1804 by Fringe Media

ISSUE 169, APRIL 2018

community news, issues, arts, people, events

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contents

Looking after the harbour; Tawini Road street party............... 4 What went wrong with the rubbish collection?....................... 5 Showing our coast some love................................................... 6 Moving in whatever way we want............................................ 7 Art and about with Naomi McCleary.....................................8-9

News from Titirangi Library...................................................... 9 EcoDay: the West’s biggest eco event.................................... 10 Kauri Karnival is back!............................................................. 11 Places to go: Events listing................................................12-13 Words on wine with Lindsay Nash.......................................... 14 Bandstanding: Dan Sperber.................................................... 16 Peace without violence – the power of haka and guitars...... 17 Feature: warming your home this winter............................... 18

Feature: staying healthy in the cooler weather..................... 19 Titirangi group looking for funding for legal fight; Introducing NetWorkWest...................................................... 20 Walking West: suburb to suburb and the bush between....... 21 Live @ the lounge.................................................................. 22 Advertisers directory.............................................................. 23

ON OUR COVER: Annalily van den Broeke, secretary of the Matuku Reserve Trust, checking on the health of plantings within the trust’s 37ha reserve, known as the Matuku Link. The reserve (at 111 Bethells Road, Te Henga) includes part of the largest wetland in the Auckland region and, given that only 9% of New Zealand’s original wetlands remain, is an important focus for restoration work. A Sustainable Wetland Education Centre, a potting pavilion and a new nursery are under construction and volunteer groups from many backgrounds are helping to plant out eco-sourced plants in the wetland. It is intended that the area will become a safe corridor for native fauna connecting Ark in the Park, Habitat Te Henga and Forest Ridge. Quality predator control and additional planting work is continuing and working bees, to which all are invited, are scheduled on the third Sunday every month, starting at 10am and finishing with a shared lunch at 1pm. For more information visit www. matukulink.org.nz. Photos by Bevis England.

www.fringemedia.co.nz 21,000 copies delivered free to letter boxes, post boxes, libraries and selected outlets throughout Titirangi, Glen Eden, Green Bay, New Lynn, Kelston, Konini, Wood Bay, French Bay, South Titirangi, Waima, Woodlands Park, Laingholm, Parau, Cornwallis, Huia and Oratia.

Published by: Fringe Media Ltd, PO Box 60-469, Titirangi, Auckland 0642

Editor: Bevis England 817 8024, 027 494 0700 bevis@fringemedia.co.nz Despite our best efforts, we were unable to find out who to credit for the photo used on the cover of the last issue of The Fringe. We have since leaned that it was the work of Sammy Milne of The Upstairs Gallery.

Every issue of The Fringe (and the Titirangi Tatler before it) since April 2011 is on-line at www.fringemedia.co.nz. Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ FringeWest) to hear when each issue is available and get other updates. please support our advertisers – they support us

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Features: Moira Kennedy 021 723 153 moira@fringemedia.co.nz

Writers and contributors: Jade Reidy, David Thiele, Lindsay Nash, Naomi McCleary, Susannah Bridges, Phoebe Falconer and Mick Andrew.

Advertising deadline for May: April 12. The Fringe APRIL 2018

our place

Looking after the harbour To celebrate the end of Seaweek 2018 last month volunteers gathered at four locations around Manukau Harbour to collect rubbish, build sand-sculptures and participate in a variety of educational and fun activities. The Cornwallis Beach location attracted over 70 people to help with the clean-ups and teams were also dispatched to Mill Bay, Huia and other local beaches. Health and safety information, rubbish sacks, gloves and other important equipment was provided and once the clean-up operation was completed refreshments were provided before 15 groups participated in the sandsculpting competition.

According to Seaweek co-ordinator Mels Barton the volunteers came from diverse backgrounds, including a number of people from a local Chinese church who helped with the BBQ and other tasks. “We had about twice as many people involved compared to last year,” Mels said. “We also had the Seacleaner boat out on the harbour collecting water-borne rubbish.” The 2018 clean up followed the success of the two previous campaigns. With 386 kilometres of coastline, cleaning up the Manukau Harbour is a massive task and volunteer gatherings such as those organised by Seaweek are increasingly important.

A reader writes: “It was a warm Saturday afternoon when the first residents began to arrive for an old-fashioned street party. “The Tawini Road Party has been an annual event since well before we arrived as newbies in the street. The residents meet at the end of the road to enjoy each other’s company and to welcome new residents whilst sharing food and drink a-plenty. “However, this year was a bit different, with a band called Gone West offering to play a selection of classic hits from the 70s through to 90s, with Sweet Home Titirangi being a particular favourite. It was a bit surreal to have a full five-piece band belting out the hits on the road side. Gone West was a great addition to the party and are well worth considering for your next party. The get together went on for five hours with people coming and going and some returning with friends. It was so pleasing to see the children climbing trees or enjoying a game of hide and seek in the near-by gardens. “Simple good old-fashioned family fun in a road and a community that I am proud to be part of. Thanks to Max and Mahendra for organising such a great afternoon.” – Chris Haliday

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our place

What went wrong with the rubbish collection? Aucklanders had been asked to stay out of the Waitakere Ranges over summer and enjoy the local parks, reserves and beaches instead. The resulting rubbish piling up around beach-side litter bins didn’t go unnoticed. Wendy O’Rourke is one of the privileged few who lives and works in the Waitakere Ranges. A Cornwallis resident Wendy has been contracted for the past 13 years to collect the rubbish and doggie do and clean the toilets from Mill Bay through to Whatipu, including all the facilities in the regional park lands. “I love my job,” she says. “It gets me out and about. I meet up with all the dog walkers. We’re all passionate about keeping the area clean.” In December, she was asked by her employer Civic Contracting to stop picking up the rubbish. Why? Auckland Council had reorganised all its community facilities and open space maintenance contracts in the middle of last year, reducing the number of suppliers from 17 down to six. The aim was to cut costs and make the service more efficient. Two of the new contracts went to Australian companies one of whom was Urban Maintenance Systems (UMS). UMS now holds the West Auckland contract but had subcontracted the open spaces work to Civic Contractors. A dispute arose between the two companies, resulting in UMS sending out its own workers on an ad hoc basis to duplicate the daily rounds that Wendy and other local workers had been doing. None of the parties involved is prepared to say what was behind the dispute, other than a comment from Auckland Council’s general manager of community facilities Rod Sheridan who said, “We are aware of concerns … with contractor maintenance and are working to address these.” Wendy was relieved to be given the go-ahead, early last month, to start picking up the rubbish again. “It’s been hard all summer to ignore it and feel unsatisfied with my work,” she reflects. “I’ve also noticed other locals who normally pitch in and pick up rubbish feeling less motivated when they see the job not

being done properly.” Wendy would also like the council to repair the toilets at Huia Domain. They’ve been out of action since February 12, with blocked plumbing and broken fixtures. Auckland Council is also in charge of picking up illegally dumped inorganic rubbish. It has established a new hotline to fast-track its response and is promising more resources to pursue prosecutions. The hotline number for anyone to call if they see old mattresses, building materials, old whiteware or any other rubbish that belongs in a landfill or recycling facility is 0800 No Dump. This month is the official inorganic collection month for Titirangi. Collections need to be booked through the council website at least eight days prior to collection. To find out if you still have time, Google ‘book an inorganic collection’ and type in your address. Suburbs from Laingholm through to Huia will have to wait until September for their collection. – Jade Reidy

Wendy O’Rourke ouside the closed Huia Domain toilets.

