Nelson Magazine - May 2023

TIME FOR cosy style

THE HISTORY OF TRAFALGAR ST

A gift of LIFE

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“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” – Tony Robbins

Nelson Magazine designer Kara-Shay Manson casually dropped into conversation she was heading to Christchurch to visit her godson Will, who also happened to be the result of her donating her eggs, I was in awe. What an incredibly selfless thing to do.

I remember how I felt when my husband’s grandmother told us after years of struggling to get pregnant, she wanted to pay for a vasectomy (what she actually meant was IVF). I had never in my life been offered something so magnificent, and felt it was too great to accept. After much discussion we accepted her generous offer, excited by the chance that if the IVF was a success, our dreams would come true, and we’d be able to share our happiness with her. Ruth later passed away two years after Hugo was born, but for those two years for her, he was the gift which kept giving, and continues to be so for us every day.

I don’t think there’s a better gift you can both give, and receive, than that of a child, especially when someone has longed for one for over eight years, like Jane had, the woman Kara donated her eggs to.

In this month’s edition Kara shares her story about why she wanted to help a person she had never met become a mother, and to hopefully inspire others to consider egg donation.

Finally, happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother figures.

EDITOR

Sarah Board | editor@nelsonmag.co.nz

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Tessa Jaine | tess@topsouthmedia.co.nz

DESIGN

Kara-Shay Manson, Patrick Connor and Kylie Owens

CONTRIBUTORS

Judene Edgar, Felicity Connell, Britt Coker, Adrienne Matthews, Matt Lawrey, Amy Russ, Mackenzie Charleton

ADVERTISING

Kirsten Ammann | kirsten@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Kara-Shay Manson | kara@topsouthmedia.co.nz

PUBLISHER

Top South Media 563 Main Rd, Stoke topsouthmedia.co.nz

issuu.com/nelsonweekly

What do you do for mum for Mother’s Day?

I write her a note saying ‘I love you’.

We

CaliWoods is a woman-led bCorp whose focus is on sustainable alternatives for home, personal care, baby, and on the go. We have a CaliWoods kitchen kit to giveaway including reusable baking mats, food covers, and stainless pegs, worth $125. To be into win email your best photo to editor@nelsonmag.co.nz

Congratulations to Jill Powrie who has won a double pass to Don McLean.

2023 IN STORE NOW

Cooper Kent

We eat chocolate cake in bed for breakfast.

Ira Duncan It is going to be a surprise.

Julijus Focas

go to the beach and get ice cream.

Mackenzie Hollyman

Fifeshire sunset.

Jill Powrie

Up to 45% of heat can be lost through windows, and well-fitting curtains and blinds can reduce that heat loss by up to 60%.

Talk to us now about free curtain making and have your windows covered by the time the cold weather arrives.

Building or renovating? We can quote from plans.

Trish Gray - Co-owner Guthrie Bowron, Richmond

Tornado trouble

Headliners

What made news in our region...

Clean-ups and repairs are on the mind of affected residents in the Moutere Hills after a tornado tore through the area on Easter Monday. The tornado – which is believed to have formed somewhere in Gardener Valley – knocked out power by throwing a shed into a power line before it wreaked havoc along Petra Way, just off Old Coach Road. Cathie and Andrew Gould have an olive orchard along Petra Way where about 200 trees – just six weeks from harvest – were uprooted, with many thrown dozens of metres away and some even landing on roofs. “They just became missiles,” Cathie says.

The future of Stoke Memorial Hall

Three years after the closure of the Stoke Memorial Hall, the Nelson Returned and Services Association (RSA) is urging Nelson City Council to act on the fate of the beleaguered building. “The hall remains there being unused,” says local RSA committee member Ian Barker. “The community of Stoke would like to see it used again.” The hall was closed in March 2020 after a detailed seismic assessment found the building to only be at 17 per cent of the New Building Standard (NBS). With a rebuild potentially being cheaper than carrying out strengthening work, it remains undecided as to what the hall’s future is.

Leftover food to be rescued

Leftover food at Greenmeadows Café, along with a number of other businesses, is now going on the food rescue app ‘Foodprint’ at discounted prices to reduce food waste and benefit the community. The app has been launched in the Nelson Tasman region as part of its expansion around the country and about 20 local eateries have already partnered with it to sell surplus food that would otherwise be wasted. Customers ‘rescue’ food by purchasing it within the app at discounted prices and collect it from the eatery, with the goal of reducing food waste and its associated emissions when it ends up in landfill.

Victory housing development

Nelson Tasman Housing Trust is progressing with plans to transform Totara Street in Victory with six new homes following the purchase of two houses from Nelson City Council last year. Founding trustee and NTHT director Carrie Mozena says the resource consent application was lodged in February and they are hoping to get onsite by mid-year. “Council has an assigned planner, and we will walk through the process with them. Hopefully, we could begin to clear the site this winter.” The two houses are empty and fencing has gone up around the site.

New principal for Hope School

Hope School continues its run of an all-female staff with the posting of new principal Kathrine Mytton who started last month. The former acting principal for Riwaka School says she’s honoured and humbled to serve at the school. “It’s a unique and special place that I am incredibly excited to become a part of. I have been fortunate to inherit a committed staff and I feel truly privileged to be given this opportunity. I believe in our joint capabilities and my strength is not as an individual but as a collective.”

Mini McGazzaland

Plans for a McGazzaland-style bike skills park at Brightwater’s Lord Rutherford Park are well underway with designs already drawn up and fundraising strategies being discussed. Dan Shallcrass, who was behind McGazzaland in Wakefield and is now a councillor at Tasman District Council, says that Brightwater is crying out for something similar. Chairman of the Brightwater Community Council, Matt Stuart, says it’s an opportunity for locals to have their say and get involved. As well as overhauling the main dirt track, Matt says proposed plans include turning a grassy area by the car park into an asphalted zone for smaller children to use with scooters and bikes.

Things we love

Dr Peter McIlroy has been honoured to attend the birth events of many Nelson whānau throughout the last 26 years, helping new-born babies through their first moments of life. Now the Nelson paediatrician has taken his job a step further, taking photos to be printed on the walls of the birthing suites at Nelson Hospital to make it a more relaxing space for mothers.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

Kara-Shay Manson

Pages 18-20

“I had this deep knowing from day dot that everything would work out first try, but I still fell to my knees when I got the news; it was such a beautiful relief.”

Getting to know... Karen Scott

Karen Scott is coordinating the fundraising initiative 100k’s in 30 Days in Nelson Tasman. After recently learning that 12 women in her family through the generations have had breast cancer, she is very passionate about uplifting women by supporting them through the Nelson Regional Breast and Gynaecological Cancer Trust (NRBGCT).

At the weekend you’ll find me...

Usually walking Tāhunanui Beach, exploring our backyard in the Abel Tasman, or riding my bike, which is still not my friend because I fell off it!

I wish more people knew…

That I am not THAT Karen! My father is Danish so it is pronounced Karn, but I do let people know nicely and am never offended.

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken...

Is saying “yes” after one week, then getting married within three months. Six kids and fifteen grandchildren later, and after forty-six years, I’m still saying “yes” to crazy adventures and living life on the edge with my intrepid photographer husband Vaughan.

I get my coffee fix from...

Home. Made with passion every day by the best personal barista and his much loved La Pavoni hand press coffee machine. It’s an art!

My greatest success is…

My six children who inspire and challenge me - three boys and three girls. A RNZAF flight officer, a personal trainer, a neuroscientist, graphic designer, IT architect and a community-focused leader. Scientists and creatives, introverts and extroverts, it’s a wild ride.

My simple pleasures are…

Being silly with the grandies on a video chat and watching a Netflix series with chocolate and a good wine.

Greatest advice to myself as a young mum…

Roll with the punches, your scars tell your story, eat dessert first sometimes. If the home is happy don’t stress about a messy house, celebrate small wins and choose joy.

The colour that best describes me is...

Pink. I love a bit of pink. It speaks of fun, nurture, joy, compassion, roses, my mum’s favourite flower and reminds me that breast cancer is cruel.

The most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done is...

Organise an afternoon tea for the NRBGCT as soon as lockdowns were lifted. People were isolated and stressed in the community and just wanted to reconnect, so connect we did, with laughter and treats, and raised $6,000 over a cuppa.

I get myself out of a funk by...

Sitting in my special chair I bought when I was particularly low after my mum passed away from breast cancer. It pops with colour and reminds me of her and to be grateful for each day.

At a party you’ll find me…

Talking about another fundraising initiative because I just want everyone to get involved in 100k’s in 30 Days in May - run, walk, cycle or swimget fit and have fun while you fundraise and, of course, wear pink!

My colour...

My passion...

on the couch

with Alexandra Isherwood and Paul Le Gros

Nelson’s Isherwood Le Gros Law has recently merged with Canterbury based firm, Tavendale and Partners. Nelson Magazine chatted with the firm’s local Partners, Alexandra Isherwood and Paul Le Gros, about the merger and what working in a contemporary law firm is like.

Law firms are often thought of as serious, stuffy places that people go to as a last resort when they have problems. Is that really the case?

The legal industry as a whole is still quite traditional with many firms operating under an old-fashioned hierarchical system. We strive to do things differently by valuing and investing in our team who are all highly trained and very people focused.

In terms of our clients, properly understanding what they do and what they need is the most important thing for achieving good outcomes. By really knowing them, we can offer practical advice and creative solutions to any challenges they might be facing in either their personal life or business plans. Above all else though, we try to make sure that anyone who comes through our doors feels welcome. We don’t think our clients would call us serious and stuffy!

What were the reasons for merging Isherwood Le Gros Law with Tavendale and Partners?

Merging with Tavendale and Partners allows us to maintain our relationships with existing clients, while increasing the breadth of expertise available to them. We now have on-call experts in agribusiness, resource management, employment and litigation, which will be beneficial for many of our clients. TP also have the same “people first” values while being innovative, collaborative and committed to a positive team culture that encourages everyone to achieve the best outcomes for people and businesses.

What are the main things that people can do in advance so that they are prepared if their circumstances change?

Creating or updating your will and enduring powers of attorney is a good place to start and those with a family trust should certainly have it reviewed for compliance with new trust legislation. We would also encourage people to consider how they can better protect their assets, both from business risks and the potential break down of relationships. Most importantly, if you are anticipating a big change in your life with buying a house, buying or selling a business, transferring assets to the next generation, or starting a new venture, get advice early – the earlier lawyers are involved, the more we can help to remove risks and roadblocks and reduce stress.

Do you have any advice for business owners concerned about a possible down turn in the economy?

Take stock of the essential elements of your business, both legal and financial, and be proactive in preparing for change. It’s easy to get panicky reading the current headlines, but the more prepared you are, the more resilient your business will be. It’s also important to build a team of trusted advisors around you – people who really know your business, understand your industry and encourage you to think strategically. Having the right team of people to lean on during uncertain times can make all the difference.

tp.co.nz/nelson

Addressing Nelson’s cost of living crisis

Last month, National candidate for Nelson Blair Cameron and National Deputy Leader Nicola Willis hosted the biggest political meeting of the year so far at Annesbrook Church. After their public meeting on the cost of living, they joined Nelson Magazine for a Q & A.

Blair, why did you invite Nicola to Nelson?

Blair: First, she is an absolute gem and will make an incredible deputy prime minister. And second, she is 100% focused on addressing the cost-of-living crisis. Since I was selected as National’s Nelson candidate in late February, I have been speaking with hundreds of Nelsonians about the issues we face in our region. And the number one thing that comes up time and time again is the cost of living. Food prices have skyrocketed and the average rent in Nelson has increased by $7,800 per year. I wanted to give everyone in Nelson the chance to the share their stories with Nicola and for them to hear about National’s plan to address the cost of living directly from her.

Nicola, how did your two days in Nelson go?

Nicola: I had a fantastic time in Nelson, visiting some innovative local businesses and chatting with locals about the issues they face, particularly around addressing the cost of living and strengthening the economy. The highlight of my visit had to be the public meeting on the cost of living. There was a huge turnout and I got to speak directly with hundreds of Nelsonians. Many told us they were worse off due to Labour’s economic mismanagement and are now desperate for better representatives in government who can get the economy back on track.

Is Blair Cameron someone who can help with that?

Nicola: Absolutely. Blair is an exceptionally hardworking candidate, with top notch education, and experience at the World Bank and IMF. He listens well, cares deeply about people and is determined to help National change the government by turning Nelson blue. We’ll keep doing everything we can to make that happen.

So what is your plan to address the cost of living crisis in Nelson?

Nicola: We have a five-point plan to address the crisis:

1. Refocus the Reserve Bank on keeping prices stable.

2. Stop adding unnecessary costs to businesses. For example, we would axe the government’s plans for a jobs tax to fund their social insurance pet project.

3. Reduce bottlenecks in the economy that are holding back growth. One major bottleneck we would fix is Labour’s immigration policy mess that has meant New Zealand is losing skilled workers to other countries.

4. Provide income relief for taxpayers by indexing income tax brackets to inflation. It is only fair that at a time when New Zealanders are facing a costof-living crisis, they get to keep more of their own hard-earned money.

5. Restore discipline to government spending. Labour has wasted taxpayer money by trying to centralize every aspect of the economy, be it polytechnics, local water assets or health services. National believes every government has a duty to spend taxpayers’ money as effectively and efficiently as possible. The next National government will be relentlessly focused on getting value for money and delivering results.

Blair will be posting more details about National’s plans on social media, see facebook.com/BlairCameronNelson.

Authorised by B Cameron, 544 Waimea Road, Nelson.

National Party Candidate for Nelson Blair Cameron and National Deputy leader Nicola Willis at the cost of living crisis meeting.

A gift of life

Jane Goodwin had almost given up becoming a mother, finding an egg donor that she needed was unlikely. Until she shared her fertility struggle with a friend, whose daughter was happy to make her dream come true.

