The Fringe, November 2020 by Fringe Media

ISSUE 198, NOVEMBER 2020

community news, issues, arts, people, events

A boy speaks out

s 10 years old. 00, dead in 2010. He wa Oliver Nicolson, born 20 , dead in 2015. She was 13 years old. 02 Alysa Morgan, born in 20 99, dead in 2013. He was 14 years old. 19 in rn bo , tte years old. Mathew Burde in 2020. She was only 11 ad de , 09 20 in rn bo n, Tangiwai Wilso were all are. These young people le op pe e es th o wh ng You must be wonderi eir own lives. they ended up taking th enough. Why are you here, d an ing lly bu of s tim vic you are slow, not good me You are fat, you are ugly, loves you. These words sound harsh, but for so dy bo no , dy just give up alrea this is reality. E, PLEASE ... NO, STOP, LEAVE ME ALONt a child must experience this? It is not. out Do you think it is okay tha e can walk around without having to think ab on ing lly ery I have a dream that ev typically think about bullying as one child bu We people bullying them. n that. nd, but it is far more tha been teased, called names, rou yg pla the in er oth an llied? Have you ever d. Have you ever been bu If so, then you know how it feels to be bullie s d? ha cke ing mo lly d Bu an it? t of pushed around le? What do they get ou at it makes them op pe er oth lly bu le op Why do pe m act and wh use of how it makes the s as a a big effect on kids beca es, injure themselves and do many more thing t. ou liv do. Kids take their own of bullying because they feel they have no way over t tim jus vic d an the lly ing ba be glo of result every year es liv n ow ir the e ine tak ag Im le l. Over 800.000 peop ine how their families fee ag Im . ing lly bu of e us ca 75% of them are be s brought to their lives New what sadness bullying ha ary, intermediate and secondary schools in ools im sch pr se m tho fro % of Senior staff t bullying in schools. 94 ing brought to their ou ab y rve su a k too rbal bully Zealand all ught school. Nearly half had ve reported bullying in the week. 43% had social or relational bullying bro a a st once attention at least once of physical bullying at lea issue can are aw de ma re we % once a week. This to their attention. 25 of cyberbullying at least ghout our childhood and are aw re we % 14 d an ek ou we ars old and continues thr ing. start as early as four ye teenagers drops out of school because of bully you 10 Do in ? e life On y . tims live a happ into adulthood ty these problems help vic Do you think causing all ssful life? Do you know how much social anxie ir cce the su in a re ve we ha u n yo ca feel if think they Just think how you would these people have now? friends, or shoes. ily, your teachers, your like this, fam ur yo l tel n, tio ua If you are in this sit en through things get help. If you have be to le op to stop every pe d ste tru er oth y out. I know it is hard New Zealand wa er oth an s ay alw is very school in remember there r goal should be to make bully in the world, but ou ACH OUT. a bully-free school. llying, TELL SOMEONE, RE ns – If you are a victim of bu you think is being bullied. Look out for the sig of o get Check in with anyone wh withdrawn, a frequent tar d an d sa or ve ssi gre ag mood swings, becoming or insecure. find ed teasing, looking frighten them. If someone confides in you, help them re ssu rea Listen calmly to EITHER POISON help. WORDS GIVE LIFE – THEY L, KIL DS OR W : ote qu e My favourit . OR FRUIT – YOU CHOOSE old – Logan Brown, 11 years

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

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contents

Happy 20th birthday Abigail Fantail.......................................................4 Our place................................................................................................5 Special person needed...........................................................................6 Places to go: Ecohub Market day, Steiner School Advent Fair, and a community art show in Huia........................................................7

Feature: Christmas is A’coming........................................................8 – 9 Art and about with Naomi McCleary............................................10 – 11 Places to go: Events listing...........................................................12 – 13 Places to go: Open Studios 2020, Summer School at Corbans............14 Bandstanding: From the wilderness to a theatre near you..................15 Titirangi Theatre, Where did 10 years go?, and Build a Book..............16 At the libraries; Weather by the moon................................................17

Attitude and determination win the day..............................................18 Naturally West: kiekie, a traditional bush survival food.......................19 Sustainable solutions: Food boxes – friend or foe?.............................20 Titirangi Painters’ exhibition rescheduled............................................21 Live @ the lounge................................................................................22 Advertisers’ Directory...........................................................................23

On our cover:

Trish Booth in ‘The Ginger Patch’. Trish and her companion Doreen Sunman have embarked on an ambitious ‘retirement project’ – to eliminate a huge area of wild ginger in Laingholm. Read all about it on page 18.

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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Features: Moira Kennedy The late Peter Selwyn, a local potter who held strong creative links to Titirangi, especially through his membership with the Titirangi Potters Club, is to be celebrated with a special display of selected works at Te Uru. The Peter Selwyn Memorial Window will coincide with Te Uru’s annual Portage summer season, opening on November 28 and running through to February next year and is presented in collaboration with the Titirangi Potters Club. Image courtesy of Ila Selwyn.

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

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 December 2020: November 13. The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

books

Happy 20th birthday Abigail Fantail First there was Abigail Fantail, given birth in book form in 2000 by Titirangi writer Janet Martin after she was inspired by a walk along Exhibition Drive with a little fantail (pīwakawaka) following her. That walk was 22 years ago and later, sitting in a spa pool with her late husband Chris, they decided to write stories about New Zealand native birds, something they both loved. Chris wrote about a tūī, and Janet created Abigail. Chris and Janet had been injured in a bad car accident that saw them both off work for 6 – 12 months and Janet saw her writing as a form of recuperation. “I didn’t really plan the Abigail story – it just wrote itself with rhyme and rhythm,” she says. Many edits and drafts later and after Janet was back Janet Martin sitting outside her writing hut on at work, she met her Titirangi property. young art and graphic design student Marigold Freeman and fell in love with the artist’s handdrawn colour pencil illustrations. “Publishers were hard to find then and after sending the manuscript to numerous publishing houses and getting the usual rejection letters, Chris and I decided to publish Abigail ourselves,” Janet says. They formed their own publishing company, Jampot Productions Ltd and published Abigail and four further titles. After Chris passed away, Janet continued to charm children and adults alike bringing the total to 13 tales - Louie the Tūī came after Abigail, followed by Molly Morepork, Mia the Kea, Janet the Gannet, Kiri the Kererū, Joe the Kākāpō, Emily the Kiwi, Enough Crumbs for Everyone, Pūkeko Shoes, Noah the Moa, Squinty the Seagull and Tania Takahē. “There’s been trial and error and I’ve learnt a lot along the way. I’m really proud, and quite surprised, about how well the books have done, thanks to my talented illustrators who made the characters come to life. “The hardest thing was wondering if publishing was going to be financially worthwhile to start with. There have been plenty of ups

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

and downs and at the beginning there was always the fear of failure and rejection. But you just get on and do it, and I really loved creating stories to share with my grandkids and others,” Janet says. After Abigail was published, illustrator Marigold Freeman left on her OE but as luck would have it, Janet ran into artist Ivar Treskon at Titirangi Market and he took on the role of illustrating further books. When Marigold (now Marigold Janezic) returned to New Zealand she worked on Pūkeko Shoes and Tania Takahē. Janet’s writing has taken on a different edge too – she and her partner, musician Dave Hodge, sometimes perform at schools and festivals presenting the stories with live music. (Check them out at Titirangi Library on Wednesday November 11, 10-10.30am.) “After 20 years I still love meeting parents who say their children call fantails Abigail ...” Now retired from her day job as an accountant, Janet says she’s enjoying working on an anthology of frivolous poems and short stories – “just for fun.” She’s also written many unpublished stories about dogs, cats and other subjects and is now thinking about writing a novel for young adults. And, if you’ve been followed by a little fantail, swooping and diving and chatting to you while in the garden or out walking, well sorry. Janet reckons the birds are not actually talking with you. “They’re just interested in the insects your footsteps are stirring up,” she says. There are those who will disagree. All of Janet’s books are printed in New Zealand using vegetable inks and paper from sustainable forestry. Kiri the Kererū is currently out of print, but all other titles are available through bookstores and Titirangi Pharmacy. For more information visit www.jampotbooks.co.nz. – Moira Kennedy The Fringe has five sets of Emily the Kiwi and Abigail Fantail to give away. To go in the draw to win a set, write your name, phone number and address on the back of an envelope and post it to Abigail, PO Box 60-469, Titirangi or email your answer and contact details to info@fringemedia. co.nz with Abigail in the subject line. Entries must be received by November 13.

