Napier Life 2013

Edition

16

2013/2014

The people and places that make Napier New Zealand’s preferred lifestyle destination

BUILDING A BETTER NAPIER SINCE 1931

The developing stories behind the city's growth and success

PEDAL FOR SNAPPER Get on your bike and take the trail from the National Aquarium to Snapper Park

ON THE BUSES

Take a trip down memory lane on Napier's latest moving attraction

Plus $5,000 cash giveaway

With lots of bonus prizes to be won inside

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We’ve been building a better Napier since 1931 and we’re still building with passion. Napier people take great pride and ownership of their clean, green, caring and friendly city, we add the facilities and events that give Napier its vibrancy and zing. I’ve had a fantastic twelve years working in partnership with the 60,000 residents of Napier to make this city truly the best place to live in New Zealand.

Come and join us – you’ll love the life.

Barbara Arnott, Mayor of Napier

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

WELCOME TO NAPIER LIFE

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Tennyson Street A heritage street of speciality shops, galleries and cafés.

Unique - Independently owned - Passionate We accept all major credit cards • VISA • AMEX • MasterCard • Diners 06 835 5152 | 36 Tennyson Street, Napier | alexapparel@xtra.co.nz | www.alexandersontennyson.co.nz | Open 7 days | Weekends until 4pm

napier life magazine contents

6 guide to art deco napier

A group of dedicated volunteers in Napier ensure that Art Deco heritage is celebrated and shared 364 days of the year.

12 building a better napier

Ten years ago you could be excused for never having heard of Gemco Construction.

Now you will see their name at building sites everywhere.

16 mtg now!

Napier’s most eagerly awaited civic project opens in September. What can we expect from the renamed MTG Hawke’s Bay?

18 deco revivalist

Pat Benson enjoys a coffee at his favourite café in town, Mister D. He likes it here.

After all he helped renovate the place from the ground up.

22 a big plan

Napier City Council has been planning and building a better Napier since 1931.

28 wilde aspirations

“No one ever regretted buying quality” that’s according to Oscar Wilde. At Linens to Love quality is their middle name.

32 art movement

The Art + Enterprise Gallery has some exciting developments in today’s Napier art scene.

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36 all dressed up

What do you get when you take three enthusiastic young Hawke’s Bay students, dress them up in stylish 30’s garb and put them out onto the streets of Napier?

38 packard promenades

Graham Holly, the owner of Packard Promenades, offers a premium Art Deco product helping tourists to learn more about Napier and its rich history.

40 a century of performance

Live performance is a thrill like no other the immediacy of actors responding to an audience, the spectacle of dance, the sound of music and song, the pageantry - this is why we love going to the theatre.

42 big day out

That old adage ‘don't leave town til you've seen the country’ is one we should all take heed of living here in Napier.

58 for the time of your life

Napier Life takes a look at life’s biggest steps from the moment of birth, through the schooling system, work place, and where to celebrate those important occasions.

68 your legal life

Buying a house in Napier? Setting up a business in the city? Finding things a bit tough in a long-term relationship? When is the right time to see a lawyer?

"IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ROLE MODELS ON WHAT A DECENT SIZED TOWN AND PROVINCE COULD AND SHOULD BE, THEN NAPIER IS YOUR SUBJECT!" MIKE HOSKING

Set against a breathtaking backdrop of the ocean from Mahia Peninsula across to Cape Kidnappers, there’s no place quite like the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre.

72 resort for all seasons

Everything you need for the perfect holiday all in one place.

74 casting for talent

Meet Jaun Park who moved to New Zealand from Bloemfontein in South Africa. In his role of General Manager Networks and Operations at Unison Networks, he has chosen Hawke’s Bay to live and work.

78 welcome back to life

I thought my back would never be the same again, until a friend recommended I go and see a chiropractor.

84 stuart nash

Stuart Nash, shares his opinion with us on our region’s local political set up.

90 heaven sent

96 the missing link

The new bus service, Deco City Discoverer, bridges the gap between Napier city and the delightful seaside village of Ahuriri with its classic Art Deco buildings, restaurants, cafés and bars.

98 the golden age of ahuriri

Walking along the shoreline of Ahuriri, taking in the sea air, and the glorious views across the ocean to the Kaweka Ranges, it’s hard to imagine that this vibrant village was once an industrial wasteland.

106 indian masterclass

Design Steve Rawlinson, Many Hats Ltd Publisher 3sixty5 HB Ltd on behalf of Napier City Council Co-ordinating Editor Judi Hopkinson, 3sixty5 HB Ltd Writers Michael Gardner, Rick Hopkinson, Victoria Bibby Kelly Brown, Judi Hopkinson Contributing Writers Mike Hosking, Stuart Nash, Roger Moroney Photography Richard Brimer, Lee Warren

Sanjay Patel from the Master of India in Ahuriri helps us master the art of ordering the best Indian meal in Napier.

Contributing Photography/Illustrations Meredith Lord, Richard Wood, Peter Scott, Eva Bradley, Alexander Turnbull Library, Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust, Napier Inner City Marketing

108 question time

Advertising Sales Blair Applegate, Judi Hopkinson

Napier Life catches up with our local MP and took the opportunity to ask some more personal questions about his life to find out who is the real Chris Tremain?

110 on-line competition

In a uniquely beautiful setting, with truly memorable food and a wine list to die for, The Old Church Restaurant is a rare find.

Build a better Napier for yourself simply by entering our great on-line competition at www.napierlife.com and you could win $1,000 or one of our many bonus prizes.

94 drop in for a drop

112 the last word

Crossroads winemaker, Miles Dinneen, tells Napier Life that the joy of winemaking is that no two vintages are quite the same.

Managing Editor Rick Hopkinson

Mike Hosking tells us exactly why he thinks Napier is a role model for the rest of the country to follow.

Office 3sixty5 HB Ltd Phone/Fax: 06 835 1421 Email: napierlife@xtra.co.nz

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

70 celebrate life

Print Format Print Relocating to Napier Contact Ron Massey, Napier Economic Development Manager, Napier City Council, Private Bag 6010, Napier. Freephone 0800 237 227 (within New Zealand) or email ron@napier.govt.nz Website www.napierlife.com Publication Date August 2013 ISSN 1174-8974

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culture art deco

YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO ART DECO NAPIER Many of us associate Art Deco with a few festive days each February when the world comes to party in Napier for the Tremains Art Deco Weekend.

But there’s a group of dedicated volunteers in our city who ensure that our heritage is actually celebrated and shared 364 days a year. words : rick hopkinson photography : lee warren

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napier life magazine 2013 / 14

Take a quick look around on either day of the Tremains Art Deco Weekend and you soon gain a sense that Art Deco in Napier has come of age.

Young and old alike join together in a joyous celebration of our unique 30’s style heritage.

This year I overheard one exuberant and appropriately attired young man shout over to his equally fashionable friends, “I haven’t had this much fun since the Wellington Sevens!”

Its true Art Deco now has a universal appeal amongst the ages that makes its main annual event a highlighted entry on both i-phone and wall calendar alike. But there are those other times of the year when the crowds have dissipated and been replaced by the more casual visitor to our city. Many have little or no appreciation of the monumental, historic tragedy that took place some 82 years previously.

However all it takes is a casual mention of Hawke’s Bay’s 1931 earthquake and the curiosity of most is engaged. What is clear is that simply googling Napier is not enough for our more inquisitive travellers. They want to hear what the locals have to say, first hand! That’s why last year over 15,000 people decided to discover the real story behind Napier’s most unique and fascinating history by taking an official Art Deco Trust Guided Walk.

Now that’s a lot of people who go back to their respective homes around the globe and share with continued over >

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culture art deco

friends the memories and newly acquired anecdotes about ‘The Newest City on the Globe’. So it’s important that the information that is being passed on, initially comes from a reliable source who has been trained not only to provide an enjoyable and fun experience, but also one that is correct. The Art Deco Trust currently has an experienced pool of over 70 volunteer guides who have all gone through a substantial training programme. a positive attitude This group of passionate and enthusiastic volunteers is what makes up the very backbone of the Art Deco Trust. Recently appointed Sales, Business and Marketing manager Nicola Pentelow, is amazed at the energy and positive attitude the guides exude even on the rare rainy day in Napier. “Flexibility is at the core of what we do here,” says Nicola. “You never know who’s going to turn up for a guided tour.

One afternoon you might have two young Germans to show around, the next a group of 30 Australian retirees. Our guides learn to do things at the pace that’s needed on the day.” Local businesswoman Sue Page agrees. “We swear by the ‘F Word’,” she laughs.

"At first when I started as a guide I did everything by the book but now I’ve learnt to be ‘flexible’ in my approach. It ensures the walker gets the most out of their time with us.”

The Art Deco Trust uses the term ‘Interpretive Guiding’ to encourage each guide to embrace the philosophy that ‘one walk doesn’t fit all’. Guide 8

art deco celebration

The Tremains Art Deco Weekend attracts an enthusiastic crowd of all ages to celebrate Napier's unique heritage.

trainer Bea Hall, explains that you have to weigh up the group in front of you and tell the story to suit.

“Sometimes you’re an interpreter, sometimes an entertainer but every time you’ve got to get your facts right,” says Bea. “I’m learning new stuff all the time about the city I live in. It’s a great way to keep the brain active. Some older people like me, challenge themselves by taking a degree paper, I chose to take mine on Napier!”

Brien Mahoney is a local accountant and recent convert to Art Deco guiding. He regularly enjoyed the Tremains Art Deco Weekend each year but it wasn’t until he went on one of the guided walks that he realised he wanted to be more actively involved.

“It was like a revelation,” he explains. “I had no real understanding of the history of my own home town, but now I love to share it with people from all over the world.”

Napier teacher Sue Fullarton agrees and believes her love for Art Deco stems from the admiration of her walkers. “It never fails to reignite my passion for the city and its buildings. These days it’s Art Deco they say, that makes them add the city of Napier to their New Zealand holiday itinerary.”

You really start to get the impression that this enthusiastic group of Napier’s finest volunteers genuinely love the role they have in making Napier one of New Zealand’s most talked about provincial cities. I’m thinking that I just might join them. www.artdeconapier.com

"AT FIRST WHEN I STARTED AS A GUIDE I DID EVERYTHING BY THE BOOK BUT NOW I’VE LEARNT TO BE ‘FLEXIBLE’ IN MY APPROACH. IT ENSURES THE WALKER GETS THE MOST OUT OF THEIR TIME WITH US.” SUE PAGE, GUIDE

DO A WALK

BECOME A GUIDE

DO A WALK Napier Life believes that an official Art Deco Walk is the perfect way to discover the unique story that is Napier. Accompanied by an experienced guide you will be taken back to the magical and inspirational era of the swinging 30s.

Walks are very competitively priced and held twice daily morning and afternoon, year round (except Christmas Day) rain or shine. During the summer months a special evening walk is also held at 5.00pm. No bookings are necessary, but are a good option.

Further information at the Art Deco Centre, 7 Tennyson Street (next to the Hawke’s Bay Museum).

BECOME A GUIDE

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

The Trust currently has openings in the Art Deco Guides team. As a guide you will be taking small groups of visitors on tours around the city, introducing them to Napier's heritage story and the Art Deco style. Once you've gone through their professional training programme, you'll be taking on average about two guided walks per month. You can work your walks schedule around your existing commitments and will make lifelong friends within the volunteer family.

If you enjoy meeting new people, are enthusiastic, and keen to become an ambassador for Napier and its Art Deco heritage, then they welcome your enquiry. Contact Nicola who heads up the team of volunteer guides for more information and an application form.

Nicola can be reached on 06 835 0022 x 4 or by email at walks@artdeconapier.com

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Events: Pask Winery Great& Long Late Lunch 2013 Business Lifestyle: Flaxpod

never too late for lunch

Napier really knows how to party! On a typical warm and pleasant Saturday evening, in early February, almost 700 guests from all over the world enjoyed touches of romance and elegance, in the picturesque seaside setting of Napier’s Marine Parade Gardens.

Guests were served canapés and chilled Pask Rosé as they mingled on arrival, followed by a sumptuous sit down meal at twilight.

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Later the dancing carried on under the stars to the rhythm of The Beat Girls and Souffle.

Napier Life was there to soak up the moment and every last drop of some rather spectacular Hawke’s Bay Pask wine!

Details will be posted on line for the 2014 event. www.greatlonglunch.co.nz

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TURN OVER FOR THE CONTINUING STORY >

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

NAPIER’S ENVIED POSITION AS NEW ZEALAND’S MOST ICONIC PROVINCIAL CITY, OWES SO MUCH TO THE DEVASTATION OF THE 1931 EARTHQUAKE. EIGHT DECADES LATER AND ADVERSITY CAST ASIDE IN A SPIRIT OF PASSIONATE RENEWAL, TODAY’S PLANNERS, ARCHITECTS, DEVELOPERS AND BUILDERS OF THE CITY ARE DEDICATED TO PRESERVING AND EMBRACING OUR UNIQUE HERITAGE. TOGETHER WITH THOSE SPIRITED VISIONARIES OF THE PAST THEY HAVE BEEN BUILDING A BETTER NAPIER SINCE 1931.

building a better napier gemco construction

BUILDING A BETTER NAPIER This is the story of a small construction company that got big.

Ten years ago you could be excused for never having heard of Gemco Construction. Now, you see their name at building sites everywhere.

We talked to Managing Director Darren Diack and General Manager Ashley Hartley about the company's continued growth. words : michael gardner photography : richard brimer

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building a better napier gemco construction

“THE ATTRACTION FOR ME WAS TO START FROM SCRATCH AND INTRODUCE ALL THE SYSTEMS I HAD IN PLACE TO DEVELOP A PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. I WANTED TO PASS ON MY KNOWLEDGE TO THEM.” ASHLEY HARTLEY GENERAL MANAGER, GEMCO

Gemco Construction have come from nowhere to being put in charge of rebuilding the most talked about structure in Napier - the Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery. Through it all, they have kept level heads and feet firmly planted on the ground. Growing too fast, as many companies have experienced, brings its own set of challenges and risks.

Gemco have managed their growth sustainably, even through the recent global financial crisis, which was a difficult period for the building industry. Many other construction companies were forced to close their doors.

Overcoming these challenges was the wise old head of Ashley Hartley, and the energetic young shoulders of Managing Director, Darren Diack, and his fellow Directors.

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Ashley, Gemco’s General Manager, has overseen multi-million dollar builds since 1973, like the HB Regional Prison and HB Regional Hospital redevelopment. After thirty four years in Hawke’s Bay, Ashley travelled between his home in Eskdale to Wellington, Tauranga and Hamilton to price and project manage many significant projects. The fascinating opportunity then presented itself for him to join Gemco, then a fledgling company with five building staff.

“I contacted Ashley pretty soon in the piece to see if he wanted to come back permanently to live in Hawke’s Bay and join Gemco,” says Darren. “It was a big step to get someone like Ashley to join us, because we weren’t doing a lot of work at that stage.”

After extensive discussions, Ashley joined Gemco

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Extensive rebuilding on the site of the old Cosmopolitan Club.

“IT WAS A BIG STEP TO GET SOMEONE LIKE ASHLEY TO JOIN US, BECAUSE WE WEREN’T DOING A LOT OF WORK AT THAT STAGE.” DARREN DIACK MANAGING DIRECTOR GEMCO

The completely renovated Art Deco Centre in Herschell Street; Emporium Eatery & Bar of the Masonic Hotel; newly opened Farmers building; current new development on the site of the old Caledonian Hotel.

pay cut. Only one person from the then 90 staff disagreed and left.

In Napier, Gemco have been trusted with building or renovating iconic structures such as the Masonic Hotel, the Art Deco Centre, the new Farmers building, the Old Caledonian Hotel, the Cosmopolitan Club, the Paxies site redevelopment and the Old Post Office to name a few. culturally significant By far, the rebuild of the Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Galley has been their most culturally significant project to date. For Darren, it was doubly so, as his grandfather’s business, George Diack Builders Ltd built the 1953 Museum extension.

The Napier City Council tendered the Museum build on a non-price attribute method. Construction companies were asked to submit two envelopes, one with a price and the other with attributes – documenting their standards, credibility, financial stability and reputation. A good deal of time was spent examining the attributes before the second envelope was even opened.

“I take my hat off to them,” says Ashley. “They thoroughly examined our non-price attributes just as much as they examined our price. They wanted the job done right.”