Community bike fund open for round two applications The second round of Auckland Transport’s Community Bike Fund is open for applications. The fund can be used for events, activities, training programmes, and the development of resources and information for specific communities to encourage bike riding in Auckland. Round one helped fund EcoMatters’ Pedal and Pizza Ride last month and also attracted interest from groups wanting to establish bike libraries and organisations wanting to bring cycling to older people. The maximum grant amount per application is $5,000 and round two applications close on April 5. Visit https://at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/at-community-bike-fund/ for more.

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our place

Showing our coast some love

Families from Titirangi and Blockhouse Bay Playcentres took the opportunity presented by the recent Seaweek to celebrate Playcentre Awareness Week by organising a clean up of Titirangi Beach. Fifteen families gathered to hear Oliver Vetter from Sustainable Coastlines talk about why it is important to ‘look after the things we love.’ The children learnt that plastic does not belong in the sea, and that rubbish can kill sea animals. With gloves on, and tongs and rubbish sacks in their hands, the group then set off on a rubbish hunt. In just under an hour the group had collected over 50 litres of rubbish including everything from a broom handle and a large piece of black rubber to massive amounts of tiny pieces of plastic. “This has been a wonderful opportunity to deepen our children’s connection with their local community, and reinforce the importance of being good kaitiaki (guardians) of the environment,” said one parent

while another added: “We visit local beaches and reserves as a regular part of our programmes and always spend time picking up rubbish. From a very young age our children are growing up with an awareness that they can play an important role in protecting our environment.” Playcentres are fully licensed ECE services where families learn together. They cater for all children from birth to six years of age with a philosophy centred around child-initiated play and building stronger communities for the benefit of children. Local centres have vacancies available for children of all ages. Contact Titirangi Playcentre on 817 3003, Blockhouse Bay Playcentre on 627 9887 or visit www.playcentre. org.nz to find your nearest Playcentre. Top left: Oliver Vetter, Sustainable Coastlines Programmes Manager, holding a bike part the children found on Titirangi beach. Top right: Felix Hutton on the hunt for rubbish. Below, left to right: James Griffiths, Robbie Rickards, and Jo Burgess with Micaiah-Hope and Flo Samuela.

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people

Moving in whatever way we want We’ll be dancing in the streets any day soon if local woman Claire O’Neil has her way. Based in Titirangi, Claire is presenting her latest work, Extra Ordinary Folk, at Corban Estate during the school holidays this month as well as giving public performances at various sites around West Auckland. Extra Ordinary Folk will be presented by Fidget Collective, a group established by Claire in 2001 that sees like-minded professional performers and sound/visual artists come together to spread awareness of our social rights and possibilities in the community. It’s been funded by Creative New Zealand and West Auckland local boards. With producer Sarah-Louise Collins, the collective will portray everyday life, social systems and a range of behaviours in Active performance is a very society. They call it ‘social choreography’ and it’s all about happy place for Claire O’Neil, inclusivity, says Claire. above, and on right, below, “The work aims to unite and reveal the context of with other members of the understanding ourselves more as social human beings. Fidget Collective. “I like to promote contemporary dance as an accessible art form which people with all sorts of sizes and body shapes can enjoy. We’ll achieve that through inviting seniors, teenagers and young kids to perform, direct and contribute to the final performance event,” Claire says. “It’s good to have a moving body. It’s good for your health and psyche. Contemporary dance is an awareness of what’s around us. A lot of our expression is through dance and it gives us a lot of freedom,” she says. With the public performances Claire says it’s a challenge and super-exciting to be taking dance to the streets. “Why do we have to just walk seriously down the street and not stretch out? We’ve become so restrained in social places – unless it’s a dance place. This is our world and we should be able to move in whatever way we want.” Claire has 20 years professional experience in the performing arts as a movement specialist, choreographer, performer and educator. She’s taught dance companies, studios and freelance dance communities internationally and produced and toured several independent dance works in Belgium, Canada, Reunion Island and New Zealand, working with some of the world’s finest dancers. She has a Masters in Dance Studies from the University of Auckland. A solo mother with two young children, Claire says she’s had many roles in the arts world and performance has always been a love. “I direct more now but active performance is a very happy place for me. “It’s not just about being in a show but it’s engaging with and offering the gift of performance to the audience. It’s communication with the audience and that exchange is magic. “It’s really important in New Zealand to understand how important the arts are to the community, to society. It’s a way to learn, to see, to engage. For me, it’s really a platform to betterment,” she says. “I don’t believe a healthy body is a trim, slim body. If we can get more awareness of movement, the body performance, we can all work on that vehicle for the rest of our lives. It’s never too late to take up or do dance.” Extra Ordinary Folk performances will be held at Shed 1, Corban Estate Arts Centre, April 25 – 29 at 7.30pm. Local free public performances will take place in Memorial Square, New Lynn, April 14 at 11am and 12.30pm; Henderson Mall, April 19 at 12.30pm and April 20 at 12.30pm and 1.30pm; and Whau Arts Festival, Riversdale Reserve, Avondale, April 28, 4pm. – Moira Kennedy

Got something on your mind? Let The Fringe know: Email info@fringemedia.co.nz or write to PO Box 60-469, Titirangi please support our advertisers – they support us

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art & about with naomi mccleary

‘... a nonsensical, whimsical piece of humour ...’

Neal Smith is planning more genre-bending projects such as his magical cello.

You may have seen him in the village – tall, lean and craggy, a well-worn and engaging face, always ready to talk life, love and the universe. He’s been kicking around these parts for more than 30 years. Neal Smith: designer, artist and craftsman extraordinaire. ‘Designer’ has been his professional label, and he has an impressive history of product design. ‘Artist’ is perhaps a more latter day label and ‘craftsman’ knits together and illuminates both designer and artist. Neal grew up in rural Taranaki with feet firmly on the ground. One large mountain, rivers, lakes, sea and everything in between were the settings for adventure and the breeding ground for observation, curiosity and ‘making things.’ Creativity, destruction and repairs were a constant and led eventually to the Wellington School of Design, from where he graduated in 1975, going on to immerse himself in handson furniture making to integrate design with practice. Eventually he became head designer for New Zealand's largest furniture manufacturer and experienced the realities of large-scale production. Later the urge to re-discover a freer, more intuitive design process resulted in a freelance career. Those earlier curiosities and observations, blended with later disciplines, now complete the circle. It was nearly a year ago that Neal invited me to look at ‘something he had made but didn’t know quite where to take it and what it might lead to.’ Did I have any advice? Interest piqued, I joined him for a wine in his small but perfectly formed home in Kaurilands Road. There, in the corner of his living space, was a cello, but no ordinary cello. Black, satiny, appearing to be suspended in space – this was an object of impeccable craftsmanship and arresting beauty. I was captivated by its sheer drama, but then he moved to his computer and I was transfixed as glorious cello music emanated from it and filled the room in a moment of pure magic. I recently asked Neal to tell me in his own words the why and the how of it. I include his response verbatim as there is no way I could do better: As a product designer, there has always been, in my