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our place Stroke Clubs are organised by the Stroke Foundation to unite people who have had a stroke and for mutual support and friendship. As well as enabling people to share experiences and help each other, the clubs hold social activities and organise outings. They offer a great opportunity for like-minded people who want to get out of their own four walls and enjoy each other’s company. The Glen Eden Stroke Club meets at the Glen Eden RSA on Tuesdays from 10am. Following morning tea, there are raffles, exercises, Housie and bowls. A lunch is provided and the morning normally wraps up around 12.15pm. The friendly group resumed its activities on October 13 after lock down much to everyone’s delight. However, the group needs another volunteer to help with general kitchen duties, making morning tea and lunch, doing dishes and helping out. Contact Anne Rogers on 626 7040 if you can help.

letter Hello team, I have just finished reading the September Fringe and saw the article about the restoration of the old Nihotupu filter station. I would like to submit a suggestion. As Exhibition Drive is a thriving walk, run, cycling place to be for our daily exercises with friends and family, I thought at the end of our adventure on the Drive it would be good to have a pancake house/café. Pancakes come in many forms: sweet, savoury and children’s versions. For the children a bear pancake where the kiddies (young or old) could have fun decorating their own pancake for example with chocolate syrup to form their eyes and mouth or jam. For the adults, bacon, apple and maple syrup (my favourite), mushroom and onions, ham and cheese, chicken and brie, lemon and sugar, and more. We have many cafés in Titirangi and further up the road on Scenic Drive. A familyoriented place might just be the thing for Titirangi.

Work is well underway on the replacement clubhouse for the Karekare Surf Club, despite the disruptions caused by Covid-19 lock downs.

Kind regards, Libby

Working together for the good of the Ranges

I am sure that everyone is happy that the election campaign, in what feels like the longest campaign of all time, is now finished. The results were clear. There was an emphatic swing to Labour and the Greens and for the first time in our history of MMP elections one party has the ability to rule without any support party. I hope that they do not do this. I have found that democracy works better where as far as possible all points of view are thrown into the mix and considered. The west is now a sea of red. New Lynn is no longer a marginal seat and on the election night figures, local MP Deborah Russell had a majority of over 10,000. Carmel Sepuloni and Phil Twyford were returned with large majorities. Slightly further north National’s Chris Penk was returned with a safe although somewhat reduced majority. The upset of the night out west was Upper Harbour where Labour’s Vanushi Walters managed to defeat National’s Jake Bezzant. Vanushi is a Waitākere resident and I am sure will be a very good representative. The Green Party candidate for New Lynn, Steve Abel, may have just missed out but, pending special votes, could be the next Green MP into Parliament. The Māori Party were also returned to Parliament with Rawiri Waititi being elected to Waiariki. Westie John Tamihere went close in Tāmaki Makaurau losing to Labour’s Peeni Henare and Kelvin Davies won Te Tai Tokerau convincingly. In the past Deborah and Chris have

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both taken an active part in local board matters including attending the combined Resident and Ratepayer group meetings. Chris’ new seat is just outside the area but he has taken an active interest and as a local resident I hope that he continues to do so. It is important that there is a constructive dialogue between the board and all political parties. In terms of what I would like the new Government to do these are some suggestions in no particular order: 1. Kauri dieback continues to be a scourge. The proposal for extra funding and the implementation of a National Pest Management Plan under the Biosecurity Act needs to be implemented as soon as possible. 2. Job creation through shovel ready projects continues to be important and I would like to propose the biggest shovel ready project that requires no resource consents or huge amounts of resource and which will have a tremendous beneficial environmental effect. This is weeding the Waitākere Ranges. 3. If we are going to meet the Government’s desire of being carbon neutral in 2050 alternatives to cars will be incredibly important. The Waitakere Ranges Greenways Plan is an example of the sorts of projects that need to be accelerated. Good luck to all of the local MPs from all parties. I am sure that we can continue the constructive dialogue that we had last term. – Greg Presland | Local Board Chair Waitākere Ranges Local Board Advertisement

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

our place

Special person needed The Green Bay Community House team is having a bit of a problem finding a person to teach a particular class at its home base in Barron Green. “It been much harder than we thought to find someone to fill the role,” says Community House coordinator, Sara Mihaere. And why is that? The role is for two hours (3.30pm-5.30pm on Wednesdays) and requires someone over 21 years of age who has been police vetted to work with children. And they need to be a competent unicycle instructor. “We have funding from Auckland Council’s The Green Bay Unicyclists club in 2017. Community Bike Fund and we have all the equipment – but we just can’t find the right person for the position,” she says. In 2014 the Community House was the first in the Waitākere area to offer unicycling classes when a Green Bay High School student, Victor Fleurian-Chateau shared his unicycling skills with the community – big kids, little kids, parents and anyone else who had a hankering for a bit of fun. On a unicycle. The classes were a hit. Victor has since left school and moved on with his life, and was replaced by another unicyclist who also moved on late last year. The class was wound up. And, Sara says, she’s been on the hunt for someone ever since because the community keeps asking for the classes to start again “We’ve had lots of inquiries. It’s a very popular thing to do as it’s fun and engaging. And it’s unique in the area. We’d start classes immediately – if only we could find a tutor.” But Sara says hope springs eternal. “With all the craziness this year, we’ll just keep on trucking (no pun intended), confident that we’ll find the right person. With unicycling skills.” For more information, phone 827 3300 or email gbcommunityhouse@gmail.com

Come and join our new puzzle club. Meet other puzzle lovers and enjoy some peaceful puzzle time. Relax with a cuppa, bickie & a chat. Mondays 10-12. Gold coin koha Green Bay Community House, 1 Barron Drive, Green Bay

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places to go

Ecohub Market Day explores connections to local awa (waterways) Connections to the Whau River, both past and future, are just one of the many aspects of local environmental interest on the programme during an open day at EcoMatters Environment Trust in November. The EcoHub Market Day, which runs from 10am-3pm on Sunday November 15, will include a wide range of free workshops, whānau-friendly activities and market-style stalls, all with a focus on how to be a part of the solution to restoring our land and waters. “We’re particularly delighted to be hosting Robin Taua-Gordon, heritage and environment officer from Te Kawerau ā Maki, the tangata whenua of Waitākere city, who will be exploring the iwi’s history and connections to the Whau River. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for people to learn more about the importance of this catchment,” says EcoMatters’ CEO Damon Birchfield. In keeping with the connection to awa (waterways), another workshop will feature representatives from a long-term, multiorganisational scientific study into the effects of contaminants and microplastics on the health of the Whau River. A model of the manta trawl, used to collect samples from waterways, will be on display and there will also be a video of it in action. Other workshops and demonstrations will cover electric cars, tasty

All the fun of the fair The Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School Advent Fair is a traditional fair that reflects the values of the school, developing the pupils’ intellectual, artistic, and practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner. The fair will be a fun-filled family day with a strong focus on homemade and natural products. It is a zero-waste activity and dogs are not allowed (for child safety). The 2020 fair will feature two cafés, a big one featuring Indian cuisine and a smaller one with coffee and cakes. There will be circus workshops including tight rope walking, juggling, plate spinning and stilt walking and an expanded programme of field activities including a beam tussle, coconut shy, tug of war, various races, and archery. You’ll be able to purchase a living, native, Christmas tree and decorations, and many local artists will be exhibiting and selling their work. There will also be delicious wild edibles and ferments. First responders will be demonstrating their work with a fire truck, and rides on an all-terrain vehicle. An ambulance and police car will also be on display. There will also be a lineup of musicians, including the Titirangi Chamber choir. The fair takes place on November 22, 10am-3pm at 5 Helios Place, Titirangi. Find AdventFairTitirangi on Facebook for more information.

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and budget-friendly cooking, conserving water and energy, composting, pest trapping, learn to ride sessions, free help with basic bike maintenance and more. A range of eco-friendly products, rescued resources and pre-loved bikes will be available for sale and there will also be delicious Middle Eastern and Burmese food from the WISE Collective and coffee from Hero Coffee. “This could be a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done, knowing the proceeds from sales through our EcoMatters Store help fund local environmental projects,” says Damon. Start saving up your old toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes, writing instruments, empty ecostore bottles and popped inflatable pool toys: there will be recycling bins for these items. And the event is also zerowaste – bring your own reusable shopping bags, water bottles, coffee mugs, plates and cutlery. It is best to come by bike, on foot or by public transport as there’s no onsite parking and street parking is limited. EcoHub Market Day is part of the 2020 EcoFest West programme and is brought to you with support from The Trusts Community Foundation and the Whau Local Board. Visit ecomatters.org.nz/marketday to find out more. Keep the weekend of November 28 and 29 free for made, a group show featuring emerging and established artists and artisans from the Huia and Cornwallis area and showcasing the rich diversity of art created here. Organisers, Hayley Theyers and Rachael Naomi, are passionate about local artists having an opportunity to exhibit their work and excited to celebrate this creative community in an inspiring natural setting. The arts will be well represented – from photography, film, and paintings, to printmaking and collage through to textiles and sculpture. The artists are Steven Brown, Rachael Burke, Carl Calitz, Ruth Cole, Sara Cross, Mike Hamblin, Fauze Hassen, Kim Holt, Verity Kindlaysides, Rachael Naomi, Jean Stewart, Hayley Theyers, Scarlett Warren and Genevieve Will. There will also be performances by local poets and musicians throughout the weekend and the Huia-Cornwallis Ratepayers and Residents Association will be running the hall kitchen, selling tea, coffee and snacks. made is supported by Auckland Council through its Creative Communities scheme and takes place November 28 and 29, 10am-4pm, at the Huia Hall, 1253 Huia Road, Huia.

