The Fringe, August 2020 by Fringe Media

ISSUE 195, AUGUST 2020

community news, issues, arts, people, events

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contents

Time to have your say: What’s important to your community?; Letters.....................................................................................................4 Follow your heart and keep on learning................................................5 Opening doors for the lonely.................................................................6 Keeping it local: local news and updates...............................................7

Art and about with Naomi McCleary................................................8 – 9 Our place: Titirangi Theatre, veggie plants, bikes and lights................10 Enlivening winter with colourful art.....................................................11 Places to go: Events listing...........................................................12 – 13 Bandstanding: Rick Topp, inspired by everything musical....................14 Our place: At the libraries, Struggling charities...................................15

Feature: General Election.............................................................16 – 17 Supporting the West; Weather by the moon.......................................18 Living in the Waitākere ranges, part 3..................................................19 Sustainable solutions: Little actions can have a big impact.................20 Naturally West: Tauhou thrive on winter treats...................................21 Live @ the lounge................................................................................22

Advertisers’ Directory...........................................................................23

On our cover:

What better way to liven up after lockdown than with a celebration of art with Titirangi Library as the Hub. The Library Village Art Amble begins on Saturday, August 1 and runs through to Saturday, August 8. It provides a perfect excuse to engage with paintings by local artists and indulge in food and coffee during an ‘Amble’ in and around the village. This exhibition’s main base is at the Titirangi Library where the trail starts and where the trail map can be collected. The Amble then leads participants up to the village where a number of shops, businesses and eateries have additional artworks on display. Participants can then take part in the challenge to identify their favourite artwork and write one sentence about why it is your preferred piece to go in the draw and win a small work by that artist. Titirangi is renowned for its artists and artisans and this initiative is to celebrate the coming together of art and the written word – two passions our community shares. The artists involved in this collaboration are Jill Perrott, Zeke Wolf, Terry Prince, Val Enger, Janice Napper and Dayna Millar. Pictured on our cover this month (left to right) are Jill Perrott; Jo Carter, Claire Paterson and Helen Kerrigan (Titirangi Library); Terry Prince and Zeke Wolf.

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

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

Editor: Bevis England 817 8024, 027 494 0700 bevis@fringemedia.co.nz

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Got something to say or know of a great story idea? Let The Fringe know... Email info@fringemedia.co.nz or write to PO Box 60-469, Titirangi 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

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

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

Advertising deadline for September 2020: August 14. The Fringe AUGUST 2020

our place

Time to have your say: What is important to your community?

Have your say on the future of Whau 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 local community, and don’t forget to provide your feedback before 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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Do you use local parks and playgrounds, or sports facilities? Want better transport and town centres, have a passion for the environment, or think more should be done to celebrate our culture and diversity? These are just some of the topics the Waitākere Ranges and Whau Local Boards want to hear your thoughts on as they each develop a three-year plan to help their communities thrive. The Waitākere Ranges Plan has seven focus areas spanning a range of topics, including working better with mana whenua and mataawaka (Māori with ancestral links to other places in New Zealand), helping communities to be resilient and strong, and the protection and enhancement of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area, which includes the potential to apply for international Dark Sky park status. “As one of our seven outcomes, the protection and enhancement of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area will continue to be one of our main focuses,” says Greg Presland, Waitākere Ranges Local Board Chair. “The fact that we can talk about applying for Dark Sky park status shows you how special, unique and important a place it is. “We would also look to support restoration programmes in ecological areas of the Heritage Area that will improve public areas and support landowners.” In the Whau, the local board has six outcomes which cover topics such as protecting and enhancing the natural environment, improving walking, cycling and public transport opportunities and strong, resilient and inclusive communities. Whau Local Board Chair Kay Thomas says that ensuring the community is well catered for with facilities and improved urban centres is something that will have a significant impact on quality of life in the Whau. “Despite the challenges that the council faces to recover from the impact of Covid-19, the board is committed to working towards making the Whau a better place to live. We know that the area is set to grow in

population in the coming years, and we are blessed with a wonderful cultural diversity too. “We know that this is a difficult time for many people because of the economic impact of Covid-19. We want to reassure our community that we are working hard on their behalf to do all we can in improving the area, not just on infrastructure, but also supporting our communities to feel better connected.” Consultation is open until August 13. Visit Akhaveyoursay.co.nz/ lovelocal to read the plans and have your say. The Government has announced a $182 million investment in four ‘shovel-ready’ transport projects in Auckland. Te Whau, a shared cycling and walking path connecting New Lynn and Te Atatū is to receive $37 million. Auckland Council Planning Committee chair, councillor Chris Darby said, “The new Te Whau Pathway will deliver a stunning six-kilometre shared path and boardwalk along the Whau River, providing a safe, enjoyable and carbon-free way for people to get to school and work.”

letters Dear Editor Following on from a fellow ratepayer’s letter to The Fringe in June regarding the yobbos in their four wheel drives ploughing up the grass area between Scenic Drive and Woodlands Park Road, I would like to point out they have taken it up a notch further again this month. The grass verge opposite the dam before Parau has been ploughed up as well as the the reserve at Armour Bay beside the tennis courts where they removed a boulder to get access and also the grass area beside the beach. Someone knows who they are so please report them. Name withheld. Ed: Reports can be lodged with the Titirangi Community Constable on 817 0040, New Lynn Police Station on 826 2454, the non-emergency number 105 or visit https://www.police.govt.nz/105support. Kia Ora, I write to draw attention to the proposed development at 207-209 Golf Road (pictured right) and the impact it will have on the future of Titirangi if it goes ahead. We have lived next to this site for 28 years and this development is not in keeping with the character of the Suburban Housing zone. This not only affects us but every resident surrounding the site and beyond. I have read the Resource Consent Application and every application for consent is as a restricted discretionary activity. Council has numerous questions regarding the development application. I feel if this is allowed to proceed it will be the thin end of the wedge for developers and the future of Titirangi as we know it will be destroyed for ever. Thank you for your consideration. Name withheld.

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

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people

Follow your heart and keep on learning When Titirangi woman Aysun Arabaci came to live in New Zealand in 2008 with her new Kiwi husband Andrew, she was not only following her heart but thought she would likely continue the medical career in which she had excelled in her native Turkey. But as with many people, life does not turn out as expected and today Aysun has turned to creative pursuits to maintain her health and happiness, leaving her high-powered career behind. Today Aysun is involved in numerous crafts – crochet, knitting and sewing, often for charities. She remodels her clothes to create modern and unique styles from pre-loved items. She paints, walks, plays tennis, dances and grows herbs which she uses daily in meals and drinks. It was especially tough for Aysun as she had very limited English when she first arrived. “It was upsetting not to be able to use my (medical) talents and skills,” she says. “But every difficult situation has a silver lining and it gave me the opportunity to learn other things. I’m always hungry to learn and want to expand my knowledge all the time.” As a young woman Aysun studied medicine in Istanbul at one of the oldest and best-known medical faculties, then worked as a hospital GP for more than 18 years until she was invited to start a new health programme called Check Up that aimed at preventing people getting sick rather than treating them after they became ill. “The health authorities had big trust in me and gave me and my team the chance to set up the whole programme as I wanted it. It was a regional role and we worked with a lot of farmers producing oranges and vegetables. We trained them not to use too many chemicals and hormones on their crops, and followed up with them,” Aysun says. This programme lasted five years. “It was very successful but we had to stop the programme because neighbouring towns and cities wanted the same unit with the same quality but the health ministry said it was not (financially) possible to achieve the same quality everywhere. “So they stopped it and I was sent to study haemodialysis for a year and afterwards came back to the hospital and ran a unit with other doctors for five years. It still is working very successfully.” It was about then Aysun met Andrew through a mutual friend. He was on holiday and invited her for dinner. She admits she understood little of their conversation. “I asked him to speak to me in French as I know a bit of that.” The next day Andrew left Turkey to return to New Zealand for a family event but the pair kept in touch and when Aysun got a computer, they could communicate with each other. “I was not very much into technology, but I learned.” In 2007, Andrew invited Aysun to New Zealand to meet his family and friends and see him in his environment, a bush-surrounded home in Titirangi. She stayed a month before the pair went back to Turkey to meet her family. “We got married in Turkey one year later, and came here.”

