob Thomas!!!
BAD BITS - Queuing to get in the door - Having to leave - No big screen!!
R
MIKE ROTCH ANITA BATH
FINAL SCORE: 3 PINTS OF LIGHTING FLUID OUT OF 5 HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: ICE TOUR 30TH MAY
DEEP HARD N FUNKY 28TH JUNE
GOOD BITS BAD BITS - Amazing ice rink set up in the Arena! - The whole thing was lip
GOOD BITS - Celebrating 10 years of DHF’s
FINAL SCORE: 8 ZAC EFRON CLONES OUT OF 10
FINAL SCORE: 12 BOTTLES OF WATER OUT OF 15
ELTON JOHN 14TH MAY
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE 24TH NOVEMBER
- Well choreographed ie the full Disney production you would expect to see - Even enjoyable for adults - They managed to get two full stories into 2 hours - Great view no matter where your seat was
synched
GOOD BITS BAD BITS - Seeing a consummate professional - Queuing up to get in in Auckland – had to pinch myself, - It finished is that really Elton John - No talking – just music, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel, Sacrifice, Crocodile Rock, Saturday (just to name a few) - 3 hours of Elton John live on stage - 15 minutes of Rocket Man - Elton signing autographs - Fantastic sound – Vector have definitely got it sorted now
FINAL SCORE: 14 SPARKLY PAIRS OF GLASSES OUT OF 14
- Great international DJs at the moment - Mobin Master and Karina Chavez, Sam La More & Marco Denmark - Awesome support from local DJs - Epic visuals & lighting - Originality of having 3D glasses - Amazing vibe
BAD BITS - Glow sticks should have international bans - 80% of the crowd under 22 - Vector Arena isn’t the St James, original home of DHF - 3D glasses - More people dressed up than a costume hire store
GOOD BITS BAD BITS - Knowing the VIP security guard and - Slow songs scattered amongst the show getting to the front of the stage within a metre of JT - Watching him bring Sexy Back! - Awesome lighting - Flawless timing and stage show - The long list of JT tunes that you forgot you loved - JT dancing & singing is HOT HOT HOT
- Too hot in the arena - 6:1 teenage girl ratio - Having to pour every drink into cups - JT’s high pitched voice when speaking - Expensive beverages
FINAL SCORE: 30 HIGH NOTES & HIP THRUSTS OUT OF 30
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www.britomart.org
BRITOMART ONLINE WWW.BRITOMART.ORG IS THE PLACE TO GO TO FOR THE LASTEST INFO ON THE PRECINCT. WE HAVE ADDED SOME NEW THINGS AND POLISHED UP SOME OTHERS. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK IT OUT. WWW.BRITOMART.ORG LATEST NEWS
THE REST OF THE INTERNET WWW.YOUTUBE.COM
CAUGHT IN MOTION
WWW.FLICKR.COM
The news page is now even handier. You can sign up to receive automatic updates via RSS, which will be delivered to you lickity split. Impress your friends with your knowledge, and maybe even make a few new ones! To sign up, click on the orange RSS icon at the top of the news page.
Videos. Don’t you love them? We do. That’s why we decided to dedicate a special section on britomart.org to the moving image. The landing page of the section has a feature Britomart video, and the most recent of our videos. The rest of the vids are divided into categories that include music videos, commercials and TV shows that were shot at Britomart. You can also check out events, including two videos on Britomart Streetball (see the events feature on page 6), and see Elfvis (page 30) getting up to mischief in Britomart. Videos can be accessed via the homepage or the Enjoy section.
Britomart can be found elsewhere on the world wide web. YouTube is the first place you should be looking. Our user name is BritomartNZ (look out for us) and you can enjoy all the videos on our website, when you are stealing a few moments online ‘in your lunch hour’.
Flickr is where Britomart keeps its photos. All the random photos from events, parties and anything else that takes our fancy can be viewed here. Once again our user name is BritomartNZ. Search for us, become our friend - we won’t reject you.