Porcelain Lights available now from Te Uru

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susannahbridges.co.nz The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

christmas is a’coming

A Fringe special feature

PLANNING A FESTIVE GATHERING? Our festive menus are available now, groups of all sizes welcome, bookings essential. Contact us for more details.

Auckland’s Rainforest Retreat 573 Scenic Drive, Waiatarua, Auckland E events@waitakereresort.co.nz P +64 9 814 9622 waitakereresort.co.nz

Lopdell Precinct’s annual Twilight Christmas Market is back, on Friday December 4, 2020. Now in its fifth year, the market has grown significantly since it began in 2016 with festive stalls on every level of Lopdell House from the basement theatre to the rooftop terrace. Visitors can expect to pick up bespoke Christmas gifts and products from quality makers, Robin Kewell from Flicks will be curating a selection of short animated films to screen in the theatre for anyone who needs a break from shopping, Titirangi Theatre will brew their fabulous mulled wine in the theatre bar, Melly Moo will be face painting the kids on the rooftop terrace, and the Upstairs Gallery and Te Uru will be selling items from the gallery shops. The Greater Auckland Chorus will sing Christmas carols (6-8pm) and complimentary gift wrapping will be available in the box office in the ground floor foyer. To see updates on stallholders check out the Lopdell Precinct Facebook page from mid-November. Lopdell Precinct Twilight Christmas Market: Friday December 4, 5-9pm, 418/420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi.

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Gecko in Titirangi Village (next to the post office) is truly a one-stop shop for all your Christmas gift requirements. With new stock arriving regularly there will certainly be something for everyone. Free gift wrapping is available with every purchase.

Susannah Bridges’ embossed lights are virtually a steal right now at Te Uru Gallery, where they are available for a special price until Christmas. Should you covet one of these now is the time to act! Every light purchased also supports Te Uru, which has had its funding slashed due to Covid19. Turn it on the for the arts and shine!

Lopdell Precinct presents

A Christmas Twilight Market Friday 4th December 5pm – 9pm Fabulous Festive Stalls Free films for the kids Christmas Carols Free Gif t wrapping lopdellprecinct.org.nz

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

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NZ MADE GIFTS - JEWELLERY - HOMEWARE - CERAMICS - ART TITIRANGI: Shop 2, 400 Titirangi road, Titirangi (Next to the Postshop)

GLENFIELD: Glenfield Mall, S318 (Next to food court) 385 Glenfield Road, Glenfield

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christmas is a’coming

A feast of festive options

Waitākere Resort & Spa provides delicious menus prepared from local produce allowing it to cater to a wide variety of occasions. From private dining, to birthdays, club dinners and family celebrations, its events team will ensure that your dining experience is truly memorable. The cuisine is complemented by panoramic rainforest and city views Christmas is a special time to gather together friends and family and in the lead up to the big day the resort is offering Festive dining options. The Festive Menu has two-course and three-course options and is perfect for groups. It is available for lunch or dinner bookings from November 16 to December 20. Two courses are $59 per person and three course options just $69 per person. Menu items include cured salmon with salt-baked beetroot, braised pork croquettes with chorizo jam and fennel slaw, roasted eye fillet of beef with potato gratin and redcurrant jus. Dessert selections include traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and (naturally) Kiwi pavlova with Chantilly cream and fresh fruit. The full menu can be found on the resort’s website (www.waitakereresort.co.nz) and there are also vegetarian and gluten free options. Discuss your dietary requirements at the time of booking. If Christmas Day lunch is still on the list to finalise, how about joining the team at Waitākere Resort and Spa for a very special day. On December 25 they are hosting a Christmas Buffet lunch between 12noon and 3pm. A glass of bubbles and canapés on arrival are included followed by a sumptuous traditional Christmas lunch featuring whole smoked sides of salmon, honey glazed ham on the bone, turkey and all the trimmings. Bookings are essential and places are limited. The cost is $129 pp (child pricing available). To book call 814 9622 or email info@waitakereresort.co.nz.

Advent Fair Suppor ting Local and Home-Made

22 November

10am-3pm Rain or Shine 5 Helios Place SCRUMPTIOUS CAFE DELICIOUS COFFEE LIVE MUSIC FUN GAMES FOR ALL AGES BEAUTIFUL CRAFTS FABULOUS RECYCLED CLOTHING, WHITE ELEPHANT AND MUCH MORE! FREE SHUTTLE 9am - 3.30pm Pick up at Titirangi Memorial Hall, Woodlands Park School, Tangiwai Reserve

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The Fringe NOVEMBER 9 16/10/192020 5:00 PM

A Fringe special feature

Hospice West Auckland will light up for Christmas with a sparkling display of lights. 2020 has been a very big year for Hospice West Auckland which wants to bring the community together to share peace and reflect on the year that was. There will be special VIP guests in attendance and everyone is invited to prepare for the sun to set and the lights to light up the sky. Bring along your friends and family to this free event. Friday, December 4; Hospice West Auckland, 52 Beach Road, Te Atatu Peninsula; 7.30-8.30pm. For more information email Bella Davis: bellad@hwa.org.nz.

art & about with naomi mccleary

Salute to Summer School Summer School conjures up images of lazy hazy days; easels under the trees; tutors in paint-spattered smocks. Yes, I have been reading too many romantic novels to distract me from the reality of our Covid world. And Summer School is not that at all, although there is a sense in which you can step out of your normal existence for 4 to 5 days and indulge in expanding old talents or investigating completely new ones. There is more information on page 14 – but I want to comment on the fine balance between traditional art forms and new genres. You can join Summer School favourites such as textile printing with Katie Smith, glass casting with Sofia Athineou and, for the second year, Māori carving with Whaotapu. But you can also enter the world of graffiti with Bobby Hung (note: not just for young people), make a movie on your phone with Daniel Wagner, tell your stories through comics with Ant Sang, or focus down, with author Anne Kennedy, on the art of creating and building a believable protagonist for your foray into short or long form fiction. And, as always, there's the magic of joining an instant community of 'believers' who, for those precious days, put aside domestics, routines and responsibilities and immerse themselves in a single task; to make something beautiful, satisfying, challenging. Much talk over food and wine; inspiring talks from all the tutors; and hopefully lots of sun and no lock downs! Last month I reviewed two exhibitions now still showing at Te Uru Gallery. They are serious evocations of places, times, issues. The Joyce Campbell exhibition is especially moving and mysterious – and important in its underlying messaging around environmental degradation. But more recently installed, and in stark contrast, is James Charlton's Thrown. A series of free-standing mechanical structures populate the gallery like strange sporting equipment, programmed and loaded with hundreds of tennis balls, ready to be released into the air and triggered by your movement across the gallery floor. It's all yellow balls and walls and bright blue lighting and has a real 'gyro gear-loose' craziness about

James Charlton’s Thrown at Te Uru. Photo: Sam Hartnett

it, but the equipment is impeccably formed and almost all of it is 3-D printed, so can be replicated and replaced. On a more serious note Thrown challenges visitors to think of their own position within the exhibition as they stand in the designated strike zone and dodge flying tennis balls. This exhibition will throw your sense of what art is, and ask, are you, the audience, participant, performer, or object? And it is simply fun: It will make you smile as you dodge the balls! November sees the start of Season Two of the podcasts from the 24 year history of the Going West Literary Festival archives. There are now over 30 recordings of our Aotearoa writers, thinkers and performers available for download. Added to which we are partway through a series of edited recordings on Radio New Zealand, playing at 9.30 on Monday evenings. All of this is a dream come true for the Going West team. Knowing that we were sitting on a national

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

Much talk over food and wine: Summer School at Corbans.

treasure trove, but never able to find the time and resources to make it public, was an ongoing frustration. Not much good comes of Covid-19, but lock down did give us the moment to pause and make it happen.