Aside from a select few negotiated projects, Gemco have decided to stay in Hawke’s Bay – to be the local builder of projects big and small. And like the structures they have erected, the company plans to be around for a long time. Passing on Ashley Hartley's knowledge and experience to the next generation of Gemco staff is a key part of that plan - so Gemco Construction can continue to build a better Napier for many years to come.

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ABOVE CLOCKWISE

in August 2004. “It was exciting to see this energetic young construction company that shared my philosophies towards team culture, health & safety, and quality,” he says. “The attraction for me was to start from scratch and introduce all the systems I had in place to develop a professional construction company. I wanted to pass on my knowledge to them.” Darren then selectively employed the very best carpenters and Gemco became a fully fledged construction company, but they were still an unknown quantity.

“We knew we could build anything that was put in front of us, but people didn’t know us, and it took time for them to realise the calibre of people we had assembled in the team,” says Ashley. “Gemco is actually all about its people. If you recruit the right people you can do anything.”

The breakthrough for Gemco was building the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park Grandstand. Aside from the size, the project required precision precast concrete work on a massive scale - the legs of the grandstand – with zero tolerance for error.

“When you’re a young company, you haven’t got history, even if you have great people,” says Darren.

“The grandstand proved we could do it.”

Gemco flourished and began to leave its mark on the region’s landscape. They steadily grew and now have over 100 employees. Ashley’s steadfast insistence on controlling quality, standards and timing at all levels brought about the creation of Gemco Trades. The subsidiary company provides all trades under one roof.

In 2008, the strength of the company culture was tested to its fullest as the global financial crisis set in. Having built a reputation for quality, they were not prepared to compromise standards by cutting corners. In a full staff meeting, they made the radical decision to cut costs by taking a company wide 15%

www.gemcogroup.com 15

building a better napier mtg hawke's bay

MTG NOW! Napier’s most eagerly awaited civic project opens in September.

What can we expect from the new and restored Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery? Well for starters, it has a new name.

Allow me to introduce MTG Hawke’s Bay. words : michael gardner photography : richard brimer

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The new name has been chosen to reflect what the building has to offer. It brings together our museum, theatre and gallery. Behind the fabulous facade, MTG Hawke’s Bay is a fascinating building.

The intention was to create a home that would protect, display and equal the wealth of the sizable Hawke’s Bay Museum’s Trust collection. During design and building MTG Hawke’s Bay was able to benefit from the lessons learned from the Christchurch earthquake. The Royal Commission made a series of recommendations to improve the earthquake strengthening of the structure to future proof the care of the collection.

That has made MTG Hawke’s Bay one of the strongest structures in Napier and a potential new civil defence headquarters for the city in the event of a natural disaster.

More than that, bringing the museum, theatre and gallery together has created a dynamic environment where an ever-changing series of exhibitions flow from one defined space to the next.

MTG Hawke’s Bay is more like an art gallery in nature than a traditional museum. As well as longterm displays like the 1931 earthquake exhibition which is such a part of Napier’s identity, most

"THE NAME CHANGE REFLECTS A DESIRE TO CREATE A BRAND THAT TAKES THE BUILDING AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS INTO THE FUTURE." MTG HAWKE'S BAY DIRECTOR DOUGLAS LLOYD JENKINS

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MTG Hawke's Bay Director Douglas Lloyd Jenkins has already made a name for himself having been described by Wallpaper magazine as 'one of the most influential design writers in the Southern Hemisphere'.

architecture of the heartland It is fitting then that the curators all independently chose opening exhibition programmes that focus on the people of Hawke’s Bay and our identity as New Zealanders. Here’s a small taste of what to expect.

Architecture of the Heart celebrates the house and home in New Zealand art. It brings some of the fine art collection’s most loved works together with new discoveries and recent acquisitions revealing a rich new theme of New Zealand art history.

The Taonga Gallery uncovers the fascinating stories of Hawke’s Bay hapu showcased through the significant taonga Māori collection. Ūkaipō - ō tātou whakapapa is an exhibition defined by identity, upbringing and homeground.

The restored Bestall Gallery displays the treasures

of the Hawke’s Bay archive. Take these with you when you leave traces an incomplete portrait of an anonymous boy, the silhouettes of a family filed into a handmade folder, letters from a grieving mother, a huia feather slipped into an envelope, all of which are brought together to reveal mysteries, stimulate stories and offer insights into our past.

The 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake exhibition shows how the people and places of Hawke’s Bay were redefined by the catastrophic event that took place in 1931.

MTG Hawke’s Bay has improved the archive and research facility to make the extensive collection of records more accessible to the public. This includes an online catalogue detailing over 15,000 records including manuscripts, books, business records and journals and an image library of over 7,000 photographs. There is also a new education suite, planned events, lectures, workshops, and school holiday programmes.

The journey of building MTG Hawke’s Bay may be complete, but as the doors open, many more journeys will begin.

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exhibition and display spaces will change every six to twelve months. There will always be something new to come back and see.

The Theatre is home to Chamber Music Hawke’s Bay, International and Italian film festivals and a centre for performing arts. MTG Hawke’s Bay will become a living, breathing home to the arts, our history and the artefacts that define us.

www.mtghawkesbay.com 17

building a better napier pat benson

DECO REVIVALIST It’s 10am on a Monday morning and Pat Benson is enjoying a relaxing moment at his favourite cafÊ in town, Mister D. He likes it here. After all he helped renovate the place from the ground up. Now that deserves a medal and a flat white. words : rick hopkinson photography : richard brimer

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building a better napier pat benson

When you take an Art Deco Trust guided walk around Napier don’t be surprised if your guide mentions the name Benson a few times. The reason is quite straightforward. The name is synonymous with some of Napier’s more recent and spectacular Art Deco building restoration projects.

It all started in the 1980s when along with brothers John and Jim, Pat Benson bought Devon House, the building next to where they'd established their expanding business Napier Computer Systems.

With little appreciation of the significance of heritage restoration, the three brothers were soon introduced to the concept of preservation responsibility by their project architect. architectural integrity “We had no idea what we had got ourselves into until we starting pulling the building apart and found all these hidden Art Deco features,” Pat explained.

“I guess the passion for preserving the architectural integrity of Napier’s heritage buildings started there.”

Twenty years later the brothers made their most significant purchase of a landmark Napier building under threat of demolition - the Daily Telegraph building in Tennyson Street. They began by removing a mezzanine floor that had been added in the 1970s, restored the spectacular open staircase and balustrade around the original foyer and completed a stunning refurbishment throughout.

Less than a year after the extensive restoration was completed, the magnificent building was recognised 20

ROBERT MCGREGOR ART DECO TRUST

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“BUILDINGS LIKE DEVON HOUSE AND THE DAILY TELEGRAPH ARE SIGNIFICANT BOTH EXTERNALLY AND INTERNALLY AND MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE TO THE CHARACTER OF NAPIER."

with the Art Deco Trust's Supreme Award and later Pat personally received a Napier City Council Civic Award for his community spirited contribution to heritage preservation. At the time Robert McGregor from the Art Deco Trust said, “Buildings like Devon House and the Daily Telegraph are significant both externally and internally and make a big difference to the character of Napier. These buildings have been restored by the owners under their own initiative because they see the benefits for the community as a whole.”

Pat and his brothers have passionately gone on to restore a multitude of other historic buildings throughout the city, working closely with their tenants to create unique and attractive working spaces. These include those occupied by exclusive furniture retailer Madisons in Tennyson Street, and an eclectic Hastings Street block of shops and cocktail bar that now enjoy a revived Art Deco frontage and sympathetic interior backdrop.

The award winning Harstons Building and former 1930's piano studio has gone full circle and some 80 years later now houses modern music retailer The Music Machine.

Napier Life says ‘good on you Pat’ for leading by example. You deserve your recent Queen's Service Medal and we hope that other building owners in the city will pick up the mantle you have set down for protecting Napier's unique architectural heritage. www.artdeconapier.com/products/walk-tours 21

Building a Better Napier: Napier City Council

A BIG PLAN In his recent annual report, the local government finance and policy analyst Larry Mitchell declared that Napier is the most financially sustainable territorial authority in New Zealand. That’s not surprising considering the local council has been planning and building a better Napier since 1931.

Words Rick Hopkinson Photography Peter Scott 22

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14 Collection of Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi

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Building a Better Napier: Napier City Council

“Napier has one of the most robust and comprehensive Works strategic plans in the country. It’s not just a big overview, it’s a detailed plan that gets reviewed every 10 years.”

Johan Ehlers Napier City Council Works Development Manager

It seems things don’t just happen by chance in Napier anymore. The 1931 earthquake threw up some interesting challenges for the council of the time. This was an opportunity to build the newest city in the world but within a timeframe considered by many as impossible.

In typical kiwi fashion, two years later, principal construction was complete and the foundations for a working city were in place.

Since then successive Napier Councils have embodied the same progressive philosophy and carefully planned a core infrastructure for the city that enables sustainable growth and development. Today that is visually apparent with various projects such as the extensive ongoing upgrade works in the Napier Central City, Marine Parade Big Picture and the completed rejuvenation of the Taradale Shopping Centre.

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However it is the activities away from the public eye that Council Works Assets Manager Bill McWatt, believes are the real indicators to Napier’s progress. “Not many people realise that because Napier is predominantly flat, 73 percent of our stormwater has to be pumped,” Bill explains.

“Without careful planning now and in the past we wouldn’t be able to expand as a community just because of something as obvious as rainfall. Take for instance strategic stormwater projects like the recently completed $14 million Cross Country Drain, the current $5million Napier Central City upgrade and the planned $5million Taradale upgrade. Without investment projects like this commercial, industrial and residential development just wouldn’t be able to occur.”

The most significant infrastructure

project currently underway is the City’s $31 million Wastewater Treatment project that will significantly improve the quality of wastewater being discharged. Due for completion in August 2014 the project is designed to meet the cultural and social aspirations of the community.

Work on a new pump station in Taradale Road was part of a $6.5 million project that includes the construction of a new sewer pump station and an amazing 6.5km of sewer pipes. With the capacity to pump 650 litres of wastewater per second, the pump station will deliver wastewater from the Napier urban area to the treatment plant at Awatoto.

The sewer main will provide capacity for new development areas that have gone ahead or are planned in the northwest and southeast of the city. These areas include

The devastating 1931 earthquake meant Napier could start planning a new city from the ground up.

Today the Napier City Council’s Works Department is taking it one step lower and building the infrastructure for the future below the ground.

The Napier Central City stormwater upgrade (far left) is just part of the Council’s 2005 master plan (left) while the Marine Parade Big Picture (above) sets the tone for an exciting future.

Financial stability

Often there’s a public perception of ad hoc projects here and there whereas the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Bill McWatt points out the fact that the current CBD upgrade is working to a master plan

signed off eight years ago in 2005. “We’ve nearly completed all the projects on that plan including the intersection upgrades, raised pedestrian plinths, wider footpaths and a restructuring of traffic priorities at the crossing of Vautier Street and Hastings Street,” Bill says. “The existing intersection was changed to encourage motorists to use routes that skirt the increasingly environmentally friendly pedestrianorientated downtown area.”

Not surprisingly with a typical ‘financially sustainable mentality’ the project was planned so that storm water pipes and other essential underground services that needed replacing were installed when the road works were underway.

Johan Ehlers Napier City Council Works Development Manager agrees with Bill

that it is the careful planning years ago that makes his job so much easier now. “We must be able to facilitate and ensure that Napier's development can occur and be adequately serviced. Strategic planning up front is the key to everything that happens in the city now,” Johan explains. “Napier has one of the most robust and comprehensive Works strategic plans in the country. It’s not just a big overview, it’s a detailed plan that gets reviewed every 10 years.”

So when political commentators and talk back show hosts like Mike Hosking state that Napier is ‘a role model for what a decent sized town… should be’, then we need not ask how did we manage that? After all we’ve been building a better Napier since 1931.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

new residential expansion at, Oaklands, Parklands, Mission Heights and Te Awa and the possible future development areas of Pirimai South and Park Island.

Of course this project didn’t just happen by chance! The Council anticipated the need for the main at the turn of the millennium and the wastewater infrastructure will now sustain housing and commercial development projects for the next several decades. It’s this sort of planning that has put Napier in such a strong position for growth.

www.napier.govt.nz 25

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retail therapy linens to love

WILDE ASPIRATIONS “No-one ever regretted buying quality� - that's according to Oscar Wilde, and I have to agree with him. At Linens to Love 'quality' is their middle name. words : vic bibby photography : richard brimer

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and bed accessories. I was fascinated to learn about the Drylife Tencel® bedding range. Made from eucalyptus, Tencel® is an incredible new plant-based fibre with exceptional absorbency, hygiene and temperature regulation. This makes it ideal for children's beds, keeping them warm in cool weather and cool in warm weather.

It's hypoallergenic, and very difficult for dust mites and bacteria to breed, so it's the perfect solution for little ones, or anyone with asthma and allergies. poppets on market While you're shopping for your child's room, make sure you pop over the road to 'Poppets on Market'. An extension of Linens to Love, you'll find everything you need for your favourite little people, including toys, room accessories, the cutest fashion, and the best newborn and toddler shoes around – Bobux. Guaranteed to never fall off, with Bobux you'll never again glance down into your child's pram to find five little toes wiggling away next to their other shoeencased foot.

Another exciting area in the Linens to Love store is 'The Dining Room', last year's addition to the bedroom and bathroom linen store. It has everything you need for the top of the table - gorgeous imported

table linens, exquisite dinner sets, including the brand new Lenox range from America, glassware, cutlery and much more.

In today's world of mass produced furniture, it's refreshing and desirable to come across unique pieces for your home.

Phil and Raewyn cleverly combine quality imported furniture with one of a kind pieces. From a 200 year old French dining table, to a classic piece masterfully restored for a more contemporary feel. Impeccably merchandised you'll find everything you need to entertain friends and family in style, whether it's elegantly formal, casual chic, or alfresco.

And if you ever need any help with finding solutions in your home, be sure to talk to Raewyn and her team of talented staff. With extensive interior knowledge, Beth Chapman Taylor and Helen Pattullo are both available on request to visit you in your home. They'll bring linen with them so you can try it in your own bedroom, and advise you on the best choice.

Providing customer satisfaction is very important to the Linens to Love team, and with superb products and excellent customer service, I think they've got the formula right.

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

Linens to Love, on the corner of Tennyson and Market Streets, has found a place in the hearts of countless local Hawke's Bay shoppers. With a diverse range of beautiful products - from luxury linens, and one-off furniture pieces, to fine china and adorable children's fashion - it's the sort of shop you visit when you want to treat yourself or someone special in your life.

Owners, Phil and Raewyn Davies, are committed to sourcing the most beautiful products from around the world, as well as some of New Zealand's finest suppliers Bianca Lorenne, Seneca, Lord of the Isles, and Citta, to name a few. Many of their products are exclusive to Linens to Love, so you are guaranteed to find something unique, and always of the highest quality.

It's not only the locals who keep coming back. Raewyn tells me that a lot of their returning customers are tourists, many who take a cruise each year and look forward to re-visiting Linens to Love. There are plenty of wonderful gift ideas for loved ones back home, or perhaps a luxurious New Zealand mohair or alpaca blanket will find it's way into their suitcase.

I always enjoy discovering what's new in the 'Linens & More' corner of the store. A shop within a shop, you'll find the latest designer ranges in linen

www.linenstolove.co.nz 29

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UP

the arts A+E gallery

ART MOVEMENT There are some exciting developments in today’s Napier art scene.

None more so than on the corner of Hastings and Tennyson Streets where the new Art + Enterprise Gallery is making a significant statement of its own. words : rick hopkinson photography : richard brimer

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"I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE GALLERY'S LONG STANDING TRADITION OF PROMOTING EXCEPTIONAL FINE ART AND JEWELLERY DESIGN." ANNIKA BENNETT

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

We love it when Napier creative talent goes overseas and then comes back home full of fresh and vibrant ideas. It makes this city a much more exciting place to work and live in. Annika Bennett is just such a person, returning to Hawke’s Bay after 23 years of working overseas, to set up and manage the new A+E Gallery (formerly Statements Gallery).

Annika has managed renowned international artists, photographers and designers for over two decades now and that extensive experience suggests an exciting time lies ahead for the Napier art scene.

The prominently positioned A+E Gallery offers locals and visitors the perfect combination of central location along with the most exceptional space and light to view the exhibitions on display.

Annika believes the future of the gallery lies in celebrating modernity and exceptional talent, specialising in painting, sculpture and the best of handcrafted jewellery.