Aysun had planned to take up medicine here but was told to sit all the medical exams again. “If I passed all the exams, I then needed to sit language exams and the threshold was so high, even Andrew said it was unlikely he could reach it. I started to learn English and I knew all the medical terms but was struggling with day-to-day English. “When I became confident with my English I decided not to go back to studying medicine here. I’d been working in clinics for 18 years and I didn’t want to sit medical exams all over again.” Aysun Arabaci’s deck herb garden – now While in Turkey, Aysun had part of her every day healthy life also been interested in art and design and Andrew encouraged her to try artistic pursuits. “I tried hard but somehow I missed my original background and decided to study public health at Auckland University. After graduation every job I applied for, I didn’t get. If I went for some simple, unskilled role, they said I was over-qualified. I might have scared people off.” Aysun had started growing herbs in pots on her Titirangi deck. It was pretty much in her genes. Her mother’s family were from Crete (her father Turkish) and she says they were all natural healers. “All of them, on my mother’s side, knew the properties of all the plants and they were knowledgeable about nature as well, passing the information and knowledge from one generation to the next. “When I was a child, my mother would take me to gather plants and tell me all about them – which was used for what, how to recognise right from wrong, how to use them for good health. “When I was trained as a medical doctor, I was able to check them scientifically and it was then that I understood just how knowledgeable my mother was. I didn’t know as a child but as an adult I really appreciated it and kept learning.” Wandering the Waitākere bush, Aysun tried to find plants from her own country and when that didn’t work out she went on a voyage of discovering native New Zealand plants and studying how Māori had for years used them for healing a range of ailments and how others were used as preventative measures. Continued on page 18 >>

A PERSONALISED APPROACH TO

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places to go

Opening doors for the lonely While many families found new and fun ways to entertain themselves in their Covid-19 bubbles, it was not so easy for older people, many of whom found loneliness as painful as an illness. “Desperately missing my children and grandchildren.” “Missing social contact and going out for coffee with friends.” And “I’m finding it hard to deal with loneliness. There are plenty of things to do in my home, but I’m still lonely.” These are common sentiments for many people aged 70-plus following Covid-19 lockdown and while no-one The Fringe has spoken to is interested in having a ‘poor me pity party,’ it is hard to ignore the depth of emotion coming through. This is the age group that was advised to stay home as much as possible in the Covid-19 crisis and Age Concern Auckland – among others – is appealing to the community to reach out to the older people in their lives (and their neighbourhoods) on an ongoing basis. A not-for-profit, charitable organisation, Age Concern is dedicated to promoting the quality of life and well-being of older people, advocating healthy ageing for people of all ages, and helping vulnerable and isolated people in our community. They say it’s crucial we all reach out to the over 70s by phoning or visiting, skyping, checking on them daily and being a friendly and welcoming voice in a time of great uncertainty and anxiety. During lockdown, the organisation mobilised as many of its 900 volunteers as possible to help those dealing with loneliness and isolation issues and also co-ordinated other organisations and individuals offering support to the elderly. Many others did the same, and continue to do so post-lockdown. “Loneliness is an ongoing problem for older people,” says Heather Tanguay, president of Titirangi U3A, an organisation that celebrates life-long learning, with a multitude of activities each month in small, intimate study groups as well as monthly meetings with guest speakers. “We took a very proactive approach from Day One of lockdown. Our committee members kept in touch with all of our 100 members with weekly (or daily) telephone calls. We put out newsletters and our study groups posted information online regarding ballets, concerts, art exhibitions, concerts, virtual travel and quizzes. “Not all of our members (aged 65-plus) are digitally engaged, and phone calls were the main means of connecting with them. Even local libraries were calling their members. That kind of community support is so important to lots of people living in isolated circumstances.” With Covid restrictions now mostly behind us, and with developing interest in things high-tech from older age groups, increased technical literacy is attracting new followers. The SeniorNet concept was first introduced in 1986 in the USA and was first established here in 1992. “It’s seniors teaching seniors, and bringing older adults (ages from 50-plus) and technology together in a friendly, fun and stress-free way,” says local chair June Lay.

“It’s for those who’d like to learn more about technology and what it can do for them. Small, well-organised classes, with volunteer tutors about the same age as their students teach an introduction to computers and surfing the Net but also a vast range of other skills,” she says. With about 140 or so local members SeniorNet is now back in business. It is cost-effective to attend ($5 koha) and there is an open meeting with a guest speaker (and individual instruction) in Kelston each month. Other groups throughout the community abound. GreyPower, Lions, Rotary, Probus and Rebus clubs all offer the chance to share friendship, support, guest speakers and outings. For some the going is tough these days and new members are welcome. Launched in the USA 100 years ago, international women’s organisation Zonta started in West Auckland 43 years ago. Originally only for professional women, it now embraces any woman, aged from their 30s to 90s. With only 15 local members, and like many other clubs, it’s fighting for survival. “It’s for like-minded women who want to support other women and girls,” says member Sue Devitt. “A lot of women are looking for fellowship and we support local groups like Family Action and the local Women’s Refuge. Nationally, we support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. There’s the social aspect of fund raising and we have very good guest speakers at our monthly meetings. We’ll always welcome new members.” Probus (with men’s, ladies and combined clubs) was established in the mid-1960s in England and was originally for retired professionals and business people in retirement who could meet others in similar circumstances and with similar level of interests. They are not so restricted now and a number of local groups aim to bring together healthy minds and active bodies through social interaction and a wide range of activities with other retirees. West Auckland Men’s Rebus is an off-shoot of Probus. A public service group, it has 60-70 members, mostly retired businessmen who meet monthly in New Lynn for fellowship and fun. Educational and with speakers geared to the members’ age group, it’s non-profit making and always looking for new members. So while loneliness and isolation are a deep concern for many older people, there are many local clubs and organisations which are keen to welcome those seeking to ease the burden of loneliness. – Moira Kennedy For more information: Age Concern West Auckland: 820 0184 Titirangi U3A: Heather – 818 8890 SeniorNet: June – 021 179 3635 Zonta: Sue – 021 521 352 Probus: find local clubs in our places to go section (pages 12-13) West Auckland Men’s Rebus: Roger – 834 7945

Together we can

support local

Your Local Councillors

Linda Cooper

021 629 533 – Linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Shane Henderson

021 044 0088 – Shane.Henderson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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keeping it local

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If you’ve ever admired Susannah Bridges’ embossed porcelain lights on sale at Te Uru Gallery, then now is the time to get there and get one – they are on offer at a great special price, ending on August 31. Susannah was recently a recipient of an Arts Continuity Grant from Creative NZ’s Covid19 response strategy. She will be developing prototypes for large scale bespoke light works, alongside updating her existing range. Watch this space for further news.

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 August 14.

Have your say and love local .... The local board is currently consulting on its three year plan. This is a statutory required document in which we set out our aims and aspirations for this term. When the local board started work on this, last November, the world was an entirely different place. Climate change was the most present danger but we still had a decade or so to get the city ready for it. Then Covid 19 hit. In January news broke about a new viral outbreak in Wuhan that spread easily and hospitalised and killed some, especially those who were older or who had preexisting conditions. It then appeared in Italy and Spain and overwhelmed their hospitals. It started to appear in other countries as well. It made its way to New Zealand. Thanks to determined early intervention by the Government and the actions of the team of five million we are living in a paradise where the only current notified infections are those of returning kiwis kept in isolation. This may not last, the virus is easily spread and human beings can do crazy things, but so far so good.

economy has dramatically changed and locally we are seeing the effect of decreased demand. Council has just finalised its emergency budget to address a predicted hole in Council’s finances. Even with the best of intentions council’s spend will contract and we will not be able to do what we have in the past. But the rebuild from Covid is vital and the need to address climate change is also a vital area of activity for us. This is why our draft local board plan has been so difficult to write and why it is so important that we get it right. Let us know what you think of the plan. And tell us how we can all improve our own particular piece of paradise. Feedback can be given via the web at akhaveyoursay.co.nz/ lovelocal Greg Presland | Local Board Chair Waitākere Ranges Local Board Mobile: 021 998 411 Email: Greg.presland@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Even though we have not had the same effects as overseas the virus is still having a profound effect. The world’s

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The Fringe AUGUST 2020

art & about with naomi mccleary

Listening to the Small Voices Many years ago, attending a now mostly forgotten arts conference, I ended up with no particular intent in a presentation entitled Listening to the Small Voices. Readying myself for yet another dissertation on children and creativity, I was captured by the story of an Australian community living on a degraded waterway who were taken through a process of discovering and becoming the elements of their river; its flow, its banks, its underwater wild life (or absence thereof), its bird life and, as importantly, its esoteric ‘spirits’ of the past. Through this slow immersion lasting several days, taking on their chosen persona, creating costumes, soundscapes and voices, they became able to ‘speak’ for the river. The process had a remarkable end result for both the landscape and the community. The magic of this has stayed with me and I have been thinking of it lately in terms of our arts ecology. I think through this pandemic so far we have shown, as one would expect, immense creativity in keeping the arts alive and thriving in so many incredible ways – both online and off. But we are still locked in a conversation about getting back to a recognisable and familiar arts and cultural life; one that we took so much for granted pre-Covid19. Maybe that is not to be? Maybe we have to listen to some ‘small voices’. Another train of thought has been prompted by a casual viewing of an episode of America in Colour; old black and white documentary footage that has, by digital magic, been made to look vital and somehow more real. New to me was that during the 1930s depression America, under Roosevelt, invested vast amounts of money in arts and culture in order to stimulate the economy and keep hope alive. Much of it was in infrastructure; community arts and performance venues, playgrounds, public art and, I assume, funding for music, art, theatre and visual arts. It has been gratifying that our government has also acknowledged the transformational power of the arts in responding to our present and looming economic challenges. A significant funding boost to Creative New Zealand has resulted in some very nimble changes to the way CNZ supports the arts and a rolling series of grant options handled with speed. They are to be congratulated for the way they read the situation and acted. The Going West Festival team includes (top to bottom) James Littlewood, Robyn Mason, Marigold Janezic, Mark Easterbrook, Melissa Laing and Marshall Smith.