peripheral vision, the cello as the ultimate piece of design. Not only for its seductive mellow and resonant sounds but in particular its unashamedly voluptuous good looks. The anatomy of a cello is clearly female. In addition to that the cello was designed and made around 1570 in Cremona, Italy, and for any product to have remained true to its original form for 450 years is an extraordinary expression of ‘rightness’. This latent admiration had remained dormant until I was recently asked to look at a damaged and tired cello. Clearly it was beyond its use by date in terms of repair cost verses value. It sat propped up beside my desk, too bad to fix and too good to toss. After months of rubbing shoulders with it the cello started to talk. It was suggesting that rather than restoring it for a return to the orchestra perhaps the orchestra could be bought to the cello … perhaps it could play again, from the inside out. Hoping to integrate a hi-fi sound system within a cello and expecting quality sound was a technical contradiction. Everything was against it. A normal speaker enclosure is designed not to resonate, while the cello is specifically designed to resonate in order to amplify the sound of vibrating strings. However this vision of a somewhat nonsensical, whimsical piece of humour became an obsession. It was a cheeky way of delving into the essence of this highly refined piece of art but in some perverse way still honouring it as an object of enduring beauty, a way of hearing and seeing it with fresh eyes. Despite a looming ‘technical collision’ between beauty and function the hope was that the sound of music effortlessly emanating from the cello would convincingly captivate and intrigue. A raft of technical issues did emerge but melted as often as they appeared. That in itself was energising as the ancient ‘rightness’ of the cello seemed to preside over its own reinvention. Initially cutting holes for speakers seemed absolute desecration but contrary to all tradition and cries from friends, the cello gods never sought retribution. Wood grain became black to visually unify and enhance the form, while a transparent laser-cut acrylic stand freed it from its cultural grip to let it stand on its own one foot. Creating words to capture the experience of sight and sound is a fragile pursuit. It is only when Bluetooth and a digital sound source are linked and the cello delivers

Susannah Bridges

c e ra m i c o b j e c t s a n d l i g h t i n g www.susannahbridges.co.nz

Workshop showroom open by appointment. Seconds, samples, end of lines. Ph 021 255 3773

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art & about with naomi mccleary

News from Titirangi Library

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Sharing is caring with Human Libraries, a new initiative that is bringing a selection of talks to our community. Titirangi Library will be holding Human Libraries sessions on the second Thursday of every month at 11am. The library is on the hunt for artists, enthusiasts, designers and adventurers who have stories, events, demonstrations or activities they would like to share with their community. If you would like to participate, talk to the staff at the library. The first session is on Thursday April 12, 11am-12pm with John Lewis describing the medieval mind-set and the architecture created out of it. John is an expert in this field and will be showing images from his latest book. On Saturday April 21, 2-4pm, Ron Riddell will be speaking about his latest book entitled Pachamama and the Jaguar Man. Ron Riddell is known as the founder of the Titirangi Poets group and is an award-winning writer. His latest book is set between Aotearoa and the Americas and has been hailed as ‘a powerful social vision that captures a world redeemed by the mythic resonance of indigenous culture.’ School holidays are fast approaching and Titirangi Library has things covered with a variety of activities for school-aged children: • Paper plane making and flight testing – Saturday April 14, 10:30-11:30am • Geronimo Stilton Mystery Cheese Adventure – Tuesday April 17, 10:0011:00am (Suitable for children aged seven or older) • Pirate Party with stories, craft and treasure hunting – Wednesday April 18,10:00-11:30am (Suitable for all ages) • Treasures of the Galaxy, fizzing planets and more – Thursday April 19, 2:00-3:00pm • ANZAC Day Craft – Tuesday April 24, 10:00-11:00am • Creative and colourful hot air balloons – Thursday April 26, 2:00-3:00pm All programmes are free of charge and no bookings are required. For more information contact the library on 817 0011 or email debra.comber@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

The Fringe APRIL 2018

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

a rich resonance from its heart that curiosity is piqued and, as if by magic, sight and sound become one and for a moment belief is suspended. Una cosa di grande bellezza The other part of the story is how the cello ended up in Neal’s hands. Decades ago it was willed to local writer and historian Mary (Bobbie) Woodward by her friend Erika Lagore, the daughter of Lou Stonnell, a Taranaki dairy farmer who was married to Bobbie’s dance teacher, Lucy Mendl from Vienna. When illness prevented Lou from farming he turned to making whatever he could to support his family. Erika was playing a hired cello and needed her own, so Lou made her one – possibly from timbers out of Europe as none of the timbers are native New Zealand woods. In a lovely synchronicity, Bobbie gave it to her daughter Elizabeth Swinburn who was also playing a hired cello and needed her own. She played this cello from an early age prior to moving overseas. Decades later, after languishing in a corner of Bobbie’s home, it found its way to Neal in the hope of repair and the rest, as they say, is history. Another quirky bit of synchronicity for Neal is that the Stonnell farm was in Lepperton, between New Plymouth and Waitara, where he grew up. So, while he was a very young boy with a passion for ‘making things’, this cello was being crafted about four kilometres away. Neal is in the early stages of converting another discarded cello. There will be months of painstaking work to achieve the perfection of the first. New ideas for genre-bending projects are flowing fast. I call him an obsessive perfectionist and he just smiles.

places to go

Workshops, street food, bike races at the West’s biggest eco event!

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

EcoDay returns this year with entertainment for all ages. It is the finale of the month-long EcoWest Festival and will feature some surprising new elements this year. “We’re looking forward to a programme that now runs from 11am to 6pm, so you can join us for an early dinner, and we’re excited to be setting up a second stage and putting on bike activities at the Velodrome,” says Ella Mizrahi, EcoMatters’ EcoDay event manager. “We’ll also have the usual crowd-pleasers – live music, kids activities, food trucks and eco-friendly market stalls in the park.” This year’s new, additional stage will feature a full-day programme of workshops, talks, and panel discussions. Speakers will include Cameron Sims from Plant Culture on using hemp-based products, Zero Waste’s Josephine, and EcoMatters’ Sarah Jane Murray, who will present ‘The Ultimate Guide to Recycling’. The seminars and panel discussions will also explore localising food economies, ‘What are we doing with the Waitakeres?’ and the future of architecture. “For the first time, we’ll also be creating magic in the velodrome! Cycling enthusiasts can look forward to a series of fun bike-related activities so bring your bike down and put your talents to the test,” says Mizrahi. “There will also be an opportunity to connect with local groups doing some great work throughout West Auckland. EcoDay is for people to discover what’s on offer in their local area, and find know-how and inspiration to take action.” Quality upcycled, organic and fair trade products will be sold by local businesses alongside an array of food and coffee to tempt the taste buds. Like previous years, EcoMatters is lucky to be working with local Kelston Boys’ High School in running a ‘Wash Against Waste’ food court, one of a number of initiatives that will contribute to achieving a zero waste event.

! E E FR

EcoDay brings EcoWest Festival to a close. The first event in the monthlong event was a rooftop party on top of Lopdell House, above.

As a great family day out, there will be plenty of activities to get the little ones involved, including the chance to get up close with reptiles, insects and other exotic creatures. With something on offer for foodies, music-lovers, greenies, crafty people, family and friends, EcoDay promises to be a great day out for everyone. To find out what else is on as part of EcoWest Festival visit ecowest. org.nz.