Book of the Month

Joining the legions of famous creative Westies is a newly published book on Harry Turbott. Authored by Garth Falconer, who is himself a practising landscape architect and urban designer, it tells a story of landscape architect, teacher and environmentalist Harry Turbott (19302016) who was at the forefront of the first wave of environmental design. Environmental design and landscape architecture are growing fields in New Zealand as people become more aware of the possibilities and benefits of sustainable development. From the early 1960s Dr Harry Turbott played a key role in introducing these concepts to New Zealand. Now his enormous work and rich legacy can be truly celebrated for the first time. The estranged son of well-known radio broadcaster Dr Turbott, Harry had a very interesting and colourful career. Upon graduating from the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture, he won a scholarship to study at Harvard University, where he completed a Masters in Landscape Architecture in 1958. He then spent 18 months working closely with Dan Kiley, America’s foremost landscape architect, before touring Europe and India with his wife Nan. They returned to New Zealand in 1961 and settled in Karekare, a remote West Auckland beach. From here Harry embarked on a groundbreaking design career, working on motorways, beach-front farms, suburban shopping centres, national parks, Pacific Island resorts and ski fields. He also taught at Auckland’s School of Architecture and Town Planning for more than 30 years. Harry recognised the fundamental importance of ecology and indigenous knowledge and ways. He embraced Māori and Pasifika cultures during many collaborative projects, including the restoration of Rarotonga’s Para O Tane Palace in Rarotonga and the creation of Arataki Visitors Centre in the Waitākere Ranges. This biography offers an intimate portrait of Harry’s life, his global influences and outlines several of his legacy projects. There is also a short chapter written by Sir Bob Harvey on the life of Harry’s wife and celebrated artist Nan Manchester (1928-1977). Harry and Sir Bob were close friends due to their years spent as neighbours at Karekare. “All Harry’s work showed an immense respect and care for the environment,” biographer Garth Falconer says. “He believed the designer’s role was one of service to society to protect, restore and enhance the environment of which people were intimately and irrevocably part of.' Harry Turbott: New Zealand’s first landscape architect by Garth Falconer; Blue Acres Press, Oratia Publishing; published 2020; 220 pages; $70.

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art & about Titirangi Potters’ studio was closed during lock down. Our members, keen to enjoy the ritualistic and contemplative benefits of clay, continued potting in their homes around West Auckland. One member, a doctor, Aileen Smith, made a bird each day, as a way to de-stress after long days working - completing 33 beautiful ceramic birds. A silver lining of lock down is that our potters adapted their techniques and many wheel throwers had time to focus on hand building. During July, we exhibited some lock down pieces and rasied $1600 for The Food Bank Project which is experiencing increased demand post Covid. Made in Lockdown shares more of our 2020 work, including some of the beautiful ceramic birds. Pieces will be displayed and for sale in the Lopdell House level one and two foyers during Open Studio weekend, November 14 and 15. In addition, you can visit the Titirangi Potters Studio (under the Titirangi Community House) to see the group’s potters in action over the Open Studios weekend. NUku, running from November 28 to February 28 2021 at Te Uru is a collaborative exhibition, curated by Carla Ruka and including works by Baye Riddell, Wi Taepa, Amorangi Hikuroa, Todd Douglas, Stevei Houkamau, Yvonne Tana, Alix Ashworth, Tracy Darren Keith, Hana Rakena, Maria Brockhill and Carla Ruka. This evoking exhibition of ceramics presents some of the renowned indigenous clay artists of Aotearoa. Whakapapa enriched, each artist brings their unique contribution to a collective, sharing a united passion. Together we are more.

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 November 10am–4pm Visit some of Waitākere’s most celebrated artists including sculptors, painters, jewellers, illustrators, ceramic artists and photographers. With over 80 artists involved, and 40 studios from Piha to Glen Eden, Titirangi to Te Henga, it’s an inspiring weekend out and about. Take a self-guided tour at your own pace with our Open Studios Map and mobile App, or jump on an Open Studios Bus Tour. For more information visit

openstudioswaitakere.co.nz or find us on Facebook and Instagram. Proudly supported by

Right: Takaroa by Alix Ashworth

Catch up work, including ‘renewals’ is needed Auckland Transport has finally acknowledged that substandard roadside drain maintenance is causing blowouts in capital costs. Over the last few months, I’ve been driving around, taking photos, emailing complaints and filing ‘requests for service’ with both Auckland Transport and Council’s Community Facilities Department. My efforts have brought some results which is heartening. But at a recent board workshop I got an opportunity to hammer home the unacceptable costs ratepayers are facing because of ATs failure to do their job properly. Auckland Transport were updating the board on progress with road maintenance of our areas and blamed slow progress on a shortage of money due to increased levels of emergency work. Auckland Transport pointed out there are 14 road subsidences (slips) in our area at present and named some. One of those named was Whatipu Road. Fortunately I had photographed this slip only a few days earlier in preparation for a report-sized complaint, so was able to show photos to meeting attendees including AT staff attending by Skype. The present Whatipu Road problem is not a slip, it is a FAILURE. A failure to properly rectify a previous subsidence. The first slip was caused by a blocked drain sending drain

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water across the road and cascading off the lower side and undermining the road support. But after spending tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars repairing it, Auckland Transport engineers and managers failed to unblock the problem drain. So, drain water continued crossing the road, but now encountered a new concrete retaining wall, with a concrete swale running along its top roadside lip to stop surface water flowing over the wall edge, and directing it past to a place with no drain. But because the amount of water ending up at this place is far more than anticipated, a completely new slip occurred only a few months later. Auckland Transport did not rebut my claims. To the contrary they agreed that a serious amount of catch up work which includes ‘renewals’ rather than just maintenance is required throughout Waitakere and budget for this is being formulated now. There is no excuse for doing jobs twice and ratepayers wearing the financial consequences. Acknowledgement of the problem is a step forward, but Councils ongoing performance reviews must include this type of wastage so management sees the real cost of these issues.

– Ken Turner WestWards

The Fringe NOVEMBER 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.

november – 22, On the last afternoon: Disrupted ecologies and the work of Joyce Campbell, the first substantial presentation of artist Joyce Campbell’s photo and media-based practice. Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

– 22, You’ve been told, a ceramic exhibition from Rita Konig; West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha. Phone 812 8029. www. westcoastgallery.co.nz.

– 29, Wayne Youle’s Elevation: Spilling out from the Learning Centre Gallery into Te Uru’s stairwell, Elevation brings an imagined section of McCahon House into Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

– 29, Thrown: testing the limits of interactive art, James Charlton’s major new installation presents a series of free-standing mechanical structures, programmed and loaded with hundreds of tennis balls, ready to be released into the air and collected by a team of voluntary human agents; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

w – December 6, Clay: Form and Function, an exhibition of new works by artist Kairava Gullatz; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

13, 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.

13, 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, Titirangi Folk Music Club presents Aro, supported by High, Wide and Handsome; Titirangi Beach Hall, bottom of Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $25, members $20. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

w 15, EcoHub Market Day, entertainment, stalls, workshops; EcoMatters 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn; 10am-3pm. Phone 826 4276. 16, Henderson Falls Combined Friendship Club – fun, friendship and fellowship with monthly speakers and frequent outings; Henderson Bowling Club, 2/20 Alderman Drive, Henderson; 10am. Contact Fern 416 0004 or 027 472 0378.

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

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

22, Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School Fair, a fun-filled family activity day and Christmas shopping opportunity supporting local and homemade products. This is a dog-free and zero-waste event; 5 Helios Place, Titirangi; 10am-3pm.

25, West Auckland Historical Society Annual General meeting; Waitakere Gardens Meeting Room, 15 Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson; 7pm. Phone Vivien Burgess 833 4692.

1, Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance Hui with speakers Dr Imogen Bassett and Kathryn Ovenden on Responsible Pet Ownership, Mary Frankham on Waiheke Island's predator free project and Matt Ross and Clem Larsen of Birdsong Opanuku; Arataki Visitor Centre, Scenic Drive; 10am-12.30pm. Phone 027 499 4596.

– December 6, Soft and Gentle Workings, a show that reflects upon change and loss by artist Louise Keen; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

27, 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. 24, Titirangi U3A AGM; West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; 1pm. Contact 818 8890, 027 699 5480 or heathertanguay@ slingshot.co.nz.

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

w 6 – 8, Hack The Plastic Hackathon, a weekend of collaborating and innovating around the problem of plastic waste; Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre, 595 Te Atatū Road, Te Atatū Peninsula;. Visi www.hacktheplastic.org.nz.

6 – 29, Dear Fashion, an exhibition by local mixed media artist, Leigh Tawharu; Upstairs Gallery, first floor, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 4278.

10, West Auckland Historical Society Family History Group meeting; Henderson Central Library West Auckland Research Centre; 2009 Portage joint Premier Award winner Doodads & Doodahs and Widespread Occurence of Possible Symbioses (detail) by Madeleine Child and Philip Jarvis

28 NOVEMBER 2020 – 28 FEBRUARY 2021 A 20th anniversary display of all 20 previous winners 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi teuru.org.nz/portage Free entry

10-11.30am. Phone Gary Snow 832 5098, 021 618 434 or email gary@ snofam.co.nz.

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

24, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra presents Folk Songs; Titirangi War Memorial Hall, South Titirangi Road; 6.30pm. Bookings at apo.co.nz. Phone 623 1052. 27, 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. 28, German Christmas Market. Enjoy a piece of Europe and get together in a relaxing atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy; Green Bay Community House, 1 Barron Drive, Green Bay; 4-8 pm.

