Capital 88

The friends issue

CAPITAL Full house

The co-living pals who played their cards right AUTUMN 2023 $11.90

Grub lug club

From garage to glory, the Delivereasy story

Put together Meet the clever Garrett St crew

Super spreaders Take your party nosh up a notch

THE STORIES OF WELLINGTON

Rau Huia Collection

by Tennent Brown Coming To Market Soon

shellybaytaikuru.co.nz

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offee Supreme Iced Coffee: roasted for flavour, cold-brewed for taste and canned for convenience.

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Located on one of New Zealand’s most picturesque coast lines, Harakeke Heights is set to be a stunning lifestyle community with beautiful wetlands and pathways throughout. Situated within minutes to Waikanae beach and the golf course there is something for everyone.

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Sections starting from $205,000 + GST.

Contact Selina Wylie on 021 731 567 or selina@harakekeheights.nz for more information or to secure your section today.

MĀ TE POHEWA MĀ TE AUAHA HOKI KA WHAKAPUAKI NGĀ KURA E HUNA ANA

Red Square, 1965, Europe, by Ralph Hotere. Purchased 2006. © Reproduced courtesy of Ralph Hotere. Te Papa (2006-0024-5)

TEPAPASTORE.CO.NZ Celebrating the beauty of Māori imagination and creativity

CAPITAL The stories of Wellington

W

e’ve had a stormy start to the year. Is it a harbinger of things to come? Uneasy questions are quivering on our lips. We are watching as ferocious weather engulfs much of the North Island, and our sympathy is with everyone affected.

In this issue we look at friends and friendship. Friends in business, friends who build houses and live together, and a group who share a work space, have fun together and have become friends. And of course, we couldn’t resist a quick look, in Tales of the City, at a few of our furry friends.

Poet Laureate Chris Tse, who so capably summed up developments in Wellington’s poetry scene in our previous issue Cap #87, takes a fresh look at an autumnal poem by Mary Ursula Bethell, published in 1929, in this issue’s Re-verse.

Our Capital writing cohort put together the regular features that enable us to provide you with a consistent read. Again Deirdre Tarrant, our Welly Angel, helps sort out family tribulations, and Melody Thomas in Wāhine reflects on 10 years of the reciprocal joys of parenting. And Haleigh Trower has compiled our crossword. I hope you find it challenging.

In other news our biennial Best of Wellington competition returns. Watch for results in subsequent issues.

And our very successful Capital Photographer of the Year competition will return in 2024. The event has grown so big that we have made it a biennial event, to ensure the scale of the event will reflect its appeal.

All this and more.

Subscriptions $89 for 6 issues $149 for 12 issues New Zealand only

To subscribe, please email accounts@capitalmag.co.nz or visit capitalmag.co.nz/shop

Stockists Pick up your Capital in New World, Countdown, and Pak‘n’Save supermarkets, Moore Wilson's, Unity Books, Commonsense Organics, Magnetix, City Cards & Mags, Take Note, Whitcoulls, Wellington Airport, Interislander, and other discerning nation-wide outlets.

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Contact Us Phone Email Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Post Deliveries ISSN

+64 4 385 1426 editor@capitalmag.co.nz capitalmag.co.nz facebook.com/CapitalMagazineWellington @CapitalMagWelly @capitalmag Box 9202, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 31–41 Pirie St, Mt Victoria, Wellington, 6011 2324-4836

Alison Franks Editor

Produced by Capital Publishing Ltd

The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any losses due to the use of material in this magazine.

Copyright ©. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of Capital Publishing Ltd.

8

Staff

Featured contributors

Managing editor Alison Franks editor@capitalmag.co.nz Sales manager Milly Brunel milly@capitalmag.co.nz Campaign coordinators Haleigh Trower haleigh@capitalmag.co.nz Siobhan Vaccarino siobhan@capitalmag.co.nz Luke Farr luke@capitalmag.co.nz Factotum John Bristed john@capitalmag.co.nz Project manager Shalee Fitzsimmons shalee@capitalmag.co.nz Art director Rachel Salazar artd@capitalmag.co.nz Designer Elaine Loh design@capitalmag.co.nz

CHARLOT TE FIELDING Writer

HANNAH MAHON Publi sh i ng c o ordi n ator

Charlotte is a Wellington writer who lives with her teenage son and small fluffy dog.

When she's not writing she is probably reading, doing DIY, crafting, listening to podcasts, or swimming. She writes a Substack newsletter about art, history, and culture, and talks about reading and writing on TikTok @charlottefieldingbooks.

Hannah is a designer and budding creative. She enjoys visiting art galleries and historic places around the world. She studied communication design, specialising in advertising, and she produces a magazine that aims to elevate second-hand goods.

BEX MCGILL Ph oto g r aph er

LU K E FA R R C amp ai g n c o ordi n ator

Bex is a multi-disciplinary creative, working primarily in portraiture and fashion photography. She is about to start her Master of Design at Massey University, exploring sustainability in slow fashion and analogue photography, whilst continuing to freelance. Check out her work on Instagram @bex_mcgill.

From voiceovers to interviewing guests on his very own chat show @thelukefarrshow, Luke loves to get amongst it. Hawkes Bay born with a NYC mentality, he loves the hustle. Surf, skating and snow are in his veins from birth.

Content manager / writer Sophie Carter content@capitalmag.co.nz Publishing coordinator Hannah Mahon hello@capitalmag.co.nz Accounts Tod Harfield accounts@capitalmag.co.nz

Contributors Melody Thomas, Janet Hughes, Anna Briggs, Sarah Lang, Deirdre Tarrant, Francesca Emms, Dan Poynton, Chris Tse, Claire Orchard, Harriet Palmer, Jess Scott, Griff Bristed, Claire O’Loughlin, Chev Hassett, Joram Adams, Sanne Van Ginkel, Rachel Helyer Donaldson, Matthew Plummer, Fairooz Samy, Adrian Vercoe, Sasha Borissenko, Courteney Moore, Josiah Nevell, Monica Winder, Craig Beardsworth, Olivia Lamb, Wilson Matete, Bruno Hart, Charlotte Barnes, Bex McGill, Charlotte Fielding, Jackie Lee Morrison, Tess Eden, Al Green, Ruby Harfield, Madeleine Boles de Boer

Submissions We welcome freelance art, photo, and story submissions. However we cannot reply personally to unsuccessful pitches.

10

dowse.org.nz

25 MAR 13 AUG 2023

unhinged

OPEN I NG THE DOOR TO THE DOWSE COLLECTION

C O N T E N T S

14 16 19 20 25

CHATTER NOTEWORTHY

BY THE NUMBERS NEW PRODUCTS CULTURE

30

Play group Sector 22’s vibe that attracted a tribe

34

22 Tales of the city Chin wag with Izzy Baarspul

From garage to glory How a hangover began the Delivereasy story

28 Two man Cru

Fruit Cru founders’ organic friendship

43

Firm friends

倀氀甀猀 匀椀稀攀

䐀䔀匀䤀䜀一䔀刀 䘀䄀匀䠀䤀伀一 稀攀戀爀愀渀漀⸀挀漀⸀渀稀

Wellington’s bestie-run businesses

C O N T E N T S

56 58 69 70 72 74

46

Buddy corporate on Buckley Road

BUG ME EDIBLES

BY THE BOOK RE-VERSE LIFESTYLE WELLY ANGEL

The co-living housing-crisis remedy

61 76

A smatter of platters

Labour of love

Foodie spreads from three platter pros

Melody Thomas on lovey-dovey parenthood

78 80

CALENDAR PUZZLED

C H AT T E R

CPotY Snapshots

One Hatching a plan Some cracking news for New Zealand’s national bird – for the first time in over a century a wild kiwi egg has been laid in Wellington. In November last year 11 North Island brown kiwi were released into the Mākara hills, as part of the Capital Kiwi Project which aims to eradicate pests and restore the region’s kiwi population. The team can track the birds using aerials, and were conducting a health check when they made the exciting discovery.

Title: Love Past Photographer: Kate Glasson Category: Society semi-finalist Behind the camera: Architectural graduate Kate Glasson moved from the South Island to the capital eight years ago. She quickly became settled here with “a beautiful and elastic whānau of creative people practising across disciplines,” and these friends help to inspire her work.

Why photography? Before architecture Kate briefly studied art history. She was struck by a photograph from 1839 – Self Portrait as a Drowned Man by Hippolyte Bayard – for “its humour and its play on the notion of ghosts,” which sparked an interest in the art form.

Memory and nostalgia became key elements in her work, using photography, particularly film photography, to tell a story. She says “the idea that it is a storing of the light of that moment, that the same light that touched the subject also touched your film – simply to create the image – is inherently romantic to me.”

Two Stargazing a head Wairarapa is officially home to New Zealand’s second International Dark Sky Reserve. It’s taken five years of work by a small group of volunteers to achieve the certification from the International Dark-Sky Association, which is currently only bestowed on 20 other places worldwide. Covering 3,665 square kilometres, the reserve spans the South Wairarapa and Carterton districts and will be protected from significant light encroachment.

The Wairarapa Dark-Sky Association is already hoping to expand the reserve to encompass northern Wairarapa’s Masterton district.

The snap: Love Past shows just that – it is a portrait of Tom, “a past love” of the photographer. It’s taken at the “iconic Trash Palace in Porirua shortly before things between us ended,” she explains. “There’s something in there, in the image, around the paraphernalia of our lives and the memories we carry with us.” She sees the image as “a portal into that time, and a meditation on the nature of loss, value, and love.”

14

C H AT T E R

New in town

F i t fo r a D u ke Fancy a catch-up with your allies? Talented Chef Michele Daniele has crafted a delicious Wellingtonians Who Lunch menu for the Duke of Wellington on Waterloo Quay. Treat yourself to two courses paired with a glass of Kahurangi Estate wine. Head to their website to book for you and your pals.

Three S t i l l c a n’ t b e a t i t We all know “you can’t beat Welly on a good day” but it turns out Wellington’s good days are fewer than perhaps we thought.

NIWA climate data reviewed by analyst James Mulrennan showed that since 1 January 1954 only 7% (or 1,839) of Wellington days have been good weatherwise. To count as a "good day" more than 75% of its daylight hours have to be sunny, with the temperature rising above 18 degrees, less than 0.5mm of rain, and average wind speeds below 15km per hour.

Four Big shoes to fill In February staff at Hannahs shoe store on Lambton Quay quietly removed stock and placed a sign in the window announcing the branch “officially closed.”

Founder Robert Hannah opened the first Hannahs store on that same street in 1870. There are still branches in the outer suburbs, but it’s goodbye to their last store in the city where the Hannah name has figured so prominently. Their old shoe factory, now the Hannah Warehouse apartments, Hannah’s Laneway, and the recently reopened Hannah Playhouse, which was largely funded by Robert Hannah’s granddaughter Sheilah Winn, remain Wellington landmarks.

It's cool to kōrero E hoa, kua roa! Kia hui anō tāua a te wiki e tū mai nei.

Hey mate, it’s been too long! Let’s get together this coming week.

