The Fringe, August 2023

ISSUE 228, AUGUST 2023

Welcome to Street Feast! The stories behind the food ...

Is this the sweetest offering in the Village?

It’s obvious when food is prepared with love, care and passion. And nowhere is it more clear than at Street Feast’s Wen & Yen – a dessert bar with a focus on delicious allergen-friendly products like donuts, cakes and tarts.

Wen & Yen co-founder Wendy Sneah grew up helping out in her family’s fish and chip shop in Wellington, where she had to stand on a box to serve customers. She lived and breathed food and hospitality, explored a corporate career in industry where she learnt business skills and management, but ultimately wanted to chart her own course.

A conversation at Christmas six years ago with sister-in-law Yen Sneah, who studied and excelled in patisserie, sparked

they thought would succeed, found popularity as a food stall, and before long made the leap: resigning from their jobs and opening a shop in Albany. Their offering – a focus on specialist desserts – resonated in the local community.

“Being a bakery we knew we had to do something different to stand out,” says Wendy. “We specialised in donuts and were inspired by a customer who is coeliac to start preparing nongluten and vegan donuts. We had to have confidence that people would travel for this product, and they do. We used to stock them once a week, then 30 a day, then weekends. Now 80% of our menu is non-gluten.”

Wen & Yen at Street Feast offers donuts, cakes, slices, tarts,

“I will miss the community the most”

On our cover (and right): It might only be August but Spring is already making its presence known. Fresh new flowers and blossoms are already decorating our parks and gardens. Photos by Bevis England.

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

It’s our place, Let your voice be heard!

It’s more important than ever to speak up and help shape the future of our community, as our local boards release their three-year plans for feedback.

They have prepared a draft of their plan to guide decisionmaking on things like parks and playgrounds, community funding and group support, as well as events and programmes over the next three years. They want to know if they have got it right.

“Everyone knows budgets are tight, and that Council has been making some tough decisions affecting local board funding – so understanding what local priorities you value most is going to be really important in the coming years,” says Auckland Council’s Louise Mason.

The final plans covering 2024-2026 period will be published at the end of this year.

It’s easy to have your say. You can access copies of the plan at your local library or, if you have Internet access, fill out the form at www.akhaveyoursay.govt.nz/localboardplans. All submissions are due by August 14.

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.

“A really pleasant experience in a beautiful village.” Tītīrangi Post Shop’s Aboli Bhave smiles the big and gentle smile she’s shared with the thousands of people who’ve walked through the doors of her Rangiwai Road business for close to 19 years.

It’s another busy afternoon and Aboli greets many of her customers by name. Word is out that the shop will be shutting down soon. They come with good wishes and smiles of their own. For others, they have business to do – courier parcels, to buy stamps, fill in a variety of forms, buy a card or magazine, perhaps update their art supplies.

“Everyone is showing their unhappiness that we are leaving, but it’s time, I think,” says Aboli. “I still get shivers when I think of the ram-raid, the scene.”

She’s talking about the ugly incident that happened at 3.30am one morning in April. It was six weeks after a robbery in the shop.

“When we [with husband Shri] got here, the car was still facing the shop with its headlights and engine on. The car was stolen. They had left in another stolen car. For them it makes no difference what damage they make to somebody’s property, their business.

“They were caught but what’s the point? They were young and can’t be prosecuted. It was not a pleasant experience and I think for us, a turning point,” Aboli says.

Soon after that there was collateral damage to the shop after a kitchen fire in the neighbouring Ambrosia restaurant.

“We’ve had such wonderful times,” says Aboli, recounting memories from nearly two decades ago when she and Shri took over what was originally a video store and a seven-day-a week business.

“After 15 months we took Sundays off for family time together. The shop was open 8.30am - 6pm Monday to Friday,

and on Saturdays from 9am - 7pm because of Lotto.

“It was very much a family business and we had six or seven people working with us. We did shifts and I always worked at home too, managing accounts, looking after the family and so on.”

The family only got away together a few times over the years including a trip to India for a wedding.

Shri, a former chemical engineer, worked with Aboli for 11 years until he bought a similar business in Glen Eden. He still works there, while undertaking a lot of work in the community. “He works with a group who want to talk, learn life skills, tell stories, play games. It’s about how to be a good citizen in the country where you are living, teaching values to the children,” Aboli says.

“I know the names of many of the people who come in here. It’s like a big family and it’s been a real pleasure to work and live in Tītīrangi. I remember a young woman coming in when she was pregnant, and over the years we’ve seen that child growing into a beautiful young girl. We’ve seen so many children grow up.”