WWW.BEBO.COM
Britomart has a Bebo profile for our Britomart Streetball event, www.bebo.com/BritomartStreetBall. You can become our friend here too. This is the place to be.
PROPOSED HOTEL SITE
Britomart is wanting to build a flash hotel (see page 32 for details). Learn all about Cooper and Company’s plan for the site and download some PDFs chock full of information. Click on Buildings on the homepage and click the link through to Proposed Hotel Site.
RETAIL THERAPY
Looking for somewhere to shop, dine and be merry? The Places section has all the goss. Learn all about the shops, eateries and bars that you can visit in Britomart. Plus shiny pictures to whet your appetite.
COMING SOON…
More internetting will be coming your way. We have plans for britomart. org, almost top secret plans, with code names like ‘Phase Three’ and ‘Phase Three point Two’. We also want to spread our wings, maybe even branch out to something called Facebook or that other one: MySpace. Who knows? We might be feeling daring. One thing for sure is we will be updating constantly, so keep checking back online, the news page at www.britomart.org will let you know of any changes.
HISTORYREPEATS
NEVER
BRITOMART’S AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR HISTORY BLOODSHED AND TRIUMPH, HARD LABOUR AND HEARTACHE, GROUND BROKEN, DEALS DONE, FORTUNES WON AND LOST – IT’S ALL BEEN HAPPENING HERE FOR THE LAST 300 YEARS. These few city blocks we know and love as Britomart are crammed with an incredible amount of history. Over the next few Scenezines we’ll be tracing Britomart’s history back through the ages to the present day, starting with...
THE FIRST PEOPLE
Around 1000 years ago, Aotearoa was settled by Polynesian explorers who came vast distances in search of new lands, navigating by the stars. The ancestral Māori name for the Auckland area is ‘Tāmaki-makau-rau’ or the ‘maiden with 100 lovers’ because the land was so desirable. It had rich and fertile soil, plentiful fresh water sources and access to abundant marine resources. Many histories describe the region as fiercely contested among Māori tribes. On the southern coast of the rugged Waitemata Harbour, one of the most prominent formations was a sharp headland extending far into the harbour. That headland, which many years later would be named Point Britomart, was probably the site of at least one Māori pā, or fortified village. Today’s Britomart precinct is linked to many ancient sites of historical and cultural significance for the Ngāti Whātua people, who trace ancestral ties to the land here. The Ngāti Whātua name for the headland is Te Rerenga Ora Iti (‘The Leap of the Few Survivors’). One story tells of a battle here around 1680 where Ngāti Whātua raided the resident Ngāti Huarere people, forcing the survivors to leap off the cliff to their freedom or deaths. The same method of attack is said to have been used here again in 1822 on a Ngā Puhi raiding party during the notorious Musket Wars.
A NEW ORDER
In 1840 Auckland’s colonial history officially begins with the gifting of 3000 acres of land, with the headland roughly at its centre, from Ngāti Whātua to the new British Governor. The first signings of the historic Treaty of Waitangi had been made earlier in 1840. Governor Hobson was based in the Bay of Islands in the far north and considering sites for a new capital city. Ngāti Whātua leader Āpihai Te Kawau, seeing the benefits of an alliance with the new colonial order, invited Hobson to come to Tāmaki, where he would be presented with land for the building of his new city. The land was gifted and on 18 September 1840 Auckland’s first Union Jack was flown on the headland to mark the site of the New Zealand’s first colonial capital. A Royal Navy gunship called HMS Britomart was subsequently engaged in a detailed survey of the Waitemata Harbour. During the survey the ship’s name was given to the headland, christening it Point Britomart. In 1841 New Zealand’s first British fort was established on Point Britomart. Its purpose was to control Auckland’s harbour entrance and bring order to the growing settlement. Fort Britomart continued to grow throughout the 1840s and 50s, swelling during the New Zealand Wars of the early 1860s to house many of the 10,000 British troops engaged in fighting Māori forces in the Waikato. But the new colony was increasingly expected to fend for itself. Many soldiers were recalled to Britain and the troops that remained soon moved on to the site of renewed conflict in the Taranaki. By 1867 Fort Britomart lay all but empty.