By the numbers V i s a We l l i n g t o n On a Plate 5–21 May

87,500

700+

1,770,000+

the number of festival tickets sold

Wellington venues have participated

the number of burgers consumed

384,000+

55,500+

1,500+

dishes served

number of cocktails made

number of festival events held

15

N O T E W O R T H Y

IN GOOD FORM Knock, knock – it’s census time. The census will take place on 7 March. Statistics NZ has returned to doorto-door data collection for Census 2023 after the switch to an online form in 2018 produced shockingly low response rates. An online option will still be available, but there will be more staff on the ground delivering census forms to households. For the first time the census will ask people about their gender, and sexual identity (over 15-year-olds), and whether a mental health condition or disability impacts their daily life.

HEAVY, NOT LIGHT

HALL PASS

AND THEY’RE OFF

Street lamps around the city have been prematurely wearing out, cracking, and crashing to the ground. Weighing 15kg and falling from six metres up, a blow from one could prove fatal. Wellington City Council staff believe the faulty lamps are part of a batch of 17,000 installed in 2018 as an energy-saving measure. It’s estimated that around 1,000 are faulty, and there’s no knowing where in the city they have been installed.

WCC is urging people to report any drooping lamps they spot.

Victoria University of Wellington has announced that low enrolment numbers are causing serious financial strain. They reported a $15.7 million deficit for 2022 and the closure of the university bookshop VicBooks at the end of March.

Despite the international borders being open, fewer students have returned to campus, with rising Wellington rents being partly to blame. VUW increased hall fees by 4%, but a 9% increase was required to break even, leaving them with losses of $1.8 million.

Seven years since it was launched, Let’s Get Wellington Moving has completed its first construction project. A new crossing outside the Ākau Tangi (formerly ASB) sports stadium was opened at the end of January, several months later than planned and costing $2.4 million.

Other LGWM plans this year include the Thorndon Quay cycleway and pedestrianising the Golden Mile of Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street, and Courtenay Place.

THE TUDOR CONSORT WITH THE CHIESA ENSEMBLE

BACH ST MATTHEW PASSION

SATURDAY 25 MARCH, 7PM ALAN GIBBS CENTRE WELLINGTON COLLEGE TICKETS FROM HUMANITIX

tudorconsort

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N O T E W O R T H Y

CALL IT A KNIGHT There are two new knights and one new dame in the neighbourhood. In the New Year’s Honours List, former Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield received a knighthood for his public health response management during the pandemic. Markus (Mark) Dunajtschik (pictured) was knighted for services to philanthropy, having donated millions to charity over 40 years. And actor, acting coach, director and writer Miranda Harcourt was made a dame for her awardwinning services to the screen industry and theatre.

POORLY RATED

CAN YOU DIG IT?

ALL HANDS ON DECK

Homeowners may face an eyewatering 12.8% rates increase, when Wellington City Council votes on its 2023–2024 Annual Plan. Inflation, high insurance costs, and higher depreciation were blamed for the proposed increase. Mayor Tory Whanau has said the increased rates would fund long-term city projects, such as fixing pipes, and transforming streets and cycleways.

According to the council, the increase was originally forecast at 17%.

The controversial Shelly Bay development has officially begun. After years of discussion, protests, and a 525-day site occupation (ended May 2022), developer Ian Cassels (pictured), Wellington City Council’s Liam Hodgetts, and Taranaki Whānui leader Kara Puketapu-Dentice ceremonially broke the earth on the site, where 350 houses are to be built. Protestors also attended the ceremony, holding banners which warned “sea level rise – buyers beware.”

The Interislander Wellington and Picton ferry terminals will receive major upgrades, including a new wharf and passenger terminal building at each site. The new wharves will accommodate larger ships, including two new diesel/battery hybrid ferries, which can carry almost twice as many passengers as the current ferries, and are rail enabled, meaning trains up to 900 metres long can drive directly onto them. The ferries are set to arrive in 2025 and 2026, so the work has to be completed by the end of 2024.

OLD ST PAUL'S HERITAGE ICON EVENT & WEDDING VENUE OPEN DAILY

oldstpauls.co.nz

Sprig + Fern Thorndon

Sprig + Fern Thorndon is unique. It’s blessed to be both a neighbourhood pub sandwiched between Tinakori Road’s wonderful heritage buildings - close to native bush and the Botanical Gardens, and, a city pub a hop up from the CBD. Matching the surroundings is the equally unique owner, beer doyen Colin Mallon.

Q. What excites you about coming to work each day?

courtyard with our neighbours Goods Bakery and Café

A. I love that the tavern is nestled in the community of

that’s perfect for a lazy beer in the sunshine.

Thorndon and that’s it’s also on the fringe of the city, where we get to meet incredible people from all walks of

Q. What’s your current fave beer on tap?

life that pop into the pub for a pint and a chat. We’re dog

A. My favourite beer is the Nectaron® Pale Ale, hands down.

friendly and encourage customers to enjoy the pub vibe

It’s bold, but not too big. Juicy, flavoursome and moreish.

with their furry friends!”

Q. What events have you planned for Sprig + Fern Thorndon?

Q. Describe the Sprig + Fern Thorndon experience.

A. Summer in Welly is amazing and vibrant. We’re excited

A. The Tavern is relaxed and enhanced with art works from

to welcome people into the Tavern – new visitors and our

local and national artists and artisans. We’ve created a really

regulars. Call in there’s live music every Friday from 7pm

cool upstairs space for people to hang out in too. We share a

and a weekly charity quiz on Tuesday’s from 7pm.

B Y

T H E

N U M B E R S

CO M P I L E D BY HANNAH MAHON

BFFLs

Socially isolated

Friends fur-ever

That’s a record!

60

150

5

34

the percentage by which people are happier when they have 5 friends or more

the number of meaningful relationships that people can maintain

the number of close friends, classified as “shoulder to cry on” friends, the average person has

the hours of investment it takes to shift a superficial acquaintance to a true friendship

48.1

56.6

33

15–24

the percentage of women surveyed who say they feel lonely at least a little of the time

the percentage of New Zealanders surveyed who said they had not felt lonely in the previous four weeks

the percentage of adults estimated to experience feelings of loneliness across the world

the age group that reports feeling the loneliest in New Zealand

740

70

20

the distance in metres a dolphin’s whistle can reach to help preserve longdistance attachments

the percentage of dog-owners that consider their dog to be their best friend

the number of years for which dolphins can remember their friends The longest memory in the animal kingdom

233

660.48

78:160

the average number of digital friends that internet users in Malaysia have

the length in metres of the longest friendship bracelet, created by Benchmark Senior Living in Connecticut, USA in 2016

the length in years and days of the longest lasting pen friendship (pen pals)

The most in the world

19 19

N E W

P R O D U C T S

2

1

3

7 5

6 4

9

8 10

Happy camper

1. Merino polo shirt in sap, $379, Standard Issue 2. Classic Stay Hot French press, $70, Stanley 3. Camden Co wheat bag, $49.90, Te Papa Store 4. Society Of Wanderers duvet cover in biscuit check, $425, Small Acorns 5. The Camping Cookbook, $25, Unity Books 6. Philodendron plant, $49.99, Palmers 7. Hypnotic Eyes Blend coffee, from $10, Good Fortune Coffee 8. Camden Co eye pillow, $34.90, Te Papa Store 9. Timberland waterproof boots, $360, Solect 10. Cashmere rib scarf in eclipse, $399, Standard Issue

20

TA L E S

O F

T H E

C I T Y

Six pack

BY S O P H I E CA RT E R P H OTO G R A P H Y BY SA N N E VA N G I N K E L

RESTAURANT

MUSIC

FILM

Aunty Mena's

Zoe Moon

The Addams Family (1991)

HOLIDAY

BOOK

Vietnam

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

What has 26 legs and wanders Wellington’s wilderness?

“Y

ou’ve got your hands full!” is a groan-worthy line dog handler Izzy Baarspul has grown used to hearing. But with up to nine well-behaved dogs by her side, it’s hardly surprising passers-by have something to say.

While she’s comfortable with a big canine crew, Izzy says her “sweet spot is around six” – but it’s not the same for everyone. “Some people are capable of managing large numbers, while others may struggle with one or two. We all have our own niche talents!”

Izzy wasn’t always a dog whisperer. As a tween she regularly walked (“was dragged”) around the block with her neighbour’s dog Woofa for a couple of dollars, but that was it, for a long time.

Petone-born, Izzy moved into Wellington city for university, to study Educational Psychology. After completing her degree in 2017 she felt a little lost. “I thought I would end up in teaching, but I’d had enough of student life, and didn’t want to be a teacher anymore.”

A friend of a friend offered her a casual dog-walking job and reluctantly she accepted. “Much to my dismay I was dragged around the block again – this time by a great dane-boxer cross and a Hairy Maclary lookalike.”

However, she soon met others in the dog community, who passed on their wisdom, and her confidence grew.

She discovered the joy of building relationships with the dogs, overcoming training challenges, and spending her days exploring. Within the year Izzy set up The Happy Dog NZ, and the pack’s been expanding ever since.

Now, rain or shine, armed with eight different house

keys, treats, and a roll of poop bags, she chauffeurs a van of excited pooches to a walking destination. Preferring walks with plenty of shade, she lists the Botanic Garden and Mount Victoria among regular routes; but the group’s energy levels and the weather have to be assessed before deciding the best spot. “I also have to consider the impact of a bouquet of dogs on shared public tracks. Nobody should be squeezed off the path.”

While they are enjoying their stroll, the dogs are taught leash skills, and how to sit, stay, improve their recall, and socialise calmly with their packmates. “These basic skills are a critical part of setting a dog up for success in a busy human world.”

Spending each day with lovable pups has its challenges.

Cleaning up after them is a major party pooper, along with people who incautiously pat the dogs before asking her. “I know it is tempting, but not all dogs are friendly.”, she explains.

And of course, the job can be short of human interaction, so, whenever possible, Izzy joins forces with fellow dog handlers to chinwag, share training tips, and give the dogs a welcome break. “If we’ve planned ahead, one of us might pick up a donut and have a thermos of tea or coffee to share.”

Currently Izzy is “Aunty of many, owner of none” when it comes to dogs, but an Italian greyhound, Border terrier, or shiba inu would be among her top choices if one were to join her family. For now, as many, many people tell her – she’s got her hands full.

23

Pals Joe & Mike have been making delicious real-fruit syrups from their Wellington soda kitchen for over 10 years, but now they’ve launched a snazzy soda maker to go with them! Here’s your chance to win a Six Barrel Soda Vanilla Cream Sparkler set (worth over $240!), a low-waste way to make sparkling water at home.

Subscribe to Capital and win

Feeling fizzy? Get your hands on this glittering combo to add some shine to your kitchen. Subscribe to Capital mag and go in the draw to win a Six Barrel Soda Vanilla Cream Sparkler set worth $240!

A year subscription is only $89.

Subscribe at capitalmag.co.nz/shop

CAPITAL Offer ends May 1 2023.

C U L T U R E

A L L A’ T W I T T E R ABOUT GLITTER Two giant glitter paintings, each 2m square, form the centrepiece of a retrospective exhibition at City Gallery.

Reuben Paterson: The Only Dream Left is the largest exhibition to date of Reuben Paterson’s work. Often using lavish colours, and harnessing the shimmering properties of glitter, Paterson has carved out a career in the contemporary art world. For 25 years he has used painting, sculpture, installation, and video in his practice.