Stories abound including the one of the man who was focused on filling in a form in the shop and had left his little dog tied up outside. Dog stealing was in news at the time so Aboli was alarmed when a ‘young person in a hoodie’ picked the dog up and ran off. “I panicked and said, look, a boy took your dog. He said ‘Asian lady?’ I said no, a young, petite person in a hoodie.

“The man went out and brought his wife in from the car, holding their dog! Thankfully, it wasn’t a dog thief.”

Times have changed with services and purchases in the shop too. There were times when one corner would be full of parcels every day from November until Christmas. It happened in stages and older people will remember the

“I will miss the community the most.”

Aboli: “I will miss the community the most. The beautiful people. The love.”

strict cut-off times for parcels to be sent ‘economy post’ by ship to the United Kingdom and Europe. That was followed by ‘economy’ to Australia and the Pacific, and then the air postal deadlines kicked in. Those who missed the dates would have to send couriers.

“It was so busy at those times and the shop would be full of customers for about six weeks. Cards, calendars and New Zealand gifts for overseas were huge sellers. And people were always dropping in little gifts for us. It was so touching, lovely,” Aboli says.

When the Internet came into the picture with online shopping and gifting, postage prices increased. Economy rates for post stopped and with the cost of sending parcels going up, sales declined. It was the same with card buying, including in the lead-up to Mother’s Day.

“That was always our busiest time after Christmas, but online activity has had a big impact and that’s now fallen away too.”

For now, it’s business as usual. Postal, courier, bill paying and photocopying services continue along with myriad items on offer – stationery, art supplies, books and gifts, and smiles.

On Friday September 22 at 5pm, Shri Bhave will close the door of the Tītīrangi Post Shop for the last time. It is planned

to sell everything before then. “He will walk out on the last day with empty hands,” says Aboli.

Aboli will not be there. She will have left on August 3 to fly to America to meet a newborn grandchild. She will be smiling. at her memories from her shop n the Village.

– Moira Kennedy

Remember Hiroshima

The Hon. Matt Robson, former Minister for Disarmament will address a public meeting on Hiroshima Day, August 6 in the Tītīrangi Community House, 500 South Tītīrangi Road.

New Zealand has always been a leader in championing nuclear disarmament but there are new challenges.

Matt Robson will outline the major international problems facing New Zealand and how we could respond. He will be joined by Associate Professor Treasa Dunworth (Auckland University Law School) who will provide an overview of nuclear disarmament issues. The meeting will be chaired by Greg Presland of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board. For more information contact laurie-ross@xtra.co.nz. Phone 818 0696.

Things that (Really) Matter

The recent publicity around the revealing of James Wallace as the 'prominent businessman' convicted of sexual assault and attempts to pervert the course of justice, has provoked much soul-searching among the arts community across the motu (land).

Many of us who have been engaged in the arts will know that the largesse that flowed from the James Wallace Trust has supported, and indeed sustained, many arts organisations, performance companies and individual artists over decades. The details are tawdry and do not need recycling here, but the reflections and responsibilities are worthy of some consideration.

Firstly, everyone in his orbit knew that something wasn't quite right. I encourage you to go The Big Idea website and read the column by ex-director of the Basement Theatre, Sam Sneddon. It is a clear-sighted reflection that acknowledges a collective 'averting of the eyes'. I hold myself guilty of that.

Secondly, there is a much wider story here. The arts in Aotearoa are scandalously underfunded from the public purse; from both central and local government. The battle for scarce funds has permeated the very fibre of the creative sector; individuals and groups know that external funding bodies will always be oversubscribed, often ten-fold. It is, and remains to this day, disheartening. To some degree it has allowed what was an easier source of financial support to become part of the fabric of the arts community.

It is important to note that there are other significant arts patrons in Aotearoa who must not be contaminated by this scandal. Ironically, we need this patronage base to expand and to engage younger successful business and entrepreneurial individuals.

Things That Matter

Like many artists past and present, Gary Henderson resides quietly tucked into the foothills of the Waitākere Ranges. In this beautiful and reflective spot that looks out over almost the entire Auckland isthmus, lives one of our most highly regarded, award-winning playwrights. His plays have for many years been published by Playmarket here and Bloomsbury Methuen Drama in London. They have been professionally produced around Aotearoa and in South Africa, Australia, Great Britain, Canada and the United States. His, to date, most well-known play, Skin Tight, has been translated and performed in French and travelled to Edinburgh, New York City and Canada. Whilst at the 1998 Edinburgh Fringe Festival it won the Fringe First Award.

