The Fringe Issue 227, July 2023

ISSUE 227, JULY 2023

Celebrate with us as Street Feast turns two

Tītīrangi, you are invited to join Street Feast as it celebrates two years in the Village this July.

The global-yet-local food hall opened its doors on Thursday 20 July 2021.

It was a an ambitious and unique concept, a group of Auckland’s most in-demand independent food truck operators coming together to set up bricks and mortar businesses in a food hall with a difference.

It has been a bumpy first two years, with Covid lockdowns affecting the ability for Street Feast to serve the community as originally intended.

soon as possible, enjoying being back in business.

“Thank you to the Tītīrangi community, and to all those that visit Tītīrangi Village to enjoy a meal and support Street Feast,” says Adrian Hughes of Broadway Property, who helped found the food hall during the early development of The Rise.

“Thank you also to the seven Street Feast businesses which have been there since the beginning: Mar & Tierra, SaPa Kitchen, Wen & Yen, Stumpys Pizza, Churly’s, Loco Bros and Jo Bro’s Burgers. You are doing a fantastic job.”

From DJs to giveaways and discounts, keep an eye on Street

Advertise with The Fringe – It’s who we are

On our cover: Two new playgrounds have been opened in Green Bay, adding to the range of outdoor recreation options available to local children and families. See article on this page. Photo Moira Kennedy.

By locals for locals

www.fringemedia.co.nz

Delivered free to letter boxes, post boxes, libraries and selected outlets throughout Tītīrangi, Glen Eden, Green Bay, New Lynn, Konini, Wood Bay, French Bay, Waima, Woodlands Park, Laingholm, Parau, Cornwallis, Huia, Oratia, and beyond.

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

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

Advertising: info@fringemedia.co.nz

Writers and contributors: Moira Kennedy, David Thiele, Naomi McCleary, Fiona Drummond, Jade Reidy, Karen McCarthy

Advertising deadline for August 2023: July 14

There’s some great news for local children with the opening of two playgrounds in the past few weeks.

First came the new playground at Tahurangi Crum Park (Auckland’s first park with bilingual signage) in Hilling Street. This park was fittingly opened by small children: “Why should adults open it when it’s for the children?” said Kay Thomas, chair of the Whau Local Board which worked in tandem with Sara Mihaere and the Green Bay Community House team to make the playground a reality.

Planned three years ago, work was affected by floods and Covid but all that was left behind when lots of children, parents, caregivers and nanas turned out for fun in the sun. And, of course, the ubiquitous sausage sizzle.

“This park is a real asset in this area and we’re so proud of what’s been done,” said Kay. “And all credit must go to Sara for the huge amount she and her team have put in.”

Not one to let the grass grow under her feet, Sara then worked on the finishing touches to a new playground at the Green Bay Community House in Barrons Green, which opened in the last week of last month.

It’s been three years in the making too, with funding from a range of sources including The Trusts, the Ministry of Education and “a lot of sausage sizzles.”

The community house is open virtually seven days a week for community groups, playgroups, parties, churches and holiday programmes, and Sara says there will be a range of special and fun activities this month to celebrate Matariki.

Check them out at www.greenbaycommunityhouse.co.nz.

– Moira Kennedy

Every issue of The Fringe (and the Tītīrangi 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.

Community Noticeboard

Visionwest Community Trust has opened the first social supermarket of its kind in Auckland. Locals who need food support can self-select the goods they need. Every grocery item in ‘Manaaki Kai’ is given a point value. Shoppers are allocated a number of points depending on the size of their household. They can then select goods of their choice up to that points value. Shoppers must live in West Auckland and must prebook by visting Visionwest, 67 Glendale Road, Glen Eden. www.visionwest.org.nz/whai-manaaki-kai/.

Hospice West Auckland, an organisation which provides palliative care and support, can pick up large furniture items, estate lots or bulk goods, including furniture, home wares or end of line stock. Donating your pre-loved goods generates revenue that goes directly to helping patients and their families. Phone 0508 4 HOSPICE / 0508 446 7742 to arrange free collection, or visit www.hwa.org.nz/shop/donategoods.

Playhouse Theatre Inc. is to present Frozen JR at Playhouse Theatre, Glen Eden, July 8 – 15. This stage adaptation of the popular film will be performed by a cast of 47 local youth performers aged under 18. Frozen JR’s characters embark on an epic, ice-filled adventure, and discover the real meaning of true love. Book at Eventfinda or playhousetheatreinc.com.