STILL IN FIRST POSITION

MANSFIELD MATTERS

OUT IN THE CITY TURNS 35

The New Zealand School of Dance is celebrating long-serving director Garry Trinder’s world-class reputation. The Mount Cook institution is celebrating Trinder’s 25th year of leadership. In that time the school has been endorsed by leading dance establishments abroad, and its alumni are appearing in top-tier dance companies around the world.

In 2013 Trinder was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to dance.

The life of Wellington-born literary export Katherine Mansfield will be celebrated around the motu this year. The short-story writer, poet, and journalist died in 1923 so centenary celebrations are afoot. Among the commemorations, NZ Post has released a series of stamps with quotations from her work; a new biography is planned (the first since the 1980s); and, closer to home, Victoria University is organising a conference for July.

Out in the City is celebrating its 35th birthday! Wrapping up Wellington Pride Festival, you’ll find the annual queer fair at the Michael Fowler Centre on Saturday 18 March. This year’s theme “Ka mua, ka muri”, is a whakatauki meaning “walking backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on the past”. Expect stalls selling local art, all your fave food vendors, and a host of drag performers and entertainers.

Inspiring ideas to embrace a new season at home. Beautiful bedlinen, the best selection of plump feather-filled cushions, quilts & cosy throws, Designers Guild fabrics for curtains, blinds & upholstery, handmade ceramics, & ideas for making your home beautiful.

cnr Blair & Wakefield Streets, Wellington www.smallacorns.co.nz / 04 802 5795

C U L T U R E

T I D Y- U P TIME The Dowse Art Museum is having a spring-clean of the 3,500 items in its collection. Don’t worry, they'll be rehoused in refurbished collection-storage spaces. In the meantime, 1,000 of them are displayed in Unhinged: Opening the Doors to the Dowse Collection (25 March to 13 August). They include curiosities such as Paul Rayner’s ceramic portraits of Split Enz and Carmen – and a headdress worn by Sir Jon Trimmer in the Royal NZ Ballet’s 1985 production of Swan Lake. You may have to visit twice to see everything.

CHORAL PASSION

TIKTOK FAVES HIT TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA

LATENIGHT ART

The Tudor Consort, New Zealand’s premier early music choir, is presenting J S Bach’s oratorio the St Matthew Passion in the Alan Gibbs Centre at Wellington College on Saturday 25th March from 7–10pm. They’ll be accompanied by the Chiesa Ensemble, with musical director Michael Stewart conducting from the harpsichord. It will be performed in German with English subtitles.

Expect solo performances, a double orchestra, and double chorus.

If you’re on TikTok, you’ve probably been bombarded with videos of Matty Healy, frontman of English rock band The 1975, making out with fans left, right, and centre while on their world tour. Well, pucker up Welly, because they’ll be in town for one night only on 19 April. Expect bright lights, synth sounds, and perhaps a smooch or two.

If you’re a fan of art and live events accompanied by food and drink, then the City Gallery Tuatara Open Late (5–10pm) is one for your diary on the first Thursday of the month. March’s event includes a late-night tour of the Sour Grapes exhibit, a discussion of Emily Hunt’s sculpture ‘Hand of Sabazius’ (2015), poets responding to Ana Iti’s work, live music, and a ceramic class in making pinch pots.

26

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New Plymouth Coastal Walkway

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RELAX AND RESET IN TARANAKI THIS EASTER Start planning your Easter escape to Taranaki today, and take advantage of the relaxing beaches, endless sun-filled days, and memorable events and experiences that won’t break the bank.

What are you waiting for? Visit Taranaki this Easter and see for yourself what makes Taranaki truly like no other. Find more inspiration for things to see and do at taranaki.co.nz/visit

WHAT’S ON WOMAD - 17-19 Mar Taranaki TRI Fest - 26 Mar

Taranaki Beer Festival - 31 Mar-1 Apr Tour of Taranaki road cycling event - 15 Apr AN INITIATIVE OF VENTURE TARANAKI

Make a weekend of it! taranaki.co.nz/visit

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N O T E S

Two man Cru Jesse Phillips and Cosmo Hawke aren’t sure exactly how they became friends, but they are confident on the why. Madeleine Boles de Boer asks them about their friendship and business.

28

S O C I A L

“I

’m pretty sure we met at a house party in Fitzroy,” says Jesse. “We were both into music, in particular making beats.” Cosmo is hazier on the details. “I honestly can’t remember, but our friendship was definitely forged through music.”

Both Wellingtonians (loosely – Jesse spent his youth around Plimmerton, Golden Bay, and Nelson), in their 20s they moved independently to Melbourne, where their friendship began. Thus began a series of parallels between their lives, leading eventually to Fruit Cru, their joint venture into organic fruit ferments.

After a decade in Australia, Cosmo moved back to Wellington with his wife and baby son, wanting to be closer to family. Having been involved in food and beverages throughout his career, he worked at Karma Cola, before opening the popular Ghuznee Street hotdog and wine bar, Ascot, and co-founding organic wine store Everyday Wine.

Jesse returned to Wellington more recently, following the pandemic, after starting a family. A chef, DJ, and part-time clothing retailer in Melbourne, Jesse also found himself in the deep end of Wellington’s hospitality scene upon his return, stepping into the executive chef position at Havana Bar and Fidel’s.

Before his return, Jesse had time to spare in lockdown, and began experimenting with small fruit ferments at home.

Back in Wellington, meanwhile, Cosmo was doing the same.

“We’re both passionate about natural wine and wanted to work together using these techniques. We began chatting about it and setting the wheels in motion,” says Jesse.

The pair hit the ground running but they almost fell at the first hurdle.

“We both wanted to make natural wine, but we needed it to reflect the place we lived. We signed up with Organic

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Farm NZ and they introduced us to some amazing smallscale growers in Horowhenua and the Kāpiti Coast. The thing is, no one was growing grapes.”

The pair decided to make wine anyway, using local fruit.

Jesse concedes that Fruit Cru’s heavy use of apples would suggest their drinks are ciders, but says “because of the way we produce, we look at our drinks as fruit pét-nats” – “pétnats” being shorthand for pétillant naturel, the product of the oldest method of making sparkling wine.

Cosmo says the distinction – “not quite wine and not quite cider” – can be tough for people to get their heads around.

“It’s complicated. Basically, we’re in our own lane and we’re making it up as we go along. But this also makes it really rewarding.”

Fruit Cru is certified organic, an accreditation that’s important to both the team and their customers. “We’ve formed some really valuable relationships with growers producing quality organic fruit – whether it’s an orchard or just a couple of trees, the quality of the fruit speaks for itself, so it just makes sense to keep it organic,” says Jesse.

They knew the challenges of going into business together and were upfront about ensuring their friendship didn’t get lost along the way. Their shared vision and reliance on each other’s strengths make for a harmonious working relationship. “Mistakes will happen but in the end, day-ones stick together,” says Cosmo.

Having recently moved to a bigger central city warehouse, Cosmo and Jesse are focusing their efforts full-time on growing Fruit Cru. “We’re passionate about staying true to our vision, letting the fruit guide things,” says Jesse. Cosmo agrees.

“The only goal is to produce amazing pét-nats using locally sourced organic fruits – the rest will take care of itself.”

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P H OTO G R A P H Y BY B EX M CG I L L

Balcony sessions, fashion shows, and clay making. Sector 22 are the mates you didn't know you needed. Hannah Mahon meets the creatives at 22 Garrett Street.

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t school, we dreaded “group projects” knowing how ugly collaborating can get: people taking sides without offering solutions, and work being held hostage by someone else’s effort (or lack thereof). But a group of creatives is showing us that despite some unavoidable drama, working collectively can lead to success.

Sector 22 is a Wellington hangout spot for artists who differ in age, ethnicity, and skills. It provides an affordable space in the CBD to work on projects, collaborate, eat some yakitori and benefit from the encouragement of like-minded creatives.

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1. Elaine Loh & Zuyi Woon

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sionist work tells stories about life and current events as he sees them. His other project New Life Studios is a platform for helping young designers to collaborate and network. They produce fashion shows that showcase local fashion designers.

Coffee roasters and connoisseurs It’s hard to slow down in a fast-paced world, but for Elaine and Zuyi living an analogue life means taking their time and appreciating the process, especially when it comes to making coffee and yakitori. They believe that beauty comes from flaws and imperfections. The manual coffee brewing aficionados and owners of Pour and Twist, on Garrett St, are working towards launching their own brand of coffee beans.

7. Peter Lai Shopify Peter uses the studio as his office, a good place to get things done while connecting with others. Budding entrepreneur Peter says working alongside others in the building has helped him understand what he wants to do and how he’s going to get there.

The optimistic, risk-taking ethos of creatives helps balance his more logical-thinking self.

2. Stef Muyco

DJ “Stefrose” and photographer “Always a student,” is a line that resonates with Stef, who believes there is always more to learn. Observing other DJs motivates her to improve and stay on top of her game. In her portrait photography, her aim is to represent the people of her BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of colour) community and to give them more visibility.

8. Aeron Balgemino

Designer and co-founder of Sector 22 Aeron likes to showcase fashion as an art form. Making highquality pieces made from leather, wool, linen and other natural materials, Aeron is working towards his first womenswear collection. He grew up in the Philippines, which he aims to reflect in his work by marrying pre-colonial-era and modernera clothing. He’s interested in branching out into other design areas such as upholstery, furniture, and music.

3. Breanne Gillespie

Painter who dabbles in sculpting with air dry clay Painting is a way for Canadian Breanne to distract herself and focus without feeling stressed. Having reached a point where she can dedicate all her energy to doing what she loves, she says she has knuckled down to become the serious artist that her young self never believed she’d be good enough to be.

9. Fergus McClellan A little bit of everything; furniture maker, rug puncher, graphic designer and t-shirt maker Rather than hone in on a single area of design, Fergus prefers to have his fingers in lots of pies. Wet Paint is his brand name for his pieces of art and new and upcycled furniture. Paint is an acronym for Providing An Interesting New Tomorrow. He sees it as merging industries to create new products for the future.

4. Bailey Gibson-Hood Co-founder of Sector 22 and vintage hat seller After losing his favourite hat in the Marlborough Sounds, Bailey went on a rampage and before long had purchased four hundred hats online. With more hats than he could wear, he started his vintage hat sales business Hookitupcuz. Having found a studio with lots of extra space, he proceeded to round up a group of interested friends, and Sector 22 was created.

10. Jack Ritchie

Jeweller Lockdown created many babies, including Jack’s blooming business. After tumbling down a YouTube rabbit hole at home in Mount Cook, he discovered the joys of jewellery making.

His new hobby gave birth to 1921 Jewellery, which he sells online and in stores.

5. Coltraine “Cole” Bowden Graphic designer and co-runner of New Life Studios Cole’s father is a graphic designer and maker of television commercials, so it is no surprise that Cole has chosen a creative field. He experiments with various design mediums and also runs New Life Studios which encourages collaboration with other artists and designers, and provides an environment for them to develop and thrive in.

11. Joshua ‘Shush’ Crosland (not pictured) Photographer, videographer, producer and DJ Thanks to a mispronunciation, Josh became Shush, and his nickname has become a personality and stage name for his creative work. He enjoys transforming his ideas into reality and says he is interested in the journey rather than concerning himself with the destination, just as long as he gets New Zealand on the map.