Kara-Shay Manson’s “amazing, selfless gift” changed Jane’s life forever and created a life.

Jane had always hoped for “the full package” a husband, house, children – but life doesn’t always provide a story book ending. She had enjoyed a successful career, but “the forever boy never quite came along”. Having a child was always a priority for Jane, so she embarked on a solo fertility journey. After six rounds of insemination, she started in vitro fertilization (IVF); and while the acronym IVF is reasonably common and odds are we all know someone who’s had to undergo IVF to conceive, the extent of the treatment and the physical, emotional, and financial toll is immense, invasive, and complicated. Jane worked extra hours, took extra shifts, and did additional contract work to give herself the option of IVF. She even sold her house, taking her another step further away from the “full package”. “None of it felt like a sacrifice as it was my chance to have my own wee whānau.”

After six years of trying to conceive Jane started looking at other options. A friend had “gone down the egg donor route”, travelling to America where there are large egg donor banks. After investigating, Jane felt that this option was for her. Unfortunately, that’s when Covid struck, and with it, any chance of going to America for an egg donation.

“After many many years of no positive outcomes, I had to resign myself to looking at my life without a child in it,” she says. But an incidental conversation with a workmate changed everything.

“I hadn’t overly shared my journey with others because I didn’t want to raise expectations and I don’t think I would have coped with people asking how I was going all the time,” says Jane, “but I’d shared with my colleague and friend Leigh due to being too sick to travel for work on one occasion during treatment. Some months later she asked where things were up to, and I told her I had reached the end of the line as I needed an egg donor. I was unlikely to get a donor in New Zealand and was unable to travel to the States, due to Covid.”

Leigh discussed her story with her family and her daughter Kara offered to donate her eggs.

“I didn’t even question it. I knew this was something I wanted to do. I empathised with Jane’s fertility struggles and I thought, I’ve got eggs, and heck, sharing is caring”, says Kara.

Jane couldn’t believe her luck. “They rang and said we have something significant we want to discuss with you,” says Jane. “I had known Kara through working with her mum, but it was amazing. I was in tears of joy.”

Unlike the American egg donor banks, in New Zealand there is no recompense other than getting your medical costs met, but Kara says that it was such a rewarding experience. “I’m incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to do this. The whole experience gave me such a sense of purpose in a time where I was desperately searching for exactly that, a purpose.”

Before being able to donate, Kara had to embark on a several month process of counselling and testing – blood tests, uterus health, egg viability, hormone levels, follicle counts and more. “There’s lots of counselling to fully understand the consequences and emotional ramifications and to ensure that everyone is on the same page and understanding, and lots and lots of blood tests.”

One of the tests revealed that Kara had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), meaning that she had an abnormally high level of follicles in her ovaries. With the diagnosis of PCOS came pros and cons. Thankfully, Kara was still able to donate, and miraculously she produced 40 eggs (average is 10 –20), and a further miracle was that it resulted in 31 fertilized eggs, but it did mean a lot of extra work for Kara’s body, producing that many eggs.

After the tests she then started IVF, injecting herself for two weeks with follicle-stimulating hormones to grow the follicles, as well as an extra injection at day five to stop them ovulating, and a barrage of support medicines. Then on the last day of injections a special trigger shot injection was given to grow and mature the follicles ready for collection – a surgical procedure where they use a big needle that pierces through your uterus wall and into your ovaries to collect the eggs.

“Being a woman, I always knew hormones were powerful, but I definitely underestimated that power,” says Kara. “Some days were a roller-coaster, but other days were fine. The day of extraction was nervewracking, but I was pretty pleased with myself when they told me they’d extracted 40 eggs.”

Jane was finally implanted in 2021 – and as Kara predicted, it was successful – Jane’s first ever positive pregnancy. “After so many failed attempts I was

Words: Judene Edgar

1. Will full of smiles in the morning. 2. After eight years of trying to conceive Jane finally has her full package. 3. Kara is Will's godmother and enjoys seeing him when she visits Christchurch. 4. Will enjoying the sunshine. Supplied.

nervous, but Kara was always so optimistic,” says Jane. From the first call telling Jane of Kara’s offer, to Jane’s call to Kara telling her the good news that she was pregnant was nearly 12 months, but all worth it.

“I had this deep knowing from day dot that everything would work out first try, but I still fell to my knees when I got the news; it was such a beautiful relief,” says Kara. “I felt every emotion under the sun – I could only imagine waiting eight years to be a mother.”

Nine months felt like a long wait before they finally got to meet Will, but Kara says he is just the cutest little thing. “I was completely speechless and in total awe of the miracle that produced Will.” Jane lives in Christchurch with Will, who turns one at the end of May, but Kara and her family are part of an amazing extended family who wrap around him, love him, care for him and adore him. They get regular updates and are sent photos and videos via a group chat.

“I love being his ‘cool aunty’ and being part of his growth,” says Kara. “It was a big process and with so much emotion and so much to consider, but it’s such a beautiful thing to be a part of, and my whole family were all really supportive and incredibly proud of me.”

“It’s not something to be taken lightly, but it was an incredibly rewarding experience and I hope more

people will think about it.” Often it’s friends of people who offer their eggs, but the ideal donor age is 20 to 35, so the younger the better.

“I wasn’t ready to think about children for myself, and it’s changed my view on motherhood in that I don’t feel that I have to have my own children now. I might have my own children one day, but I don’t feel that I have to anymore.”

Kara and Jane wanted to share their story to encourage others to consider being egg donors. “I can’t put into words how much Kara means to me,” says Jane. “She’s phenomenal, and a part of our whānau forever. It’s the most amazing, selfless thing to do for someone else.”

But equally, Kara is in awe of Jane. “She’s so amazing with Will. He’s the luckiest wee boy to have Jane be his Māmā and I’m so incredibly thankful to have had this opportunity to do this and I just hope more people consider being an egg donor. It’s such a gift to be able to help someone on their journey to parenthood.” Find

Tessa Jaine

A good egg: Kara hopes to inspire more people to become egg donors.

Making Te Tauihu even better

In 2020 the Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy provided a blueprint for making the Top of the South in better shape for our future generations. But how are we getting on? Felicity Connell went along to Tūpuna Pono – being good ancestors which was held in Nelson last month to find out more.

Te Tauihu, the top of the South Island, is often considered a paradise by both residents and visitors alike. From Mōhua Golden Bay to Waitohi Picton, Te Tauihu is known for its relaxed lifestyle, beautiful beaches, stunning bush and its abundance of produce, from apples to kiwifruit, and from hops to grapes. But it's not all picture-perfect – a low wage economy, high house prices, and the impacts of climate change are just some of the issues facing the region.

Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy, launched in November 2020, saw iwi, local government, business and the community focus on the social, cultural, environmental and economic development across the Top of the South. The strategy aims to be a blueprint to guide collaborative efforts to prioritise the wellbeing and economy of the Top of the South.

“The question that sparked it all was, ‘are we being good ancestors?’” says Miriana Stephens, a director at Wakatū Incorporation, and one of the driving forces behind developing the strategy. “It was a question that took us on a journey to rethink, reimagine and redefine what it means to be here in Te Tauihu. Being good ancestors is more than a statement, it's actually about a deep commitment and honouring of those who've been before us and those who will inherit our decisions.”

Over two years on from the launch of the strategy, a week-long series of events under the banner of Tūpuna Pono – being good ancestors was held in Nelson in March. Tūpuna Pono was all about inspiring conversations, connection and commitment to being good ancestors as well as highlighting initiatives sparked by Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy.

Tūpuna Pono events included a two-day rangatahi hackathon looking at climate resilience from the lens of the younger generation, a debate posing the question ‘is it too late to be good ancestors?’ It also included a day-long summit where speakers canvassed topics ranging from environmental conservation, food security, future transport systems, and working towards carbon zero in the construction industry.

“It’s all about inspiring action,” says Miriana. “We wanted to look at what has been happening since the strategy was launched, and what support is needed to take these initiatives forward. When you think about some of the big challenges we are facing, it is so important that we work together.”

Tony Bowater, Paul Miller and Katrina Kidson were three of the summit speakers who shared their ideas

on what it will take to contribute to a positive future for the generations to come.

Rethinking individual vehicle ownership – the Toyota Mobility Project

Tony Bowater, CEO of Bowater Motor Group (BMG) is pretty well-known around the Nelson region.

Tony’s the third generation to work for his family’s vehicle business, started by his grandfather, Raymond Bowater, back in 1945. And as he told the summit audience, he and his family’s business would probably be considered one of the biggest carbon culprits at the summit. But for Tony, being successful in business is about being innovative, and that’s why he jumped at the chance to be involved in the pilot Toyota Mobility Project. Launched in December 2022, it’s an appbased scheme which puts the emphasis on access to vehicles, rather than individual ownership.

“We’re hoping that through this trial we’ll be changing some of the ideology around how we all access mobility,” says Tony. “We’re exploring areas and ideas that might have previously frightened us - a concept where vehicle ownership is lessened as we realize it is no longer the ambition or desire of everyone to own their own car,” Tony said.

The project uses vehicles from BMG’s own fleet. “As a motor vehicle business, we have to have demonstration vehicles. When they are just on display, they are underused resources,” explained Tony. Via the app, people access vehicles from the BMG fleet ranging from a compact hybrid Yaris to seven-seater hybrid Highlander through to a fully electric Lexus SUV. There’s even a diesel Hilux ute in the mix. “We understand that in our regions especially, sometimes you need the grunt of a Hilux. The point that we’re trying to get across is that you don’t need to own a vehicle like that yourself when you can access it whenever you need to. That’s at the core of the Mobility Project – it’s taking the emphasis off individual ownership and putting the focus on usability and sustainability,” says Tony.

Getting people to rethink individual vehicle ownership does seem radical for someone who’s been involved in selling vehicles pretty much all their lives, admits Tony. “It's very foreign for our industry to be encouraging people to think about how they own and use vehicles. But if we can get a much better utilisation of vehicles, maybe we don't need as many vehicles on the road, which will help lower carbon emissions overall.”

1. Miriana Stephens says being good ancestors is about a deep commitment and honouring of those who've been before us and those who will inherit our decisions.

2. Tony Bowater was one of the speaker who shared his thoughts on what it will take to contribute to a positive future for generations to come.

Moving from farming to fermentation

Paul Miller, CEO of local engineering firm Kernohan, shared his vision about the future of foods. He outlined for the summit audience some of the food production challenges future generations will face, and how the top of the south is well-placed to be part of the solution. By 2050, which is only 27 years from now, there will be another 2 billion people on this planet, which will require 30 million hectares of new farmable land to feed the additional population - 24 times more than the total farmed land in New Zealand.

Paul’s solution is to think small, and to look more closely at the role that yeast, bacteria and microalgae have in producing our food. “Fermentation is nothing new,” Paul explained. “It’s how we get bread, cheese, beer, sauerkrauts, kimchi, tofu and the like. But what is new is how the conversation is shifting from fermentation to precision fermentation, and from farming to fermenting. More and more ingredients are being produced via fermentation.”

This includes rennet, crucial in making cheese, which was traditionally harvested from the stomachs of new-born calves. Now it’s been fermented in tanks, making it more sustainable, with a bonus that it’s suitable for vegetarians. Insulin and vanilla flavouring were other examples of products now mostly manufactured via precision fermentation. “These are the real deal, not alternatives or substitutes. They’re exactly the same compounds and molecules that we used to harvest from animals, now being produced by fermentation.”

Paul reckons that New Zealand, and specifically the Top of the South, is well placed to be at the forefront of the future of food, and that precision fermentation has the potential to transform our region. “We need to produce more food to feed a growing population, using fewer resources. Precision fermentation is a paradigmchanging innovation that can unlock affordable nutrition for the world's growing population.”

The future of food starts here, according to Paul.

“We really do have most of the key pieces in our region. Our region's heavy primary production focus on forestry, fishing and food means that we have exceptional engineering services along with one of the highest concentrations of scientists and researchers in the country. We also have one of the most connected airports and a port that gives us global reach. Our region is in a unique position to lead this transition,

though we must continue to strengthen our region's combination of scientific leadership, engineering expertise and innovation infrastructure.”

Helping local businesses take action on climate change

As a business coach, Katrina Kidson’s passion in life is helping people be happier at work. Through her role as chair of Business for Climate Action, she’s also passionate about helping local businesses get the information and support they need to start their journey to tackle climate change. She shared with the summit how Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy workshops back in 2019 were the spark to establish the organisation.

“Florence Van Dyke from Chia Sisters was on one of the panels that Johny O’Donnell facilitated. They enjoyed their conversation so much that they wanted to take it from just talking to actually doing something that would support the local business community. So from that conversation, Businesses for Climate Action was formed.”

Katrina says that most local businesses do want to measure and then reduce their carbon footprint, but with all the other day-to-day pressures of running a business, it’s often put in the ‘not right now’ basket.

“We see our role at Business for Climate Action and Mission Zero as coaching and cheerleadingenergising, motivating and equipping businesses to take that first step. And once they've done that saying, ‘here's another little step you can take.’”

One of their successful initiatives was the Climate Leaders programme, where all the participants came with an idea for a project that would have a regional impact. One of those projects, Refill Revolution, making it easy for businesses to offer refilling, already has around 120 businesses signed up, and it’s gone national with some big suppliers keen to be involved.

Mission Insights, a video podcast series, is another initiative. “It is so powerful when you see and hear what others have been doing. So we've recorded local businesses sharing their warts and all journeys to measure and reduce carbon, and what they've learned in the process. It’s a great way to spread ideas, insights and inspiration.”

businessesforclimateaction.co.nz missionzero.nz

The Lawrey Story

We all know Nelson can be a great place to raise kids but Matt Lawrey reckons we sometimes lose sight of how lucky we are when it comes to our schools. He also argues that Nayland College’s introduction of a zone isn’t the big deal some people think.