Anne Maree Gardens, Rest Home & Hospital Respite & Day Care, Specialist Hospital Dementia Care and Young Persons Disability Care

We believe that inclusiveness, enjoyment and fun, contribute to a resident’s holistic well-being. Phone: Resina Rakai on (09) 828 3741 / 021 835 743 www.annemareeresthome.co.nz 24 Coronet Place, Avondale advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers

places to go

28 – February 28, Portage 2020 ceramic awards, 20th anniversary exhibition; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

28 – February 28, NUku, an exhibition of Maori ceramics; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

l WHERE IT’S AT: • Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon

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

w w

• EcoMatters Environment Trust, 1 Olympic

w 29, 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.

• Flicks cinema, Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House.

28 – February 28, Peter Selwyn Memorial Window; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

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

28 – 29, made, a community art show; Huia Hall, 1253 Huia Road, Huia; 10am-4pm.

Place, New Lynn; Wednesday – Sunday 10am-2pm. 826 4276, info@ecomatters.org.nz. 818 2489, www.flickscinema.weebly.com.

• Kelston Community Centre, corner of Awaroa

december December 3, Waitakere Grey Power Association General Meeting with guest speakers from NZ Fire and Emergency; Swanson RSA, 663 Swanson Rd; 10.00am, followed by lunch at 12pm at own cost ($21). Phone 838 5207.

December 4 – 24 and January 4 – 24, TCAC Members’ Exhibition, looking back at 2020; Onwards and upwards into 2021; Upstairs Gallery, first floor, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 4278 (Artist registration by November 23.)

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

December 8, 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.

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.

December 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.

December 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.

December 11 – February 14, Unthought: Shelley Simpson’s works in copper; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

• 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;

December 11 – February 14, Plastic Age by John Guy Johnston, a visually festive show drawing attention to plastic debris; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

December 12, Lions Club Book Sale; New Lynn Friendship Club Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 8am-4pm. Phone Mary 027 487 0639.

December 12, Titirangi Folk Music Club presents Christmas Special with Cameron Bennett; Titirangi Beach Hall, bottom of Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $12, $8 for members, under 18 free. www. titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

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

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

VL Pomeroy

LL.B, Dip Lit Skills

Criminal, traffic, family, jury trials, appeals. Come and have a say about what goes on in your Community House at our

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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Tuesday 24th November 2020, 6 – 8pm 500 South Titirangi Road, Titirangi Light refreshments provided For more details contact Denise or Bernie. Phone 817 7448 or email admin@titirangihouse.co.nz

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Piha Law

Barrister and Solicitor

P O Box 120 Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, New Zealand Telephone: 812-8180 – Facsimile 812-8182 – Mobile 0220 818-010 Email: vp@vplaw.co.nz

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

places to go

Open Studios Waitākere set to inspire “With more than more than 80 artists, and 40 studios from Piha to Glen Eden, Titirangi to Te Henga, opening their doors to the public – Open Studios is phenomenal!” says organiser Renee Tanner. “The event has been growing in popularity each year with more than 1000 visitors for two years running. We constantly aim to increase that with the variety and scale on offer. We are grateful to the Waitākere Ranges Local Board who fund and support the event, and to all the artists and visitors who take part,” says Renee. “Historically the west is well known as a haven for artists, and Open Studios brings that to life in a wonderful, participatory way,” says Renee. The event has its own bespoke app and there’s also an Open Studios Bus Tour. The event Above: Complex Reds by Hayley brochure and map is now available Brown. in print and online. Below: Mixed bag by Simon Ward. Two new studios were late to Photo by Fraser Chatham. register and therefore missed being included in the brochure. They are Nour Hassan and Hayley Brown’s studio, “Montana”, 233 Scenic Drive and Simon Ward’s studio at the same address. “Housed at the old Montana Winery site, there is a small community of creative, talented

and encouraging people which is really special. Our studio is large and has a gallery-like feel,” says artist and designer Hayley Brown. “Over the Open Studios Weekend we'll hang a range of figurative and still life work. Oil painter Nour Hassan will be drawing and painting over the weekend, including a live model.” Hayley has worked as a painter, tutor and designer for over 20 years. Originally known for her emotive painting, she now designs and produces large scale works for hotels and commercial interiors. Nour Hassan, a New Zealand artist of Iraqi descent, was born in Kuwait and immigrated here as a child. Continued on page 19 >>

Summer School at Corban Estate Each year, Corban Estate Arts Centre’s annual Summer School takes place in January 2021 offering an exciting and immersive line up of hands-on workshops, delivered by accomplished arts practitioners from across Aotearoa. The 2021 programme provides ample opportunities to develop and hone existing skills across a broad range of disciplines. From textile design through to comics, mobile phone storytelling, graffiti, glasscasting, fiction writing, and traditional Māori carving, there are many potential creative directions for participants. Textiles: A Journey In Print Design with Katie Smith is a well-rounded and inspiring Katie in Studio. Photo by workshop for textile enthusiasts to create Fiona Hall. their own unique fabric designs. Katie, who is well-known in her field and has a long history with Corbans, will guide attendees through a number of processes and techniques including screen-printing, block printing and stencilling onto cloth, with the aim of producing a meaningful textile work and perhaps even leading into your own further studies. From clothes to interiors to conceptual art, Katie has always been fascinated by the power of fabric to transform places, space and people. In her own practice, quality over quantity, and sustainability remain core to her business and artistic ethos. In these hands-on and practical workshops, participants will not only be interacting with like-minded peers and renowned tutors, they will also have the opportunity to take part in a number of additional free activities which include studio tours and learning more about the Summer School tutors through a tutor showcase. Whether you are returning to a craft or taking up a new art form, Summer School 2021 is the ideal place to unleash your creativity and connect with others. Visit the Corban Estate Arts Centre website to find out more: www. ceac.org.nz/workshops/summer-school

CORBAN ESTATE ARTS CENTRE

SUMMER SCHOOL

O 6 P M | S AT & S U N 9 A M T O FRI 9AM T 5PM MON -

18 - 22 JANUARY 2021 Summer School 2021 offers an array of weeklong workshops with talented arts professionals, sharing their expertise and experience to support your creative learning and practice development. info@ceac.org.nz (09) 838 4455

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

ceac.org.nz

YOUR ORGANIC HEALTH HUB IN THE HEART OF GLEN EDEN A f ul l r a n g e of o rg a n i c p ro d uce, g ro cer y i tem s, ba by g o o d s, sust a i n a b l e a n d eco f r i en d ly p ro d uc t s . Nat u rop at h ava i la b le S u n -T h u r s a n d a Ba r i s t a on d u t y eve r y d ay. 098136678 | 39 Glenmall place, Glen Eden | w w w.oow.co . n z

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bandstanding: music in the west with susannah bridges

From the wilderness to a theatre near you Long-time Laingholm local, Snapper Thiele has been known around our neck of the woods for many things – not the least of which being one third of ukulele success story The Nukes – in which he played banjolele. And told stories. We asked Snapper to introduce his new band ... “Eleven years performing and touring throughout Australasia, many parking fines and an extensive wardrobe later, The Nukes had run its course for me, and I was once again a lone voice in the wilderness. To keep myself busy I grew a beard. After nine invitations to be Santa, I shaved it off. “Looking for inspiration, and perhaps some toast, I headed out to my mate and trusted confidant Sandy Alexander Henderson, a West Auckland country guitarist, specialising in the key of G. “As I entered his home, I was warmly welcomed into his qi-gong inspired sanctuary. He took one look at me and said ‘Here, take this’, handing me a five-string banjo from his leopard print wall. As he brushed back his long flowing locks, there was something in his eyes. “While wondering if it was trust, faith, belief or sleep I heard the most amazing sound. It was emanating from a dream-like creature, perched on a rock-chick high stool. ‘What is that incredible instrument?’ I asked. She said it was a four-string electric bass guitar. ‘Wow, has anyone ever thought to introduce that deep-toned oddity into a live band situation?’ She replied, ‘Hi. I’m Shelley Beach’. “With abounding inspiration and new vigour pumping in my veins, I walked what seemed like miles back to my car. I have no idea why I’d parked so far from Sandy’s but by the time I got to the car, the country had gone into lock down. This led to seven weeks on Youtube and every waking hour I picked and clawed that banjo. I could tell by my daughter’s expression she was proud of her Dad’s commitment.

“Once free from lockdown, I took the banjo over to Darryn Harkness’s. We had worn our brotherhood like a warm cloak of black satin, with perhaps a scarlet silk lining. He was raising a collection of human beings deep in the Waitākeres, while still touring extensively with seven or more internationally acclaimed acts. “His response to my query was to lightly squeeze my earlobe, and, while taking a mouthful of vegan crumble, reply ‘Sure, I’d love to resonate in pleasure with you brother Snapper. As long as I can be on drums.’ “Later that week, the four of us got together and were immediately brilliant. But something was missing. A tone? A pitch? I cast my mind back to the industrial streets of Kelston and recalled a young child singing on a street corner. She caught my attention because she was solo singing Zerbinetta’s song from Strauss’s Ariadne aug Naxos. That, and the fact she was wearing a head dress made from kererū feathers and hand-spun cats hair. I thought, then, that in 20 or 30 years I’d be in a band with her. Luckily, she had become incredibly famous and, for reasons only known to her, went by the name of Mandy Patmore. I asked her to join us and still get goose bumps when I remember her two magic words ‘Yeah alright’. “So here we are, Voices From The Wilderness. Brimming with excitement, laughter, and a heap of serious musical application. We’re ready to slap any audience across the cheek with the infectious joy of creating the music we all want to hear. Yee haa. Please come and join us. And by the way we are booked to play the gorgeously intimate Titirangi Theatre on December 12 – tickets are on Eventfinda.” Be sure to get along to see Voices From The Wilderness. Highly recommended!

