The Fringe, December 2018 / January 2019

ISSUE 177, DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

We wish you a merry season and ha festive ppy holidays.

We will be ta king a break in Januar y bu The Fringe will t be back in Fe bruary.

community news, issues, arts, people, events

Modern family homes Priced from $785,000*

Fletcher Living are creating an exciting new residential community nestled in the foothills of the Waitakere ranges. Surrounded by native bush and open green spaces ensuring you have room to breathe and space to live. We have a range of modern new family homes ready and selling now! Visit our website to learn more.

Three great reasons to live in Swanson

1.

Fun for the whole family

2.

Living at the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges has it’s advantages. With over 250kms of walking tracks, beautiful west coast beaches and some of the most beautiful sights in the country, there’s no excuse not to explore the neighbourhood.

Well connected Located only 21kms from Auckland’s CBD, Swanson is never too far from where you need to be. train station is conveniently located next to the development with electric train line right into the city. Next door you will find a popular café - you can grab a coffee and jump on the train to work making traffic a thing of the past.

SHOWHOME 21 Mettam Drive, Swanson | Open 7 Days 10am-4pm

3.

Swanson Village A range of local facilities can be found in a short walk away in Swanson township. A local supermarket, pharmacy, medical center, petrol station, bakery and cafe are just some of the things you will find here. If it’s shopping you are after Westcity shopping center is only a short 6km drive away.

SALES CONSULTANTS Richard Du, 027 564 5709 | Anne Brens, 027 836 7451

fletcherliving.co.nz

2

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

contents Set sail at French Bay: get more than you expect........................ 4 Coming Soon: Titirangi Festival of Music 2019............................ 5 La Rosa orchard sorted for summer............................................. 6 It’s fairly safe to say Jacqui’s a petrol-head... .............................. 8 At the libraries.............................................................................. 9 The toughest few minutes in sport ... “I love it.”....................... 10 Art and about with Naomi McCleary..................................... 12-13

6

Positive interest in Glen Eden apartment complex; Open Studios: a weekend to remember..................................... 14 Places to go: Events listing................................................. 16 – 17 Bandstanding: Brigid Ursula Bisley............................................. 18 Feature: gifts and hospitality.............................................. 20 – 22 Bitten by the ‘joy bug’................................................................ 24 Giving migrating fish and eels a helping hand........................... 25

8

Kōkako thriving in the Ark in the Park........................................ 26 Key Ark in the Park founder recognised..................................... 27 Walking West: Reopening Goldie Bush...................................... 28 Sustainable solutions: ‘Tis the season to resist the rubbish; Cartoon Corner........................................................................... 29 Live @ the lounge...................................................................... 30 Advertisers Directory.................................................................. 31

24

On our cover: New Lynn Primary School teacher Linda Grant asked her class

to think about summer and our environment in the West. Marga Noval (aged 5) created this image of a tūī in a pōhutukawa on a background of grass, sand, sea and blue sky, all under a bright summer sun. For more see page 28.

www.fringemedia.co.nz

WIN

Making Molecules Dance Te Uru is celebrating the ceramic ingenuity evident in the 2018 Portage Ceramic Awards by offering a free copy of Len Castle’s Making Molecules Dance to one lucky reader. To go in the draw write the name of the winning Portage Award entry (see page 12) on the back of an envelope with your name, phone number and address and post it to The Fringe, PO Box 60-469, Titirangi or email your answer and contact details to info@fringemedia.co.nz with Castle in the subject line. Entries must be received by December 14.

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

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

Advertising:

info@fringemedia.co.nz

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

Writers and contributors: Jade Reidy, David Thiele, Naomi McCleary, Susannah Bridges, Fiona Drummond and Mick Andrew.

Advertising deadline for February 2019: January 17 The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

3

our place

Set sail at French Bay: get more than you expect

The new rigging deck at French Bay Yacht Club, adjacent to the heritage clubhouse has proved popular with club members and the community alike.

Sailors of all ages can learn to sail and compete at French Bay.

Nestled at the bottom of Otitori Bay Road in Titirangi, French Bay Yacht Club is batting well above its weight as one of New Zealand’s most successful sailing clubs providing opportunities for all ages and levels of dinghy sailing.

What makes this sailing club special is a focus on family and fun. Parents and professional coaches team up to coach the youth sailors learning the craft of racing, who in turn coach the younger children.

The current crop of sailors includes Megan Thomson (20), crew member in the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship held in Sydney placing second, Hamish Hall-Smith (20) racing in the A-Class World Championship in Hervey Bay, and Jasper Camenzind (13) who came 4th in the silver fleet at the Asian Optimist Games in Myanmar.

And the adult members themselves also shine: Murray Sargisson was 3rd in the Zephyr class National Championships in 2017, Matt Hall-Smith has just won the J14 Auckland Championships and Commodore Fergus Thomson recently competed in the Australian Tasar Nationals in Darwin.

French Bay’s pretty, south-west facing beach is adjacent to the deep water channel used by shipping in the Manukau Harbour and is regarded as one of the best places to sail in Auckland’s prevailing southwester. Conditions can be highly challenging in certain tides and wind directions and this makes the bay a great training ground to produce sailors with good seamanship skills in tide, wind and waves.

Face & Body Titirangi thank you for your ongoing support and wish you all a happy and “sun-safe” festive holiday!

We re-open 3rd January after the holidays.

298 Titirangi Road, Titirangi (under the Pohutukawa tree) www.faceandbody.co.nz, 09 817 4807

4

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

With the focus on family the club has a thriving adult fleet and encourages sailors at all levels to take part.

Experienced sailors with their own boats will enjoy a warm welcome, but adult ‘Learn to Sail’ programmes are also available for those wanting to get back into dinghy sailing or to give it a try for the first time. Once aspiring adult members have completed a course they can use club boats to practice in before making a decision to purchase a boat of their own.

“After two years of club renovation and the construction of the rigging deck our focus this season is on continuing to strengthen our adult fleet and developing leadership from within the next generation of sailors who’ve joined the club,” says Commodore Fergus Thomson. “We’ve a busy sailing programme this year with three regattas and the new facilities have really helped ease congestion on these busy days and keep the beach free for the general public.”

At community level, the club’s new rigging deck is enjoyed by many when not being used by the club for its sailing activities. The club has also welcomed the local community into their heritage clubhouse with activities including midweek and evening yoga classes, the newly famous food truck festival events, Dinner at the Bay and Brunch at the Bay, sailing with New Lynn Sea Scouts and providing Titirangi Paddlers and ocean swimmers with the use of their facilities.

Upcoming events at the club include: Saturday, December 8: Dinner at the Bay Saturday, December 8: Learn to Sail course (for adults) Saturday, January 19: Dinner at the Bay January 21-24: Holiday Learn to Sail course (for children) If you are interested in sailing at French Bay, visit www.frenchbay.org.nz or pop down on any sailing day.

Linda Cooper

Councillor for Waitakere Please feel free to contact me 021 629 533 linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz 135 Albert Street, Auckland Private Bag 92 300, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142 www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

places to go

Coming Soon: Titirangi Festival of Music 2019 The Fringe is pleased to announce that planning and arrangements for the 2019 Titirangi Festival of Music are well underway and, in an exclusive announcement, early bird tickets for two special concerts are now available.

The 2019 Festival will start a day earlier than normal with a special Thursday night concert on March 28, featuring Cha Wa, direct from New Orleans, USA. Cha Wa are a high-energy, seven-piece Mardi Gras carnival band who continue the tradition of Dr John, The Meters, Neville Brothers and Trombone Shorty. Cha Wa are taking the funky street music of New Orleans to the world. Acclaimed as ‘a grand gumbo of singing, intoxicating rhythms, and deep funk grooves….impossible to resist’, and with Mardi Gras Indian ‘Spyboy’ wearing a fabulous handmade traditional outfit, the group is a feast for the ears and eyes.

Cha Wa will be supported by blues/calypso king Tom Rodwell (UK/NZ), an outstanding singer and guitarist who has been described as ‘Sheffield’s answer to Lightnin’ Hopkins.’ Tom, who has also opened for Leon Russell, the John Butler Trio, Charles Bradley, C.W. Stoneking, Otis Taylor and Derek Trucks brings an international reputation as a one-man party machine.

The concert starts early with doors opening at 6.30pm and everyone is invited to celebrate as TFM brings ‘Bourbon Street’ to Titirangi, along with a selection of craft beer, finger-licking food and, of course, great music.

The second special concert at the 2019 Festival will feature Bic Runga and band on Saturday March 30 with doors opening at 7pm. In a festival first, this locally-loved and internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter will bring a mix of songs from her many hit albums (three of which have topped the New Zealand charts) along with some beautiful surprises to Titirangi.

Since the release of her 1996 single and top-10 hit Drive, when she was just 20, Bic has won virtually every New Zealand music award you can think of including Best Female Vocalist four times, Best Producer three times and the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll for best song. Bic’s debut album was certified seven times platinum and featured the enormous hit Sway. The follow up Beautiful Collision from 2002 was certified an incredible 11 times platinum and featured the hits Get Some Sleep, Something Good and Listening For The Weather.

Special early bird tickets for both concerts will be on sale at www.titirangifestival. co.nz from December 1. This is an exclusive announcement for locals and only 100 early bird tickets are available for each concert, so get in quick. Both concerts are highly likely to sell out so tickets would be an ideal Christmas present.

Cha Wa, direct from New Orleans, USA, will open TFM 2019.

The Fringe is also pleased to announce that it will again be a major sponsor of TFM and looks forward to working with other sponsors to support the festival committee, publicise the event and help ensure the festival’s success. We will be offering fellow sponsors special opportunities to promote their involvement and increase festival promotion. Email info@fringemedia.co.nz to find out more.

ALTOGETHER BETTER

All over Titirangi, Piha Laingholm, Parau, Huia, Glen Eden and Oratia Experience Altogether Better by calling Bayleys Titirangi 09 817 0101 today.

09 817 0101 | bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD. TITIRANGI. LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

A LT O G E T H E R B E T T E R

please support our advertisers – they support us

Re s i d e n t i a l / Co m m e rc i a l / R u ra l / P ro p e r t y S e r v i ce s

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

5

our place

La Rosa orchard sorted for summer

Above left: Josh from Green Bay High School laying down the mulch Above right: The community weeding and mulching team.

An article in the October issue of The Fringe (written

by Moira Kennedy) highlighted the need for some TLC for the orchard at La Rosa Gardens Reserve, Green Bay, planted 4 years ago.

Following the shout out, interested parties met in mid October and discussed what was needed both now and for the future of the orchard.