6. James Warrender Artist, painter and co-runner of New Life Studios Achieving the “wow factor” and leaving “people wondering what they’ve seen”’ is James’ goal when creating art. His expres-

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F E AT U R E

From garage to glory P H OTO G R A P H Y BY SA N N E VA N G I N K E L

Seven years on and the founders of Delivereasy talk to Charlotte Fielding about the beginnings of their business.

From left to right, Tim Robinson and Nick Foster outside the Mount Victoria garage where Delivereasy began

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t began in a garage in Mount Victoria one night after work: three friends talking over some beers about the idea of a food delivery on-demand business. The next day Nick Foster, Tim Robinson, and Blair Kippenberger were still keen on the idea, and they didn’t waste any time. Robinson said he could build the platform, so they agreed to “give it a crack”.

That was August 2015, and the Delivereasy website was launched the following May with five Wellington restaurants on board. “Pretty compelling selection,” Foster jokes. “It was three Asian restaurants, an Indian restaurant and a pizza joint.

You gotta start somewhere, right?”

The idea began with a hangover; Foster’s flatmate would order Hell Pizza every Sunday. “She would get it delivered to her in bed, the guy would come through the house and take it to her door,” Foster says. “She’d say if there was something else she could get delivered, she would.”

Wellington felt like the ideal place to start the business.

“Wellingtonians are progressive, smart, switched-on, techsavvy. It’s a great place where people will try something and if it goes well they’ll get behind you,” Foster says. “The ‘support local’ aspect is probably bigger here than anywhere.” The combination of Wellington’s tight geography, and inclement weather makes people want to stay home rather than venture out to dine. With the city’s great restaurants, it made Wellington a great location to launch from.

These days, Delivereasy services 30 locations throughout the country, with around 100 employees, 1,500 restaurant partners, and over 2,000 drivers. Far from its humble beginnings, Delivereasy recently surpassed the milestone of five million orders, and was in the top 10 of the Deloitte Fast 50 index for the third year running.

Key to the success of the business is the friendship the founders share. Kippenberger remains a friend and shareholder, while Robinson and Foster are now co-CEOs. “There’s a natural cohesion between us that just works.” Foster says. “We’re still pretty tight mates and I think that helped us because we could get through a big night and then have some beers. The social life took a hit, but at least we had each other.”

In the early days of the business, they were all working full-time jobs. After an eight or nine-hour day they’d sprint home to jump on their scooters and deliver orders until 10.30 at night. “I think we looked after each other better than we looked after ourselves,” Robinson says. “Doing it as one person would be pretty impossible. I think it would break you pretty quick. If you have two or three of you, it makes it a lot easier to share the load.”

Foster agrees. “I think it’s just being able to understand what each other's going through. A lot of it has worked out naturally; Tim and I complement each other really well.

We both have the attitude of being able to put ourselves

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through the wringer for the sake of the business, something that’s bigger than us. You don’t want to be the one that's dragging the chain. It’s about having respect for the other person, knowing that they’re trying their best and working hard.”

Delivereasy got its first growth spurt when a post on the Facebook page Vic Deals went viral. “I think we went from doing 10 orders a day to 35 to 40 in a day. Obviously it’s not a lot now, but at the time it was huge,” Foster says.

“It was like, this thing actually works.”

“We knew pretty early that this was a service that people wanted,” Foster says. “If we worked hard enough, and did the right things, and were strategic about what we did, customers would follow. But there’s definitely ebbs and flows.” Competitors entering the industry were initially a little bit daunting, but also a kind of a challenge. “It’s that classic underdog story. It’s like, we’ve come this far.

I’m not going to roll over and take it: let’s fight back.

And when we started fighting back, we realised that we could actually toe it with some of the big companies. For me that was a lot of motivation.”

The trio slogged it out in the early days, sometimes working 100-hour weeks for less than the minimum wage, doing all the development, sales, dispatch, and deliveries themselves. They expanded to the regions first, knowing tough competition would meet them in Auckland where the overseas players were focused.

They received massive support in places like Dunedin, which gave them confidence in the scalability of the business, as they expanded.

Foster and Robinson recall hiring their first driver, which felt like the first step towards becoming a sustainable business. “Our first staff are still with us and that’s real cool,” Foster says. Some of their drivers moved up into operations and management roles. “Our Chief Operations Officer was one of our earlier drivers.

There was a moment where almost all of our staff started as drivers. You feel a little bit like parents.”

Although the business was steadily growing before Covid hit, the post-lockdown demand for food delivery services brought a boom for Delivereasy. “Coming out of Covid was a cracker,” Robinson says. Orders more than tripled overnight. “Trying to plan for doing three to four times the number of orders in one day than you’ve ever done before is absolutely mindblowing,” says Foster.

With many people tired of their own cooking, demand was so high that restaurants were running out of food. Some drivers weren’t available, wary about health concerns. “It took us a couple of weeks to get it

all back under control,” Robinson says. “But it was a good thing for us as well.”

“Covid was pretty awesome for business, really,” Foster agrees. “But we had to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of it and we had to work hard enough to see the benefit of it.” These days the business makes “a couple hundred thousand” deliveries a month.

In the last year the founders’ roles have changed as their staff has grown, particularly in management and operations. These days they’re less hands-on, more big-picture strategy. “We managed to hire a really good management team. Our core roles were taken off us, which is a weird place to be in life. You kind of outsource your own job,” says Robinson. “Feels like finally we can live more of a normal life and enjoy life a bit more. It was all-consuming for three or four years.”

When it comes to business advice, both Robinson and Foster encourage others to get out there and give it a go. “The number of people who say – and I’m sure a lot of business startup owners get this – ‘I had that idea three years ago’ and you’re like, that’s cool, what did you do about it? And that is probably the hardest step. If the timing’s right and you think the idea is good, give it a crack,” says Foster. “Don’t hold back, don’t look back, be willing to sacrifice.”

“Don’t dip your toes, just go,” agrees Robinson. “It’s too easy to get too caught up in trying to raise money.

Obviously money always helps. But if we’d worried too much about spending a year trying to put together a huge business plan and work out how much money we needed, we would have lost a year of timing which probably would have been the death of us.”

In the future they plan to “deliver more things to more people”. Foster sees being in New Zealand as conferring an advantage. “You can see where industries are going before we get there. On-demand, everything delivered, seems like the way forward and that's where we see the future for us. Trying to look after the bread and butter though as well. Without the restaurant side we don’t have the platform to deliver everything.”

The Delivereasy CEOs agree service has always been critical to their success, and to maintaining and growing their position in the market. They focus on looking after the restaurants, and looking out for their drivers and staff, as well as their customers. “They reciprocate what we put out to them,” Robinson says. Feet on the ground, keeping that local, personal touch.

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F E AT U R E

Firm friends I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY R AC H E L SA L A Z A R

When a partner in crime becomes a partner in business, wonderful things can happen.

Sharing the highs and the lows, understanding creative processes and temperaments, and bringing some fun to the stressful times – working with your pals makes sense.

Sophie Carter looks at eight buddy-run businesses and their origins.

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Exhibit Gallery

Good Fortune Coffee

Lucy Jackson and Allen Maher Meeting at a mutual friend’s birthday party Lucy and Allen quickly discovered their shared love for art. Several years later Allen received a text from Lucy asking: “Do you think that the old barber shop in Hataitai would make a good art gallery?” Both of them knew it would and the next day the lease was theirs.

Matt Wilson and Freya Atkinson Caffeine fiends from the get-go, Freya and Matt met while they were both working in cafes. “Freya used to visit Deluxe for the same coffee she drinks today… 20 years of soy lattes,” says Matt. The pair teamed up to open Seashore Cabaret (since sold) and Good Fortune Coffee roastery. Good Fortune Coffee quickly outgrew the café, and now has new digs in Petone.

Upstock

Wellington Apothecary

Matt Watson, Philip Fierlinger, and Duncan Ritchie Fed up with receiving muddled stock orders, Foxton Fizz owner Matt Watson created hospitality ordering app Upstock in 2019. As the business grew, Matt needed help so he called on his pal Philip (Xero co-founder), who brought in Duncan. The trio are now Upstock’s co-CEOs.

Jemma Scott, Chantal Cropp, and Laura Jansen Living in a ramshackle Raglan cottage Chantal, Laura, and Jemma “bonded over potluck dinners.” When two of Wellington’s herbal dispensaries closed the trio decided to use their knowledge of naturopathy to start their own, and nearly a decade on they’re still a dream team. “Together we form a complete machine,” says Jemma.

Garage Project

Abel Odor

Pete and Ian Gillespie, and Jos Ruffell When he was babysitting his younger brother Ian (and Ian’s best friend Jos), Pete didn’t imagine that one day the three of them would create a brewery together. In 2011 professional brewer Pete floated his idea and craft beer lovers Jos and Ian jumped on board. “The brewery has allowed us to travel the globe together and we've had some magic moments over the years,” says Jos.

Isaac Sinclair and Frances Shoemack In Amsterdam and searching for a master perfumer for her natural fragrance brand, Frances discovered a YouTube video of fellow Kiwi Isaac. “I assumed Isaac must have been living in New Zealand. Turns out he was in Sao Paulo!”

Over a decade they’ve mastered co-working from different continents, and this April will meet in person for the first time in four years.

WELLfed

Proffer

Kim Murray and Rebecca Morahan Porirua mums Kim and Rebecca noticed that some people in their community lacked the cooking knowledge to produce healthy meals. Together they set up adult education programme WELLfed, teaching participants to prepare healthy meals on a budget. After seven years Rebecca has just stepped down as co-CEO, but will continue on as a board trustee.

George MacLeod-Whiting and Matt Fanning Pals of 18 years George and Matt met through high-school parties. At university they took the same furniture-making class and found they had a similar sense of design, both believing that items “should not just be functional but should say or spark something.” They combined their knowhow into design studio Proffer, which specialises in retail and hospitality spaces.

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F E AT U R E

Buddy corporate on Buckley Road P H OTO G R A P H Y BY A N N A B R I G GS

The Buckley Road Project is six friends’ solution to the problem of home ownership in Wellington. Up against the town belt on an exposed hill in Southgate, this four-unit co-housing project is a testament to great friendship. Ruby Harfield visited the unique setup.

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A

bout five years ago, a group of friends held several dinner parties to discuss potential solutions to their future living arrangements.

They loved the social side of flatting but not the cold, damp, poor-quality houses. They wanted the security of owning their own homes, but struggled with the idea of moving further away from the city to find something affordable.

The Buckley Road Project was born, a grand plan for home ownership based on friendship. A way to ensure they lived in warm, comfortable homes close to the city, maintaining communal connections.

The project, designed by Space Architects, consists of four terraced townhouses built on a single section on Buckley Road, sharing a multi-purpose room, deck, laundry, gardens, and carparks.

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When I visited on a wet and windy Saturday morning, the group were going about their lives – one couple has a baby, another couple have moved away temporarily, and the rest were enjoying the peace of their individual spaces.

I was struck by the tranquillity of the place, as I walked away from gusting winds into a private, sheltered sanctuary overlooking Mount Albert Park.

