The Fringe, July 2020 by Fringe Media

ISSUE 194, JULY 2020

community news, issues, arts, people, events

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contents

Blue sky thinking leads to Queen’s Birthday honour..............................4 Our place: Health shuttles, water quality and book launches...............5 Local charities benefit from emergency fund........................................6 More awareness needed for butterflies in serious decline....................7 Keeping it local: local news and updates...............................................8

Art and about with Naomi McCleary............................................10 – 11 Places to go: Events listing...........................................................12 – 13 Bandstanding: Marlo Schorr-Kon, radio host and composer................14 Education feature.........................................................................15 – 18 At the library........................................................................................18 Naturally West: Orca frolic in the Manukau Harbour...........................19 Sustainable solutions: Change starts with community.........................20 Living in the Waitākere ranges, part 2; Weather by the moon............21

Live @ the lounge................................................................................22 Advertisers’ Directory...........................................................................23

On our cover:

The Upstairs Gallery (first floor, Lopdell House, Titirangi) has been busy. Lockdown saw the gallery organise the We send you our (he)art initiative in partnership with the Well Foundation, the Waitemāta District Health Board’s official charity. The initiative saw a huge number of artworks by West Auckland artists decorating hospital walls. Ted Scott, whose work is featured on our cover, is one of the artists who has donated his work to go on permanent display in one the Board’s hospitals. The gallery is also organising an exhibition to feature all of the works donated as part of this initiative. Also on our cover are four of the bottle faces upcycled from plastic bottles by local school children at workshops organised by the gallery. They are, top to bottom, Mr Topsy by Kahlil Rahne, Manaia, the Carnival Lady by Ruby Lions, Angry Autumn by Breeana Christie and Blondie the Donkey by Rona Litovsky. This exhibition runs until July 12. Arguably New Zealand’s best loved butterfly, the monarch, is ‘wintering over’ in this part of the world at the moment. Jacqui Knight, MNZM, from the Moth and Butterfly NZ Trust based in Blockhouse Bay, talks to us on page 7 about her ongoing mission to care for and enjoy them. Jacqui has offered our readers the chance to win one of five copies of The Monarch Butterfly in New Zealand by George Gibbs, a popular science communicator and recognised authority on New Zealand insects, fauna and especially the remarkable monarch butterflies. To go in the draw to win this special prize write your name, phone number and address on the back of an envelope and post it to Monarch, PO Box 60-469, Titirangi, 0642 or email your details and answer to info@fringemedia.co.nz with Monarch in the subject line. Entries must be received by July 17.

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Writers and contributors: David Thiele, Naomi McCleary, Susannah Bridges, Fiona Drummond, Zoe Hawkins and Michael Andrew.

Advertising deadline for August 2020: July 17. The Fringe JULY 2020

people

Blue sky thinking leads to Queen’s Birthday honour

Have your say on the future of Waitākere Ranges Our local board has come up with a three-year plan outlining the key initiatives we want to focus on to help our communities thrive and support the recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Now we need your help to check if we’ve got it right. So love local and get vocal about your community by having your say. Submissions must be received by 4pm, Thursday 13 August. For more information, a copy of the draft Waitākere Ranges Local Board Plan 2020 and to provide your feedback go to akhaveyoursay.co.nz/lovelocal

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Think of significant art events that have happened throughout West Auckland for the past 25 years or so and there is every likelihood you will find Naomi McCleary’s name associated with them. She was awarded the MNZM in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours for Services to the Arts acknowledging her energy, talent, vision, determination, passion and knowledge that have seen West Auckland become one of the country’s most vibrant arts communities. Naomi says she had a conservative upbringing. “My parents were born when Queen Victoria was still on the throne. I was number six of seven children and was a late, late child,” she says. “Mother was very musical, a brilliant pianist with a wonderful voice. Father was a damaged man from the first world war trenches. I was regarded as a bit of a prodigy as I could always visualise, draw and paint. I guess I showed some early (artistic) talent.” Naomi says she drew throughout childhood and studied art at high school but didn’t get serious about artistic endeavours until she was in her 40s when she undertook a two-year, full-time diploma of print making. “I love fabrics and developed a small business making fashion clothes; did craft work for galleries when I was in Dunedin with two small children, so I was always on the edge of the art world. I did a diploma at The Auckland Society of Arts and began to launch a bit of a career as an artist.” She came to Auckland and serendipity came her way when Waitākere City Council was establishing its arts policy and was looking for a coordinator in 1993. “I was 50 years old with a broken heart and had to start a new life, a new career,” Naomi says. “The council gave me the freedom to create all sorts of projects. I’m a blue sky thinker, happy to take any idea on and see if it will work. I’m not afraid of challenges and to be able to formulate ideas and

develop them was great. I had no history as a public servant or a bureaucrat so I could just be a complete maverick. If perhaps I stepped out of line, I could plead ignorance. ‘Oh, I didn’t know.’ “I had the support of a really innovative bunch of people and we worked really well together. Having Bob (former Waitākere City Mayor, Sir Bob Harvey) as an art-literate mayor, was marvellous. “I have passion and I have endless ideas but I think I’m also a good collaborator and project manager. I had a team of 10 people by the time I left council. Naomi McCleary – a blue-sky thinker I loved empowering people, not afraid of challenges. giving them the freedom to develop and contribute their skills. “From about 1997, every time council was building a park, bridge or any sort of built facility I was able to put a lead artist on each project. They were all good local artists with gravitas who could work with architects and engineers. In big projects there might be 15 or 20 artists involved but there was always a lead artist heading the charge. “Having a great art policy was a good profile-builder for Waitākere City Council. For me, it was a match made in heaven.” As arts manager for Waitākere City Council, Naomi developed a significant arts portfolio for the city, including a ground-breaking arts/design practice placing artists at the heart of public space development. It was a model of best practice adopted by many councils around New Zealand. The concept saw her receiving the inaugural Creative New Zealand Award for Contribution to the Arts in Local Government in 2004. “No-one else in the country was doing that. Before that, art was whatever you decorated a public building with after it was finished, and with left-over budget. We referred to that as lipstick on a gorilla.” As part of her council role Naomi became heavily involved with the creation of Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery in Lopdell House. The building began life in 1930 as an hotel, became a dental school and later an arts and cultural centre until the building was closed for earthquake strengthening in 2012. “Originally it was meant to be a gallery redesign and refurbishment, but the complications in doing this drove the development towards a new gallery complex. Along with Waitākere City Council, the Portage Licensing Trust was a major supporter and funder. Ultimately, as a legacy project, it was completed by Auckland Council. The outcome was and is wonderful,” Naomi says. She’s on the board of the Waitākere Arts and Cultural Development Trust Board (the governing body of Corban Estate Arts Centre), the Te Pou Māori Theatre Board and orchestrated the setting up of the McCahon House Trust which she chaired for 17 years. Naomi has been at the heart of numerous other events in the local arts community, and it is fair to say one of her passions has been (and still is) the Going West Books and Writers’ Festival, set up in 1996. Continued on page 18 >>

It’s Our Place!

Community organisations, sports clubs, craft clubs and other non-commercial organisations are welcome to post their news and updates on The Fringe’s web site, FREE. Email your updates and information to info@fringemedia.co.nz See Our Place at www.fringemedia.co.nz.

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our place

Health shuttles resume

Council investigates water quality

Shut down during the Covid-19 lockdown, West Auckland St John Health Shuttles have now resumed. This community service transports people from their homes to and from Waitakere Hospital and any other medical and health-related appointments in West Auckland. Shuttles are fitted with a wheel chair hoist enabling wheel chair passengers or those with mobility issues to be transported with ease. Coverage includes Waima, Woodlands Park and Laingholm. Although a free service, run by St John volunteer drivers, a donation is always appreciated to help cover operating costs. To book a St John Health Shuttle phone 0800 925 2672.