You Shop We Deliver

Another funding boost has come through the Ministry of Education’s Creatives in Schools programme, which on the surface looks pretty good. But here is where some questions are being asked. The most comprehensive commentary on this is to be found on the Spinoff, in an article by Mark Amery (27/6/20). I most heartily recommend this in-depth analysis. It takes us back to the work of American John Dewey and his passion for the role of integrated art in education. New Zealand adopted his ideas and they flourished here in the mid 20th century. In short, the current Creatives in Schools programme does not yet bring creativity into play as a connective tissue; a bridge to link creative thinking across all areas of learning. We have some great educators lobbying to have a change of direction before the resource is squandered. Mark Amery’s column is brilliant. Please read it. In the July Art and About I introduced, with some excitement I might say, the new Going West Festival Podcast Platform. What I can now report is that it is up and running and winning accolades from its many listeners. Has it been a challenge? Yes, in the sense that curating, editing, permissioning and publishing is more demanding of time and expertise than could possibly have been envisaged. The Going West team of producer James Littlewood, assistant-producer Sharu Delilkan, curator/archivist Robyn Mason, designer Marigold Janezic, editor/writer Mark Easterbrook, technical manager Melissa Laing and sound engineer Marshall Smith are a well-oiled machine producing three podcasts a week, dropping back to two per week as the team also begins work on a one-off celebratory live event later in the year. It’s very hard to let this 25th anniversary of Going West pass without at least a shot at a gala night and the possibility of ‘something other’. Watch this space. I recently attended an event to celebrate the many decades of contribution from Ross Clow; councillor until last year and long-time leading figure in the complex structure that is The Trusts Community Foundation. Much was made of all his roles in official capacities – and deservedly so. I would like to acknowledge his passion for the arts and his steadfastness in supporting so many projects and organisations. The Portage Licensing Trust, which he chaired for many years, went against public opinion in backing what their funding support could and did achieve for the arts. Te Uru Contemporary Gallery

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art & about with naomi mccleary

would not be there had he not backed it. The Portage Ceramics Awards are largely due to his foresight when the National Fletchers Ceramic Awards bit the dust; as is the Portage Ceramics Trust that cares for the treasure that is the west Auckland clay history. He understood the vision of the McCahon House Museum and Residency project. He was critical to the development of Olympic Park and its sculpture trail and a mover and shaker in the current Te Whau walkway project. It’s a rare thing to have someone who combines heart and head to make a difference. Stop Press: Te Pou Māori Theatre has ‘turned the shovel’ on the new black box theatre being built in one of the large industrial sheds on the Corban Estate. This is epic stuff! To have managed to keep designing, consenting and funding alive throughout the last few months to this point, when building is able to start, has taken sheer bloody tenacity from the Te Pou whānau. Among this bunch of dedicated people special mention must be made of heritage architect Graeme Burgess who has given endless hours to defining and refining the plans and working with the Te Pou team to hold the vision while keeping to a restrained budget. Graeme is never seen without a notebook and coloured pencils; always drawing the ‘life’ out of the plans. (See below.)

The best tiny museum in Auckland

Te Toi Uku Crown Lynn and Clayworks Museum opened its doors in 2015 but it has recently undergone a renovation and refresh. The museum, administered by the Portage Ceramics Trust and funded by Whau Local Board, Foundation North and the Portage Licensing Trust, now includes a permanent exhibition featuring the clay industries that operated in New Lynn throughout the 20th century, until Monier closed in 2015. It also has over 200 objects on display including an exhibition of Crown Lynn which operated nearby from 1948 until 1989. Until the 1980s New Lynn was covered in brick and clay factories and the museum aims to engage the local community with the brick and pipe stories. The museum is focussed on the people and the processes that made the ceramics, from bricks and pipes through to the finest dinnerware produced by Crown Lynn. “We are different from other museums that have Crown Lynn collections in that we also have the tools and equipment that were used to make the products,” says museum curator Rosemary Deane. The museum is at 8 Ambrico Place, New Lynn (off Rankin Ave), on the original site of an early 20th century brickworks and next to an old kiln.

Potters raise funds

Titirangi Potters is a vibrant pottery club that has been operating for more than 30 years. During lockdown, club members continued their potting, in their homes and studios around West Auckland and it has been running ‘Made in Lockdown’ fund-raisers over recent months, selling works made in lockdown to raise funds for the Salvation Army’s ongoing Foodbank Project. One member, Doctor Aileen Smith (right), found that pottery was a particularly effective way to de-stress after long days working as a GP in the ‘unprecedented times’ of the Covid pandemic. She started making birds at her home in West Auckland, producing one bird a day, including the tūī pictured right. She completed 33 ceramic birds to acknowledge the 33 days of Level 4 lockdown. She inspired other members to join her in selling work made during lockdown to raise funds for the FoodBank Project, a collaboration between the Salvation Army and Countdown. The birds, along with over a hundred other sculptural and functional pottery items were offered for sale at the first post-lockdown Titirangi Market at the end of June, raising $1600 in cash for the FoodBank Project. The club also delivered a car boot full of food (right), donated by members and market goers, to the Project. Titirangi Potters were planning another sale of their works from their studio during the July market.

available from Te Uru Gallery, sale ends August 31st

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/

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Embossed Lights

susannahbridges.co.nz The Fringe AUGUST 2020

our place As things settle into what we have come to learn is our new ‘normal’, rehearsals for our next production are well advanced. Under the watchful eye of director Bob Lack, last seen in Titirangi in A Bunch of Amateurs, the cast of Waiting for God are relishing the chance to get back in action. We know the story, from the delightful television series of the same name. Feisty Diana Trent, a retired war photo-journalist, battles daily with rest home manager Harvey and his put-upon assistant Jane. When new resident Tom, a gentle but somewhat befuddled man, arrives, Diana recruits his help in the fight for better conditions for the rest home residents. And then there are the families, with their ideas on how the elderly should be treated…. The script by Michael Aitkens, who wrote the TV series, has been remastered for the stage, and is full of witty one-liners and put-downs. Bookings for the show, which runs from August 18-29, can be made online from August 1 at www.titirangitheatre.co.nz and at Titirangi Pharmacy, but you’ll need to be quick – the first two nights are already sold out! Our costume hire service, located in the Treasure House behind Lopdell House, is once again open for business. Lynn and her group of helpers will be there from 4-6pm on Wednesdays, 5-7pm on Fridays and 10-noon on Saturdays, to assist with your needs from our world-class wardrobe. Also watch for news of our costume sale, delayed because of the Covid-19 outbreak, and scheduled for later in the year. This will be your chance to acquire world-class costumes and outfits at knock-down prices. Titirangi Theatre’s Annual General Meeting will be held in the Seminar Room, level one, Lopdell House, on Wednesday August 12 at 7.30pm. All are invited to attend, although of course only members may vote. The remit to be presented concerns changes to the Constitution, suggested at the last AGM and available online since April 2020. Submissions have now closed, but you can still read the full constitution online. Please don’t forget to keep an eye on our website www. titirangitheatre.co.nz for upcoming events, plays, auditions, stories and pictures. – Phoebe Falconer

Veggie seedlings to grow your own kai Thousands of vegetable seedlings are now making their way to West Auckland families, in an effort to tackle issues of local food security and resilience. Grow My Kai sees EcoMatters Environment Trust supplying the gardening expertise, while VisionWest Community Trust and Family Action help get the seedlings to households they support. “Covid-19 highlighted for us the barriers our community faces in getting local, fresh food, says Damon Birchfield, CEO at EcoMatters. “We’ve got years of experience growing and raising plants, so we got stuck in, raising thousands of vegetable seedlings as a practical first step to reducing inequality in food access.” The emphasis is on making it simple for people to grow and harvest their own vegetables. Visit ecomatters.org.nz/grow-my-kai to find out more.