Later in the month representatives from the community including Green Bay Community House, Green Bay High School, EcoMatters and individuals from the community gathered to weed around the plants and then barrow and spread the mulch provided by Auckland Council. In two hours the job was done, with the roots of the trees now enriched and protected in anticipation of a dry summer.

The next steps are to obtain and install a rainwater collection and watering system to keep the trees watered should the summer bring drought conditions.

The group is calling on the local business community to sponsor much needed equipment and materials, and will be involving the wider local community to get on

board and plan for a sustainable long-term future of the La Rosa community orchard.

Anja Thomas from the Green Bay Community House, one of the coordinators of the event, is keen for continued input from any interested parties: “The group of volunteers who initiated and kept the La Rosa Orchard alive until today have done a fantastic job,” she says. “However, from their experience we know that the orchard needs more than a small group of volunteers to survive – it needs the community to come together, collaborate and take simple yet practical steps for it to be a sustainable space for everyone to enjoy for years to come. This involves opportunities to engage local businesses and organisations, particularly around creating artwork and a hands-on teaching space for our kids.”

To become a part of the project contact Anja by email cd.gbch@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/LaRosaCommunityOrchard – Fiona Drummond

A F T E R A N E W O U T LO O K THIS NEW YEAR? S P E A K TO T H E T E A M AT H A R CO U RTS G L E N E D E N .

09 813 1633 Unit 1/141 West Coast Rd, Glen Eden

6

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

Harcourts Blue Fern Realty Ltd, Licensed Agent REAA 2008

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

Stay on track 1. Clean ALL soil off your footwear and gear.

2. Use disinfectant AFTER you have removed soil.

3. Stay on track and off kauri roots.

For monthly e-newsletters, sign up at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/protectkauri

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

7

people

It’s fairly safe to say Jacqui’s a petrol-head …

Karekare’s Jacqui Madelin doesn’t exactly thunder through Titirangi Village in her car on an outing with her dog, Ziggy.

In fact it’s more of a sedate waltz as her car is a 1930 Austin 7 Tourer – popularly known as ‘the Chummy’ – quite square, with a soft-top roof and open body.

“It’s very much an old car to drive,” says Jacqui. “The front brakes are a hand lever, the rear brakes are by the foot pedal.

There’s no key, and there are two levers on the steering wheel to operate as part of the driving experience. It’s a bit like driving an old-fashioned pram. If you hit a bump, you’re not quite sure where you’re going to land. It’s fabulous fun.”

Jacqui is an award-winning motoring journalist who thrills behind the wheel of anything with a whiff of petrol, and has a passion for motorbikes and classic cars. She’s driven all over the world, from Paris to Dubai and around the Australian outback. There was the Bentley Flying Spur, a luxury

Petrol-head Jacqui Madelin with Ziggy, her dogupational therapist (above) and in her 1930 Austin Chummy (below).

sedan that takes more than 130 hours to build which she drove to the Great Wall of China, and a Ferrari 458 (said to be extreme technology for special emotions) that saw her in snow deeper than the car. She doesn’t have a favourite or “best car I’ve ever driven,” but the Lamborghini Murcielago ($300,000+ when first released) gets a mention. “I wouldn’t own one, but it was really memorable,” she says.

Her career as a motoring writer was “sort of an accident.” She’d come to New Zealand in 1988 after a childhood in England where a bike-loving aunt and uncle taught her to love the classic-car life, even when it just involved cleaning engine parts. She tagged along behind them, lapping it up and loving it all. Arriving in New Zealand, motorcycling seemed like a great way to see the country so she went to check out a speed trial event, and had a go. That was a Saturday. The following Thursday she bought a helmet, Friday she passed her license and the following Saturday got her first bike, a Honda 110.

“I was wearing Salvation Army clothes under a bin liner with holes cut into it for my arms in case I got wet.

I don’t recommend that as biking gear,” she says.

Jacqui started going to bike events, meeting people, learning heaps and writing to her aunt and uncle in England about her adventures. Friends suggested she write for a motorcycle magazine. She did, which led to other writing gigs in the motoring world.

“I just seem to have a knack for it,” she says. “I’m not an engineer, but you don’t have to be to do this. If you need engineering knowledge, you ask questions. But you do need to be able to feel what the vehicle is doing and put that into language your audience will enjoy reading.”

It wasn’t long before Jacqui hit the road again, heading to Seattle in the United States for a year with motorcycle trips including Mount Rushmore, New Mexico and Colorado. Returning to New Zealand, she fell for the wilds of the west and wanted to stay here.

“I bought a small section at Karekare and because I couldn’t afford a mortgage on a house, I built one mostly by myself. It took 14 years and to start with I was basically camping in a shed and building it around me. If I had a good (earning) year, I could move forward and if I wasn’t earning much, I’d find out what I could do myself and then do it. I’m really pleased with the result.”

Continued on page 27 >>

ROOM FILLING DYNAMIC SOUND Great on their own or as part of a MusicCast Stereo, Wireless Surround or Wireless Multiroom Audio Setup.

WX-010 $299

WX-021 $449

WX-030 $399

WX-051 $849

AXENT AUDIO – The Audio Specialists. Sales & Service. 25 Portage Road, New Lynn. Ph 827 1220

8

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

places to go

At the libraries Titirangi, Glen Eden and New Lynn Libraries have a programme of cool challenges and fun activities coming up over the summer period.

All three libraries are participating in the Kia Māia Te Whai – Dare to Explore programme organised by Auckland Libraries. This free and fun adventure is back with new challenges and activities from December 10, 2018 through to January 21, 2019.

Children aged 5-12 years can receive a booklet especially created to keep them reading and learning over the summer holidays. They can then visit any library to collect stamps and stickers along the way, and if they complete six challenges, they will get an invitation to a fun finale party.

Challenges can be completed at home, on holiday or at your local library. Visit daretoexplore.nz or drop into the your library for more information and to sign up.

All three libraries are also running He Pānuitanga Raumati / The Great Summer Read (December 1 – January 31) for adults and teens. This promotion involves 15 reading challenges which, once completed, qualify readers for an entry into a weekly prize draw.

Other summer highlights at Titirangi Library include free events such as Christmas Craft, Frozen Treat Science, Mask Making and an Unplugged Family Game Night.

The adult events at Titirangi are now in hibernation until the New Year.

Library staff say they love being part of this community and thank everyone who has supported them through 2018. They also send everyone their very best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Summer highlights at Glen Eden Library include Makerspace

please support our advertisers – they support us

Christmas craft sessions on Tuesdays at 3.30pm. These hands-on sessions are suitable for children of all ages. Tuesday, December 4 will feature Origami Cards and Tuesday, December 11 will feature Candy Cane gifts The library’s Lego Club continues to meet on Thursdays at 3.30pm with some fun sessions to wrap up the year including Christmas ornaments on December 6 and a Lego party on December 13.

There will also be a Family Christmas Story time at Glen Eden Library on Saturday, December 8 at 10am. This event will celebrate the festive season with your favourite stories, songs and games.

There will even be a special appearance from Santa Claus himself!

New Lynn Library is collaborating with Avondale Library to run an event for White Ribbon Day on December 1, 2-4pm, at Avondale Library. Brave! Let’s talk healthy relationships is a free event for the young people of the Whau that includes explorations of what makes a healthy relationship and the importance of self-love and respect. There will also be live music, free food and other activities.

The library invites readers to get ready for Christmas with a free workshop on Saturday, December 8, 11-12pm. Save money and make your own Christmas cards, gift tags and place settings.

Egg-centric Tales is a free family event at New Lynn on Thursday, January 10, 2-3pm. Join Johnny Green as he talks about his egg-centric obsession. He has been collecting egg cups for over 50 years, ever since, as a nine-year-old boy, he received a cup decorated with small yellow chickens from his mum. Since then he has collected over 9000 unique pieces, some of which will be on display on the day.

All the summer activities for your local branches will be on the library website https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

9

people

The toughest few minutes in sport ... “I love it.”

Lauren Malkin: “I do like to push my limits.”

Laingholm volunteer firefighter Lauren Malkin is thrilled with her success at one of the hardest firefighting combat challenges in the world, coming seventh in the world ranking and achieving a third place, and a medal, in a relay team event with three other women from other parts of New Zealand.

Lauren admits the World Firefighter Combat Challenge (WFCC) held in Sacramento in the United States last month is no walk in the park and the six months spent preparing for it was the hardest physical training she’s ever done.

The annual event sees about 300 participants from all over the world get kitted up in full ‘bunker gear’ (weighing up to 25kgs) and breathing apparatus simulating the physical demands of real-life firefighting.

The events can be completed as individuals, in a tandem or a team and include: climbing a six-storey tower carrying a length of 70mm (19kg) hose; hoisting a 70mm hose coil up 6 storeys; chopping using a 4kg shot hammer to drive a beam 1.5m; extending a charged length of 45mm hose to knock down a target and dragging a life-sized 85kg dummy 30.5m.

The event itself is so tough some participants can black out, which begs the question: Why do it?

“I’ve asked myself that a few times,” says Lauren.

“Women have to achieve the events in under three minutes. (For men it’s less than one minute 40 seconds.)

I can’t compare it to any sport or running a marathon.

Honestly, there’s nothing like it that exhausts you in such a way, doing the simulated tasks representing what we do on the ground as firefighters with all the gear on.

“I do like to push my limits to see how far I can go as

I really like physical activity, going to the gym. My dad Stuart instilled a sense of hard work in me. I like to see how much faster, how much fitter I can get.

“It’s tough but then you get close to crossing the finish line and there’s a support crew there ready to rip your gear and mask off as you have nothing more to give.

That’s the way it should be at the finish line – that you have nothing more to give,” Lauren says. “It’s fun too and I’m dedicated. I love it.”

A registered nurse working at Middlemore Hospital in the plastic reconstructive and hand service, Lauren’s been firefighting at Laingholm for five years. Initially attracted by the physical aspects of firefighting, Lauren says she has a strong sense of community and has always been interested in service jobs. “I like to work hard, to give back to the community. Firefighting is like having a big family around you, and there’s something exciting about it too.

“I went to Sacramento wanting to get a top-15 placing so I’m stoked with what I’ve got and now I have to get back into training for the New Zealand season in March, April and May next year.”

Which means Lauren is in full-on training mode over the next few months, while working full-time, spending some time with her partner (“He puts up with all this stuff!” she says) and fundraising.

Without sponsors Lauren’s WCFF participation is largely self-funded. Fire and Emergency Services lent her the gear to take to Sacramento and she says her own brigade stepped up and helped her too.

“But it’s not easy. Sponsorship doesn’t have to be money – access to gym facilities or gear like boots, jackets and gloves, or even the right contacts would all be so valuable to me.

“It would be fabulous to go to the world champs with my name – and my sponsor’s name – on the back of my jacket. That would be brilliant.”