But right now the focus is on his latest play, Things That Matter, drawn from the memoir of the same name by Middlemore intensivist Dr David Galler. Things That Matter is a love letter to resilience, to our healthcare system, its patients and the essential workers, who treat every life as valuable. Galler’s life as a doctor is artfully contrasted with tender stories about his Polish-Jewish family.

“There is never a moment when our healthcare system is not in crisis. Taking to the stage adjacent to the election, this play will act as commentary and provocation.” – Jonathan Bielski (Artistic Director and CEO; Auckland Theatre Company)

What a rocky road this production, by Auckland Theatre Company, has had. In August 2021 I was one of many people about to travel into the Waterfront Theatre for the opening night of Things That Matter. My recollection is that the order to go into lockdown came late in the afternoon. I imagine that the cast was on site and preparing to go on stage. Heartbreaking, but just one of many casualties of those Covid days. It has taken exactly two years to resuscitate and bring back this much anticipated production. I can't wait!

Less visible, but equally significant, is Gary's work as a teacher of writing for theatre – at both Unitec's School of Performing and Screen Arts and the International Institute of Modern Letters in Wellington. He continues to teach independently.

The range of his collaborative work is extensive. In 2017 a largely te reo Māori version of Mo & Jess Kill Susie (E Kore A Muri E Hokia) was created and toured by Ruia Taitea Creative. Concurrently he worked as dramaturge with Red Leap Theatre on their development of Kororāreka: The Ballad of Maggie Flynn by Paolo Rotondo. Again in 2017 he was dramaturge for two new scripts in Te Pou Theatre's Koanga Festival, and his own play, An Unseasonable Fall of Snow, played at the Actors Pulse Studio in Sydney. His connection to Te Pou Theatre at the Corban Estate is ongoing.

In his spare time Gary was, for some years, the chair of the Going West Trust and a long-time supporter of the festival. Another thread in the tapestry of the rich story of the creative community out West.

Dear to My Heart

Among the raft of excellent exhibitions showing throughout August at Te Uru in Tītīrangi, are two that intrigue me.

Untitled by Susan Te Kahurangi King (b1951, Ngāti Hauā te iwi whāngai) exhibits work that speaks for itself without any written language to describe or frame it. The artist stopped verbally communicating at the age of four and was, much later, diagnosed with autism. Te Kahurangi King’s markmaking is compelling. She has exhibited extensively around the world and her drawings are housed in important public collections including MoMA, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, American Folk Art Museum, and the Chartwell Collection (Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tamaki).

Gary Henderson: awardwinning playwright.

August 26, 2pm: Talk by Andrew McLeod

September 16 and November 4, 2-4pm: Draw with Susan (free, all ages, materials provided).

Concatenation: a group of things linked or occurring together in a way that produces a particular result or effect.

This exhibition is part of Green Bay High School’s 50th Anniversary celebration with works from their Visual Arts and Creative Industry students. Both my son and daughter passed through the Green Bay arts department

Waitākere Health Link has partnered with Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand to produce a new Community Support Brochure, listing the many local community organisations that play a vital role in building a healthy community Download your copy from http://www.WaitakereHealthLink.org.nz

a lifetime ago, so Concatenation triggers fond and wistful memories.

The development of a student’s often complex conceptual ideas, visually realised and evolved through multiple series, compositional investigations and media experimentation is a key focus and process for these young and emerging artists.

The result, exhibited as part of Concatenation is a series of enticing snippets from the beginnings of a student’s journey, leaving the viewer wondering ‘where did they go from here?’

In a month-long exhibition in support of National Poetry Day on August 25, shops in Tītīrangi Village are displaying poems written by different members of The Tītīrangi Poets. Look out for 14 poems celebrating what they love about our unique area.

Untitled by Susan Te Kahurangi King.

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.

August

w – 13, Throughout Worlds, artworks by three emerging artists: Tanisha Lovell, Andre Lay and Billy Medland-Parker; Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi. Phone 817 4278.

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

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

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

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

w – September 3, A Pluriverse Siren. Aura Satz re-imagines the siren in order to forge a new understanding of present and long term emergencies; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – September 17, Concatenation, a select series of small student works as part of Green Bay High School’s 50th Anniversary celebrations; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Drawing Workshop series. Learn to draw your favourite things with an easy step-by-step method, Ages 7+; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 3.30-4.30pm. Phone 817 0011.

w 2, Book Chat. Share what you have been reading; Glen Eden Library, 12/32 Glendale Road, Glen Eden; 10.30-11.30am. Phone 377 0209.