Community bike fund open for applications Community groups can now apply for funding from Auckland Transport for projects which encourage more people to ride bikes, more often. Cliff Wilton, AT’s Sustainable Mobility Manager, says the fund is part of AT’s ongoing commitment to support cycling as a transport choice. “There are lots of groups within our communities with fantastic ideas to help encourage this. The fund can help kickstart events or initiatives to support more people to ride bikes, especially those who might be new to it or haven’t done it for a while.” Grants of between $300 and $5000 are available, with applications closing on August 23. Visit https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/ community-bike-fund-open-for-applications/

Did you miss the lights last year? Bright Lights Little Village (Glow) are in need of volunteers! The Christmas lights brighten the village and the spirits of locals and it would be great to have them up again this year. Around 10 volunteers are needed to put the lights up in November and one person who can drive and organise this (it may take around 30 hours of time organising). Please send us a message on facebook if you are available! Let's keep this going! https://www.facebook.com/groups/glowtitirangi/

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

The Fringe AUGUST 2020

2nd Floor, 3 Totara Avenue, New Lynn (09) 827 5907 www.thomas.co.nz advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

places to go

Enlivening winter with colourful art

Top: Tree mother, Monique Endt, Acrylic Below: Untitled, Helen Stevens, Watercolour (detail)

Titirangi Painters will be out to lighten the Covid-19 blues when hundreds of their colourful works adorn a pop-up art gallery in the Titirangi War Memorial Hall this month. More than 40 painters will show works in the club’s annual two-day Winter Exhibition, now in its 28th year. Paintings range from traditional and contemporary takes on landscape, still life, portrait and figure studies, to floral, bird and animal subjects and paintings of everyday life. Members work in a variety of styles from representational and hyper-realist to abstract. Artists will vie for the club’s major award, Reflections of the West, featuring paintings with a West Auckland theme. Entries for the award will be displayed on the hall’s stage. A special feature this year is a memorial display of paintings by the late Barbara Leikis who passed away earlier this year. They will take pride of place near the hall’s front doors. “Barbara was a hard-working, respected and valued club member who held executive positions over the years and played a pivotal part in the success of the annual exhibition,” says Titirangi Painters’ president Mike Stock. “It’s important that we honour Barbara’s contribution to West Auckland art and the club with this display of her skilful oil colour paintings.” During the show several artists will create paintings, giving visitors an insight into the creative process, and they can also vote for the People’s Choice award honouring the most popular work. The hall is at 500 South Titirangi Road and the show is open to the public from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Admission is free.

Titirangi PAINTERS

Guitar, Lou Walters, Acrylic

“BEST ART SHOW in the WEST”

Over 40 Artists showing paintings in watercolour, acrylic, pastel and oils. Artists available to talk about paintings. Paintings priced for sale.

Oils by Barbara Leikis

Sponsors

(FRAMES) by Daniel Watercolour by Sharon Mann

Special display of paintings in rememberance of Life Member Barbara Leikis

FLORAL EVENTS By Design

28th Annual Art Show Sat 22- Sun 23 August ‘20 Titirangi War Memorial Hall FREE ADMISSION Next to Library Artist Demonstrations please support our advertisers – they support us

10am 4.30pm daily

The Fringe AUGUST 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.

august – 9, Rag Rugs, the other side, weaving and fibre works by Alison Milne; Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 4278.

– 2, Contemporary wood-carved netsuke (small carvings created as toggles to hold pouches and cases in Japanese kimono culture); Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

$8 for members, under 18 free. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289. 14, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 10am-12noon. Phone Laurie 820 2234.

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.

15, Lions Club Book Sale; New Lynn Friendship Club Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 8am-4pm. Phone Mary 027 487 0639.

17, 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.

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

– September 13, Ka Puawaitia: Coming to fruition, Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole connect a love and exploration of crochet with their hopes of sharing more contemporary understandings of Mātauranga Māori; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

– September 6, Down under cover, an energetic series of paintings by internationally-renowned contemporary artist Philippa Blair; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070

– September 13, Working towards meaning, an exhibition reflecting on Tim Wagg’s blurred relationship to Colin McCahon through his 2019 McCahon House residency and his role as a technician assisting on a McCahon restoration project; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

– September 13, WYF: Where You From, Ashleigh Taupaki, Atonia Vavao, Cyrille Paul Lim, Eva Fuemana, Hamish Raman, Jacob Hamilton, Jasmine Tuiā, Joseph Hisayasu, Mr Meeseeks, Taunese Puā (Fresh One Collective) partner with The Creative Souls Project, Whau the People, Creative New Zealand and Te Uru to bring a contemporary, young and fresh approach to how artist collectives interact with gallery spaces; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

– September 27, Thinking about thinking about the future, a postlockdown group exhibition featuring works by Anna Sew Hoy, Dane Mitchell, Edith Amituanai, Josephine Cachemaille, Paul Cullen, Laura Duffy and Aliyah Winter; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

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

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.

20, 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. 20, Waitākere Forest & Bird present its traditional pre-election opportunity to hear from the General Election candidates in our area; Kelston Community Centre, corner Awaroa and Great North Roads; 7.30pm; Koha appreciated. Phone Liz 027 476 2732 or email lizanstey@hotmail.com.

26, Waitākere Grey Power Association General Meeting with guest speaker Christopher Penk, MP for Helensville (dinner at conclusion of meeting at own cost); Waimauku RSA, 891 State Highway 16, Waimauku; 3.00-5.00pm. Phone Mate Marinovich 838 5207.

28, Glen Eden Combined Probus Club welcomes retirees for fellowship and guest speakers; Ceramco Park Function Centre, 120 Glendale Road, Kaurilands; 9.45am. Phone Brian Holt 838 5857.

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.

28, 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.

w 30, 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.

8, Titirangi Folk Music Club AGM, floor singers and some special guests; Titirangi Beach Hall, bottom of Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $12,

Your Local MPs Hon Carmel Sepuloni

Dr Deborah Russell

Kelston Electorate Office

New Lynn Electorate Office

MP for Kelston

200C West Coast Road, Glen Eden 09 818 4131 kelston.eo@parliament.govt.nz /CarmelSepuloniLabour @CarmelSepuloni

MP for New Lynn

1885 Great North Rd, Avondale 09 820 6245 newlynnmp@parliament.govt.nz /DeborahRussellLabour @beefaerie

Authorised by Carmel Sepuloni MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

The Fringe AUGUST 2020

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places to go

september September 2 and 16, 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.

September 6, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.

w September 6, The Mountain Film Festival, The most popular package of award winning films from this year’s Wanaka Film Festival. Two hours of adrenaline fuelled films...Kayaking in the Andes and Greenland, Climbing in Austria, Paragliding in Tanzania, K2 the killer mountain, Skiing the fourth highest mountain in the World. Prizes for lucky ticket numbers and mulled wine; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House; 2:30pm; Tickets $15 Adult, $12 Senior/Student, and $10 under 14yrs from eventfinda.co.nz. Text bookings to 0210 222 5558. Full details at www.flickscinema.weebly.com September 11, 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.

September 11, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 10am-12noon. Phone Laurie 820 2234.

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:

www.fringemedia.co.nz/ourplace

l WHERE IT’S AT: • 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.

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

• McCahon House Museum, 67 Otitori Bay Road, Titirangi; Wednesday –

Sunday 1-4pm, except public holidays. 817 6148, mccahon@mccahonhouse. org.nz.

• Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen 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.

• Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi; Tuesday – Sunday 10am–4.30pm daily. 817 8087, info@teuru.org.nz.

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

• Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road; 10am–4.30pm daily. 817 4278, www.upstairs.org.nz.

• West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha; Wednesday – Sunday, 10am–4pm. 812 8029, www.westcoastgallery.co.nz.

Not all submissions are equal Council’s Emergency Budget public consultation has flushed more than financial truths to the surface. Council received an unprecedented 34,915 submissions, 1,277 from the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area, but Council identifies 226 as being ‘pro forma submissions’. A pro forma submission is where an organisation or affiliation of people have produced a generic submission and encouraged their members to individually sign and submit a copy or similar wording. Council counts these submissions as one. So, 214 people who sent in submissions associated with Auckland Ratepayers Alliance and 12 associated with Generation Zero are counted as 2. This helps explain why the numbers in each section of the pie chart only equal 979, but leaves 72 submissions unaccounted for.