Award-winning clubhouse

The Trusts Karekare Surf Clubhouse, officially opened in September 2022, has won the Best Public Building Award in the recent Auckland Architectural awards.

The original concept design for the Clubhouse (with its name – Kaha Ropi – gifted by local iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki) was developed by local architect Richard Priest and construction was completed by Cassidy Construction.

Club President David Munro said that after more than 10 years of planning and fundraising the award was a great honour for the club and the Karekare community.

Te Kawerau ā Maki worked with the club on a four metre Powhenua which depicts a local legend. Carved by Mihaka Marikena, it graces the entrance to the complex.

The club was founded in 1935, and the land it occupies was gifted by the Farley family in 1947. The family plan to return to Karekare for a grand reunion when Karekare can re-open following Cyclone Gabrielle.

The club can sleep up to 30 people and host up to 100 guests and will be opening again for bookings shortly.

From the Chair

Auckland Council has now made decisions about this year’s budget.

The good news is that the potential severe cuts have been dramatically scaled back.

A projected cut of $765,000 for the local board has been reduced to $133,000. The original cuts would have caused carnage to our area and to our work programme. The revised level of cuts will still hurt but are much more manageable.

This means our support for the arts should be able to continue mostly as before and support for our environmental groups should also be able to continue with only modest cuts so that they can continue with their important work.

One example I reminded Council of when submitting on the budget was the local board’s support for the Pest Free Waitākere Alliance. We spent $75,000 last year supporting the Alliance. This investment achieved considerable dividends. It is estimated that the whole Alliance worked 57,510 annual volunteer hours. If charged out at the living wage, this represents $1,360,111.50 if monetised.

And this is the home of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area: it needs as much love and attention as we can afford.

We are now better placed to engage with local communities and help them with organising for the next extreme weather event. Local emergency plans for Karekare and Te Henga showed their value and we are now able to talk to other communities to help them plan for the next emergency.

– Greg Presland

Investment in hospitality

A $40 million plus investment over the next five years is set to expand the hospitality and retail infrastructure and meet future demand from increased housing density and regeneration around transport hubs in the West.

West Auckland has a population of 311,000+ spread over a 578 square kilometre area and is expected to grow by tens of thousands of residents over the coming years. Allan Pollard, CEO of The Trusts, says they intend to open up to 10 new hospitality venues and retail stores and also upgrade every one of its existing outlets by 2028. The multimillion-dollar investment is believed to be one of the largest for the sector in recent years.

The new venues will range in size from 50 to 500 square metres and introduce new restaurant and bar concepts, including boutique, pop-up bars and restaurant-led gastro pubs.

The Trusts, which has a community mandate to operate liquor licenses in the region, is aiming to grow annual revenues by 23% to $160 million within five years. Allan says the projected increase in revenue will also allow the social enterprise to target the return of $5 million to local community groups each year, through its charity support programmes.

Huia Bay gets a clean up

Love Your Neighbourhood is a fund managed by Ecomatters to help communities with environmental projects.

In late May, the fund paid for a large bin so the Huia community could start cleaning up the debris left by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Upwards of 50 broken trees were stuck in the bay and litter covered the beach. 50 people turned out, including the Huia volunteer fire brigade (who brought their chainsaws) with tractors, trailers, wheelbarrows and enthusiasm.

The beach and domain are much cherished.

Their existence was under threat some years ago when the council proposed a managed retreat in face in increasing storm damage. The revised community-led solution of groynes and sand replenishment has worked well, and the beach is now looking more like itself again.

CLOSE THE DOOR AND HIT THE ROAD

Farewell to Arjuna Oakes

One of Tītīrangi’s finest young musos is preparing to depart our shores shortly, bound for the bright lights of London’s jazz scene. KAREN McCARTHY spoke with him.

Singer/songwriter/composer/pianist Arjuna Oakes has decided the time is right to spread his wings and is heading off next month for Europe with some big plans already locked in – not least, recording an album in Greece with famed New Zealand composer John Psathas – a mentor, inspiration, friend and now collaborator.

“I’m young and I just want to go and explore different parts of the world. You know I love New Zealand dearly but it is a very small place. And I think I kind of want to get my mind exploded by how big it is overseas,” says Arjuna.

Aged 24, Arjuna is a former Avondale College student, and a graduate of Victoria University School of Music.

He spent two years studying at Auckland University, majoring in jazz performance. But Wellington has been his home more recently since he moved south to complete his degree.