Nicole McCrossin, Tania Sawicki Mead and Anna Nord (who’s renting) gave me a tour before we sat down for a chat, while Joe McCarter and Alana McCrossin video-called us from overseas. Tania’s partner was looking after their baby next door and Laetitia O’Connell was away.

They have mostly known each other for years – Alana and Nicole are sisters, and the others met through university or mutual friends. The idea for the project came about

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after Tania and Nicole lamented over dinner about the state and cost of houses in Wellington.

“The way that we could actually get a house was by pooling our resources,” says Nicole, but “I don’t think we had, at that point, a vision of what that actually meant. It might have meant just buying a house together, but then we thought there would still be a lot of DIY and maintenance on a substandard house in Wellington.”

The opened a bank account and each of them contributed $10 a week.

“Then we had a series of dinners – we like cooking – and leaned on our friends who had professional careers in various parts of the building industry. We had a surveyor, a property lawyer, an architect,” Nicole says.

They bought a property in a deceased-estate sale in late 2017 and four of them lived in it for

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three years. They had initially looked for land, but that was too hard to find.

“We realised our buying power once we bought the place and were all throwing as much money at it as possible,” says Alana. “We paid the mortgage off in less than three years.”

“Financially, it was a great call as we were not all separately renting; we were pooling our money into an asset,” says Tania. “Our first lesson, after the first two years, was that this was a great option even if you don’t end up building anything or don’t want to build anything. Buying a house together with friends is a great way to avoid haemorrhaging money into someone else’s mortgage.”

Their first hurdle was getting finance through a bank; many of them thought their arrangement was too unusual. The real estate agent even referred to them as a cult.

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Then covid hit and costs sky-rocketed but together they worked through each problem as it arose – and there has been no lasting damage.

There were, of course disagreements, but they were mainly about small design features.

They all recognised from the outset that a lot of compromise would be called for, says Nicole. “You just relax a bit and think as long as the group as a whole is moving in the same direction then that’s cool.” There were countless meetings, conversations, WhatsApp messages and dinner parties.

Alana remembers that things went south for her and Joe during lockdown as they were flatting elsewhere, and the regular socialising and project discussion they’d been used to became impossible.

“The other four were living in the house and obviously spending all day every day together

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chatting and things went fine,” she says. But she and Joe had just been talking to each other. “As we came out of lockdown we sat down with the group and said ‘Okay guys, what are we going to do...we could sell the place’.” Facing global financial strife, they thought the project was “toast” but “the others said ‘what are you talking about?’.”

Having six people to research appliances, consents or design features helped spread the burden.

They’re also lucky they all have similar styles so picking designs and kitting out their communal areas was an easy task – the vibe, which feels minimalist, eclectic and vintage, merges together to make each space feel like it's connected with the others.

Each of them had different deposits and had put in varied amounts of money over the years but this

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was accounted for when the construction loan was recently divided by unit titles. There’s a body corporate to oversee and fund the insurance, communal areas and maintenance.

The original house was removed in December 2020 and building began while the group rented down the road. They moved in two days before Christmas 2021 – there was still a lot to do but the houses were liveable.

Alana and Joe moved out last year but still feel connected to the place and the group.

They are proud to have contributed “something good and different to Wellington’s housing stock,” Alana says.

Joe feels envious living away from the project but knows he always has this space to come back to.

“To actually know there’s a place there with people I love, it’s incredible.”

For anyone wanting to do something similar, the group would recommend starting with a basis of trust and friendship. They’re hoping to get to a point where they can

H E A D E R

share some of their templates and paperwork to help others undertake communal housing projects, “to make what we’ve done more accessible and more replicable,” says Alana.

Anna is renting from Joe and Alana and has fitted in perfectly, despite having had initial reservations about adopting a fundamentally different way of living.

“I’m from Florida where everyone’s garages face the road and it’s really hard to connect to people and you have this idea of really wanting to be independent and having your own place and that was really engrained in me.

“I love my alone time, so coming in here I was like ‘Oh my gosh what am I going to do. Am I going to be able to have my own space?’” but what she found was “a really beautiful balance between your own space and a connected community.”

The friends have been there for each other throughout life’s challenges and celebrations. They can do errands for each other, borrow appliances and offer support.

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“I love coming home because you’re coming back to beautiful space that you’ve created with friends and that feels quite amazing,” says Nicole.

For Tania, who had a baby last year, it has been a huge relief to know her friends are just next door.

“I have never been more grateful to our past selves for having done this than when we had a premature baby and life got really chaotic and really hard really quickly; so just having people around to not feel alone as you’re going through this really scary, weird time but also all the practical assistance of food, errands, putting the rubbish out, dishes and laundry.”

As for the future, if more children arrive or other circumstances change, they’ll work it out. Units can be sold or rented if necessary, Alana says.

“It might not be a forever home – life changes and you can’t plan for that. It will always suit someone.”

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Daddy longlegs

BY M E LO DY T H O M A S

Name: Daddy longlegs, Cellar spider or Longbodied cellar spiders

Look/listen: There’s no need to hunt too hard for daddy longlegs (there’s probably one sitting pretty close to you right now), but it could be very cool to witness one in the act of catching prey! Daddy longlegs have delicate, messy webs, and nothing that touches them escapes the spider’s notice (which is why potential mates need to do a vibrating, web-jerking, leg-tapping dance on approach, so they don’t get mistaken for food). When potential prey touches a daddy longlegs web, the spider flings out lengths of silk and binds it, wrapping it into a delicious parcel to be snacked on when convenient.

Scientific name: Pholcus phalangioides Status: Introduced and naturalised Description: Whoever named daddy longlegs deserves a prize. Sure, the longlegs bit is a little unimaginative, but add daddy on the front and – wow! – that’s an insect to remember! You already know what they look like, but to avoid confusion let’s clarify: we’re not talking about the crane fly or the harvestman, both of which sometimes get the daddy longlegs title. This is the classic daddy longlegs: the spider with the teeny tiny body and very long, skinny legs.

Tell me a story: You’ve probably heard that daddy longlegs are “the most poisonous spiders on the planet, only they don’t have big enough fangs to bite through human flesh”.

Perhaps you’ve even passed that one on yourself! But there’s no scientific basis for it. The myth may have begun with observations of daddy longlegs taking on and killing the dangerous Australian redback spider, but they’re able to do this because of their silk-throwing strategy, not because they themselves are highly venomous predators. There have also been anecdotal reports of cellar spider bites in humans, none of which have proved fatal.

Habitat: Daddy longlegs are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica (they prefer the warm), and are thought to have been brought to Aotearoa unintentionally with European settlers. They are strongly associated with human habitation, and love to shack up in our dwellings: especially dark or out-of-the-way places like basements and ceiling corners. They’re generally considered to be a useful spider as they will take on anything, including white-tailed spiders, which I think we can all agree are creeps.

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Growing friendships

69-71 Miramar Avenue, Miramar, Wellington 04 388 8435 www.palmers.co.nz miramar@palmers.net.nz

IT SEEMS THE JUDGES WERE STUNNED. GolD aT THE BREWERS GUIlD of NEW ZEalaND aWaRDS.

MALTY

HOPPY

LIGHT

DArK

sweet

bitter

E D I B L E S

K E E P YO U R HA I R ON A study in Beijing has found that men who regularly guzzle sugar-sweetened beverages (energy drinks, sports drinks, fizzy drinks, or sweetened tea or coffee) are more likely to suffer hair loss. The eating habits of over 1,000 men, between the ages of 18 and 45 were studied for four months. They found men who drank more than one sweetened drink a day were 42% more likely to have hair loss than those who avoided them completely. Men who were already losing hair drank on average 12 sweetened drinks a week.

RARE BREED

BAD FORTUNE GOOD FRIENDS

GROW SHOW

Fancy trying a barley wine, a braggot, or maybe a lichtenhainer?

You just might find them in the line-up at the Rare Beer Challenge 2023, where 21 breweries will offer their wackiest and most wonderful brews. Held in Fortune Favours bar on 10 March, the event challenges brewers to create their own version of a rare beer, using rare ingredients and unusual brewing techniques.

The challenge fundraises for the Rare Disorders NZ charity.

Good Fortune Coffee has had bad luck recently, with a fire in their café and roastery. The blaze broke out in the roaster’s chimney and spread to the roof, but nobody was hurt.

Firefighters saved some of the stock and computing equipment, and Petone neighbours and many businesses in the community offered help, including L'affare who have offered space at their roastery. Thanks to good friends, Good Fortune café (pictured) was up and running again within just 24 hours.

Palmers Garden Centre has teamed up with chef and entrepreneur Al Brown (former MasterChef NZ judge and founder of Best Ugly Bagels) to create an educational online series.

After planting a dozen sad citrus trees, Al realised that growing fruit and veges at home isn’t always easy. Lets Grow Together follows Al, and Phil Hughes from Palmers in Miramar as they transform Al’s “citrus cemetery” into a thriving produce patch, sharing helpful tips along the way.

E D I B L E S

C O L L A B O R AT I O N S E N S AT I O N Fancy a vintage piece of beef that matches the year your wine was bottled? Special dining experiences are getting harder to find in a market full of excellent food and wine options. Palliser Estate and Matangi Angus Beef have collaborated to offer Gourmet At Home, which delivers restaurant-level beef and wine pairings right to the doorstep.

Palliser CEO Pip Goodwin says they chose Matangi as their careful and conscientious approach to farming matched Palliser’s approach to winemaking. “Our yield is low, while our quality is high. Just the way we like it.”

THREE FOR THE WIN

THE

Tony Bish Wines in Ahuriri, Napier, is now officially a family business. Bish brought his daughter Evie on board part-time at the beginning of the year to help with marketing, and his son Oscar will begin as an assistant winemaker in April. “Oscar has always helped out with a bit of blending but is now giving up his job in finance to come on full time,” said Bish. The winery is known for its chardonnay and for introducing eggshaped concrete fermenters into New Zealand viticulture.

MOJO CHAIN REACTION In April Mojo will be celebrating two decades in the coffee business. Founded in 2003 as a boutique roastery by Steve and Julie Gianoutsos, the coffee supplier has grown into a large chain of 26 cafés in Wellington and Auckland. And a roastery on the Wellington wharves. Not bad considering its small beginnings in Wakefield Street Wellington.

BEVY AND BOWL Much-loved gig venue and community space Vogelmorn Bowling Club now offers Vogelmorn Upstairs, a new community bar, tucked away in the upper area of the building. Their beverages will be from local brewers, sourced within 150km of the bar. Natural wines from Cuba Street’s Everyday Wine and a range of tap beers will be available. Like its neighbour the VBC café, Vogelmorn Upstairs is striving to be a zero-waste venture.

2023 RADIO COMING SOON ACTIVE CARD AVAILAB LE

FROM M

GET DISCOUNTS AROUND TOWN & MEMBER ONLY GIVEAWAYS WHILST SUPPORTING YOUR STATION SCAN THE CODE OR GO TO WWW.RADIOACTIVE.FM TO GET YOURS

ARCH

Museum | FREE ADMISSION

Mirror Magic Reflect on the mysteries of anamorphic art and turn a blob of colours into a real picture with one carefully placed mirror. Tackle the reverse writing challenge - Leonardo da Vinci could do it, can you? You’ll see jellybeans left out on a plate for the taking, but how come no one’s eaten them yet? Discover their phantom secret!