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I’m sure many of you know what I’m about to explain but it was all news to me. If demographic x is 40% of the population, but 80% of submissions came from that demographic, then submissions from people within demographic x were weighted as .5 (meaning 2 submissions are counted as 1) thus bringing them statistically in line with their level of representation within the community. I’m unclear how weighting is calculated for submissions deemed as under-representing the demographic ... Anyway, the effort that 69 people from Waitākere Ranges put into participating in the Colmar Brunton survey, and 250 (thereabouts) who submitted on the Emergency Budget has been lost in a room full of smoke and mirrors and Council’s calculation of support for the two rate increase options is based on only 70% of feedback. This is not transparent let alone democratic. Moreover, it smells of bureaucratic manipulation to get the results Council wants. Whatever Council manages ends up unnecessarily complicated. – Ken Turner

The Fringe AUGUST 2020

This situation is explained by Council’s Colmar Brunton survey, which is clearer in its methodology. This survey collected a separate 200 submissions from our Waitākere area, labelled as the Unweighted Base, but the percentage of support for each Rate increase has been calculated from a Base of only 131. I asked if that meant 69 submissions had been discarded, the answer was “no they just haven’t been counted as a full submission”

because of their weighting, which is done to align them with community demographics.

bandstanding: music in the west with susannah bridges

Inspired by everything musical Blenheim-born, now Titirangi-resident, Rick Topp has moved around the country quite a bit, his work as a teacher taking him to Auckland and Wellington and places in between, as well as to the UK for several years. “I once held a teaching principal’s position in a tiny rural school off SH 43 (The Lost Highway of legend). It was an hour’s drive from the nearest mince and cheese pie, so you had to stock up on food fortnightly.....that was when I discovered that lettuce doesn’t freeze!” He’s worked with many a top name, including current indie-folk star Aldous Harding. “I did two early shows with Aldous promoting her first album in 2013/14. One was at my buddy Chris Priestley’s One Two One Café on Ponsonby Road, the other at the Thirsty Dog on K Road. Mark Laurent and Jono Lonie helped out. We had a trio called the Latte Cowboys. I probably would never have got the gig if it wasn’t for the fact that Hanna (aka Aldous) is my daughter, but it was nice to be involved, and even nicer to see her career take off the way it has.” Rick’s own musical career began around age 15. His earliest musical memory is of his Mum playing the piano: “Mum had only a rudimentary training in music from the nuns who taught at her school. Brahms, Chopin and Mozart were her favourites, though after a sherry or two she would often break out into a boogie-woogie medley by Winifred Atwell or Russ Conway. My first guitar was a beat-up acoustic, a Suzuki number 3 with one string missing. There was little to do in Blenheim in the sixties so music became very important to me. “After teaching myself five or six chords I joined a band. We played a lot of local gigs but also got to travel as far as Nelson, where I had my first taste of the dizzying heights of rock and roll fame when our band came second in a South Island Battle of the Bands competition.” Along came the 70s and a move to Wellington, where Ali Baba’s, The Oracle and Downtown Club presented talented local bands, but it was Chez Paree on Marjoribanks Street that lured Rick into folk. “There were some great performers there doing Dylan, Tom Rush, Joan Baez and Leonard Cohen songs. I became hooked on the poetry of the lyrics as much as the music, and I’ve never really strayed from that formula as the basis for everything I’ve listened to (or written) since. John Prine became a particular favourite, and his first couple of albums sowed the seeds of inspiration for my own first attempts at song-writing.” A move to Auckland saw Rick become immersed in the folk scene through the Poles Apart and Devonport Folk Clubs, appearing regularly as a guest, and at folk festivals around the country. “By then, my repertoire had expanded to include country, blues and my own first attempts at song-writing, with a few jazz covers thrown in for good measure. I’m not a prolific writer: I’ve only written about 30 all up, but

I try and space the gigs out and choose the venues carefully so I’m not boring the same people at the same venues. “My best songs start out with just an idea, which I quickly give a title to, and that guides me, the lynch pin if you like. I just try and stay true to the original concept. It’s easy to get off track....especially at four in the morning when you’ve been writing all night and the fourth pot of coffee has you almost hallucinating!” Rick took up the bass guitar in the early 90s: “The live music scene in Auckland was changing rapidly and many of us solo singer/ guitarists found that work was drying up. A mate and I formed a duo. We got a lot of work and the money came in handy as by this time I was at Auckland Teachers Training College and living on a student loan. After a time, we added a drummer. After I qualified as a teacher I moved to Taranaki to teach and the band reformed as a four piece. The Lost Boyz became really popular. Our mash-up of 60s through to 90s songs was fun and danceable. We had two residencies of over a year each at two different venues, playing to packed houses most nights, starting at ten o’clock and often not finishing until three. They were heady times, and a lot of fun.” Admitting that everything musical inspires him Rick reckons one of the weirdest things that ever happened to him in his musical career was years ago when crossing Cook Strait on the Aratika. “I was feeling a bit seasick so took my guitar up on deck to play some music and get some fresh air. I had a beard back in those days, and shoulder-length hair, but I was somewhat dumbstruck when a small group of teens gathered around me while I gave my rendition of Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens, and, convinced that I was indeed he, insisted that I give them my autograph. I confess I was so flattered I signed!” Other career highlights include opening for US singer-songwriter Tom Russell at the Gluepot, going on tour with Jimmy LaFave and getting to meet John Prine, and of course opening for Aldous. Rick’s also currently enjoying being back at work teaching. “I thought it would take a lot longer to get back into the swing of things but the transition has been pretty seamless. It’s great to be out of lockdown, I’m spending a lot of time OD-ing on coffee and getting out and about to some live performances of music and poetry with friends. Music is still my happy place. All kinds...from jazz to world, indie folk to seventies prog rock, there is gold to be mined if you keep your ears, and your mind, open.” Rick says of his only three recorded songs: “They’re sad songs, of unrequited love, the tyranny of distance and longing – and not for the faint-hearted.” You can check them out on Soundcloud here at https:// soundcloud.com/rick-topp.

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The Fringe AUGUST 2020

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our place

Charities struggling

Titirangi Library

Large numbers of community groups are struggling to meet basic operating costs including power bills, personal protective equipment and water rates according to new figures. New data shows the average amount of funding sought by local charities to cover their current overheads is almost $8,000. The figures also reveal that operating expenses were higher among community and wellbeing groups as well as environmental and arts charities. Over 100 charities who have seen a significant increase in demand for their services, and are struggling to meet their operating costs as a result of Covid-19, will now receive a share of more than $500,000 – thanks to a new emergency fund. A diverse range of community organisations have applied for a grant from The Trusts Your West Support Fund to cover a wide range of expenses. Trusts CEO Allan Pollard says the high volume of funding requests received in the past two weeks suggests many local charities are struggling to stay afloat. “We know that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the normal income streams of community groups. “These are organisations providing blankets, food and support services to the most vulnerable members of our community. “What was particularly concerning to see was that many of these organisations have asked for help to cover their fundamental operating needs such as power, internet and rent. “For many of these groups, this funding will be an essential lifeline to help them continue to support their community in a post-COVID environment,” he says. Pollard says the requests for support exceeded more than $1.1million and cover a wide range of organisations including food charities, whanau-based support, elderly and youth support services, hospice as well as environmental and sporting groups.

Saturday August 1, 1-2pm: Amy McDaid is a local author whose book Fake Baby is a best seller at Whitcoulls, It features three quirky characters and a uniquely Auckland setting. Amy will discuss her writing process and read excerpts, followed by a Q & A session. Signed copies will be available on the day ($35 cash). RSVP to 817 0011. Saturday August 1 to Saturday August 8: Curated by Jill Perrott, Titirangi Library is hosting an exhibition by six well-known local artists. You can view art for sale at the library and collect your Village Art Amble map that will lead you to more art on display in village shops and eateries. (You can also enter the draw to win a print.) Wednesday August 5, 11am: Two Hearts, local musicians Sylvia La Trobe and Mallory Gawn, bring music and song for an informal relaxing music session. Thursday August 20, 5-7pm: Opening night of the exhibition Masks of Hopeful Challenge, works by Caroline Bensinger based on mask images that have sprung from the unconscious. The exhibition runs until Saturday September 12. All works for sale, contact the artist. In term three the library welcomes back preschool and afterschool activities. There are three programmes for under-fives to encourage literacy, movement and active play in a fun social environment: Music and movement at Rhymetime on Tuesdays, 10.30am; Interactive learning at Storytime on Wednesdays, 10.00am; and Active movement at Wriggle and Rhyme on Fridays 9.30am. There are also three after-school clubs where children can meet up and enjoy similar interests: Ukulele with Mark on Mondays, 3.304.00pm, suitable for ages 8+; Lego Club on Wednesdays, 3.30-4.30pm; and Minecraft Club on Thursdays, 3.30-4.30pm (own device and Minecraft logon required).

Glen Eden Library

Saturday August 15, 1:30-2:30pm: Book Launch for Precious by Anna Soppet. You are invited to meet Anna, a West Auckland author, and learn about Precious, her new book of poems focussing on some of the special people, places and experiences that make life meaningful, and the simple joy of quality time spent with those we love. The library’s regular programmes include Rhymetime every Thursday, 10:30-11:00am; Wriggle and Rhyme every Friday, 11am; and a Lego Club every Saturday, 2.30-3.30pm. Every Wednesday, 1-3pm during school term, Whau Ace Adult and Community Education offers free support and advice in the library. These drop-in sessions are designed for those needing help to get work. They cover preparing a CV, career guidance, job search, online Job applications and cover letters. Glen Eden Library’s Book Chat group meets on August 5, 10.3011.30am, in the library’s meeting room. Everyone is welcome to share what they’ve been reading.

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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 local community, and don’t forget to provide your feedback before 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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The Fringe AUGUST 2020

general election feature

Now’s the chance to choose your government ...

Electoral Commission

The 2020 General Election will be held in September along with the end of life choice and cannabis referenda. This is your opportunity to choose the parties and individuals you want to represent you in parliament for the next three years.