“My parents didn’t really listen to a lot of jazz. They loved blues and R & B, and some jazz singers like Billie Holiday but it wasn’t till I got to high school that I discovered improvised music. And to me I think jazz was always a tool. It’s interesting when you talk about jazz, it’s kind of a genre but there is also a language of jazz. It’s not typically in one genre and that is how I always view it. It’s a toolbox of creativity and that’s

Building Back Better

Budget 2023 included a massive boost to our country’s infrastructure which was thoroughly tested during the recent flooding and cyclone. We’ve allocated significant funds to build back better with greater resilience, to protect communities from increasingly severe and unpredictable weather events.

The Government has started outlining the process ahead and paving the way for consultation in severely affected locations. People in homes designated as Category 3 properties will be offered a voluntary buyout – the costs of which will be shared between the Government and councils. This is going to be a long process.

I know a lot of focus has been placed on flood-affected properties. This has meant that individual residents whose homes and properties have had landslides have, in some cases, felt isolated and disconnected from the decision-

what I have always gravitated towards.”

He says he draws from the hustle and bustle of urban life and myriad musical styles, creativity and cultures thriving in, or on the fringes of, New Zealand’s multicultural cities.

His singing voice is smooth, sophisticated, soulful, assured, beautiful … mature beyond his years.

On stage, he’s a joy to watch, whether playing solo with his keyboards, or jamming with his band, with a seductive fusion of contemporary jazz, soul and groove. Familiar yet new.

He released his first EP The Watcher in 2019 and there have been several others since.

Arjuna first crossed paths with John Psathas in 2020, when he was an Arts Foundation Springboard recipient. As an outstanding emerging talent he was paired with John as a mentor and given financial support. They two were a perfect fit.

“John is amazing. We’ve become friends, making a lot of music together. It’s fun and it’s an honour. He was my mentor but then we began to just make music together and it felt quite equal, in a weird way. It’s awesome.”

John is honoured at home and renowned internationally as one of the most talented composers of his generation. His genre-crossing projects include working with jazz legends Michael Brecker and Joshua Redman, composing music for the 2004 Athens Olympics Games, and a classical charttopping album with System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian.

making process. I’ve met with many of you individually and am advocating for you where I can.

Affected West Coast residents have formed advocacy groups to support each other and share information. If you wish to be part of the Piha/Karekare/Anawhata Stickered Group, or a similar group for stickered residents in the wider Tītīrangi area, please contact my office and we will put you in touch with the co-ordinators. You can also sign up to receive Auckland Council’s updates for the Tītīrangi area. Email us at newlynn.mp@parliament.govt.nz and we will direct you to the sign-up page.

We’re now past the shortest day and it’s time to celebrate Matariki and look towards Spring. I trust that sunnier days are ahead for all of us. And, as ever, my team and I are here to help if needed.

Ngā mihi nui, Deborah Russell, MP for New Lynn

And now he’s working with Arjuna, including most recently performing a piece on stage with Orchestra Wellington. Before that, their partnership spawned an EP Future Lullaby.

“John is a really good pianist but he doesn’t really perform. That gig with the orchestra was the first time he’d performed in over 20 years.”

There is more collaboration to come when Arjuna joins John in Greece in August/September to record a new EP..

And then in October, Arjuna is off to the UK where, on November 2, he is booked to play his first ever gig in London, at the Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston. He’ll be joined there by his Kiwi drummer Sam Notman.

“I’ve had general advice just to get stuck into the scene, not be shy, try and meet people. Do whatever I can really to mix and mingle. And some people have told me that London is quite hard, a tough city to break into. I guess I’ll just figure it out when I’m there.”

Arjuna has already farewelled his Wellington fans, at Meow at the end of June. His Auckland farewell is July 22, at Neck Of The Woods on Karangahape Road when the Arjuna Oakes Band will be joined by the Clear Path Ensemble.

See him while you can. He’s heading away on a one-way ticket. He may be gone for some time.

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There

as

loved one.

There are people in life who shape who you are. Always there to give you advice, comfort and love. When the time comes to say goodbye, talk with us and we’ll guide you through a farewell as special as your loved one.

What a character. He was one of a kind. He lived life to the max, full of rich memories and wonderful stories. We’ll guide you through a farewell that honours his rich life. A life well lived.

Places to go – Things to do

Out and About in the West

Event organisers: Do you have an upcoming event you’d like listed in The Fringe? Send the details, including a contact person and number, to info@fringemedia.co.nz.