In past issues The Fringe has discussed water quality issues at Titirangi Beach, writes ZOE HAWKINS. Titirangi Beach and Wood Bay are among 12 beaches in the Auckland Region with a permanent health warning on them due to high levels of pollution. The day that Level 4 lockdown was lifted, Auckland Council contractors were seen on the streets around Titirangi Beach, French Bay and Wood Bay conducting network investigations. Essentially this means using CCTV, smoke testing and dye testing to investigate the likely source – or sources – of contamination, whether these are due to issues with the network, or to stormwater or wastewater incorrectly entering the Titirangi Beach is not as network (for example through private idyllic as it looks. Photo by Bevis England. property). Locals are now waiting to hear more about the findings, and any plans that might be considered to fix the problem, particularly in light of issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. You can find out more by searching for Safe Networks on www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and clicking the 'Safe Networks Viewer' map.

Dear Virus

Lockdown – it was a whole new level of existence. For five weeks teddy bears paraded, toilet rolls ruled and our unshaven legs were one with nature. Orcas swam in our harbours, birdsong replaced car horns, and the planet breathed a sigh. A new book by multi-award-winning New Zealand illustrator Anna Crichton, launched late last month, captures life under lockdown in 60 poignant, often hilarious cartoons, some of which were featured in the June issue of The Fringe. Anna hopes the book will serve as a poignant souvenir of that weirdest of times. The highs, the lows, the longing for a hug and a takeaway latte ... Copies are available from Te Uru and Titirangi Pharmacy and 10% of all sales will be donated to NZ Native Forest Restoration Trust, in recognition of the role that nature had in keeping many of us sane during lockdown. (Visit annacrichton.com for more about Anna’s work.)

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French Bay Yacht Club is launching its lockdown recovery program and summer sailing season. The 2019-20 summer season was nearly finished when lockdown hit, but the club is now working hard to make up ground and recover from missed events and sailing activities – not only due to lockdown, but also the water shortages. “The best thing we can do is get out sailing again,” says commodore Allan Geddes. And the club is certainly primed. In early 2020 it took delivery of five new Open Skiffs, hugely popular for junior sailing, and it also has eight Optimists and a brand new RS Feva, as well as Topaz sailing dinghies for adults to sail in. As well as a large cohort of young sailors, around 20 adults (of all levels) sail regularly at the club in their own boats. Allan recommends putting your name down now if you are interested in sailing because spaces in Learn to Sail courses (for adults and children) do fill up. By pre-registering, you will have first option of confirming a course when details are released. All boats and equipment are provided. And if you’d really like to support local as we emerge from lockdown, consider French Bay Yacht Club for your next corporate event, training session or even a birthday party. The iconic clubhouse accommodates 100-120 people and the club is taking bookings now on its website. Visit www.frenchbay.org.nz or find the club on Facebook and look out for a series of fun, community-based fundraising activities to enjoy. Dozens of West Auckland charities, whose revenue streams have been heavily impacted by Covid-19, have benefitted from a new $500,000 emergency fund. The Your West Support Fund launched last month by The Trusts is to provide dozens of charities and community groups with up to $10,000 each to help with their operational costs while they recover financially from the impact of the level 4 lockdown. Allan Pollard, The Trusts CEO says while the fallout from the pandemic has been felt across the majority of Kiwi businesses, what is not immediately obvious is the impact on the thousands of organisations which perform essential roles in the community. The Trusts are also supporting two other new charitable initiatives. One will provide access to a zero-waste, budget cooking resources for those living in poverty, including printing 5,000 copies of Easy Choice Family Kai booklets. The second initiative, developed by the West Auckland Together Collective, sees the printing and distribution of 7,000 copies of a homelessness housing and community resources booklet.

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our place

More awareness needed for butterflies in serious decline It is ‘wintering over’ time for New Zealand’s best-known and loved monarch butterflies, but locals with a keen eye and interest in nature may well spot some having a winter sojourn in the Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve in Terry Street. A group of community volunteers working with the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust, and with the support of Auckland Council and the Whau Local Board, has developed a small area in the reserve as a butterfly habitat, planting host and nectar plants for various species and retaining the trees in which monarch butterflies over-winter. They’re led by local Jacqui Knight, also known as ‘Madam Butterfly’ or ‘The Butterfly Lady’, who created the trust 15 years ago and has seen the local habitat created in the likeness of her own nearby garden. “We rely so much on our volunteers to keep the habitat filled with plants that butterflies depend on, and hopefully more than monarch butterflies,” she says. “There may also be some over-wintering areas at the Titirangi Golf Course and Jellicoe Park in Onehunga but no-one knows for sure and the Trust is always eager to hear of new locations.” Monarchs start breeding in September and October, laying their eggs on swan plants and other milkweeds as the weather warms up, and stop in April, May or June, depending on how cold the weather is. There are four distinct stages in the life cycle of the monarch – the egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and imago (adult). The butterfly has a lifespan of 60 – 70 days during the summer, but this extends to six to seven months if the butterfly pupates in the autumn. Monarch butterflies in New Zealand do not follow the same migration pattern as their northern relatives which, when the weather starts to cool, head from Canada to Mexico and winter-over in their millions. Research shows that it may take as many as five generations for monarchs to make the trip, before returning north again in the northern summer. Monarchs in New Zealand over-winter locally as our temperatures are much milder. “When over-wintering the monarchs hang in big groups and when the morning sun hits them, they warm up and get enough energy to go and find nectar to fill their abdomens. They return to their groups again later in the day,” says Jacqui. “Most people tend to think there are two butterflies in New Zealand – the monarch and cabbage white. They think if you want a butterfly garden you plant swan plant, but it’s a lot more than that,” says Jacqui. “It’s about shelter, warmth in the garden and lots of nectar sources and we’re encouraging people to plant more plants for the butterflies and bees and other pollinators. As well as swan plants, they may include borage, dandelion, daisies, dahlia, clover and big, bold, colourful plants like Mexican sunflowers or Mexican tree daisy. “We want people to be more aware of butterflies. For example, the

forest ringlet is only found in New Zealand and it’s rare and distinctive but is in serious decline. It has been occasionally seen in the Waitākere Ranges,” Jacqui says. “The trust is currently trying to save it. It is as unique as our kiwi and kauri. The only difference is that people know about kauri and dieback but don’t know anything about these butterflies. We want to make people aware of them.” Jacqui says that in general people are now using fewer pesticides and are becoming aware and she thinks Covid-19 has seen more people going to parks, looking at nature more, seeing things they previously hadn’t noticed. “We’re understanding that we are part of nature. We are part of the environment. It’s not a specialist subject.” In recent months the trust team has been attaching tiny tags to monarchs’ wings to try to gauge numbers and see how far they travel. About 10,000 have been tagged up and down the country to date. “It has to be done very carefully and at the right time – autumn. It’s not an encumbrance to the butterfly. The tag weighs as much to them as what my mobile phone does to me, or my keys in my pocket.” Jacqui says she and trust members are keen to talk to schools and community groups and share Top: Monarch butterflies their knowledge. Information and wintering-over in Blockhouse Bay educational packs are available Recreational Reserve. Middle: The rare forest ringlet. from www.monarch.org.nz or email Photo by Norm Twigge. jacqui@monarch.org.nz Bottom: A tagged monarch – – Moira Kennedy

the tag helps tracks where they travel. Photo by Anna Barnett.

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keeping it local

Village office suites coming

The Fringe wants to help our businesses and community groups recover from the stresses of lockdown and makes space on these pages available for advertisers and non-commercial organisations, at no charge. To be included in our next issue, email info@fringemedia. co.nz before July 17.

Prepare for change

As work proceeds on the redevelopment of the corner of Titirangi and South Titirangi Roads, resource consent has been granted for the development of what are to be called Titirangi Village Office Suites. The seven small office suites will range in size from 20sqm to 35sqm and occupy the ground floor below the existing shops on Titirangi Road. The suites will share common toilets, a shower, a kitchen and a waiting area. They will have modern lighting, full air-conditioning, carpeted floors and a modern industrial feel. These office suites are expected to suit small office users such as lawyers, accountants or architects, health and wellness consultants such as massage services, physiotherapists or psychologists, or destination retailers or services including phone repairers, key cutters, travel agents, and so on. They could also suit small art galleries for sales of pottery or handmade products. Completion is expected in January 2021. For more information phone Adrian Hughes on 021 530 908 or 09 525 0084.