At Napier Life we were lucky enough to be invited to the opening of the very first exhibition to be held at the gallery and we were not disappointed. We loved the sense of space and simplicity of the whole occasion, even the name of the exhibition - ‘Open’.

Like Annika, A+E is here to stay. www.artandenterprise.co.nz 33

retail therapy charleston chic

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FLIGHT OF FANCY Well I never darling, they say these days all the best people are flying east and dressing up for the occasion! Fancy that, a fabulous trip to Napier and nothing to wear!

I say that’s absolutely ghastly. Never mind when we get there we’ll just have to pop into that rather cheeky little boutique period establishment they call Charleston Chic on Upper Tennyson Street and pick up some glad rags for the weekend.

What a spiffing idea, I hear they have clothes for every event on this year’s society social calendar. Oh my, we will be looking chic this season.

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

www.charleston-chic.com

words : rick hopkinson photography : lee warren

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Tourism: Art Deco Ambassadors

All dressed up with somewhere to go

What do you get when you take three enthusiastic young Hawke’s Bay students, dress them up in stylish 30’s garb and put them out onto the streets of Napier? The answer is quite simple, Napier’s very own Art Deco Ambassadors!

Words & Photography Rick Hopkinson & The Art Deco Ambassadors

They consistently feature in travel blogs in far off places such as France and America, have been filmed by National Geographic and even appeared on Japanese television.

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Apply for the role!

When

Chosen from a long list of eager applicants, Ashlin Urieli, Amy Barnard and Nicole Porter took on their Ambassadorial roles with a high degree of aplomb and sophistication.

Their main tasks were to meet and greet Napier’s summer season of tourists and add a personal touch to their visitor experience.

Dressed up in fabulous costumes from Charleston Chic and trained by members of the Art Deco Trust, the trio soon became an instant hit with everyone they met.

All around the world Providing a special Napier ‘what ho!’ welcome to everyone they met, the Napier Ambassadors have given people from around the world a unique memory of their visit to our city. They feature in travel blogs in far off places such as France and, America and, have been filmed by National Geographic and even appeared on Japanese television.

The Art Deco Trust in association with the Napier City Council is looking for new Ambassadors for the 2013/2014 summer holiday season mid December - late February.

This is a wonderful paid part time holiday job!

Who

You are likely to be a school leaver or in further education, have an outgoing personality with a passion for meeting and entertaining people, enjoy acting and don’t mind greeting visitors with a cheery ‘What Ho!’

Where

You will be strolling the streets of Art Deco Napier - the Art Deco Capital of the World.

How

The Art Deco Trust will provide expert advice and full training. You will be fitted out in rather smart 30’s clothing and given some absolutely spiffing props to work with.

Register

To register your interest in becoming an Art Deco Ambassador email your cv to trust@artdeconapier.com and briefly explain why you think you would be a top hole candidate for the role. www.facebook.com/ artdecoambassadors Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Far left Nicole, Ash and Amy giving tourists a personal Napier experience.

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Tourism: Packard Promenades

Packard Promenades

For the past four years Graham Holley, the owner of Packard Promenades, has been offering a premium product to clients who want to learn more about Napier and its rich history. Both Graham and his manager Tony Mairs, “Who is the heart of the operation day to day,” explains Graham, are locals, and also walking tour guides for the Art Deco Trust. This means they have vast knowledge about how Napier came to be the city you see today.

Words Kelly Brown Photography Richard Brimer

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To this end, Graham is quick to point out that the business was never just about a ‘vintage car ride’. “The huge knowledge all of the drivers have acquired is the point of difference between Packard Promenade tours and other tour offerings in the Hawke’s Bay area.” All are fully trained walk guides for the Art Deco Trust so they know their history, even if one comes from England and another from Mexico. A sense of fun is never far from the surface either, in case you are getting worried the tour takes itself too seriously.

The business is completely focused on the client. Graham is adamant that ‘you work to your guests’, so the product is completely flexible with a guaranteed 30 minute response time. As Tony says, “If you don't respond to requests immediately, you lose your customers.” Whether catering to wine lovers and history buffs, or weddings and special

through the picturesque Art Deco suburb of Marewa to view the many Art Deco styled homes. This tour is a completely spellbinding rendition of Napier’s incredible story.

Story of survival

Graham had the privilege of taking a Christchurch woman on the tour who had personally experienced the Christchurch Earthquake. The parallels between Napier and what had happened to her city were very real and brought home the recovery process her city is now faced with. After giving Graham a heartfelt hug at the end of her flight home to Christchurch (Graham is also an Air New Zealand Q300 Captain) she said, “You’ve made me cry but you’ve given me hope.” What better reason to share Napier’s story of survival than this.

Where to next for this small group of

enthusiasts? Well, the sky is the limit...quite literally. From this coming summer, Graham plans to add vintage planes to his range of tours. As he says, “The core business for me is showing people the gift of land, and the best way to truly experience the 8,000 acres that the earthquake raised from the lagoon & swampland will be from the sky.” There will be an offering of a 10-15 minute flight for the basic package, either in conjunction with a car tour, or as a stand-alone product. Longer flights are also envisaged, taking in Napier City, Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers, to mention a few highlights.

Packard Promenades is a great way to spend an hour or an entire day, experiencing the beauty and history of our unique city and its surroundings.

www.packardpromenades.co.nz

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

events, cruising around in the comfort, luxury and style of a ‘38 or ‘39 Packard is a wonderful way to experience Napier.

Tony proudly states, “It’s a quality product with the fantastic story of Napier’s modern history at its heart.” The hour and 20 minute tour focuses strongly on the history of the region before the earthquake, the earthquake itself and its remarkable gift of land, and the subsequent rebuilding of a city in predominantly Art Deco style. After a Packard Promenade tour you will come away with a richer understanding of Napier, its architecture, its people, and how it became the city you see today.

The tour starts in the city at the Municipal Theatre and heads past the new Port of Napier. A visit to the old Port takes in the iconic and utterly stunning National Tobacco Company Building in Ahuriri, then drives

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Live performance: Napier Municipal Theatre

Photograph: Courtesy of Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.

A century of performance

Live performance is a thrill like no other - the immediacy of actors responding to an audience, the spectacle of dance, the sound of music and song, the pageantry - this is why we love going to the theatre.

Words Michael Gardner Photography Napier Operatic Society

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Napier has deep roots in theatre, opening its first in 1877, but at the turn of the twentieth century, the needs of touring companies and audience numbers created demand for a bigger venue.

A poll of ratepayers approved the building of a 1,400 seat theatre for the sum of ÂŁ33,550.

On 12 November 1912, the curtains went up for the first time at the new Napier Municipal Theatre for the Napier Operatic Society’s performance of A Greek Slave.

The Theatre remained a popular venue until it was reduced to a virtual ruin in the 1931 earthquake. Napier managed without a replacement for seven years while more urgent reconstruction took priority.

Eventually, frustration over the lack of an adequate performance venue saw plans for a new theatre progressed. The rebuilt Napier Municipal Theatre opened its doors in 1938. The Daily Telegraph published a

The Napier Municipal Theatre has brought a century of live performance to Napier and Hawke’s Bay audiences. In that time, it has remained true to its purpose, bringing the community together in a venue by the people, for the people.

and theatrical shows ranging from popular Broadway to traditional Shakespeare.

Work began to redevelop the theatre in 1992, in two stages spaced over five years. Particular attention was given to the preservation of its Art Deco heritage. The Napier Municipal Theatre is now unique as an historic building, as well as being a popular venue for hirers to use.

Sophisticated productions Further upgrades to the stage and backstage facilities of the Theatre means it can now accommodate complex and technically sophisticated productions. In particular, a full counterweight set has allowed the Royal New Zealand Ballet to bring shows to Napier without having to downscale the size of the production to fit the stage.

This year, the Napier Operatic Society, celebrating their 125th anniversary, will

perform The Phantom of the Opera at the Theatre. Notably, they are the first regional amateur operatic society to be given the rights to stage the production.

It’s worth saying a quick ‘thank you’ to those ratepayers who voted to build the Napier Municipal Theatre a century ago.

Today we have a venue that is on par with those in the big cities, a venue that attracts international acts, and a venue that gives local performers a chance to ‘tread the boards’.

The Napier Municipal Theatre has brought us productions that have made us laugh, cry and sing along. We’ve been delighted, entertained and amazed. So, as the Napier Municipal Theatre enters a second century of life, we can look forward to experiencing the thrill of live performance for many years to come.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

story that described the theatre as a model of architectural beauty, and complemented the Art Deco styling and modern features.

The Theatre has brought a century of live performance to Napier and Hawke’s Bay audiences. In that time, it has remained true to its purpose, bringing the community together in a venue created by the people, for the people.

It is the diversity of shows that makes the Napier Municipal Theatre accessible to everyone. In May this year, in the space of one week, it hosted the amazing Pink Floyd Experience, then the Moscow Ballet La Classique’s production of The Nutcracker, followed by world hip hop champions ReQuest Dance Crew and The Royal Family.

Literally thousands of events have been staged at the Theatre; school productions, dance classes, art exhibitions, concerts, ballet, symphony, musicals, opera, bands,

www.napiermunicipaltheatre.co.nz 41

Trails and Attractions: Vic & Mark's big day out

Pedal power your way to Snapper Park Words Vic Bibby Photography Richard Brimer

That old adage ‘don't leave town til you've seen the country’ is one we should all take heed of living here in Napier. There are so many fantastic things to see and do here, and sometimes we’re guilty of leaving them all to the tourists.

When Vic and Mark Bibby were gifted a rare weekend without kids, they decided to get on their bikes and pretend they were visitors in their own town. With all the amazing cycle trails at their beck and call it was time to get some suitable bikes, and they’d heard great things about the bike shop Avantiplus Pedal Power next to McDonalds in Taradale. Vic takes up the story.

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Arriving out there early Saturday morning we were greeted by owner Steve Humphreys.

He and his wife, Nikki, have owned the business for several years now. Steve used to be in the police force, but owning a business that would fit in with their young family was a dream, and Avantiplus Pedal Power ticked all the boxes.

Both keen cyclists, their first hand knowledge of not only bikes, but the local trails and cycle routes, is brilliant for advising their customers, which is exactly what they did for us.

Before that though, Steve helped us choose our bikes. With the rising popularity of the pathways, a lot of Pedal Power's customers are looking for these sorts of bikes, and they stock the largest range of pathway bikes in

We were really impressed with the friendly and informative service we got from Pedal Power. Steve is a wealth of knowledge, and he made me feel completely at ease, despite the fact that I'm a bit of a biking novice.

all so nice and approachable whether you're a pro or a complete newbie.

Free service Luckily my bike had a fantastic saddle- that's the technical term for the seat, you see I'm learning! But Steve explained that they'll fit a new saddle if you're not completely happy with yours. And let's face it, for those of us who are wanting to bike in style and comfort, a good saddle is extremely important.

While I was getting familiar with my bike, Mark chatted to Dave and Andrew. Dave, the Sales Manager, has been in the cycle business for over 20 years and was able to give Mark some valuable advice and tips. Andrew, one of two full-time mechanics at Pedal Power, was saying how busy he and Vaughn are kept.

They often work on bikes that are heading into an event to make sure they're in tip top condition. And every bike sold gets a free service after 6 weeks. Nikki explained how the gear and brake cables naturally stretch with use, so the guys tighten them and make sure everything is in order.

With the bikes all sorted we were excited to hit the track. Steve and Nikki had talked us through some different trails, and we decided to head down Marine Parade, around Ahuriri and Westshore, ending at Snapper Park in Bayview, where they're renowned for their amazing cafĂŠ. We'd had a great start to our biking trip, and that sounded like a perfect end.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Hawke's Bay. I chose an Avanti Discovery, a New Zealand brand designed and made especially for our cycle ways. Built for comfort, it allowed me to sit quite upright, which is great for taking in the sights.

Not complete without a basket, I added a stylish metal Phillips one which clicks easily on and off the bike. Mark chose a sportier model - a Sportster X40 by Scott. With 27 speeds it's well equipped for hill work as well as on the flat.

We were really impressed with the friendly and informative service we got from Pedal Power. Steve is a wealth of knowledge, and he made me feel completely at ease, despite the fact that I'm a bit of a biking novice.

I know they have some serious road and mountain biking customers, but the staff are

www.pedalpower.co.nz 43

Trails and Attractions: Vic & Mark's big day out

A shark's tale Getting up close and personal with some of the fascinating creatures at the National Aquarium of New Zealand made this latest visit our most memorable yet.

Words Vic Bibby Photography Richard Brimer

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It's enchanting to watch the penguins waddle out of their burrows, plop into the water, and transform into graceful, agile creatures.

Tara changed into a new set of gumboots to ensure there's no cross-contamination when entering the enclosure, and found a pair for me. As we waited for Steven, a young aquarist to arrive, Tara tells me about the penguins and how they came to be a part of the Aquarium family. They're all rescue penguins who, for one reason or another, can't be returned to the wild. Gordon, a handsome wee fellow, was the victim of a dog attack, and little Lulu is blind in one eye, with only limited vision in the other.

Penguin transformation With the arrival of Steven, we enter the enclosure, a bucket of herrings in hand. It's such a neat space for the penguins with little burrows dotted around the edge of a large tank. The outer wall of the glass tank allows the public to see underwater. It's enchanting to watch the penguins waddle out of their burrows, plop into the water, and transform into graceful, agile creatures.

As Tara and I hand-feed the penguins, Steven talks to the watching public about the different birds. Just as Tara had done earlier to me, Steven speaks fondly about each penguin. It's obvious they're one big happy family here, and I can't help but feel delighted for these birds whose lives could easily have ended in tragedy.

Steven, like Scotty, started at the National Aquarium as a volunteer. At 19 he now works there full-time and is a natural with both the animals and the public. As we leave, our close encounters have left a big impression on us both. But equally so is how wonderful the Aquarium 'team' is, and how lucky we all are to have such a dedicated group of people looking after one of our biggest attractions.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

The first stop on our biking tour was Napier's National Aquarium on Marine Parade. As we cruised down the pathway towards the Spirit of Napier fountain, aptly named the Naked Lady by our kids, we could see the familiar round building beyond. Mark & I had been to the Aquarium before, most recently for our twins' birthday party, but this time was going to be different. Embracing our role as tourists we were going to experience some close encounters of the marine kind.

Mark loves being in the water, whether he's surfing, diving for paua, or just swimming, he seems to feel right at home in the ocean.

When you spend as much time in the sea as he does, it's wise to have a healthy respect for the creatures you're sharing it with, especially sharks. So the opportunity to swim with the sharks was one he couldn't pass up.

We were greeted by Scotty, a lovely guy who'd been working at the Aquarium for over 10 years. He took Mark to suit up, while I went to the conveyor belt below to watch. As massive stingrays and sharks glided by, I was feeling pretty happy to be on this side of the glass. If Mark was feeling apprehensive, you couldn't tell. He snorkeled slowly around the tank, but discovered that keeping fairly still encouraged the sharks to come closer.

After his encounter Mark was buzzing.

With an infectious smile he joined me and we headed down to the penguin enclosure.

This was to be my hands-on experience, and let me tell you, I'll take penguins over sharks any day. Tara, who is a trained vet nurse, was to be my guide. She took me out the back and showed me the computer where they keep records of all the penguins - what they eat, and their behaviour. It mightn't mean anything today, but in the future those records could be extremely helpful to deciphering any problems that arise.

www.nationalaquarium.co.nz 45

Trails and Attractions: Vic & Mark's big day out

Par-ticularly entertaining

I highly recommend 18 holes of hilarity and a spectacular backdrop to anyone who wants to relax and have some fun for a couple of hours on Napier's Marine Parade.

Words Vic Bibby Photography Richard Brimer

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good at most sporting activities, but much to his surprise, I took out round one. That got his competitive juices flowing and he sailed through the course, leaving me in his dust with several hole-in-ones.

We had so much fun, but at times I had to stop and just appreciate our surroundings.

The view out to Cape Kidnappers is one of my very favourites and from Par2 MiniGolf it's simply stunning. With the sea sparkling and the sun shining, it's the perfect environment for some fun and relaxation.

I know that corporate groups use Par2 MiniGolf for team building. It's so important to get out of the office and spend some quality social time with your workmates, and mini golf would be a brilliant way to do that.

The Napier War Memorial Centre, just down the road, holds many a conference, and what better way to take a break, and let off some steam in between talks than a quick round of mini golf? And not just for the 'big kids', the parties that our children have been to here have always been very popular.