You need to be enrolled before you can vote in the election and referenda and you need to be 18 years or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life before you can enrol. (You can enrol or update your enrolment details online at https://vote.nz.) The current parliament will be dissolved on August 12 and on August 16 the Governor General formally directs that a general election is to take place. The full party lists and candidate schedules are to be

announced by August 20 and overseas voting starts on Wednesday, September 2. If you’re in New Zealand, you’ll be able to vote from Saturday, September 5 to 7pm on election day, Saturday, September 19. Preliminary election results will be released from 7pm on www. electionresults.govt.nz. At this year’s general election, you can also vote in two referenda. One is on whether the recreational use of cannabis should become legal and the other is on whether the End of Life Choice Act 2019, giving people with a terminal illness the option of requesting assisted dying, should come into force. You’ll get a voting paper for the referendums at your voting place, along with your voting paper for the election. The preliminary results for the two referenda will be released on October 2. The official results are to be declared on October 9.

Covid-19 and the Election

Keeping everyone safe while they vote is essential and new processes and arrangements have been put in place to achieve this. Voting places will open two days earlier than usual, and there will be more of them to reduce queues. Voters are encouraged to vote locally and bring their own pen. There will be hand sanitiser at voting places and there’ll be space for physical distancing. If you need to stay home, there will be have other ways of voting including voting by post. In the interests of fair and open debate, The Fringe offers all election candidates and parties advertising space at discount rates and complementary editorial space to introduce themselves and their policies in more detail. Conditions apply – to find out more email info@fringemedia.co.nz.

Dr Deborah Russell, Labour candidate for New Lynn I love the New Lynn electorate. It's diverse and vibrant, full of people who care about each other and their community, and it now stretches all the way from Avondale right out to the Waitākere Ranges. The Labour government has worked hard for us in New Lynn, providing extra funding for schools, building over 300 new social housing units, and supporting great local organisations. I live right in the middle of the electorate, so I understand our local issues from the inside. I’ve helped with funding for a rebuild at Lynfield College, led a select committee investigation into kauri dieback, and connected with community groups across West Auckland. I’ve helped people to solve problems with housing, immigration, schooling, and all of the issues we face in our daily lives. Some of the best moments for me and my team over the last few years have been when we’ve been able to get a family into a new, warm, dry house, or we’ve sorted out a visa problem, or helped a young person to get into education. In recent months, after the Covid-19 shut down ended, I’ve been visiting businesses throughout the electorate, finding out how things are going on the ground, and helping people to access government assistance. Packages like the wage subsidy and the small business loan scheme have helped our local businesses to keep going in this difficult time. I’m thrilled that the New Lynn electorate now includes the Waitākere Ranges. If I am re-elected as your MP, it will be a privilege to be one of the people responsible for looking after this extraordinarily beautiful part of Auckland. I want to keep on working for you. This September, vote Deborah Russell for New Lynn and party vote Labour. Let’s keep moving!

The Fringe AUGUST 2020

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Meet the National team working out West Tell me a bit about you. Lisa: I am National’s candidate for the New Lynn electorate. I am a management accountant by trade and have worked in local government for the past 15 years. A passionate Aucklander with a love for the outdoors, I enjoy the West Auckland beaches and walking tracks – and the diversity that the electorate brings. My family – which includes many animals, is very important to me. Alfred: I am a true-blue Westie! I have been knocking on doors as an MP for nine years – and as a community member for long before then. I am deeply passionate about our community and the diversity of our people. My family and my faith are very important to me. Bala: I am the National Party candidate for the Kelston electorate. I am a familiar face around the electorate being an active community member, and I currently work at a locally based Auckland business, AsureQuality. I have a Master’s degree in chemistry, with eight years of teaching experience. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the great outdoors. Jake: I am National’s candidate for the Upper Harbour electorate. Born in the Waikato, I was raised in a typical hardworking Kiwi family. Dad was a bricklayer and Mum kept the house in order. I went to public school, got a student loan, and made coffee to put myself through university - studying law and international relations. Hard work and determination are part of my DNA! I have a beautiful family – which includes my gorgeous partner, our young son and four dogs!

What made you want to get involved in politics? Lisa: I have always been very focussed on community and the people that make up a community. The New Lynn electorate expands over a vast area, and with that comes a range of opportunities and issues. New Lynn deserves a government that won’t waste its hard-earned tax dollars on experimental projects like KiwiBuild and light rail instead of on the roads they’re paying extra for. Alfred: I was raised with family values of service to community. I always volunteered while growing up and have continued that in my adulthood. My parents were migrants from the Pacific, so I wanted to serve the country that gave us a home and politics allows me to do that. Bala: More jobs and strong families are the cornerstones of a thriving

community. Kelston is a vibrant and diverse part of Auckland, filled with so many hard-working families trying to get ahead. Faced with what is the worst economic crisis in recent times, Kelston needs a National government with a proven track record and capability to steer us through what will be a critical time for us as a country. Jake: Last year, at 31, I returned with my family from the United States after co-founding a tech start-up which grew from the lounge of my university flat to leading the world in parking technology and operating in 51 countries. My aspiration for New Zealand is to become a world leader in tech. With the right framework and support from government, we can create the tens of thousands of highly paid jobs we need to recover from Covid19 and build the infrastructure we desperately need both in Auckland and across New Zealand. As a country, we can’t borrow our way out of every problem, and instead – we need to start focusing on how we are going to pay for the world-class roads, schools and hospitals West Auckland needs – which is where tech can play a major role. My pledge is to work hard and listen to the issues that matter to locals the most. If elected to government, National has the team, has the plan – and has the track record of delivering for New Zealanders through some of our toughest economic storms – like the GFC and Christchurch Earthquakes.

What are the issues that matter most to you? Lisa: Infrastructure, law and order, and environmental issues such as water quality and kauri dieback. Alfred: Infrastructure, strengthening the local economy through support for small business, investment and trade, education, and housing. Bala: Creating opportunities for people through education and employment, and good transport links that will facilitate accessing these opportunities. Jake: Tech! It is currently worth about $12 billion per year to our economy and employs just over 120,000 people. By comparison, Australia’s tech industry employs nearly half a million people and is on track to be worth $315 billion in the next 10 years – leaving us in the dust. Technology connects people, and it connects us to the world – and the vast opportunities that come with that. Our recent pandemic only highlighted the importance of technology in our workforce and the productivity gains we can see from investing in tech. Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington.

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The Fringe AUGUST 2020

our place

Supporting the West The past few months have been tough on the people of West Auckland. As your Waitākere Ward councillors, we are proud to represent such resilient and caring communities. In mid-July, councillors were faced with decisions about what the post-lockdown future of our city would look like. When we sit around the council table, we work hard to represent the views and interests of West Aucklanders That’s why we felt so privileged to hear from so many of you. More than 2,400 Waitākere people and community groups shared their views, hopes and fears for the future of West Auckland during consultation on the Emergency Budget. You told us that you valued libraries, parks, road safety, kauri dieback mitigation work and track upgrades. Many of you also told us that you were doing it tough. That’s why we opted to set aside $50 million for rates relief. With the knowledge that both the lockdown and the severe drought had taken a heavy toll on Auckland Council’s balance sheet, we voted on an Emergency Budget that would stem the bleeding, maintain essential services and continue to invest in our region’s infrastructure. We didn’t like the decisions that we were faced with. There was an unprecedented need to cut or defer expenditure on operations and investment in infrastructure, shed staff and consider the sale of non-strategic properties. Voting for a budget that increased the rates bill for West Auckland households was not a decision that we took lightly. But in doing so, we staved off much harsher cuts to services, kept the Glen Eden library open on full hours, preserved the Henderson animal shelter and maintained funding to the Waitākere Ranges and Henderson-Massey Local Boards. We will continue to be your eyes and ears at council and will do our best to ensure that the services you value most are preserved. – Linda Cooper and Shane Henderson

weather by the moon Ken Ring’s predictions for August August is expected to be slightly drier, cloudier and warmer than average. Most of the rain comes in the second half of the month. The second week is the driest, and the fourth week is the wettest. The second weekend of the month will have the driest weather. Although the second week will have the coolest nights, daytime temperatures will not vary much from week to week. Atmospheric pressures should average about 1014mbs. Southwesterlies on about 10 days will predominate. For fishermen, the highest king tide may be around the 20th.The best fishing bite-times in the west are at noon on the 3rd-5th and 18th-20th, (and in the east around dusk on those days). Chances are also good in the west for dusk of the 10th-13th, and 25th-27th, (and in the east around noon on those days). For gardeners, the 20th-28th are the best sowing days (waxing moon ascending). The best pruning days are the 5th-15th (waning moon descending). For longer shelf-life for crops, harvest at neap tide days on the 13th and 28th. Allow 24 hour error for all forecasting. For future weather for any date, visit www.predictweather.com. © Ken Ring 2020.