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

w 6, New Zealand Nuclear Free Peacemakers present Remember Hiroshima with Prof. Treasa Dunworth and Hon. Matt Robson, chaired by Greg Presland, Waitākere Ranges Local Board; Tītīrangi Community House, 500 South Tītīrangi Rd. Contact laurie-ross@xtra.co.nz or Phone 818 0696.

w 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.

w 11, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 10am-12noon. Phone Vince 021 189 6822.

w 11, Ladies’ Probus Club, fellowship, fun, speakers, and a monthly day trip; St John’s Hall, 247 Edmonton Road, Te Atatū South; 9.45am-Noon. Phone Betty 09 832 0484.

w 12, Violin Family, experience the magic of violin and cello through performances and a chance for children to try the instruments (ages 6+); Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 11am-12pm. Phone 817 0011.

w 12, 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 12, Waitematā Country Music Club annual concert; Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden; 2.00pm and 7.30pm; Adults $20, under 15s Free. Phone Kathy 027 290 5230.

w 12, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents The Jackson Duo – Krissy and Peter, floorsingers 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 12 – November 12, Running with Scissors, contemporary portraiture by Hannah Ireland; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 12 – November 12, Untitled. Susan Te Kahurangi King makes work that speaks for itself without any written language to describe or frame them; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 12 – November 12, Layla Dahlia, a work by glass artist, Layla Walter; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 16, Combined Waitākere Rebus Club; St John’s Hall, 247 Edmonton Road, Te Atatu South; 10am-Noon. Contact Philis on 838 5361.

w 17, Waitākere Forest and Bird presents Bird Banding, why, how and how many!, a talk by Stephen Davies who has been involved in bird banding for 50 years; Ranui Community Centre, 474 Swanson Rd, Ranui; 7.30 pm; koha appreciated. Email lizanstey@hotmail.com.

w 18, Shared Reading Group; Glen Eden Library, 12/32 Glendale Road, Glen Eden; 10-11.30am. Phone 377 0209.

w 19, New Lynn Lions Club $1 Book Sale: Books, Magazines, CDs, DVDs, LPs and jigsaw puzzles; 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 19 Climate change, hope in action. A onehour conversation sharing knowledge and experiences of climate change and what we can do; Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 10.30–11.30am. Phone 817 0011.

w 21, Henderson Falls Combined Friendship Club – fun, friendship and fellowship; Henderson Bowling Clubrooms, 2/20 Alderman Drive, Henderson; 10am-noon. Contact Joy 837 4646 or 021 267 3544.

w 22, Tītīrangi U3A – informal learning for people 60-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.

w 23, West Auckland Historical Society presents Janet Clews talking about the formation

Titirangi PAINTERS

Places to go – Things to do

of Waitākere City and the input that Glen Eden Borough Council had; Waitākere Gardens, 15 Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson; 7pm. Phone 836 5917.

w 24, Fall Prevention Workshop for older adults, helping you keep your independence; Glen Eden Library, No bookings required. Phone Glen Eden Library on 09 377 0209 or email GlenEden. Library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to find out more. 10.30am – 11.30am

w 25, Glen Eden Combined Probus Club: company and fellowship, interesting speakers, morning tea and monthly outings; Ceramco Park Function Centre, 120 Glendale Road, Kaurilands; 9.45am. Phone Brian Holt 838 5857.

w 25, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Friday Folk, an informal gathering of musicians and singers; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 7.30pm; $5. www.titirangilivemusic. co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

w 26, New Lynn Repair Cafe organised and run by DEANZ (Doughnut Economics Advocates NZ) with funding from Whau Local Board, New Lynn Community Centre, Totara Avenue, New Lynn; 11am - 2pm; Koha. Enquiries to shi@ doughnuteconomicsnz.com.

26, Live Music featuring Bevis England; Iti, Tītīrangi Village; 2-5pm.

w 27, Tītīrangi Village Market: art, craft, produce and music; Titirangi War Memorial Hall; 10am-2pm. Contact tvm.manager@gmail.com or phone 022 631 9436.

September

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

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

2023

Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 November 10am–4pm

CALL TO ARTISTS REGISTER TO BE INVOLVED

Open Studios Waitākere 2023 is a weekend opportunity for artists resident in the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area to open their studios to the public. This iconic event attracts visitors from across the region, with a brochure and tour map ensuring the best promotion of the studios and artists involved.

To request a registration form email openstudioswaitakere@gmail.com phone 021 149 6707 or register online www.openstudioswaitakere.co.nz.