“Hi folks, Susannah here – I’m back in my workshop and the kilns are cranking! A big high five to New Zealand and our local community. We did an awesome job of keeping calm and staying safe. Now it’s time to carry on and I’m building up stock for my outlets. My local representative is Te Uru in Titirangi and it has a range of my bowls, vases and porcelain lights in stock. Now featuring a fully glazed finish, the lights are on special until the end of August. Every piece sold supports local artists (and Te Uru) who continue to create and present original art. Keep up the good work: shop local, buy local, support your community and enjoy our special place on this planet. And treat yourself to a beautiful original object for your home, something special for a job well done. You deserve it! Kia kaha everyone.”

You Shop We Deliver

The Trusts Act 2019 comes into force on January 30, 2021. It is the first major trust law reform in New Zealand in 70 years and will bring about many changes in the way New Zealanders administer their trusts for estate and planning purposes. Many of the changes have been made to increase the accessibility of trust information. This will provide more accountability and transparency of the administration of trusts. The Act will apply to all trusts that are governed by New Zealand law. This includes those created before the commencement of the Act. A few of the changes to the Act include:

1.Mandatory duties

The Act contains mandatory duties for all trustees. Mandatory duties cannot be modified or excluded by the trust deed. All trustees will be required to abide by these duties.

2.Default duties

Default duties are obligations which the trustees must abide by unless the settlor chooses otherwise when the trust is established.

3.Trust documentation

There are new provisions which require trustees to hold copies of all trust documents. These documents must be accessible to all trustees upon request.

4.Access to information

As part of the accountability and transparency requirements, basic trust information must be made available to all beneficiaries. If you currently operate a trust, Thomas & Co lawyers suggest you consider the following questions: 1. Do you still need a trust? This is something you may want to consider and consult your accountant on as well as your lawyer. 2. Who are the beneficiaries of your trust? You will need to disclose information upon request to the beneficiaries once the new regulations are in place. 3. Who are your trustees? You may need to change them if necessary. 4. Does your trust deed need to be modified or updated? If you have a trust and would like more information on the changes and how they will affect you, arrange an appointment by phoning Thomas & Co on 827 5907 so that you are ‘trust fit’ by January 2021.

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art & about with naomi mccleary

The New Normal It’s becoming a cliché; a quick shorthand for a future that we cannot fully articulate. We’re consumed with celebrating our almost miraculous emergence into a Level 1 world. It feels normal, but there’s an underlying anxiety about a second wave. Are our borders secure enough? Can we really maintain isolation in a Covid-19 ravaged world? Never have I more appreciated our geographic remoteness and that great big blue ocean that surrounds us. Feels almost like the 50s when no-one either knew us or wanted to come – or so it seemed. But no – we’re actually world-famous and deeply desirable. Damn! So what does this mean for the arts – in the broadest sense of the word? The heart is still wildly beating, but, like all aspects of our lives, it has taken a thrashing. There’s an added stress in that it can be perceived to be non-essential, especially when frightening numbers of our citizenry are out of work, finding it difficult to feed their families, anxious about their futures. Auckland Council is facing a half billion dollar revenue hole (lotto numbers) and has delayed the next year’s budget decisions while consulting with us on rates increases and priorities. Most institutions and many of us have responded emphatically – because the reality is that our arts culture is the glue, the healing balm, that gets us through these tough times. Cutting back on the delivery of arts services (libraries, art centres and galleries with their programmes, and public events) saves modest dollar amounts but the cost to us all is high. Keep the pressure on by making it clear to our decision-makers in any way you can that it is imperative that our cultural life continues to sustain us through this next hard bit. The next thing to do is to participate. Our galleries are open and back in business. I have found it hard to get back out there. Without realising it, lockdown quickly ‘institutionalised’ me. Art flourished in the online world and I got used to it; had some wonderful experiences with festivals and performances; then realised that it had become my safe place. So, make an active decision, as I have, to connect with Te Uru, Corban Estate Arts Centre, the Upstairs Gallery and any and all other local cultural institutions. Check out their websites. You will see that already artists are back picking at the fabric of our fragile society; challenging us, making sense of it all, finding beauty in surprising places. Buy New Zealand-made in their shops, book for a class or a course, drink coffee and eat scones at the cafés. It’s all part of supporting the local economy. Event planning has been, frankly, a nightmare. Two events that have been part of the local calendar for many years, the Going West Writers Festival and Titirangi Festival of Music, had to make the hard decision during lockdown and have been cancelled until 2021. This is in large part because lead times are longer than you might imagine, and it was impossible to predict that we would be in Level 1 by now.

Going West had a treasure ‘up its sleeve’ – a 24-year archive of broadcast quality recordings of our loved and revered writers and thinkers of Aotearoa. With support from Creative New Zealand and the Douglas Family Trust, this archive revealed all its quirky glory on June 19. You enjoy an ongoing and heady brew of the oratory, discussions and performances that have been wowing audiences since Murray Gray programmed our first event back in 1996. As producer James Littlewood describes it: ‘The archive’s range is quite simply, vast. Among tons of other items, Michael King (right) deliberates on the social function of togetherness in the week following 9/11. Albert Wendt describes his arrival in Aotearoa as a mono-linguistic Samoan child. Paula Morris deliberates on ideas, and the dangers they present for careless writers. And there’s music, like Bellbirds, Moana Maniapoto, and Small Holes in the Silence. And poetry, like Sam Hunt, Selina Tusitala Marsh (right), Serie Barford and the incredible GW Poetry Slam. Some of this material simply defies explanation. Think Rod Oram’s a financial columnist? Not on our watch. He gives us a poetic, trans-historical eco-narrative of Tāmaki Makaurau. And while our internal files identify Witi Ihimaera’s interview with Sue Orr as ‘discussion’, the reality is something quite indescribable: a highly charged, multi-layered journey through memory and emotion.

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art & about with naomi mccleary

Every week we will publish lovingly curated selections of this vital taonga to our website. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for fresh updates, and every Friday we’ll deliver the goods straight to your inbox (if you’ve signed up). We’ll be on your favourite podcast platform as well. Anyone who has come to our festival in the last few years knows our trustee and co-programme director Mark Easterbrook. Mark will be introducing these recordings and podcasts, and with his background in literary critique and radio there’s no better person. Mā te rongo, ka mārama; From listening comes understanding One favourite local institution, Titirangi Flicks, is back with us in the Lopdell House theatre this month. The wonderful Robin Kewell, whose passion for movies is legendary, will open with Richard Jewell on July 3 (10.30am, 5.30pm and 8.15pm), based on the true story of Richard Jewell, a security guard who discovered a bomb and saved countless lives at a concert at Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He was seen as a hero by many and a suspect by the FBI and press. Another true and amazing story of the reality and sadness of the American system in relation to crime. Could not be more relevant. Also a one-off showing of the documentary Pavarotti on July 8 at 7.30. A brilliant insight into this adorable, magnificent and impossibly difficult genius. I’ve seen this film and fell totally and ridiculously in love. Robin also shows films in a tiny 25 seater gallery/theatre that is a part of Sozo Cafe in Shetland Street (off Glengarry Road); regularly on the last Thursday of each month but currently on other Thursdays as well. I recommend you get on the mailing list (robinkewell@xtra.co.nz) as these are often sell-outs.

There’s no escape ... teddy bears are still delighting local children and adults alike. This selection was compiled by Andrew Shiers.

They’re Back .... It has been quite a time recently. My last chair’s report to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board referred to the re-emergence of Titirangi’s chickens and it appears that the media picked up on this. Seven Sharp ran a light hearted piece on the re-emergence of chickens in Titirangi post Covid. Then The Guardian ran with the issue and I was interviewed and provided some comments. The author Stephen King (yes the real Stephen King) picked up on the issue and retweeted the Guardian’s article which had the headline “‘Like a Stephen King movie’: feral chickens return to plague New Zealand village”. The reference to him was from a comment made by a local. The Guardian article trended for a while and was among its most popular articles. Canadian media also picked up on the issue. Media requests came thick and fast. I can fairly safely say that for a day I was enjoying more international media attention than Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was. The stories were all quite funny and had the theme that since New Zealand can beat Covid-19 why can’t we beat a bunch of feral

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chickens? I was happy to be the subject of some levity given what the rest of the world is going through. I really prefer living in Titirangi right now to anywhere else. The chicken situation is way better than it was last year and the rat infestation that we experienced is under control, thanks in no small part to staff and contractors and also to the sterling efforts of the South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network. But we can’t afford to let the problem get out of hand again. So just as the message for Covid-19 was simple yet effective, keep social distancing and wash your hands, the message for chickens is also simple, PLEASE DON’T FEED THEM.