The Fringe AUGUST 2020

>> Follow your heart Continued from page 5

and keep on learning

“It was very interesting and I’m still learning, and improving my herbal vocabulary.” Sage, mint, basil, oregano and others appeared on her deck and are now used in her day-to-day life. “They say if you don’t eat your food like medicine, you will have to eat your medicine like food. That was how we first trained in the medical school in Turkey, learning not only about modern medicine but also nutrition and what goodness comes from the earth. “Every time I prepare a meal I know what is going into it. I still do some naughty things that might be a bit high in sugar or cholesterol but always pair them with something counterbalancing to minimise the risk of harm. I don’t buy any packaged/processed products, only fresh whole food. “I prepare my own diced tomatoes or buy dry chick peas, lentils and beans and treat them myself.” While Aysun is not a vegetarian, she eats very little meat. “In Mediterranean cuisine meat is not very widely used. Most meals are plant or fish based. “Titirangi is not easy for growing vegetables – it’s not hot enough – and it’s very challenging but I easily grow herbs to make herbal teas and know they’re healthy, clean and chemical-free.” One of Aysun’s favourite drinks for a “nice peaceful sleep” is a cup of oregano-basil tea daily (see below). “It’s not medication and won’t have a strong effect at once, but if you take it regularly, it builds up and keeps you on a nice level. “During lockdown I prepared herbal teas as I know they keep the bacteria in the gut in good balance and they also help to prevent harmful virus replication in the gut. They are a bit protective like that. “I love a tea made with sage and rosemary, together with a slice of apple or pear in it. I love that one. It gives me the highest level for concentration during the day and helps keep my memory intact. My biggest fear is having memory issues later in life.” For the common cold she suggests a tea made from peppermint leaves with a slice of lemon, some lemon skin, a slice of ginger, a quill of cinnamon and a little bit of honey. “That will ease a cough and give you more strength to recover faster. Don’t make big amounts of the teas – just make them fresh as you go and not more than two cups a day.” It might be a significantly different life to the one she had in Turkey, but Aysun is thriving on the artistic creativity she’s discovered in herself and loving the health benefits she’s sharing with her soul-mate Andrew. – Moira Kennedy

Time for tea ...

Oregano-basil tea for sleep: Boil water then let it cool to about 90 degrees in a mug. Put in two twigs of oregano and one twig of basil (minimum 3-5 leaves). Add well-washed and sliced orange, lime or lemon, cut in full circles about 5mm thick including skin. Give it a minute to brew and drink about 8-9pm to enjoy the benefits of a good night’s sleep. It works best when taken two hours before you go to bed.

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our place

Get involved in protecting your property from pests Part three in a series by the South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network, supported by the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. If you’ve noticed an increase in native birdlife lately, it could be due to efforts of your local neighbours. Neighbours connected with South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network use a technique called a Predator Pulse, which is all about everyone doing co-ordinated blitzes together, at the same time, to get rid of possums and rats. Pulsing is well-known best practice, increasing the catch, preventing bait and trap shyness, and reducing wastage and the amount of toxin used. Pulsing lasts for 10-14 days and happens three-four times a year. The latest pulse started in South Titirangi on July 27 and will run to August 10. The next one is scheduled for October 26. If you’d like to take part in the pulse, go to www.southtitirangi.org.nz, sign up for the newsletter, and connect with your closest neighbourhood co-ordinator. Another great way to support native wildlife is to keep pets under control. Keeping your dog on a leash in natural areas where there are ground-based bird populations is the best way to ensure it is not inadvertently damaging or disturbing birdlife. And keeping your cat inside, particularly at night, is an efficient and effective step you can take to limit its ability to hunt native birds. Some cats don't like being contained: have a chat with your vet if you need assistance and advice about this. Want to take part in a fun, free, family-friendly planting bee in your local community and help support native forest regeneration in the Waitākeres? Everyone is welcome at the Konini School planting bees being held on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, September 13, 10am-12noon. Konini School has a very special setting, nestled at the end of Withers Road on 8.5 hectares of land, half of which is a native bush reserve which adjoins the foothills of the Waitākere Ranges. As well as beautiful bush, the area contains family-friendly biking and walking tracks, and even a hidden waterfall. Over the past decade the local community has worked hard to regenerate the land, encourage bird life and biodiversity and establish pest control. The Abe and Jim Buckton (and grandparents) at the reserve provides rich learning opportunities for kids 2019 planting bee. as kaitiaki (guardians) of their natural environment, and is an important resource not only for the school but the wider community. Last year the school planted over 500 native trees and plants and hope to do even better this year. Grab your gumboots and gloves and support your local community.

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The Waima to Laingholm Pest Free group are also involved in predator control using the pulsing technique. The group has rat and possum traps which are easy to set and empty available for residents in their area to use. They are pet safe and National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) approved and can be mounted on a fence or tree to save your back. These can be purchased at the cost price online for free local pick up. Visit http://w2l.nz/Join-Us. Pulsing strikes a good balance between effectiveness and volunteer fatigue. It must be timed to coincide across a large area, otherwise pests from the areas where the pulse wasn’t carried out will re-invade the areas where it was. This means pulsing is unlikely to be as effective in an isolated property. Although W2L use continuous control on public land trap lines they are also guided by the same pulse dates as its neighbours, the South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network. These dates are based on when certain indicator species nest and also reference Lincoln University research into the effect of moon phases on rat activity under Maramataka – the traditional Māori lunar calendar used to guide planting, harvesting, fishing and hunting.

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sustainable solutions with fiona drummond

Little sustainability actions can have a big impact So here we are post Covid-19 lockdown when, for several weeks, household recycling was put on hold and many people moved to online shopping or food bags, creating yet more packaging waste. A lot of waste must have been generated over this time! And we’re supposedly working towards Waste Free 2040, that aspirational Auckland Council goal to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2040. What does becoming waste free mean? It’s a multi-pronged approach that includes preventing waste in the first place (avoiding packaging where possible and patronising companies who practise product stewardship), reusing or repurposing, and composting food waste. Here are some examples of companies and charities preventing and reusing or repurposing waste:

Preventing waste

• • • •

Tea light candle holders. Community – gifting jars to community groups or neighbours for home preserves, crafts and gala days. (Social media can help with this.) Gifts – place a few homemade cookies in a glass jar for a perfect personal gift. Piggy banks – create three jars for a child labelled Spend (on something special), Save (for a rainy day) and Donate (to a charity they choose). By splitting their pocket money across these, children learn the basics of being good with money, giving to others and become more confident in counting cash.

Recycling bread tags

Lewis Road Creamery now has an option to refill its milk bottles. Teaming up with The Glass Bottle Milk Co. it has installed milk refilling stations in the Grey Lynn, Epsom and Constellation Drive Farro Fresh stores. You make a one-off purchase of $4 for a glass bottle and you can then refill your bottle for $4 a litre in-store. The refill machines and nozzles are cleaned daily. The company plans to roll out more refilling stations so watch out for an outlet or two closer to home.

Reusing bottles & jars

It’s good to see companies giving space to discussion about product stewardship on their websites. Barker’s of Geraldine, well known for its preserves, dressings, syrups and sauces, etc. mainly sell products in glass bottles and jars which can be reused. Although the company currently doesn’t have a bottle return system (for compliance, health and safety and logistical reasons) it does support the development of a comprehensive national container return scheme. On its website there are some great ideas for repurposing containers and you might like to check out some recipe ideas at https://www.barkers.co.nz/recipes/: Bottles can be repurposed into: • Rustic vases – the company’s 710ml bottles resemble the oldschool glass milk bottles. • Refillable BYO vessels – when purchasing bulk oils, dish-washing liquids and the like from eco stores. • Chilled drinks – for diluted syrups, ready to drink from fridge to table, or picnic. • Kombucha brewing bottles. • Slow-drip irrigators in the garden – punch a small hole in the lid, fill bottles with water, and invert. And for jars: • Food containers – for storing dry goods such as spices, or snack jars for nuts and dried fruit. • The organised fridge – place that extra half an onion in its own sealed jar in the fridge or keep leftover dips fresh. • Utility storage – for screws and DIY items.

Whale Tail Earrings made from recycled bread tags. Photo from ODF.

The South African organisation Bread Tags for Wheelchairs (www. breadtagsforwheelchairs.co.za) is now in New Zealand (see https:// www.facebook.com/nzbreadtags). Start saving your bread bag tags and encourage your workplace, school, church, sports group and local café to do the same. Made of high impact polystyrene, bread tags have good recycling value. A bread bag holds 1kg of tags and it takes 200kg of tags to bring in enough money to buy one wheelchair. New Zealand has joined South Africa, Australia and Canada in supporting this cause. In West Auckland, Swanson School at 703 Swanson Road is involved in this initiative. Drop your bread tags off there when you have a stockpile, or even send them in the post. An environmentally minded craftsman, Michael Fox from Objét D’Fox or ODF in New Brighton, Christchurch, is also supporting this cause, making products including jewellery, key rings and plant pots from plastic waste which would otherwise end up in landfill, or our oceans (https://www.recycledplasticdesign.com/collections/all). In a reciprocal arrangement, Breadtags for Wheelchairs NZ provides Michael with bread tags to make jewellery and half the retail proceeds from Michael’s whale tail earrings goes to Breadtags for Wheelchairs. This is a great example of an artist supporting a cause and raising money for it, much quicker than the charity could on its own.