All this and more at Mirror Magic.

UNTIL 19 MARCH

OPEN DAILY | 326 MAIN ST PALMERSTON NORTH 10am-5pm | Free General Admission 0800-4-A-MUSEUM | www.temanawa.nz | @temanawanz

E D I B L E S

A smatter of platters P H OTO G R A P H Y BY A N N A B R I G GS ST Y L E D BY S H A L E E F I T Z S I M M O N S

Sharing is caring and one thing that’s sure to give you the warm fuzzies is sharing good grub with good friends. Food platters are creative crowd-pleasers, and they can be made in advance, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your mates. We asked three platter pros to give us their top spreads to enjoy with company.

All ingredients are available locally. Try Moore Wilson's or Commonsense Organics.

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The build-abagel platter

The happy planet platter

The sweet tooth platter

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E D I B L E S

Al’s bagels

1.

2.

3.

Dough: 450g flour 3.5g instant yeast 8g flaky salt 265g water at 24°C 1 tbsp malt syrup Poaching liquid: 2L water 2tbsp malt syrup 1tbsp baking soda 1tbsp flaky salt

4.

5.

6.

7.

Mix dough ingredients until no dry spots are left. Let rest for 20min.

Knead by hand for 10–15min until smooth and elastic. You could, in theory, do this in a stand mixer with a dough hook, but this dough is super low hydration and my mixer’s warranty has expired so I will not be joining you.

Transfer the dough to a straightsided vessel or a measuring jug to ensure you can gauge when it has doubled in size. The timing will depend on the temperature of the dough and your kitchen. For greater control over fermentation you can let the dough rise for 15–20mins at room temperature, then whack it in the fridge to cool and continue rising slowly.

Once it is doubled in size, transfer dough from container to bench and press down firmly to remove the built-up gas.

Divide into 80g portions.

To pre-shape, gather and fold edges into the middle then pinch the seam in between your thumb and forefinger.

Place on a smooth surface, seam side down. With your palm facing down and fingers lightly cupping the ball, roll it around until it is somewhat tight and uniform.

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8.

Rest for 15min. Line a baking tray with non-stick paper.

9. Poke a hole in the middle of each ball using your thumb and forefinger and stretch the hole out evenly by running the circle around your fingers.

10. Evenly space the bagels on the tray, cover with a damp tea towel (or plastic wrap if you hate the environment), and let prove in fridge overnight (8–12hrs).

11. The next day combine poaching liquid ingredients in a large pot and bring to a gentle simmer, skimming off foam as it appears. Be careful not to boil too vigorously, as the sugar and soda will bubble over easily and make a hot mess which is both hard to clean and generally upsetting.

12. Preheat oven to 220°C with a rack in the middle while you poach!

13. Poach bagels in the liquid for 30sec each side, then remove with a slotted spoon or whatever, drain and place on a wire rack.

14. Sprinkle with anything you please: poppy, sesame, caraway, garlic, anything at all. I really don’t care and it’s none of my business.

15. Bake those suckers for 18min or until golden brown.

Tr y

i pa

g this with a rin

Ga

P ge ra

E D I B L E S E D I B L E S

roject Tiny no

n

oh lc

a

Fresh dill and oregano

c h a zy I P A o li

Heirloom tomatoes

Home-made bagels

Sweet and sour pickles

Free-range pork coppa

Whipped cream cheese

Pickled red onion

Popped capers

The build-abagel platter

Al Green became interested in food by accident, when he woke up one day in 2018 to find he co-owned a sandwich shop. He has been picking up techniques and experimenting with ingredients ever since. The owner of Good Boy is on a disgraceful breadmaking journey and can often be found yelling adult-only words at under-risen, overcooked loaves in his home kitchen.

Is there a hole in your life? Fill it with friends and bagels. Bring your pals together to build their own, and to pile on toppings to their hearts’ content. For this platter Al has balanced salty, tangy, and sweet flavours to create the perfect filling. It’s what’s inside that counts.

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IN THE ROUND : Portraits by Women Sculptors

Andrea du Chatenier, Black Haired Weeper with Tears of Gold, 2014, Barry Hopkins Art Trust, Courtesy of Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato

Paerau Corneal, Wahine Tu: Ka Mate, Ka Ora. Purchased 1999 with New Zealand Lottery Grant Board funds. Te Papa (ME017455)

Margaret Butler, La Nouvelle Zelande, 1938, New Zealand.

Gift of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, 1950. Te Papa (1950-0016-9)

Molly Macalister, Bird Watcher, 1961, Private collection.

Image courtesy of Art + Object

23 February – 14 May 2023

New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata Shed 11, Queens Wharf, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, 6011

FREE ENTRY

Chris and Kathy Parkin

Join us for a newly launched brunch menu Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 2pm.

Omelettes, waffles, smoked fish and desserts - our fried chicken is always available too.

WWW.CHOICEBROS.CO.NZ 04 282 0583 62 GHUZNEE STREET, TE ARO, WELLINGTON

E D I B L E S a ti der Fe

on Ser ve

r N

ot

un Fo

d XP A

Tr y

ng this with a iri H

op

pa

Dairy-free mozzarella alternative slices

Green grapes

Dried apricots

Cumin cashew nut cheese

Plant-Based pesto

Organic almond, sea salt & thyme crackers

Fresh rosemary Black olives Paleo seed crackers

The happy planet platter

Think it’s hard to be vegan?

Tess Eden shows that this simply isn’t the case. She’s been sharing plant-based recipes and advice on switching to a vegan lifestyle via her Instagram @eden.vegan since 2017, in which time she’s veganised everything from ramen to chocolate cheesecakes.

Cheese boards are perfect for lovers and haters of cooking alike. While they’re speedy to prepare, they always look styley, especially with a glass of vino. Cheese is one of the most frequently mentioned foods that new vegans say they miss eating, so Tess wants to show that a plant-based diet doesn’t mean giving up all life’s simple pleasures.

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E D I B L E S a

P

Tr

state Hu a N

ui

n Pi

y

g this with

E ser li al

n iri pa

Sweet and salty popcorn

ot

Noir 2021

Milk chocolate brownies Recipe available online at capitalmag.co.nz

Red grapes

Gruyere cheese

Home-made marshmallows

Salty pretzels

Recipe available online

at capitalmag.co.nz Plain wheat crackers

Green olives

The sweet tooth platter

Jackie Lee Morrison was owneroperator of Lashings, a specialist brownie bar café and smallbatch bakery. She honed her skills as a pastry chef in London, working in five-star hotels, fine dining, and Michelin-starred restaurants before moving to Wellington in 2016.

One-up the Easter Bunny with this chock-a-block sweet spread. An expert in creating grazing tables, Jackie has combined rich chocolate delights with fresh seasonal fruit (for a little thrown-in healthiness), making this dessert platter great for a long weekend garden party, or to nibble on after an Easter roast.

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BOWL OF BROOKLANDS

& BROOKLANDS PARK

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YOUSSOU N’DOUR & LE SUPER ÉTOILE DE DAKAR SENEGAL

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National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa

New responses to Pacific poems

26 NOVEMBER 2022–27 MAY 2023 natlib.govt.nz

memories of the future

B Y

T H E

B O O K

W E L L I NG TON IA N S ON T H E O C K HA M’ S 2023 LONGLIST This year the Ockham NZ Book Awards’ longlist has a fabulous line-up of Welly-based authors and poets. Notable names include New Zealand Poet Laureate Chris Tse, and debut authors Anthony Lapwood, Joanna Cho (pictured), and Khadro Mohamed. Roughly a third of the longlisted are debut authors. Nine of the 44 books are published by Te Herenga Waka University Press, while Khadro Mohamed’s poetry collection is published by Tender Press (formerly We Are Babies). The shortlist will be released on 8 March.

BAT TLE OF THE B O OK CLUBS

THE BIRDWOMAN KEEPS SOARING

SHE’S A DOUBLE KILLER

Good Books (2/16 Jessie Street) and Unity Books Wellington (57 Willis Street) have both started monthly in-store book clubs. You’ll get a discount on the monthly book at Good Books, while Unity sells tickets with the book included. Numbers are strictly limited at both series of events. If you’ve missed out (Good Books already has a waiting list), why not start your own club? We know a couple of great bookstores...

It was a busy year last year for Whiti Hereaka, whose novel Kurangaituku (published in 2021

by Huia Publishers) won the 2022 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. Now, her retelling of the story of Hatapatu and the Birdwoman has also been longlisted for the 2023 Dublin Literary Award. The shortlist will be made public in March.

Kirsten McDougall’s sharp and hilarious eco-thriller She’s a Killer, published in 2021 by THWUP and longlisted for the 2022 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, has been picked up for publication by Gallic Books in the UK and will be published in October.

And that’s not all — it has also been longlisted for the 2023 Dublin Literary Award. So far 2023 is looking good for this Wellington author!

Get in the Art Zone.

An annual subscription to NZ’s art and design guide is only $54. artzone.co.nz/shop

ArtZone

B Y

T H E

B O O K

About the author: Mary Ursula Bethell (1874– 1945) was a social worker and poet who is considered one of the pioneers of modern New Zealand poetry. Bethell spent most of her life living between England and New Zealand before settling in Christchurch permanently in 1924. She was a mentor to younger local poets, including Allen Curnow and Denis Glover.

Re-verse

In brief: Bethell was a latecomer to poetry, writing her first poems around the age of 50. Those first poems were intended to be simply “metrical messages” included in letters to friends in London – she had no plans to publish them for a wider audience. Her friends eventually persuaded her to collect them in a manuscript for publication. In a letter to her publisher, she explained her reasons for publishing under the pseudonym Evelyn Hayes: “in provincial New Zealand ... publicity is a really painful affair”. When choosing the title for her first book, Bethell insisted that it contain the word “from” to emphasise the original intent of her poems as dispatches from New Zealand to the motherland.

The title of this poem immediately signals that Bethell is replying to correspondence she has received, although she omits any indication of who she is addressing.

I N T R O D U C E D BY C H R I S T S E

RESPONSE When you wrote your letter it was April, And you were glad that it was spring weather, And that the sun shone out in turn with showers of rain.

Reverse

I write in waning May and it is autumn, And I am glad that my chrysanthemums Are tied up fast to strong posts, So that the south winds cannot beat them down.

I am glad that they are tawny coloured, And fiery in the low west evening light.

And I am glad that one bush warbler Still sings in the honey-scented wattle . . .

But oh, we have remembering hearts, And we say 'How green it was in such and such an April,' And 'Such and such an autumn was very golden,' And 'Everything is for a very short time.’

By Mary Ursula Bethell From From a Garden in the Antipodes (Sidgwick & Jackson, 1929)

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Why I like it: Nowadays the ease of instant messaging and the neverending scroll of social media have replaced letter-writing as a primary line of communication. Although our smartphones can keep us superconnected to our friends and family around the world, the instant updates can feel fleeting and ephemeral. Do we know more or less about distant family members because we can see what they have for lunch?