Friendly family rivalry With the arrival of the pathway on Marine Parade, the people it attracts and the atmosphere it's created, Par2 MiniGolf is in the prime location. In the summer you can play twilight golf, so we'll have to pack a picnic and bring the kids down for a spot of friendly family rivalry.

With our putters returned for the next competitors, we enjoyed an ice cream from the Par2 MiniGolf shop in celebration of our dual success. This tourist caper sure is fun! www.par2golf.co.nz

We had so much fun, but at times I had to stop and just appreciate our surroundings. The view out to Cape Kidnappers is one of my very favourites and from Par2 MiniGolf it's simply stunning. With the sea sparkling and the sun shining, it's the perfect environment for some fun and relaxation.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Our bikes barely had time to warm up after leaving the Aquarium before we stopped at Par2 MiniGolf several hundred meters down the track. As we pulled up to the grassy oasis we could hear laughter from within, as well as squeals of frustration and emphatic cheers.

Parking our bikes on the stand inside the course, Mark led the way up to the reception where we selected our weapon of choice, and were given a ball each and a score card.

There are two courses to choose from - the lovely green curving Deco Drive, and the blue Pacific Pro-Am complete with water hazards.

Both are 18 holes, and since we were in no hurry, we played them both.

I've never been much of a golfer, but I played hockey for many years, and I also found that the long nights playing pool at the pub really paid off when playing mini golf.

It's all about getting your aim straight and working out how hard, or soft, to hit the ball.

Mark is one of those annoying people who is

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Trails and Attractions: Vic & Mark's big day out

All those that say i

Napier i-SITE is called a 'Visitor Information Centre', but it's not just for visitors. A little treasure trove, it's packed with the best information for tourists and locals alike.

Words Vic Bibby Photography Richard Brimer

Dawn was so friendly, and super helpful, lavishing us with brochures and really useful tips and information, including a map of the different trails and a sheet stating the distance each one takes.

Because the Napier i-SITE is right next door to Par2 MiniGolf, Mark and I decided to pop in and get a map of all the local cycleways. It had been some time since I was last there, but it was very easy to find what we were looking for as everything was set out so beautifully, with the brochure racks organised into easyto-follow categories. Apparently these are re-stocked twice a day, as the brochures just seem to fly out the door.

We also had the help of Dawn, who is one of the i-SITE Information and Travel Consultants. That sounds very formal, but Dawn was anything but. She was so friendly, and super helpful, lavishing us with brochures and really useful tips and information, including a map of the different trails and a sheet stating the distance each one takes.

That's such a great idea, as it's not always easy to gauge how long a ride will take just by looking at a map. But at a quick glance of the sheet you can decide whether you want to ride for 5kms or 20kms.

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A regular rider of the pathways herself, Dawn has first-hand knowledge of them, which is invaluable for her customers. She and the other i-SITE team can tell you where to park, what to wear, how long each ride will take - a veritable goldmine of information!

No booking fee Dawn told us that lots of locals pop in when they have visitors staying, and they need more information on places to take them.

The common response is 'we wished we'd come earlier', as they didn't realise how useful it would be for themselves, as well as their visitors. You get an extra layer of information on-site, that you won't find on-line. And if you're making a booking with InterCity or Nakedbus, you don't get charged any extra booking fee if you book your trip at the Centre.

Besides everything you need to know about the Napier pathways, Dawn and the i-SITE team can tell you all about local restaurants, concerts, exhibitions, and any events that

may be happening. We also learnt all about the new Art Deco buses - The Deco City Discoverer, which takes passengers from Marine Parade around to Ahuriri - I know our kids will want to go on that.

Mark and I stopped in at the i-SITE on a day when we had an uncommon amount of time up our sleeves. But if you think about it, with the busy lives we all seem to live these days, being time poor is the perfect reason to use Napier i-SITE. They can help you make good choices, tailor make packages, and personalise any information you need.

And after Dawn's advice I now follow Napier i-SITE on Facebook, so I'm always up to date with everything that's happening in Napier.

With all the knowledge we need now, we farewell Dawn and head towards Ahuriri. It's nearly lunchtime, we're starving and there are a plethora of cafĂŠs and restaurants for us to choose from around there. www.napiernz.com

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Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Trails and Attractions: Vic & Mark's big day out

Having a whale of a time

Whether you want to kick up your heels and party all night, or relax on the deck and enjoy the view, The Thirsty Whale caters for everyone.

Words Vic Bibby Photography Richard Brimer

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The view from The Thirsty Whale deck out over the marina is fantastic. Not only picturesque, it’s changing all the time with boats and people coming and going, which always makes for the most interesting view.

relaxing option. After cycling, swimming with sharks, and playing mini golf, we were both looking forward to sitting back and tucking into a delicious meal. Mark and I parked our bikes around the corner and headed up the stairs to be greeted by the maitre-d. Sipping wine on the deck as we perused the menu, we both commented on how lucky we are here in Napier - it’s easy to take it for granted when you live here, but it really is a stunning place to live. The view from The Thirsty Whale deck out over the marina is fantastic. Not only picturesque, it’s changing all the time with boats and people coming and going, which always makes for the most interesting view.

Absolutely delicious Mark chose the fish of the day for lunch, which he devoured – obviously swimming with all those fish had given him an appetite for them! And my crispy duck breast was absolutely delicious. We were making the most of our day out, but if the kids were with

us we would probably have chosen a pizza, a bowl of fries, or maybe a seafood platter.

As we headed inside to pay, a loud cheer erupted - wow, they really are friendly here!

Yes, the staff are fabulous, friendly and efficient, but the cheer was for some awesome sporting moment. A group of regulars were watching a game on one of the many plasma televisions. And that’s another example of the versatility of The Thirsty Whale. We were able to chill on the deck and enjoy the serenity, while inside these guys were much happier with their view of the game.

From a casual snack in the weekend to a dinner for a special occasion; watch the big game or bust some moves on the dance floor; hire the Boiler Room for a wedding reception or a corporate tradeshow - the possibilities are endless. We had got exactly what we came for - yummy food and wine, great service, and a fantastic location. Now we were ready for the last leg in our biking journey.

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Many a time I have driven down West Quay with a car load of noisy children, and looked longingly at all the people sitting out on the decks without a care in the world! Well today it was our turn. As we cycled up alongside The Thirsty Whale, I could almost taste the fresh tang of a chilled sauvignon blanc.

I've been to The Thirsty Whale on a number of occasions. One lovely afternoon was spent on the mezzanine floor restaurant for a friend’s baby shower. With several tables pushed together to form a long lunch, plenty of blue balloons, and a view to die for, it was the perfect location. And there have been a few girls’ nights out as well, where we’ve danced the night away.

My 20 year old nephew won’t grace ‘The Thirsty’ with his presence until after 11pm.

“Most of you oldies have gone home by then,” he says with a sly grin. With some fantastic DJs that recognise the clientele, the music adjusts to suit the patrons, so it really is the best of both worlds.

Today we were definitely taking the

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Trails and Attractions: Vic & Mark's big day out

Dutch Dream

Jerome Hoitink brought his family all the way from the Netherlands because he dreamt of being his own boss. He couldn’t have found a more idyllic location to fulfill that dream than at the Bay View Snapper Holiday Park.

Words Vic Bibby Photography Richard Brimer

The bike trail around Ahuriri, Westshore, and out to Bay View is such a delightful ride, and a great way to end our cycling trip. It's not at all strenuous, and even if it was, you'd be too busy appreciating your surroundings and all the beachfront activity to notice.

We regularly walk between the end of the Westshore Esplanade and Bay View with the kids and our dog, and have often seen large signs written in chalk on the pathway encouraging us to visit the Snapper Café beyond. This is something I've always wanted to do, and since Mark's uncle has sung the praises of Snapper Park, where he has a nice caravan spot, we decided we'd check it out for ourselves.

Easy to find, we cycled into the park and 52

headed for the reception and café. As we passed through the camping area it was a hive of activity. People were setting up camp, and a group of friends, who were obviously well settled in, were sharing a laugh around a picnic table. There was a real sense of community in the park, and we could hear a marvellous mix of local and foreign accents floating around us.

A warm welcome Luckily Snapper Park provides a large bike stand, as we were definitely not the only cycling visitors to the café that afternoon.

Walking into the reception area and adjoining café, we were greeted by a tall Dutch man with a smile to match his height.

With a background in the high-pressure world of telecommunication back in The Netherlands, it had always been Jerome's dream to own his own business.

country, its culture and our language. They spent three years in Auckland, but when the opportunity presented itself to buy Snapper Park, it was the answer to Jerome's dreams.

Far from the stressful corporate world, the family is embracing our outdoor lifestyle.

Lars and Dinja, in their early teens, are keen Sea Scouts, and 16 year old Annika is a fantastic help, working in the reception and café, when she's not at school.

Speaking of the café, that cake was divine, and Jacqueline tells me that they are so lucky to have an amazing chef, who has a great passion for food.

Although they attract lots of tourists, there are also many local customers, who have heard about the quality of the café and enjoy

the seaside location. It's also helpful that they are situated on one of the popular Napier cycle ways.

We'd had such a fun day rediscovering Napier, and what better way to end our day as tourists than staying in a beautiful beachfront motel unit? Luckily there was one available, so we cycled up the hill to find it.

As we passed a group of children squealing in delight on the trampoline, I knew I'd have to bring our girls back here - they would love it. With the sun beginning to set, and the lights of Napier Hill starting to twinkle, we toasted our day and the beautiful city we are lucky enough to call home.

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Jerome is the owner of Snapper Park. He and his young family have owned and lived at the park since November 2012.

As we ordered a coffee, and the most scrumptious piece of cake (it's lucky I've been doing plenty of exercise today!) we chatted to Jerome about how a Dutch family came to own a Napier holiday park. With a background in the high-pressure world of telecommunication back in The Netherlands, it had always been Jerome's dream to own his own business. New Zealand appealed with our friendly people and beautiful countryside, so Jerome, his wife Jacqueline, and their children, Annika, Lars and Dinja moved to the North Shore in Auckland. This provided them with a great introduction to our

www.snapperpark.co.nz 53

dĂŠcor French inspired et 31 Tennyson Stre Napier

06 835 6912

Award winning specialist hair salon Shop 5 Civic Court - opposite Library, Station Street, Napier 06 835 0400 www.decadencehair.co.nz

Stylish Contemporary Accommodation in the heart of Hawke’s Bay set among expansive award winning gardens.

Long term guests and families on transfer our specialty.

Spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments available all with modern kitchens and bathrooms. Close to schools, shops, cafĂŠs and wineries.

Many on-site facilities to compliment the recently refurbished suites.

Colonial Lodge Motel 164 Gloucester Street, Taradale.

Freephone 0800 684 477. T +64 6 844 7788. F +64 6 650 7788 E stay@colonialmotel.co.nz. W colonialmotel.co.nz

Little Italy

‘Buon giorno’ and welcome to Adoro Café. I’ve always thought there was a touch of Tuscany about Hawke’s Bay and here’s a café right in the heart of Napier serving up an Italian experience from the moment you walk through the door.

Actually even before you get past the threshold there’s a hint of what to expect standing just outside in Hastings Street. A gleaming black Ducati acts as a forerunner to the polished welcome coffee aficionados will receive inside.

Adoro proprietor and passionate bike owner Paul Greaves believes in embracing the traditional Italian coffee culture born out of its side street ‘bars’ (a coffee shop is a bar in Italian). “A good barista has everyone's faces matched with their preference of coffee,” Paul explains. “We’re often pouring their Caffe

Latte or a Short Macchiato before they’ve even placed an order.” Along with wife and business partner Jane, the Greaves epitomise the very essence of customer service and will often take the time out of their day to simply share a coffee or tea moment with a customer.

Don’t be surprised if you are offered a tempting taster from their delectable selection of French pastries (yes they really are from France!). Or you may be lured to stay longer and try out Adoro’s lunch menu from freshly made gourmet salads to cool club sandwiches all to compliment your coffee

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Words Rick Hopkinson Photography Richard Brimer experience. They even have a refreshing selection of TWG teas to choose from exclusively imported from Singapore.

The Adoro continental offering is unique in Napier. There’s an adoring local crowd that changes with the passing of the hour and intrigued tourists are enticed in by the warm ambience that spills out of the café into the crowded roadside tables and chairs.

Adoro is open 6 days a week Monday to Saturday. Ciao for now.

143 Hastings Street 57

napier for the time of your life introduction

LIFE STORY A few years back our city successfully promoted itself under the catch line ‘Napier For the Time of Your Life’. Time has moved on but the promise of a better life for everyone is still just as apt as it ever was.

Napier has now come of age so we decided it was time to take a look at some of the most important moments in Napier life. photograph : richard wood 58

CARING FOR NAPIER’S NEWEST RESIDENTS Ila Northe, Julie Kinloch and Bec Heyward share a common philosophy - birth is a normal life event. As midwives their goal is to provide women with minimal intervention births, and with statistics showing more than 80% of their clients experiencing this, these ladies can be proud of their successful birthing record. words : kate scannell photography : richard brimer

With a collective experience level of over 70 years, it is easy to see why expectant mothers from all over Hawke’s Bay choose Napier’s Midwifery Service. The practice was established on Kennedy Road over 18 years ago by Ila Northe and Julie Kinloch, who after all this time still say that, “Births never stop being amazing.” Together with colleague Bec Heyward, the team has formed a tightknit bond that is underpinned by common beliefs. “We believe that women can birth safely and gently in whichever birth environment they choose.”

The role of these midwives is to support women throughout their birth experience.

“We act in partnership with women and their families, sharing decision making, knowledge and skills.” Expectant mothers are encouraged to make their first midwife

visit as early as possible. “The initial visit is all about getting to know each other and answering any questions that the motherto-be might have,” says Ila. “We have a lot of information and knowledge to share with these women. For first time mothers however, it can be a lot to take in, so we give them a broad overview of what they can expect and then focus on each stage of pregnancy as the weeks progress.” going with the flow The three-strong team at The Midwifery Service work in partnership in a supportive and dynamic fashion. These ladies know that no two births are ever the same, so ‘going with the flow’ is an important part of their service. They provide advice to aid in maintaining good health, as well

as arranging important check-ups such as blood tests and scans. Julie Kinloch says that, “Every woman is different; we are there to support them in their birth experience and help them to make informed choices about the range of birthing options available to them.”

Midwifery is a free service which is important in all stages of pregnancy, as well as in the weeks that follow. “Babies don’t come with instruction manuals,” says Ila. “We know that it can be a stressful time for mothers and we are there to offer our support and advice. We are passionate about the service we provide and will help women through every stage of their pregnancy, birth and postnatal care. www.themidwiferycentre.co.nz

napier life magazine 2013

Complimentary Continental Breakfast Each day for 2 people, when booking direct.

Napier… for the time of your life!

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napier for the time of your life port ahuriri

FIRST PORT OF CALL For many children their first day at school can be quite a daunting prospect. At Napier’s oldest Primary School, Port Ahuriri, they’ve made the whole new experience that much more enjoyable for everyone involved, including the parents. words : rick hopkinson photography : richard brimer

The first time I walked through the gates of Port Ahuriri School in Napier’s harbourside suburb was some 20 years ago and our young twins were apprehensively clinging to my legs. “Daddy’s got to go to work now,” I reassuringly told them. “But Daddy we want to go to work with you,” they howled back.

Two decades later and yes those same children have gone on to careers similar to mine. At the time all I wanted was to give my children the best start in life.

I’m convinced that Port Ahuriri gave them just that.

Today as you enter the school grounds the same warm welcoming environment is there and the spacious school playgrounds still echo with the sounds of excited children at play. However it seems a lot has also changed (all for the better). There are brand new classrooms, i-pads everywhere, even more educational play-equipment and what I’m here to find out about, an impressive new entrants programme.

Acting Principal Pip Simmonds enthusiastically took me through some of the key areas that make Port Ahuriri a leading school in this area.

To begin with the children accompanied by parents, are introduced to their first classroom with a series of weekly pre-school visits. Then from day one each new entrant is embraced by a nurturing 60

and caring school buddy system. “The big kids look out for the new children and we are able to create a mutual relationship of care and respect,” explains Pip. “You’ll often find older children happily playing at break time with the year ones.” In fact unlike other schools there are no segregated areas for different age groups. At Port Ahuriri it’s like one big happy family.