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naturally west with fiona drummond

Tauhou thrive on winter treats Our most frequent and endearing garden (shown bottom left) using a wine bottle visitor at this time of year is the silvereye without a lid, and some scrap wood, even or tauhou (the Māori word for stranger pallet wood would work. or new arrival). It’s common names of You could also attach four strings to the silvereye, white eye or wax eye refer not to base of a 1.5 litre plastic bottle with duct the actual eye colour, but to the distinctive tape, tying the strings together at the top so white ring around the eye. the bottle hangs upside down. Punch some Silvereye are considered a native bird holes ½ cm up the bottle neck to allow the and have had residency in New Zealand sugar water to escape into the dish. Glue the for nearly 200 years, being first recorded bottle lid to a shallow dish and then fill the in 1832. bottle with the sugar water, screw the lid/ They are widespread across many habitats, dish on to the bottle and turn upside down. enjoying native forest as well as suburbia, You can then hang the bottle from a tree or where they are one of our most common place the dish on a flat surface well off the birds, especially if your garden caters to ground. Another alternative is to add sugar their diet which includes fruits, nectar and water directly into a hanging saucer. insects. They are very partial to sugar water. Feeders should be washed every few days Although I have always considered this with very hot water and kept clean to sweet treat a dubious gift (yes, birds can get prevent the growth of mould. diabetes!), none of the conservation-based Zealandia also suggests making fruit organisations have a problem with it. In Tauhou feasting on a saucer of sugar water. Photo by skewers for silvereyes: they enjoy the juice fact they promote it as a means to improve Nicola Pye. from a halved and skewered orange. They survival of birds over winter and to enhance threatened bird species. are known to visit bird feeders more than any other species in New We do therefore feed our local tauhou population sugar water over Zealand, and enjoy fat, lard or cracker or bread crumbs when we put the winter months, and given the vicinity of our homemade feeder to them out. our kitchen window, we get much entertainment from watching them Tauhou naturally thrive in a garden twitter and tussle for their turn, despite there being space for a whole with a good layer of mulch or leaf line up of tauhou on the feeder. A flock of a dozen can clean up a wine litter to promote their diet which bottle full of sugar water in a few includes spiders, moths, beetles and days, though we are yet to see a earthworms, nectar from kōwhai, tūī join them. fuchsia, eucalypts, bottlebrushes If you too would like to feed and more, and small berries. In my your local nectar lovers, make garden they enjoy extracting nectar a brew of one part sugar to from various salvias in flower in the eight parts water. Most people autumn. use white sugar but Zealandia, Tauhou can damage ripening fruit the Karori bird sanctuary (www. in vineyards and orchards, including visitzealandia.com) recommends grapes, apricots, cherries and using brown sugar or raw sugar, apples. On the positive side, they 1/4 cup to 1L water. eat aphids and are a major predator Once you have made your brew of overwintering codling moth you will need a bird feeder to put caterpillars. They also spread seeds it in. You can buy sugar water of native trees and shrubs, including feeders online https://www. kahikatea and coprosmas and they backyardbirds.co.nz/tui-feeder1. assist with pollination of some tree htm or16:33 you can make your own. species such as kōwhai and fuchsia An easy to make feeder using a FRINGEADLTD.pdf 1 15/11/16 Our sugar water bird feeder using a My husband made our one when feeding on nectar. wine bottle and wooden cradle plastic bottle and string

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‘Everyone deserves love’ Yeah gidday. Lizard here. I hope you’re all keeping well. My life is much of a muchness. Shaz, Mopey Jesus and me are still squatting in ‘The Warehouse on Rosebank’ but I am really beginning to miss the cut and thrust of the ignoble cul-de-sacs of the Waitākeres. Sure, there is still ‘Whiskey Wednesdays’ at Wendys in Waima. Granted, we still rock up for a roll up in Ronnys Rambler but it’s not the same. I miss that pressure cooker feeling of panic when it gets towards 3pm and the primary schools create untraversable road blocks. I would have just calmed down from this when it’s was time to present myself for the 5pm footpath gin gins with real-estate Ronda and her perfectly preened playmates. I never knew if my beard was the right shape. Plus, I was always long on chat but short on cash. On this particular Tuesday evening, I rocked back home to a curve ball. I parked Whitevan behind the container and made a beeline for the internal undercover sleeping caravan. As I passed the kitchenette I overheard Gay Gary say to Shaz that he was just going to ask Lizard. “Ask Lizard what?” I asked. He said “As you know, I’m getting married to Māori Phil and ‘The Warehouse on Rosebank’ would make a fabulous wedding venue.” “Nice to be asked,” I said. “Oh, that’s not the question.” said Gay Gary. “No, I was wondering would you be an absolute darling and give me away on the big day?” I’d hung out with Gay Gary, he was just Gary back then, since Green Bay Primary School. Our first actual conversation was by the tennis courts. I’d nicked Sally Henderson’s racket and was hitting stones across Godley Road with it. Gary was just standing and staring at Mr Owens, the tennis coach. “Isn’t he dreamy?” said Gary. It was from then on he became known as Gay Gary. “It would be an absolute honour mate. When’s the big day?” I asked. Just then, Māori Phil strolled in. “Aye, Kia ora Lizard. That’s awesome bro. Traditionally Māori weddings are when Kōpū or Venus is closest to earth so there’s more chance of conception. Obviously that’s not a priority when it comes to a couple of old blokes.” He continued “Also a tradition is pau te marena. This is when the tribe, mainly the elders, would gather around to witness the first consummation of the couple.” When he explained ‘consummation’, I said “No bloody way.” Māori Phil said that I should relax. “I’m 78 years old, bro. We’re more likely to spend the evening lying in bed watching The Graham Norton Show with a cup of hot cocoa and a couple of homemade shortbread biscuits.”

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“True that,” said Gay Gary. “The shortbread will definitely be the only thing getting dunked.” We all had a giggle and then Mopey Jesus said the he preferred a chocolate finger. “Don’t we all,” said Gay Gary. “Don’t we all.” Well, things quickly began to take shape. Māori Phil’s brother, Hemi and me started preparations for the hāngī. Hemi said,”it’s actually an Umu Kotore not a hāngī for the marriage feast. It’s a special ceremonial wedding oven to solemnise and signify the touching of thighs.” “Oh man. Once again, too much information.” Shaz and Māori Phil’s aunties were making amazing progress with the giant rainbow coloured tāniko weaving. Gay Gary got a tear in his eye when Māori Phil’s tamariki presented the wedding couple with two stunning korowai. The cloaks were actually dyed duck feathers and no birds actually died. Well, maybe a few ducks and a couple of chooks but they would add to the feast. Lizard Junior had cruised by to lend a hand. When he was chatting to Eru, Māori Phil’s 60-year old son, he asked, “Was Māori Phil always a homosexual?” “No way man. There was no such thing as a homo back in the fifties. In fact, there has still never been a gay All Black.” “Well,” began Hemi. “Before I finally hung up my footy boots, me and Phil were playing for Ponsonby and the All Blacks were about to go on tour. Now I got this directly from the horse’s mouth so it’s the honest truth”…. Just then the microwave pinged and Gay Gary yelled that the quiche was ready and to dig in while it was hot. That night, as we all sat around the brazier, Mopey Jesus must have noticed Hemi was unusually quiet. “You alright bro?” he asked Hemi. “Yeah sweet, thanks. I was just thinking how brave my big brother was back then. It took real guts being the only takataapui in the whānau. Especially with heaps of kids. His ex was actually quite sweet about it. He is still awesome with their mokopuna and Gay Gary will be a really hard case brother-in-law.” Mopey Jesus patted Hemi on the back and said “everyone deserves love and when you think about it, everyone is love.” Bloody oath, I thought. It was then I quietly got up and went over to the stereo. I gently lifted the needle off the Abba record and threw it as far as I could up the creek. “There’s such a thing as too gay,”I said. “True,” said Eru. “True dat, bro.” Later, Lizard.

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The Fringe, August 2020

Articles inside

Live @ the lounge

Sustainable solutions: Little actions can have a big impact

Naturally West: Tauhou thrive on winter treats

Living in the Waitākere ranges, part 3

Supporting the West; Weather by the moon

Our place: Titirangi Theatre, veggie plants, bikes and lights

Enlivening winter with colourful art

Our place: At the libraries, Struggling charities

Opening doors for the lonely

Bandstanding: Rick Topp, inspired by everything musical

Time to have your say: What’s important to your community?; Letters

Keeping it local: local news and updates

Follow your heart and keep on learning