If you’d like to contact Lauren, phone 021 188 2939 or email l.malkin@hotmail.com.

– Moira Kennedy

Now taking orders for all your summer events • Order your Gold winning Hams for Christmas • Award Winning Bacon • Succulent Wakanui Aged Steaks • Marinated Split Chickens • Butterfly Lamb Legs • Award Winning Gluten Free Sausages

NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS HAMS, FREE RANGE TURKEYS AND SPECIALITY CUTS 10a Margan Avenue, New Lynn 09 827 8827 shop@aussiebutcher.nz www.aussiebutchernewlynn.co.nz 10

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

11

art & about with naomi mccleary

‘... clay spun, wrenched and sculpted ...’

What to say about the Portage Ceramic Awards? The official word is that they are ‘an annual update on the state of ceramic practices in Aotearoa’, and that they ‘provide insights on current directions and future possibilities’ – and this they do emphatically and generously.

The awards are also a competition, with significant cash prizes for works judged to be exceptional, to stand out, to be ‘the winners.’ The judge of each year’s

Sang-Soon Shim & KlumSun Lee: In the Beautiful Dream. Photo by Haruhiko Sameshima.

FRINGEADLTD.pdf

awards is always someone of considerable reputation in the field of ceramics and, apart from last year, an international expert. This notwithstanding, it is an immensely challenging task – to select and make judgements across a collection of work of such diversity this most 16:33 ancient of arts; the play between the 1 in 15/11/16 artist’s hands and clay dug from the earth. So it has to

be a dance between knowledge and experience and a subjective response to the works. It is those decisions that add tension and spice to the show.

Everyone will have an opinion. There have been years when the judge’s choice has caused an uproar. This year the Premier Award will be widely applauded but the safety valve for those who have other favourites is, as always, a popular choice award that can be voted on by all and any gallery visitor through to the end of the exhibition in February.

Let’s deal with the judging of the show first. The 2018 Portage Ceramic Awards judge, Bari Ziperstein, is an artist based in Los Angeles, California. Working in mixed media sculpture, Ziperstein’s primary focus is ceramics. Her practice includes discrete objects, largescale installation, site-specific public sculpture, and a line of functional ceramics, BZippy & Co. In other words, she knows her stuff!

Her task has been to select, from 205 photo images, approximately 60 finalists and then to make her final decisions at Te Uru based on the submitted works.

Her choice for the 2018 Premier Award of $15,000 was In the Beautiful Dream by Henderson-based duo Sang-Sool Shim and Keum-Sun Lee. The form of this large vessel swells from its base with perfect, classical symmetry, then collapses gracefully inwards ending in a ragged opening; all meticulously controlled. The form is dramatically enhanced by the surface; sensuous and vivid scarlet flowers and green leaves delicately incised and glazed. Ziperstein spoke of these flowers “haunting me at night in my jet-lag haze.”

Shim and Lee describe their work as a scene from the perspective of ‘a beautiful woman who goes into the world with a throbbing heart. In her dream, the world looks like a flower garden, which is full of excitement with dazzling blossoms. Fully-leaved green trees sway in the night.’ Irresistible!

I promise that, standing in front of this masterful work, you will feel the full joy of being with a thing of great beauty and passion.

Sang-Sool Shim and Keum-Sun Lee are Korean potters and ceramic artists. Shim is also a Grand Master Ninth Dan martial artist and Lee has a PhD. Working with both 10th and 15th-century Korean pottery techniques, Sang Sool and Keum Sun have adapted these traditions and added colour to give a contemporary aspect to their creations. They have had many successful exhibitions in

P R E S L A N D a n d C O LT D C

B A R R I S T E R S

M

E S T

Y

&

S O L I C I T O R S

1 9 8 9

CM

0 9 8 1 8 1 0 71

MY

CY

m y l a w y e r . c o . n z

CMY

K

Presland and Co provide a variety of legal services including conveyancing, family law, criminal law, wills & estates.

12

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

art & about with naomi mccleary

Korea, Austria, Croatia and New Zealand and have been finalists in the Portage Ceramic Awards in New Zealand almost every year, as well as winning international awards in Austria and Korea. Their collaborative works are included in the Austria Museum and Portage Trust New Zealand Collections. They live and work in the Waitākere Ranges. I recall Shim, on receiving an earlier Portage Award, saying that he woke daily in New Zealand and thought he had gone to paradise. We are blessed to have them in our community.

Ziperstein also presented three Merit Awards to artists Jim Cooper (Dunedin), Andrea du Chatenier (Whanganui) and Rick Rudd (Whanganui).

A further five Honourable Mentions were awarded to Brendan Adams, Jinho Jeong, Peter Lange, John Roy and Susan St Lawrence.

So what will you see when you walk into the main upstairs galleries at Te Uru? You will see clay spun, wrenched and sculpted into a vast range of forms. In some you will barely detect the artist’s Peter Lange: Teapot Form. Photo by hands; in others you will Haruhiko Sameshima. see clearly where the clay has been squeezed and shaped. There is perfect symmetry and total chaotic asymmetry. There are exquisite and immaculate glazes and other works where the glaze has been allowed to run riot and become part of the form itself. Functional domestic pieces sit beside abstract or stylised forms; there are nods to tradition and fresh and new ways of engaging with the material.

You will love some pieces and probably covet them; others you may hate. This is good. I believe the very fact that you are looking at objects made from the earth inspires a visceral response. Go into the galleries expecting and wanting to be moved and provoked.

My personal favourites?

Peter Lange’s nutty teapot that ‘suffered a predictable calamity’, Gaeleen Morley’s small, crusty stoneware vessels, Nobody’s Bitch

by Rosie Parsonson and Richard Darbyshire (spend some time working this one out!), Jacqueline Seymour-Hall’s delicate, porcelain Orchid/Pirate Gentleman and last but Gaeleen Morley: Journey#1. Photo by not least, Duncan Shearer’s Haruhiko Sameshima.

Caddies and Bowls. These are my picks today. Next time I go in it may all change.

Established in 2001 and administered by Te Uru with support from The Trusts Community Foundation, the annual Portage Ceramic Awards are Aotearoa-New Zealand’s best-known survey of contemporary ceramic activity. The 2018 Portage Ceramic Awards winners and finalist works will be on display at Te Uru in Titirangi until February 10, 2019.

please support our advertisers – they support us

One of the best ways to break the cycle of an overloaded life is to treat yourself to a week of Summer School magic. And no, on one level you don't have time, but on another, feeding your inner, hungry, creative self may take you into 2019 revived and revitalised.

Corban Estate Arts Centre offers just the cure! Summer School 2019 takes place in the lovely park lands and heritage buildings on the estate in Henderson, January 14 – 18. Summer School is a smorgasbord of experiences, of learning new skills, meeting new people, eating together and celebrating success. It may be just an island of fun in your otherwise busy life or may lead to new openings and career changes. Don’t miss out! The range of courses and booking instructions are all to be found at www.ceac.org.nz, as are biographies of the local and international tutors. Or you could email info@ceac.org.nz for more information.

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

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

13

our place

Positive interest in Glen Eden apartment complex

Above: Sales agents Alan Hyslop and Robyn Rule with a model of the new Westlight apartment development.

Right: an architect’s impression of the view from one of the towers.

While owners and tenants aren’t due to move in until the last quarter of next year, a number of apartments in the new Westlight Apartment complex in Glen Eden have already been sold off the plans with strong interest being reported from couples in their 20s and others in the 55-years plus age group.

The 165 apartment complex close to the Glen Eden rail station is being developed by the Ted Manson Foundation with 75 to be privately owned freehold and the rest leased to the Ministry of Social Development for community housing and managed by community housing provider, Compass.

With its two towers of 10 and 11-storeys the development is a new building concept for Glen Eden and sales agents Alan Hyslop and Robyn Rule say there’s no denying there was initial criticism when the project was first announced.

“There’s been talk about negative social impacts with the mixed housing concept but I think that’s based on unfounded fear, and that’s all it is. Uninformed talk,” says Robyn.

“Ted Manson has been involved with buying and selling real estate for 42 years. He’s been quietly and

Now taking Summer and Christmas Pre Orders

consistently supporting numerous charities, sports and community organisations over many years,” Alan adds.

“He’s put a lot of money into this building and is very conscious of ensuring high standards are maintained.”

About $70 million has been spent on the project and the apartments have 10-year warranties on the interiors and 25-year warranties on the exteriors. “It’s all concrete with non-combustible, aluminium cladding on the outside. The windows are doubleglazing-plus and there is noise-cancelling insulation.

“Personally I believe this mixed freehold/ community housing model is the way of the future. It’s so good, I’ve bought one of the apartments myself! The ‘quarter acre’ mindset is gone and the next decade will see threestorey, two-bedroom apartments popping up everywhere from Glen Eden through to New Lynn and beyond,” Alan says.

“We’re seeing strong interest across various age groups from people who don’t want to do lawns or gardening. They want good quality, affordable homes they can lock-up-and-leave. It will rejuvenate the whole area.”

Open Studios: a weekend to remember

Gift cards available.

Visitors at the studios of artist Nicky Hartley and Liam Downes in Laingholm. Photo credit: Auckland Council.

Order online or choose in-store

356 West Coast Road, Glen Eden Open 6 days | Ph: 818 6526 www.clarksorganicmeats.co.nz

14

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

Open Studios Waitākere was held over the weekend of November 17 and 18 with visitors out-and-about exploring the region, buying art and enjoying conversations with artists.

There was a great mix of genres on show and a number of new artists opened their studios. Open Studios bus tours left Lopdell Precinct both days with the Saturday tour heading out to Laingholm, Waima, Glen Eden and Titirangi while the Sunday tour started with a visit to the studio of Sang Sool Shim and Keum Sun Lee, recipients of the 2018 Portage Ceramic Awards main prize.

Greg Presland, chair of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board, says the event is going from strength to strength. “This year we had more than 70 artists involved, which was fantastic. An immense amount of hard work goes into making this happen, so I want to thank everyone who took part, opened up their work places and showed off the creative talent on offer out here in the Ranges.”

Planning is already underway for the 2019 event and organisers look forward to welcoming back the regular participants and inviting new artists to join in the weekend.