At first, Bethell’s poem appears to offer little in the way of revelation or opinion. The topics she touches upon are as prosaic as some of the things we might see on each other’s social media posts – the weather, her garden, birds – but the final stanza pivots towards more philosophical territory, casting new light on what she writes about. Her own and her friends’ “remembering hearts” recall brighter days, but are also cognisant of life’s fleeting nature. And yet there’s something hopeful about this rumination on mortality and the inevitable passing of time.

In this poem, memory is a powerful tool with which to summon the small comforts of the past.

The intimacy of a personal letter heightens these comforts and gives them a new, special meaning.

Autumn at Circa Theatre

In Bed with Schoenberg

Eccentric Austrian composer meets live string quartet.

By Dave Armstrong Directed by Conrad Newport Musical Director: Donald Armstrong (Associate concertmaster NZSO) Company: Armstrong Creative Presented by arrangement by Playmarket

$30–$55 25 Feb–17 Mar

Starring Andrew Laing (Wonderful, Gifted), In Bed with Schoenberg is a delicious Viennese pastry filled with comedy, drama and exquisite live classical music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Lehar, Schoenberg and more.

Photo: Andi Crown Photography

Stories About My Body

Tales of selling my toes in NYC, diary entries from ’98, birth, boobs and trying to like my chins.

By Morgana O’Reilly $30–$40 15–25 Mar The Recent winner of Most Outstanding Show at Whangarei Fringe 2022 and sold-out seasons in Auckland, Taranaki, Waiheke and Melbourne, Stories About My Body is coming to Wellington!

Warning: there will be nudity… and you will love it. “Hilarity to humanity, and back again” — Jess Karamjeet, Theatrescenes

The King of Taking

Roll out the red carpet!

One is cordially invited to a brand-new show from the King of Comedy-Circus!

By Thom Monckton Presented by Kallo Collective & A Mulled Whine $30–$55

21–25 Mar The acclaimed physical comedy performer behind smash-hit The Artist is back. The King of Taking boasts circus, mime, and a whole lot of velvet. Performing in Wellington for one week only at Circa Theatre!

Image by Gemma Tweedie

Image by Andi Crown Photography

Cringeworthy – Swinging in the '60s!

A psychedelic blast from the past!

By Andrea Sanders Presented by BeatGirl Productions $30–$55 1–29 Apr Cringeworthy is back, transporting you to the GROOVIEST era of all, the swinging ’60s! Following on from Cringeworthy the ’70s and ’80s, this show is a FAR-OUT tribute to Kiwiana music and culture in the ’60s. “A swinging affair, equal parts fast paced and hilarious!”

Image by Stephen A'Court

Land of the Long Long Drive

A classic road story with a kiwi twist!

By Catriona Tipene and Ryan Cundy Presented by Horse With No Name $15 General Admission; $50 Family Pass (4 tickets) 8–22 Apr A tale for Kiwi kids, featuring iconic NZ creatures, landscapes and fresh waiata by NZ singer-songwriter Benny Tipene. Winner of the 3–8-year-old section of Playmarket’s Plays for the Young Competition, Land of the Long Long Drive brings you a laugh out loud, inspiring adventure of three unlikely heroes.

Image by Kate Anderson

Shows daily Tues–Sun 1 Taranaki St Wellington 04 801 7992 I circa.co.nz

Funny Gurl!

A tale about a Drag Queen’s hilarious life!

From day dot to Drag Race and beyond!

By Anita Wigl’t Presented by Wigl’it Productions $30–$40 + $55 Postshow meet and greet tickets 12–22 Apr Get to know Anita Wigl’it, star of Drag Race: Canada Vs. the World and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under S1 in this kooky, hilarious and tell-all one-woman show, Funny Gurl! This comedy show will give you belly laughs, will make you cry and will definitely make you Wigl’it!!

Image by Josh Sagar

L I F E S T Y L E

W H E E LY WEIRD With the struggle to recruit bus drivers continuing, could self-driving buses be the answer? One such bus has been trialled on Wellington’s waterfront, taking anxious passengers on a five-minute journey.

Manufactured by Auckland tech company Ohmio, the buses follow a predetermined route via GPS. The test ride saw a couple of abrupt stops, including a sudden brake for a passing cyclist, at least proving the shuttle’s ability to detect obstacles. Waka Kotahi has said it is interested in the possibility of integrating the buses into the capital’s public transport system.

MARCH MADNESS

THE GREAT SHOP DROP

SINGING THE PRAISES

The next few months are festival time. After a year’s hiatus, Newtown Festival, 5 March, and CubaDupa, 25–26 March, are both returning, taking over city streets with performance, and retail and food stalls. Homegrown, 18 March, will finally go ahead on the Wellington waterfront. Performers will include Shapeshifter, Drax Project, the Black Seeds, and Gin Wigmore.

After 17 years on Cuba Street Madame Fancy Pants has closed its doors. A purveyor of homewares, clothes and gifts, like many small business owners Claire Terry has decided to call time. Madame Fancy Pants’ Greytown shop will remain open. This is not the only beloved city store we are saying goodbye to, with Red Current, Havilah, Hurricane Denim, Miss Wong, Rex Royale, and VicBooks all announcing closures.

Our pals at Radio Active have released a seven-part online series on their website to celebrate the less conspicuous talent in Wellington’s music industry. Unsung Heroes features the likes of Apa Chappel who owns Creeps in Newtown; musician for Pōneke Classical Sessions Leah Thomas; and Joel Cosgrove from event organisers Eyegum Music Collective. You can catch taster clips on Capital mag’s Instagram.

Back by popular demand.

OUR LATEST LIMITED RELEASE Buy online at hopfederation.co.nz or scan the QR for all great stockists.

Wellington Fri, 28 Apr, 6.30pm Michael Fowler Centre In association with

Bloch & Shostakovich Enduring Spirit

Maestro Sir Donald Runnicles joins the NZSO for his Aotearoa New Zealand debut.

Donald Runnicles Conductor Nicolas Altstaedt Cello Aaron Jay Kernis Musica Celestis Bloch Schelomo Shostakovich Symphony No.10 Principal Partners

Tickets from $23 Book at nzso.co.nz Book with confidence If you can’t attend a concert due to COVID-19, contact the NZSO Ticketing Team for information on credits/refunds.

W E L L Y

A N G E L

What would Deirdre do?

T OU G H L OV E I’ve been a stepmother to two beautiful kids for a couple of years. From day one, my now-husband was adamant that I stay out of disciplining the kids.

I feel like that’s unfair – I pay half the rent, bills etc.

When they annoy me or do something wrong, I feel I have the right to pipe up. He’s not open to a conversation, but I’m struggling to keep quiet. Help!

Seething, Karori

A DV I C E F RO M D E I R D R E TA R R A N T

N O T I N SHA P E My partner is constantly complaining about their health and would freely admit they’re not in the best shape. They’re desperate to get healthy but all good intentions – meal plans, walks, gym memberships – never eventuate. I’m healthy and active so it’s frustrating. Encouragement, inclusion or leading by example doesn’t seem to work. What can I do?

Gym fanatic, Lower Hutt

I think I am with you on this, but not because you pay half the rent. You are married now and a blended family and this means the rough with the smooth, good times and bad for all of you together. You have respected his request so far, so talk it through, but your relationship with them all must develop and be an open one. Do the children know that you are “following orders”? Clearly it’s a recipe for tension, and needs a review. Your opinions do count!

I assume you have voiced your concern that nothing seems to be working for your partner. Clearly they are not desperate enough. It probably doesn’t help that you have the moral high ground and are healthy as well. Have a talk about it, but really the ball is in their court. Maybe each of you should worry about yourself and relax a bit on the goals – go for walks, swims, bike rides, out dancing together, for enjoyment and you might get results as a spinoff? Good health!

ST I L L S A D I lost my Mum at the beginning of the year. I have spent summer locked inside, reeling, while my friends holidayed. And still I’m struggling to do normal day-to-day things. How do I start taking back my life?

Trying to cope, Masterton

SE RV IC E I S N O T AVA I L A B L E My local eatery has amazing food, but the service is shocking. Eye-contact is not on the menu, let alone a smile. I want to let the owner know the service is literally putting me off my food, but I don’t want the staff to know it was me that complained (call me gutless, but I’d be too embarrassed to show my face there again). Other than an anonymous online review, what would you suggest I do?

Smiler, Kapiti Coast

I am sorry, and I understand your hesitation to step out of your grief and memories. Time will help you, and she will be with you and telling you things as life progresses. Take small steps and get on with living.

Your mother would want you to be happy, involved and busy. This is a new year and you have a new place in the family order, so step up at your own speed. I expected my mother to phone me for years and still wonder what she might advise or say nearly forty years after losing her. Go out and meet some of her friends for a coffee and chat. Share memories with your family.

Keep your mother near.

Hospitality is under huge pressure to deliver at the moment and staffing is a real challenge for all restaurants and bars. If the food is good that is a big plus. Maybe cut them some slack – be pleasant to the servers and give the restaurant a bit of time. You are entitled to comment and can say something to the staff or owners – mention both positives and negatives and keep supporting them. Don’t waste energy being embarrassed, enjoy the food!

If you’ve got a burning question for Deirdre, email angel@capitalmag.co.nz with Capital Angel in the subject line.

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except Good Friday and Christmas Day

Free admission

wrm.org.nz

Watt St, Whanganui

LOST OBJECTS Kath Foster BECKONING LAND John Foster

Open Daily 10am-4.30pm

John Foster, Print from Beckoning Land 1975

2 Mahara Place Waikanae Mon–Fri 10am–4pm

Kath Foster Lost Object No. 23, 2006

www.maharagallery.org.nz Visit us at our temporary district gallery near old Main Road while our gallery is being rebuilt!

Showing Kāpiti artists and artisans

22 Feb –6 April 2023

12 April–26 May 2023 Robin Rogerson, a tribute show

WĀ H I N E

Labour of love

BY M E LO DY T H O M A S

Content warning: this column focuses on pregnancy and parenting, and might be difficult to read for people trying to start a family, or who have experienced pregnancy loss.

It’s also about the love a parent feels for their children, which is not to say those without children will “never know true love” (drivel!).

I knew I was to acquire dependents: people who would rely on me for everything needed to keep them alive, a responsibility which would diminish over time but never fully disappear. But I didn’t realise the extent of this privilege, nor its reward. That I would get to hang out with a couple of cool little humans who also happen to think I am the best thing that ever happened. A couple of hilarious, adventurous, sweet and empathetic little weirdos who would devote hours and hours to making me cards and pictures, presenting precious shells and feathers and stones from their pockets, in an endless tribute to me, the human representation of love, their very first home.

I knew I would love them, but I didn’t realise how their laughter would ring like bells in my heart, how their sense of wonder at the world would reintroduce me to the beauty I’d stopped noticing, and how sometimes, when I’m a little shaky, or sick or sore from my period, they would offer me the nook under their armpit, the sweet home of their body, so I might feel a touch of the same love and care they know to expect from me.

Of course this love also makes you extremely vulnerable: no matter how much you cultivate happiness in other areas of your life, it all relies entirely on their safety and wellbeing, as if your own heart were wandering around outside of your body, unprotected by cartilage and rib. It’s also draining, requiring support from your community, wider family, friends, policy-makers and workplaces to be tenable.