Iknow it sounds mean, but I pity parents in other parts of the country.

In the years before I became a dad, people would say to me, “you think Nelson’s great now but just wait until you have kids.” I used to respond with a polite smile and nod but, to be honest, I had no idea what they were talking about. Once we became parents, however, it became very clear that those people really did know what they were talking about.

There’s no doubt about it, if you’ve got somewhere to live and you’re not skint, Whakatū is a brilliant place to raise kids. I had a great childhood growing up in Wellington but the truth is most of my memories come with concrete-coloured skies, wind and a fair bit of rain – much of it of the sideways variety. By contrast, our kids’ memories will be a lot sunnier and include lots of time spent at the beach and jumping into rivers.

Possibly the number one reason I feel sorry for parents in other parts of the nation, though, is the huge amount of energy so many of them spend angsting over education. Seriously, the amount of time that people in other towns and cities spend worrying about what school their kids are going to attend and whether or not they’re in the right zone is tragic.

Gloriously, we don’t really have that problem here because Nelson-Whakatū has no bad schools. It doesn’t matter where you live, your local school is ready and willing to give your kid a good education. Occasionally, we lose sight of our good fortune. Recently there’s been indignation in some quarters over Nayland College’s introduction of zoning, thereby denying families in town the option of a state co-ed secondary school. Not having been to a co-ed secondary school myself, and being generally happy with the education our sons are receiving at Nelson College, I struggle to relate to this concern. I should add that attending a single sex secondary

school does not appear to have stopped me, or my friends, from enjoying healthy and happy relationships with women.

I have no doubt that, the way society is going, single sex state schools will eventually become a thing of the past and that Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls will one day merge. Personally, I really like the idea of NCG becoming the city’s junior high school and NC becoming its senior high.

For now, though, us townies have to deal with what we’ve got and I really don’t think that not having a co-ed option is as big a deal as some people might have you think.

The way I see it, there are advantages and disadvantages in both single sex and co-ed models, most local boys and girls spend primary school and intermediate together, and there are plenty of opportunities for them to hang out when they’re not in class at Nelson College or Nelson College for Girls.

I’m also a big believer in the societal, familial and individual benefits that come with kids attending their local school. So, if you live in town and can’t bear the idea of your kids going to a single sex school, then move to Stoke, become part of that community, and send your kids to Nayland. If you don’t want to live in Stoke or moving seems like too much of a headache, just relax. Take a breath and a moment to reflect on how lucky we are, in the greater scheme of things, to live in a city full of good schools and hardworking teachers who care about our kids and their education. Then take a minute to think about how much more enlightened education has become across the board since we were at school. If that doesn’t work, take moment to picture all those parents in other parts of the country stressing about education and ask yourself: would I rather live here and have the options I’ve got or live somewhere else and have more choice but a whole lot more grief? Call me crazy but I’m quite comfortable with what we’ve got.

Students attending a science class at Nelson College.

Make mum’s day this Mother’s Day with gift ideas from Morrison Square

244 Hardy Street Open 7 Days

1. Hartleys | Scarf $40, Reading glasses $25, Bag $50

2. Mariposa | Ceela leggings autumn $49, Happy To Sit On Your Face sunglasses $79, Tree necklace $15

3. Merric | Bag $79.99, Scarf $15, Bracelet $10

4 Moochi | Thread earring gold $129.99, Xx necklace gold $159.99

5. The Rock Box | Eb&ive candle $39, Mona tan glove $59.99, Bracelets $45, Isle of Mine earring $29, Eb&ive earring $35.99

6. Sunglass Style | Jimmy Choo Nena/S black grey shaded $599, Marc Jacobs Havana brown shaded $269

7. Colombus Coffee | Gift Card

8. Flo & Frankie | House of Chocolate heart $13.90, Card $6.90, Huski wine tumbler $39.90, Circa diffuser $54.90, Bianca Lorrene Lavette petal wash cloths set of 3 $34.90

9. Morrison Square | Gift Card

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A windy road to happily ever after

There have been a few false starts, but Andrew and Trish Spooner are finally husband and wife after 30-odd years, one failed engagement and plenty of long-distance correspondence. Britt Coker finds out more.

Is there really such a thing as one true love? Susan Marr Spalding describes the experience in her poem, Fate “…That, one day, out of darkness they shall meet, and read life's meaning in each other's eyes.” In The Princess Bride, Miracle Max also cites its existence, rating the experience a commendable second place. “True love is the greatest thing in the world… except for a nice MLT, mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, when the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe.” But these are the words of poets and miracle men. Perhaps soul mates exist only as essential ingredients of all good verse and fairy tale formulas.

Once upon a time, a young Australian woman living in Brisbane called Trish met a Kiwi man called Andrew when she was visiting Sydney. It was love at first sight - for him at least (“He was just a really lovely guy who was willing to show me some sights in Sydney and I really appreciated that”). So much then, for reading life’s meaning in each other’s eyes. Trish had a boyfriend back in Brizzie and thought nothing of their first meeting. But Andrew was enamoured. After she returned home, he showed up begging her to be his girlfriend. Trish politely declined. Dude, she already has a boyfriend. Fast forward a couple of years though, and her relationship ends, motivating a shift to Adelaide to live with her parents for a while. Good news travels fast and guess who knocked on the door? Luckily the stalker undertones give way at this point to a beautiful love story about a young couple who embark on a wonderful relationship together….for almost two years until he suddenly, inexplicably, breaks up with her.

“He said [recently] that there was a moment where he piggybacked me home from work one day and sat me on the edge of a wall, and he locked eyes with me and he was going to ask me to marry him but he suddenly thought I would say no because he wasn't good enough for me. That I would probably choose better. It was all in his mind. I had no idea that he was thinking those things.”

Oblivious of his insecurities and reeling from the breakup, Trish moves back to her hometown in Perth. To help her get over the relationship, she metaphorically boxes up her love for Andrew and shelves it somewhere she won’t easily find. Three weeks later she meets a guy at a party and six months later she marries him.

Trish has married a man she doesn’t love to forget about Andrew. The plan works well. She is fully committed to the marriage, does fall in love with her husband, and goes on to become a mother of five. However, her marriage over time turns out to be very difficult and it eventually ends after 23 years. Three and a half years later - for a reason she can’t remember – Trish finds and messages Andrew on Facebook.

‘Hey handsome.’

‘Hello beautiful.’

Coincidentally, Andrew’s own marriage also ended three and a half years ago, so they’re both single. But this doesn’t mean anything folks, because their renewed connection is completely platonic. He lives here in Richmond and she’s still in Perth, so he ably adopts the title of ‘just a good friend’. The box’s ties hold tight. And then…

“And then, during that seven months I think the lid of the box started to come off and I started to remember how much I loved this man and how much joy he brought to my life, and I guess the chatting got more and more loving, and then one day he said to me, ‘I'd love to see you, can we meet up somewhere?’”

She suggested Sydney for their reunion, the place where they met and where one of them fell in love. By this time, they haven’t seen each other for 30 years.

“I had come through a time of absolute emotional pain from my marriage, and I was very nervous to enter into this relationship so broken, but I also had the great trust in this man who I knew was going to love me properly, I just knew that about him.”

This time, as soon as they looked into each other’s eyes, they read life’s meaning in them. Andrew pulled out an engagement ring and proposed at the airports arrival gate and Trish said yes, and they lived happily ever after. Well, that’s how it was supposed to go and maybe it would’ve, but this was 2020, the year of living differently. The night Andrew returned home to New Zealand the country went into lockdown and the boarders closed.

“It was a long distance relationship, purely phone calls and messages, but to be honest that was enough. This man would write the most beautiful things to me. We would have at least three calls every single day, talking up to five hours some nights.”

For two and a half years the couple continued with their long-distance love story. Her workmates may

Andrew and Trish finally married in August last year. Sophie Milson.

have called him ‘The Cardboard Cut-out,’ but he was pretty real to her. Despite their close daily contact, the global vibe was still very much that of isolation and separation. Andrew was pessimistic about the future and the borders ever reopening and ultimately felt the distance was too painful and that the relationship should end. Wait, what? But this is true love. Did he think this happens every day?

Trish didn’t agree with him but reluctantly sent the engagement ring back. While she was packaging up the jewellery, her feelings for him did not get the same treatment this time around. The opposite happened, in fact.

“I had a lot of dreams. I saw myself in a wedding dress, I saw him in a groom’s suit, I saw us getting married, I saw where I would live, near the snow-capped mountains. I saw all of these things in dreams one after the other. I saw this pandemic as a giant standing between the two countries and I saw him fall down and our two countries come together. But he couldn't [see any of this], so I sent the ring back. I said, can we just remain friends and he basically said no. So we decided to completely cut all communication and all I had was his e-mail address.”

After seven months with no communication between them, Trish emailed Andrew just to let him know that she was coming to New Zealand for a two-week holiday. He didn’t know it, but she came because of those dreams.

“In a dream I even saw the date written on the side of a box of when our wedding day would be, Tuesday the 23rd of August, 2022”.

They ended up meeting for a coffee at which point he said, 'Can you just stay here for an hour?’, and then promptly drove home and returned, pulling the engagement ring out of a pocket that it never went back in to.

“He said, ‘will you please put this back on your finger and will you just stay here with me’ and in that month both of my boys decided that they wanted to move out of home and I lost my job through a back injury, and the lease on my rental ran out. So I was childless, homeless and jobless if I returned to Australia, so when he asked would I stay, of course I said ‘yes.’”

That was July last year, a month later they were married on the day she dreamt they would, wearing the wedding dress she saw she would.

“I walked into one bridal shop in Motueka and I told the girl, I've had a dream of a wedding dress and this is what it looks like, and she found it in the back of her shop.”

Over the years, Trish, who goes by the pen name April May, has drawn on her own life experiences to write three books that she launched in New Zealand last month. The first, about hope, faith and inspirational true stories. The second is a rhyming book written for young children experiencing loss and grief of a sibling. She wrote it after the stillbirth of her fifth child and the way her youngest dealt with the tragedy.

“My two-year-old had an absolute rock-solid faith and knowledge of where his little sister was. He would have dreams of Heaven and he would see her there playing and he was just absolutely delighted that she was in this wonderful magical place while we were all grief stricken and crying. I realised that his faith was so strong that wouldn't it be amazing for every child to have that assurance like he did, and that was the inspiration behind writing the book.”

Her third book is a novel inspired by true accounts of emotional healing, ‘written for women who have been hurt and need to be healed’. Women like Trish, for whom the course of true love has not run smooth. But finally with Andrew, she’s got her happily ever after.

“I love being here with him, I miss my kids and I miss my friends, but I know this is where I'm meant to be.”

aprilmaygems.com

Riding into married life on Andrew's Triumph Tiger.

Sophie Milson

The history of Trafalgar St

Trafalgar Street has been the beating heart of Nelson for 180 years. Amy Russ takes a closer look at the city’s main drag and how it changed over the decades.

Surrounded by hills and compactly built, Nelson was named after the British naval commander Admiral Lord Nelson. The city has many names that make a nod to England and to Horatio Nelson’s famous sea battles – including Albion Square and Britannia Heights. Trafalgar Street is named after the 1805 battle in which Nelson died and the top of Trafalgar Street is widely regarded as the historic centre of Nelson. Upon his death, Lord Nelson’s final words were reputed to be, ‘Kiss me Hardy’. Thomas Hardy was the flag-captain and a close friend of Nelson’s. In fitting form, Nelson’s Hardy Street, is at right angles to Trafalgar Street.

It is known that early Māori lived in the region since the 1300s and the area that is Whakatū. Before the arrival of Europeans, Church Hill had been known

as Pikimai and was the site of a pa. According to the collaborative venture, The Prow, for European settlers in the early 1840s it appeared to be unoccupied with no permanent settlements. The site of the city was chosen in 1841 when its strategic position was quickly put to use by Sir Arthur Wakefield and the New Zealand Company with the pitching of his tent on its summit and a pole used as a surveying marker to lay out Nelson’s main thoroughfares. It was not long before a temporary cluster of buildings became landmarks on the hill and the city’s first cathedral was opened in 1851. In 1858, with a little over 5,000 people, Queen Victoria made Nelson a city with the seat of an Anglican bishop. Cattle still wandered the streets, but from 1860 onwards the population growth

Trafalgar Street 1882.

increased and new suburbs slowly developed. The wide range of heritage buildings around Trafalgar Street are testimony to its importance in Victorian and Edwardian times. Trafalgar Street has remained the city’s main shopping area with the impressive Christ Church Cathedral dominating the landscape. As the country emerged from the Depression in 1936 the city’s population topped 12,000. Unfortunately, many iconic and historic buildings were demolished and replaced in the 1980’s back when there was little regard for significant heritage value. But some buildings have managed to weather the onset of change and still grace our main precinct. Often, we walk the streets only noticing things at ground level, but looking above our usual line of sight, it is easy to pick out the historic buildings. Now housing a mixture of residential apartments and business premises it is easy to imagine the role these buildings played in the forming of our city all those years ago.

The Municipal Building, which was built for Nelson City Council in 1903 was originally sited on the eastern corner of Trafalgar Street and Trafalgar Square. This was demolished in 1990 and is now a preserved site. A donation from the trustees of H. C. Cock Charitable Trust enabled the Council to make the site a reserve in October 1992 and develop it as an enhanced open space. The 1903 Square commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar with a work of art and a plaque in a cobbled square and is an important site for public performances.

On the corner of Trafalgar Street, opposite the Church Steps, lies the Smythes Building at 300 Trafalgar Street, built by innovative dentist J.W Tatton in 1884 who resided with his family upstairs and ran his

dentistry on the lower floor. The building has housed a wide range of organisations including accountants, lawyers, and Waimea Council offices, and now is a bustling fine dining restaurant Eight Plates.