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

15

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.

december w – 9, Controlled Environment Laboratory: Melissa Laing tells the story of a unique intersection of science, technology and social history in New Zealand; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455. w – 9, One cheek on a warm stone, one finger in a cool stream: Caitlin Clarke shares an installation of new work; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455. w – 9, Vanishing Point: through large-scale drawings Jacqui Colley contemplates new ideas about place; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455. w – February 3, Inside/Out, an exhibition of sculpture

by Year 11 students from Kelston Boys High School; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi. Phone 817 8087. w – February 10, Portage Ceramic Awards Exhibition; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi. Phone 817 8087. w 1, Walk Through Christmas Story with crafts and fun activities; St Francis Church, Corner Park and Titirangi Beach Roads; 11:00am-3:30pm; Entry by Koha for the City Mission. Phone Margaret 817 1330. w 2, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732. w 5, Green Bay Community House AGM 2018; Barron Drive, Green Bay; 6pm. Light refreshments provided,

RSVP by Monday December 3 for catering purposes. gbcommunityhouse@gmail.com or phone 827 3300. w 6, Waitākere Grey Power General Meeting with guest speaker Janice Willis from Elderly Assist; Swanson RSA; Meeting from 10am with lunch (at $20.50 per head) at 12 noon. For bookings and information phone 838 5207. w 6, Storehouse in concert, featuring Tom Rodwell, John Bell, and Damian Horner-Pausma; Lopdell House Theatre, Titirangi; 7.30 for 8pm; $25 on door or $20/$15 from Eventfinda. www.tomrodwell.com. w 7, 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 7, Christmas Twilight Market, stalls, carols, free gift wrapping; Lopdell Precinct; 5-9pm. www.lopdellprecinct. org.nz. w 7, Christmas carols and craft market with sausage sizzle (or bring a picnic) and the Salvation Army band; West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; from 5pm; Gold coin donation. Phone 827 7045. w 8, Flicks presents a Christmas celebration with mulled wine, mince pies and the first screening of Australian comedy The Merger (M); Lopdell House Theatre, Titirangi; 10.30am ($12/$10, includes tea/coffee/biscuits), 6pm and 8.15pm ($20/$15 Senior/Student, includes drink and food ). Bookings Phone 818 2489 or text 0210 222 5558.

Trailer and information at www.flickscinema.weebly.com. w 8 – January 6, Christmas gifts, member artists – gifts galore; West Coast Gallery, Piha. Phone 812 8028. www. westcoastgallery.co.nz. w 9, Christmas Concert with Waitākere Auckland Brass and City of Sails Barbershop Chorus; Green Bay High School Performing Arts Centre; 3pm; $20. Book

online at www.waitakerebrass.com or email tracey@ waitakerebrass.com w 9, 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 w 11, 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 11, Western Districts Women’s Dinner Club; Bricklane Restaurant, 5 Clark Street, New Lynn; 6.15pm. Phone Maureen 818 3586 to book or for more information. w 13, LYRICAL VISIONS 3, An evening of cinepoetic short films, some of which are having their première with the film makers there to introduce them; Lopdell House Theatre, Titirangi; 7pm for 7.30pm; $12/$10 concessions).

Phone 818 2489 or text bookings 0210 222 5558. w 14, Ladies’ PROBUS Club, fellowship, fun, speakers, and a monthly day trip; St John’s Hall, Te Atatū South; 9.45am-Noon. Phone Betty 09 832 0484. w 14, Green Bay International foodie fiesta at Barron Green, Green Bay Community House; 5-9pm. Contact Marc Hershman, greenbaystreetfood@gmail.com. w 14 – February 10, Under the Same La’ā, a collaborative exhibition by mother–daughter team Sulieti Fieme’a-Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455. w 14 – February 10 Over the water: Julian Hooper and Tevita Latu create a drawing installation that spans the Pacific Ocean; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455. w 14 – February 10, Between Strangers: finding and making connections to whakapapa has led Rowan Panther

LIMITED EDITION ZIGGY BUNDLE OFFER

The Perfect Ziggy Christmas Bundle includes: x1 Limited Edition Black Twin Grill x1 Reversible Hotplate x1 Roast & Bake Pack x1 The Modern BBQ Cookbook

SAVE $165

$649

* T&Cs apply, available for a limited time while stocks last, see in-store for details.

GLEN EDEN

16

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

places to go

january w January 12 – February 10, Forces of Nature, scuplture exhibition by Andy Mardell; West Coast Gallery, Piha.

Phone 812 8028. www.westcoastgallery.co.nz. w January 18, Green Bay International foodie fiesta at Barron Green, Green Bay Community House; 5-9pm.

Contact Marc Hershman, greenbaystreetfood@gmail. com.

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...

and Monica Paterson to investigate imagery, materials and themes from their Samoan heritage; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455. w 16, 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 w 16, Carols by Candlelight presented by Friends of Waikumete; Chapel of Faith in the Oaks, Glenview Road, Glen Eden; 7-8pm. Phone Trevor Pollard 817 8822. w 17 – 19, Anne Maree Gardens Rest Home and Hospital invite the community to their Christmas light evenings; 24 Coronet Place, Avondale; 7pm. Phone 828 3741. w 18, SeniorNet West Auckland, speaker, morning tea and chatting about computers; Kelston Community Centre; 10am. Phone June 021 179 3635.

• Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am–4.30pm daily. 838 4455.

• EcoMatters Environment Trust, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn; Wednesday – Sunday 10am-2pm. 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; Wednesday – Sunday, 1-4pm, except public holidays. 817 6148, mccahon@ mccahonhouse.org.nz.

• Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden. 818 5751.

• Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Early orthodontic assessment Gallery, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi; a wise investment Dr Nitin Raniga 10am–4.30pm daily. 817 8087, info@ Dr Nitin Raniga, localOrthodontist member of the New Zealand Association of BDSsays (Otago), (Otago), Orthodontists (NZAO), the best ageDCInDent for your child to see a teuru.org.nz. specialist is as soonMOrth as you notice a problem.

“If you’re concerned, RSCEd, MRACDS (Orth) you defi nitely shouldn’t wait until your child has all their adult teeth, • Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House Theatre, and you don’t need6 a referral from a dentist Exminster St, or dental therapist.”

Titirangi. 817 5812, infoline 817 5951, An orthodontist is a registered dentist who has gone on to complete an Bay education in specialist additional 2-3 years ofBlockhouse fulltime postgraduate university www.titirangitheatre.co.nz. orthodontics. All members of the NZAO are trained in the appropriate use of Auckland 0600 the full range of available orthodontic appliances, and undertake continual study and professional development to stay on top of the latest trends and • Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House, Phone (09) 627 3555 improvements in orthodontic treatment.

418 Titirangi Road; 10am–4.30pm daily.Dr Raniga says earlynitin@aucklandortho.co.nz treatment by a specialist can reduce or occasionally eliminate the need for more extensive treatment at a later age. “Orthodontists 817 4278, www.upstairs.org.nz. spend a great deal of their post graduate training studying facial growth and www.aucklandortho.co.nz development,” says Dr Raniga. There is • West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha; much less stigma around wearing braces and orthodontic appliances, compared Wednesday – Sunday, 10am–4pm. 812with what parents may recall from their own childhood. “Teenagers will actually 8029, www.westcoastgallery.co.nz. nag Mum and Dad for an appointment.

St Francis Anglican Church, Titirangi corner of Park Road and Titirangi Beach Road.

Welcome Christmas with us!

December 16th, 10am, Community readings and carols December 23rd, 9.30am, Holy Communion December 24th, 11.30pm, Midnight Communion December 25th, 9.30am, Christmas Day Communion

Phone 817 7300

Our children know the value of a beautiful, functional smile that will last them a lifetime, and they’re willing to put 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 logo. For more information go to www.orthodontists.org.nz.

Thinking of selling?

Dr Nitin Raniga BDS (Otago) DClinDent (Otago) MOrth RSCEd MRACDS (Orth)

Unsure if now is a good time?

6 Exminster Street, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600

Phone (09) 627 3555 nitin@aucklandortho.co.nz www.aucklandortho.co.nz

Holidays can be a great time to market your home.

Serious buyers are looking, and they have time on their hands, but you’ll have less competition and so achieve better prices.

Call us to learn more

HAPPY HOLIDAYS Satisfy your Mexican craving and try our new deep fried burrito.

Exclusive to New Lynn only.

Restaurant is available for Xmas parties. Book in advance.

Satisfy your Mexican craving and try our new deep fried burrito. Exclusive to New Lynn only.

Restaurant is available for Xmas parties.

Book in advance

24 McCrae Way, New Lynn, 0600.

Corner Totara Avenue. Catering, private functions, parties.

UberEats, Online/phone orders. newlynn@mexicalifresh.co.nz 09-827-7282

please support our advertisers – they support us 24 McCrae Way, New Lynn,0600 corner Totara Avenue. Catering, private functions,

from the team at Glovers

Phone 0508 456837 www.glovers.nz

LICENSED UNDER THE REA 2008 MREINZ

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

17

bandstanding: music in the west with susannah bridges

‘I love to generate music ... and get people involved.’

You’re likely to already know of Brigid Ursula Bisley. The longtime Titirangi resident is involved in our community and arts scene and probably best known locally for founding and directing the Waitākere City Orchestra.

She’s been a musician for as long as she can remember. “I was lucky to have musical parents who sang to us. When I was five I started to learn the piano, and at seven, the violin.

My father brought me a scratchy half-size violin in his suitcase on return from a trip to Japan – it was a defining moment for me. I owe him my abiding love for the music of Beethoven (and Celtic music).”

Brigid’s upbringing in the Anglican choral tradition was very formative too. “I sang in the cathedral choir and began conducting at school – I always knew I’d be a musician.”

Brigid studied Violin Performance and Composition at Auckland University, and then went to Germany for further study of composition.

Upon return to New Zealand, Brigid began her career with performances of her new works and gaining commissions as a composer.

There’s now a long list of compositional and conducting projects to her name – among them a score for a short film. “Last summer I wrote and performed the music for a short film called Crossings by local film maker Martin Sercombe. Crossings showed at Studio One on Ponsonby Road and at the Lyrical Visions series at Lopdell Theatre.” The concept for the score was a response to the visual choreography of the film: “... clouds, waves, shadows and wind moving through marshes.” Scored for improvised violin and piano with reverb, the essence of the music arises out of Brigid’s experience of Whatipu – “a lonely, wild place of austere beauty and dream-like solitude.”

Brigid says her biggest and most successful project so far was “founding and directing the Waitākere City Orchestra. a much loved orchestra which had a dedicated body of players and a following here in the West. Perhaps our most glorious moment was in 2006 when, at the opening of the new council chambers, we premièred my Waitākere Overture which Sir Bob Harvey, the orchestra’s patron, had commissioned. We also performed another composition of mine – Glimmer of Blue, for vibraphone and strings. This was a grand occasion where we really fulfilled our role as the City’s orchestra.

“My vision was for the orchestra to go far into the future, generating a musical community with an educational outreach. But sadly, it was a casualty of the Supercity and we lost all our funding. We had to wind it up in 2014 after a wonderful 10 years.”