Registrations close

Thursday 31 August

Proudly supported by

31st Winter Art Exhibition

Titirangi War Memorial Hall, South Titirangi Road Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th August 2023 10am - 4.30 pm

(FRAMES) by Daniel

Public choice 2nd. 2022, ‘Dogs and Cats”, the late Jan Walsh

Movies from the Library Help get Lara to Portugal

“Lara Sutherland (right) has a dream opportunity and I am committed to helping her turn that into reality,” says local residentRayna Love.

Hamish Sutherland is a good friend of Rayna’s and his 16 yearold daughter, Lara has had two life-saving liver transplants and been in and out of hospital for most of her life. Lara’s mother Samantha reached out for help and support when Lara was given the ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to go to the 2023 HipHop Dance Champs in Portugal. So Rayna has organised two fund-raising events to help get her there.

Loveray, an eight-piece Sound Healing / Sound Journey / Ecstatic Dance band are to perform on August 11 and 12 from 5.30pm at Tītīrangi Beach Hall and Laingholm Hall respectively with support from The Level, Hamish Sutherland’s band. They will be joined by Matiu Te Huki in Laingholm. Both concerts start with a shared pot-luck meal. Visit www.facebook.com/events/200812555907792 to find out more, buy tickets or make donations.

If you’re mourning the passing of the annual film and DocEdge festivals, or cutting back on subscriptions, look no further than Auckland Libraries’ Beamafilm.

Beamafilm.com has a wide collection of indie, classic and documentary films, all free for library members and with no ads. Almost 22,000 Aucklanders subscribe to the streaming service which offers 1,800 film and TV episodes.

The streaming platform primarily focuses on New Zealand and Australian films but also includes international titles. The current top 10 is headed by The Father, Book Club, A Bag of Marbles and The Cliff: Season 1

To help navigate your selection, there are curator’s picks, film exclusives such as the award-winning Like Water for Chocolate. New Zealand cinema includes Cliff Curtis’ The Dark Horse, and Mururoa 1973, now 50 years on from the nuclear testing in the Pacific. A newly added and fascinating film is The Stateless Diplomat about a 19th century Armenian writer living in Japan who becomes the de facto ambassador of a lost nation.

With your library account to hand, download the app to your phone or smart TV and create an online account. You’ll need a new username and secure password. You can watch movies on any device.

And, if you are visiting our local libraries, two of them now have dual Māori names. Glen Eden is Te Pātaka Kōrero o Ōkaurirahi and Tītīrangi is Te Pātaka Kōrero o Tītīrangi. You’ll also see new signage within the library in te reo. These changes are part of a number of name changes that the Waitākere Ranges Local Board has recently approved. They include 19 local parks with either sole or dual Māori names, as well as the libraries.

Places to go – Things to do

Popular exhibition returns to Tītīrangi

Tītīrangi Painters is to bring its annual winter exhibition to the Tītīrangi War Memorial Hall on the third weekend in August. Now in its 31st year, the exhibition will showcase the work of more than 30 painters.

All paintings are for sale and the work ranges from hyper-realistic, through traditional landscapes and floral and wildlife studies, to extreme hard-edge abstracts. Exhibiting artists paint in a range of media including water colour, acrylic, pastel, and oils

Prominent West Auckland artists will be joined by several new club members (making their Tītīrangi Painters’ debut) in vying for the club’s Reflections of the West competition and the people’s choice award.

The exhibition returned last year after Covid-19 lockdowns led to the cancellation of the previous two years’ shows.

“We were greatly relieved that the show went ahead last year,” says Tītīrangi Painters President Mike Stock. “There was a real buzz in the hall during the show and the people of Tītīrangi seemed pleased to see us back exhibiting.

Time to have your say!

The Waitākere Ranges Local Board is releasing its three-year draft plan for consultation. We need your feedback to let us know if we are on the right track.

The plans will guide local board decision-making in your area over the next three years on things like parks and playgrounds, community funding and group support, as well as events and programmes.

Clearly the financial pressures that Council is under will have an effect. And the effects of the devastation caused by flood events earlier this year are still present. For most of us things have improved or are back to relative normality. For some of us however the situation is precarious as they await decisions about the future of their homes.

Our role is to preserve and enhance what is important to our local communities and our local preferences are very clear.

But we need your help to let us know what is particularly important to you, whether this draft plan accurately reflects your wishes or whether changes should be made.

There are various ways to have your say. You can use the online form at akhaveyoursay.govt.nz/localboardplans or find hard copies and feedback forms at libraries and service centres or by calling 09 301 0101.

The local board will also hold events to allow for discussion and feedback about the local board plan. Find out more: facebook.com/waitakereranges/

“We’re determined to repeat that success this year with a vibrant and colourful exhibition.”