Greg Presland | Local Board Chair Waitākere Ranges Local Board Mobile: 021 998 411 Email: Greg.presland@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

The Fringe JULY 2020

places to go Event organisers: Do you have an upcoming event you’d like

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

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.

july w – 5, Listening, twitching. Nicola Farquhar’s work examines what it is to be human in a time of ecological crisis; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi. Phone 817 8087. – 5, 36.5 / A Durational Performance with the Sea, a series of performances by New York-based artist Sarah Cameron Sunde; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi; Phone 817 8087.

– 19, Beginning, Ending, Transformation, Margaret Chapman, Vicki Bradley and Phil Weight celebrate historical connections and the relationships between people and their cultures using textile and wood; Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phone 838 4455.

10, 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.

11, Titirangi Folk Music Club presents Ronel Hunter, floor singers in first half; Titirangi Beach Hall, bottom of Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $12 or $8 for members; www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

w 14, Walking About: Rangi Matariki by Pīta Turei. Meet at Rangimatariki, Rosebank Domain, 126 Patiki Rd, Avondale, walk to Motu Manawa across the mud flats; 6am. Visit www.teuru.org.nz for more information. 14, West Auckland Historical Society Family History Group meeting; Henderson Central Library West Auckland Research Centre; 10-11.30am. Phone Gary Snow 832 5098, 021 618 434 or email gary@ snofam.co.nz.

16, Waitākere Forest & Bird Winter Lecture Series presents From Archey’s frogs to Asian elephants with Richard Gibson, head of Life Sciences at Auckland Zoo; Kelston Community Centre, corner of Awaroa and Great North Roads; 7.30pm; koha appreciated. Phone Liz 027 476 2732 or email lizanstey@hotmail.com

– 5, Walking About: Walking about in fog by Layne Waerea and Lana Lopesi. Begins at your front door and is shared online. Visit www. teuru.org.nz for more information.

1 and 15, PowerTalk Waitākere, teaching you the public speaking skills needed to be confident in front of others; Kelston Community Centre, corner Awaroa and Great North Roads; 7.30pm. Phone Sheridan 828 7999 or 027 282 8799.

w w

3, Flicks presents Richard Jewell (M), directed by Clint Eastwood, a compelling story and superb acting; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House; 10.30am, 5.30pm, 8.15pm; Tickets $15/$12/$10 from eventfinda. co.nz and on door. Text 0210 222 5558 for bookings.

w 4, Live at Lopdell, Toby and the Rest Jazz quartet return by popular demand, joined by vocalist Delores perform a mix of jazz from the 1950s through to the present day; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House; Doors/Bar open 7pm, music starts 7.30pm; Tickets $14/$10, Family ticket $30 from eventfinda.co.nz (and on door if not sold out) Text 0210 222 5558 for bookings. 5, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.

8, Flicks presents Pavarotti (M), directed by Ron Howard, a documentary that will please both opera-loving Pavarotti fans and those who are new to opera; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House; 7.30pm (doors/bar open 7pm); Tickets $15/$12 from eventfinda.co.nz and on door. Text 0210 222 5558 for bookings. All tickets previously purchased are valid.

10, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 9.45-12noon. Phone Laurie 820 2234.

17, Flicks presents Parasite (R13), Best Film at 2020 Cannes Film Festival; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House; 10.30am, 5.30pm, 8-15pm; Tickets: $15/$12/$10 from eventfinda.co.nz and on door. Text 0210 222 5558 for bookings. 18, Lions Club Book Club Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 8am-4pm. Sale; New Lynn Friendship Phone Mary 027 487 0639. 20, Henderson Falls Combined Friendship Club – fun, friendship and fellowship with speakers and frequent outings; Henderson Bowling Club, 2/20 Alderman Drive, Henderson; 10am.Contact Fern 416 0004 or 0274 720 378.

21, SeniorNet West Auckland, speaker, morning tea and chatting about computers; Kelston Community Centre; 10am. Phone June 021 179 3635.

22, West Auckland Historical Society meeting – Neville Exler shares his family’s involvement in the local clay industry; Waitakere Gardens Meeting Room, 15 Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson; 7pm. Phone 836 5917.

24, The Combined Probus Club of Glen Eden, fellowship, speakers, monthly trips; Ceramco Park Function Centre, 120 Glendale Road, Kaurilands; 10-11.30am. Phone Brian Holt 838 5857.

24, Titirangi Folk Music Club presents Friday Folk and Jam, an informal singaround; Titirangi Beach Hall, bottom of Titirangi Beach Road; 7.30pm; $5. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

25, Iona Church Fair, bargains galore, quality furniture, loads of White Elephant goods, wet or fine; 38 Donovan Street, Blockhouse

Give yourself a break ... Friday 3rd ‘RICHARD JEWELL’ (M) 10-30am/5-30pm/8-15pm Wednesday 8th ‘PAVAROTTI’ (M) 7-30pm Friday 17th ‘PARASITE’ (R13) 10-30am/5-30pm/8-15pm Friday 31st ‘LA BELLE EPOQUE’ (M) 10-30am/5-30pm/8-15pm Tickets $15/$12/$10 from eventfinda.co.nz and on door Bookings: 0210 222 5558 www.flickscinema.weebly.com

The Fringe JULY 2020

A Beach House at Piha

Private, relaxed, 40 minutes from Auckland centre Available for short term rentals ... www.pihabeachhouse.co.nz

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places to go Bay; from 8am. Phone Robert Findlay 027 625 9342 or 827 3783.

28, Titirangi U3A – meet interesting people 60-years and older; West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; 1pm; gold coin. Contact 818 8890, 027 699 5480 or heathertanguay@slingshot.co.nz.

31, Flicks presents La Belle Epoque (M), a moving French comedy/ drama; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House; 10.30am, 5.30pm, 8-15pm; Tickets $15/$12/$10 from eventfinda.co.nz and on door. Text 0210 222 5558 for bookings.

l WHERE IT’S AT:

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

w 26, Titirangi Village Market: art, craft, produce and music; Titirangi War Memorial Hall; 10am-2pm. Contact Tess on tvm. manager@gmail.com or phone 022 631 9436.

• Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon

Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm daily. 838 4455, www.ceac.org.nz.

• EcoMatters Environment Trust, 1 Olympic

Place, New Lynn; Wednesday – Sunday 10am-2pm. 826 4276, info@ecomatters.org.nz.

• Flicks cinema, Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House. 818 2489, www.flickscinema.weebly.com.

august August 2, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.

• Kelston Community Centre, corner of Awaroa and Great North Roads, Kelston.

August 5 and 19, PowerTalk Waitākere, teaching you the Public Speaking skills needed to be confident in front of others; Kelston Community Centre, corner Awaroa and Great North Roads; 7.30pm. Phone Sheridan 828 7999 or 027 282 8799.

• McCahon House Museum , 67 Otitori Bay

August 8, Titirangi Folk Music Club AGM, floor singers first half; Titirangi Beach Hall, bottom of Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $12, $8 for members, under 18 free. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

• Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen

Road, Titirangi; Wednesday – Sunday 1-4pm, except public holidays. 817 6148, mccahon@ mccahonhouse.org.nz.

Eden. 818 5751.

• Te Toi Uku – Clay Works, 8 Ambrico Place, New Lynn; Tuesday –Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-3pm. Phone 827 7349, www. portageceramicstrust.org.nz.

August 11, West Auckland Historical Society Family History Group meeting; Henderson Central Library West Auckland Research Centre; 10-11.30am. Phone Gary Snow 832 5098, 021 618 434 or email gary@ snofam.co.nz.

• Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, 420

August 14, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 9.4512noon. Phone Laurie 820 2234.