With Emeritus Professor Uwe Grodd as her mentor, Brigid returned to the University School of Music last year to study post graduate conducting. “Uwe is a wonderful teacher. He was a big help with the Waitākere Orchestra, and in my successful audition for the Symphony Australia conductors programme in 2011.

This was a fantastic experience with master classes and working with several professional orchestras.”

Brigid’s newest project is choral conducting. “I’ve started a new choir, The Titirangi Chamber Choir. We sing everything from Renaissance to World music, jazz, pop and gospel. My singers are a colourful bunch and we all love our weekly sing together. We have given our first formal concert and have more performances scheduled for the New Year.”

Brigid describes herself as a freelance composer/arranger, conductor and teacher. “I have always worked from home, composing, arranging, teaching and constructing projects in my studio. I’m currently an itinerant composition tutor in three schools and sometimes I perform as a violinist, folk fiddler or singer. I might be trained in classical music but I’m a lover of many other types of music. I love to generate music at all levels from amateur to professional and to get people involved.

In my private teaching practice I now specialise in adult tuition with a strongly therapeutic aspect, using the voice to empower.”

Collaboration with other artists and work for community projects feature strongly in Brigid’s repertoire too. “I do love poetry and storytelling and recently organised an event for the late Derek Gordon, a.k.a. Bringwonder the Storyteller. A group of local performers was involved – singer Caro Manins, guitarist Sasha Witten-Hannah, and the Titirangi Chamber Choir. I also played my folk fiddle. It was an evening full of riches.”

Brigid’s currently busy working on a new orchestral piece and revising a string quartet that will be toured around New Zealand next year with the Aroha Quartet from Wellington. She’s also recruiting singers for the choir. “I feel very blessed to live here in Titirangi where I’ve spent the last 32 years. I like that there’s an above average ratio of artists and creative people. And that on the edge of our biggest city one can live in a beautiful place that’s quiet and surrounded by nature, that the sea is down the road, and the sonic environment is mostly bird calls. This gives me the mental space to think about music, and to re-energise.”

You can see Crossings at Lopdell Theatre on December 13, 7.30pm as part of short film night Lyrical Visions 3. Tickets from Eventfinda or at the door.

For more information visit www.brigidursulabisley.com.

(09) 813 5418

18

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

CELEBRATION SUPER SALE

Celebrate in-store with us 8-9 December 9am-4pm

FREE skin consults

Goodie bags!

Lucky dip prizes

with Living Nature 11-2pm SAT ONLY!

Tasty treats

for any purchase over $100*

FREE taste testing

FREE gift wrapping

made by our nutritionist

with Artemis 1-2.30pm SUN ONLY!

SUPER SUPER SALE SALE

OVER 50+ BRANDS WITH EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

3 for 2 3 for 2

40-50% off

3 for 2 30-60%

3 for 2

off RRP

Super Sale offers from 21 November-23 December 2018 while stocks last. *Goodie bags available 8-9 December while stocks lasts, one bag per customer.

OPEN 7 DAYS from 3-24 December LATE NIGHTS Thursday & Fridays until 7.00pm from 6-24 December 3047 Great North Road, New Lynn | 09 826 1356

healthpost.co.nz/auckland-store please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

19

feature: seasonal specials and gifts

SEASONAL SPECIALS AND GIFTS: A Fringe special feature

Gecko in the Village is a great place to browse and find that festive gift. There is a huge range of products available, with new stock arriving daily. New Zealand-made, quality products, gifts and novelties are great as gifts at any time of year and for any age group, and during the Christmas period Gecko is encouraging shoppers to stop using plastic bags by offering a foldable, reusable shopping bag free of charge when you spend over $100.

Visit Gecko in the Village at 2 Rangiwai Road, next to the Post Office.

Address : P O Box : 60582, Titirangi 0642.

1/400 Titirangi Rd, Titirangi 0604.

ONE STOP SHOP

Ph/Fax : 09 8173080 Email : titirangicopycentre@hotmail.com

FOOD

GAIA

Purveyors of fine Gourmet Food,

Lotto, Kiwi Bank & Post Shop

Confectionery and Gift Baskets

Established over 20 years

children, cooking & other books ART AND CRAFT MATERIALS

Diaries/Journals

Confectionery Lovers

Gift wraps/cards & Calendars

We have a delicious chocolate range from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Holland, Switzerland and USA. Shop specialities include Turkish delights, Dutch licorice, English conserve and German Marzipan.

Party Products

ST

d te Rd

TH OR

Post, Books, Stationery

ONE STOP SHOP

PO Box 20250, Glen Eden, 4/20 Oates Rd, Glen Eden Ph: 09 8133448 glenedenpostandbooks@gmail.com

20

Shop

ns

GLEN EDEN

Avondale Racecourse

Ken Maunder Park Bi

Home & Office Stationery

RA TA

Copy Paper on special Scan/Print/Email

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

RD

TN EA GR Lynnmall

Open 7 days December 1 - 24

9a Binsted Rd, New Lynn Phone (09) 826-0203 sales@gaiafood.co.nz

www.gaiafood.co.nz advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

feature: seasonal specials and gifts

Susannah Bridges, designer of beautiful ceramics and porcelain lighting, wishes all Fringe readers an enjoyable and fun-filled summer adding: “Be sure to make the most of time with your friends and family, and if you know folk without friends or family, you can give them the most important gift of all – a smile, a hug and an invitation to join you.”

Should you to be looking for a special something for a special person (including yourself!) Susannah’s Workshop Sale takes place December 6– 22. Check out her range of ceramic objects and lights, seconds, samples, and end of line items. Call 021 255 3773 for opening hours or to make an appointment. (Susannah’s work is also available at Te Uru.)

Kairava Gullatz is currently exhibiting a body of new work at Upstairs Gallery in Lopdell House, Titirangi. Her work is not only functional but delicate and decorative, taking inspiration from her surroundings, nature, the sea and the sand. Her ‘quirky’ native birds and other local wild life are transformed into functional items that will look beautiful on any table. Kairava is known for her workshops and classes across West Auckland and her popular ceramic works will make great gifts. Visit Upstairs Gallery, first floor, Lopdell House, Titirangi for that unique present for the special person in your life.

OPEN EXTRA HOURS BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2018 Sothys Top Salon 402a Tit ir an g i Ro ad, Tit ir ang i V i l l a g e Ph : 0 9 8 1 7 - 9 9 3 7 www. t o n i c sp a .c o.n z

The Watermelon & Lime Spa Escape for face & body by SOTHYS Paris. Restore energy and radiance with a massage and facial of lime infused shea butter and hydrating watermelon.

This spa indulgence comes gift boxed with a watermelon and lime tinted moisturising sunscreen.

The perfect Christmas treat – 2 hours plus gift for $269 A gift voucher for a Tonic Spa indulgence makes an ideal Christmas present.

View our website for more luxurious experiences or see in-store for a delicious array of body scents, candles and room diffusers to add some extra Christmas luxury.

please support2018-V2.indd our advertisers – they support us Tonic_Fringe_Dec 1

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 20196:25 21 6/11/18 PM

SEASONAL SPECIALS AND GIFTS: A Fringe special feature

Star Pendant Lights by Susannah Bridges

feature: seasonal specials and gifts

SEASONAL SPECIALS AND GIFTS: A Fringe special feature Looking for stocking fillers for Christmas? Or perhaps younger readers need new stories to entertain them through the summer? Our local Post Shops at 1/400 Titirangi Road in Titirangi or 4/20 Oates Road in Glen Eden have a great variety of books, magazines, art and craft materials and more.

The Post Shops can also help with all your gift-wrapping supplies and decorative party products. And best of all – they’re local, so you don’t have to battle the traffic and parking problems further afield!

Magic happens when peonies blossom and Christmas has bloomed at Tonic Spa with the arrival of the new MOR fragrance collection. Scents mingle like a delicious gelato, where peonies pirouette upon a vanilla stage and a swirl of strawberries, lilies, jewelled mangoes, oranges and pineapples prance. A ballet of beautiful perfumes, this scent is soft, sweet and sensuous. You simply must visit in-store (402a Titirangi Road) to indulge your senses.

Susannah Bridges

c e ra m i c s a n d p o rc e l a i n l i g h t i n g

WO R K S H O P S A L E

Flame Bowls

Silhouette Vases

Shadow Bowls

Dec 6th to 22nd, 29 Keeling Road, Henderson Phone or text for opening hours: 021 255 3773 susannahbridges.co.nz

22

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

Focussed on the issues: Ranges track closures

Advertisement

It was great news for the people of Auckland, when the Department of Conservation announced they were reopening the Goldie Bush walking tracks, among our most beautiful tracks, in time for Labour Day weekend. To combat Kauri dieback, DOC has undertaken an extensive program of track, drainage and cleaning station upgrades, local ambassadors posted at track entrances, and legal measures (CAN notices) so that anyone failing to comply with cleaning procedures will be prosecuted. But the spotlight now turns to Auckland Council’s Kauri Response Program and whether they will restore public access to our Waitakere Ranges Regional Park walking tracks in time for the summer holidays.

While locals have observed a recent increase in track restoration activities, there have been no formal updates from Auckland Council regarding which tracks will be reopened and when. Moreover, the public have been drip-fed snippets of contradictory information regarding this topic.

At a recent presentation to the Local Board, Regional Park staff proudly announced (with latest map in hand) that 170km of Waitakere Ranges walking tracks would be opened.

However, when asked about the timing of track reopenings, they replied “we do not have specific dates for track reopening but we anticipate further tracks will open before Christmas.”

But what the latest Park map also indicated was at least one further track closure. In addition, the track indicated for closure is the only one left giving a forest experience through the interior of the Waitakere Ranges.

This Park map of the Ranges shows a plan which would essentially exclude people from the forest centre and confine them to perimeter tracks.

This would spell the end to the historic tracks whose names and original purpose encapsulates so much

of our West Coast heritage, something I was recently reminded of while attending the Centennial Armistice Day celebrations at Spragg Memorial on the Kaitarakihi Bay Headland above the Manukau Harbour. During the ceremony, a list of local families who lost loved ones in the First World War was read out: Gibbons, Fletcher and Farley were but a few in the list of remembrance. At this time I couldn’t help think, what of the walking tracks that bear their names. These tracks are the daily embodiment of their legacy and history. Are these tracks destined to become simply a page in my grandchildren’s history books? Is this in line with the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act? Twenty five years ago the old Waitākere City Council anointed itself an Eco-City, trumpeting that environmental friendly commerce was the way to achieve a sustainable future for our communities.

The tourism industry was to outperform New Zealand’s powerhouse rural economy and Waitakere was going to harness this for the betterment of its communities.