In late 1842, in the area known as Town Acre 445, New Zealand’s first museum was sited. The Literary and Scientific Institution of Nelson (the Institute) opened firstly as a library (with attached museum storehouse) before subsequently incorporating the museum. The Nelson Womens Club building, located on this very site at 320 Trafalgar Street, once housed one of the region's most well-known coffee shops, Chez Elco, and the building is now home to popular Southeast Asian restaurant, Hawker House.

Standing on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Streets, the Commercial Hotel was built in 1842 and was replaced by a two-storey building in 1883. Added to in 1907 and 1936, before being renamed Hotel Nelson, it stood until permits for it to be demolished were approved in 1986. After several location changes the Nelson Provincial Museum set up in 2005, back in its historical Insitute roots on the original site of the Commercial Hotel.

At 284 Trafalgar Street, Hopgoods sits in what was formerly known as the Dalgety & Company Ltd Building. Offering a stylish backdrop to the food and wine, the building was designed and constructed in 1929 by New Zealand architect Arthur Reynolds Griffin. Mr Griffin was the grandson of the founder of biscuit manufacturer Griffin and Sons Limited, John Griffin, and is responsible for many of the CBD’s most iconic buildings, including the construction of the Nelson Church steps in 1913, the nearby Plunket and Restroom Buildings at 324 Trafalgar Street, the

1. The Literary and Scientific Institution of Nelson (the Institute) opened in 1842, New Zealands’ first museum. In 1892 the building was occupied by Miss Cooper, dressmaker. It is now home to Hawker House and the Nelson Womens Club is upstairs. Miss Cooper, dressmaker, Trafalgar St. Nelson Provincial Musuem, Maguire Collection: 46829 2. Trafalgar St, Queen Victoria Jubilee, 1887. Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection: 181975

A journey through time

: Top of the South Island, New Zealand History, nelsontasman.nz, supplied.

Queens Gardens Memorial gates, the Nelson Institute Building on Hardy Street built in 1912, the Trafalgar Hotel at 175 which was built in 1908 and demolished in 1966, and the original Nelson Hospital.

Down at 243 lies ‘The Ritz Louis Kerr Ltd’ building, also built by Mr Griffin in 1930. Gustaves Menswear have long sold their fashionable wares from this building, but sadly, after 40 years in business and a clientele that included a former prime minister and various visiting celebrities, their closed their doors earlier this year. The Trathens building which once stood at 191 Trafalgar Street is also a string on Mr Griffins bow, boasting an iconic facade with a beautiful roofline window. The 1920s building was constructed in the Neo Mannerist style and had a Category 2 Heritage listing. It was somewhat controversially demolished in 2016.

The Glasgow Building at 281 Trafalgar Street was built in 1889 for the New Zealand Insurance Company. It was taken over in 1916 by solicitors and used as legal offices until 1979 and then as council offices before its conversion in 1992 to the Victorian Rose. Now known as The Vic Public House, it is a popular bar and restaurant for locals and visitors, especially over the summer months and since the top of Trafalgar Street became permanently pedestrianfriendly in October 2019.

The beautiful brick building at 240 Trafalgar Street, nestled between ANZ and Whitcoulls, has a Category 2 Heritage listing and was built in 1929 in the Edwardian Baroque style by Houlker and Duke architects, while the former PSIS building at 194-196 Trafalgar Street, with timber rusticated weatherboards, is also a Category 2 listed heritage building which was completed at a much earlier date, in 1880.

Further down the street at 91 Trafalgar you will find a fine example of Art Deco, Art Moderne style, which houses State Cinemas. Designed by H. Francis Willis and built by James Baird, the building was opened in 1936 as the State Chambers. With a Heritage B Historic Places Trust listing it was redeveloped in 1992, and refurbished in 2012, retaining the original exterior. It is considered one of the gateways to the city, and has long been a landmark of lower Trafalgar Street.

The Trafalgar Street Bridge was constructed in 1927 and dedicated to the memory of the city’s pioneers. Dotted with weatherboard cottages just a stones throw from one of the oldest established residential regions in the CBD, the street leads on to Trafalgar Park. First developed in 1888 as a venue for cricket, football, cycling and athletics, land was reclaimed from the mudflats to create the park and the City Council bought the land in 1891.

Of course, many buildings of historical significance remain dotted around the region, but focusing on the Upper Trafalgar Street precinct which, rightly so, holds a Historic Places registration, the area’s remaining heritage buildings testify to the importance of Nelson in Victorian and Edwardian times. In what is now recognised as a key moment in the history of building preservation in New Zealand, when the Nelson Provincial Government Buildings on Albion Sq were demolished in 1969, an active preservation lobby was formed in Nelson. The lobby failed to prevent the demolitions of notable buildings such as the Municipal Building of 1903 and the Post Office of similar era, but they managed to secure some successes including the South Street precinct, Melrose House and Fairfield House.

Phillip Rollo

Respect – Inspire – Support - Empower

A specialist family violence organisation. We help people understand that respectful relationships are safe relationships. We can help you grow the safety and respect within your whānau.

RISE

Level three, 295 Trafalgar St

P: 03 548 3850 rise.net.nz

Sanctuary in the city

Koru Centre is a true sanctuary in the city, offering healing arts, yoga, Pilates, and more. The spacious studio is hired out for seminars, and events. Come find your bliss.

Koru Centre 021 794 500 korucentre.co.nz 243 Trafalgar Street

Licensed Financial Advisors

PHIL MUIR Business Owner

ALESIA POCHON Financial Advisor

Above Trafalgar

Sheehan Financial have been helping everyday Kiwis reach their financial goals since 2008. They are as local as it gets, with an office in town at the top of Trafalgar Street. As one of Nelson’s few independent financial advice firms, Mark and Claire are dedicated to providing quality, individual financial advice that you can trust. Their mission is to take care of all things financial so that you can focus on living your life.

Whether you're saving for retirement, your family's future, or a special trip away, Sheehan Financial can take a look at your financial circumstances and provide tailored investment, insurance, and KiwiSaver advice to help you get there.

As a locally run business they take great pride in supporting local organisations like FC Nelson, Nelson Golf Club, and the Fifeshire Foundation, and believe in giving back to the community and supporting the causes that matter most to their clients.

Offering a combined 30 years’ experience, get in touch with licensed financial advisors Mark Sheehan and Claire Corbysmith to start your road to financial freedom.

To read what some of their clients have to say about their services, visit sheehanfinancial.co.nz.

Nestled upstairs at 243 Trafalgar Street hides one of the region's most talented tattoo artists, Joshua Thomas. Hailing from Melbourne and professionally tattooing since 2018, Joshua offers modern and reliable tattooing in bold Americana and fine botanical styles. Whether a design is as intricate as snakeskin, or a simple rose, clients are well looked after at Trafalgar Street Tattoo with the ‘softest hands in the South’.

Providing a five-star service, Josh’s studio is kept to the highest sanitary standards with hospitalgrade disinfectants and a thorough daily cleaning regime. Contrary to typical tattoo shops, Trafalgar Street Tattoo is private; appointments are peaceful, professional, and provide access to beautiful kitchen and bathroom amenities. “It's warm, quiet, and I pride myself on offering a safe and welcoming space for all individuals wanting to get tattooed.” Bookings are by appointment only.

A home loan and insurance adviser network that approaches things a little differently, NZ Home Loan business owner Phil Muir helps his clients get into their first house, their fifth investment property and everything in between. Located upstairs at 295 Trafalgar Street, NZ Home Loans have been operating in the region for over twenty years and along with their Blenheim office they cover the whole Top of the South.

Phil says NZHL is a purpose-driven (financial freedom, faster) home loan and insurance adviser network. “We help over 50,000 Kiwis collectively save millions in interest costs each year. We do this by taking a structured, personalised approach: providing coaching and advisory support, tailored smart home loan structures, and tools that put our clients in control.” Financial advisor Alesia Pochon operates full time from the Nelson office and has the backing of the whole Top of the South team, says Phil.

Located on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy street, Nelson Provincial Museum|Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai

Ao is a treasure trove of local history. Upstairs you’ll find their exciting new exhibition ‘Treasured Objects of Mana and Significance | Morimoritia Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho’ open until July 9.

The exhibition has something for everyone. Natural history enthusiasts can stand beside a moa and peer in on precious kōkako and huia. Historic taonga, paintings, powerful photographs and intricate botanical illustrations provide fascinating snapshots of the past. Those who appreciate their biscuits will delight in the hand-written recipe for gingernuts from the Griffin’s factory. See relics of Antarctic expeditions and a balaclava from Russian protest band ‘Pussy Riot.’

“This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view some of the amazing treasures that we hold on behalf of the people of Nelson and Tasman” says Museum CEO Lucinda Jimson. Free for Nelson Tasman ratepayers and residents.

Upstairs in the historic building at 284 Trafalgar Street lies ATELIER Studio|Gallery, a beautiful space to encounter quality art. Founded in 2018 as a not-for-profit initiative to support, represent, and promote emerging contemporary artists, ATELIER Studio|Gallery presents an exhibition programme of artists both local and nation-wide to showcase contemporary artwork which engages with interesting ideas and concepts to give a voice to its creator. “Each show runs for five weeks and creates a space for emerging and established artists to build towards and present a significant body of work.”

“We have an exciting network of artists who we show throughout the year and the exhibitions are continuously evolving,” says founder and director David James. “We take a relational approach with our artists, creating a connection with them and working alongside them to realise their vision.” Their latest exhibition is a group show which includes three different female artists, including local Christine Hunter, Cantabrian Gaylene Barnes and Rhode Island native R. Sawan White.

Trafalgar St today, which became pedestrian-friendly in October 2019. nelsontasman.nz

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

1. You’ll find the perfect gift at Jacqui’s Pre-loved and More in the lovely Old Post Office, Upper Moutere, 027 346 4071 | 1381 Moutere Highway Upper Moutere | 2. Locally made glass birds, $65 each, Höglund Glassblowing Studio, Appleby | hoglundartglass.com | 3. Peony Rose gift setunashamedly feminine. Spoil that special ‘mum’ in your life with hand poured love, Living Light | livinglightcandles.co.nz | 4. Gift your plant-loving mum this Mother’s Day a beautiful bird-print watering can, Grace & August | graceandaugust.co.nz | 5. A bright and bold bunch, including the classic roses and carnations, fragrant freesias and feathery chrysanthemums and gerberas, Expressions Florist | expressionsnelson.co.nz | 197 Hardy St, Nelson | 6. Sublime -VBM Domobar Junior Analogic Espresso Machine in chrome with a second set of magnetic blue side panels, $2,950, Sublime | sublimecoffeeroasters.co.nz | 32 New St, Nelson | 7. Spend some quality time with mum at Atom Café, Gift Vouchers available from $25, Atom Café | Rutherford Hotel Nelson, 27 Nile Street West | 8. Jens Hansen silk wave pendant with polished finish, in yellow gold, from $590, Jens Hansen | jenshansen.co.nz | 9. Locally made glass vases, from $195, Höglund Glassblowing Studio, Appleby | hoglundartglass.com

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A pod to get people talking

The region is getting its own locally-focussed podcast with the launch of The Nelson Pod this month. A collaboration between Top South Media, video production company Be Seen More and journalist and former Nelson City Councillor Matt Lawrey, The Nelson Pod promises to deliver compelling conversations with the people who make the region tick and some of the inspiring but often under-the-radar characters who call Nelson home.

Todd Starr, Matt Lawrey and Andrew Board have collaborated to launch the Nelson Pod. Tessa Jaine

Featuring studio-based, long-form interviews hosted by Matt, The Nelson Pod will be available to watch on Nelson App, You Tube and social media channels or listen to via Spotify.

For Matt, The Nelson Pod is the latest in a long list of media projects and roles. The winner of two New Zealand Radio Awards, a former television presenter and a Nelson Magazine columnist, Matt is a big believer in the importance of a strong local media scene.

“It’s important in terms of people knowing what’s going on and countering misinformation but it’s also critical in terms of introducing people to new ideas and opportunities. That’s going to be a big part of The Nelson Pod. We’re going to be talking to some really dynamic people and telling some thoughtprovoking stories that will hopefully get Nelsonians thinking about what kind of a future we want for our region,” Matt said.

TSM managing director Andrew Board is thrilled with the way the podcast is coming together. “I love the way we each bring really complementary skills and resources to the project, and we all share the view that our region deserves its own professionally produced podcast. It’s also an exciting step for Top South Media. We think it’s going to get Nelson talking and offer our clients a brilliant new way of connecting with people across print, digital and audio platforms,” he said.

Be Seen More founder Todd Starr says The Nelson Pod is a game-changing addition to the region's media landscape and is long overdue. By combining the authenticity of podcasts with the power of video, we are giving viewers a front-row seat to the most compelling interviews with local newsmakers and thought leaders.

“Audio podcasts are great but we believe that if you're not producing a video first pod, you will lose a lot of the value and impact you are trying to create. We’re doing things in an intimate way that’s really

going to draw people in and give them an insight into local personalities in a way that hasn’t really been done before. For me, the exciting part is the ability to create a diverse range of mixed media content and make it accessible wherever our audience wants to consume it," he said.

The first edition of The Nelson Pod features Victory Boxing founder Paul Hampton talking about the highs and lows of building the charity, turning 50, and why he’s making some changes in his life.

Future guests include:

The creator of the Paranormal Activity movie franchise, Oren Peli, on the making of one of the most commercially successful films of all time and how he freaked out Steven Spielberg.

Entrepreneur Justin Rich on the sale of his health food company for $463M and what New Zealand businesses need to do to have a crack at the US market.

Architect, academic and building products innovator Magdalena Garbarczyk on the downside of urban sprawl and her sustainable vision for the future of building products.