• Titirangi Theatre, Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell

w August 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. 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, visit:

Titirangi Road, Titirangi; 10am–4.30pm daily. 817 8087, info@teuru.org.nz.

House; Titirangi. 817 5812, infoline 817 5951, www.titirangitheatre.co.nz.

• Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House;

10am–4.30pm daily. 817 4278, www.upstairs.org. nz.

• West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha;

Wednesday – Sunday, 10am–4pm. 812 8029, www. westcoastgallery.co.nz.

www.fringemedia.co.nz/ourplace

Proudly Supporting our Local Community The merged practices of Thomas & Co Lawyers Ltd and Titirangi Law Centre are able to meet your every legal requirement. Ray Ganda and Don Thomas have many years of experience working in the Titirangi and New Lynn areas. Now, along with the Directors and staff of the combined practices, a wider range of skills and resources is offered. See our website, www.thomas.co.nz, for more details of our history and personnel. We continue to maintain and improve our level of service for our community and clients. There is always someone here with the necessary knowledge and experience to assist with any legal matters that might arise. Give us a call, or come in and visit us. We welcome enquiries and are happy to answer any questions. Details of our office location and on-site parking can be found on our website. We have lift access and are also handy to the Bus/ Train Interchange. Visiting our offices is convenient and easy.

TITIRANGI LAW CENTRE

2nd Floor, 3 Totara Avenue, New Lynn (09) 827 5907 www.thomas.co.nz

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bandstanding: music in the west with susannah bridges

Exploring all that music has to offer A year 12 student at Green Bay High, Marlo Schorr-Kon, has his own radio show and is busy working on material for a new EP. With one EP already under his belt, he’s excited at the prospect of writing new originals that he can craft to be just as he would like them. “I’m really enjoying the process. It’s exciting to have the ability to write whatever I want to write, without having to worry about other people being as into it as I am or not.” Marlo is a self-confessed metalhead, although he does admit to trying to bring variety to his music in terms of genre. “I usually just write to fulfil whatever I hear in my head, which could be any genre I like such as rock, funk or metal. Sometimes I’ll hear a guitar riff or drum beat in my head and think ‘that’s super cool I wanna do something with that’. Those are usually the songs I like the most. Other times I’ll sit down and just try out different rhythms or melodies till I find something I’m into.” Of course he takes music at school “and unsurprisingly it’s my favourite subject. Part of the criteria for being in the music class is that you have to be actively learning at least one instrument, whether at school or outside of school. I play drums but I would like to learn piano as I love it as an instrument. I started drumming seriously when I was about 9 or 10. Drums were the instrument I found the easiest so I decided to persist with that.” Marlo’s cerebral palsy can make learning instruments that require precise or complex hand and finger movements challenging, although not without benefit. “I think my dexterity has improved over the last year or so because I’ve been interested in learning instruments like the guitar and piano which require a higher level of agility.” Using a notation software called Musescore, Marlo writes the music for all his instruments on his computer. “I think my reading of music has improved by using Musescore, which should come in handy at my end of year music exam, haha. I prefer learning music by ear, and generally find things much easier to learn after I’ve heard them, but it’s good to have the score to refer to as it’s more concrete than an ear.” Recordings are captured with a DAW (that’s a Digital Audio

Workstation, folks) called Audacity. “Audacity is a great software package, slightly limited, but I find it really easy to use. You can also record audio on your computer and into Audacity which is pretty premo.” Marlo’s introduction to music came via his grandparents. “They all love music. Growing up with them I heard The Beatles, Queen and Hendrix. I started to get into heavier music after my mum introduced me to Led Zeppelin. It was one of those moments that I still remember quite vividly. I remember my whole view on music shifted. It honestly changed my life. From there I started getting into heavier bands like Metallica and Nirvana, and from there to Motorhead and Pantera. I went to my first proper concert when I was 12, it was (disappointingly) Ed Sheeran and my only memory from it is of sitting right at the back of Mt Smart stadium. I think my ultimate metal gig would probably be Lamb Of God with Gojira, Behemoth and Alien Weaponry and it’d be at Spark Arena.” With ‘Marlski’ as his moniker, Marlo’s first EP Pariah was released on SoundCloud on May 15. “I’ve just started getting some new tracks together for my next EP. I’m really stoked with what I have written for it so far, and I’m looking at a release date in early August. I’ve tried to keep to a similar genre or style to Pariah. All my current songs are instrumentals, but vocals could happen in the near future. I’m thinking it will feature five tracks, and it will also be on SoundCloud. Hopefully one day I’ll have music on more mainstream listening platforms like Spotify and Youtube Music.” As one who loves exploring all that music has to offer, Marlo was super keen when The Crescendo Trust visited his music class at school. The Trust offers mentoring for 12 to 24 year-olds in music, film and photography. They included, as part of their programme, the running of Rawkus Radio, where Marlo now has his own show. “It’s on Tuesday’s at 6pm and I’ve been doing it for nearly a year now. It’s cool to be able to play and talk about the music that I love, so I mostly play metal! I try to stick to one genre of music but I have some rock and grunge bands in the mix as well.” Continued on page 17 >>

Rare Titirangi Village Retail Leasing Opportunity

Phone Adrian – 021 530 908 14

The Fringe JULY 2020

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Open Days

Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th July 9.00am—10.15am, 11.45am—1.00pm

Meet in the school auditorium for a short presentation from Senior Leaders followed by a guided tour of the school hosted by our school councillors. Please arrive at the start time. *Please note that our Open Evenings are traditionally very busy. We highly recommend attending one of our Open Days instead as these offer the opportunity to view ‘business as usual’ at GEIS, minus the crowds*

Open Evenings

Tuesday 4th August 7.00-9.00pm

(Enrolments from Fruitvale, Kaurilands, Laingholm, Prospect, Titirangi, Western Heights and other Out of Zone schools)

Thursday 6th August 7.00-9.00pm

(Enrolments from Arahoe, Glen Eden, Henderson Valley, Konini, Oratia, Woodlands Park and other Out of Zone schools)

Meet in the school auditorium at 7pm for a short presentation from Senior Leaders followed by a guided tour of the school hosted by our school councillors. In Zone and Out of Zone applications must be lodged by Wednesday 2nd September 2020. The ballot date for Out of Zone selection is Wednesday 9th September 2020. Letters notifying Out of Zone applicants of the outcome of the ballot will be emailed on Friday 11th September 2020.

Please visit our school website for all enrolment information and forms.

www.geis.school.nz

23 Kaurilands Rd, Titirangi | Ph: 817 0032 | email: office@geis.school.nz

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The Fringe JULY 2020

education Vocational courses to be funded The Government recently released a list of courses and apprenticeships that will receive financial support to aid New Zealand’s recovery from Covid-19. Among the new initiatives are a Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) which will pay costs of learners of all ages undertaking vocational education and training. The fund will target support for areas of study and training that will give learners better employment prospects as New Zealand recovers from Covid-19. In addition, apprentices working in all industries will have their costs paid and high demand areas, including in regional New Zealand, will be targeted. In many cases apprentices, trainees and learners at tertiary providers will save between $2,500 and $6,500 per year. Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the fund, announced as part of Budget 2020, will encourage and support New Zealanders who want to undertake vocational education and training in high-demand industries. “We know as a result of Covid-19, many New Zealanders will be looking to retrain and employers in key sectors will need more skilled people,” Chris said. “We’re working hard to connect the two sides of the equation by making this process as simple and practical as possible. It’s not designed just for school leavers but for people in a range of circumstances and stages of their lives.” Vocational programmes are being targeted in the following areas: • Primary industries, • Construction, • Community support, • Manufacturing and mechanical engineering and technology, • Electrical engineering, and • Road transport. “We’ve removed costs for learners, apprentices or employers, are targeting courses and programmes that lead to jobs and we will also be deliberate in promoting vocational education for all ages. More information is available on the Tertiary Education Commission website, https://www.tec. govt.nz/

Avondale College sweeps champs

Microsoft National Champions: Irene Wang (3rd), Simran Tak (2nd) and Tristan Mona (1st)