But a couple of decades later the vision has become a mirage, lost in a haze of bureaucratic incompetency and a lack of transparency. With an indefinite timeline around the closure of our parks, we see the public blocked out of nature, local businesses struggling and local investment declining. Low impact sustainable tourism activities, like the Rainforest Express, which brought the experience of the inner forest to so many, are closed or unfunded. Waitākere City’s original vision for an Eco-City was holistic, and included thriving local communities and vibrant sustainable economies, such as the film industry and sustainable tourism, all interconnected with our forest and nature.

The people of Auckland understand the value of our parks, our environment, our history and our economy.

That is why they agreed to Auckland Council’s request for hundreds of millions more in rate charges (over the next 10 years) in return for the promise of improved protection and sustainable use of these assets. Now its Auckland Council’s job to do just that, maintain all our assets.

– Ken Turner

http://www.westwards.co.nz

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

23

out & about

Bitten by the ‘joy bug’

DAVID THIELE ponders living ‘on the road’ and meets two new converts.

The terms RV (recreational vehicle), mobile home or tiny house are new to me. In the late 70s, early 80s I knew them as either house trucks or house buses. I wish I was a snail, I’d carry my house upon my back. This was the first blues lyric I ever wrote.

These old vehicles were sometimes Leyland or Dennis but most of them were the trusted Bedford. Bedfords were made in England by Vauxhall Motors in Luton from the 1930s before eventually being owned by General Motors. They were hugely successful and widely exported making lorries small, medium and large in every conceivable configuration.

Military, tow trucks, coaches, buses. The Post Office and forestry loved them.

Honest, simple, reliable. Even the Laird of the McGillicuddy Party owns some.

As kids, if we came across a ‘hippy’ house truck on our annual family holiday trips north, we would all wave, toot, point and give the thumbs up to the generally bearded driver or, as Mum would tell Dad, braless lady. We were both thrilled and a bit scared.

Dad never got mad at how slow they were going. We were all going slow back then.

We all seemed to absolutely love the simple pleasure of driving. When we did our regular stops for a thermos of tea and so Dad could check the speedboat was still behind us, we would often find house trucks parked up in the picnic areas. We’d play with their puppies and perhaps buy a dream catcher or something they had made to get diesel money. Mum would share our shortbread with them. They were always hungry. I never heard anyone complain about them.

Some years later, I sat, terrified, in my brother’s house bus, parked up in Plimmerton, as the first ‘red squad’ was deployed in New Zealand. They forced the peace-loving teenagers back into the party house using batons and shields. It was really violent. This was in preparation for the 1981 Springbok rugby tour. Way out of control.

In front of our bus was parked the wintered-up and famous ‘Blerta’ bus. During the totally unprovoked police violence, no one entered the magical sanctuary of our mighty house bus. It was a home man.

Piss off.

Two generations on and Poppy and Tobias are the latest to contract the ‘joy bug’. They scored this beauty (I think it’s a J6 Bedford?) for five grand off a bloke that had lived in it of over 30 years. I remember it being down Kauri Point Road for yonks. Poppy and Tobias plan to concentrate more on the house part and remove the truck part. The old girl is just too heavy and it’s impossible nowadays to make a wooden framed vehicle ‘legal.’ It’s more likely a licensed load. Still, journeys are in the mind, right? Space is a relative thing.

They plan to eventually pop the house onto a light-weight trailer that can be towed with a van. In the meantime, they have moved in and will get a comfy lounge, warm bedroom, usable kitchen and brilliant surrounding decks for under 10 grand. Awesome.

Sure beats a $600,000 life-long mortgage for an eighth-acre disappointment.

When life closes in, they can just move further away. They even have cold running water!

I have played my best music in a house truck; had the biggest laughs, passed around Continued on page 25 >>

FringeMedia Community Publishing

Professional assistance with writing, design and printing.

Newsletters and promotional publications for community groups and businesses.

Get your Christmas tree from our Xmas Tree Ranch, 711 Huia Road from 28th November – 17th December.

Open weekdays 5-8pm and weekends 9am-7pm.

24

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

Phone: 817 8024 Email: info@fringemedia.co.nz advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

our place

Giving migrating fish and eels a helping hand Although the water storage dams throughout the Waitākere Ranges are an important part of Auckland’s infrastructure, they also pose a considerable threat to native marine life for which seasonal migrations, both up and downstream, are an important part of their life-cycle.

Every year Watercare staff give native fish and eels a helping hand with their migratory journeys.

Fish traps are placed at the bottom of the Lower Nihotupu Dam spillway and at the top of Waitākere Falls, near the Waitākere Dam to catch elvers (juvenile eels) and galaxiids (whitebait). The tiny fish are then scooped into buckets and carried to neighbouring dams to be released, where they will feed and grow, to continue their life cycle in a protected environment.

Water quality and environmental scientist, Matthew Hubrick is part of Watercare’s environmental assets team who perform the fish transfer operation. “The fish are tiny – only five centimetres long or less and have travelled all the way from the ocean, up rivers and creeks to try to reach the dams,” he says.

“Our native fish are in real need of protection as their numbers dwindle. The transfer operation is a very important and satisfying part of our work.“ Staff visit the fish traps two to three times a week.

Over a season, up to 10,000 fish can be transferred to the dams. Each bucket-load of fish is photographed and the numbers are recorded and sent to MPI and Auckland Council.

Whitebait tend to form shoals within seconds of swimming away from their bucket while elvers begin burrowing into mud straight away, out of sight of kōtuku (white heron) and other potential predators. Native eels typically live 15-30 years although some spectacular specimens are thought to be 80 years old. >> Bitten

In the autumn, the environmental assets team focus on catching adult shortfin and longfin eels, using un-baited nets. These are then released downstream so they can find their way to the sea to breed. Watercare staff are trained to identify morphological changes (e.g. changing eye colour) which indicate eels are mature and ready to migrate. Details such as weight and length are recorded and eels that aren’t ready to migrate are returned to the dam.

Overfishing has had a significant impact on both native eel and whitebait numbers, so much so that earlier this year the Aoraki Conservation Board warned Government departments that within 16 years, New Zealand whitebait could be wiped out.

Waitākere’s dams offer a special haven to native species as the dams are within protected catchments surrounded by native bush and fishing is banned.

Watercare dam technician, Gareth Whittington releases native whitebait and juvenile eels into the Lower Nihotupu Dam.

God can grow. Others believe they can transcend by meditation. The journey of the mind inspired by one’s surroundings. Or as Jim Stafford so wonderfully sang … take a trip and never leave the farm.

This is not a retirement vehicle like those that thousands of Kiwis and Aussies enjoy. It’s a life style and boy, it sure has so much life and gallons of style. Poppy and Tobias are welcome to park on my lawn whenever they want.

... it’s obvious that this snail will slide no more but surely that’s missing the point.

by the ‘joy bug’ Continued from page 24

the best food and slept the most wonderful sleeps; met the coolest cats and dogs. But never actually travelled a single mile in one.

Yet, just look how naturally happy these two are. They can always live where the air is clean.

I guess it’s obvious that this snail will slide no more but surely that’s missing the point.

Some say man exists not to worship, not to glorify, but to comprehend God so that by that comprehension

WE’RE PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY Whether it’s planning a funeral for someone close to you, or preplanning your own service, we are here to offer compassion, guidance and support.

Follow us on Facebook @ facebook.com/TiltonOpiePattinsonSimplicity

3232 Great North Road, New Lynn

09 827 8332 www.simplicity.co.nz

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

25

naturally west with fiona drummond

Kōkako thriving in the Ark in the Park

Above: The first kokako chick of 2018. Photo by Amanda Rogers.

Below: Zelah and Francis. Photo by Grant Capill.

Spring in the Ark in the Park has been census time, checking on bird species that have been reintroduced to the Waitākere Ranges through the translocation programme, and as we head into summer the focus changes to nest finding.

This year, the kōkako survey revealed 13 pairs and seven single birds, spread widely across the southern half of the Ark area. The ultimate goal for the Ark in the Park is a kōkako population of 500 individuals, which will complete the translocation programme with a viable population density.

Projects around the North Island have been surprised by the early breeding of kōkako this year. So far there are three kōkako nests being monitored at the Ark, with the team of contractors and volunteers working hard to find more. It is a challenging pursuit in the thick bush and good skills with binoculars are required as tall rimu are often favoured nest trees for kōkako.

Kōkako have been described as one of the 10 best singers in the avian world.

Their vocal range is extraordinary and the territorial and pair bonding calls are truly amazing. They mostly inhabit the sub-canopy and canopy so can be extremely difficult to see in our dense forests.

However some kōkako are known to venture outside the safety of the Ark. Two of the original translocated birds, Francis and Zelah, have gained celebrity status on Scenic Drive where they frequent their favourite residences to partake in some hi-jinks in the human world. They are Mr Hot Pink the popokatea. Photo by Jacqui fascinated by their own reflections in Geux. car windows and, in contrast to usual kōkako coyness, appear unfazed by more urban surroundings and people. Francis and Zelah currently have a baby chick which has been banded. They also produced a chick last year.

Another recent piece of good news relates to one of the Ark’s popokatea (whitehead), named Mr Hot Pink on account of his leg accessories. Translocated from Tiritiri Matangi Island in 2016, he is another socialite who previously was a regular at the Arataki Visitor’s Centre but hadn’t been sighted for several months. Following consternation about his possible fate, volunteer Jacqui Geux was delighted to find him alive and well.

Got something on your mind or know of a good story? Let The Fringe know.

Email us on info@fringemedia.co.nz

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

26

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

people

Key Ark in the Park founder recognised John Sumich, a key founder of Ark in the Park and prominent conservationist was recognised with the Kahikatea Award (for an outstanding individual volunteer taking action on a local environmental issue) at the recent Love Your Place Awards.

In addition to helping get Ark in the Park, now the largest volunteer conservation organisation in the Waitākere Ranges, off the ground John also initiated Habitat Te Henga, the wetland conservation area in Bethells/Te Henga and has helped to establish the Matuku Link project as a founding trustee.

In accepting the award, John paid tribute to all involved in Ark in the Park and his other projects with a characteristically droll remark: “A prune can start a movement but without backup there is no result.”

With around 400 volunteers doing predator control on bait lines and trap lines, monitoring work and removing weeds, Ark in the Park has become an epicentre for people wanting to help with conservation and spend time in Waitākere’s native bush. (All volunteers are trained for vigilance around kauri dieback.)

Ark in the Park is a collaborative project between Forest & Bird and Auckland Council which aims to control predators ‘from the Ridges to the Sea.’ This aspirational aim has lead to the establishment of a bufferzone – an area along Scenic Drive and Bethells Road bordering Ark in the Park, where Annalily van den Broeke helps people on private land with pest control.