TO BE CONTINUED... Tune in next issue for another exciting instalment of Britomart history – in which Point Britomart is completely demolished and Auckland has its first property market crash!
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RANDOMBITS 30
RANDOMBITS My Heart is a Beast, the roving dance performance, visits Britomart. ‘Evoking the enigmatic presence of the half-human half-stag creature whose wild spirit (recognisable only from their horns) blends into everyday urban life.’ (In case you didn’t get it.)
One of our recycling bins got a ride to the Rugby world cup in France courtesy of Fabric Shelter Systems. Fabric Shelter Systems are a Britomart tenant and built the Pavilion and the giant rugby ball that featured during the cup.
VIEW FROM QUAY STREET WITH PROPOSED BUILDING ‘ENVELOPE’ SHOWN IN GREY
CHECK IN, CHECK IT OUT... THE BRITOMART HOTEL THE FLASHEST HOTEL IN NEW ZEALAND IS PLANNED FOR RIGHT HERE IN BRITOMART. WE’RE JUST WAITING ON COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR A PRIVATE PLAN CHANGE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
We’ve always thought the site on Quay Street between the Quay and Union Fish buildings would be perfect for a luxury five-star hotel – panoramic harbour views, close to the planned wharf redevelopment and with beautiful heritage buildings next door that will make fantastic public spaces. It would be run by one of the big international five-star hotel chains and attract a new crowd of über-rich visitors to spend their money in Auckland – which would be good for a whole range of local businesses. We’ve done our homework, though, and found that to house a really top-end hotel, the building will have to be much taller than the seven-story 70s building currently on the site (old Seafarers House, long earmarked for demolition). So we’ve put in a request with Auckland City Council for a private plan change to change the height we can build to. We’re asking for the height limit (just on this site) to be redefined in keeping with the Harbour Edge Height Control Plane, which applies to the rest of this part of Quay Street. That would allow us to construct a building roughly the height of Number One Queen Street, which stands a couple of blocks further west. HOW COOL THE BRITOMART HOTEL WILL BE Our plan is to design a tall, slim, beautiful building that sits comfortably within the cityscape and in sympathy with the heritage buildings around it. It will have at least 175 largescale luxury rooms and suites and be the best hotel in New Zealand – what is known in the industry as ‘five-plus-star’
standard. The two heritage buildings to the east, Quay and Altrans, will be refurbished and incorporated into the hotel as public spaces at street level and as premium heritage suites above. There’ll be bars, restaurants, conference facilities, artfilled public spaces and waterfront views that Aucklanders as well as tourists can enjoy. We haven’t designed the outside of it yet (we need to get approval for the building ‘envelope’, or 3D block of space, first) but when the time comes we’ll get one of the best architects in the world to design it. The brief will be, ‘Make it amazing!’ – we want something completely iconic and worldclass that will become a new landmark for Auckland. It will be designed to a New Zealand Green Building Council five-star rating, making it one of the most advanced eco-friendly buildings in the country. IF NOT, THEN WHAT? If the plan change isn’t approved by the Council, we’d have to shelve the world-class hotel plan. In that case, we’d build a commercial and mixed-use property instead, similar to the ones we’re already developing for the East and Central sites here at Britomart.
To find out more about the Britomart Hotel and the proposed plan change, check out the Buildings section at www.britomart.org – look under Proposed Hotel Site.
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ONTHESCENE
MOVERS AND
SHAKERS
OLD SOFRANA HOUSE DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR BUSINESS DOES IN A NUTSHELL? Specialises in promoting NZ design.
WHAT TAKES UP MOST OF YOUR TIME WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT BRITOMART? Kids, vegie garden and the husband.
WHAT FILLS YOUR DAY? Meetings, maximising the opportunities and joining the dots.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN NZ? Hawkes Bay because of the wine and design.