Admission is free, and the show is open from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday August 19 and Sunday August 20 in the Tītīrangi War Memorial Hall in South Tītīrangi Road.

Glen

Tennis Club

has

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.

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.

Eden

Inc.

been offering social tennis for 95 years and now invites you to join in LOVE TENNIS on September 10, 10am-4pm at 42 Glendale Road, Glen Eden. This free event is for the whole family whether you’ve played tennis before or not. The club will provide rackets and balls.

Victoria 1, a painting of everyday life by Victoria McNaughton who paints on glass.

The secret of happiness? “Don’t have any regrets.”

A couple of years ago when lunching with family at Sky City, Teresa McLaughlin was quite taken with the thrill of watching people jump off New Zealand’s highest building, the Sky Tower.

Life carried on for Teresa in her villa at Green Bay’s Pinesong Village and Covid got in the way of outings and adventures but when her 92nd birthday came along she knew exactly what she wanted. No, it wasn’t a party, she told daughter Margaret, son Charles and extended family, but rather to leap from Sky Tower’s 192-metre high platform. And so she did ... after her doctor asked her if she was mad, before giving her the physical thumbs up. He told her she had the heart of a 15-year old.

“I was so, so happy. I just loved it even though my mouth was frozen and my hair was standing straight up when I landed. That was so funny. I was so excited to see all my

family waiting for me at the bottom and I couldn’t stop smiling,” she says.

The drop plunges 53 floors, at a speed of 85kph.

“It was so beautiful and I was really happy and excited. It only takes 11 seconds but it was so beautiful. There was a young boy there from Whangārei, probably in his 30s, and he was scared. But I talked to him and said he’d be OK and of course he was.”

Teresa says it’s important in life to just get on and do things. “Don’t have any regrets and don’t wait for a long time. If you want to do something, do it now while you can.”

Teresa says she’s thinking she might take the jump each year until she turns 102. “Someone told me a woman had set a record jumping off Sky Tower when she turned 100. I’d like to beat her record.” And Teresa smiles at the thought.

– Moira Kennedy

Bio-controls to combat invasive weed

Tradescantia, better known as “wandering willie”, is arguably the most notorious pest weed – causing considerable damage to the natural environment, spreading along streams by water movement, infesting waterways and smothering native species.

Community groups working in the Roy Clements Treeway, Mt Albert and Oakley Creek, New Windsor parks requested Council support in battling the pest plant and Auckland Council is for the first time organising the release of a fungal pathogen bio-control in an urban environment to help control the weed.

Auckland Council’s Senior Regional Advisor Pest Plants, Holly Cox says the council is excited about the longawaited release of this bio-control agent, the yellow leaf spot fungus.

“Tradescantia is very difficult to control and despite the best efforts of volunteers to manage the weed, they’ve been unable to make inroads. The fungus is an ideal control as it disperses itself with the movement of water and humid air, spreading to other infestations both inside

and outside the stream reserve,” says Holly.

Plants, infected with the fungus (kordyana brasiliensis), will be planted in the waterway and together with the tradescantia leaf beetle already present, it is hoped the fungus will further reduce the weed’s impact.

The fungal pathogen, native to Brazil, is host-specific meaning it only affects tradescantia and is no risk to other species.

Paul Duffy, Auckland Council’s specialist advisor says Council is developing a working relationship with Te Kawerau ā Maki around the use of bio-control within their rohe (area).

“In the summer of 2023 with TKAM approval and tikanga, Environmental Services carried out a tradescantia leaf eating beetle release in the Waitākere Ranges, on private property at Bethells Beach. Auckland Council are working with TKAM to look at further releases in the West next spring.”

Look out for signs of yellow spot fungus, pictured above. It has been released in nearby suburbs to control tradescantia, an invasive pest plant, but could spread into the West. Large infestations of the weed (see photo below) are a major threat to our environment.

Sustainable solutions with Fiona Drummond

Let’s tackle textile waste

It’s time to take responsibility for our clothing consumption. Auckland Council estimates that textiles are currently 9% of city landfills and that by 2024, at current growth rates, this could grow to 14%.

We import over 380,000 tonnes of textile products every year across New Zealand, with about half ending up in landfill. And our clothing is also a significant source of microplastic with 87% of the microplastics polluting Tāmaki Makaurau waterways coming from synthetic textiles.