EcoDay When: Sunday April 15, 11am- 6pm Where: EcoMatters Environment Centre and Olympic Park, New Lynn, a nine-minute walk from New Lynn Transport Centre. Entry: Free Bring: Cash, BYO coffee cup & water bottle

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places to go

Kauri Karnival is back!

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

FREE

The Waitakere Ranges Local Board event, Kauri Karnival returns this month with a free, fun family day out, celebrating kauri trees and their environment. The event takes place in the Parrs Park meadow behind The Waterhole in Glen Eden. “This year’s Kauri Karnival is going to be the biggest and best one yet,” says Waitakere Ranges Local Board Deputy Chair Saffron Toms. “There will be plenty of activities for the kids such as bouncy castles and circus skills workshops and there will be entertainment for adults too, including live performances by bands The Mutes From Mars and The Pipi Pickers. “But we’ll have an even greater depth and focus on the environment and kauri dieback this year as the spread of this disease has become very serious. “Auckland Council Biosecurity will be there to answer all your questions about kauri trees and kauri dieback. Come talk to them and see what you can do to help stop this disease.” A wide variety of other environmental groups will also be on hand with information, workshops and activities. These groups will include Kauri Rescue, Forest & Bird and EcoMatters. In addition to the entertainment and activities there will also be food stalls, including vegetarian and vegan options.

KAURI KARNIVAL 22 April 2018 11am - 3pm

Kauri Karnival; April 22, 11am-3pm; Parrs Park.

Parrs Park meadow behind The Waterhole, Glen Eden A fun family day to celebrate our kauri trees and environment! • Live music and performances • Children’s entertainment and activities • Environmental workshops • Food stalls A smoke-free and zero-waste event.

Michael Garner cycles for a smoothie at last year’s Kauri Karnival

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Find out more: phone 09 301 0101 waitakereranges

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places to go

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

Event organisers: Do you have an upcoming event you’d like listed in The Fringe? Send the details, including a contact person and number, to info@fringemedia.co.nz. Readers: While we take care to ensure listings are correct, errors may occur. Check with the contact person wherever possible.

april w – 8, Alma Venus, works by Ayesha Green; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455.

w – 8, works by Toi Te Rito Maihi; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455.

w – 17 June, Life should be simple and good, Kerry Ann

Lee continues her interest in craft, identity and place; Te Uru. Phone 817 8087. w – 22, Be-jewelled, Be-dazzled, Be-adorned, group exhibition featuring jewellers from West Coast Gallery and Whau Studios; West Coast Gallery, Piha. Phone 812 8029. www.westcoastgallery.co.nz. w – 30, The Fragile Sea, Phillip Fickling presents a display of carefully sculpted paper creatures; Te Uru. Phone 817 8087. w – May 13, Pocket Histories, an exploration of modernism featuring works by Vita Cochran, Imogen Tayler, Isobel Thom and others; Te Uru. Phone 817 8087. w – May 27, From Scratch: 546 Moons, the sounds and instruments of From Scratch; Te Uru. Phone 817 8087. w 1, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732. w 2, Titirangi Death Cafe: Tea (or coffee), cake and discussion; Rangiwai House, 12A Rangiwai Road, Titirangi;

7.30pm. Phone Graham Southwell 021 606 146 or KerryAnn Stanton 0274 745 003. www.deathcafe.com. w 6, West Auckland Men’s REBUS Club for retired or semi-retired men, guest speaker and morning tea; Kelston Community Centre; 9.30am. Phone Roger 834 7945. w 6, Green Bay Street Food; Green Bay Community Centre, 1 Barron Drive, Green Bay; 5-8.30pm. w 6, Flicks presents The Florida Project (M), new release starring Willem Dafoe; Lopdell House Theatre; 10.30am, 5.30pm or 8.15pm; Tickets from eventfinda. co.nz and on door. Phone bookings from 818 2489 or text 0210 222 5558. www.flickscinema.weebly.com. w 8, Craft fair, gifts, refreshments; West Lynn Garden & Butterfly House, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; 10am-3pm. Phone 827 7045, www.westlynngarden.org.nz. w 10, West Auckland Historical Society Family History Group meeting; Henderson Central Library Research Centre; 10-11.30am. Phone Gary Snow 832 5098, 021 618 434 or email gary.snow@ihug.co.nz. w 10, The Western District Women’s Dinner Club dinner and speaker; Glen Eden RSA; 6.15pm; visitors welcome. Phone Doreen 021 078 3780. w 11, Waste Free Parenting workshop; Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre, 595 Te Atatu Rd, Te Atatu Peninsula; 9.30am-12.00pm; Tickets $30 (Includes a $90 Goodie Bag) from www.katemeads.co.nz/workshopsauckland.html. Phone Brody Gilroy 027 902 7200. w 13, Green Bay Street Food; Green Bay Community Centre, 1 Barron Drive, Green Bay; 5-8.30pm. w 13, Flicks presents Loving Vincent (PG) hand-painted film about the life and death of Van Gogh; Landsendt Gardens, 108 Parker Road. Oratia; Doors/bar open 7pm, film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets $12/$10 from eventfinda.

co.nz and on door. Phone 818 2489 for bookings. w 13 – May 27, #Update, works by Hanna Shim, Dominigue Baker, Alvin Xiong, Jihun Wang, Sena Park and Ruby White; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455. w 13 – May 27, Sweet Dreams, Yukari Kahori explores the process of dreaming; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455. w 14, Heritage Film Night, a selection of films from the 40s, 50s and 60s; Barnett Hall, North Piha; 7.30pm; tickets $10 on door. Phone 818 2489 for bookings. w 14, Titirangi Folk Music Club, floor singers in the first half; Titirangi Beach Hall, Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $10, members $7, under 18s free. Phone Tricia 818 5659. w 15, Waikumete Cemetery Walk: We will remember them; meet at the Cenotaph; 10am-12pm or 3-5pm; $5. No booking required. Facebook.com/friendsofwaikumete or phone Ruth 818 4352. w 17, SeniorNet West Auckland, speaker, morning tea and chatting about computers; Kelston Community Centre; 10am. Phone June 021 179 3635. w 19, Waitakere Forest and Bird talk: Are we doing enough to protect our freshwater ecosystems? with Annabeth Cohen; Kelston Community Centre; 7.30pm; koha appreciated. Phone Liz 027 476 2732 or email lizanstey@hotmail.com. w 20, Green Bay Street Food; Green Bay Community Centre, 1 Barron Drive, Green Bay; 5-8.30pm. w 20, Flicks presents Breathe (M), a drama, romance and true story; 10.30am, 5.30pm or 8.15pm; tickets from eventfinda.co.nz. Phone 818 2489 for bookings. www. flickscinema.weebly.com. w 24, Titirangi U3A with a range of activities including study groups, discussions, speakers and more; West Lynn

may

213 – 215 Woodlands Park Road, Titirangi, Auckland 0604 Phone: 09 817 8495 or 09 817 6188 www.kenturnermotors.co.nz

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places to go

There is so much happening in and around our community, including many weekly events, that we can’t fit everything into these listings. To find out more about whatever you are interested in, from Air Scouts to yoga and almost everything in between, visit: www.fringemedia.co.nz/ourplace

l WHERE IT’S AT:

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; 1.30pm; gold coin. Contact 817 5519 or maggie.u3a.titirangi@gmail.com. w 25, West Auckland’s Wine Industry and the Croatian Influence, a West Auckland Historical Society talk from Tony Soljan; Waitakere Gardens meeting room, 15 Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson; 7pm. Phone Vivien 833 4692. w 27, Green Bay Street Food; Green Bay Community Centre, 1 Barron Drive, Green Bay; 5-8.30pm. w 27, Haka and Guitars, a film by Will Watson, presented by West Auckland Nuclear Free Peace Group; Lopdell House Theatre; 7.30pm; $15/$10. Bookings required at laurie-ross@xtra.co.nz or phone 818 0696. w 27, Titirangi Folk Music Club Friends on Friday: A small, informal, supportive group of people who like to sing and play music; Titirangi Beach Hall, Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $3, under 18 free. Phone Rosemary 814 8897 or Cathy 818 8201. w 28 – May 27, New York Collection and New Works, works by Jasmin Canuel; West Coast Gallery, Piha. Phone 812 8029. www.westcoastgallery.co.nz. w 29 Titirangi Village Market: art, craft, produce and music; Titirangi War Memorial Hall; 10am-2pm. Contact Tess on tvm@gmail.com or phone 022 631 9436

• Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson, 10am–4.30pm daily. 838 4455. • EcoMatters Environment Trust, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn, 10am–4pm Mon-Fri, 10am–1pm Sat, or by appointment. 826 4276, info@ecomatters.org.nz. • Flicks cinema, Lopdell House Theatre. 818 2489, www.flickscinema.weebly.com. • Kelston Community Centre, corner of Awaroa and Great North Roads, Kelston. • McCahon House Museum, 67 Otitori Bay Rd; 1-4pm, Wednesday – Sunday, except public holidays. 817 6148, mccahon@ mccahonhouse.org.nz. • Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden. 818 5751. • Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, 10am–4.30pm daily. 817 8087, info@ teuru.org.nz. • Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House Theatre, Titirangi. 817 5812, infoline 817 5951, www.titirangitheatre.co.nz. • Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road, 10am–4.30pm daily. 817 4278. www.upstairs.org.nz. • West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha, Open Wednesday – Sunday, 10am–4pm. 812 8029, www.westcoastgallery.co.nz.

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words on wine with lindsay nash

And the winners are ... Publication of results from the Royal Easter Show wine awards always stirs interest in a keen wine drinker. Once published in the daily papers the results, with 19 pages of close type plus a page of trophy winners, are now available on-line and well worth the search. Of course, a number of wineries don’t enter the competition: you’ll not find Te Mata Estate, Felton Road or Kumeu River for example. However, there are many major labels from well-known makers represented. Champion wine of the show was the Te Awa Single Estate Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016. At about $25 it’s a real bargain and seems to be readily available. Tasting notes show it to be a wine in the classic Hawkes Bay style, full bodied, toasty, with unobtrusive oak. Sauvignon blanc drinkers have lots to keep them happy, especially from the silver and bronze medal lists. Trophy winner in this section was Whitehaven Marlborough 2017, another readily available wine at about $25. “A complex 2017 vintage,” said the chairman of judges, Kate Radburnd. There’s no shortage of good 2017 wines on supermarket shelves: St Claire Vicar’s Choice, Peter Yealands and Thornbury, for example, all about $15, all crisp and fruity in the Marlborough style. In wine writer Raymond Chan’s analysis chardonnay and syrah continue to shine, with aromatics riesling and gewurztraminer doing well too. Pinot gris didn’t shine, however, reflecting (like sauvignon) the poorer 2017 growing season. Champion pinot gris was Giesen Estate 2017 (about $16). It seems that 2016 was an outstanding vintage for many grapes. I’m particularly enjoying the 2016 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Chardonnay (on special at about $15). The oatmealy aroma leads to a nutty, surprisingly weighty mouthful, supported by gentle oak and a dry finish, If you’re looking for something special, black label Villa Maria 2016 Chardonnays (all over $30) won 3 gold medals. It’s a pity to drink them now: a few years will give them added richness and complexity, but they are already full bodied, fruity and striking. Tom McDonald was making striking ‘Pinot Chardonnay’ as he labelled it, back in the 60s and 70s, working under the McWilliams banner. They’ve long since gone from my cellar but I did have a ‘library’ of his cabernet sauvignon, 1968 to 1976. A few bottles survive. I thought they would be completely undrinkable now (though top Bordeaux wines, also using the cabernet sauvignon grape, last for decades) and then I stumbled across some tasting notes dated 2016 on Geoff Kelly’s website, where he writes about the 1967 and 69 Tom McDonald vintages, noting their still healthy qualities. I’m not sure I should wait much longer! We were invited to a friend’s place for a Pieroth tasting, a very convivial gathering, with a young French hostess, Juliet. There was a range of international wines, some very appealing. But it’s true to say that, in general, New Zealand wines could outshine them all!

This month’s Glen Eden Playhouse production of Beauty and The Beast JR is to be performed and produced entirely by youth. The 27-member cast includes (left to right) Heidi Schuler (13) from Glen Eden playing Mrs Potts, Michelle Edgecombe (15) playing Babette, Shaylee Edwards (13) playing Madame de la Grande Bouche, Madison Wood (13) also from Glen Eden playing Cogsworth and Sophie James (9) from Titirangi playing Chip. Says 18-year old director Matt Billington, “All of our performers are under 18 years, and everyone involved in the production is under 26. As far as I’m aware, this is something that has never been done before in New Zealand and we are very excited to pioneer this model of youth theatre in our community.” The show will run April 21 – 28 at 11am, 2pm or 6.30pm. www.playhousetheatreinc.co.nz

The second Wheels Out West celebration takes place in Glen Eden Village on April 7, 10am-2pm. This year’s event builds on the success of last year’s celebration with many highlights, including local Westie cars, a ‘trillion trek’, services vehicles old and new, a pro skateboarding demonstration from Young Guns Skate School, penny FRINGEADLTD.pdf 1 15/11/16 16:33 farthing bicycles, electric vehicles and many family activities. The free event is supported by Waitakere Ranges Local Board.

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bandstanding: music in the west with susannah bridges

Dan Sperber: inspired by the environment

Eddie Madrigal.

Guitarist, teacher, bFM radio show host, bird lover, father, tiny house enthusiast – Dan Sperber has a lot going on in his world. And while an early musical memory was of “mum putting on records for me when I was very young when we lived in Bavaria” Dan has long since moved to our corner of the globe and revelled in his recent role as programme director for the 2018 Titirangi Festival. At summer camp in Kaiaua young Dan remembers “a guy called David Rose I think, he was singing and playing Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull on acoustic guitar, with the strummed train rhythm, and I just thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever heard or seen. Right then, I wanted to be that guy. Later I got into my older brother’s music collection: lots of Led Zeppelin, Queen and Hendrix. Then I got my first guitar and started playing with guitarist friends. My best friend Gareth and I tried all sorts of projects, and eventually landed in a band called Slacker, playing weekly gigs at Hotel De Brett. We played a slightly heavy brand of acid jazz, mostly originals, and developed a following.” Keeping on with original music in that style led Dan into wellknown Auckland based 90s outfits Loungehead and The Relaxomatic Project. “Loungehead was a really cool project,” says Dan. “We had two drummers, one of whom, Isaac Tucker, had the idea of playing drum’n’bass as live music. We had a ball making these jazzy tunes that would get turned into live dance music. The Relaxomatic Project had a laid back urban vibe to it, and developed from a residency the group had at Rakino Cafe on High St. It was really only a few years that those bands were active but many people still remember the music fondly. It’s had an amazingly wide impact. It’s still played on TV and radio.” Whilst Dan’s style of guitar playing was once likened to fine wine, he describes it as “fluid, legato lines, with lots of hammer-ons and pull-offs, in part because I’m a leftie who plays right-handed guitar, like Robert Fripp and Eric Clapton. As a composer I’m an ultra-minimalist. I like to whittle away at a piece of music until I get something sturdy and unique.” These trademark licks have become known as ‘Sperbisms’. Dan elaborates: “The music I make is guitar-led, still mostly instrumental and draws on blues, soul and all kinds of dance rhythms. I’m as interested in current and new music as I am in old funk and soul and jazz and it all gets blended and translated into ‘Sperberish’.”