We have a retail showroom that sells home wares, furniture, accessories and a design services team for residential and commercial.
DESCRIBE YOUR BRITOMART? An inspiring urban environment made up of like minded people.
Businesses that provide a range of goods and services that complement each other.
WHO ELSE DO YOU WISH WOULD DISCOVER BRITOMART? Repatriates to see that it is ‘happening’ in NZ and visitors to NZ to see real NZ design.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR BUSINESS? 9 years. DID YOUR BUSINESS MOVE FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN AUCKLAND? Yes, Beaumont Quarter. WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK THE WAY YOU DO? The fact that we have great potential and it’s about bringing together those companies’ identities and creating our unique cultural identity.
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ARE YOU THE COOK OR THE KITCHEN HAND? Definitely the cook. WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? My girls when they come in with a great new discovery. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY THRASHING? My Kathryn Wilson shoes.
THE COOLEST THING I EVER BOUGHT: Garth Chester chair. Garth Chester is a NZ furniture maker from the 1940s and did the first bent plywood chair.
THE BOLDEST THING I EVER DID: Bungy jump.
THE SOUL IS MISSING FROM: The soul has been missing from the CBD but it is being reclaimed.
MOVERS AND
SHAKERS
BUCKLANDS BUILDING
DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR BUSINESS DOES IN A NUTSHELL? It’s a facilities services business, at Britomart we manage the valet
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN NZ? Medlands Beach on Great Barrier.
WHAT FILLS YOUR DAY? Managing staff.
ARE YOU THE COOK OR THE KITCHEN HAND? Definitely the cook.
operation and car parks and look after the cleaning for a lot of tenants and the open space.
WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? Life.
DESCRIBE YOUR BRITOMART? A healthy, friendly place. WHO ELSE DO YOU WISH WOULD DISCOVER BRITOMART? A nice sandwich shop. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR BUSINESS? 2 ½ years.
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DID YOUR BUSINESS MOVE FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN AUCKLAND? No, we started here.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK THE WAY YOU DO? Just naturally driven. WHAT TAKES UP MOST OF YOUR TIME WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT BRITOMART? Our three great children.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY THRASHING? Not enough. THE COOLEST THING I EVER BOUGHT: My launch 15 years ago. THE BOLDEST THING I EVER DID: Start up Milestone. THE SOUL IS MISSING FROM: Auckland, all the elements that make a great city just don’t seem to be coming together.
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Suzie Marsden, Westpacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head of Corporate Responsibility Photo by Nigel Marple.
WESTPAC KEEPS THE FUTURE IN MIND WITH BRITOMART PREMISES
Westpac’s Head of Property, Murray Dobson, says environmental sustainability has been a key factor in the design and construction of Westpac’s flagship building, which is being built in two phases in the Britomart precinct. “Phase 1 ‘Charter House’, an 8,000m2 site on the corner of Customs Street and Britomart Place, due for completion by the end of the year, has been built to maintain as much of the area’s heritage as possible, keeping the integrity of the exteriors of the old Charter House,” Murray says. “Balancing the historical elements along with the needs of our employees, it has still been designed to achieve a 4-star Green Star rating,” says Mr Dobson. A 4-star rating signifies ‘best practice’ as rated by the New Zealand Green Building Council. “Design is underway for Phase 2, the larger building at 13,500m2, and we are excited to announce we will be working with Cooper and Company to achieve ‘excellence’ in design with a 5-star rating.” This new, sustainable head office builds on other Westpac initiatives which include: - other real estate changes in Wellington and Christchurch, utilising energy efficiency best practice; - a refresh of technology, with more energy efficient computers, screens and copiers being rolled out throughout Westpac’s network of 198 branches; - a review of the bank’s waste reduction programme; - renewing Westpac’s vehicle fleet with more environmentally efficient vehicles over the next 11 months, estimated to reduce fleet carbon emissions by nearly 600 tonnes per annum.