Readers: While we take care to ensure listings are correct, errors may occur. Check with the contact person wherever possible.

Covid precautions: All events and gatherings in these listings will require full compliance with relevant Covid regulations.

July

w – 13, Ngā Whetu While some herald the Māori New Year with the Matariki star cluster, others celebrate a star named Puanga; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm. 838 4455.

w – 16, Embrace and Connect a solo exhibition of Mandala paintings by Caroline Bensinger; Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi. Phone 817 4278.

w – 16, Symbiosis, mixed media sculptures by Iona Matheson; West Coast Gallery, Thursday - Sunday, Seaview Road, Piha. Phone 812 8029. www. westcoast.co.nz.

w – 16, The Freitag Curse, photography by Joshua Freitag; West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha. Phone 812 8029. www.westcoast.co.nz

w – 16, In/Sight, photographers experiment with processes, techniques, and subject matter; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – 23, Is my living in vain, a film commission by Ufuoma Essi; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – 30, Sekali pendatang, tetap pendatang (Once an immigrant, always an immigrant): Rozana Lee considers the status of migrant communities in society; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – September 3, Pākākano, Māori fibre weavings by Shona Tawhiao; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 1 – 15, Matariki July School Holiday Programme; Glen Eden Library, 12/32 Glendale Road, Glen Eden; 10.30-11.30am. Phone 377 0209.

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

w 4, Nature’s Treasures, create a whacky creature that represents your favourite element of nature in honour of Matariki. Suitable for 7+; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10am-11am. Register or get more information at titirangi.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

w 5, Te Reo Rhymetime for all ages. Bilingual story, music, rhymes and dancing; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 9.30am-10am. Register or get more information at titirangi.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

w 5, Book Chat group – share what you have been reading; Glen Eden Library, 12/32 Glendale Road, Glen Eden; 10.30-11.30am. Phone 377 0209.

w 6, Galaxy Slime. Suitable for 7+; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10am-11am. Register or get more information at titirangi.library@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

w 6, Falls prevention workshop run by Harbour Sport; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10.30-11.30am. Register or get more information at titirangi.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

w 6 and 8, Henderson Croquet, no experience needed and suitable for all ages and abilities; 2/20 Alderman Drive, Henderson; from12.45pm. For more information contact Mary 028 422 8818 or 838 1933

w 7, Robin Kewell presents Open @ Page 100, an award winning film made about art teacher Robin Child; meet in Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 6-30pm for 7pm; $25 including refreshments and drink. Bookings to 09 817 4278 https://www.upstairs.org.nz/.

w 8, Tītīrangi Poets with a guest poet and readings by members; Tītīrangi War Memorial Hall, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 2-4pm. Phone Ron Riddell 021 181 6698.

w 8, Live Music with Bevis England; Iti, 421 Tītīrangi Road, Tītīrangi; 2-5pm; Free.

w 8, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Laldy, Rachel Evans on fiddle and multi-instrumentalist Donald James, floor singers in first half; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 8pm; $15, members $10, under 18 free. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

w 10, Multisensory storytelling, Suitable for all ages; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10-1pm (three 45-minute sessions). Register or get more information at titirangi.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

w 10, Learn about the Māori lunar calendar, Suitable for ages 16+; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10.30-11.30am. Register or get more information at titirangi.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

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

w 11, Matariki Macramé workshop. Suitable for 7+; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10am-12pm. Register or get more information at titirangi.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

w 14, Flicks presents a Bastille Day special: Welcome to the Sticks' (M), a classic French comedy starring Danny Boon at 6pm; and Close (M), winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival at 8.15pm; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; $15 / $12 per film or $25 / $20 for both. Bookings 0210 222 5558 or e-mail robinkewell@xtra.co.nz.

w 15, New Lynn Lions Club $1 Book Sale; New Lynn Friendship Club Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn (down the driveway by the traffic lights); 8am-4pm. Contact lianne.sloan@xtra.co.nz.

w 16, Make Your Own Harakeke Putiputi Flax Flower for Matariki; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road, Tītīrangi; 2pm-4pm. Phone 817 8087.

w 19, Energy healing using Reiki and BodyTalk; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10.30am-12pm. Register or get more information at titirangi.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

w 19, Flicks presents Ashes and Snow (PG), a film by Gregory Colbert which uses both still and movie cameras to create a visual poem in sepia exploring extraordinary interactions between humans and animals: one of the most beautiful films ever to hit the big screen. Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 7-30pm; $15 / $12. Bookings 0210 222 5558 or e-mail: robinkewell@xtra.co.nz.

