CHATTER

Dwarf apple tree

Names such as these

Dwarf apple trees will not grow fast and only reach about 1.5 metres, making them perfect for unobtrusive urban fruit-growing. The dwarf varieties available to plant now, come in four main types: Teacher’s Pet, Little Rascal, Mischief, and Scallywag. The names relate to the M116 dwarfing rootstock which they have been grafted onto.

Let’s have a look

These dwarf apple trees will grow well in a large outdoor pot. Pick a sheltered position on an apartment deck, in a courtyard, or in a sunny sheltered spot in your garden. Strawberry plants underneath around the base would help to use that valuable planting space. These varieties are loaded with delicate pink and white blossoms in spring. The fruit can then be harvested in autumn when the rose-red to dark-red fruit have reached full colour.

Did you know?

The trees need to cross-pollinate, which is the process of applying pollen from one flower to pistils of another flower on another tree. In urban areas there are often trees growing close enough for cross-pollination. Pollination usually occurs with the help of insects and wind.

TLC

Train to a single or dual leader, creating a small bush. Do not allow more than two leaders. They have good natural disease resistance which means little spraying is required and little to no pruning. Remove any suckers that grow from the rootstock. Our plant of the month comes from Katherine Beauchamp, Palmers Miramar.

One

Money for Mahara

The family of the late Avenal McKinnon (pictured, middle), noted art historian and writer, has made a substantial contribution towards funding the Mahara Gallery’s recent redevelopment at a $6.5 million cost. The Waikanae gallery is now 95% there. Construction started in November 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Avenal was well known for her long service as director of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, and her knowledge of and interest in Frances Hodgkins. A significant selection of Hodgkins’ paintings, known as the Field Collection, will be held at the redeveloped Mahara.

Two

Glass collector

In early March, Wellington City Council paused their glass collection service, and it’s meant we’ve all been taking stock – of our glass, and of how many empties we actually produce. Some have opted to hoard their stash until collections resume, amassing a mountain in the garage. Wine connoisseurs have been confronted by how much Wolf Blass and Cleanskin creeps into their curated glass bin; others have called it quits and gone to the tip. “I was at the landfill on the weekend and there was a line for the glass recycling,” said one local on social media, “it’s like the new Duck Island.”

Three

Glow up

Try our latest ceramic collab, Glow. Capital has teamed up with Felicity Donaldson Smith, the Greytown ceramicist behind Wundaire, for our special limited edition offer: a ceramic candleholder and candles. The goodie box includes a hand-crafted Wundaire candle holder, two candles from National Candles, and the latest issue of our top-notch mag. Just like Capital’s stories, all of the Glow items are locally made, showing off the talented people who make this region shine. The perfect Mother’s day prezzie, or a personal treat. There are only 60 up for grabs, at capitalmag.co.nz/shop.

Four

Chuffed

Chuffing good news: KiwiRail have announced that sameday passenger services from Wellington to Auckland, and Picton to Christchurch, are returning. Starting from 25 September, you’ll be able to train to Auckland three days a week with same-day arrival.

It's cool to kōrero

A te wā o te Matariki, ka hui tahi tātou ko taku whānau.

I’m spending Matariki with my family.

New in town

Poppy's passion

It’s a tale as old as time: you find a garment that fits your butt, but not your waist; fits your thighs, but sits too far above your ankles. Poppy Voon is the sustainable fashion label doing something about this clothing conundrum. She offers ready-to-wear garments straight off the rack, designed for all body types, and made in Wellington from fabrics like linen, organic cotton, and NZ merino. She also crafts made-to-measure garments, offering a range of material and colour choices. Her new showroom, which has just opened at 85 Victoria Street, showcases her collection, also found online at poppyvoon.com

Poet Botanicals

Poet Botanicals is our new favourite self-care haven. At the south end of The Parade in Island Bay, you'll find their heavenly studio where they craft consciously designed, natural goods to inspire relaxation, including a sumptuous candle collection. The studio is open to the public from Wednesday to Saturday where they offer a beautifully curated selection of wellbeing brands, a new candle refillery service, and candle-making workshops. Their collection can be viewed online at poetbotanicals.co.nz

Five

Wāhine winners

Great news fresh out of New York! Wellington podcast production company Popsock Media took out a Gold Medal at the New York Festivals Radio Awards for their series The Lake. Hosted by investigative journalist Aaron Smale, with music by Ben Lemi (Dawn Diver, French For Rabbits) and sound design by Marc Chesterman, The Lake explores what happened to the children and adolescents of Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital in the 1970s, under the supervision of head psychiatrist Selwyn Leeks. It’s a beautifully told story: one of shocking abuse and neglect, but also adventure, skulduggery, and true friendship forged in the worst of circumstances.

Congratulations to our very own Melody Thomas (pictured) and Kirsten Johnstone of Popsock Media! The Lake was funded by NZ On Air and produced alongside Stuff NZ.

Six

Play Hutt

Running for over 20 years, the Recreation Aotearoa Awards celebrate projects and people in New Zealand’s recreation sector. The prize for Outstanding Project was recently won by Hutt City Council, for Play in the Hutt, a project which encourages children to get outside and explore. CEO Andrew Leslie says, “There has been a high calibre of work taking place over the last few years, even with the disruption of COVID-19, and it feels more important than ever to celebrate these.”

Seven

You’re invited!

Finalists in the second ever Capital Photographer of the Year competition will be exhibited from 29 June at Courtenay Creative, the old bank building, 49 Courtenay Place. At the time of going to print, entries had already exceeded last year’s total. The categories include Whenua (landscape/nature), Society (people), Structure (architecture), Movement (motion), Inside (interiors), and Rangatahi (young photographers). Courtenay Creative, 29 June to 3 July.

Eight

Gully a-go-go

Two years after its projected completion date, Transmission Gully opened to the public just a day before April Fool’s Day. The verdict? It’s pretty damn good. Journey times up the coast are reduced, the road quality is great, and we’ve unlocked new views and nooks of the Kāpiti area – it’s almost as if all those grievances we had last month are just drifting by the window, fading, fading, almost out of sight now… Wow, Kāpiti Island looks great from up here!