Westpac’s credentials have been recognised on a number of levels including the bank’s Green Home Loan voucher booklets being named Socially Responsible Bank Product of the Year in the 2007 Sunday Star-Times Cannex Banking Awards. Driving Westpac’s sustainability policies is Suzie Marsden, Head of Corporate Responsibility. Ms Marsden is interested in the social aspect of the new building in addition to the environmental factors, and how it will contribute to Westpac’s very strong staff culture. “Enhancing sustainability is the fact that the new building will bring together various Westpac teams into one location. This will immediately create a significant reduction in Westpac’s carbon footprint,” she says. “Our call centres are coming into the city, from Manukau and Onehunga, along with other teams currently working in offices around Auckland city, so this new flagship building will be an opportunity for us to bring our people together into an environment that fosters team work and collaboration, that is open and contemporary, and situated in a cultural and business precinct that is vibrant and energetic – a perfect home for Westpac.”
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BY HOT SOUR APPLE Chill a martini glass then in a shaker add the following… 30 mls zubrowka (bison grass vodka) 30 mls apple sourz liqueur 4 lime wedges 15 mls sugar syrup 30 mls cloudy apple juice Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar Shake and strain… Feeling lazy? smith. can make it for you. Visit them in the Levy Building.
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Crown for Downtown at Britomart was a boxing event held at the Britomart Pavilion 2 August 2007 (you can check it out online at www.britomart.org in our past events section).
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Central Auckland Boxing did very well at the Australian national ‘Golden Gloves’ held in Caboolture, Queensland. Gold medals went to Isaac Peach in middleweight, Justin Potter in welterweight and Daena Stephenson in junior welter female.
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Silver medals went to Alexis Pritchard and TK Lee who fought current Aussie national champs. Well done team! The Ronald McDonald House Auckland gym has now been completed. Parents and families staying at Ronald McDonald House now have a place to de-stress with state of the art gym equipment purchased with the help of the ‘Crown for Downtown at Britomart’ donation. Thanks to all the tenants who bought tickets and showed their support.
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July, 2008
HUNGRY? It’s a well known rule that one should never go shopping for food hungry. But on some occasions this advice could be ignored; we recommend that you come to the City Farmers’ Market with an empty stomach and a good appetite.
Before you pick up your weekly essentials (fresh fruit and veg, organic meats, smoked salmon, bread and bagels, cheeses, free range eggs, olive oils, honey, fresh pasta...), satisfy your Saturday with a sampling of fresh, delicious onsite foods available each week. To perk up what might be a cloudy mind (busy working week? celebratory Friday?), a decent coffee is essential. Monster the Coffee Company will steam the perfect caffeine fix for you with their freshly roasted organic beans. After the coffee is under control, it’s time to find a partner in food. Sweet, savoury, warm, cold — it’s all here.
Saturday MorningS 8.30am — 12.30pm
You could delve into a delicious and authentic French pastry (pain au chocolat, croissants to die for) made by Philippe. Follow that with one of Kay’s cupcakes (or a box), the cutest cakes you’ve ever seen. Not sweet enough? Try some of Lallus’ fudge! Or perhaps a slice of pizza from Kix; gorgeously warm and fresh — and very healthy on a crispy thin base. If you’re after a more classic breakfast pick-me-up, visit Jamie and the team at Te Kainga Meat Co. They make an extraordinary organic sausage in a bun (we recommend the mint & lamb, with fresh rocket and home-made chutney). And
you’ll want to pick up some meat for the barbie afterwards. The guys at Trotters can whip you up a bacon and egg roll you’ll dream of daily, made with free-range pork and eggs from the market, sure to warm up and enliven the weariest weekend market goer. Need something fresh to wash it all down? Stop by some of our fruit growers, who also bottle the best juices — perfect for on-the-spot refreshment. See you on Saturdays at the market!
Galway St, behind the train station, Britomart rain or shine
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Britomart tenants competed in a friendly netball tournament against each other on a court that was hidden beneath the Britomart Pavilion. Cooper and Company came up trumps 4-2 against the New Zealand Green Building Council. Also playing were teams from Maersk, Westpac, Hawkins, Northern Steamship Co Brew Bar and City Boxing. More photos are online at www.britomart.org.