Titirangi PAINTERS

“BEST ART SHOW in the WEST”

Over 30 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

Special display of paintings in rememberance of Life Member Barbara Leikis

Previously cancelled because of COVID .......

Watercolour by Sharon Mann

FLORAL EVENTS By Design

WE ARE BACK!

28th Annual Art Show Sat 5 & Sun 6 Dec ‘20 Titirangi War Memorial Hall FREE Next to Library

Artist Demonstrations

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ADMISSION

10am 4.30pm daily

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

Well, we have waited for God. And waited, and waited, and…… And, at last, Covid-19 permitting, Michael Aitkens’ play from the television series, Waiting For God, will finally go ahead. Bob Lack and his cast and crew have been enormously patient, and have kept their lines and moves warm as we deferred and deferred. And, having read about this so often, everyone should know the story by now. Feisty Diana Trent, a retired war photo-journalist, battles daily with rest home manager Harvey and his put-upon assistant Jane. When Tom, a gentle but somewhat befuddled man, arrives, Diana recruits his help in the fight for better conditions for the rest home residents. It’s a lovely and very funny play. Waiting For God opens on November 14 and runs until November 26 in the Lopdell House Theatre. And yes, those dates are correct – we have had to rejig the season to accommodate some of the cast who had prior commitments. What this does mean, however, is that our much anticipated pantomime, Jack and the Giant Kauri Tree, has been postponed until November 2021. The theatre calendar was further disrupted by our inability to hold our AGM in August or September, as is usual. We did manage to get there in the end, on October 14. The new committee comprises Duncan Milne, Rachel Watkinson, Graeme Heap, Rachel Bock, Alan Thomson, Kerynn Walsh and newcomer Lilicherie McGregor. We are sorry to lose the services of Liz Malcouronne, our minutes secretary and past president and treasurer. And of course we have our co-opted members, Michael Allen, John McIver, Christine Nash and Liz Watkinson. And me, as president. We are delighted that our wardrobe is open again for all your fancy dress needs: Wednesday 4-6pm, Friday 5-7pm, and Saturdays 10am-midday. It is also holding its costume and fabric sale on November 28 and 29, 10am-2pm (at the ‘Treasure House’). Find your own treasures from the many outfits for sale, or get some fabric and make your own. Prices are cheap at never to be repeated levels. Please don’t forget to keep an eye on our website www.titirangitheatre.co.nz for upcoming events, plays, auditions, stories and pictures.

Where did 10 years go? November 2 marks 10 years since the new Auckland Council was founded. To commemorate this event, the book Whau now, Whau then is being published as a community service by the Blockhouse Bay Historical Society. The book has a wide variety of content to interest every reader, including dozens of photos from the Whau area, both old and new. The 18 chapters cover such topics as the clay Industries of the Whau, Whau ethnicity, schools in the Whau, transport in Whau, and Whau: The last 10 years. Books will be available from November 2 onwards from the following outlets: Blockhouse Bay Library, Blockhouse Bay Community Centre, Whau River Catchment Trust (36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay), Haven Foundation (1855 Great North Rd, Avondale), Green Bay Pharmacy (64 Godley Rd, Green Bay), New Lynn Library, Rampant Coffee (43 Totara Ave, New Lynn), and Kelston Pharmacy (Kelston Mall). It will cost $5.

WIN

The Fringe has two copies of Whau now, Whau then to give away.

To go in the draw to win a copy write your name, phone number and address on the back of an envelope and post it to Whau, PO Box 60-469, Titirangi or email your answer and contact details to info@fringemedia.co.nz with Whau in the subject line. Entries must be received by November 13.

– Phoebe Falconer

Build a book Glen Eden-based book artist Liz Constable has just self published her third book, Re:Create. Liz is known for her tenacity and resourcefulness (she took her first book on a crowd funded trip to the Frankfurt book fair) and for her ability to build and foster creative communities. Through Book Art Studios Liz is responsible for an eclectic range of hand-made one-off books, mostly sold online. She has regular buyers in the US, UK and Europe. She also handles corporate commissions. In Re:Create Liz has written an easy-tofollow how-to guide to making unique and personalised books by hand, with a focus on repurposing, reusing and recycling. It is also full of autobiographical insights into her thinking and practice. Re:Create is designed to inspire creative crafters of any age. The first edition of Re:Create is sold out, the second is on the press and Liz has still to hold an official launch, being planned for later this month. For more information and to purchase Re:Create visit www.bookartstudios. co.nz.

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 NOVEMBER 2020

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At the Libraries Titirangi Library

Saturday October 31, 11–11.30am: Nutritionist Elise Bridler delivers a session focusing on nutrition for the early years. Elise will discuss the foods that provide the best nutrition to set up a child for a full and healthy life. All welcome, bookings not required. Question time afterwards. Until November 14: Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, and be creative in the library’s Rangoli colouring competition. Suitable for all ages. Pick up your entry form the Library. Wednesday November 11, 10.00-10.30am: Janet Martin, author of much-loved children’s books such as Abigail Fantail and Emily the Kiwi Plays the Ukulele hosts a very special Storytime. Suitable all ages. Thursday November 19, 11am–12pm: Anawhata: Heritage Images from Auckland Libraries Research West. From the beach, kauri logging and trampers walking through the gorge, join local history librarian Raewynn Robertson to view photos of Anawhata from the J.T. Diamond Collection.

Glen Eden Library

Secret Garden Project: Help transform the library’s kid’s area into a special place just for kids. Keep an eye out during November and December for fun activities and crafts to help create a secret garden. Job Cafe: Every Wednesday, 1-3pm. Whau Ace Adult and Community Education offer free support and advice in the library. The drop-in session includes preparing a CV, career guidance, job search, online job applications, and cover letters. Book Chat: Glen Eden Library’s Book Chat group meets in the library’s

meeting room on Wednesday November 4, 10:30-11:30am. Everyone is welcome to attend and share what they’ve been reading. Rhymetime happens on Thursdays, 10:30-11:00am; Wriggle and Rhyme is on Fridays 11-11:30am; and the Lego Club meets on Thursdays 3:30-4:30pm.

New Lynn Library

Te Reo Playgroup, November 3 and 17, 10:30-11:30am. Community led playgroup focused on speaking te reo Māori with our tamariki. Diwali Heath Talk, November 7, 11am-12pm. Dr Pooja Maddela talks about how to build up your immunity. All welcome. Huinga Kōrero – te reo Māori Conversation Group, Tuesday November 10 and 24, 10:30-11:30am. Come join us to practice te reo Māori in a relaxed setting. Composting workshop, Monday November 16, 4-5.15pm. Learn how to turn your food scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost. Attend this free workshop and you will receive a $40 voucher towards a home composting system. Register at http://compstcollective.org.nz/ events/composting-basics-new-lynn-2/ Family History, November 18, 2-4 pm. Learn how to make the most of the online family history resources at Auckland Libraries. Register at the library or message us on Facebook. How Tuesday for ages 5+ happens on Tuesdays, 4-5pm; Mandarin Storytime is on Fridays, 11-11:30am; Rhymetime for ages 18 months to 3 years takes place on Mondays, 10:30-11am; Storytime for ages 3-5 years is on Wednesdays 10-10:30am. and Wriggle & Rhyme for ages 18 months and under is on Tuesdays, 9:30-10am and 10:30-11am.

weather by the moon Ken Ring’s predictions for November November is a drier than average month, cooler, and with average sunshine. The first week will be the warmest and brings most rain, the second week sees most sunshine, the fourth week is the coolest, and the last week is the driest. The best weekend is the 14th-15th. Atmospheric pressures should average about 1012mbs, with winds from the southwest or west on about 18 days. For fishermen, the highest king tide may be around the 16th. The best fishing bite-times in the west are around noon on the 1st-2nd, 14th-16th, and 29th-30th (and in the east around dusk on those days). Chances are also good in the west for dusk of the 7th-9th and 20th-23rd (and in the east around noon on those days). For gardeners, the best pruning days are the 2nd-5th (waning moon descending), and 16th-18th are best sowing days (waxing moon ascending). For longer shelf-life for crops, harvest at neap tide days on the 9th and 24th. Allow 24 hour error for all forecasting. For future weather for any date, visit www.predictweather.com. © Ken Ring 2020. Ken Ring’s new 356-page New Zealand16:33 Weather Almanac for 2021 is now available from bookshops FRINGEADLTD.pdf 1 15/11/16 throughout the country.