An “unbeatable” test proved to be no problem for three Avondale College students who have taken out the top places in the national Microsoft Office National Championships for 2020. Tristan Mona, Simran Tak and Irene Wang, all Year 13 Avondale College prefects, gained the highest scores in the national competition which tested their knowledge and creative thinking skills in different Microsoft Office applications. As the world’s largest IT competition, the annual Microsoft championships attract more than 750,000 contestants of secondary school and university age. The competition moved online this year, but Jonathan Jansen of New Zealand Industry Qualifications says the New Zealand division was as competitive as ever, despite current global affairs. “Moving to an online championship was a difficult decision, but the determination of our contenders shone through with some of the most impressive competition scores we’ve seen to date,” he says. “We designed the championship test to be unbeatable; hundreds of questions with less than an hour to complete them. Our expectation was to simply see how far a competitor could get. Needless to say, we were incredibly impressed when multiple Avondale students completed the tests entirely and with almost perfect accuracy.” Principal Lyndy Watkinson, said she was very proud that Avondale College students had once again dominated the Microsoft championships. “To achieve 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in New Zealand is an exceptional achievement for these students, and is testament to our Innovation Programme,” she said. Unfortunately, the world championships won’t be taking place this year, but without a doubt, the three New Zealand champions will be taking their unbeatable skills and confidence into the remainder of their final year at Avondale, and beyond.

Preschool | Primary | College

Open Evening Thursday 30 July 6.30pm–8.30pm

TOP IN WORLD

TOP IN NZ

Enrol now | sunderland.acgedu.com

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education

A top-class education for a top-class student When it comes to academic excellence, ACG Sunderland student, Junheng (David) Li, is at the top of the class. Currently in his final year of A-Level study, the talented teen has a bevy of scholarly accolades to his name including his most recent achievements – Top in the World (Mathematics) and Top in New Zealand (Chemistry) in the 2019 AS Level Cambridge International Examinations. With a perfect score in AS Level Mathematics, David was thrilled to receive A grades in all his AS subjects. Yet, despite his personal hard work and dedication, he is quick to recognise the encouragement and guidance ACG Sunderland has provided. “Receiving these Cambridge exam results confirmed the idea that I was studying at one of the best institutions available. These results are inseparable from the support that my school has given me and have shown that commitment and perseverance can lead to great outcomes.” Junheng Li: not afraid of making mistakes. A keen scuba diver and gifted musician, David believes he has acquired a number of valuable life-skills during his time at the school. “The most important lesson is to never give up – even if things seem quite daunting initially, you can always work through them. Another is not to be afraid of making mistakes as learning from them is one of the most efficient ways to gain understanding.” While acknowledging that Year 13 can be both a scary and intriguing period, David is excited about his future and his plans for university. “I would like to pursue a career in medicine and eventually specialise in pathology. The current Covid-19 situation has solidified my goal in wanting to be able to help on the front lines of disease research and healthcare.” To find out more about ACG Sunderland, please join the school for its next Open Day on Thursday July 30 or visit sunderland.acgedu.com >> Exploring all that Continued from page 14.

music has to offer

Rawkus Radio broadcasts from Kelston Community Centre and you can listen to it anywhere live on its website, or in parts of West Auckland that receive 87.8FM. Once he’s done with high school, Marlo plans to study audio engineering at SAE, and hopes for success in forming a band as soon as possible. “I’d love to be in a band one day as it has been a dream of mine for almost my whole life.” Whilst he admits that at times he does feel disadvantaged – “I think it’s inevitable when you have a physical disability, or any disability for that matter” – his positive attitude and determination will be sure to take him far. “I always try to do what I’m good at to the best of my ability. Honestly, one of the best feelings is doing something despite people telling you that you can’t, and succeeding with it.” You can check out Marlo’s music on SoundCloud at https://soundcloud. com/user-464574813 and don’t forget to tune in to his Rawkus radio show, Tuesday’s 6pm on 87.8FM or online at https://rawkusradio.co.nz.

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>> Blue sky thinking Continued from page 4.

leads to Queen’s Birthday Honour

Naomi’s partner Murray Gray programmed the literary festival for 20 years and she still chairs the Going West Trust and has a significant role producing the annual event. “When it started there was no other literary festival in Auckland and we set out to celebrate only New Zealand writers, thinkers, commentators, philosophers. It was a deliberate decision,” Naomi says. “We have some of the most brilliant writers in the world over a huge range of genres – fiction, poetry, performance, history, culture, non-fiction, geography. We have always celebrated Māori and Pacifica writers and, more recently, the work of immigrant and new citizens of Aotearoa. For the first time this year there is no live festival but it has been online since June 19. “We have an incredible archive,” says Naomi. “From day one we had a sound tech who recorded everything in broadcast quality, so there’s 24 years of archival material that’s beyond priceless. It’s quite extraordinary. We’ve been digging deep and it’s very exciting. “Covid-19 has, in a way, given us an opportunity to say, ‘OK, let’s really do this properly’. It’s fantastic.” Naomi says with the pandemic, there are impacts “but some of our arts institutions have been ahead of the game on this. “We have a very stressed society – huge poverty, huge divisions in terms of our cultural and economic lives. Places like Corban Arts Centre have for years now been working with at-risk communities. One of the things the arts can do is sustain people at all levels. Corbans runs incredible education programmes and while Te Uru has a more regional gallery focus, they also continue to have outreach educational work going on in the community,” Naomi says. “These programmes about art and culture are about expressing yourself and provide huge potential to transform. Individual artists are always picking at the fabric of life and its meaning so they’ll inevitably produce some incredible work around and out of the pandemic. “We’re seeing it online. Along with the Writers Festival, there are some amazing things happening there.” Naomi gave up her role at Waitākere City Council when it was amalgamated into the ‘supercity’ in 2010 and since then her life within the arts has been as busy as ever. She’s undertaking consulting work through her own company advocArt, and has an ongoing relationship with the Hobsonville Land Company (now Kāinga Ora) managing the commissioning of public art works. “Wonderful stuff. It’s exciting.” But she says her voluntary work is also deeply sustaining and nurturing. “Being on the Corbans board is a privilege; the Te Pou Māori Board is a total delight; the Writers Festival is a passion.” Naomi has been writing the Art & About column in The Fringe since July 2012: we congratulate her on her New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to the Arts. – Moira Kennedy

At the library ... Titirangi Library is very pleased to restart its regular adult and children activities in July. Everyone is welcome to attend these events and no registrations are required. Wednesday July 1, 10-10.30am: Words on Wednesday – interactive storytelling for 3-5year olds. Wednesday July 1, 3.30-4.30pm: Lego Club – free play brick building, suitable for children aged 5 or more. Thursday July 2, 3.30-4.30pm: Minecraft Club – social gaming for all Minecraft fans. Own device and Minecraft logon required. Friday July 3, 9.30-10.00am: Active movement and play for babies, suitable for children aged 3-18 months. Saturday July 4 and Tuesday July 7: The Library’s book chat groups meet for an hour from 2pm. You are welcome to attend and join the lively discussions about what you've been reading. Saturday July 11, 2-3.45pm: The Titirangi Poets reunite for a celebratory afternoon tea and post lock-down readings. Saturday July 25, 2pm: The Library has been looking forward to hosting a special book launch by local author Ron Riddell. You are invited to attend the Titirangi launch of his new book The Wanderer, (a long poem of 70 pages). Ron will read selected passages from the book in English and his wife Saray will read in Spanish. Sasha Witten Hannah will play original guitar compositions to accompany and complement the readings. All welcome.

School Holiday Activities

Monday July 6, 10.00-11.00am: Community Art Project – celebrate Matariki with the Library. Using different techniques and materials help staff decorate the Titirangi Library community korowai (cloak). All ages welcome. Tuesdays July 7 and 14, 10.30-11.00am: Rhymetime – get ready to bop, rock and roll in the Library’s preschool holiday dance sessions with Claire. Thursday July 9, 5.00-5.45pm: Teddy Bear Sleepover – bring your teddy or your soft toy to stay the night at the Library. Listen to bedtime stories together then tuck your teddy into bed and call back on Friday from 9.00am to reunite and see what everyone got up to during their sleepover. All ages welcome. Wednesday July 15, 10.00-11.00am: Matariki Light Catchers – transform old CDs and DVDs into vibrant light catchers using paint and markers. Suitable for those aged 5 or more. Thursday July 16, 5.00-6.00pm: Harry Potter Evening – brew potions, craft wands and challenge yourself in the big Harry Potter quiz. An evening of Harry Potter activities and fun. Suitable all HP fans. Friday July 17, 10.00-10.45am (3-6 yrs) and 11.00-11.45am (7-12 yrs): Sunflower Kids Yoga – join Sunflower Kids Yoga instructor Cherish for yoga made for children. Engage in body movement, breathing, relaxation and mindfulness.