SOUL
TO GET IT
WHERE
ARTIST PHOTOGRAPHY
ANDREW BARBER 021 230 4773 BEVERLY GOODWIN 09 528 5591 DELIA WOODHAM MATTHEW DOWNES 021 334 711 PETER GIBSON SMITH 021 328 890 SIMON PAYTON TOPIC PHOTOGRAPHY LIMITED 09 309 4558
www.deliawoodham.com www.simonpayton.com www.topicphoto.co.nz
FASHION HOMEWARES DEBUT EON FEDERATION GUBB AND MACKIE HYBRID BOTANICAL STYLIST KAGI STYLE MADE STOREROOM URBAN LOFT
09 368 5771 09 368 4860 09 303 3133 09 374 1949 09 369 5102 09 300 7476 09 366 1693 09 366 1695 09 377 8199
www.eon.co.nz www.federation.co.nz www.gubbandmackie.com www.hybridstylist.co.nz www.kagistyle.com www.madestore.co.nz www.urbanloft.co.nz
THEATRE DANCE FESTIVAL AUCKLAND FESTIVAL AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY BLACK GRACE LUXEMBOURG GARDENS PASION POR TANGO
09 309 0101 09 309 0390 09 358 0552 09 309 8692 09 445 9544
www.aucklandfestival.co.nz www.atc.co.nz www.blackgrace.co.nz www.pasionportango.com
FOOD BEVERAGE 42 BELOW LIMITED NORTHERN STEAMSHIP CO BREW BAR SANTOS MARITIME SMITH
46 09 920 9430 www.42below.com 09 374 3952 www.northernsteamship.co.nz 09 337 0088 09 309 5529
SHIPPING MAERSK NEW ZEALAND LIMITED MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY
09 354 1619 09 369 5390
www.mscnz.co.nz
MARKETING, DESIGN BRANDING COMMUNICATIONS 174 EAST BUZZ CHANNEL CLARKE NEWTON INSIGHT CREATIVE MILK (NZ) LIMITED NETWORK VISUALS SIMON INC. VICE WATERMARK LTD
09 302 1133 09 379 8920 09 362 0069 09 919 6000 09 366 6152 09 309 6066 0211 742 591 09 354 4215 09 300 3253
DRAPER ARCHITECTS NEIL GAUGHT CONSULTING NEW IMPROVED ARCHITECTS STUDIO OF URBAN LANDSCAPE LIMITED
09 368 4673 021 935 355 09 303 3573 09 377 6822
ARCHITECTS LANDSCAPERS
www.buzzchannel.co.nz www.insightcreative.net www.networkvisuals.co.nz www.simoninc.co.nz www.viceland.com www.watermarkltd.com
www.draperarchitects.co.nz www.newimproved.co.nz www.soulenvironments.co.nz
PROPERTY PROJECT MANAGEMENT FACILITIES ACCESS PROPERTY CARE COOPER AND COMPANY COLTRANE ELECTRICAL PROJECTS LTD MILESTONE GROUP LIMITED WESTPAC PROPERTY
09 358 3004 09 914 8431 09 369 1112 09 358 3004 09 358 3004 09 336 9670
www.accesspropertycare.co.nz www.cooperandcompany.org www.coltrane.co.nz
09 365 1768 09 377 6133
www.bikecentral.co.nz www.cityboxing.co.nz
www.milestonegroup.co.nz
SPORT ADVENTURE BIKE CENTRAL CITY BOXING
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DUNCAN COTTERILL LAWYERS LIMITED 09 309 1948 CLENDONS, BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS 09 306 8000 GEOFF TIPPETT 021 540 940 NEW ZEALAND GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 09 379 3996 VEDA ADVANTAGE (NZ) LIMITED 09 367 6284
www.duncancotterill.com www.clendons.co.nz www.nzgbc.org.nz
FINIS.