The new CEO of Pic’s Peanut Butter, Aimee McCammon, on why family is at the heart of the acclaimed business and where she wants to take it.

Pic Picot on why making his step-daughter, Aimee, CEO was the right move for the company and what’s next for him.

And Academy Award-winning art director Dan Hennah and his partner in life and work, his wife, Chris Hennah, on the future of the movies, how they got to where they are today and hanging out at the top of the Empire State Building with Naomi Watts.

The Nelson Pod launches on May 3 and is available to watch or listen to on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, the Nelson App and Spotify.

Beetees winter-ful life Stylish and cosy

Clothing: Beetees Nelson | Beetees.co.nz

Stylists: Lorraine Beattie and Linda Homan

Model: Jo Tout

Photographer: Aimee Jules

Special thanks to The Nelson Club for use of the venue

Top: Elm

Pant s: Vassalli

Scarf : Enhance

Jewellery : Archer House Boots: Models own

Dress: Foil

Earrings: Enhance

Jersey : Foil

Jacket : OH3

Pants: Memo

Earrings: Enhance

Two piece plaid suit : Knewe

Black top: Knewe

Bag : Black Caviar

Earrings: Archer House

Stay warm this winter

We have a great selection of cozy NZ made merino and possum blend cardigans, wraps, shawls, socks and accessories available now. Be inspired to knit or crochet with our inspiring selection of yarns and patterns too.

155 Hardy Street, Nelson. Ph 03 548 4016

www.cruellas.co.nz

OPEN: Monday to Friday 10-5pm, Saturday 10-2pm cruellas_spritzeryarns cruellasnaturalfibreboutique

ON THE STREET

If you run into Kate Hislop on the street there’s a fair chance she’ll be wearing colour - and a smile. And those two things are related. Kate, the owner of a small marketing consulting business and website and social media administrator for Stacey, says wearing colour brings her joy. Follow her journey on instagram @katestylediaries.

What are you wearing today?

I’m wearing my favourite colour today, pink! And lots of it. My hot pink Asta blazer and floral top is from Augustine. Super comfy Honey Denim jeans from Stacey, my favourite hot pink boots by Hey Monday, my pink earrings from Nelson designer Forever April, and my bag was a preloved find at Re:vive.

What is your style?

Feminine and colourful. Love what you wear, wear what you love! For me, that’s colour. 97-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel says, “The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. It’s about self-expression and above all, attitude.” Since working in the fashion industry, I’m finding my true style and always trying new designs to see what feels right. For me, wearing colour brings joy and brightens my day.

What is most of your wardrobe made up of?

Lots of colour! A mix of dresses, skirts, tops and shoes in my favourite colours and prints. Some classic staples in black, navy and grey, along with a drawer filled with scarves of different colours and textures. I enjoy wearing colour and try to incorporate that into most days.

Where do you buy most of your fashion from?

Stacey in Richmond. A close second is one of my favourite brands, Augustine. I also buy a lot of preloved clothes from a few fashion buy/sell groups on social media.

What is your approach to shopping?

If you love it, try it on. Don’t be afraid to try something new, a new style or colour. You never know what you’ll end up loving. Let your personality shine through your style.

What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?

A good pair of jeans, they never go out of style. Do you have a style rule you always obey?

Don’t save your faves! My mum saved her pretty things for special occasions, then died at age 47 from cancer (I was 18). Life is short, wear the outfit! Today could be special because we decided it will be, because we put on our favourite outfit and our “good” perfume. Just doing that is a great start to a potentially special day.

If you could raid one person’s wardrobe, who would it be?

I love Sarah Jessica Parker’s feminine style (or maybe it’s Carrie Bradshaw). She isn’t afraid to make a statement, experiment with fashion and embrace stunning colours and prints that create eclectic and edgy looks.

Tessa Jaine

Italy calls for Nelson Jeweller

Stacey Whale, an award-winning contemporary jewellery artist, has been accepted to showcase her exquisite wearable art at the XIV Florence Biennale 2023 in Florence, Italy. The prestigious exhibition provides a platform for artists to exhibit their work on an international level and compete for the revered ‘Leonardo da Vinci Design Award.’

Stacey’s design is a captivating collar made of yellow gold and white diamonds, exclusively crafted for the exhibition. “I am thrilled that my piece has been accepted, and I am proud to have the opportunity to showcase it internationally.” To participate in the nine-day event in October, Stacey requires financial support. She is appealing for help to cover exhibition expenses, travel, accommodation, and production costs for her masterpiece through Boosted, Aotearoa’s only crowdfunding platform dedicated to promoting homegrown art. “I invite you to be a part of this exciting journey with me. Your generosity will help me evolve my artistry and turn my dream into a reality.”

Support Stacey and become a part of her artistic journey and gain recognition on an international platform.

boosted.org.nz/projects/florence-biennale-exhibition-italy staceywhale.com

Take care of yourself

Focusing on ourselves encourages a feeling of self-worth and balance within the psyche and promotes a sense of calm, important for navigating everyday stresses of life. It is vital to take some time out for yourself, whether it be in an emotional, spiritual or physical sense.

Nelson’s wellness clinic

Now is the time to nurture yourself and invest in your wellbeing. Our team can gently support and guide you to flourish and become your best self.

03 545 9911 | 027 545 9911 wellnessnewzealand.co.nz

17 Collingwood Street, Nelson |

Full-body fitness in 20 minutes

Experience fullbody fitness in just 20 minutes with Bodywave’s EMS training. Get stronger and toned with expert trainers. Book now for effective and efficient workouts!

03 553 0739 bodywave.co.nz

05 Montgomery Square, Nelson |

Rehab for burnt out people

Save 36% with two nights all-inclusive stay, just $1250 for two people. Maruia River Retreat is a 500 acre private luxury nature and wellness resort two hours from Nelson. maruia.co.nz/book

Use code: NELSON

Reformer Pilates on common ground

Invest in your well-being and improve your strength, balance and flexibility with Common Ground studio. Move mindfully and have fun in a small class environment.

hello@commongroundstudio.nz commongroundstudio.nz

270 Queen Street, Richmond |

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A totally unique resort

Tucked away amongst the bush with panoramic views of Kaiteriteri Beach, Kimi Ora offers peace and seclusion with all the modern comforts to relax, unwind and escape..

03 527 8027 kimiora.com

99 Martin Farm Rd, Kaiteriteri, Nelson |

5 6

Maruia River Retreat | maruia.co.nz

0275633143 | reservations@maruia.co.nz

2314 Shenandoah Highway, SH65 |

Awakening natural health

Through gentle touch and deep listening, craniosacral therapy offers your system a precious opportunity:

To relinquish that which no longer serves and awaken your innate capacity to heal.

021 186 0476 cranio.nz

Seymour Ave, Nelson

Nature yourself

Spending time in nature is a powerful way to reduce stress, improve health and wellbeing, and even heal from trauma. It’s something we’ve done throughout existence, and science is now discovering how and why nature is so good for us.

Dr Marissa Kellaher explains.

Research shows that adults who regularly spend time in nature (green spaces) have lower rates of mental illness, while children are 55% less likely to develop mental illness as an adult if they grow up with access to green space. Blue space (being near water) has a similar effect - it reduces rates of mental illness, improves physical health, and helps us live longer.

You don’t have to live rurally to get these benefits either- one study of 20,000 people found that those who spent just two hours a week in green spaces (including urban parks) were much more likely to have good physical and psychological health than those who didn’t.

When we spend time in nature, it switches off our ‘fight or flight’ nervous system, reduces our cortisol (stress hormone) levels by up to 60%, and also reduces other stress hormones. Our sleep improves, our mood lifts and even our self confidence and sense of wellbeing improves. Time in nature also helps our physical health - it reduces blood pressure and pain levels, improves blood sugar, and also makes us less likely to have a heart attack.

It’s thought that nature affects us in a few different ways. Fractals (geometric shapes found in nature such as the leaves, clouds and ocean waves) alter how our brain works when we look at them. When we view fractals, our brains produce ‘alpha’ brainwaves that make us relax; plus, fractals activate parts of our brain that boost concentration and mental performance, regulate emotions and help form memories.

Natural environments are also less stimulating, so we don’t need to attention switch as often as we do in urban environments. This means being in nature is far less tiring for our brain, allowing us to rest and recover from mental fatigue.

There is another lesser-known bonus to nature, tootrees emit chemicals (phytoncides) that reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure and even improve immunity! These things all combine to provide massive benefits for our body and mind. Long term, spending time in nature makes us feel more positive and satisfied with our life, work and home.

Nature is important to consider for urban planning too, as cities with more green spaces have lower crime rates and healthier inhabitants. Plus, patients in psychiatric wards who have access to nature feel less isolated and calmer, with improved mood, while people in hospital recovering from surgery heal faster and need less pain relief by just having a view of nature.

In our region we are lucky to be surrounded by beautiful beaches, forests and mountains - so why not try a nature prescription today!

Dr Marissa Kelaher is a GP and lifestyle medicine doctor. She runs health courses and offers oneon-one consults at yourlifestylemedics.com

Nelson Tasman’s only private surgical hospital.

We provide our skilled surgeons with modern, state-of-the-art theatres and equipment so that Nelson Tasman residents can have access to the very best in surgical procedures. Contact us to find out more.

Understanding the skin microbiome

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and on the surface lives an invisible world of bacteria, fungi and other microscopic organisms. This living ecosystem is your skin microbiome which sits on top of the skin barrier. A healthy microbiome and skin barrier not only maintain the health of the skin, but also supply essential molecules to nourish and protect the skin.

Kate Dyer, owner of Eunoi Beauty, explains.

What is the skin microbiome?

The skin is home to trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that function as a self-sustaining ecosystem, referred to as the microbiome. The skins microbiome is essential for both the health of the skin and our bodies overall immune health. It comprises over 1000 different species, all working together to regulate the skin’s pH level, protect from environmental damage and fight infections, while keeping the skin hydrated and youthful looking. The greater the diversity of the microbiome, the healthier the skin barrier is and the less likely the skin will be dry, red, or irritated. Recent research has also shown that the skin microbiome may play a role in other health conditions beyond the skin, such as autoimmune diseases and mental health conditions.

What is the gut-brain-skin axis?

The digestive system and the skin are connected in a physical and biochemical way and play an important role in defending the body against pathogens from the outside environment. The skin sends and receives signals to and from the brain, forming the gutbrain-skin axis. Dysregulation of the gut-brainskin axis has been implicated in the development of various skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis, as well as mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Prebiotics and the skin

Take care of your intestinal health by eating prebiotic and fibre-rich foods that can boost the skin’s ability to fight off unwanted bacteria and help improve the overall health of the skin and body.

Due to the important relationship between the skin and gut microbiome, a plant-based diet has been shown to have a large impact on gut health.

Another approach is using post-biotic skincare. Bacteria that have been grown and then killed serve as a food source for the helpful bacteria that naturally colonize healthy skin. This helps reduce inflammation within the skin in the same way that has been shown by taking oral probiotics.

The skin microbiome is an essential yet often overlooked aspect of our skin’s health. By understanding its role in inflammatory skin conditions, aging, and acne, you can take steps to nourish and support this delicate ecosystem. With a balanced skin microbiome, you can enjoy healthier, more radiant skin for years to come. eunoiabeauty.com

David

My HOME

Where is your home and how long have you lived here?

On Nile Street, up the Maitai River. We came to Nelson from Waiheke Island three years ago.

What four words would you use to describe your home?

Grand, refined, respectful, gemütlich.

What inspired this look?

The skills of craftsmen over 100 years ago. We believe the home was built in about 1915.

What’s your decorating style?

Historical. It reflects our journey around the world, from Germany to England and New Zealand, with visits to many places en route.

Where do you shop for homewares?

Wherever individual pieces are on display. Storey Collection on Collingwood Street is a favourite.

What piece would you never part with?

The solid oak chair by American artist David Delthony. It was manufactured in Berlin in the late 1970s and was my wedding gift from Christine.

What should every home have?

A front door, with a working bell. It is the entry to the home and a welcome for visitors.

When it comes to homeware, do you save or splurge?

Save. But when the temptation is too strong, we succumb!

Wheeler and Christine Hafermalz-Wheeler and their two grandchildren have enjoyed living in their character home on Nile Street for the past three years. With space for Christine The Artist Goldsmith’s studio and a large garden for the children and dog to roam, it has made for the perfect family home to live and work from.

ABOVE: David and Christine at their character home on Nile Street.

Tessa Jaine

Which items or fixtures did you splurge on and where did you save?

We splurged on infrastructure, insulating the walls, double-glazing the sash windows, and installing central heating with upright radiators coloured for each room. We saved on bathroom and kitchen tiles by using rubber gym mats for warmth and comfort.

Have you done any renovations?

Plenty. Boxing in the kitchen deck and adding roller blinds has been wonderful; there is space to move on a windy, rainy day.

What’s your favourite spot in the house?

Lying in bed on a clear morning, with the sun casting colour shadows from the leadlight windows.

What’s your favourite room?

The sunroom. Christine decorated it to feel like under a cherry tree in full bloom. A nod to our experience in Japan.

Best seat in the house?

The sofa in the kitchen/dining/living. If the dog makes space, that is.

Did any of your purchases cause a debate? Just discussion, no debate.

What should every home have?

Comfort. A good sofa that you sit in, not on. If you had a day to refresh your home what would you do? Make a large pot of coffee and enjoy the way it is!

1. The solid oak rocking chair was made by David Delthony in Berlin, from the beams of a demolished church. 2. Beautiful wallpaper is the backdrop for a painting by New Zealand artist Ilya Volykhine and the harp chair (reproduction). 3. Natural timber features throughout the home, with prints of the Thames on the wall. 4. A quilt by Napier artist Clare Plug hangs in the entranceway above the piano.

What is one thing you would change about your home if you could?