Maybe Auckland Council can gain inspiration from the city of Lahti in Finland. A pilot programme there involved locals exchanging textile waste for coffee vouchers and passes to the local pool, increasing recycling rates by 500%, with just six collection points around the city. The textiles are processed into recycled fibre used in the production of new products such as thread, insulation materials and acoustic panels. The city also launched a design competition that aimed to find new and creative uses for discarded textiles.

In New Zealand, Upparel, an Australasian textile recycling company, has diverted over 1200 tonnes from local landfills since opening its Onehunga base last December. The company collects and sorts old and new textiles, donating wearable items to charity partners and recycling what is unwearable, in partnership with local businesses. New products include a fluffy, shredded fabric product that can replace the synthetic fillings used in mattresses, cushions, bean bags, pet beds and home insulation. “And at the end of its life, it can come back to us and be recycled again and again. So it's a circular product,” says New Zealand director Jeff Vollebregt.

Did you know ...

Fashion Rebellion Aotearoa in New Lynn is home to the Upcycle Collective, which makes recycled fabrics available to upcyclers. They have diverted textile waste into stuffing for poufs and upcycled garments.

We can all become more conscious consumers of clothing and textiles:

• Buy second-hand clothing from charity shops or SaveMart in New Lynn.

• Support the Re:Generate vintage and preloved clothing market. www.regeneratefashion.co.nz.

• Buy environmentally conscious New Zealand fashion brands like Kowtow, which has a repair commitment.

• Purchase garments made from natural rather than synthetic fibres. They can be recycled.

• Buy New Zealand made wherever possible.

• Recycle clothing at Icebreaker stores and get a $10 in-store credit. (They will be recycled through Upparel.)

• Donate old towels and linen to animal shelters and Bird Care Aotearoa, or upcycle towels into dishcloths.

• Curtains in good condition can be donated to the Henderson Habitat for Humanity charity store.

• Make contact with The Upcycle Collective: https:// www.facebook.com/groups/1329218727501254.

• Avoid online shopping. If you haven’t tried it on, chances are you won’t like it.

• Mend your clothes. Visible mending is a fashion statement! You can have clothing fixed at the Repair Cafe at the New Lynn Community Centre on the last Saturday of every month.

Body & Mind

Kūmarahou, a small tree that grows up to 4m high is found from Northland to the Bay of Plenty and Kāwhia. It can be used for a wide variety of disorders.

It has been known to help with arthritis, rheumatism and asthma while also reducing bronchial inflammation and acting as an expectorant. It can be used as a bitter tonic to assist with digestion and can also be useful as a diuretic, helping kidneys to clear their acidity. There are even some unverified claims that it can assist with menstrual cramping.

Kūmarahou, Pomaderris kumeraho, also known as gumdiggers’ soap or golden Tainui, has alternating, blue-green leaves on top and pale undersides with protruding veins. Its flowers are creamy yellow in large, fluffy clusters and blossom in September. The whole plant is covered in a soft mat of hair. It is said that much of our knowledge of the properties of this plant was shared with early Maori by the patupaiarehe (New Zealand’s fairy folk).

Vote for the guy with mud in his blood!

Yeah gidday. Lizard here. How are ya?

I’ve been very busy since I became the campaign manager for Mopey Jesus and his bid to be our next Prime Minister. We’d arranged to pick him and his accordionist up, outside the Sky Tower. It had been years since Whitevan or me in fact, had been into the city. We eventually found a park and I put the lead on Plumless Walker as we headed off along Victoria Street at a leisurely amble.

I came across Mopey Jesus and a few Left Anxiously Central Party supporters outside the conference centre.

“What’s with all the flash as cars and security everywhere?” I asked Mopey.

“There’s a bloke over from the States who helped Trump get elected. They’re paying 20 grand a table to listen and eat South Island grass-fed salmon. All the major parties are inside. Bloody capitalistic greed.” Mopey was having a sausage sizzle to raise awareness for the plight of our kauri snail and now considered adding salmon.

“It’s a bit greedy asking four bucks for a sausage innit?” Mopey Jesus told me they were actually pea or soy protein with no collagen or cattle skin.

“Right,” I said.

“Did someone say right?” I turned around to face a guy I was later told was an ACT member but I thought he was an old class mate of mine. This kid really wanted to be a prefect so he could hand out detentions.

“Is that an actual real snail on your ear Mopey?” he enquired.

“Yep. I blue-tacked a clasp on its shell so I can wear it as an earring. It didn’t hurt it. I think it actually likes the attention.”

As he said that, the snail kind of slid its head out of its shell and I swear, winked at me. Seeing this, Plumless began to growl. I told him to settle down but instead, he got all excited

and lifted his leg on a member of the Māori Party who had just come out of the building with a few other politicians.