w 20, Games morning playing Kaupapa, a board game to expand your Māori vocabulary; 10am-12pm. Register or get more information at titirangi. library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Places to go – Things to do

w 20, Waitākere Forest and Bird Lecture Series: Exploring threats to seabirds with Ariel-Micaiah Heswall; Ranui Community Centre 474 Swanson Road, Ranui; 7.30 pm; Koha appreciated. Phone Liz 027 476 2732 or email lizanstey@hotmail.com

w 21, Shared Reading Group; Glen Eden Library, 12/32 Glendale Road, Glen Eden; 10-11.30am. Phone 377 0209.

w 22, German Winter Market; The Crossing Community Centre, 30-44 Kaurilands Road, Titirangi; 3-7pm. Phone Katrin 021 403 792.

w 22, Nigel Gavin and the Lucky 13; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Titirangi Road. See https://flickscinema.weebly.com/ for details.

w July 22 – August 20, Lone Kauri School presents Matariki, a mixed media exhibition; West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha. Phone 812 8029. www. westcoast.co.nz

w 22 – September 2, Be Here Now, paintings by Tāmaki-based Cindy Leong’s; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm daily. 838 4455.

w 22 – September 2, Blue Duck an exhibition of new paintings by Wellington-based artists Ruby Wilkinson and Christian Dimick; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm daily. 838 4455.

w 24, Tītīrangi U3A – informal learning for people 55-years plus, guest speakers, study groups; West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; 1pm. Contact Jan George, 027 478 4119 or jan@jangeorge.co.nz. www.u3a. nz. (Note: this is a one off day change. Normal Tuesday’s resume in August.)

w 25, Save money – and the planet, a free online event for West Auckland businesses presented by Community Waitākere and the Sustainable Business Network; 12-1.30pm. Register at www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/saving-moneyand-the-planet-sustainability-for-businesses-tickets-619517833517

w 26, Waitakere Health Link: Community Health Services meeting; by Zoom; 10am-12pm. For details email tracy@waitakerehealthlink.org.nz.

w 28, Flicks presents a film to be announced; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Titirangi Road. Visit https://flickscinema.weebly.com/ for details.

w 28, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Friday Folk, an informal gathering of musicians and singers; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 8pm; $5. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289. Vaccination Pass and mask required.

w 29, New Lynn Repair Cafe organised and run by DEANZ (Doughnut Economics Advocates NZ); New Lynn Community Centre, Totara Avenue, New Lynn; 11am - 2pm; Koha. Enquiries to shi@doughnuteconomicsnz.com.

w 30, Tītīrangi Village Market: art, craft, produce and music; Titirangi War Memorial Hall; 10am-2pm. Contact tvm.manager@gmail.com or phone 022 631 9436.

There is so much happening in and around our community, including many regular events, that we can’t fit everything into these listings. If you can’t see the event you’re interested in, visit: www.fringemedia.co.nz/ourplace

Our local board has come up with a three-year plan outlining the key initiatives we want to focus on. Now we need your help to check if we’ve got it right.

Submissions must be received by 4pm Monday 14 August.

For more information go to: akhaveyoursay.co.nz/localboardplans

How lucky we are!

After months of lobbying and anxiety over arts funding, it seems we have landed on the better side of the drama; and what a drama it has been.

Watching Auckland Council agonise its way through the politics of bargaining one proposal off against another was like watching the proverbial paint dry; but 41,000 submissions did demonstrate the power of our communities and people can sleep easier because of it.

Adrienne(AD) Schierning (right) is the new director of Te Uru. We sat down for coffee in Deco to explore her trajectory into this role and her dreams and aspirations for this taonga; Te Hau ā Uru – the wind that blows from the west.

Born and bred in Hinuera, the daughter of a farming family, she was always naturally drawn to the arts. She holds a fine arts degree from Elam and spent her early career working in public galleries and institutions, then in the private dealer sector. Most recently she has been Head of Art at Webb's Auction House during a major shift under a new owner, positioning Webb's now as Aotearoa's premier auction house for contemporary art. This history of deep engagement with art and artists brings her the full circle back into the public gallery world.