Enlarge the space between the garage and house so a trailer can get into the garden.

Best budget tip?

A professional paint. Shuttleworth prepped the wood thoroughly and gave it a paint that will last a long time.

Best money spent?

Central heating. The upright radiators heat the whole room.

Do you have any tips on how to keep your living area orderly?

Send the kids to boarding school?

What do you love about the neighbourhood where you live?

The stability and friendliness of the residents. Most have been here for 30 years or so.

Best memory in your home?

A sense of belonging, both in the house and the area. It was a very warm welcome to Nelson.

1. A fish pond and gardens feature at the front of the home. 2. Ollie, the family’s 12-year-old dog hangs out in the entrance to Christine’s studio. Unique ceramic art by Izade Köker features on the wall.

For over thirty years — Luxaflex is celebrating 30 years of Hubbers’ unparalleled craftsmanship in designing practical and elegant interiors. As a Luxaflex Gallery Store, Hubbers offers a complete range of premium window coverings to create your dream space. Reach out to their expert team today and transform your home into a beautiful yet functional

Home design experts for 30 years

Established thirty years ago, Hubbers has been completely transformed in the last decade by owner Taryn Beattie and her team, from a floor and drapery store to a complete one-off destination for home design and refurbishment.

“We have a team of eight interior designers to assist clients to create homes that are beautiful to live in and meet all their needs,” says Taryn. “Regardless of whether a customer is undertaking the interior design of a new build or a refurbishment, they are offered the services of a designer free of charge.”

“Our designers are all highly qualified and right up to date with international trends and new products. We choose the appropriate designer for each client depending on the design style they are wanting to achieve. Everyone has different tastes and it is the designer’s job to work with them to create the best result within each person’s budget.”

“The processes involved in any new build or renovation can be very stressful and we aim to take that stress away, providing a plan from the start that will ensure that everything happens in a timely fashion. All of our designers have refurbished their own homes and have an abundance of practical experience. They completely understand the processes involved and how to make the project run smoothly.”

Hubbers not only supplies an extensive selection of flooring, furniture, wall coverings, custom-made drapery and bed linen but also advises on colour schemes for interior and exterior walls, windows and cladding options. “We are able to show a substantial range of products available so that clients can be completely confident in choosing what is right for them.”

“We particularly love the creativity involved in helping inspire people with ideas to personalise their house to reflect their taste, whatever their

preferred style, thereby transforming it into a home that is a pleasure to be in and where they can live the way they want. Working within their budgets is something we do really well too,” she continues.

“You might not be able to afford to completely redo a tired looking lounge area, for example, but we can show you cost effective ideas of how to add clever touches that will make it feel fresh and new.”

“We are very fortunate to have seventeen fabulous staff and an array of great contactors who work with us and Hubbers operates like a big family. We make what can be a complicated process filled with a myriad of choices, into a fun and enjoyable experience for all our clients.”

Creating interior spaces that are as unique as you. Hubbers

The Beattie family at the MET for Mental Health Gala where the Hubbers team raised $90,000 for I AM HOPE.

Flooring & Soft Furnishings

Customers can feel confident in choosing what’s right for them with an extensive range on show.

Gardening

Gardening advice with Daltons

Daltons gardening experts are here to help. Send in your gardening question and you could win a Daltons gardening prize pack! See entry details below.

I am about to have some remedial work done to a steepish bank that slipped during the Nelson floods. Can you suggest shrubs and plants that have a good root system that will help to hold the bank together?

Plants can help stabilize a bank or slope by reducing erosion and improving soil stability. They can also absorb water from the soil, reducing the amount of runoff and preventing soil from becoming waterlogged and unstable.

Plants with deep, strong root systems are generally the best choice. Shrubs, and groundcovers (and grasses) are all good options for bank stabilisation as they provide good ground cover and help to hold soil in place.

Below is a list of robust native plants that will help to stabilize your bank. Native plants also help increase the biodiversity in your garden. Add plenty of Daltons Garden Time™ Compost to the hole when planting.

Ground covers that root as they spread:

• Coprosma acerosa

• Coprosma brunnea

• Muehlenbeckia complex.

Win a Daltons Tree and Shrub Planting Pack!

Give your trees and shrubs the best start by using plenty of compost when planting and popping in a Daltons Premium Planter Tab. Regularly fertilising existing trees and shrubs in your garden promotes healthy growth and foliage. Our Tree and Shrub Planting Pack, valued at $89, has everything you need!

To enter, email your gardening question to nelsonmag@ daltons.co.nz with Daltons prize pack in the subject heading. Giveaway entries must be received by Fri 23 June 2023. daltons.co.nz

Shrubs with a robust root system:

• Coprosma rhamnoides

• Coprosma lucida

• Coprosma repens

• Coprosma robusta

• Geniostema rupestre

• Here stricta

• Here parviflora

• Myrsine Australia.

• Olearia solandri

• Phormium cookianum

• Pittosporum crassifolium

• Pittosporum Stephen’s Island.

• Pittosporum ralphii

Congratulations to Judy Pittman who has won a Daltons gardening pack with her question.

Home Style

ENHANCE YOUR LIVING

Enrich with Nature Moth orchid with one flowering stem, 12cm, $37.97, Mitre 10 Mega Nelson, 99 Quarantine Road, Nelson

2. Assorted cushions, $59.95 – $79, Villarosa Maison, 62 Montgomery Square, Nelson | 3. ivoli Audio model one(R), a modernday icon of acoustic and industrial design. The addition of Bluetooth allows you to stream your own music, $499, Beggs Musicworks, 264 Hardy St | 4. Plant watering globes - Self watering bulbs for pot plants, 4 pack, $52.10, graceandaugust.co.nz, Grace & August 5. Milo pendant light in various colours from Lark Living, storeycollection.co.nz, 65 Collingwood St, Nelson

6. Enliven your senses with the lemongrass, clary sage and bergamot icicle candles, Living Light, 219 Trafalgar St, Nelson Central Arcade | 7. Limon tangerine throw, 130 x 150cm, $49.98, Mitre 10 Mega | 8. The comfy and cool mustard coloured Russell sofa bed, $799, special $679, lynfords.co.nz, 675a Main Rd, Stoke | 9. Frank Green 1 litre reusable bottle, $79, Karen Jordan Style, 151 Trafalgar Street, Nelson

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Celebrating skilled master craftsmanship

Words: Amy Russ

Encouraging competition and the pursuit of excellence between, and from, its members, their employees and apprentices, the awards celebrate innovation within the joinery industry.

First held regionally in 2015, JADA was designed to help boost the confidence of local joinery companies prior to entering nationwide events. The awards recognise local excellence in joinery, innovation and design and encourage the use of best sustainable practices. Association secretary of Nelson Marlborough Master Joiners Philip Thompson, says the awards are about celebrating quality and innovation in the industry, of which entrants can then ‘celebrate’ with customers.

“Exterior and interior joinery are premium products, which require a level of protection to enhance the properties of the products. It is therefore important that you take your time in selecting who designs, manufactures and advises on care and maintenance. Master joiners bring that to the industry.”

Phil says, since its conception the awards have been going from strength to strength. The event has grown in numbers from just 14 entries in its first year to 192 entries in 2023. Entries are considered within the 17 categories by three carefully selected and independent judges. They are critiqued on the level of workmanship displayed, the use of materials, the complexity of the project, and its overall visual appeal. The winner of each category was announced and presented with an award at the Founders Park event which was attended by many joiners and designers from the local building industry.

Phil is proud of the level of craftsmanship being created in the region, saying that although a lot of the supply issues from recent years have subsided, the

effects of an economic downturn is having an impact on the way people are choosing to spend their money.

“The industry is still busy, but we are seeing designers having to think outside of the box in the way projects are designed. There has been a continued ‘cutting of the cloth’ on customer aspirations and available spend. A designer needs to have a greater understanding of the products that are available and how to best optimise the use of materials. The good ones will get the formula right.”

The professionalism and the attention to detail in our region has been recognised both regionally and nationally over the years says Phil. In New Zealand, joinery is one of the few industries that has retained its apprenticeship tradition, says Phil.

“That is why apprentices and emerging designers are such a focus of the awards.”

Of special mention, Paul Dalzell was presented with the Long Service award for his 40 plus years in the industry. Kai Kruse from Nelson Pine Industries (NPIL) says Paul has been with the company since 1986; and prior to that, with Baigent. Overall he has amassed 42 plus years in the timber industry.

“As marketing manager for NPIL, Paul established customer accounts in Nelson and throughout New Zealand but also in Asia and North America, a number of these are customers of NPIL today. In the late 80s MDF was a ‘young product’ and little was known of its excellent qualities for furniture, doors and other building products. Paul participated in pioneering MDF for use in high-quality kitchen, cabinetry, skirtings, interior doors and alike. Paul enjoyed the collegial atmosphere in NPIL and is highly respected by many in the timber industry for his fair and professional attitude.”

The 2023 regional Joinery and Design Awards (JADA), held on March 24 at The Granary in Founders Park Nelson, offered both registered Master Joiners and independent joinery designers across the Top of the South the opportunity to showcase their work. Nelson Magazine wraps up the best of the very best.

JADA 2023

2023 Joinery and Design Award winners

Best Creative Small Space

Sponsored by Leitz

Winner: The Sellers Room

Best Use of Colour

Sponsored by Mirotone

Winner: ITM Joinery

Best Spatial Innovation Space Residential

Sponsored by Publik

Winner: Cooper Webley

Best Spatial lnnovation Commercial

Sponsored by Scott Construction

Winner: The Custom Space

Best Door or Window

Sponsored by Leitz

Winner: ITM Joinery

Best Customer Journey

Sponsored by Findex

Winner: Complete Kitchens

Best Biophilic Design

Sponsored by Leitz

Winner: Cooper Webley

Best Apprentice Award

Sponsored by BCITO

Winner: Nguyen Hen (The Sellers Room)

Best Creative Small Space - The Sellers Room

Best Door or Window - ITM Joinery

Best Use of Colour - ITM Joinery

Best Customer Journey - Complete Kitchens

Best Spatial lnnovation Commercial - The Custom Space

Best Biophilic Design - Cooper Webley

2023 Joinery and Design Award winners

Most Outstanding Bathroom or Kitchen Renovation

Sponsored by NMIT

Winner: Bays Joinery

Best Kitchen under $30,000

Sponsored by Laminex

Winner: Nazareth Joinery

Best Kitchen $30,000-$60,000

Sponsored by Häfele

Winner: Complete Kitchens

Best Kitchen

Sponsored by Blum

Winner: Bays Joinery

Emerging Designer

Sponsored by NZ Panels

Winner: Georgia MacMillian (Complete Kitchens)

Supreme Kitchen Design

Sponsored by Bestwood and Carters

Winner: Bays Joinery

Best Designer 2023

Sponsored by Hettich

Winner: Craig Hooper

People’s Choice Award

Sponsored by Resene

Winner: Bays Joinery (Anderson Kitchen)

The Myles Sellers Supreme Award

Sponsored by Golden Edge

Winner: Cooper Webley

Your local MASTER JOINER

A K Joinery

Bays Joinery

Brightwater Cabinetmaker & Joinery

Cantwell Joinery and Window Centre

Complete Kitchens

Cooper Webley

Decade Homes

Building Connexion

James Neal Joinery

Matai Joinery

Motueka Joinery

Nazareth Joinery

Orange Building Group Joinery

Prestige Furniture & Joinery

Re Space

Ruby Bay Joinery

Simply Joinery

The Sellers Room

Viking Furniture & Joinery

Waimea West Joinery

JADA 2023

Supreme Kitchen Design - Bays Joinery

The Myles Sellers Supreme Award - Cooper Webley

Nhan won this award for the making of this trophy

A creative journey with a talented team

Consistently striving to provide quality experiences for their customers, The Sellers Room team have long been associated with collaboration and encouraging the next generation of young joiners and designers into the fold. So, it is only fitting that this year’s winner of the Best Joiner Apprentice Project at the regional JADA 2023 Awards was Nhan Nguyen, whose entry was a stunning tribute to mentor, encourager, and co-owner of The Sellers Room, Myles Sellers.

Originally known as the Supreme Award at JADA events, the trophy was renamed in Myles’s honour after his passing in 2021. Nhan spent nine days hand-carving an incredible piece of art that incorporates Myles’s greatest loves: his wife Margarette, two daughters Olivia and Hollie, his love of joinery and life. The river symbolises a living body that ebbs and flows, and the paddle, his passion for rowing. Made from gifted tōtara, the piece is symbolic of a mighty chief who has fallen in the great forest of Tāne. “To say we are proud of our team is an understatement,” says Margarette. “But we especially want to thank and congratulate Nhan on the dedication and skill that has gone into making the incredible award. We are honoured that it was recognised by the judges of JADA 2023, for Best Apprentice Project.” Nhan has been with The Sellers Room since June 2018, and has just completed his apprenticeship with the company. “Myles would be so very proud” says Margarette. The Sellers Room team also received the award for Best Creative Small Space at the 2023 event.

“The JADA Awards are a fantastic way for prospective clients to gauge the level of respect and recognition within the industry. The standards are very high in the region, and it is great for our own teams to be recognised for their contribution, and for all Master Joiner members to celebrate this success together.”

Very much focused on creating a strong synergy with everyone they work with, Margarette is excited to introduce The Sellers Room newest member of the team, designer Iona Priest. Iona’s passion for her role shines through with her willingness to think outside the box on every project. “Iona is extremely intuitive, honest, and has a fresh and exciting perspective on life. She offers a different vision within design, ergonomically and practicality, and is not afraid to tackle a challenge, complementing the team’s skillset perfectly,” says Margarette. “Her knowledge is phenomenal, and she has an amazing awareness of space. She listens to a client’s needs and easily builds an excellent rapport with people.”