WEDNESDAY 29 JULY 4-7PM

www.avcol.school.nz

The Fringe JULY 2020

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naturally west with fiona drummond

Orca frolic in the Manukau Harbour

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Females give birth to A large pod of up to 30 orca delighted their first calf between 11 residents in Titirangi, Parau and and 16 years of age and Cornwallis when they were sighted tend to do so every five recently in the Manukau Harbour years for their 25-year in pursuit of their favourite food, reproductive life span. stingray, . The gestation period is Scott Cleator, a resident of French 15-18 months and calves Bay knew they were in the harbour are nursed for at least one and decided to set out on his paddle year. board in the hope of locating them. Orca are typically “I’d read online that they were in encountered in family Cornwallis and thought if I came across groups or pods which them that would be cool,” says Scott. “I are usually formed for met them at Laingholm and followed Two kayakers enjoying the Manukau orca at close quarters. Photo by Scott life and can result in them to the bar on the far side of the Cleator. channel out from Titirangi Beach. I know they were feeding because the development of unique dialects. Some tourist operators like they moved along the edge of the bar. There were about 12 I guess. I Whalewatch in Kaikoura, have named their local orca which can be stood, then knelt for about 40 minutes in one place and the 12 were identified by their markings, scars and dorsal fin shape. One of the greatest potential problems for orca is the disturbance spread out over a 1500sq.m area and just moved around, back and caused by vessel traffic and potential boat strike. Boats are known forth.” Scott described his encounter as a surreal and unnerving experience. to disrupt their normal behaviour, particularly when resting, and “They seemed so relaxed so in turn I tried to reflect assuredness and a underwater noise may disrupt echolocation signals and other false confidence, but really they could have easily knocked me off my communication. As orca are at the top of the food chain they are also board and dragged me down deep. But they never rushed or made susceptible to pollution via bioaccumulation (the accumulation of quick movements that gave me a sense of tension. So I figured, when toxins through the food chain). DoC records all sighting and stranding information in a national they came towards me I would just stand there and record and see what happened.” The experience left Scott with a very big smile on cetacean sightings database and the national whale and dolphin strandings database. This adds to the pool of information that is his face, but he decided not to press his luck and headed back home. Another local, Joseph Hinvest, took his drone down to French Bay available for this species. The Facebook group Cetacean Spotting in New Zealand shares and took some birds-eye orca footage, added music and then posted a video on the Titirangi Facebook group page. Search for orca on the encounters with dolphin, porpoise and whales around New Zealand. page. Although their common name is killer whale, a name originating from whaling days when orca were observed to hunt and kill whales, orcinus orca is in fact the largest of the dolphin family and not a whale at all. Orca hunt cooperatively and are even known to intentionally strand themselves on beaches temporarily, in order to catch seals. Often referred to as wolves of the sea, orca live and hunt in pods, working together to herd fish into a compact area so that they’re easier to catch. They dig in the muddy sea bottom for stingrays and are often seen herding them into shallow water. Eating stingrays is something only New Zealand orca do. They are also known to eat six species of shark, and will hunt down dolphins, penguins and yes, whales. In fact 27 species of prey have been Our local board has come up with a three-year plan recorded in the New Zealand killer whale diet which is much more varied than orca elsewhere in the world. An orca’s only predator is man outlining the key initiatives we want to focus on and although they were hunted in the past, they are now protected. to help our communities thrive and support the New Zealand is home to an estimated 150–200 individuals, which recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. travel long distances throughout the country’s coastal waters. Orca are Now we need your help to check if we’ve got it right. able to reach a speed of about 50kms an hour. A thick layer of fat, or blubber, helps an orca stay warm even in icy waters. A baby orca calf is So love local and get vocal about your community by having usually born tail-first and weighs around 180 kilograms. Female orcas your say. Submissions must be received by 4pm, Thursday can live to be 90 years old while males reach physical maturity at age 21 13 August. and live up to 60 years. The largest male orca ever recorded was 10m For more information, a copy of the draft Whau Local Board long, weighing 10,000 kilograms. Plan 2020 and to provide your feedback go to akhaveyoursay.co.nz/lovelocal

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sustainable solutions with fiona drummond

The Re-Creators – change starts with community If Covid-19 has taught us nothing else, it’s that resilience lies at the grassroots of our community. We can change our future – through our creative skills, purchasing decisions and ultimately our own actions. The Re-Creators, is an upcycling collective that provides workshops teaching children and adults upcycling skills. This enables communities to work together to address the growing waste crisis New Zealand currently faces since China banned waste imports. Artisans from each community join The Re-Creators to facilitate workshops that focus on educating people about the importance of reducing consumption. For the Oratia and local communities The Re-Creators offer after-school programmes at Oratia District School (Wednesdays, 3-5pm) as well as workshops for adults and holiday workshop activities for children in West Auckland. Moira Craill (designer and director of LoooP Creative Ltd) and Karen Cullen (a local artist who participates annually in Waitākere Open Studios) were the facilitators pre-Covid. This little guy isn’t going to let a plaster cast get in the way of his “I love the way the kids burst in woodwork project. Photo by Ger Tew. after school and are so excited, wanting to know immediately what we are doing each week,” says Karen who loves the pride the children get from their creations and feels a sense of achievement in the sustainable art results. Product design is Moira’s passion and she will step away from the classroom next term to work on sustainable designs that are produced without creating plastic waste. This means The Re-Creators will be looking for another local artisan to run these after-school classes. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board funded several upcycling workshops for Glen Eden residents before Covid hit and these are about to restart in a programme called Reset Glen Eden. Workshops for adults will include Woodwork and power tools, Wooden furniture restoration, DIY potions and lotions, Social enterprise for creatives and Upcycled product design. For families with younger children there will be after-school upcycled art, woodwork for families and a Matarikithemed art class. Creative locals are sharing their skills of woodwork, restoration, design, sewing, weaving and more, and empowering others to learn to make for themselves, save money and live more sustainably. The idea for The Re-Creators came from founder, Ger Tew, who wanted to create brand awareness for upcycling artisans by uniting a group of them under one brand and logo. This meant that eco-conscious consumers could shop for upcycled goods in one place, choosing from a

variety of ethically-made sustainable products. However, after starting the business, Ger decided it was more important for people to learn how to upcycle their own materials for their own projects. She says that when people create and make their own products there is a great sense of satisfaction and achievement. Most people place far more value on the handmade things they own than on any quick purchase. “I love being able to bring positive, creative workshops to children and adults and to discuss creativity, sustainability and mindful making,” says Ger. “Tackling our Covid recovery and climate change requires an understanding of the interconnected consequences of businesses producing goods through unsustainable practices and the rapid consumption of those goods,” she says. “The world needs to develop new strategies and ways of thinking and learning around sustainability. The practice of reusing and recycling is not enough on its own to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill and our oceans. “Climate change demands simultaneous solutions that work together. We need to think holistically about climate change solutions that make it easier for people to make valuable contributions every day.” The Re-Creators market a range of upcycled products including DIY children’s sewing kits, jewellery and personalised journals. These are available online and in approximately 20 retail stores across New Zealand. For more information, visit therecreators.co.nz, check out www. facebook.com/therecreators.co.nz/ or www.instagram.com/ therecreatorsnz/ or email ger@therecreators.co.nz. A new on line Waste Free Parenting workshop, presented by Kate Meads is now available online. Tickets are $15 plus a small booking fee, and can be purchased from https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2020/auckland-waste-freeparenting-workshop-online/virtual. To view the workshop, after purchasing tickets, attendees return to the Eventfinda page and enter their ticket code. The video workshop will then begin. The workshop is pre-recorded so ticket holders can watch whenever it suits them. Climate Friendly Cart, developed by CarbonClick, allows on line shopping customers to reduce the carbon impact of their purchase. A recently developed Shopify app enables companies that provide online shopping to offer certified carbon offsetting on their e-commerce cart. A green button is added to their website and sends a message to customers that the business cares about the environment. Customers can then choose to click on the button to make a contribution that goes towards carbon offsetting projects, like tree planting and renewable energy projects. For more information visit https://apps.shopify.com/carbonclick.