For years, you might lose yourself completely to the role of Mum or Dad, then spend years again reclaiming some semblance of your individual personhood. You will sacrifice your body, nearly all of your time, your sleep and your freedom, and in return you will often feel taken for granted, underappreciated, burnt out, and bored to the point of madness from the repetitiveness of it all.

But somehow, it’s all worth it. I don’t know how or why, since the hard stuff often seems to outweigh the goods in quantity. I can only assume that the good stuff is worth more, lasts longer, penetrates deeper, because it’s made from love. And I’m so grateful to them for showing it to me.

A

s much as I wish I were, I’m not someone who remembers dates. You know the people: “Oh yeah, that was 2013, right after Obama’s inauguration”. Incredible! I could never. But I do remember what I was doing 10 years ago today, because it was the day I became a parent.

Two days before that, my labour began. It was a long, drawn-out process, and by the time I’d passed two nights at home – the first sleeping between wide-spaced early contractions, the second roaring with a guttural violence that reminds us that we, too, are animals – I was beyond exhausted. My cervix had stalled at 7cm dilated, so we rushed to the hospital where things escalated to an emergency caesarean.

When I finally met our girl, cradled by her weeping father, who pressed her small head to mine, I felt as if I were witnessing the moment through a filmy veneer. My body shook and my jaw shuddered (an alarming epidural sideeffect – and one for which they make you sign a disclaimer in case your teeth get chipped), but I was happy and spent.

I noted that the love I felt for the little creature being laid skin-to-skin on my chest wasn’t explosive and life-changing.

It felt the same as it had the whole time she was growing in my body: as natural and settled as the days. Later I would read that during pregnancy, cells from the fetus cross the placenta and enter the mother’s body, where they can become part of her tissues. Even after birth they remain a part of you.

I’ve written a lot about the challenges of parenting, which are plentiful and merciless, because it’s important we understand we’re not alone when we’re in the depths of it.

But today I’m thinking about the beauty, which I was less prepared for.

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C A L E N D A R

TESSA MA’AUGA: MOVEMENTS FROM PEARL RIVERS Fibre sculptures reflecting connections between Southern China and Aotearoa Te Manawa, Palmerston North

ANTIREALITY PERVERSION VOID Six makers’ gothic, punk, macabre, mythological, and magical ceramic objects City Gallery, Te Ngākau Civic Square, until 23 April

WELLINGTON FRINGE FESTIVAL Full on schedule of diverse performances from NZ and around the world Various Wellington venues, until 11 March

ROB MCLEOD: EXCUSE ME MR FRANKENSTEIN, VLAD IS OUTSIDE FEEDING Raucous and delightfully demented reflection on pop culture, social commentary, and art history The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt, until 23 April

THE HAND OF DOG Stuart Forsyth explores the ups and downs of the human/pet relationship Toi Pōneke Arts Centre, 61 Abel Smith Street, until 17 March IN BED WITH SCHOENBERG Comedy, drama and exquisite live classical music Circa Theatre, until 17 March

IN THE ROUND: PORTRAITS

BY WOMEN SCULPTORS Showcasing works from last century to the present NZ Portrait Gallery, Shed 11, Queen’s Wharf

MIRROR MAGIC Enter a room of mirrors and be amazed Te Manawa, Palmerston North, until 19 March

THE LONG WAVES OF OUR OCEAN New responses to Pacific poems by established early-career artists National Library, Molesworth Street

TE AU: LIQUID CONSTITUENCIES Water as the fountain of life Govett Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth, until 20 March

March

LOST OBJECTS AND BECKONING LAND Sculpture and prints by Kath Foster and John Foster Mahara Iti Gallery, 2 Mahara Place, Waikanae, until 6 April MARTIN BASHER/BEN BUCHANAN: SOUR GRAPES Botanical minimalism meets trippy immersion City Gallery, Te Ngākau Civic Square, until 23 April

1 KURAWAKA – REACHING INTO THE RED CLAY: SHAPING GENDER JUSTICE IN AOTEAROA Three women artists respond to the creation story National Library, Molesworth Street 3 THE ALLEGORICAL ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT VUW School of Architecture speculations and predictions Academy Galleries, 1 Queens Wharf, until 19 March

5 HUTT SOUNDS MUSIC FESTIVAL Legendary NZ and Aussie rock bands guaranteed to get you grooving Brewtown, Upper Hutt, 2pm–8.30pm NEWTOWN FESTIVAL Gather the whanau and get into the swing.

This is one big, beautiful street party Newtown, 9.30am–8.30pm 10 121 DANCE FESTIVAL A three-day dance odyssey – keep hydrated Tauherenikau Racecourse, South Wairarapa, until 12 March 11 CHILDREN’S DAY A family event for tamariki Capital E and under the sails, Queen’s Wharf from 10am BOOK-BINDING WORKSHOP Learn a new skill with Meredith Paterson City Gallery, Te Ngākau Civic Square, 10am and 2pm BLUE STORIES PROJECT: SHARING JOURNEYS OUT OF PERINATAL DEPRESSION Local stories and pop-art portraits Johnsonville Library, Waitohi Hub, until 10 April SANDY ADSETT: TOI KORU Major survey exhibition from 60s to now Te Manawa, Palmerston North

Showing New Zealand art to Wellington since 1882.

Contemporary art, gifts and indulgences or unique venue hire.

Visit our beautiful waterfront galleries, open daily: 10 – 5 pm Free entry.

Te wahi e kitea ai nga mea ataahua – The place where beautiful things are to be found

Visit us : 1 Queens Wharf, Wellington Call us : (04) 499 8807

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C A L E N D A R

18, 19 WOMAD Aotearoa’s premier festival of world music Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth 18 JIM BEAM HOMEGROWN Five stages, 40+ bands Wellington Waterfront, from 1pm VESSELS FOR NEW WORLDS: A CONVERSATION ON CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS Justine Olsen shares her love of ceramics City Gallery, Te Ngākau Civic Square, 2pm/ koha WELLINGTON OPERA: LUCIA Di LAMMERMOOR Murder, madness, and a blood-splattered bride St James Theatre, until 25 March 19 MY WALK-IN WARDROBE – SUSTAINABLE FASHION MARKET Clothing, jewellery, shoes and accessories for the conscious shopper Brewtown, Upper Hutt, 10am–2pm THE KING OF TAKING Thom Monckton weaves another tale with wit, circus feats and lashings of velvet Circa Theatre, until 25 March THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS ALREADY HAPPENED NZ/Canadian dance collaboration telling water stories St James Theatre, 7.30pm

25 UNHINGED: OPENING THE DOORS TO THE DOWSE COLLECTION A visual symphony of 1000+ items The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt ST MATTHEW PASSION The Tudor Consort perform JS Bach’s monumental oratorio Alan Gibbs Centre, Wellington College, 7pm

April

1 Have a laugh. Get creative with jokes and hoaxes – but only until noon

7 GOOD FRIDAY 8 NIGHT GLOW A family night of music, events, food, and glowing balloons Clareville Showgrounds, 4pm LAND OF THE LONG LONG DRIVE A classic Kiwi tale of a fun road adventure for the kids Circa Theatre, until 22 April 15 TAPOĪ TARANAKI CYCLE CHALLENGE 154 km around Taranaki Maunga. Are you up for it?

Butler’s Point, Taranaki

2 PORIRUA GRAND TRAVERSE Something for everyone, from 9km community walk to full on 58km multisport event Whitireia Polytechnic, Wineera Drive, Porirua, from 8am MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING The Barden Party’s raucous rockabilly version Old St Paul’s, Mulgrave Street, 1.30–3.30pm 6 WAIRARAPA BALLOON FESTIVAL The skies are alive with the roar of fire bursts Wairarapa towns, until 10 April TUATARA OPEN LATE A monthly feast of art, music, film, and talks City Gallery, Te Ngākau Civic Square, 5–10pm

21 CORONATION CELEBRATIONS New works from Academy members celebrating King Charles III’s coronation Academy Galleries, 1 Queens Wharf, until 21 May 25 ANZAC DAY Dawn Parades and commemorative events region wide. Lest We Forget

May

4 RNZB ROMEO & JULIET Andrea Schermoly’s choreography breathes new life and passion into this timeless classic St James Theatre, 7.30pm

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Not to be missed

The Allegorical Architectural Project 3 - 19 March 2023 VUW School of Architecture. Stories about environmental destruction, social disparities, and cultural loss – told through the voice of speculative architecture.

Elected Artist Showcase 24 March - 16 April 2023 An exhibition of our Elected and Life Members’ work.

Coronation Celebration 21 April - 21 May 2023 A members’ exhibition celebrating the up coming coronation of King Charles III.

The Allegorical Architectural Project

Visit us : 1 Queens Wharf, Wellington Call us : (04) 499 8807

Elected Artist Showcase Coronation Celebration

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Puzzle pals Answers will be published online at capitalmag.co.nz/ crossword

Answers will be published online at capitalmag.co.nz/crossword

Ac ros s

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1. Four Hobbits begin a quest (10) 3. Robin, Dr. John Watson, Gromit, Donkey (9) 9. Wal’s best friend (5) 11. Fluffy yellow Easter symbol (6) 13. 1990s UK pop music genre (7) 14. A strong relationship, woven textile (5,4) 17. Series of children’s novels by Enid Blyton (6,4) 18. Pal (5) 21 & 37 down. What’s the password? (6) 23. Snoopy’s best friend (9) 24. Long-lasting relationship (8) 25. Reggae band formed in Whakatāne (3) 27. Autumn, te reo (7) 28. Act of laying a surface covering (6) 30. Easter treat, preferably chocolate (4) 31. No fun alone, see__(3) 35. Walking track from Paekākāriki to Pukerua Bay (10) 38. Friend of Winnie-the-Pooh (6) 39. Friendly nation (4) 40. Wellington’s Riviera (6,5) 41. Beauty is in the eye of the ____ (8)

1. Birds of a feather ____ together (5) 2. Eye candy views (6) 3. Fine fabric produced by worms (4) 4. Casual pants named after their colour (6) 5. Food was ____ last year (7) 6. Keeping the peace? Let these lie (8,4) 7. Friends character who loves to clean (6) 8. Thick as ______(7) 10. Friend, te reo (3) 12. Join up (7) 15. Wellington street festival on 25-26 March (8) 16. Dull routine, stuck in a ___ (3) 18. Film starring Justin Timberlake, Friends with ___(8) 19. Longing (8) 20. Only thinks about others (8) 22. Recharge with a speedy sleep (5,3) 26. Song, “You’re My Best Friend” (5) 29. A pub without the frills (4,3) 32. Observed on 25 April (5) 33. Month, walk in a military manner (5) 34. Jest, quipped (5) 36. Goat-like species introduced to NZ (4) 37 & 21 across. What’s the password? (4)

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OUR UPPER HUTT WISHLIST We took a wander around over 20 stores along the Main Street and here were our fave finds. Come pick up something a little different, a little special and a little boujee at one of our local stores.

Passionfruit and Mango Sauce $20.00 Tigerlily Gift Store

The Eastbourne Backpack Moana Road $79.90 Avison’s Home & Giftware Luxury Body Silk $45.00 Liberte Retail Therapy Store

Jellicoe Clothing The Vogue Store

Pride Happy Socks $23.99 ea.

Humble & Grand

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