While influenced by old masters like Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Benson, Dan says his biggest influence was “Joel Haines who I used to see playing regularly with his brother Nathan. He had long hair and smoked and made jazz guitar look and sound cool and not at all precious or nerdy. “Nowadays, I still get out and see as much live music as I can. I love great song-writing, even though my forte is instrumentals. I recently heard another local, SJD, perform an unrecorded song called You’re Not The Only One with Delaney Davidson and it was quite life-changing.” Aside from the musical influences, Dan finds inspiration from his environment and in particular from birds. “One of my most popular tunes is 100% stolen from some tui nesting in the Marahau Valley near Nelson. I set it against some minor chords and it’s haunting and pretty at the same time. I’ve also written one based on the song of the riroriro (grey warbler) which I heard thousands of times growing up in Orakei. That tune’s more upbeat, almost disco. Another tune is inspired by and named after a bird sculpture, Fly, by the late John Green of Huia. He turned up on our doorstep one day, a virtual stranger with this beautiful piece he’d made out of clay for our newborn. I played the tune at his memorial concert as part of the Titirangi Festival of Music several years ago.” Dan recently started a self-titled outfit called SPERB3R, a trio with Alan Brown (keyboards) and Jason Orme (percussion/drums). “Alan is an absolutely next-level organ-player who can hold down bass lines and jam freely at the same time, and he can switch from, say, klezmer to funk to hip-hop in a heartbeat. Jason is also at that level, very sensitive and free and a great timekeeper.” Dan reckons that his plate is pretty full now. Alongside his work within the music industry, he’s been teaching at a number of local schools, “sharing ideas with lots of very cool kids at Prospect, Konini, Green Bay High and Kelston Boys.” He’s got some recording planned with old friend Justyn from Relaxomatic, and “I'm really digging playing with the new band. It’s a case of stepping out and enjoying more creative freedom and challenge.” Dan’s involvement with Titirangi Festival came via festival director Dave Parker. “Dave and I have known one another for a long time. I’ve performed at the festival a number of times and Dave had previously asked if I’d come and work with him on the event side. I wish I had said yes much earlier, seeing how much I’ve learned and how much fun it’s been. I really enjoyed programming the Festival and connecting artists with audiences.” So what’s next? “Lots! Take my boys on a cool holiday, record an album, perform, learn te reo, find an interesting new teaching post and start work on the next awesome festival! But let’s start with a swim at Piha …”. You can check out Dan and his music at his next gig, Friday April 20 at Downbeat in Orewa, or go to www.facebook.com/sperb3r.  BUILD  REPAIR  MAINTAIN  OUTDOORS

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Peace without violence – the power of haka and guitars It had all the ingredients for a good movie – a bloody civil war over copper mining rights and land ownership that raged for a decade from the late 1980s, up to 20,000 men, women and children dead (from a population of about 120,000), and as many as 40,000 people displaced as whole villages were razed, including schools, hospitals and health clinics. The war between Papua New Guinean forces and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army was the largest conflict in the Pacific since the end of World War II, with vast copper mining ownership at the heart of it and cultural differences between the groups creating explosive tensions and deadly violence. Fourteen peace agreements had failed. But, in 1997, along came a New Zealand-led Truce Monitoring Group (TMG) of defence personnel from the Burnham Military Camp, Australia, Fiji and Vanuatu with the job of bringing peace to the war-torn area. It was called Operation Bel Isi. Former Titirangi resident, Will Watson, was a student journalist at the time and covered the story as a project. “I remember thinking it was not going to work. A former group commander, Brigadier Roger Mortlock would go into press conferences and talk about bringing peace to Bougainville by taking guitars and not guns. I thought they were deranged going into such a volatile situation unarmed,” Will says. The truce monitoring went ahead and over six months, Operation Bel Isi had a powerful impact. “What they did was apply peace actions to the situation,” says Will. “They didn't say ‘We’re going to help.’ They took a load of soccer balls and got volleyball going with rival groups. Women were targeted – the men didn’t want to stop fighting.” Women have always held a significant role in traditional Bougainvillian society, determining kinship and land inheritance. They were keen on a search for peace so it was natural for the group to include women, catholic priests and protestant pastors working with the churches to make peace a reality. A lot of the peacekeepers were Maori – and they took their guitars. “Negotiators maintained ongoing engagement with communities. They literally built bridges that had been damaged and undertook medical operations on children who had been injured.” It was a good story but Will pursued his career in journalism and publishing before deciding to make a documentary about the operation through his company, TMI Pictures Ltd. The result, Haka and Guitars, documents modern history’s most successful peacekeeping mission, a mission that’s led to 20 years of peace.

It took Will 12 years parttime and follows former New Zealand Army major and peacekeeper, Fiona Cassidy, returning to Bougainville nearly two decades after first going there as part of Operation Bel Isi. Haka and Guitars, has gone on to recently win the Best International Peace Will Watson: award-winning documentary Documentary in Cannes, maker, above, and images from Haka and a United Nations NGO Guitars, below. Humanitarian award for work in film and media and a raft of other documentary awards around the world. As well as Cannes, there have been screenings at festivals in California, Miami, New York, Hong Kong, Mexico, Canada and Australia. And, at the end of this month, it will screen in Titirangi with an opening address by the director. “If it had been an American operation, there would be 25 documentaries and 30 feature films about it. But New Zealanders just get on and do their own thing and don't brag about it. I decided to do the story when no-one else would. It’s done very well,” says Will. Which begs the question: Why? “I think the story resonated and connected with a lot of people. People have seen wars on television and they’ve given up hope, and I think the world needs a bit of hope. “It shows that peace can be achieved, but not through the traditional methods of more guns. Throwing petrol onto a fire never put a fire out. There’s a need to think differently. “Haka and Guitars is about a way to achieve peace without violence.” Haka and Guitars; Lopdell Theatre; Friday, April 27, 7.30pm; Tickets at $15/$10 must be pre-booked. Phone 818 0696 or email laurie-ross@ xtra.co.nz. – Moira Kennedy .

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feature: warming your home this winter

Woodburners: hot fashion item We all know the signs – leaves are turning brown, daylight saving is over so it’s dark earlier and we’re starting to wear sweaters and shirts with long sleeves following months of heat, humidity and warm summer rain. Yes, it’s autumn and it’s time to start sorting out your winter home heating.