She received a Judges Commendation in the Awards’ Kahikatea category.

Habitat Te Henga is a large area with traps serviced by a contractor every two weeks. After three years of continuous predator control, mainly targeting stoats, John managed to convince the ‘pateke recovery group’ that it was safe enough to translocate the rare and >> Jacqui’s

endangered brown teal (pateke) to the Te Henga wetland and the first 20 were released in 2015.

After six months 18 were still alive. This was such a success that another 80 were translocated and released in 2016. Successful breeding has occurred with ducklings seen at several sites since then.

Two pateke pairs are regularly seen at nearby Matuku Link, another project John is involved in. This 37-hectare property was bought by a trust in November 2016 after intensive fundraising.

The aim is to create a corridor between Ark in the Park, Habitat Te Henga and Forest & Bird’s adjacent Matuku Reserve. In the two years since Matuku Link was started, the Waitakere Rivercare group and other volunteers have built a nursery on site to grow the plants for wetland restoration. Volunteers have spent 7000 hours on the project and a start has been made on turning the old barn into a Sustainable Wetland Education Centre.

John will be retiring from his doctor’s practice soon and plans to spend even more time on his conservation work.

The Love Your Place Awards are funded by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and organised by EcoMatters Environment Trust.

– Fiona Drummond

Whether hands on with restoration work or helping introduce volunteers and visitors to Waitākere’s natural wonders, John Sumich is a conservation winner.

a petrol head continued from page 8

Along the way Jacqui bought a BMW R100R Mystic motorcycle she’d loved so much she said it would go to her grave with her. She also bought a dirt bike and while accepting that ‘offs’ come with the off-road riding territory, had a “ bingle” almost five years ago that resulted in permanent damage to an elbow joint.

“That means I’m now very limited in the kinds of bike I can ride and I can’t test them for a living any more. I’d had that BMW for 22 years and was upset I had to sell it.” She was feeling down and then along came a 1937 Austin 7 Ruby.

“It had a few problems but once they were all sorted out, it was wonderful. It’s effectively a sedan, quite curvy and relatively modern, as it has a four-speed gearbox and brakes that operate just like a modern car.”

Two years after acquiring the Ruby, Jacqui bought her Chummy. She’s learning basic maintenance and how to service them, as there are no longer any registered mechanics for Austins. “The cars are a bit like 3D puzzles, and the Vintage Austin Register (club) members have been really encouraging. Some of the guys help me if I can’t work it out.”

Before her accident Jacqui was an enthusiastic charity worker, but the crash left her fatigued and much of that had to go by the wayside. However, she helped start and is still involved with Go Baby Go, a charity that adapts

electric, ride-in, toy cars for children with impaired mobility.

“It’s wonderful to see the effect on parents who can see their child, who has never been able to move independently before, doing something that any kid could do. They’re not in a device that separates them from other children, they’re playing, and able to push boundaries.”

And then there’s Ziggy, Jacqui’s Boston Terrier motoring companion who came into her life this year. “I call her my dogupational therapist. When you have a life-changing injury or illness, you can get a bit down. I wasn’t exercising enough or travelling for work any more. Ziggy gets me out at least twice a day, and she’s great for meeting people.”

Working on the Automobile Association website (among other writing and vehicle review projects), Jacqui says it’s fairly safe to call her a petrol head.

“Ideally, I’d have a garage full of vehicles.” Five minutes later, she’s almost finished talking about what they may include. “Ignore the elbow damage for a moment and ....”

Jacqui Madelin with her 1937 Austin 7 Ruby.

– Moira Kennedy

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

27

walking west with mick andrew

Reopening Goldie Bush

The Houheria Stream waterfall in Goldie Bush.

The sun is getting hotter, the days are getting longer and just when it seemed like the pressure for a good walk was reaching bursting point, Goldie Bush reopened and a valve was released.

Closed by DOC for the better part of a year due to kauri dieback control, the scenic reserve was reopened just before Labour Weekend after extensive upgrades. While it sits outside the Waitākere Ranges, its significance should not be underestimated – the three varied tracks forming a 3-4 hour loop make it the most extensive network of bush walks now available in the West and a potential lightning rod for the summer tourist storm.

Goldie Bush is located between Te Henga and Muriwai and can be accessed from either Constable Road to the north or Horseman Road to the south. Coming from the city, we head to the southern entrance past the hilly farms and lifestyle blocks near Waitākere township.

Parking in the shaded cul-de-sac, we find the entrance has been upgraded with a new walk-through hygiene station that resembles a car wash for humans. You stand on a pad and a jet of disinfectant shoots up, saturating your boots. Once through, the Mokoroa Falls Track proceeds gently through the quiet forest, passing the left-hand turnoff to the return leg of the loop – Goldie Bush Track.

The track surface, clearly upgraded with new stone chips, is excellent and makes for very easy walking. Extra dense layers of gravel can be seen in various places, and after a time we realise that these are adjacent to nearby

kauri and add extra protection against the movement of soil and the spread of kauri dieback.

The track continues to descend over 30 minutes or so, eventually reaching the viewing platform over the reserve’s main attraction – Mokoroa Falls. Once the site of a driving dam to transport kauri logs downstream, the 11-metre waterfall thunders into a very pleasant clearing with ample space for a picnic.

To get to it we take the steps near the platform to the Mokoroa Stream Walk then head upstream for a few minutes until we reach the clearing where another smaller fall from the Houheria Stream trickles down the rock face. With the sun streaming into the water over the bush-clad cliffs, the scene is exceptionally beautiful and serves as a reminder of the other wonders that are locked away elsewhere in the West.

After 10 minutes of absorbing the sights and sounds and contemplating a dip under the icy threads of water, we head back down the Mokoroa Stream. While the initial segment to the falls was quite accessible, this leg is a marked route only and becomes considerably more difficult with multiple crosses of the stream.

While DOC has made upgrades on this section, it’s still quite rugged and requires a lot of care and attention, especially when crossing the slippery rocks. There are multiple swimming holes, but one in particular halfway down is deep enough for a full submerge and a perfect place to refresh for the final stage of the loop.

After about an hour and a half, the Mokoroa Stream Track connects with Goldie Bush Walkway which continues to the north toward Constable Road. We take the other direction to the left, over a swing bridge and once again find ourselves on a freshly resurfaced track heading through mixed kauri forest.

After about 45 minutes, we return to the Mokoroa Falls Track near the entrance to the reserve. Considerably satisfied, we exit through the human quarantine machine, dousing our boots in a torrent of disinfectant – a small price to pay for a magnificent walk and hopefully the first of many to follow.

More celebrations of summer by students at New Lynn Primary School: James Faaumuumu (6, left) and Seriere Taufajew (5, right).

28

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

sustainable solutions

’Tis the Season to Resist the Rubbish Ah Christmas, the advent countdown begins and with it the relentless marketing melee, promoting every imaginable gadget and bauble that might impress, writes FIONA DRUMMOND, who also has some suggestions for a more sustainable Christmas A few years back I got fed up with the stress of Christmas shopping and decided it was time to give gift-giving a good shake up.

I had for a while envied a friend’s stress-free approach to Christmas.

In their family they drew names out of a hat and bought an under $10 op-shop gift for their allocated person. This gets two important sustainability ticks: 1) only one gift to buy per person so less consumerism and 2) no new stuff with packaging. It also brings the Christmas shopping stress level way down.

I decided to follow this lead, with a minor adjustment to liven up the process: when it’s your turn to open your parcel, you can choose someone else’s already unwrapped parcel instead, setting off a hilarious chain reaction of pilfering. The upside of this is you get to have a good laugh and often score something you actually want (though you may lose it later). Importantly everyone is engaged in the giving process as all have to consider, choose and purchase a gift within a set price range, but without the pressure of matching a present to an individual. The focus shifts to a bit of fun: the best value, the silliest, the handmade, the most thoughtful or outright ingenious gift.

But that’s just one alternative to Christmas chaos.

The best gifts are always personal ones, something you’ve made with your hands – a cake, sweets, preserves, or clothing, art/craft/ woodwork you’ve made or a plant you’ve grown. For many years I have been making Christmas calendars for my extended family using Photobookshop. Each calendar is personalised for the family member.

It’s time consuming and adds pressure, but I persevere because I believe turning over family memories monthly brings pleasure and it is a gift that may well be retained. And why is that important?

US research has shown that of the materials flowing through the consumer economy, only one percent remain in use six months after sale, either due to planned obsolescence (designed to break or fall apart) or perceived obsolescence (becoming unfashionable). In other words, 99% of the stuff harvested, mined, processed and transported is trashed within six months. I can’t begin to contemplate the enormity of this waste and if our statistics are similar, we need to act.

For positive inspiration, Glen Eden local Kristy Lorson has written a blog about her ‘Buy Nothing Christmas’ and the ‘Kindness Elves’ tradition she has created with her children to model the real essence of Christmas. You can read it at www.earthsavvy.co.nz/blogs/earthsavvyblog/buy-nothing-christmas. Her Christmas ideals exemplify creativity, interaction, experience, relaxation and fun with the people you love, without forgetting a little bit of Christmas magic, and none of it involving material items or unnecessary cost.

Another great initiative has been pioneered by a young philanthropic Oratia local, Nadia Key, who has developed a small business called La Luna with the philosophy of Live Simply, Give Generously and Consume Mindfully. She has luxury natural soaps, candles and soy melts available and with every item sold she donates a substantial portion back into the community. She is currently supporting Women’s Refuge and The Auckland City Mission. Visit https://www.facebook. com/lalunanewzealand/.

Here are some other suggestions you can consider for an earthfriendlier Christmas: • Give an experience – show or concert tickets, getaways, etc.

• Give a living thing – a plant or a pet (if the recipient approves) • Give children the gift of your time – take them out to a café and then op-shopping with some pocket money • Give a book that will be loved and kept by the recipient • Instil the sense of giving by having children choose a gift for a child in need • Give a gift that supports others in need (visit www. oxfamunwrapped.org.nz/) • Make or buy cloth shopping and net produce bags and use them as gifts • Give the Love Titirangi recyclable cup, minimising paper waste and giving the recipient an ongoing discount at participating Titirangi cafés In summary I will share a quote I recently encountered: “Bake them a cake, write them a poem, give them a kiss, tell them a joke, but for god’s sake stop trashing the planet to tell someone you care. All it shows is that you don’t.”

Have a Merry Christmas everyone. Treading lightly on our earth this festive season may make it your best one yet!

Cartoon Corner

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

29

live @ the lounge

It’s time to have some fun!

It crossed my mind that it had been years since I’d been skinny dipping.

Yeah gidday, Lizard here.