Taking clients on a journey of product and design choices, with a conscious approach to practical solutions, Iona says she likes to sit down with a client and fully understand their vision before helping to connect the lines in creating their dream project. “We work collaboratively with them to get a perfect outcome” It seems her role is one that she was born for, with Iona having studied in London at Kingston University and followed in her father’s

footsteps of interior design. “I have always had a love for creativity and my studies enable a better understanding of the ideal functional, yet designed, space.” Passionate about her role, Iona is leading the charge for some exciting developments within the company’s showroom. “We will be making a few changes and creating a space that will be innovative for other creative minds.”

thesellersroom.co.nz

Margarette Sellers and Iona Priest, the newest member of The Sellers Room team.

JADA 2023 Best Joiner Apprentice award winner Nhan, who lovingly created and carved the National JADA Myles Sellers Supreme award.

Secretary of Nelson Marlborough Master Joiners, Philip Thompson, with the 2022 recipient of the National JADA Myles Sellers Supreme award, Leigh Jones from Nazareth Joinery, and Margarette Sellers.

A Monaco dream come true

Paul and Karen Johnston had experienced waterfront apartment living for five years until Paul drove to Monaco on a whim. “The anticipation of a seaside lifestyle and the recreation it offered drew me, and while I was looking I was thinking what a great part of the city it would be to live,” he says. Mentioning it later to Karen, she suggested they go and have a look together. They spied the rear of a house that instantly appealed, and Karen jokingly said, “if we are going to ever live here that would have to be the house.” To their astonishment, as they rounded the corner, they saw a for sale sign at its front.

“We were taken aback,” says Paul. “Up until that point we’d had no intention of moving, but as we envisioned ourselves in this property, we realised that apartment living was no longer suiting us quite as it had initially. With nine grandchildren it wasn’t exactly family-friendly and suddenly we were looking at the perfect solution. New Vision Landscapes had beautifully landscaped the property, installing the pool and decking, making it even

more appealing for family life. This house even had a swimming pool and a trampoline, as well as being close to the sea and was beautifully landscaped.”

The couple purchased the newly-renovated house without looking at any others and are thrilled with their decision. “We had a dream to have a property that all our family, including our parents, could enjoy,” says Karen. “This is an inter-generational home in a beautiful, peaceful location that is part of a friendly neighbourhood and where the spectacular views are constantly changing.”

Built in the 1960s, the house and grounds had been completely gutted and remodelled by the previous owners who had wanted it to be their forever family home until circumstances changed and they needed to move south.

To prevent any future potential surprises from weather events and the sea, the couple, who were landscaping specialists, had raised the section up to the level of the house and created a retaining wall along the boundary.

George Guille

Words: Adrienne Matthews

Jason Gardiner Builders, who specialise in highend renovations and new builds, were contracted to undertake the home’s renovation. “The house needed modernisation and to become more family-friendly,” says Jason. The original footprint was retained along with the cedar cladding which was still in good condition. In order to open the downstairs and allow for the addition of a bank of glass, panelled sliding doors to improve the indoor-outdoor flow and views, extensive propping up of the building was required so a new steel beam could be installed.

“That was the most major part of the job,” says Jason, who is highly experienced with over thirty

years in building and renovation work. “The build was completed in two stages to suit the owners, the ground floor first and the upstairs later.”

The whole house was gutted, rewired, given new internal walls, fresh insulation and a new roof.

A four-bedroom home, the upstairs was reconfigured to provide a family bathroom while the master bedroom with ensuite downstairs can be closed off to act as its own wing.

“What was the dining room has been turned into a wonderful play area for our grandchildren who always gravitate to it,” says Karen.

The award-winning kitchen design created by Fiona Vidar of Cooper Webley is an absolute dream, according to Karen. “I couldn’t imagine anything better,” she says. “It has been cleverly designed so that everything flows ergonomically and there is plenty of storage space.”

A clean, bright white was chosen so that the outdoor environment with its green palms, ocean and pool views could be the focal point. The central island is clad in shaker-style panels and the handles throughout are the “British Plantation” style ‘Kethy’ brand, easy to pull in and out for eager children, avoiding them touching the lacquered cabinetry surfaces, thereby keeping them clean. Large bi-fold windows act as a servery hatch to

the deck and outdoor entertainment area, and a particularly appreciated feature is the super-quiet Schweigen ceiling-mounted extraction system.

“The project was all about transforming a wellloved home into something future generations could enjoy,” says Jason. “There’s a great sense of satisfaction in taking something with good bones and making it both function better and meet the owner’s expectations style-wise.”

Paul and Karen certainly feel that they have fallen on their feet. “Jason Gardiner Builders completed the project to such a high standard with impeccable attention to detail,” says Paul. “We feel like we are living in an enchanting, beachfront holiday home.”

ViaVio Cheese

Nelson based factory ViaVio Cheese produces a range of fresh cheeses, aged cheeses and yogurt using locally sourced A2 tested cow milk and following the ancient Italian traditions. ViaVio Burrata and ViaVio Stracciatella of Burrata were awarded a Gold Medal this year at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2023.

Hogarth Chocolate

Hogarth Chocolate Makers have been crafting some of the world’s best chocolate right here in Nelson for the past 8 years. Creativity and exploration of flavour are pillars of their philosophy. Check out their range at their new factory store and see why they are New Zealand’s most awarded chocolate maker.

Open Tues-Fri 10.00am – 4.30pm

39 Hastings St, Nelson 03 970 6778 viavio.co.nz |

The Veggie Guy

Seedless and easy peel, mandarins are in season now. Satsuma mandarins are perfect for lunchboxes and those on the run.

10B Kotua Place, Stoke 03 544 8623 hogarthchocolate.co.nz

Eight Plates

Nelson’s newest dining experience! Delicious, seasonal small plates for brunch, lunch and dinner, cocktails, coffee, beer and wine. eightplates.co.nz.

Open Thu – Mon 10am to 10pm.

520 Main Rd, Stoke, Nelson 03 922 9813 theveggieguy.co.nz

300 Trafalgar St, Nelson 03 546 4300

ZUMO Coffee

Takeaway or stay in for the full ZUMO experience. Enjoy spacious rustic surroundings inside and out, kids zone and bored room. The team of Baristas offer fast, fabulous service with the ZUMO personal touch.

Open 7-days. Monday - Friday 7am4pm & Saturday - Sunday 8am - 3pm. Fresh baking everyday. Coffee Rosting on-site every Tuesday. Come savor the aroma, buzz and great conversation.

42 Rutherford Street 021 484 170 zumo.coffee

Alberta’s Café

All day breakfast from 7.30 – 2.30pm, seven days a week. Exceptional coffee and views to match. Pop in and enjoy their delicious breakfast menu or a bite to eat from their tasty cabinet of house-made delights. Gluten free, dairy free and vegan options available, they cater for all. Dine in or takeaway.

Ben & Maxxi

Perfect for when everyone wants something different for dinner. Taking Asian fusion to all new levels, try their satay chicken pizza or satay chicken burger. Partnering with neighbouring restaurant The Lemongrass, both menus are on offer in each restaurant, giving you more choices than ever.

Dine inside or enjoy the summer sunshine in the al-fresco dining area.

Shed 4, Mapua Wharf 03 540 3933 albertas.co.nz |

294 Queen St, Richmond 03 541 0665 benandmaxxi.co.nz

Mapua Village Bakery

Open for breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day, choose from their fantastic menu full of all your favourites. Dinner is sorted with fabulous take home family pies ready to heat and enjoy or pop in the freezer, plus takeaway cakes for dessert.

A great place to have a work meeting or breakfast, then indulge in one of the many tempting treats. Their amazing coffee will add a bounce to your day too.

Open 8am to 3pm.

68 Aranui Rd, Mapua 03 540 3656

mapuavillagebakery.co.nz

McCashin’s Tap Room

With great indoor/outdoor dining areas bring your friends, family or workmates along to enjoy their mouth-watering menu. Which includes their famous steak sandwiches, pizzas, platters and seasonal plates to savour. McCashin’s Tap Room is your local friendly meeting place with fine beverages made on site at the brewery. It’s your local.

660 Main Road, Stoke 03 547 0329

mccashins.co.nz

The Junction Shop

Where locals support locals. Discover local products like cheese from Thorvald, Little River Estate, Cranky Goat, and Viavio. FYO Oaklands milk, local honey, olive oil, kombucha, and apple cider vinegar. Create the perfect platter using goodies from Craft Pate, The Sausage Press, Nelson Naturally and Aroha chocolate, and compliment it with a great bottle of Nelson wine.

Old Factory Corner, Cnr McShane Rd & Appleby H/Way 03 544 1911 thejunctionshop.co.nz |

Port O’Call Bar

When you need a place to relax, Port O’Call Bar is the perfect spot! You’ll be impressed with the superior selection of local and international beers and wines, along with one of Nelson’s largest whiskey selections.

Open Monday – Sunday, 4pm – 11pm.

Sprig + Fern Brewing Co.

It’s not autumn in Nelson Tasman unless you’ve spent time at a local Sprig + Fern Tavern enjoying a pint of craft beer or cider.

Solander Gourmet Seafood

Level Two, Rutherford Hotel Nelson 03 548 2299 rutherfordhotel.nz

Real beer, real people, really local Sprig + Fern Milton St, Hardy St, Tahuna, Upper Queen, The Meadows, Brightwater, Mapua and Motueka. sprigandfern.co.nz |

For all your fresh fish and seafood favourites for nourishing winter chowders, paellas and your delicious fish curries, keep it local with Solander. The very best seafood available in Nelson and NZ, accessible to you via online order. Select from the finest seafood and other gourmet products, to ensure that your dining experiences are healthy, delicious, and incredibly well priced.

gourmetseafood.co.nz

River Kitchen

Situated on the banks of the Maitai River, at the heart of city centre of beautiful Nelson. You can sit back and relax, away from the hustle and bustle.

Specialising in delicious, seasonally inspired food, craft beers, wines from around New Zealand, and locally roasted coffee. We offer a full à la carte menu, serving breakfast and lunch all year round.

Open Tue-Fri | 7:30am-4pm, Sat | 8am-4pm and Sun | 8:30am-4pm.

81 Trafalgar St, Nelson 03 548 1180

riverkitchennelson.co.nz

The Indian Café

With three great locations you can enjoy Indian Cafe’s delicious food no matter where you are. Head in and find out why Indian Café is the favourite choice for anyone looking for the highest quality food and a memorable cuisine experience.

All venues offer intimate restaurant dining and courtyard settings and takeaway options.

94 Collingwood St, Nelson | 03 548 4089 266 Queen St, Richmond | 03 544 8979 201 Songer St, Stoke | 03 547 0008 theindiancafe.co.nz

Anchor Restaurant and Bar

Top quality food is best served with amazing ocean views! Blessed with a fantastic spot on the water, you will feel welcomed and won’t want to leave.

Specialising in local seafood and steaks, there are also delectable choices for non-meat eaters, people with special dietary needs and kids.

62 Vickerman St, Port Nelson 03 546 6614 anchorrestaurant.co.nz

Famous for its sunny beer garden, delicious food offerings, 16 core beers and ciders on tap, plus limited release products, for Sprig + Fern Tahuna Tavern owners Sam Fitzgerald and Ben Douglas supporting the community is all part and parcel of the industry.

From hosting weekly quiz nights to promoting community fundraisers, Sam and Ben are passionate about supporting their patrons as much as they support them. Sponsored by Sprig + Fern Brewing Co., Ben is putting his best foot forward in training for the upcoming Dancing for a Cause and raising money for Nelson Tasman Hospice.

Competing against nine other contestants on May 27, Ben says, “I have felt muscles in my feet and legs that I didn’t even know existed. The team are great, and we have a lot of good banter and fun along the way.”

Having been training since February, Ben’s warmup technique might not come as a surprise to some, given he is co-owner of the tavern. “I’ve discovered that having a pint before practice actually makes me a better dancer!”

Also competing, but on a nationwide platform, Sam has enlisted the Tavern in the annual Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover. Battling it out against 185 eateries across the country, their entry ‘Baabaa Ghanoush’, is made up of house smoked lamb shoulder on baba ghanoush hummus, peppery rocket, thors hammer manchego style cheese with McClure’s Garlic & Dill Pickles finished, with a fresh hop aioli packed between two slices of Don Rodrigo’s quinoa sourdough bread. Served with house cut, twice-cooked chips and seasoned with rosemary and garlic Marlborough Sea Salt flake, their toastie is out

of this world and well-worthy of the ‘Best Toastie in Aotearoa’ championship title. “We’ve created a toastie that’s turning heads — and trust us when we say you’re gonna want to try it.”

To help the team win nationwide bragging rights, head down to the Sprig + Fern Tahuna Tavern for a pint, grab a toastie and register your vote via their unique QR code. “This toasted beauty is available in tavern until mid-June. Come try it and then place your vote for the People’s Choice Award online!”

While you are at it, help Sprig + Fern Tahuna back one of their own, and do your bit to support those who in need it, by donating at dancingforacause.co.nz/campaigns/ben-douglas/

Sam Fitzgerald and Ben Douglas relax with a pint before they take on the Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover and Dancing for a Cause.

The Tahuna Sprig’s toastie entry Baabaa Ghanoush, is available to try until mid-June.

Dance over to the Sprig + Fern Tahuna for a tasty toastie and a pint!

Pour yourself a glass of Nelson

Mark International Sauvignon Blanc Day on 5 May, International Pinot Gris Day on 17 May and International Chardonnay Day on 25 May with some of Aotearoa’s finest examples of these much celebrated varieties, from right here in our own backyard.