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Attitude and determination win the day Auckland is said to be the weediest city in the world and Laingholm must be a contender for its weediest suburb. When long-time Laingholm resident Doreen Sunman retired in 2014, she decided to do something about it. A walk around the block identified a long list of weeds. Armed with her camera she photographed wild ginger, woolly nightshade, pampas, blue morning glory, phoenix palm and more. It was hard to identify the areas that needed the most weed control. Doreen’s attention was drawn to the steep road reserve opposite her house. It was not for the faint of heart. A slip in the 1960s had demolished a house and in the 1980s, a power pole had come down. In the 1990s a road one up from hers collapsed resulting in a muchneeded retaining wall being built in the winter of 2019 to prevent any further slips. Armed with her phone, Doreen tackled Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, and the local board. There were meetings, some ill advised chopping which resulted in the spreading of tradescantia, flail mowing which cut back the trees but scattered weed seeds, and spraying that killed everything except for the agapanthus. There were budget woes and contractors that “did not have the appetite” to remove the ginger from the site – not surprising given the steep terrain and associated costs. By now it was 2018 and Doreen had been battling for four years. One day, on a walk with friend Trish Booth, and cross at the lack of progress, Doreen said, “I feel like doing it myself.” “I’ll help you,” Trish responded. Enough said! Two days later, armed with loppers and a bottle of glyphosate gel, the two grandmothers with attitude entered what was soon referred to as ‘The Ginger Patch.’ There was ginger as far as the eye could see and further! “Up until then I had only seen it from the road,” says Doreen. “I was shocked.” Undeterred Doreen and Trish started to cut and paste, a process whereby the ginger plant is cut above the pink ‘collar’ at the base and herbicide is applied to the stump. The leaves were left to rot on site, which also helps to prevent erosion, something that Doreen monitors closely, especially after heavy rains. In December 2019, Doreen owned up to their weed control activity and held a meeting on site with an AT engineer and Ellice Protheroe, a conservation advisor from Council’s Environmental Services. The engineer didn’t understand why the ginger needed to be removed and was convinced that doing so would cause erosion but Ellice was impressed and facilitated the necessary paperwork and Trish and Doreen now have official approval to continue with their ‘retirement project’. Trish and Doreen have completed the Growsafe course, Doreen has completed a risk management course and both ladies will soon

Before (above) and after: Trish and Doreen are making progress.

complete a first aid course as well. Weeds smother and replace native flora, can affect soil stability, composition, and groundwater, could heighten the risk of fire, and provide cover for animal pests. Wild ginger, with its shallow rooted and dense rhizome bed, when heavy with rain, can be the cause of slips on steep sites such as this one. If you would like to find out more about the weed action or predator control taking place in your neighbourhood, email pestfreewaitakereranges@gmail.com. – Michelle Swanepoel

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Kiekie, a traditional bush survival food If you happen to get lost in the Waitākere mats. The aerial roots were gathered to bush without food at this time of year, use as a binding material for implements kiekie, the sole representative of the and for making fish traps and sandals. pandanus family in Aotearoa, is one Some Auckland place names have of the most palatable, nutritious and significance to the kiekie plant, delicious native wild foods you could Tāwharanui on Auckland’s east coast console yourself with. literally means “the abundant flowers If it is in flower you can pluck the outer of the kiekie vine” while Maungakiekie white flower (actually leaf bracts) known (One Tree Hill) translates as “Mountain as tāwhara to savour, hopefully at an of kiekie”. optimum ripeness when it apparently In Māori tradition, kiekie and harakeke tastes a little like pear or pineapple with (native flax) are regarded as long lost the aroma of vanilla. brothers. Harakeke left home to live with If you were stranded in autumn you Wainui (the mother of waters) while could seek out the kiekie for its fruit Kiekie in flower displaying the edible bracts. © L. Jensen. kiekie stayed with Tāne (the god of the instead of the leaf bracts forest) piggy-backing on his shoulders wherever he went. The outer dried leaves can be used as fire starters, in the same way as Kiekie is most commonly found suspended in the canopy of our kouka or cabbage tree leaves make great kindling when tied together mightiest trees. Where it is independent of a tree host, kiekie becomes in a knot. an impassable mass of tangled roots, a bane to bushmen and trampers Māori used kiekie to make cloaks called peia, which is also another around the country, unless of course it is in flower! Māori name for the plant. Weaving kiekie cloaks was known as “making a saddleback nest” as these birds were often found nesting in the >> Open Studios Waitākere set to inspire, Continued kiekie leaves. from page 14 The sweet-tasting fruits and the succulent tāwhara were a highly Hassan is 32 and largely self-taught, making her command of the esteemed delicacy of Maori, often gathered using a forked stick. The medium all the more impressive. Last year she was selected for a bracts were made into juice, jelly or eaten as is. In some areas of the scholarship in classical painting at Studio Escalier in Angers, France, country these flowers were fermented to produce an alcoholic liquor. where she spent three intensive months studying classical oil painting The fruit too was regarded as a delicacy, and early Pākehā settlers and colour theory. Early works have won the Lysaght Watt Trust Award, made it into a jelly which tasted like preserved strawberries. Taranaki, National Emerging Artist Award, Titirangi, and Impressions Māori protected the edible parts of the kiekie from rats and possums, National Art Award, Nelson. which are also partial to tāwhara. The presence of these pests may Simon Ward is a sculptor who works predominantly in ceramics and account for the absence of that part of the flower around ripening cast glass He is best known for his playful interpretations of iconic fruits encountered today in the bush. New Zealand candy. His work seeks to inspire a sense of childlike The following whakataukī (proverb) recognises the significance and excitement, oscillating between nostalgia and pop-culture, and often previous abundance of two of the most desirable food resources to playing with scale. Māori: “I've always found that not only do people have a better understanding He whā tāwhara ki wā, he kiko tāmure ki tai for the process after visiting the studio, they often find a deeper The tāwhara leaf on land, the flesh of the snapper offshore attachment and meaning to the art itself. That's why I think the Open Kiekie leaves were used widely for plaiting and weaving for mats Studios Waitākere weekend is so important to West Auckland as a and temporary baskets for holding food. In some Māori communities, whole,” says Simon, who will have some special works for sale that are however, kiekie was a tapu plant and not used for food baskets or floor not usually available to the public.

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.

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

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The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

sustainable solutions with fiona drummond

Food boxes – friend or foe? Food boxes have gained in popularity due to Covid-19. The fact that they were delivered during the pandemic meant you could limit your supermarket visits. We were recently gifted a week’s trial of the Hello Fresh food box. While the food was delicious, the amount of plastic packaging used was shocking. The biggest item was a large cool pouch of debatable reuse potential while the meat, some cut vegetables in vacuum-wrapped plastic and an array of sauces came in packaging that, though recyclable via the soft plastic or regular recycling, had no reuse potential. Friends who are regular consumers of food boxes were equally concerned by the amount of packaging. I visited Zero Waste in NZ Facebook site for opinions on food bags, researched food box company websites and contacted a few. What follows doesn’t cover all the brands, but gives an idea of what to expect and ideas on how to reuse some of the waste. The Kai Box: Although nothing is currently listed on this company’s website about recycling, I had heard it did a good job of minimising waste and contacted them directly. “We make every effort to use The WOOP food box compostable or recyclable packaging where is heavy on plastic packaging. we can,” said a spokesperson. “We use brown paper bags for our dried foods and our spice and nut bags are clear cellulose bags, derived from FSC certified renewable wood pulp, which are home compostable.” The company stopped picking up used boxes during Covid but is talking to its couriers to see when this can be restarted. Recycling information will soon be added to its website and cookbook. Hello Fresh: This company has high levels of packaging but says, on its website, that the box and the meal kit bags (including stickers and any cans) are recyclable. It doesn’t offer a return recycling service but the cool pouches are plant-based and can be reused and ice packs can be reused in a chilly bin or lunch box. The company suggests disposing of the water-based gel in general waste and recycling the soft plastic layer along with the plastic wrappings but, with limited outlets for soft plastic recycling in West Auckland, the majority will still go to landfill. My Food Bag: This company has less packaging than Hello Fresh and couriers used to collect the previous week’s box, ice packs and ‘Woolcool’ insulation. The company website says: “The wool we use is 100% compostable and biodegradable. You can add it in your garden or compost as the wool will release valuable nitrates back into the soil.” It also says: “We strive for circular recycling where plastics are used again and again. We’re constantly making strides towards reducing our overall environmental footprint and use fit for purpose packaging