In her words:

What drew you to Te Uru and the west? “I have long admired Te Uru – the programming has always covered an impressive scope. With exhibitions that push the bounds of contemporary curatorial practice while simultaneously presenting work in an inclusive and welcoming way. West Auckland has been an inspiration for many of Aotearoa’s great artists. Surrounded by the bush, overlooking the Manukau Harbour, dripping in bird life, this gateway to a selection of stunning West Coast beaches has a hint of solitude on the city’s edge – there isn’t much not to love about Tītīrangi.”

What do you see as the role and function of an institution

such as Te Uru? “It is undeniable that the arts are fundamental in any society – a gallery like Te Uru provides many things for many people. It provides a space for artists, curators and writers to present ideas. It provides a hub for the arts community to come together and expand a discourse around artistic practice. Arguably the most important function of the gallery is to expand audiences, creating platforms for meaningful engagement with artistic practice. Te Uru offers a range of opportunities for school groups, community groups and individuals to connect, experience and learn.”

Can you give me a brief comment on the state of the arts in Aotearoa and Te Uru’s place in this? “I am incredibly patriotic when it comes to our arts ecology, we have a holistic approach that is often admired internationally. One of Te Uru’s strategic goals is to be both local and global. Concerns and concepts are not always limited to place so we aim to expand conversations that are happening here.”

My enquiry about how she claims downtime in what will be a demanding position was answered simply: “spending time with family and walking my dog.”

We are blessed in having an incredible spectrum of arts providers out West. In Lopdell House, Carlos Toalii and Tatiana Harper are bringing their complementary skills to The Upstairs Art Gallery. They both love the kaupapa; 'to promote and encourage all forms of art and to provide a hub for the community to experience and explore art.'

In Carlos' words:

“We aspire to be the hidden gem of Tītīrangi Village. We are quietly tucked away in a corner of Lopdell House so our mission is increase our visibility and reach. We have started this with the introduction of the ‘Pop Up’ space and also films on artists and art history. Our focus on emerging artists gives us a distinctly unique position. Our goal is to be a stepping stone for artists who do not have an existing voice.”

Art & About with Naomi McCleary

Artist of the Month: Caroline Bensinger

Embrace and Connect is a series of 12 mandala paintings; the culmination of nine years of painting and writing through a dedicated and clear-eyed examination of Caroline's transition from a working life as a psychotherapist to retirement. Caroline has never shied away from finding artistic expression in the phases and vicissitudes of her life. She is rigorously open and honest in this and has produced, over many years, a body of work that is authentic, layered and sometimes challenging, while still being beautiful. Her unrelenting examination of these transitions is recorded in image and word. She has had to 'embrace and connect' with who she is now in what she describes as 'the second half of the third third of my life'. The simpler world that she recalls will be evocative to many; a generation that played outside on bikes in the streets until it got dark, walked to school, played games in the evening and read books.

In her words: “These paintings are a way I have kept my focus and started to find a new direction for myself. Through

How to make savings

The budget is done and dusted for another 12 months, but like all things political it was a compromise. Moreover, it balanced the financial spreadsheet but not the physical cause of the cost-to-income problem.

The problem is our (council’s) work practices. Council is not short of income; we are short on productivity. I’m not saying that all our workers are lazy. The problem lies in the structure of our workforce. We are stacking our workforce vertically. For every one person producing an outcome there are many more sitting on his or her shoulders supposedly supporting the productive individual in all manner of issues, from methodology to surveillance of risk.

We used to have a horizontal structured to our workforce where most individuals were lined up alongside each other at the coalface, as it were. Supporting and watching out for each other’s wellbeing was a natural extension of our jobs, not a separate industry.

The most visible example

Stop Press!

reflections, writing poems, keeping a daily diary, and attending to my dreams and my unconscious drawing processes, I have steered and journeyed my way through the wild and uncharted storms of my newly untethered life to find a way to be with myself as an older person in a younger technological world.”

Embrace and Connect is showing at The Upstairs Art Gallery until July 16.

Susan Jordan’s Seniors Dance is coming to Corban Estate. The Corbans classes will be taken by Christina Houghton who has taught children and adults contemporary dance and improvisation. Here is a way to experience movement in a gentle and creative environment and to enjoy the social side of working with folks of a similar age.

For those over 60, classes are running on Wednesdays from 10-11am in St Michael's Church from July 19. $10 paid by term or $12 casual. Phone Christina on 0210 223 7414 or email Christina@seniorsdance.nz.

of this cost-to-output imbalance is contractor work practice around street cleaning where a single worker picking up litter is accompanied by three vehicles and drivers, turning the simple task of picking up litter into a convoy of cost (this is not an isolated situation). Such scenarios are driven by theoretical exercises carried out on desktops which overlook statistical risk and neglect to measure the associated financial and environmental costs.