Top of the current popularity stakes are woodburners – they're hot fashion decor items, provide clean, efficient and cost-effective heating and, as they don’t need power, they’re perfect for home heating (or cooking a meal) during the not-unusual power cuts in our area. West City Heating owner and director, Solomon Puka, says business is brisk in the woodburning business, especially in bighome new-builds and rural homes with open-plan living and high ceilings. “You can’t beat them for heating large spaces cost effectively. A few years ago heat pumps were the hot favourite, but not so much now. These new fireplaces burn very cleanly, including the ash and smoke,” he says. There’s no nasty power bill at the end of the month either and as consumer demands have changed, so too have styles and designs of woodburners. You can now find woodburners that fit today’s sleek, modern interiors and yet still look good in the elegant villas of yesteryear. “They pack a real punch with their dry heat output that heats the whole house, and they’re easy and convenient to use and clean,” Solomon says. Colour options are endless. “You name it – pink, orange, yellow, blue, green. Sometimes you wonder at the client’s colour choices

and then you see them installed and they’re awesome. They’re an important part of home decor now." Proud of their one-stop-shop reputation, West City Heating also look after permits needed for the supply and installation of clean, Auckland Council-approved fireplaces, and they can convert old fireplaces to meet council specifications. Wood pellet fire burners (good for the environment) and gas are also popular winter heating solutions with gas featuring more in smaller homes and apartments that don’t require the heat output needed in larger homes. With Auckland often having four seasons in one day, heat pumps come in to their own – for heating in winter and cooling in summer. They provide instant heat, or cooling, and you control the temperature. Used properly, their running costs can be low although they have the downside of not working during power cuts! The secret to finding the best choice for your winter heating needs is to start researching the multitude of options available now. The range of woodburners on the market today provides huge choice for the homeowner. The Akaroa by Masport Heating (right) and the Cardrona by Kent (below) are two examples.

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The Fringe APRIL 2018

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feature: staying healthy in the cooler weather

Autumn is here – time to prepare for the winter season There are many things we can do to prepare for the coming cooler weather, so often a threat to our health and well being. Bettina Buch, a naturopath working at Healthpost in New Lynn offers her suggestions:

Vitamin C – taken daily. I would recommend the liposomal form of vitamin C for best absorption. Vitamin C is well known to support normal immune system function and also helps to support healthy mood and stress response.

Vitamin D – most of us would not have received enough vitamin D even through summer due to working full-time jobs and being inside most of the time. Vitamin D is vital for a healthy immune system response and balanced mood.

h Herbs like rhodiola or withania, called adaptogens, support the body’s response to stress and act as a tonic. There are good formulations that contain a combination of adaptogens or you can just opt for supplements with a single herb.

Zinc is essential for the immune system to support the body’s response to invaders and infections. It also supports healthy membranes in the respiratory system and in the throat.

Probiotics – 80% of the immune system is in the gut. Healthy gut flora supports a normal immune response. There is an extensive range of shelf-stable or live bacteria available to support different needs.

Support the immune system response and protect yourself with herbs like echinacea, olive leaf, thyme, elderflower or garlic. There are great options available as herbal liquids or capsules or even as teas.

And last: take care to get enough sleep, regular exercise, spend time outside, snuggle up and keep warm, keep up good hand washing hygiene and laugh lots.

OD IN G

N DIE TS

– Elise Bridler, Nutritionist

is om

Winter can be an enjoyable season ... when our health is on track. I appreciate the extra time for myself as the season changes and life slows down a little. For me this is the perfect time to focus on foods which nourish my immune system and give my body resilience and energy for the coming winter months. Although good nutrition is important at all times of the year, the onset of winter can make it even more important to focus on how nutrition can support you or your family’s specific health needs.

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Winter health: a personal approach

Bettina Buch: ‘snuggle up and laugh lots.’

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our place

Fund raising for legal fight

The Titirangi Protection Group (TPG) held a white elephant sale at Woodlands Park School in the middle of last month to raise funds for its High Court appeal on May 8. Several hundred members of the community attended to support the cause and more than $1300 was raised in sales. The TPG was formed early last year to try to protect Waima forest from Watercare’s proposal to build a new water treatment plant. At the time of writing, over $11,000 has been raised to support TPG’s appeal and donations can be made at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ protecttitirangi/donations. For more on TPG visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/ TitirangiPG/ or www.protecttitirangi.org. TPG will be hosting a fund-raising showing of the movie Murder on the Orient Express on April 5, 7.30pm at Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House. Contact Jolie on 021 060 4717 for bookings.

World Water Day at Huia

More than 100 visitors enjoyed Watercare’s guided tours of Lower Huia Dam in the Waitakere Ranges on World Water Day (March 22). Tours took place every half hour and visitors came from all over Auckland to learn about where their drinking water comes from. Built in 1971, Lower Huia Dam is the newest and biggest of Watercare’s five western dams, which together supply about 20 per cent of Auckland’s water. The tours showed visitors the spillway and valve tower, the pump station (pumping water to the Huia Water Treatment Plant) and many other aspects of the facility. Watercare headworks manager Joseph Chaloner-Warman says: “The theme for this year’s World Water Day was ‘Nature for Water’. We thought what better way to celebrate this than by telling Aucklanders about the dams we all rely on for our drinking water, and showing them how we look after them and the surrounding areas.” Watercare holds regular open days and more dam visits could feature on the events calendar in future.

Introducing NetWorkWest

Our community has always been important to The Fringe and we are now taking a further step to support the organisations and businesses who support all of us. Not everything that is happening in our local organisations and businesses can be covered in the pages of The Fringe but that doesn’t make such news or events any less important. The idea behind NetWorkWest is to offer community groups and regular advertisers an opportunity to share brief snippets of information with our many thousands of readers. Are you offering a new service or product? Has a new staff member joined your organisation? Do you have a new sponsorship deal in place? Is there something important you want to share? If you have something you would like to share in the NetWorkWest section in our May issue, send us a few sentences by April 12 and we’ll do the rest.

Early orthodontic assessment Dr Nitin Raniga a wise investment Orthodontist

Dr Nitin Raniga, local member of the New Zealand Association of BDSsays (Otago), (Otago), Orthodontists (NZAO), the best ageDCInDent for your child to see a pecialist is as soonMOrth as you notice a problem. “If you’re concerned, RSCEd, MRACDS (Orth) ou definitely shouldn’t wait until your child has all their adult teeth, nd you don’t need6 a referral from a dentist Exminster St, or dental therapist.”

Blockhouse Bay Auckland 0600

An orthodontist is a registered dentist who has gone on to complete an dditional 2-3 years of fulltime postgraduate university education in specialist rthodontics. All members of the NZAO are trained in the appropriate use of he full range of available orthodontic appliances, and undertake continual udy and professional development to stay on top of the latest trends and mprovements in orthodontic treatment.

Phone (09) 627 3555 Dr Raniga says early treatment by a specialist can reduce or occasionally nitin@aucklandortho.co.nz liminate the need for more extensive treatment at a later age. “Orthodontists pend a great deal of their post graduate training studying facial growth and www.aucklandortho.co.nz

evelopment,” says Dr Raniga. There is much less stigma around wearing braces nd orthodontic appliances, compared with what parents may recall from their wn childhood. “Teenagers will actually ag Mum and Dad for an appointment. Our children know the value of a eautiful, functional smile that will last them a lifetime, and they’re willing to ut the work in now. If that’s not a wise investment, I don’t know what is.”