so we don’t use more plastic than we really need to.” However, some consumers have commented on the number of sachets used (e.g. four sachets of yoghurt instead of one pottle) and also mentioned that a clove of garlic came in its own bag. In correspondence the company advised that it is unable to collect any recycling for the foreseeable future, for health and safety reasons. However, it also says that it has reduced plastic use in its operations by 70% over the past few Foodbox contains minimal plastic packaging years. WOOP: A friend who ordered a four-meal delivery for four people was shocked to receive, within the 35 items, 15 plastic bags, 16 plastic tubs and two gel cool packs. The company’s justification for the amount of packaging is “to prevent food waste by extending the shelf life and keep the ingredients fresh.” Despite having the highest waste content of all food boxes, WOOP has the most to say on its website about its committment to reducing environmental impact, saying that 99% of their existing packaging is recyclable or compostable. It also maintains that each door-todoor delivery is carbon neutral as the carbon footprint is offset by planting trees. The company is currently trialling an initiative allowing customers to return their box (containing used and cleaned packaging and gel cool packs) with their next delivery. WOOP will sanitise and refreeze the ice pack for reuse while the rest of the packaging is sent to its recycling partners. Foodbox: A friend recommended this company for simplicity and lack of packaging. The company is different in that it provides whole food, not organised meals, although they have recipe ideas on their website. The website also states its intent to only use packaging when required and gives consumers the option to choose unpackaged products. Last year, the company was so happy with customers returning their chiller boxes that they removed the $6 chiller box deposit per delivery, and they continue to allow customers to return all other forms of packaging provided in their boxes. They appear to be one of the best options for minimal packaging waste. To give some credit to these companies, they are all doing a good job of minimising food waste as meals are apportioned for the numbers the box provides for. Food is one of New Zealand’s largest waste areas so this is something that food box businesses have going for them As part of recent legislation on product stewardship, food box

Linda Cooper Linda Cooper Linda Cooper

Councillor for Waitākere Councillor for Waitākere Councillor for Waitākere feel free to Please feelPlease free contact me with Please feel to free to contact me with contact me with issuesissues or ideas or ideas issues or ideas

213 – 215 Woodlands Park Road, Titirangi, Auckland 0604 021 629 533 021 629 021533 629 533 linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Phone: 09 817 8495 or 09 817linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz 6188 linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz www.kenturnermotors.co.nz

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

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Titirangi Painters’ exhibition rescheduled companies and their suppliers have a greater responsibility to reduce the environmental harm their products may cause. Bostok Brothers, who supply chicken products to Foodbox, are an example of a company taking this seriously. Its packaging is compostable and they also offer a free reusable courier box in which packaging can be returned to their own composting plant. (The compost is spread on their maize and broad bean crops which in turn feeds the chickens.) The company will also recycle any ice packs returned. As food box companies begin to embrace product stewardship, food boxes will become more attractive. Exploring reusable container options, minimising or eliminating plastic packaging, providing larger unit sizes instead of multiples of the same item, and listing the staples that they expect consumers to have in their pantries are areas that need more consideration from the companies involved. These measures should reduce the cost of the food boxes and potentially benefit the supplier, the consumer, and the environment. In September Kirsty Lorson’s Zero Waste in NZ Facebook site began encouraging ‘zero wasters’ to contact Woop, Hello Fresh and My Food Bag to ask when they intend to phase out their plastic packaging and replace their single-use packaging with plastic-free reusable options. Consumers can contact these companies at any time with their concerns and, the more who do, the more likely improvements will be made. Kristy Lorson cites Yum Jar NZ in Wellington and Noodie Foodie in Mt Maunganui as forward-thinking companies providing food box options without waste. They offer a 100% plastic-free service and use reusable jars which are collected and sterilised. Note: The West Auckland Resource Centre is happy for people to drop the cardboard boxes, large plastic pouches, insulation and ice packs into them at 2 Seabrook Avenue in New Lynn. They are open 12-2pm on Wednesdays and 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays.

Solutions to Food Box Waste • • •

Use the large plastic pouches as bags to collect soft plastic recycling. Woolcool can be used for animal insulation (worm bin cover, kennel, chookhouse), for hanging baskets or as a mulch around plants. The SPCA is happy to take Woolcool also. Ice packs can be used for strains and sprains, lunchboxes and chilly bins or donate to your local food banks or sports clubs.

Titirangi Painters were set to go with the club’s annual exhibition in August, but the Auckland-wide Covid-19 lock down put paid to those plans. However, club members remained determined to hold an annual exhibition this year and, on the first weekend of December, more than 30 painters will show works in the club’s rescheduled twoday display in the Titirangi War Memorial Hall, December 5 and 6. The paintings range from traditional and contemporary landscapes, still life, Safe harbour. Acrylic, portrait and figure studies, to floral, bird Lou Walters. and animal subjects and paintings of everyday life. Members work in styles ranging 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 that category 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.” During the show several artists will create paintings, giving attendees an insight Old trees. Acrylic, Tania Sunde. into the creative process, and visitors can vote for the People’s Choice award honouring the most popular work. The Titirangi War Memorial Hall is near the top of South Titirangi Road and the show is open to the public from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6. Admission is free.

Coming up in In the December/January issue of The Fringe we will continue our build up towards Summer and the Festive Season. Yep, it’s that time of year. Not only are our many thousands of readers thinking about Christmas shopping and festive dining but also summer and the holiday season are looming large for many. Special rates and complimentary editorial space will be available to advertisers who would like to participate in this feature. The Fringe is well aware of the problems being faced by local businesses as a result of Covid-19 and the associated lockdowns and we are committed to supporting our local businesses and community organisations. Our keeping it local section remains available to support our advertisers and our community with free editorial space available to all advertisers and local community organisations.

To find out more, email The Fringe at info@fringemedia.co.nz.

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The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

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Who are we really? Yeah, Gidday. The other morning I had just come down Steiner Hill and was braking hard to make the bottom right-hander. The tailgater was getting mighty agitated but I challenge her to take that corner any faster, steering with her knees while reading a riveting article in The Fringe with my stickshifting hand and sending an urgent text with my right indicating arm. The text was very, very urgent actually. I needed to know from Shaz if the Australian Master Chef final was on that night. I didn’t want to get all revved up if it wasn’t even on. I try to never drive uptight. I’m not an idiot. As I skilfully scrubbed off speed (yes, left foot braking) a couple of ducks took to wing and joined in. They flew in single file in front of Whitevan. The drake first, followed by, I’m guessing, his wife? What is a lady duck? Not a hen. A duchess? Anyway, I’d finished my texting by then so had my driving hand back on the wheel and my balancing arm out the window, well before the corkscrews I might add. Those ducks really flew through the winding bits with style. Banking into the bends, taking the straightest racing lines. They were cutting the corners so much I was scared they might fly head-on into a lorry. (That’s duck for truck.) It then dawned on me. They were ‘flying the road’. They knew it. They were born and raised on these roads. This was their quickest route to the harbour. Just like me, they were locals. They chose to live here. People are quite surprised to discover I’m actually a ‘Westie’ (I’m often mistaken for a Newfoundlander) and always say, “Oh I could never live way out there. There’s no sun.” “Too bloody right mate,” I say. We get about 10 months of nonstop searing sun nowadays. Damn, it’s Spring and already close to unbearable. I love the bush. I love the dappled shade our groovy trees

provide. I love the song of the birds which, surprise, surprise, live in the trees. I don’t want to live in a divided up paddock once ploughed by Dallies so they could provide affordable, fortified plonk to their neighbours. (Probably New Zealand’s first unofficial bottle stores when you think about it.) I dig the bush. Not literally dig the bush – there’s a Rahui on. I even like all the spiders’ webs that cover Whitevan’s mirrors on a daily basis. The next day I dropped by Gazzas to pick him up and go get a late breakfast. Or early lunch? There should be a name for that meal. Maybe ‘lunch fast’. “What’s eggs benedictum?” he grumbled. “Sounds like fancy git food. I can never make head nor tail of these stupid chalk wall menu things.” “Just calm down Gazza. I’ll order for us.” Mopey Jesus turned up and joined us saying he was starving as well so I ordered for the three of us. “Three English breakfasts thanks. And three flat whites while you’re at it. Ta.” Mopey Jesus raved to Gazza how cafés were the new tearooms and how he should embrace the new culture. He went on to say you can even get cold beers. “Yeah, bloody fruity posh beers,” grumbled Gazza. The waiter then brought over our order. “Three flat white coffees, gentlemen, and three pots of English breakfast tea.” Oh bugger. All the way home Gazza went on about how, back in his motherland, he would get both bacon and sausages with a full English. Mopey Jesus said, “I guess you can take the boy out of Kelston, but you can’t take London out of the man.” Locals. Who are we really? Later, Lizard.

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93 WEST COAST ROAD GLEN EDEN

The Fringe NOVEMBER 2020

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The Fringe, November 2020

Articles inside

Titirangi Painters’ exhibition rescheduled

Sustainable solutions: Food boxes – friend or foe?

Live @ the lounge

Naturally West: kiekie, a traditional bush survival food

Attitude and determination win the day

Titirangi Theatre, Where did 10 years go?, and Build a Book

Special person needed

At the libraries; Weather by the moon

Happy 20th birthday Abigail Fantail

Bandstanding: From the wilderness to a theatre near you

Places to go: Open Studios 2020, Summer School at Corbans

Our place