Linda Cooper

Councillor for Waitakere Please feel free to contact me with issues or ideas 021 629 533 linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz 135 Albert Street, Auckland Private Bag 92 300, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142 https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/

The Fringe JULY 2020

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our place

Tips for creating a weed-free paradise Part two in a series by the South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network, supported by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board, about living in the Waitākere Ranges. Weeds are hugely damaging to natural areas in our bushy suburbs, because weed growth suppresses native growth. Where weeds grow uncontrolled the life span of the bush is around 70 years. Removing invasive weeds gives the bush the chance to continue hundreds or even thousands of years of growth and restoration. Unfortunately weeds are easily spread, they are amazingly resilient, and they are often very pretty to look at. But all is not lost … Here are some tips from STNN: • Be weed intolerant! Remove weeds as quickly as you can. Time is of the essence! • Deal with any isolated weeds first – they usually spread faster than a large colony. • Cut flowers off any weeds you haven’t removed yet – this is a handy short cut method to stop the next generation from becoming established • Replant – with other plants, ideally natives, to stop future weeds from becoming established and maintain your weed-free areas to keep them that way • If you are out walking or exploring, break off flower heads before they seed and if you can, pull out weeds. Dispose of seed heads in the rubbish. A final message is to maintain good weed hygiene and make sure you don’t unknowingly add to the kauri dieback problem. Ensuring you can maintain the space all around your compost piles and locating them away from streams, ditches and bush, cleaning your garden tools including spades and edge trimmers, and disposing of weeds safely, following kauri dieback protocols, gives your projects the best start. To find out how to make your backyard count in the project to make the South Titirangi Peninsula best and weed free, visit www. southtitirangi.org.nz

weather by the moon Ken Ring’s predictions for July July is expected to be wetter, cloudier and warmer than the monthly average. The first three weeks are likely wet and overcast, while the last week may be mostly dry. The wettest days may be at the beginning of the month and the end of the third week, with driest days possibly in the last week. The only dry weekend is likely to be the last one. Atmospheric pressures should average about 1010mbs. Wind directions may prevail from the southwest. For fishers, the highest king tide may be around the 5th.The best fishing bite-times in the west are at noon on the 4th-7th and 19th-22nd, (and in the east around dusk on those days). Chances are also good in the west for dusk of 12th-14th, and 27th-29th, (and in the east around noon on those days). For gardeners, the 1st-4th and the 22nd-31st are the best sowing days (waxing moon ascending). The best pruning days are 7th-18th (waning moon descending). For longer shelf-life for crops, harvest on the 15th or 30th when the water-table is low. Allow 24 hour error for all forecasting. For future weather for any date, visit www.predictweather.com. © Ken Ring 2020.

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The Fringe JULY 2020

live @ the lounge

“It’s like an exploding rainbow.” Yeah gidday. Lizard here. Well, we have well and truly settled in to the Warehouse on Rosebank. I must say, it’s brilliant. Even though it’s smack bang in the middle of what is basically an industrial estate, there are heaps of people living around the area. Some, out the back of their businesses in makeshift sheds while others have flash as fit outs all set up sweet. Ours backs onto a creek that runs into the Whau River. Speaking of sweet, Mopey Jesus is a real easy bloke to hang with, although he wasted no time in getting shacked up. Her name is Fiona and ’ol Mopey sure is hitting way above his weight. She’s a real smart cookie and a very tidy wahine to boot, with moko and all. She’s from up around the Bay of Islands somewhere originally. Māori with some Dalmatian blood are often very striking and Fiona is no exception. The other day, they said they had a surprise for me outside, so I had to close my eyes and they guided me out. When I opened my eyes, in front of me was Whitevan completely painted over in a huge Union Jack. Mopey raved on about how it symbolised the empire imposing its will over foreign domains. I said I thought Whitevan was Japanese? “Exactly”, said Fiona. “Another Pacific island culture forced to be westernised. If you don’t like the paint job though, don’t panic. It’s only poster paint.” “My new friend Barb will love it”, said Shaz. “She is very English.” “I thought she was from Te Atatu?” “She is, but she has the third largest collection of Prince Charles and Princess Diana memorabilia on the peninsula. She even has a Queen’s coronation gravy boat and an even rarer Duke’s gilded tagine and coffee cup tree. By the way, my new friend Barb and the gang from The Peninsula Darts and Embroidery Guild are coming over on Sunday for drinks.” Lizard Junior butted in to say he was nipping over the road to First Scene costume hire. They were having a sale and him and his mates wanted to get all dressed up and have a fancy dress party down by the inlet on Saturday night. In the corner of the Warehouse on Rosebank stood two abandoned containers. A sign on the door read, Mayur Plasticblends Industries Ltd, India. Mopey Jesus had encouraged the padlocks with a crowbar. Inside were literally millions of brightly coloured plastic animal-shaped things that we think kids might put on the end of a pencil. There were also other odd shaped little plastic bits that we think you fill with lollies and flip the head to get the lollies out. In other words, mountains of plastic crap that must have been for the $2 shop market of some place like that. Mopey thought we should recycle it all somehow. As I fiddled with these funny plastic shapes I found they fitted together. In fact, they were quite strong. “We could make a tower out of them,” I said. Fiona said that would be amazing. Māori call it a Pou Whenua or land post. She then 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 2020 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 JULY 2020

added, “and show the capitalist that they will soon choke on their fossil fuel plastic knives and forks.” Shaz thought it would make a great Level One coming out statement. Wow. We all agreed on something. Mopey Jesus drew up some tower plans which had a very wide base for strength, we really had tons of the stuff, and cleverly designed an external plastic integrated stairway, so in just a couple of days we were very high. Very high indeed. The word got out that we were going to unveil the tower on Sunday morning and it caused quite the buzz. I got in five kegs and Junior got a sheep for the spit. Sunday predictably arrived and as the morning fog lifted, the sun illuminated the tower. Damn, it looked impressive. It was a bloody huge kaleidoscope. The Whau Creek Canoe Club had beached their craft above the high tide mark. Junior’s mates were dotted around the place in varying military surplus uniforms, most still a bit drunk and dishevelled. Shaz’s new friend Barb and her mates were drinking brandy-laced tea on the picnic tables, all dressed up in their Sunday finest. Even the bloke who owns the import car yard on the corner turned up with his prat of a son Simon Smithers-Whyte. He stood to one side with a few Young Nats who thought it a giggle to witness something about the economy. I never quite worked out how they fitted in but they all sported fine beards and moustaches which added a certain look. Even a reporter from The Fringe showed up to take some snap shots. A small shower passed over which made Whitevan’s paint job begin to run a bit so I asked Fiona to move him. I’m not sure if she had never driven a stick shift or whether Whitevan was in one of his moods but as soon as she started the engine, Whitevan lurched forward and quite violently nudged the tower. It creaked, then moaned, then wobbled, then totally collapsed in a very dramatic fashion. The Fringe guy said, “it’s like an exploding rainbow.” They’re clever with words and stuff, those journalist types. Amazingly, nobody was injured. The tower landed on Whitevan’s now tattered Union Jack. The Green Bay under 12 rugby club began a spontaneous haka and Lizard Junior’s mates all saluted. The smoke from the spit drifting over the scene was quite old worldly. Later that evening as we watched the last of the plastic bits self recycle their way on the out-going tide I noticed Fiona standing alone. I went up and put a blanket around her and said, “I don’t even know your last name?” “I thought Mopey Jesus had told you? It’s Heke. Fiona Heke from Kororāreke.” Later, Lizard

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