This is a school that continues to stand out for its innovative teaching techniques including an interactive ‘Discovery’ programme where junior school children learn through problem solving and interactive activities around the school. Port Ahuriri School’s interest in fostering creativity and innovation doesn’t stop there. I was particularly impressed by the popular senior school ‘Primary Enterprise Programme’, emulating a business environment where the children learn to plan, buy, market and sell their own products. Now that’s got me thinking…

“Daddy’s got to go back to work now, because there are some smart children on their way from Port Ahuriri School looking to take his job.” www.portahuriri.school.nz

THE MIDDLE YEARS It might seem a short period of time to many but intermediate school is an educational stage that can shape a child’s life for years to come.

We found out how Taradale Intermediate is making a positive difference in the lives of their students. words : kelly brown photography : richard brimer

given many opportunities to develop positive relationships, to get on with one another and this has been supported through our involvement in a Ministry of Education initiative called Positive Behavior for Learning (PB4L). The focus is on directly teaching desired behaviours in any social context.

We use Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be a Learner as the pillars to support children to behave appropriately.

above

Teachers at Taradale Intermediate engage students, stimulating their thinking for effective learning.

understanding diversity Arming students with confidence, knowledge and an understanding of their place in the world is important. “Having a child who is socially rounded, who is aware of other people, who has a bit of heart and compassion. Understanding diversity is important, because the emerging adolescent is starting to think about that wider world, they are starting to ask questions like, who am I? and what’s my world going to be like in the future?” said Dennis.

For Taradale Intermediate students, life’s next Milestone will appear more exciting and much less daunting, having spent two years under the guidance of Dennis and his talented team of teachers.

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Taradale Intermediate Principal, Dennis Coxon, knows a thing or two about children and education, having been a teacher for the past 42 years. For the last nine of these years, Dennis has been leading a team of 25 passionate teachers to provide the best education and learning environment for Year 7 and 8 students, to ready them for their next big milestones - Secondary School and beyond. Intermediate can be a socially and academically challenging time for the children, as Dennis points out, “We’ve only got a two year window so we need to be smart about what we do - we have to find out where kids are at - in the context of putting kids into a new school situation.

We have to be a specialist school for this age group, otherwise why are we here?” As well as educating children in 21st Century ways of learning, there is also a focus on social interaction, coping mechanisms and problem solving. Dennis explains, “We try to engage students, to stimulate their thinking and their questioning so that we get effective learning.

Challenging children to think about the real context of a problem, an issue or a dilemma so they come to some sort of understanding, resolution or an outcome at the end of that.”

At Taradale Intermediate School students are

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napier for the time of your life william colenso college

ONE PLUS ONE For those of us living in Napier who struggle with the concept of a three-tiered education system, there’s the option of a college in the heart of our city that combines the best of intermediate and secondary education into one successful life-enhancing experience. words : rick hopkinson photography : richard brimer

In today’s competitive society many parents aspire for their children to become New Zealand leaders, whether it’s in the field of business, sport, politics or as a leader within our local community. So, it’s interesting to note that in a recent Sunday StarTimes survey of the New Zealand schools attended by leading politicians, business leaders, government mandarins and members of the judiciary, our very own William Colenso College came a close third to high profile schools St Bede's and Auckland Grammar. Historically, therefore, the college has provided as many influential New Zealanders as those esteemed schools. We are in good company.

We believe that is something Napier people should be pretty proud of. Is that success an accident? College Principal Daniel Murfitt takes a philosophical approach, highlighting the success of William Colenso’s more holistic approach to learning and the enhancement of leadership potential.

“The core of who we are is about relationships,” Mr. Murfitt explains. “Most of the girls and boys start at the school at Year Seven which is quite different from the other schools around us. We believe that by exposing the students to their future teachers and senior school environment earlier, we help to build trusting and mutually beneficial relationships that last through to Year 13.”

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Relationship building is all encompassing, student to teacher, school with family and school with the community. The students are very quickly introduced to the concept of leadership through an extensive ‘House Programme’ that develops House leaders for each year group, not just leaders in the senior school. Building leadership capacity through ongoing involvement means that all students have the opportunity to experience, at some stage of their school life, what it means to be a leader.

International students The school is currently experiencing an unprecedented international vote of confidence in the way it is delivering education! This year almost 50 international students from countries as far away as Brazil and Germany are enjoying the William Colenso way. The diversity of cultures that these students bring, means that the school is able to introduce New Zealand students to the outside world in a more personal way. This is very relevant in an ever-increasing world marketplace. Significantly, the financial benefits gained by the international student fees, allow the school to provide a much higher staffing ratio than would otherwise be possible.

Four extra teachers over and above the Government entitlement mean that in Years 7 to 10, classes are

FOUR EXTRA TEACHERS OVER AND ABOVE THE GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENT MEAN THAT IN YEARS SEVEN TO TEN, CLASSES ARE KEPT TO AN AVERAGE OF ONLY 22, WHILE IN THE SENIOR LEVELS, MATHS AND SCIENCE CLASS SIZES CAN BE AS LOW AS TEN.

Students working together preparing for the popular annual William Colenso College Book Sale. above

Building relationships throughout the school and leadership based external activities, bring a unique dimension to William Colenso College's offering.

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

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kept to an average of only 22, while in the senior levels, Maths and Science class sizes can be as low as ten.

All Year 7 students are given a mini laptop or Net Book on enrolment at the school, which introduces them to today’s modern learning techniques. With fast broadband and wireless internet throughout, William Colenso provides students with the very best opportunities to excel. And that’s exactly what they are doing! NCEA Level One and Three results are the highest they have been since 2004 and top students are consistently gaining scholarships into higher education.

It seems to us that William Colenso College is a school with a very exciting future. They have a very strong focus on delivering their core values of Respect (Manaakitanga), Belonging (Whanaungatanga), Diversity (Rereketanga), Leadership (Rangatiratanga), Striving for Excellence (Hiranga), Learning (Matatautanga) and Sustainability (Kaitiakitanga). But most importantly, this is a Napier school that is providing New Zealand with the true leaders of tomorrow who appreciate the fundamental principles of diversity, gender-equity, international understanding and pride in ethnicity. www.colenso.school.nz 63

napier for the time of your life napier girls' and boys'

PROVIDING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS It is not often that I fall victim to bouts of nostalgia, but I recently began reminiscing about my alma mater Napier Girls’ High School. Having been given the opportunity to chat with Principal Mary Nixon and her counterpart at Napier Boys', Ross Brown, I found myself once again on familiar territory entering the school grounds. words : kate scannell photography : richard brimer 64

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napier for the time of your life napier girls' and boys'

The main Spencer building was just as I remembered, however as Principal Mary Nixon began to explain that the school was in the process of moving into ‘the cloud’, I soon realised that many things have changed since my formative high school years.

Each successive year spent at high school brings about different opportunities - more responsibility, higher learning, different friends and new extracurricular activities; high school is a progression of knowledge, character and ability. Napier is fortunate enough to play host to a number of high schools including the brother and sister schools that bear the city’s name - Napier Boys’ and Napier Girls’ High Schools. With 1,230 and 950 students respectively, these are two of the largest schools in Hawke’s Bay and are highly regarded for both their academic, sporting and artistic prowess.

Mary Nixon and Headmaster Ross Brown share similar philosophies - the years that the students spend at high school are fundamental in helping to mould strong character, as well as building on individual strengths and talents. Mary Nixon comments that, “We want each girl to achieve her potential by opening doors to every pathway through teaching and learning at the highest level for all subjects.”

This attitude is apparent throughout the school with staff members keen to help the girls succeed in their chosen subjects, as well as in every facet of their school lives. From form teachers who push you towards obtaining that elusive prefect badge, to sports coaches who inadvertently teach you the value 66

of time management, it all helps to create the adult you will become. This balance of academia and extracurricular activities is also highly apparent within the walls of Napier Boys’ High School. Ross Brown says that every year the boys are encouraged to expand their knowledge base and grow their particular talents - whether it be entrepreneurial, sport, or music - every student is encouraged to strive for a wellrounded character and skill set.

“We now offer more options than ever for the boys to excel through different pathways,” says Ross.

“We help them to achieve their academic potential, while also developing their character. The boys are encouraged to think carefully about their choices; we want them to work towards becoming well-rounded individuals by asking themselves what a good man would say or do.” shared experiences At both these Napier schools the interaction between the students of varying ages is paramount to helping each boy or girl along their progression of knowledge and character. In addition to the mentoring programmes between current students, former students are also invited to return to their respective schools in order to share their past experiences and inspirational successes. Both Mary Nixon and Ross Brown are also highly aware of the need for strong, positive relationships between students and their parents or guardians.

At Napier Girls’ High School, the recently introduced e-portfolio - a digital portfolio of each

AT BOTH THESE NAPIER SCHOOLS THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE STUDENTS OF VARYING AGES IS PARAMOUNT TO HELPING EACH BOY OR GIRL ALONG THEIR PROGRESSION OF KNOWLEDGE AND CHARACTER.

encouraged to participate in career development courses such as those offered by the Gateway Programme to gain skills and qualifications that will help them to start a career.

Regardless of the subjects that the students choose, both Mary Nixon and Ross Brown head teams of staff that work alongside their students to achieve their full potential. Leadership skills and good moral character are values that are fostered and instilled at both Napier Girls’ and Napier Boys’ High Schools. The five years that these boys and girls spend here learning and growing, leave the students in good stead to further their knowledge at institutes of higher learning, explore the big wide world, or begin a career in the very city that hosted their high school lives.

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student’s work, allows each girl to readily show her parents and family snapshots of her learning and productivity from each school day. At Napier Boys’ High School Ross Brown places great importance on the relationship between the boys and their fathers, hosting an annual ‘Dads and Lads’ breakfast to help further involve fathers in their son’s journey towards manhood, and their chosen career path.

There is a marked increase in the options now available to current students at both Napier Girls’ and Napier Boys’ High Schools. Many of the students who continue to move on to universities throughout the country have already studied at university level within their last year at the schools. There is also a greater emphasis placed on personalised learning to help students to excel in any chosen field. Subject choices are now much broader; including those such as viticulture, web design and information and communications technology. Students are also

www.nbhs.school.nz www.nghs.school.nz 67

Napier for the time of your life: Willis Toomey Robinson

Your legal life

Buying a house in Napier? Setting up a business in the city? Finding things a bit tough in a long-term relationship?

When is the right time to see a lawyer? Napier Life asked Lawrie Willis and Kevin Callinicos legal partners from local family law firm Willis Toomey Robinson, to take us through a typical legal life. They suggest that these are some of the times throughout our lives when seeking legal advice can prove invaluable.

Words Rick Hopkinson Photography Lee Warren

Birth

When a child is born it is very important for parents to review or have us write up a new Will. People very rarely think about planning for things that would ‘never’ happen to them. But what happens to your child in a worse case scenario and you’re not around to take care of them. Matters like guardianship, trustees, financial support or international relocation in the case of mixed nationality parents, become very real issues. A simple Will takes care of all these unknowns. Your child will thank you for being a forward thinking parent.

Home Ownership

Buying your first home with or without a partner is often the biggest, ongoing investment you will ever make in your life. Many of us leave it to the end of the buying process to talk to a lawyer. In fact to ensure that the process is positive and rewarding it is best to take legal advice right up front. It can avoid a lot of potential stress, frustration and most importantly cost.

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School

Be an active parent. As a responsible parent it is important to be involved in your child’s education. School is not a babysitting service it is a partnership between teachers, children and parents. We all have a role to play in a child’s future. As family lawyers many of the partners and staff of Willis Toomey Robinson have sat or are currently on the Trustee boards of local schools and charitable, child welfare associations.

Relationships

‘Honestly if we ever break up I would never take half of your house.’

Unfortunately emotions change when a relationship actually ends and what you thought was the love of your life can become the burden on your ongoing wealth. A lot of us work really hard to build up an asset base and splitting that with someone who is no longer your partner can be devastating. Taking the time to see a lawyer when you are young, single and busy, can save you a fortune when you are older, single again and busier!

Setting up Business

Many people say that the sign of running a successful business is when you have a robust succession plan in place to maximise the financial benefits of ownership.

Bringing on an employee to eventually buy into and take over the business is obviously an attractive option as you look forward to retirement. But this needs very careful planning and procrastination often sees the potential new owner leave the business in search of a more immediate opportunity. A lawyer’s carefully crafted agreement at the earliest possible stage between owner and prospective purchaser will ensure a smooth transition and successful outcome for all parties involved.

Retirement

More and more we hear of people working longer but it doesn’t have to be that way. Careful management throughout your career can enable you to retire when you want to. A lawyer can help you put the mechanisms in place to achieve this. Retirement is a good time to review your Will with a lawyer; extended family dynamics have often changed by this stage. While you are doing this it’s a great opportunity to put some important requirements into place like Powers of Attorney to ensure your ongoing welfare for the many years to come.

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New Zealand is a country of dedicated, small business owners, even more so in Napier. Many of those businesses struggle in the first year of operation especially if they don’t take professional advice at the set up stage. This is in fact when you will need a lawyer as much as at any time of your life. There are so many business options available to you and there are more fishhooks to avoid than you’ll find down at Ahuriri wharf on a Sunday morning. Seeing a lawyer right up front can minimise the elements of risk and personal exposure and is likely to save you great expense later on.

Planning for Retirement

Willis Toomey Robinson is one of Hawke’s Bay’s most established family law firms and many of their clients have been using their legal services for successive generations.

They offer Hawke’s Bay citizens a FREE Will service and regular on-line advice as part of their ongoing contribution to our local community. www.wtr.co.nz 69

napier for the time of your life napier war memorial centre

CELEBRATE LIFE The Napier War Memorial Conference Centre on Marine Parade is the perfect place to celebrate almost any occasion. Set against a breathtaking backdrop of the ocean from Mahia Peninsula across to Cape Kidnappers, there’s no place quite like it. The view says ‘you’re in Hawke’s Bay’. words : michael gardner photography : richard brimer & eva bradley

Aside from the amazing setting, the strength of the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre is its versatility as a venue. There are a range of different spaces, breakout rooms and facilities to suit groups and budgets of all sizes. How you theme and arrange your event is up to you too. You can have each and every space just the way you like it.

The Napier War Memorial Conference Centre is a popular venue for the beginning of life’s social gatherings, the school ball. As students end one stage of life and begin another, the big dance is a special way to mark this occasion. Whatever the theme, a pirate island, a 70s disco, or a Parisian burlesque evening, dressing the ballroom is limited only by their imagination. And away from school grounds, students get a real taste of becoming an adult.

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Throughout working life, the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre features on many occasions. It has hosted product launches, conferences, corporate functions, and association meetings and dinners.

The space can be transformed in an hour, meaning the same room could be used as an auditorium, then a dining room, or for a cocktail function.

This flexibility is essential at one of the most important moments in life. Brides can theme their wedding and reception however their heart desires.

If you've booked the Centre for your reception, and you are holding your wedding in an outdoor location, the ballroom is made available as a wet weather option free of charge. Spectacular photo locations abound, all within a short walking distance from the venue. Come rain or shine, the Napier War Memorial

THE NAPIER WAR MEMORIAL CONFERENCE CENTRE CAN BE ADAPTED TO SUIT ANY LARGE FAMILY OCCASION, INCLUDING ANNIVERSARIES, MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS, AND FAMILY REUNIONS. WITH GREAT PARTNERS SUCH AS DECO CITY DISCOVERER AND KENNEDY PARK, TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION CAN BE SORTED TOO.

making life easy You needn’t wait for December to enjoy Christmas either. For groups of 50 or more, the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre can put on a fantastic mid-year Christmas dinner. It’s great for holding office functions too. And they have links with good suppliers to make life easy for the organiser.

The Napier War Memorial Conference Centre even has a part to play in the stuff of dreams, hosting each round of the Hawke’s Bay auditions for television's New Zealand’s Got Talent. And when it comes time to say goodbye to a loved one and celebrate their life, the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre is the perfect setting. During that difficult time, they work closely with funeral directors to make everything easy for friends and family.

Whatever the occasion, come and see what this fabulous venue has to offer. Perhaps that’s why many people develop a strong connection to the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre, coming back time and again to celebrate every stage of Napier life.

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Conference Centre is a stunning setting to create memories of your perfect day.

In fact, the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre can be adapted to suit any large family occasion, including anniversaries, milestone birthdays, and family reunions. With great partners such as Deco City Discoverer and Kennedy Park, transport and accommodation can be sorted too.