During budget debates, I emphasised the correlation between growing budget deficits and changes in workplace practices. I stressed how essential reversing these types of overheads is to eliminating yearly deficits worth hundreds of millions.

I was told the savings I proposed, which involved stopping costly and needless practices, could not be achieved solely through the budget process. It required a structural change that could only be accomplished by reviewing the 10-Year Long-Term Plan (LTP). Fortunately, the LTP is a living document subject to review every three years, and the next review is currently underway.

So, back to more debating and public consultations. Yippee!

– Ken Turner, WestWards

A collection of digitised 18mm films of Cornwallis’ social history will be screening at the Huia Hall on Sunday, July 16, at 1pm.

Scenes from sailing adventures, big fish, New Years Day sports and general holiday life during the 1930s to 1960s were captured by Reg Elcoat before the baches were all removed from the foreshore in the following decade. His son Ken will be present at the screening for a discussion afterwards.

The screening will be hosted by the Huia Settlers Museum with afternoon tea provided. For more information, contact Helen Turner on 0210 237 4710.

Carmel Sepuloni

200C

Keeping it local

If only we could control the weather!

We want to acknowledge and send our condolences to everyone who’s been affected and is still recovering from the January flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle. Our teams were on the roads and were shocked by the devastation they saw. We had fire crews waiting for us on sites to alleviate flooding. We’ve redirected stormwater from cliff faces to avoid further slips, pumped out sanitary sewer from houses and assisted many of you, our locals, to reduce flooding.

One thing this weather has taught us is the importance of drain maintenance. Our Hydro Jett unit is a purpose-built machine that runs like an uber-powerful water blaster. We recommend having both stormwater (rain water) and sanitary sewer (waste water) drains Hydro Jetted at least once a year to ensure they’re running properly.

Our CCTV goes down the drain and checks their condition and when our experienced team finds anything that’s going to cause your drain to be ineffective or block, they can find a solution.

709 783 or email

– Kelly at Drain Ranger

hello@drainranger.co.nz

We provide quality, value services for our customers. We’ve worked hard to keep the prices down, but due to the Government’s increase to the Waste Levy, from Monday 17 July, we will be introducing price increases for our rubbish bags and rubbish bin tags.

New prices are set out below:

23-PRO-1181 Product New RRP* 80-litre bin tag $3.50 120/140-litre bin tag $5.20 240-litre bin tag $7.70 40L rubbish bag - single $2.10 60L rubbish bag - single $3.00 60L rubbish bag - 5 pack *New RRP in place 17 July 2023 $15

Customers who use the Pay-As-You-Throw service do not pay rates for rubbish. Bin tags are the only way they pay for the service.

Thank you for your help minimising waste to landfill.

Visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for more information.

Balancing mind, body and spirit

Nau mai, Haere Mai!

The Ngākau Ora traditional Māori healing clinic has been operating out of the Tītīrangi Community House for over 16 years. The clinic was started by Ruatau Perez, a student of Papa Hohepa Delamare, to bring awareness of Māori healing to the local community.

“Romiromi and mirimiri are sacred gifts, massage techniques transferred down from our ancestors to help with healing on a spiritual, emotional and physical level,” says Debbie Wymer, a member of the Ngākau Ora team.

“Everyone is welcome at the clinic,” says another member, Carolyn de Silva. “We see all cultures as having ancestral healing and traditions. We acknowledge each person as an individual and enter each relationship between practitioner and client with respect and aroha.”

The Ngākau Ora clinic offers romiromi, mirimiri, and rongoā treatments which support and balance mind, body and spirit. Blocked energy (or ‘flow’) on

Did You Know ...

any level can create imbalances in the body and can lead to disease. Traditional Māori healing techniques are one way of helping the body release anything that is not serving you or not belonging to you. Extrinsic energy can sometimes be held in the DNA causing challenges.

During your romiromi session, you will receive a physical realignment using pressure points and deep tissue massage. This will help balance your male and female energy and, most importantly, your mauri [life force] and your wairua [spirit]. After a romiromi treatment people generally feel ‘lighter’ as they have returned closer to their original ‘self’.

“We offer this service to all, from infants to senior citizen, in a safe friendly environment,” says Mark Stitt (pictured above).