I was taking Plumless–Walker for a stroll through the cemetery the other morning with a mate, Stiltz (very tall, not so wide), when an older woman, who Dad would have described as being rather stiff, said, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

I smiled at her but Stiltz went one step further and offered her a toke on the joint he was smoking.

“Oh, good gracious no,” she spluttered and quickened her gait.

“Why’d ya do that man?” I asked Stiltz. “You just freaked her out. Let’s try and keep a low profile bro.”

Stiltz said, “Thomas Jefferson made it quite clear that we all have the basic right to pursue happiness. That old biddy said Happy New Year to us and, believe me, nothing will make my Christmas more merry than a bag of weed.” Stiltz has been enjoying a smoke every day since when we first met way back at intermediate school.

We found a sunny spot by the grave of one Charles Anderson, 1957-2015, and lay back on the grass just cloud-watching while Plumless sniffed out and added to some other dogs’ taggings.

Stiltz finished his joint and I took a wee swig from my hip flask of green ginger wine. We then simultaneously propped our hands behind our necks and just sort of smiled at each other.

“You know man,” said Stiltz, “even blind and deaf babies know how to smile. It’s like we’re born knowing how to do it.” After about another half hour we got up because Stiltz had a date with the chick at the dole office around 12. We shook hands, neither of us are huggers. I put Plumless on his lead and headed to Glen Eden, me for a coffee, Plumless for some table crumbs to lick up. Again, while passing that organic shop, a lady said Merry Christmas, which made Plumless wag his tail.

“He’s a happy one,” she said.

Outside the bottle store there was a bloke sitting on the footpath with a cardboard sign saying, ‘Nowhere to sleep.’ I went into the shop and dropped a couple of cold

cans of beer into the bloke’s hat on my way out. Turns out he was a hugger. He jumped up all flying arms and grinning, yellow teeth. I copped a look of disapproval from the people behind the counter. I was just giving the poor bugger a drink but hey.

We then both got a hell of a fright, when a little shit blew his loud-as horn while pulling into the car park in his stupid-as car.

“Why’d ya do that for?” I yelled at the driver.

“Just for a laugh dude. Chill out man. No-one got hurt.” He then kissed his rather attractive passenger and went into the bottle store.

This got me thinking. ‘Just for a laugh.’ ‘Chill out.’

I remembered Grandpa Lizard saying, “No one ever thanks the corpse at a funeral for being a strict old bugger. Try not to be so serious Lizard.”

Plumless and I then crossed the street and sat outside the library. People watching. Occasional eyebrow raising to possibly recognised folk.

It crossed my mind that it had been years since I’d been skinny dipping. An eternity since I’d run too fast down a steep hill. Hell, I can’t even remember the last ice-cream in a cone I’d licked. I pictured Dad passing the half-G over the fence while listening to the test on the neighbour’s radio and Rose, from the other side, passing him some Māori bread hot out of the oven. And staring at young people passing our gate holding hands, never thinking about having a smart-phone glued to their faces. Me and my mates going for a bike ride, just for fun. Man. Mum always said, “never get all bitter and twisted like your uncle Lizard, Lizard. It’s a beautiful day out there.

Go and have some fun.”

I agree folks. Let’s get out there and bloody well enjoy it.

Have a very, very Merry Christmas and I absolutely, whole-heartedly endorse your rights in your pursuit of happiness in the New Year. Let’s all up the fun dosage.

Later, Lizard.

‘your eyecare centre’

Eye examinations • Glaucoma Checks Contact Lenses & Solutions • On Site Repairs • Sunglasses Prescriptions • Drivers Licence Screening TITIRANGI VILLAGE 517 South Titirangi Road

Leave a gift to nature.

Bequests can be made to “Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc”. For more information on how to make a bequest contact: Fundraising Manager, Forest & Bird PO Box 631, Wellington Freephone: 0800 200 064

www.forestandbird.org.nz

30

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

Ph 817 4380 Fax 817 4383 MT EDEN 3 Walters Road Ph 630 3785 Fax 630 3746

ITera

PCREPAIR

Localone-stop one stopIT solution IT solution Local

• Computer and laptop repair • Data Recovery • Virus Removal • Computer andITLaptop Repair • IT Networking • Business Support • iPhone, iPad and Mac Repair Trade In and Recycle Programme • Data• Recovery

WE DO IT ALL! • Virus Removal Phone (09) 212 6098 • IT Networking 3/402 Titirangi Road, Titirangi (above the Titirangi Shop) • Business ITWine Support For a Free Quote: www.cnzitera.com/contact-us/ • iPad and iPhone Repair • Trade In and Recycle Program Virus Malware Removal

ProudWE DO IT ALL!

to be a Westie Phone (09) 212 6098 T-shirts 3/402 TITIRANGI ROAD, TITIRANGI

(09) 818 3752

(ABOVE THE TITIRANGI WINE SHOP)

For a Free Quote: www.cnzitera.com/contact-us/

Now available from Corban Estate Arts Centre 426 Great North Rd, Henderson Ph 838 4455

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

directory

The following advertisers support us and our community by making this publication possible. They deserve our gratitude and support.

APPAREL

‘Proud to be a Westie’ t-shirts..........................30

ART & CULTURE

Upstairs Gallery............................................. 12

AUTOMOTIVE

Ken Turner Automotive and Auto Electrical.....13

BUILDING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE A C Cathcart & Sons, Drainlayers......................31 Chemwash, exterior cleaning...........................30 Ray Percival & Son, painters and decorators....31 Titirangi Fine Homes.........................................26 Watkins Plumbing Services Ltd.........................31

BUSINESS, FINANCE, INSURANCE

Fringe Media, publishing services....................24 Itera, PC Repair.................................................30 Ready Press Print Ltd........................................23

COMMUNITY

Auckland Council, Keep kauri standing............ 7 Forest & Bird, bequests................................. 30 St Francis Anglican Church, ........................... 17 Watercare, water saving...................................16

FOOD & WINE

Gaia Foods........................................................20 SuperValue Titirangi.........................................32

GARDENS & LANDSCAPE

Arbor Vista, tree specialists..............................18 Arborist Auckland.............................................24 Gordons Nurseries............................................31 Stihl Shop Glen Eden........................................16 Tree Culture......................................................26

HAIR & BEAUTY

Face & Body..................................................... 4 Tonic, skin - body - spa.................................. 21

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Auckland Orthodontics.....................................17 Bay Audiology...................................................20 Frank Matheson Dental......................................9 HealthPost, birthday sale.................................19 Hunt & Gaunt, optometrists.............................30

HOSPITALITY

Mexicali Fresh...................................................17

HOUSE & HOME

Axent Audio........................................................8 Susannah Bridges, ceramics and lighting.........22

LEGAL & POLITICAL

Bill Korver, lawyer.............................................31 Linda Cooper, Councillor for Waitākere..............4 Presland & Co, barristers and solicitors............12 Ross Clow, Whau Councillor.............................31 WestWards.......................................................23

PERSONAL SERVICES

Tilton, Opie & Pattinson, Simplicity Funerals...25

REAL ESTATE

Barfoot & Thompson........................................15 Barfoot & Thompson (Rental management)....18 Bayleys (Titirangi)...............................................5 Fletcher Living.....................................................2 Glovers Real Estate...........................................17 Harcourts Glen Eden...........................................6 Westlight Apartments.......................................11

SHOPPING & GIFTS

Gecko in the Village....................................... 22 Titirangi & Glen Eden Post Shops.................. 20

TRAVEL

Tina Ripley (You Travel).....................................31

Aussie Butcher New Lynn.................................10 Clarks organic butchery....................................14

Quality plants at reasonable prices Open 7days 159a Scenic Drive, Titirangi 817 3498 --- 021 113 0987 www.gordonsnurseries.co.nz

Ross Clow City Councillor for Whau Phone – 021 808 214

ross.clow@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

...for as little as 0.005c each.*

*based on the discount rate for a classified display ad

All work guaranteed Free Quotes West: 818 4683

Property Lawyer

Tina Ripley

For prompt and efficient advice...

• Conveyancing • Business Agreements • Subdivisions • Wills & Estates • Trusts • Public Works Land Compensation (16 years experience)

Contact Bill Korver LL.B.

Barrister & Solicitor

Travel Expert to Everywhere.

TEL: 09 8274917 Email: tina@youtravel.co.nz

Ph: 816 8363 Fax: 816 8963

8 Judith Place, Green Bay Email: BillKorver@xtra.co.nz

Painters & Decorators

Something to advertise?

Email info@fringemedia.co.nz

For all your plumbing and drainage requirements – big or small – give us a call.

sales@watkinsplumbing.co.nz www.watkinsplumbing.co.nz

Ray Percival and Son Reach 70,000+ readers...

Watkins Plumbing Services Ltd

Specialists in all aspects of painting & decorating interior & exterior • domestic & commercial

mobile: 021 436 900 • a/hrs: 814 9124 email: Rayperci@xtra.co.nz

PO Box 60526 Titirangi, Auckland

please support our advertisers – they support us

Opinions expressed in the The Fringe are solely those of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by the publication or its publisher. Fringe Media Ltd is not responsible in any way for the contents of any advertisement, article, photograph or illustration contained in this publication.

While every reasonable care will be taken by the Editor, no responsibility is assumed for the return of unsolicited material. © Copyright 2018 by Fringe Media Ltd. All content in this issue is the property of Fringe Media Ltd and may not be reproduced in any way or form whatsoever without permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

31

Titirangi

Happy Holidays

Ko h u R o

ad

Titirangi ad Ro i g ran Titi Post

SuperValue.co.nz

32

SuperValueNZ

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

SuperValue Titirangi: 429 Titirangi Road, Auckland.

Phone: (09) 817 6859.

Open 7am - 9pm, 7 days.

svfrDecember2015

Titirangi School

Atkins on

BP Park Scenic Reserve

Road

• Extended range of organic produce • Greater selection of gluten free products • More organic grocery products • A greater variety of international foods • Save more with our bulk foods range • Now stocking great tasting Valentino’s Gelato instore

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

Here is your artwork for the DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 issue of the The Fringe If you are happy with this please email your acceptance as soon as possible.

NOTE: This proof remains the property of the The Fringe and cannot be used for any other purpose without prior consent: charges may apply.

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

33

22 23 20 21 18 19

10 11 8 9

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

16 17

12 13

14 15

6 7 4 5 2 3 1

34

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

40 41

38 39 36 37 34 35 32 33

30 31 28 29 26 27 24 25

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

35

36 1

2 3

4 5

6 7

8 9

10 11

12 13

14 15

16 17

18 19

20 21

22 23

24 25

26 27

28 29

30 31

32 33

34 35

36

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

36 1

4 5

4 5

4 5

2 3 4 5 4 5

please support our advertisers – they support us

The Fringe DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019

37