“Sorry about that,” I said.

“No worries. We’re used to being urinated on by all kinds of kurī.”

A member of the Labour Party, overheard this and said that their latest polls and study group findings showed this was quite accurate and that it had been occurring for generations.

“We hope to address this serious issue immediately.”

Blimey. I didn’t realise so many people were being peed on. The National Party guy said “If Labour are addressing this, then we will overturn what ever they decide. We will release our policies on this matter as soon as we are in power.”

A very odd looking chap strolled up. On the back of his suit jacket was a sign saying, Jeff. Aotearoa Organic Party.

‘If we get in, everything will be organic, including animal feed. We’ll be able to quite happily drink that urine.”

Behind us were a couple of Green Party people chatting with a bloke with rainbow coloured hair. One was saying that they hoped to phase out milk altogether by 2043.

We packed up our, ‘Kauri snails live in tiny houses’ signs and headed back West. As we drove through Huia Mopey said, “I love the smell of salt mud Lizard. It’s in our blood.” On the harbour’s edge a kererū was eating some berries in a tree.

“That’s what I want to protect Lizard. If we are quiet enough to hear the harbour breathe then we will hear each others’ hearts. We just need to lean in and open our minds.”

You gotta love a bloke that loves snails and birds, and mud. We sat, not saying much, looking out over the Manukau. Go Mopey Jesus I thought. He’s a decent bloke.

Vote with your hearts guys. See ya when the mud dries, Lizard.

Ra y Percival and Son

ART & CULTURE Open Studios Waitākere, Call to artists 9 Tītīrangi Painters Exhibition 9 AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORT Ken Turner Automotive and Auto Electrical.......................... 10 BUILDING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Drain Ranger 14 Nulook Henderson, windows and doors .................................... 7 Ray Percival & Son, painters and decorators 14 Turners Drainage & Contracting ................................................. 15 Watkins Plumbing Services 14 BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT Ready Press Print............................................................................... 15 COMMUNITY Forest & Bird, bequests 14 The Trusts 16 Waitākere Ranges Local Board 11 GARDENS & LANDSCAPE Gordons Nurseries 14 Signature Plants.................................................................................. 15

Directory HEALTH & WELLNESS Hunt & Gaunt Optometrists 15 Tītīrangi Village Dental 10 Tonic: Skin, body, spa .......................................................................... 8 Turning Tide, Pilates 13 Vivi Skin Clinic..................................................................................... 13 HOSPITALITY Maison Blanc Lodge 15 Street Feast, the Rise ........................................................................... 2 LEGAL SERVICES Presland & Co, barristers and solicitors 10 LEISURE & LIFESTYLE Ryman Healthcare: Murray Halberg Retirement Village ..... 5 PERSONAL SERVICES Morrisons Funerals 11 PETS Bark, puppy training......................................................................... 15 POLITICAL Carmel Sepuloni, MP for Kelston 7 Deborah Russell, MP for New Lynn 4

(09) 818 1615 sales@readypress.co.nz www.readypress.co.nz Creative Print Offset Digital Large Format Printing and Finishing

* * * * Locally owned and operated for over 40 years E ye examinations • Glaucoma Checks Contact Lenses & Solutions • On Site Repairs • Sunglasses Prescriptions • Drivers Licence Screening TITIRANGI VILLAGE 517 South Titirangi Road Ph 817 4380 Fax 817 4383 MT EDEN 3 Walters Road Ph 630 3785 Fax 630 3746

These advertisers support our community and make this publication possible. Please support them. Train your dog for any situation using fun effective games- puppies to adult dogs Build a great relationship with your dog Private consultations available Contact sarah@bark training 022-603-8457

Reliable High Quality Plants 703 West Coast Road, Oratia, Waitākere City Phone 09 814 9135 E-mail: oratia@signatureplants.co.nz Lori 027 318 1111 Michelle 021 780 472

‘your eyecare centre’ Reach 50,000+ readers... ...for as little as 0.2 cents each.* Something to advertise? Email info@fringemedia.co.nz *based on the discount rate for a classified display ad

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

While every reasonable care will be taken by the Editor, no responsibility is assumed for the return of unsolicited material.

Having a choice is a good thing, and that’s why we’ve changed your local to a Liquorland or a Super Liquor.

Bringing you better choices at great prices, while continuing to support our community.

Make your choice!

At each of our new stores we’re giving away $1500 to two local community organisations. Every purchase earns you the choice of where you'd like to see your contributions go.

Head in store to place your sticker on the organisation you support.

Find