The clinic operates at Tītīrangi Community Centre, 500 South Tītīrangi Road every Monday evening from 6-9pm.

Mānuka (leptospermum scoparium), also known as tea tree, is a member of the myrtaceae family and of the 50 species found in Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand, three are found in New Zealand.

The small shrub or tree is abundant from the lowlands to sub-alpine areas.

Around 800 – 1,000 years ago, Māori recognised the special medicinal and therapeutic qualities of mānuka (also know as kahikātoa or pata). The leaves, bark and seed capsules were all used as inhalations, ointments, infusions and poultices for many different uses, including pain relief, as an insecticide and as a disinfectant (e.g. tea tree oil). Early colonists called mānuka ‘tea tree’ because of the aromatic foliage which was used

as an alternative to tea. It is documented that Captain Cook enjoyed mānuka tea because of its bitter taste.

Pouring hot water over a bowl of mānuka leaves releases a vapour containing volatile oils which can be inhaled and used as a respiratory stimulant.

Mānuka honey is well known for its curative properties while boosting the immune system. It is also a base for cough syrups, soothing the respiratory tract and helping prevent secondary bacterial infection.

Mānuka honey oil can be applied directly to small cuts. Mānuka oil is often used for aching muscles and joints while mānuka sawdust or foliage is often used to smoke fish.

Source: The Herb Foundation of New Zealand, www.herbs.org.nz

Everyone must learn to whistle

Yeah gidday. Lizard here.

Yesterday, I was retracing my footsteps down the hall towards the front door, hoping to find my missing hat. I was pretty sure that my hat would be keeping close company with my jacket, shirt and one shoe. I can’t remember climbing into bed but it obviously only required the aid of one shoe. As I got to the end of the hallway, Mopey Jesus was opening the screen door. He was wearing, at first glance, a three piece suit made from an original Maori flag. Or as Mopey Jesus said, “It’s actually from two He Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni flags.”

“Oh,” I said.

I’m not by nature a nosy person but had to ask: “And the plastic shower cap? Is that for a visual connection with our common ordinary street brothers and sisters?”

“Nuh. I just hate it when my hair gets wet and goes all frizzy. What happened to your other shoe?”

Mopey Jesus took off his moccasins and we headed back down the hall to the kitchen. I brewed a pot of tea and we sat around dunking ginger nuts and chewing the fat.

Mopey had been watching Fox News and was as shocked as the American public to hear that, in the US, a rich white guy might be held accountable for his actions.

"What’s next?" Mopey was on a roll. “As a journalist I follow stated: ‘Donald Trump is a pillar of the international boy’s club. It’s only fair that he gets the free pass his inherited money and privilege have earned him’.”

”Jesus, Jesus! What are you so uptight about? What can you or me do about what’s happening around the place?”

“Ah Lizard my dispassionate friend, I’m going to be our next Prime Minister. You’re looking at the leader of the Left Anxiously Central Party. They can call me messianic but never pococurante.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Actually, what the hell are you on?” I asked.

I should point out that way back when Mopey Jesus and I went to Green Bay High, he was one of those kids that never did any swot but always got about 90% in every subject. He was leader of the debating team. Damn, he made the entire school crack up with his public speeches. Even the teachers and parents had a good laugh.

“Lizard, I’m getting the feeling that the right wing politicians of this fine country of ours feel it’s the greedy renters and minimum wage workers who are just not making enough sacrifices. They are concerned that the rent hikes are not keeping pace with their third home investment mortgage repayments. I plan to reverse this!

“The eventual sale of the property is where the profit will be gained. I’ll fix the rent. I’ll fix petrol prices. Hell, while I’m at it, I’ll make it a seven-month working year. For the remaining five months, everyone has to travel about the place in the company of at least two people over the age of 70.

“No one is allowed to work before the age of 23. Everyone must learn to whistle [a happy tune] and have a skip [in one’s step]. We must be able to hum at least one Trinity Roots song and if we travel by car for a journey over 10 miles, we must pull over and plant 10 seedlings. Sub-tropical plants in the north. Stone fruit in the south, obviously.

“Any chance of another cuppa?”

He went on into the wee hours. All quite good stuff. So there we have it. Mopey might be a bit … different, but he’s the kindest bloke I know and isn’t that who we want to lead us? I'll let you know how things progress next month.

As a banjo playing mate of mine said,”Stay tuned.” Later, Lizard.

Ra y Percival and Son

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