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Accommodation: Kennedy Park

Resort for all seasons

Picture this. Palm trees, sun loungers, and three crystal clear pools to choose from for a leisurely dip. While you’re relaxing, the kids are being entertained. You don’t have to worry about them at all. Later, everyone can look forward to a great meal and a glass of wine at the restaurant. There’s no need to go anywhere. Everything you need for the perfect holiday is in one place.

Words Michael Gardner Photography Richard Brimer

It really is the perfect venue for a reunion, wedding, big birthday or for any group who want to be i n the same place and not have to worry about transport or catering.

Where is this island resort you ask? Well, it’s in Napier. This is Kennedy Park TOP 10 Resort. And now, with the completion of the pool complex, including a heated pool, Kennedy Park has truly become a four season resort and holiday destination.

Kennedy Park really has got it all. But for General Manager David Aflollo, having it all isn’t enough. Just when you think he can’t surprise you with something new, David has implemented several innovations and is busy planning more. David says the goal is to give each guest the same great experience every time. Most certainly, the experience is always great, but the resort is never quite the same each time you visit.

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much better are taken care of; the ongoing refurbishment of rooms so they are always inviting and comfortable, endless free addons for the kids so they stay happy and out of your hair, and an automated ‘no wait’ check-in service - to name a few.

Top quality

But what is truly remarkable is Kennedy Park’s desire to please every guest - regardless of budget. They cater for everyone from those wanting to pitch a tent through to luxury villa accommodation. Everyone is treated to the standard of service you’d expect from a top quality hotel. Yes, right through to room service from the restaurant if you want it.

With 91 rooms and a bed for every budget, Kennedy Park is ideal for every occasion, from a price-conscious family getaway to a large group function. It really is the perfect venue for a reunion, wedding, big birthday or for any group who want to be in the same place and not have to worry about transport or catering.

There really is so much to see and do at Kennedy Park that the only way to experience it is to stay there yourself.

Or, if relaxing and doing nothing is more your cup of tea, then that’s okay too. They’ll look after you any which way you like.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

The constant drive to build a better resort sums up the spirit of Kennedy Park. It never fails to delight. Every year, you will see improvements geared around making your stay effortless and pleasurable from the time you book to the time you checkout.

This year all rooms have been upgraded with 32 inch flat screen televisions, including smart televisions in the villas - perfect for corporate clients who want to plug in and get working without any hassle.

Along with the pool complex, the restaurant has been upgraded and now includes a café serving a selection of great coffee and light lunches.

The little details that make your stay that

www.kennedypark.co.nz 73

Working Life: Unison

Casting for talent

Meet Jaun Park. Jaun moved to New Zealand from Bloemfontein in South Africa, and in his role of General Manager Networks and Operations, is part of a company at the forefront of the electricity distribution industry, implementing New Zealand’s first Advanced Distribution Management System as part of the construction of a Smart electricity network. Where does he live - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch?

Nope. Little old Hawke’s Bay. Words Michael Gardner Photography Richard Brimer

When a career opportunity suddenly appeared in Auckland, Jaun and his family made the decision to up sticks and move to New Zealand. The adjustment from Bloemfontein to Auckland seemed manageable, but when a great role became available at Unison Jaun and his family weren’t sure what to expect from living and working in Hawke’s Bay, having always lived in ‘the big city’. But what he found was a challenging career coupled with a lifestyle many would envy.

“The role with Unison was good for my career development. I originally planned to make it a three year stint, before I’d look for a new role in another big city. Seven years later and here I still am.”

Jaun has worked in the role of General Manager Networks and Operations for the

past three years. In layman’s terms, what he does is oversee the team that looks after the power network, from Rotorua to Taupo and across Hawke’s Bay. That’s every wire, pole, connector and component. Every part of the network can be affected by weather, water, corrosion, age and vegetation. With electricity essential to modern life, it permeates every part of our community; the responsibility is enormous.

“My role is incredibly challenging on a day to day basis, balancing the risks associated with the assets, the long-term cost and the performance of the network. But what is really exciting about my role at Unison is how we’re introducing smart technology.”

Smart grid technology has given Unison a toolbox to reduce the costs associated with network maintenance, the risks of asset

Continued over page 74

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Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Working Life: Unison

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Jaun Park.

Transformation It’s fair to say that Jaun is hot property.

Implementing leading edge technology that’s transforming the electricity industry is attracting the attention of other companies.

“Obviously, to do this kind of work, the first thing you need is highly skilled people, and Unison has done really well in attracting excellent and extremely competent people.

Personally, I get a number of calls during the year. Other companies are interested in what we’re doing and naturally that brings offers.

“Initially I came to Unison for the job. Yes, it was very challenging and very stimulating,

but that wasn’t all. We’ve grown to love Hawke’s Bay. Working for Unison is a job and a lifestyle. “Coming from South Africa, we’re used to sunny skies. The kids are going to great schools, my wife has new friends, and as a family we love sports and the outdoors.

It’s almost ideal. I don’t have to deal with the traffic of the big city to get to work. And when I get here, I’ve got this stimulating job.

From the point of view of having a career we’ve got the best of all worlds.”

To relax, Jaun enjoys fly fishing in the Tukituki River with the family and plays golf with his Unison mates. He wouldn’t discuss his handicap though.

“It’s a unique combination. Here, you have the lifestyle, but at the same time you have a challenging job paying a competitive salary, in a company that’s doing innovative work.”

Unison is unique amongst lines distribution companies with the many opportunities they can provide for their people. Opportunities regularly exist for analysts, mathematicians, engineers, civil workers, project managers, electricians, vegetation specialists, and all the roles that surround and support their electrical, fibre optics, vegetation management, and civil divisions.

On the world stage, where skilled people are highly sought after at all levels, how does a provincial powerlines company stand tall amongst industry heavyweights? The answer to that question is in the company culture they have developed. Jaun is only one example of the many people who have stayed at Unison beyond their expectations.

“It doesn’t feel like I’ve been here for seven years. We work hard, but we have fun and really enjoy what we’re doing. And time flies!”

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

“Initially I came to Unison for the job.

Yes it was very challenging and very stimulating, but that wasn't all.We've grown to love Hawke's Bay. Working for Unison is a job and a lifestyle.”

failure, while improving overall performance.

“That makes my role different to a similar role in another company elsewhere in New Zealand. If you look at the electricity industry, not a lot has changed. It’s all wires and poles. Introducing the smart grid the realisation that information is critical for us to do things better is a huge step forward. It’s an exciting time to be part of the industry.”

The tools Unison has developed are being adopted by other powerlines companies, such as Aurora in Tasmania, with further interest from local companies.

“When they come to visit us they say, ‘We feel a bit ashamed looking at the things you guys are doing. You’re a quarter of our size, but you’re doing so much more’.”

“Over the years I’ve started to love what Unison is doing. If you compare us to other, larger distribution lines companies in New Zealand or Australia, we’re miles ahead in the thinking and innovation being applied.

We have the full support of the Trust and the Board. They share the vision around smart grids. They see the benefits to our stakeholders and our customers.”

www.unison.co.nz 77

healthy life hawke's bay chiropractic

WELCOME BACK TO LIFE Life often throws curve balls at us. Mine came in the form of a yellow one, playing backyard cricket at Christmas. A swing and a miss and I thought my back would never be the same again, until a friend recommended I go and see a chiropractor. words : rick hopkinson photography : richard brimer

above

Hawke's Bay Chiropractic's Fiona Haughie at their Dalton Street premises.

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Now I’ve always thought that chiropractors were an odd breed. It’s all a bit surreal that someone could play around with my spine and affect the way my pancreas was coping with everyday life. I don’t know much about pancreases apart from the fact they named a railway station in London after one. But I’m sure they’re pretty important things to keep healthy, along with hearts, lungs and kidneys.

At least that’s what my best mate said when he invited me to get off my invalid couch and get down to Hawke’s Bay Chiropractic. He’d already been there and told me that these were the people who would not only fix up my cricket injury but also find out how my nervous system was affecting my body’s organs, simply by checking out the good old backbone.

Apparently their holistic approach focused on using hands-on techniques to treat the whole body including diet, nutrition and movement.

When I arrived at their spacious Dalton Street premises I was soon made to feel more comfortable.

Firstly waiting in their pleasant reception area, I was kindly offered a glass of that day’s special vitamin c drink freshly made up by welcoming Chiropractic Assistant Vicki Dransfield. Not a bad tipple I thought, hoping this would holistically make up for the bottle of Chardonnay I’d consumed the night before.

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

a chiro convert I was then introduced to Rosina Walker who carefully explained the process that we were about to undertake to help get my body back into shape.

It seems chiropractors work with and enhance the body’s natural ability to heal itself without drugs or surgery. I was feeling better already. The nervous system controls the functions of every tissue, organ and system in the body. Often by delivering a spinal adjustment a chiropractor can correct and restore normal nerve transmission, which enables the body’s natural recovery power to begin the healing process.

Something else I didn’t realise is that Chiropractic is the second largest licensed health care profession in Australasia, has been around for over 100 years, and the treatment of injuries like mine covered by ACC. Now even my wallet was feeling healthier!

My first session with Rosina reassured my skeptical mind that this could actually work for me. While she expertly explained the reason for every subtle adjustment made, she informatively introduced me to the various pieces of apparatus used to help get me back into shape. The Drop Table, the Activator and Rosina’s hands were to be my ongoing friends for the next three weeks. Then one day I realised that my back pain was completely gone and that I had become a chiro convert! continued over >

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healthy life hawke's bay chiropractic

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“I HELPED MY TEAM BREAK THE RECORD ON A TUESDAY AND WENT STRAIGHT BACK INTO COMPETITION SHEARING THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY. NORMALLY A RECOVERY WOULD TAKE AGES BUT FIONA HAD ME SORTED AND READY FOR WORK THE NEXT DAY!” JOHNNY KIRKPATRICK

above LeFT

Family time is important for both Fiona and husband Brett. above

There's never a dull day for Fiona and the team at Hawke's Bay Chiropractic.

hundreds of babies and children beam back at you.

It seems you are never too young to be aligned.

I can’t think of a better way to prepare a body for the rest of your life!

Over another vitamin c drink I asked Fiona what made this place so popular with all age groups?

“We look at the whole person when they come in to see us,” she explained. “We don’t just treat the area of pain but instead look at the patient’s complete approach to life. What they eat, drink and the activities they take part in. Once we’ve got a total picture of a patient we are not treating the individual issue in isolation.”

This approach obviously works because Hawke’s Bay Chiropractic is so popular with patients that they tend to work on a referral only basis.

It’s a bit like if you’ve heard how good they are from someone else then you’re more likely to trust their advice at the start. Don’t worry though, if you believe chiropractic adjustment is for you, just give them a call and tell them Napier Life referred you!

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

I knew this story needed telling about my new belief but thought I’d find out first if others had enjoyed the same seemingly miraculous recoveries.

I’d heard about this local chap Johnny Kirkpatrick, a real kiwi bloke who had recently set a world shearing record with a helping hand from Hawke’s Bay Chiropractic’s Fiona Haughie. Now this guy doesn’t like to sit down for long but I caught up with him in between a full day’s shearing and going off for an evening run.

He said that Fiona had volunteered her chiropractic services during the record attempt and her regular spinal alignments had enabled him to keep on going throughout the day. But that wasn’t all. “It’s how you come out at the other end,” Johnny explained. “I helped my team break the record on a Tuesday and went straight back into competition shearing the following Saturday. Normally a recovery would take ages but Fiona had me sorted and ready for work the next day!”

Not all Hawke’s Bay Chiropractic’s clients are world champions like Johnny. Take a look around the photo-adorned walls of their practice and the faces of

www.hbchiropractic.co.nz 81

opulence from Bay Beds Luxurious custom-made beds individually hand crafted right here in Napier to suit your personal preference and needs.

With adjustable comfort layers and personalised bed fittings, Bay Beds guarantee you the best night’s sleep possible, at manufacturer prices so low you probably thought you were dreaming.

tel (06) 835 6330 ~ carlyle street ~ napier ~ www.baybeds.co.nz

location: Private apartment in the T & G Building, Napier styling: Nicky Ross-Grundy photography: Fotoshoot

stuart nash opinion

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IN MY OPINION Local Napier lad and outspoken anti-amalgamation campaigner Stuart Nash, shares his opinion with us on our region's local political set up.

We need to create a place where talent wants to live.

The way to do this is through innovative economic development strategies. Locating a satellite of the Auckland business incubator, IceHouse, in Napier is a start. But as Auckland commuters and business leaders whinge about the state of their city’s roads and the economic cost of poor transport infrastructure, we should be offering viable alternatives to relocate to Napier. For example, our city has large tracts of industrial and commercial land that could be developed and used as an economic incentive to get businesses to move.

So is it really about status quo vs amalgamation?

No, not for me. I believe the respective futures of our cities and towns need to be determined by local people, elected by local residents and ratepayers.

I also believe we need to do things better and work smarter. I have always been very clear on this.

There is no doubt we need regulatory consistency across the region. It is ridiculous that the rules and costs for building a house in Napier are different from those in Hastings. In fact, I would welcome a combined regional-wide management unit that reported to all councils. This is achievable and there are plenty of global precedents for such a management structure.

Councils (and therefore local residents) are still in control of their own budgets, futures and direction, and the region-wide management team take responsibility for implementing the strategies required to meet the objectives as outlined by these individual councils.

This way, we still get the advantages that come with economies of scale, we can achieve regulatory consistency, and regional economic development is managed with a holistic view but a local focus. Most importantly, we get to keep our councils, because less local representation doesn’t build social cohesion, it breaks it down.

Mr Tremain’s plan to get rid of the Napier City Council is not the solution; taking away the right of our diverse communities to determine our city’s future is a backward step. Instead we need a positive vision of how Napier will look in 2050 when we celebrate 100 years of being a self-governing city.

"I DO TRULY BELIEVE WE LIVE IN ONE OF THE FINEST CITIES IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS. BUT WE MUST DO BETTER. WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES WE NEED TO OVERCOME, BUT THESE CHALLENGES ALSO BRING EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES. TO SEIZE THEM, WE MUST BE BOLD AND INNOVATIVE AND BELIEVE THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE AT A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL." STUART NASH napier life magazine 2013 / 14

I am unashamedly passionate about Napier. Its fascinating history, unique architecture, wonderful climate, lifestyle, and location mark it out as one of the best and most distinctive cities in New Zealand.

Perhaps I am a little biased, as well as bound by history.

In 1863, less than a century after Captain Cook first sighted the east coast, and the same year as Napier’s first recorded major earthquake, my ancestors decided to settle in the Bay, and we have been here ever since.

On the 4th February 1875 the first Napier Council meeting was held. Seventy-five years later in 1950, Napier was proclaimed a city. The question, however, that will be answered over the next twelve months is this: ‘After 139 years of self-governance and 64 years since becoming a city, will Napier lose its council, its independence and its ability to control its own future’?

There are those, like Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, Napier’s National MP Chris Tremain, and wellfunded lobby group ‘A Better Hawkes Bay’ (ABHB), who are pushing for the abolition of the Napier City Council. Then there are others, like long serving, but retiring, Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott, former longserving Napier Mayor Alan Dick and myself, who are standing up for Napier’s independence and the right of Napier people to determine the future of our city.

City councils have a very important role in optimising social outcomes, as well as managing budgets and meeting ratepayers’ expectations. A city council is not a corporate Board of Directors focussed on maximising profits, and citizens are not company shareholders eagerly awaiting their next dividend. Having said that, it is important to note that Larry Mitchell, a local government finance and policy analyst, has assessed Napier City Council as being the most financially sustainable council in New Zealand.

This is the result of a prudent management regime and sound governance strategy that has achieved the right balance between meeting the day-to-day requirements of our local businesses and diverse communities while planning for the future.

What we need now is a vision for Napier. A vision that does not change from election to election, but rather one that is long term and consistent; one that is about creating sustainable economic growth and wealth through employment.

Today’s young people have a greater choice as to where they will live than we ever had. Residing in London, New York or Sydney is no big deal. We need to provide a compelling reason for our children and grandchildren to bring up their children in Napier.

Stuart Nash is a former Labour MP based in Napier and is currently Labour’s spokesman in Napier. mrstuartnash@gmail.com 85

Café Groove Kitchen

Get Your Groove On

“Coffee, music and food are my passions,” says Ben Simcox, owner of Groove Kitchen Espresso. Located on Napier’s Tennyson Street, Groove is a local hot spot that is renowned for exceptional coffee, a creative and ever-changing menu, and eclectic music that provides a funky atmosphere during the day, and really comes to life after dark.