To ensure you’re receiving specialist advice, always look for the NZAO ogo. For more information go to www.orthodontists.org.nz.

The Fringe APRIL 2018

From Super Value Titirangi: Thank you for this opportunity – it is a great idea and we hope that it is well received by the community and advertisers. We are still your local and are proud to provide a full and comprehensive range of organic, gluten-free and free-range products from Puhoi, Jersey Girl, The Cheese Barn Organic and Gluten Free, Chantal Organics, Little Bird and more. And if we don't have what you want, we'll do our utmost to get it in stock for you. Talk to us in-store. From Stihl Shop Glen Eden: We are reinforcing our customer service for all purchasers of Stihl products and are now providing free servicing on any product within one month of its purchase or after four hours of running time. This free service

is a ‘warrant of fitness’ check to ensure that the product is operating at peak efficiency and set up correctly to deliver optimal performance into the future. Visit the store at 93 West Coast Road, Glen Eden or phone 818 5144 for more information.

From Watkins Plumbing Services:

We are a family-based company who take pride in serving the community we live in. If you are experiencing high water bills – check that your toilet is not continuously running, check your hot water cylinder is not overflowing from the overflow pipe and check that you have no leaks under your house. These are all things that can be fixed quickly but left unattended can create a lot of unnecessary expense. Contact us on 818 4683.

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walking west with mick andrew

Suburb to suburb and the bush in between There may be roads and houses, but South Titirangi is lush enough to feel like a forest in its own right. There are sizeable pockets of native bush and a network of inconspicuous walkways that allow for a fulfilling expedition through the eccentric suburb. It also happens to be outside the rahui area, a deal breaker for anyone suffering from Waitakere withdrawals. Although the network of walkways can be varied to suit the time available, the route I chose starts at Atkinson Park on Park Road (the Zig Zag Track) and runs through to Woodlands Park – taking about two hours one way. After virtually scrubbing and spraying the rubber off my boots, I enter Atkinson Park and immediately realise the good fortune that sees this place remain open: the bush is dense, the birdsong is lively and there’s even a small waterfall at the bottom of the steeply descending zigzag section near the start. The gravelled track then levels out and meanders gently down the gully before crossing Paturoa Stream and following its left bank under puriri and rimu. After 30 minutes or so, this track ends at South Titirangi Road. On the other side of the road, however, my route continues through a discreet entrance. Be aware that this path passes several kauri so please ensure that your boots are thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with sterigene and keep to the track. Muddy and overgrown, the trail runs up the southern side of the slope toward Park Road before swinging back towards the beach. After 10 minutes a junction appears, the left side of which leads to Tanekaha Road and the right side continuing down the forested gully. I follow the latter for 20 minutes, ducking under low hanging fronds and stepping over patches of mud before emerging through a grove of nikau at Titirangi Beach. After the shade of the bush, the vibrant blue of the sun-soaked water is striking. The tide is low, and people stand way out on the mudflats, shimmering in the heat rising from the sand. On the other side of the beach is Paturoa Road, where it’s a five-minute walk uphill to Eric Leigh Hunt track on the right. Back into the forest cover of Tinopai reserve, I climb a series of steps, emerging after a quick but engaging ascent to Tinopai Rd. A bit more road walking follows from here – up to South Titirangi Road, turning right to Grendon Road and

then down the hill to the start of Little Muddy Creek Walkway. Opened late last year, this walkway connects Titirangi with Woodlands Park along a newly constructed wooden stairway. The views of the surrounding valley are fantastic and make for an immensely pleasant 10-minute descent though native scrub to Landing Road. At the bottom I walk down the quiet lane past some stately-looking villas to Tangiwai Reserve and then follow Huia Road westward for about 10 minutes before coming to the walkway to Rimutaka Place. This too is a newly-opened thoroughfare and a continuation of the Little Muddy Creek walkway. With its wooden board-walks and well-formed gravel path it leads through a meadow, over Waituna stream and up through native forest before ending at the bottom of Rimutaka Place. Suburb to suburb with a satisfying amount of bush walking, the return journey can be cut short by walking up South Titirangi Road. Otherwise it’s a case of following the same route back. But if you have the time and a hankering for more, the route can be extended continuing up to Waima and along Exhibition Drive – not a bad way to spend an afternoon if your schedule is clear.

The newly completed built Little Muddy Creek Walkway connects Grendon road (off South Titirangi Road) with Landing Road (near Tangiwai reserve). It offers great views to the south and west.

specialists in all aspects of renovation, additions & property maintenance David Kirk 021 589 735 david@titirangifinehomes.co.nz www.titirangifinehomes.co.nz

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The Fringe APRIL 2018

live @ the lounge

Lizard recognises the women in his life

I’ve extended the shed and scored another caravan so there’s plenty of room for all ...

Yeah gidday. Lizard here. Well, put an apple in my mouth and call me a Captain Cooker because I’ve been tickled pink. Our daughter, Chardonelle, just gave birth to a beautiful, healthy wee bouncing girl. She's even followed our family tradition and named her daughter, Lizette. Less traditionally, she’s chosen not to go on the DPB and instead, when up and about, will be returning to her job. She’s an archival analyst whatsit and looks at deep soil cores and kauri plugs or some such things to predict future global warming. (I try not to get involved in woman’s work.) “Oh Dad. Even our Prime Minister is a woman. And pregnant.” I said she's obviously not a Westie because no-one ever got up the duff in a gay Ford. “That’s his handle not his ride Dad,” she giggled. “Oh right,” I said. “I knew that but it’s still a funny name for our leader. Jacinda Gayford.” “Now days women don’t have to adopt a man’s name,” said Chardonelle, “so your granddaughter will still be Lizette Tuckentwirl not Lizette Ma'ufanga. How's Grandma?” Mum had been living in a sort of retirement shared house on the back-skirts of New Lynn owned by an immigration consultant type. Anyway, after several complaints, Mum was asked to leave ‘Shady Crooks’. She’d called the cops accusing the landlord of breaking into her room and changing all her clothes to one size larger. When I picked her up I found her slippers and dozens

of folded paper napkins in the fridge and her alarm clock in the microwave. She might be a silly-billy but she’s our silly-billy and the kindest, sweetest mum in all of Titirangi. I took her up to visit Chardonelle and Lizette. Mum said, with a sigh, “What a beautiful wee child. I wish I'd had children.” “You did Mum. You had eight kids.” “Did I son. How wonderful.” Mum fits right in at home. I’ve extended the shed and scored another caravan so there’s plenty of room for all but Chardonelle and her fancy doctor man are too proud to live back at home, choosing instead to squeeze into the tiny three bedroom apartment the research company provides for them. Why anyone would want to live in Parnell and look out over the Hauraki Gulf instead of the Manukau is beyond me. Still, the young think they know everything. One thing I do know is, she'll be a great mum, just like her mum and her mum’s mum. I’d better nip outside and turn off the water tank tap. Mum has been running it for over an hour complaining it won’t get hot. As she often says: “If you stop talking there’s no oil for the squeaky-wheel.” I don’t get it either but we always laugh. Give ya mum a hug. Later, Lizard.

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The Fringe APRIL 2018

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