Words Kate Scannell Photography Richard Brimer

The minimalistic décor and friendly, laid back vibe give Groove Kitchen a unique feel that is welcoming, relaxed and just a little bit different. The overall ambience at Groove is important to Ben, “I look at this space as my lounge; it is my way of expressing myself and sharing my passions with everyone who walks through the door.”

As a Groove aficionado myself, I love the sensory awakening that this café provides.

Stepping off the street you are immediately welcomed by tantalising aromas of freshly ground coffee, a visually delicious array of food choices, and music that sets the mood - from soulful sounds to Indie and electronic beats. It is a cool, casual ambience that invites you to simply relax and unwind, and this is exactly what Ben wants for his 86

Groove customers. “I use music to create an atmosphere that is inviting, allows people to escape their daily routine, and maybe hear and appreciate artists that they have never heard before.”

Passionate about food, coffee, music The key elements of the Groove Kitchen experience are food, coffee and music.

As a former New Zealand Barista of the Year and experienced coffee trainer, Ben passionately believes that, “Coffee should not be a gamble,” and Groove Kitchen customers are served consistently good coffee each time.

The brunch menu features favourites such as the GK Eggs Benne, while the food cabinet offers up delectable lunch options from Groove’s creative kitchen team, and served

by its congenial front of house staff. Food and beverages can be enjoyed in front of the cosy Groove Kitchen fires, out in the sunny Mediterranean style courtyard in the summer months, or even at your own home or business through Groove’s catering service.

Groove also plays host to private functions and after dark gigs. The fully licensed bar makes Groove Kitchen an ideal venue for birthday and office parties, with the bar’s DJ decks and the chilled out lounge adding to its nightlife appeal. So if it’s lunch you’re looking for, a venue for your next function, or simply some coffee supplies for your machine at home, come in and experience Napier’s destination café.

Facebook Groove Kitchen Espresso

Napier’s Award Winning Thai Chef’s Restaurant

Menu suggestions Starter

Thai Roti Bread

A pan grilled Thai style flatbread.

Entrée

Prawn cake

Tasty minced king prawns with coriander.

Coated with famous breadcrumb “Panko”, served with plum sauce.

Soup

Tom Yum

This soup has a unique spicy and sour flavour. It is the most popular Thai soup.

Simmered lemon juice, lemon grass, fresh chillies, herbs, mushrooms, coriander.

Curry

Duck in Love®

Roasted duck fillets on our special curry recipe with coconut cream, pineapple chunks, lychees, tomatoes and courgettes.

110 Taradale Road, Onekawa, Napier | phone: 06 843 4595 email: booking@thaichef.co.nz | web: www.thaichef.co.nz

Appetiser

Sleepy Pig in Bed

Marinated minced pork and herbs on toast, served with Thai sweet chilli sauce.

Golden Wok

The Three Alcoholics

Three combinations of meats with secret sauce, mixed herbs, fresh chillies, carrots, green beans, mushrooms and capsicum.

Extraordinary

The Ocean Volcano

Steamed mixed seafood dish. Prawns, squid, fish fillets and scallops with a mild curry paste, herbs, spices and vegetables. Served in sparkling flame.

Dessert

Banana in Hairy Pajama

Fried banana coated with ‘Panko’ flour topped with maple syrup, served with vanilla ice cream.

wine review the vintage selection

VINTAGE PICS Napier Life brings you a snap shot of some of our finest local wines.

We encourage you to take a trip out to these four iconic wineries and visit their cellar doors for a fabulous vintage experience. photography : lee warren

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Alwyn Merlot Cabernet 2009 is from the Alwyn Reserve range, which is hand crafted and only produced in small quantities in exceptional vintages. Each bottle bears the name Alwyn Corban, his signature and thumbprint.

The Alwyn Merlot Cabernet is an impressive wine displaying characters of dark cherry and plum with notes of vanilla and oak. It is a soft and full wine with fine tannins and a beautifully long finish that has touches of spice. It would match well with lamb tagine and cous cous. www.ngatarawa.co.nz

Crossroads Winemakers Collection Chardonnay 2011

Mission Estate Winery 2011 Gimblett Gravels Reserve Syrah

Moana Park Single Vineyard Reserve Syrah 2010

Established in Hawke’s Bay for over 20 years, boutique winery Crossroads represents the very best of small parcel Hawke’s Bay wine making with distinction.

Mission Estate Winery is New Zealand’s oldest winery established in 1851 by a group of French missionaries. Mission wines are noted for their remarkable structure, intensity and fine balance.

Moana Park is a small family owned boutique winery producing handcrafted award-winning wines.

Reserve wines are only produced in the best vintages.

This Winemakers Collection Chardonnay 2011 is crafted from grapes grown on the Kereru Vineyard. This is an elegant wine with notes of citrus and stone fruit, and a silky lingering finish.

It is well balanced with initial flavours on the palate of ripe pear.

This Chardonnay drinks well now but will mature beautifully with a few years cellaring. www.crossroadswines.co.nz

The 2011 Reserve Syrah is made with grapes sourced from the vineyards of Mere Road and Gimblett Road. This is a vibrant wine with beautiful colour and notes of ripe berries and spice. Fermented in French oak barriques the Syrah is an ideal companion for a good steak or venison dish, and would also go well with aged cheddar cheese.

Hand harvested, this is an excellent wine with only 925 cases produced.

This is a stunning Gimblett Road Syrah with concentration and balance. It has characters of red cherry and plums with a hint of spice. The tannins give structure, complexity and backbone. With a continuity of flavours there is a lovely long finish with subtle notes of oak having matured in French oak barriques. www.moanapark.co.nz

www.missionestate.co.nz

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

Ngatarawa Wines Alwyn Merlot Cabernet 2009 Ngatarawa winery located in the Bridge Pa Triangle west of Hastings, follows the winemaking heritage of the Corban Family who have been making wine for more than 100 years.

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Wine & Food: The Old Church

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Heaven Sent

If you think about the most memorable meals you’ve had in your life, what made them so special? Perhaps it was the company of friends, family or loved ones. Maybe it was great food. Or even a uniquely beautiful setting, a wine list to die for, or delightful service. Few restaurants can claim to have all these things, which makes The Old Church in Meeanee a rare find and a must-visit dining destination.

Words Michael Gardner Photography Richard Brimer

Next the food. Richard, who runs the kitchen, has been a chef at restaurants like The French Café, and most recently, he ran the kitchen at Kermadec on Auckland’s viaduct. His senior chefs have the same cooking pedigree coming from top restaurants in New Zealand and overseas.

He has classical French training, but his food has a kiwi twist, even more so now that he is creating dishes in Hawke’s Bay with local produce.

“We use as much local ingredients as we can,” he says. “The only items we buy in aren’t produced here. Lamb, most of our fish, our fruit and vegetables, all come from local suppliers. In Auckland, you can get any ingredients all year round. Here, you have to cook what’s in season.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Restaurateurs Mel and Richard Highnam have spent two years ‘getting their feet under the dining room table’, and their efforts have paid off. They’ve managed to take an iconic and historic church and create food to match. What’s more, this truly Hawke’s Bay dining experience is accessible to all budgets.

Choose and enjoy taste sensations from drinks and nibbles through to a degustation with matching wines.

First the setting. No restaurant dining room, no matter how good, can quite compare to The Old Church. It is a beautifully restored historic church set in a vineyard. Here you can watch the seasons change, dine alfresco in the summer with live music, or warm yourself by the open fire in the cooler months. The building, grounds, and interior are all spectacular, which is why The Old Church is a very popular place for any occasion.

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Wine & Food: The Old Church

“It’s so enjoyable to work with fresh product.

I’ve worked in other parts of New Zealand where getting good fresh produce is hard to come by. But here, some produce arrives still covered with dirt and you know it has come straight out of the ground.”

“People ask us where we get our asparagus,” adds Mel, “and we point out the window to the paddock beyond the grape vines and say, ‘right there’. Our figs come from a great shop just down the road. Richard might want fennel, so I’ll cross the road to the market gardener and we pick it together, fresh from the field.

“You can’t beat the flavour, the crunch, and the vibrant colour of such good produce,” she says. “It’s the foundation of a great menu, fresh ingredients and simple flavours done really well.”

You’ll be spoilt for choice. There are shared plates for casual dining, children’s meals, and 92

a full à la carte menu with mouth-watering dishes to surprise, delight and satisfy.

Richard and Mel are so passionate about good quality fresh produce; they are keen to help local schools grow vegetables.

“It’s important for people, especially kids, to know where food comes from,” says Mel. “Basil, for example, doesn’t grow on a styrofoam tray in a supermarket. We can encourage them to plant some, watch it grow, and then Richard can turn it into something delicious, like a great pasta dish.”

Event nights Adding some fun food variety to the mix is The Old Church’s very popular event nights that run during the low season. Here you can enjoy a three course themed dinner from just $49 a head. Expect tempting offerings such as the ultimate chef’s burger, or watch the kitchen team creatively transform local

game into an exquisite hunting dinner.

Head barman, Damien, has The Old Church nominated for the HB Hospitality Awards best wine list award. He has a slight advantage being French and having worked in high end boutique European hotels. But he loves New Zealand wine.

“Damien’s always trying something new,” says Richard, “and he selects the best wines from around New Zealand to match our food.

He’ll create special cocktails for our event nights. He’s a huge asset.”

For food, wine, service and setting, The Old Church is the complete package, except for providing someone to enjoy the experience with. While they would happily provide this too if they could, when it comes to the friends, family and loved ones to share in a great meal, you’ll have to bring your own. www.theoldchurch.co.nz

“It’s important for people, especially kids, to know where food comes from. Basil, for example, doesn’t grow on a styrofoam tray in a supermarket.

We can encourage them to plant some, watch it grow, and then Richard can turn it into something delicious, like a great pasta dish.”

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Mel Highnam

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Wine & Food: Crossroads Winery

Drop in for a drop

Crossroads winemaker Miles Dinneen told me the joy of winemaking was that no two vintages are quite the same. That means there’s always something new to taste. Ah, joy.

Words Michael Gardner Photography Richard Brimer

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I once heard a wine being described as having cassis, cigar box, and petroleum flavours with a hint of gunpowder. I didn’t know if I should drink it or dive for cover.

cellar door is how accessible it is. It’s always open, except on public holidays, and you don’t have to be a wine aficionado to be made to feel welcome.

I once heard a wine being described as having cassis, cigar box, and petroleum flavours with a hint of gunpowder. I didn’t know if I should drink it or dive for cover.

Cellar Door Manager, Carol Siow, can introduce you to Crossroad’s selection without the sometimes intimidating ritual associated with wine tasting. “Actually, Miles makes my job really easy,” she says, “because he makes delicious wine.”

When asked to recommend a food match for their fruity Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc, she replied, “Have it with tempura prawns

or panko crusted scallops. This wine is particularly good with oily foods because it cleanses the palate.”

I also tried the Winemaker’s Collection 2010 Syrah, which has a lot of gold stickers on the bottle. For wine experts, it has a brooding base of shale, deeply scented black olive, raspberry and plum on the nose. For everyone else, it’s your Grandma’s Christmas pudding in a glass.

That sums up Crossroads’ wine perfectly.

You know it’s going to be good. You can take it proudly to a dinner party, or order a bottle at a restaurant with the airy confidence of a wine master.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Their cellar door deserves regular visits and not only for the exclusive deals like Wine of the Month or Cellar Door Specials. There’s always a Tawny Port available for tasting, a very rare delight amongst Hawke’s Bay wineries, and other attractions too numerous to mention. You’ll have to visit yourself.

Situated halfway between Napier and Hastings, Crossroads has a big lawn with an uninterrupted view of the vines and hills beyond. They have an on-premise license, so it’s a lovely spot for a picnic. If you forget to bring one, the cellar door has cheese, relishes and crackers for sale. Why not make it a destination for a business meeting? How Hawke’s Bay is that?

What I really like about the Crossroads

www.crossroadswines.co.nz 95

tourism art deco buses

THE MISSING LINK There really is a lot to see and do in Napier, from the many attractions along Marine Parade and into the city. Travel around the waterfront and you find the delightful seaside village of Ahuriri with its classic Art Deco buildings, restaurants, cafĂŠs and bars. What has been missing is a link between the two. words : michael gardner photography : meredith lord

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We tend to forget that for a small city, there is actually a fair distance between these attractions.

The new bus service, Deco City Discoverer, bridges the gap, allowing visitors and locals alike to explore the length and breadth of Napier at their leisure.

As the Art Deco Capital of the World, it is fitting that Napier’s new buses are Deco on wheels.

The motor vehicle was one of the great benefactors of Art Deco styling- sleek, sweeping, aerodynamic designs that spoke of modernism, speed and efficiency. It was the beginning of the era when a car became a head-turner.

The two buses have been named Veronica and Belle. Both were popular names in the 1930s, and both have significance in Napier’s history. In the aftermath of the 1931 earthquake, the officers and crew of the HMS Veronica, who assisted in the recovery, presented the ship’s bell to the city.

Veronica and Belle began their life as old trolley buses. But with brand new engines, a bodywork design from France, and a rebuild from a specialist bus restorer in San Diego, they are now modern Deco delights - the perfect way to welcome new visitors to Napier and beyond.

napier life magazine 2013 / 14

jump on jump off Each has big windows and a viewing platform at the rear to allow passengers to take in the sights and the magnificent views along Napier’s waterfront.

During the high season they provide a jump on jump off 30 minute service, stopping at all the major attractions from the Aquarium through to Pandora Pond at the end of Humber Street in Ahuriri.

You could visit MTG Hawke’s Bay in the morning, cruise over to Ahuriri for a waterfront lunch, and then head back to Napier for a spot of shopping and an ice cream at the beach. On the way back to your accommodation, Veronica and Belle will give you ideas about what to do tomorrow.

There are 21 stops along the route with on board commentary to tell you about the many sights and attractions to explore. A range of passes are available for everything from a quick trip through to a leisurely all day family pass.

There’s some nice technology to help you along the way too. Each bus is equipped with a tracking device. Using a smart device to scan the QR code at every stop you can see the location of the buses on a Google maps interface. Links to the website provide more information about what to see and do.

During the low season one bus will run a return service, while the other is available for group hire.

So thanks to Veronica and Belle there’s absolutely no reason to miss out on the best of what Napier and Ahuriri have to offer. www.decocitydiscoverer.co.nz 97

Ahuriri discovered: Mackersey Development

These pages The Crown Hotel at the seaside village of Ahuriri.

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The golden age of Ahuriri Words Michael Gardner Photography Richard Brimer

Most appropriately, the jewel at the heart of Ahuriri is the Crown Hotel. This iconic building has been a catalyst for the rebirth and rediscovery of this picturesque pocket of Napier. Ahuriri was settled in the 1850s.

Its shallow but sheltered waters offered safe mooring for sailing ships. It was the ideal location for a working port. In 1859, on its current location on the corner of Waghorne & Barry Streets, the original Crown Hotel opened its doors for business.

Until 1931, Ahuriri served as Napier’s main port. It was one of the largest wool centres in New Zealand. When the February earthquake struck, the natural environment was considerably altered. Most significantly, the bed of the West Quay harbour rose more than two metres. It ended Ahuriri’s ability to act as a port.

The port was relocated to its current site around the harbour at the Port of Napier.

People followed the work. Ahuriri entered a state of decline, leaving rows of vacant industrial sheds lining the waterfront as a reminder of a once prosperous past.

In 1992, David Mackersey and his business partner, Jim Scotland, purchased the Wrightson Woolstore situated on the corner of Bridge Street through to Barry Street, including the old Crown Hotel site.

They could see Ahuriri’s potential. The port may have moved, but the seaside village had so much to offer; fishing, recreation, the waterfront, and breathtaking scenery.

They worked with the then Planning Manager, at the council, who had a vision for the shape of Ahuriri as it is today.

Together, they knew Ahuriri would need time and patience to grow. The 1931 earthquake had been a blunt instrument of change, but recovery could not be forced in a similarly swift manner. Slowly with further investment and development, Ahuriri began to blossom, finding a new identity as a cultural and recreational destination.

The success of the new Crown Hotel was fundamental to Ahuriri’s revitalisation.

The Crown originally started as motel style accommodation with 26 rooms. Today, it has evolved into an elegant boutique hotel, with 43 rooms/suites and four luxury apartments, Loft Collection and Kotarana. The Crown Hotel offers a premier accommodation and conference venue.

Continued over page

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Walking along the shoreline of Ahuriri, taking in the sea air, and the glorious views across the ocean to the Kaweka Ranges, it’s hard to imagine that this vibrant village was once an industrial wasteland. Ahuriri has experienced its own special kind of renaissance. Now it is a thriving community, retail and commercial centre, and a café and dining destination.

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Ahuriri discovered: Mackersey Development

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The Globe Theatrette has enhanced the facility further being a unique and opulent 45 seater boutique theatre that provides the ultimate in movies, and is available for private hire for conference, seminar, product launches and social celebrations.

Growth requires balance. More recently, David Mackersey and his team have developed the old Moana Fisheries building into more accommodation for the area.

The new Navigate Seaside Accommodation

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

The new Navigate Seaside Accommodation located on Hardinge Road beachfront, offers 26 fresh, stylish rooms and the two VUE luxury apartments.

located on Hardinge Road beachfront, offers 26 fresh, stylish rooms and the two VUE luxury apartments. It also incorporates Sol CafÊ for breakfasts and The Portview Room for small conference or meeting facilities both with great views over Hawke Bay. Navigate is well located to the cycle pathway, beach and children’s playground.

Your stay here will provide everything you require and at affordable rates.

The addition of office spaces and

Continued over page

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Ahuriri discovered: Mackersey Development

"We love our waterfront location, the friendly community spirit along with plenty of free parking for our customers. They can take their time to sit back and chat about travel - 'our passion'!"

Shelley Dunn World Travellers

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The addition of office spaces and apartment living has brought more people back to Ahuriri, creating good balance for the community.

This has fuelled the retail sector, attracting a variety of boutique shops and businesses.

Ahuriri is a little piece of paradise.

Adding the now complete fibre network to that mix and the enviable Hawke’s Bay climate and lifestyle, insurance brokers Crombie Lockwood, juice manufacturers Simply Squeezed, and Red Jungle have chosen to become residents.

However, David Mackersey appreciates that developing property for a better community is not just about adding more offices, apartments and accommodation. One such example is the site located between the Crown Hotel and Navigate. While it could comfortably house a new office development, David developed a sculpture park with picnic

spaces and areas for events of community interest. The park will be a destination in itself and a fabulous community asset.

Ahuriri’s future continues to grow brighter with each passing day. Those vacant industrial woolsheds are now alive with restaurants, bars and cafés. With the new transport links to the city, Ahuriri is the ideal location for more tourism based activities, as well as more offices and apartments as the population grows. David believes Ahuriri Village will play a key part in the overall growth of Napier.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

apartment living has brought more people back to Ahuriri, creating good balance for the community. This has fuelled the retail sector, attracting names like Takaro Trails, Bonnie Cakes, Bazar The Empire and Viva Gallery.

Ahuriri has become an excellent alternative to the commercial centre of Napier city. Ironically, the land pushed up by the 1931 earthquake has become a boon for the area, placing the airport only five minutes away. Good ease of access, carparking, and affordable rentals compared to New Zealand’s larger cities, is capturing the attention of larger businesses from outside the region. As a working environment,

www.mackerseydevelopment.co.nz 103

Cafe & Design Store To step into Port ‘O’ Call is to take a step back in time itself.

With half the shop selling beautiful collections of delicate chic homewares and furniture from past eras, all chosen to be that little bit different, and clothing from local designers.

It is also a magical tearoom, a place where you can enjoy Devonshire cream tea, ladies can be ladies – enjoying everything from the flowers that adorn the little cakes to the gorgeous children’s wear and parties.

Romantically, it’s a place where time momentarily stops and perhaps, just perhaps, it’s as if you were back in the fifties.

Shop 2, Nelson Quay, Ahuriri, Napier Phone: 06 833 6688

Email: portocall@xtra.co.nz Web: www.portocall.co.nz 104

Open 7 Days 10am − 4pm.

Hidden gem

Sheryl Whatuira smiled when told her café had been described as ‘a hidden gem’. But it was not the first time such an accolade had been bestowed upon this unique, welcoming and deliciously aromatic Art Deco-tinged café in the heart of Ahuriri’s bustling business park.

Words Roger Moroney Photography Richard Brimer freshly brewed coffee and home baking. The courtyard is private and protected from the wind. There are plenty of tables and chairs, and most of them are in use.

Best in Hawke's Bay Lunchtime offers traditional favourites like lambs fry and bacon, and corn fitter stacks, alongside fish of the day and chef’s specials.

Or you can choose from the large selection of cabinet food, which is very fresh and made daily like the sausage roll - which has been awarded ‘Best in Hawke’s Bay’ - light flaky pastry wrapped around a moreish savoury centre - a very worthy winner.

The breakfasts are delicious, and famous, the daily arrival of customers tells you that.

Continental and cooked breakfasts, featuring eggs benedict, omelettes and the popular extra large breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash browns, tomatoes and mushrooms. The coffee is seriously good and made by a welltrained barista.

There’s something for everyone - with wedding, office and party catering - and the immensely popular Sunday buffet has people queuing out the door. The menu at Café Ahuriri is sensational and leaves many people very satisfied. Just ask the leading food critic at the New York Times!

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Café Ahuriri featured in a spread in the New York Times in 2010 after the writer had called in (without telling the staff who she was or where she was from) for a coffee and meal. Her review was glowing. She ticked all the boxes of service, location, character and especially the food. Sheryl said she particularly loved the custard squares!

The custard squares are legendary and have been described as a simple treat that’s easy to get wrong, but very difficult to do well.

Sheryl’s have the touch of a master baker, uncomplicated and so delicate.

Hidden away on Mahia Street, the café appears small, but passing through the gate is like entering a secret garden. The delicious smell is irresistible - a mixture of

16 Mahia Street, Ahuriri, Napier Open 7 days, 6am – 3.45pm 105

Ahuriri discovered: Master of India

Indian Masterclass

Stuck on Butter Chicken, scared to go past Lamb Korma? There’s a lot more to Indian food than the traditional favourites but what to choose? We asked Sanjay Patel from the Master of India in Ahuriri to help us master the art of ordering the best Indian meal in Napier.

Words Judi Hopkinson Photography Lee Warren

Top Shilpa is serving Thali, a traditional Indian style banquet dish.

This is an excellent choice for someone dining alone as it comes with a variety of delicious dishes. It offers a balance of nutrition with meat, vegetable and lentil choices. Served with sauces and Puri bread it comes on its own special platter.

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79, Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier (06) 834 3440 www.masterofindia.co.nz

Tandoori Mussels

Marinaded in yoghurt and black pepper this is not an overly spicy dish. Cooked in the Tandoori oven the mussels are wonderful dipped in the mint and yoghurt sauce.

Roasted Prawn Tandoori

Very popular at Master of India, the prawns are marinated, coated with chickpea flour and served with a tasty masala chutney.

Tandoori Fish

This dish needs to be ordered a day in advance so Sanjay can order in the freshest local fish available. Traditionally in India the fish would be Bormflet but here in Napier Sanjay marinades either a flounder or soul prior to cooking in a Tandoori oven.

Vegetable Platter

Using the freshest seasonal vegetables, they are marinated and cooked in the Tandoori oven and served with a chutney sauce and green mint sauce. The vegetables are beautifully presented with delicately sculptured garnishes.

Chicken Balti with garlic

Some of the best dishes are Balti dishes, usually ordered by those who like their food a little spicier. The chicken is cooked in a hot and spicy Balti sauce flavoured with garlic. This dish is well worth venturing off the Butter Chicken for.

Lamb Bindi Balti with ‘ladies fingers’

Not too spicy this delicious fish has a lovely coriander and lemon zing. BBQ cubes of fish that have been marinated in garlic, lemon juice, yoghurt and spices, goes very well with the mint sauce.

Tender diced lamb cooked on a high flame with normal spices, then cooked again with extra spice to give the Balti flavour. Usually served in a special Balti vessel is delicious with Naan bread. The ladies fingers are finely sliced okra.

Napier Life Magazine 2013 / 14

Fish Tikka

Tandoori Chicken

This dish makes its entrance sizzling and hissing on a very hot plate.

Cooked in the Tandoori oven the succulent chicken is medium spicy and served with salad and mint sauce.

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life's questions chris tremain

QUESTION TIME Napier Life caught up with our hard working MP on one of his weekly electorate visits back home to Napier. In between back to back meetings with his constituents we took the opportunity to ask some more personal questions about his life to find out, who is the real Chris Tremain?

The answers reveal why this locally born man is so passionate about representing Napier in Parliament. photography : richard brimer

What is your earliest childhood memory of growing up in Napier?

Sitting on my Dad’s shoulders wearing a black and white Hawke’s Bay knitted hat and scarf during one of the Ranfurly Shield parades through Emerson Street.

What is the proudest moment of your life so far?

Having my first child. It is a remarkable experience that I shall never forget.

And raising children, while having its challenges, is a huge privilege.

As a child what did you want to become?

I wanted to become a doctor. Reality set in at about Year 12, at Napier Boys' High School, when my grades in biology and chemistry were not making the cut.

What is your favourite aspect about living in Napier?

I love the spirit of Napier people and their fierce determination to maintain our identity as a unique city. I am convinced this spirit will remain unchanged regardless of the amalgamation outcome.

What was the most important thing you learnt at school that you could pass on to other Napier students?

Nothing ever substitutes for hard work. You may be talented in sports, music or as an academic. Those who rely purely on their talent will only have a fleeting time at the top. Those who combine talent with hard work will reap the rewards they deserve.

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How do you like to relax when you are not Chris Tremain the MP? I love jumping on my mountain bike and going for a ride in the forest. I've taken up orienteering with the kids and am really enjoying the sport. I also enjoy cooking a good risotto with a great HB wine.

What is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?

I was crossing the English Channel with my Dad’s 1991 Rugby World Cup Tour Party. My Dad gave me a room to sleep in with two of the tour party who he told me were already asleep. After a few beers I went down to the room, opened the door and crept into the top bunk. At about 6.30am I awoke to a woman screaming (to her husband) that there was a tramp in the room. Wrong room.

Very embarrassing!

Who as an influential person in your life do you admire the most?

My Mum and Dad. Dad because he taught me to treat everyone the same, to say ‘gidday’ to everyone as you walk down the street, and to never judge people before you get to know them. My Mum because she has very strong values which she expects everyone to live up to.

Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Chris Tremain MP, 96 Station Street, Napier.

What is the most inspiring moment of your life so far?

Attending the London Paralympics where I watched Chinese Paralympian Qing Xu win the gold in the s6 100m freestyle. He qualified 8th and had only half of one arm.

To see this live, to appreciate the challenges that this athlete faced every day, and to see him win the final was truly inspiring.

What advice would you give to yourself five years ago?

If you do what you've always done you'll get what you always got. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone - regularly.

The more you do it the easier it becomes!

What are the biggest things you’ve learned in life to date?

1. The grass is rarely greener on the other side of the fence. Work with what you've got to make it better.

2. Seek contentment not always the next best thing. Happiness will come to you when you are content with what you have.

3. Balance in all things. I'm not into crazy diets, insane exercise regimes or hysterical green politicians who constantly forecast the end of the world.

If you weren't a politician what would you like to do?

I would like to get back into business.

I think the opportunities ahead of us, as New Zealanders and as a nation, are absolutely huge with massive demand from Asia for many of New Zealand's products, including tourism. The future for our vibrant country is very exciting!

At any stage of your life if you could do it again differently what would you do?

I would have wanted my Dad to live beyond 54, to come to my wedding, to meet my kids, and to come to my maiden speech in Parliament. Kel was a huge personality, but died way too young! napier life magazine 2013 / 14

What is your favourite book and why?

Steven Covey’s ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’. It's a great read! First seek to understand and then seek to be understood is one of his seven mantras.

What are the five important things you would include in your things-to-do list?

1. Visit the old city of Jerusalem. Not because I'm devoutly religious, but because it's such a melting pot of people and culture.

2. Walk all of New Zealand’s great walks.

3. Take my grandchildren on adventures.

4. Become a really good cook. I owe my wife Ange a lot of time in the kitchen.

5. Work to make Hawke's Bay the ‘Most want to move to’ province in New Zealand.

www.christremain.co.nz 109

ON-LINE ANNOUNCEMENT 1933

Collection of Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi

FIVE $1,000 CASH PRIZES TO BE WON PLUS LOTS OF BONUS PRIZES! Tourism is vital to Napier’s economy and there has been so much happening of late that makes our city an even better place to visit. And YOU are the best person to tell your friends about how great it is! So help us spread the word and you could be rewarded.

how to win!

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Go to www.napierlife.com and click on ‘Building a Better Napier’

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Enter the name and email of a friend who lives in New Zealand or overseas

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We’ll send a fun email invitation on your behalf from you and the Mayor, inviting your friend to join us in Napier for a holiday

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Every friend you invite puts you in the draw to win $1,000 cash. The more friends you invite, the more chances you have to win.

So go for your life and invite as many of your out of town friends as possible to join us in Building a Better Napier this holiday season.

comment culture role artmodel deco

LAST WORD This year’s Last Word comes from popular New Zealand TV presenter and radio talk back host Mike Hosking. Taken from a live recording during his Newstalk ZB morning programme, Mike tells us exactly why he thinks Napier is a role model for the rest of the country. words : mike hosking

“I have to tip my hat this morning to Napier, Napier in the Hawke’s Bay region is a wonderful place.

They had their famed Art Deco festival over the weekend and it reminded me of when I was there about a month back and they were in full preparation.

I was in an antique shop and plans were being laid, there was a lot of chat about it, plans being made, clothing was being organised, it was clearly a very, very big deal.

“There are places you go in this country outside the main centres where you can see things aren’t quite right, aren’t what they could be. But then there’s Napier – Napier is what provincial New Zealand should be. It’s got enough of the cosmopolitan to attract the tourists and not leaving them feeling like they’re in ‘Hicksville’ but they mix it with enough specific self confidence that they don’t look like they are trying to be something bigger than they are not and they have the advantage of the natural bits that many other places also have, but they don’t make use of.

“So by the time you’ve done the shops and the antiques and the food and the wine, it’s a place that makes you want to come back. Martinborough has the wine festival as does Marlborough, but Napier has Art Deco and important local events that boosts the profile and sharpen the brand.

“Napier also has the wonderful advantage of being visually the way it is. No earthquake, no Art Deco.

So out of tragedy comes something that continues to serve them well for many decades later – there’s a good message in that for Christchurch.

“And there is a mood about the place, most people seem genuinely upbeat and certainly very friendly.

There’s a sophistication about the place. It’s had the advantage of old farming money and being enhanced a bit by the arrival of people from bigger centres who see the weather, vistas and a touch of the urban they can easily transition to. I don’t know how much of this has been specifically planned as opposed to the stars being aligned and it’s all worked out well.

“But if you’re looking for role models on what a decent sized town and province could and should be, then Napier is your subject!

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“In a country where too many people have ended up in one place, at some point someone is going to have to address population distribution, but in doing so once you go beyond Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, the provinces not only get forgotten but some – to be blunt – let themselves down by not quite having the appeal and opportunity that places like Hawke’s Bay present.

“Technology has to be able to help in linking places like Napier to bigger markets and therefore building work potential. You can’t tell me immigrants and returning kiwis wouldn’t look at places like Hawke’s Bay if the links and transport were good enough. It’s an untapped potential.

“But for now though, it’s a pretty damned good place the way it is.” www.newstalkzb.co.nz

NAPIER CITY

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Napier Owned and Operated Centrally Located Opening hours 6am to midnight, 7 days 500 Car Parks SHOP’n GO

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Munroe Street, Napier.

Ph 06 834 3450

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VISIT THE CENTRE OF

NAPIER

Want to take a fabulous Art Deco flight, watch a magnificent movie, or carouse in a 30's car?

Your glorious Napier heritage and shopping experience starts right here.

The wonderful Art Deco Centre is your premier destination for information, walk & tour bookings, unique gifts and fabulous entertainment. Entry is free into Napier’s latest spectacularly renovated 1930's building, acclaimed as one of city’s leading attractions for locals and visitors alike.

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The Art Deco Centre Cnr of Tennyson/Herschell Streets, Napier (opposite the Museum). Open 7 days 9am-5pm.

P + 64 6 835 0022 Freephone 0800 427 833 Email trust@artdeconapier.com Web www.artdeconapier.com

ART DECO TRUST

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