1. Kahurangi Estate Mt Arthur Reserve Chardonnay 2022. Fresh, opulent, brimming with ripe peach, apricot and vanilla. kahurangiwine.com $27.99 2. Aotea by the Seifried family Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2022. Punchy citrus, fragrant basil and a hint of fresh hops. seifried.co.nz $29 3. Waimea Chardonnay 2019. Roast peach and rockmelon, with a supple textural creaminess. waimeaestates.co.nz $28 4. Waimea Pinot Gris 2022. Rockmelon, peach and warm toasted cinnamon. waimeaestates.co.nz $24 5. Tohu Whenua Matua Upper Moutere Chardonnay 2020. Layers of citrus peel and stone fruit, hazelnut, flint and spicy oak. tohuwines.co.nz $32.99 6. Kahurangi Estate Four Barrels Chardonnay 2019. Full, complex with nectarine and dried apricot, and an elegant oak richness. kahurangiwine.com $49.99 7. Tohu Nelson Chardonnay 2022. White peach, ginger, juicy grapefruit and toasted nut. tohuwines.co.nz $18.99 8. Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2021. Vibrant, crisp, with ripe passionfruit, melon and guava. waimeaestates.co.nz $24

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Tanqueray Gin Hot Toddy

Typically, the hot toddy is thought of as a drink reserved for dark liquors like brandy, rum, or whiskey. The real beauty of this gin toddy is how the botanicals of a great gin like Tanqueray open up when the hot water hits the gin. It is so aromatic that there is no need for tea in this toddy and it is easy to mix up in just a matter of minutes.

Ingredients

• Juice of 1 lemon, strained

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

• 60ml Tanqueray Gin

• 30ml Stones Green Ginger wine

• 2 cups boiling water

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme

• 1 teaspoon juniper berries

• 2 cinnamon sticks

Method

Divide the lemon juice, sugar, gin and ginger wine between two heat-resistant glasses. Top with boiling water and stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Garnish with a sprig of thyme, a few juniper berries and a cinnamon stick.

Taniwha tales painted in oils

It’s hard not to get a sense of excitement, wonder and drama when Kahu Paki Paki tells you about his favourite artwork. Elegantly simple and painted by Kahu himself, Heke Pūrere (to flee or escape) portrays the spectacular demise of a taniwha named Ngarara Huarau. The artist and Nelson City Councillor sat down for a chat with Matt Lawrey.

Kahu Paki Paki with his favourite artwork, Heke Pūrere.

Matt Lawrey

The story goes, Ngarara Huarau, who lived in Mohua/Golden Bay, was holding a woman from Whakatū, named Ruru, captive at Wainui Bay. One day the creature, who was devouring people from across the region, started bringing victims home for Ruru to prepare for him to eat. Ruru went along with this until her captor brought home members of her own whanau. Mortified, Ruru came up with a plan. After biding her time, she suggested Ngarara Huarau should travel to Whakatū to meet her family. The taniwha agreed thinking the invitation would lead to more people for him to eat. Ruru told him she would go ahead to prepare for his visit. In Whakatū, she and her family built a house for Ngarara Huarau to sleep in during his stay. On the evening of the taniwha’s arrival, the family and their guest feasted, danced and sang waiata. When Ngarara Huarau went to bed, Ruru’s family waited until he was asleep, barred the door and set fire to the house. Ngarara Huarau awoke, found himself on fire, and smashed his way out of the burning building. Still alight, he ran all the way to the top of Pikikirunga/Takaka Hill and, knowing that there was water inside the hill, desperately dug into it. The legend goes that, in the process, he created Howard’s Hole and that the stones that litter the top of the hill today are scales that fell from this body as he smashed his way into the earth. Mortally wounded, the taniwha died deep inside the hill; red rocks at Wainui Bay depict the blood that came from his body.

Painted in oil on muka, fabric created from the leftovers from harakeke weaving, the artwork depicts Ngarara Huarau descending, with flames coming off him, towards his death.

Kahu says the painting may be simple but it has a “huge whakapapa” behind it.

“I struggle to find the meaning, the moral of the story, but I think it allows us an insight into the minds of the people who first told the story,” he said.

“I started freehand and I was going to do something very complicated but the less I did on it, the better it looked.”

Kahu whakapapas through Te Ātiawa and is an artist, politician, builder, hunter, te reo student, husband and father of three. Born in Kaikoura, he grew up in towns all over the South Island as a result of his dad’s work with the Forestry Service.

“I think I went to 14 different schools in about seven years,” Kahu said.

After leaving school at 15 to study carpentry at Nelson Polytechnic, Kahu was hired by Ngati Koata at 18 to be a youth worker. The connection with Ngati Koata would end up having a huge impact on his life and lead to him attending a young leaders programme at the United Nations University in Japan.

Ngati Koata then joined Te Ātiawa in supporting Kahu through his studies at the University of Otago from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Governance. It was during his time in Dunedin that he met his future wife, Soraya. After a stint working for Corrections (Kahu) and the university (Soraya), the couple headed to Australia where Kahu worked for a building company in Brisbane. Three years later he owned the business. It was during these years that Kahu and Soraya’s three boys were born. Life and business were good in Queensland but eventually family ties and a desire for the kids to learn te reo pulled them back across The Ditch. When Soraya’s father got sick and she told Kahu she wanted to go home, he was all for it.

“I always knew that I had a debt. Whenever I would come back to Nelson, I would hide. I wouldn’t let people know that I was coming back because I knew the aunties would ask me ‘when are you coming back?”

The family settled in Stoke seven years ago. Kahu managed to keep a low profile for a few months but life changed when local iwi leader Barney Thomas heard that he had been spotted in the supermarket.

“Barney tracked me down and pretty much immediately I started being dragged into the stuff that I suppose I should have been doing,” he said.

Since then Kahu’s been busy in the community, including helping to redevelop the carving school at Te Āwhina Marae, and working in Wakatū Incorporation’s property department. Last year he successfully ran for Nelson City Council in the new Māori Ward after being “volun-told” to run by iwi leaders. It’s a role he’s relishing.

“It’s the best Master’s Degree you could ever do to learn how to be the CEO of a large corporation. You are exposed to a lot of very competent, capable people who provide you with a lot of very good competent advice in an environment that’s reasonably well-structured for mutual success,” he said. “It’s a lot better than I expected.”

Gallery Showcase

Our region’s best creative talent

Nelson Classic Car Museum Museum Store

1 Cadillac Way, Annesbrook Open 7 days, 10am-4pm 03 547 4570 nelsonclassiccarmuseum.nz

Christine Hafermalz-Wheeler

The Artist Goldsmith Central Nelson By appointment, come and play! 021 817 209 theartistgoldsmith.com

RED Art Gallery & Café

Gallery open weekdays 8.30am4:30pm, Sat 9am-3pm. Cafe closes 3:30pm weekdays and 2pm Saturdays. 03 548 2170 redartgallery.com

Bill Burke Gallery

15B Ajax Avenue Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-12.30pm 027 847 0620

billburkeartist.com

The Coolstore Gallery

10 Aranui Road, Mapua Wharf Open 7 days, 10am – 5pm 03 540 3778

info@coolstoregallery.co.nz thecoolstoregallery.co.nz

Flick & Co. Studio – Artist

3 Wood Loop, Mariri, Motueka Zappekin Artist’s & Allies By appointment 021 0885 9482 flickcostudio@gmail.com

Nicola Reif (IAPS-MC, MPANZ) Private tuition available

View paintings at Wall to Wall Art Gallery 112 Bridge St nicolareifnz@gmail.com nicolareif.com

Jonty & Mike Ward Studio Gallery and Store

3 Morrison St, Nelson 022 035 9175

mikewardofnelson@gmail.com

Protean Art Gallery

20 Tahunanui Drive Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm May-August by appointment only 027 548 5003 proteanart.co.nz

The Suter Art Gallery

208 Bridge St, Nelson Open 7 days, 9.30am-4.30pm 03 548 4699

thesuter.org.nz

Lisa Grennell BVAD – Artist 13 Cheshire Place, Stoke Studio visits by appointment only grennell.lisa@yahoo.co.nz

lisagrennellartist.co.nz

Cathy Jones 4 Art 1/47A Washington Rd. Open Wednesdays 12pm-5pm, and by appointment 027 546 9499 cathyjones4art.weebly.com

Painting nature at its finest

Brightwater artist Nicola Reif can’t remember a time when she didn’t draw. “I have always loved nature and am constantly captivated by the creatures that live in it. These days I pour that love into my art,” she says.

With a Master’s degree in Palaeontology followed by years as an underground mining geologist in Australia, Nicola arrived back in New Zealand with her husband and children sixteen years ago and in 2016 began to take her artistic side seriously by painting pet portraits.

“Living on a rural property beside a river with an abundance of native birds and bush, I soon realised that I was developing a love affair with the feathered creatures around me,” she says.

Nicola creates her fine and detailed works in pastel. “I don’t like the fuss of mixing colours,” she says. “With the huge range of pastels available from around the world, there is an almost infinite colour palate to choose from.”

Developed from the chalk paints of pre-historic times and used since the Renaissance by some of the greatest painters throughout history, pastel is simply colour with a binder. “I prefer using soft pastels for the backgrounds, which can be blended beautifully, and pastel pencils for the details,” she says.

In a remarkably short space of time Nicola has achieved international acclaim by becoming a Master Circle Member of the International Association of Pastel Societies and been awarded Master Pastelist

status in New Zealand. She is also the most recent winner of the New Zealand branch’s Master Circle Division exhibition.

After capturing each animal or bird with her camera, Nicola embarks on detailed drawings. “I just love to draw. It is so relaxing,” she says, “and my studies in biology at university are a great advantage in providing me with technical insight into the structure of my subjects. I also spend a great deal of time observing them.”

A small painting takes around forty hours to complete and as more people become aware of her skill, Nicola’s work is becoming collectable. To ensure that her art is more readily accessible, she offers a range of high-quality prints and cards. These, along with some original pieces are available on her website, through local co-operative ‘Wall to Wall’ Gallery in Bridge Street of which she is a member and a select range of galleries throughout the country.

Nicola also offers workshops and private tuition, keen to spread the joy of painting in pastel and skills she has acquired to others.

“I update my projects on social media which gives people an insight into my art life and the stages paintings move through,” she says. “It is exciting to see the increase in interest for the results that can be achieved through use of this magic pastel medium.” nicolareif.com

Nicola Reif specialises in painting wildlife with pastels.

What’s On

For updated information visit itson.co.nz

1 - 31 May

100K’S IN 30 DAYS

Have fun, get fit and fundraise for the Nelson Regional Breast and Gynaecological Cancer Trust who support local women and families in Nelson and Tasman on a cancer journey.

7 May THE CENTRAL CHALLENGE

Find answers to clues in your team. A great activity for families with primary aged children. The two hour challenge is perfect for older children, corporate teams and hardcore adventures. centralchallenge.co.nz

On now – 14 May TOSS WOOLLASTON EXHIBITION

Atkins Gallery – In association with the Toss Woollaston Trust, Painting Nelson/ Tasman. Exhibition event for Nelson Heritage Month Tuku 23. Open Saturdays 10 to 4pm and Sundays 12– 4pm.

Atkins Gallery, Founders Park

100ksin30days.nz

23 May NEW ZEALAND ARMY BAND IN CONCERT

The New Zealand Army Band in Concert will showcase a wide variety of music including classical, big band, brass band, show music and rock, showcasing the talents of the 30 strong ensemble.

Theatre Royal Nelson

27 May NBS DANCING FOR A CAUSE

Ten local personalities perform with a trained ballroom dancer in front of judges and a live audience in an attempt to be declared the Nelson Dancing for a Cause winner and raise funds for Nelson Tasman Hospice.

Nelson Central School

25 May TINY RUINS

Beloved and internationally lauded folk group Tiny Ruins make their long-awaited return to Nelson this autumn to celebrate their critically acclaimed new album, Ceremony.

27 May THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL

Be stunned by the breath-taking vocals of Belinda Davids - as seen on Britain’s Got Talent, Showtime at the Apollo and winner of the BBC’s Even Better Than the Real Thing.

*Not associated with the Estate of Whitney Houston.

Theatre Royal Trafalgar Centre

Theatre Royal

PHOTO CREDITNEIL SINCLAIR

Top of Trafalgar Street

1. Lee-Anne Ricketts and Nigel McKinstry

2. Olivia Carson, Julie Fraser and Nikki Rackley

3. Doug Paulin and Suzi McAlpine

4. Nicky Reid and Lynette Sibbald

5. Scott Mayer and Nick Smith

6. Alexandria Peldmanis and Schan Crowther

7. Nicki Van Asch, Harvey Ruru and Rachel Boyack

8. Chris Sibbald and Stu Reid

Mackenzie Charleton

NZ Master Joiner Awards

World leaders in wood products since 1984

Treasured Objects of Mana and Significance | Morimoritia Ngā Taonga

Nelson Provincial Museum

1. Shae Trewin and Matthaeus Kwan

2. Emma Thompson, Lucinda BlackleyJimson and Adele Fitzpatrick

3. Tom and Belinda Wheatley

4. Michael Davies and Kelly O’Leary

5. Gaile Noonan and Yvonne Bowater

6. Rawinia Puna and Dianne Robb

7. Kelly O’Leary, Phillipa Hamilton and Hannah Dell

8. Nadia Downing and Holly De Cesare

Tuku

Mackenzie Charleton

Pretty Crafty Market

Richmond Town Hall

1. Alice Mayclair

2. Betty Ross, Alli Mitchell and Rosie Lee

3. Rachel Grerg, Darcy Liddell and Lisa Jary

4. Corina Nordstrom and Alariah Mina

5. Jeannette and Paul Marlow

6. Rosey, Jane and Eve Lelo

7. Louis Yrebury-Wilson and Steve Wilson

8. Courtney Du Plessis, Emma Egan and Paul Egan

9. Shelley Haring

Mackenzie Charleton

PRESENTING 6 ARTHUR VISTA, ATAWHAI

Welcome to 6 Arthur Vista – the ultimate in luxurious living for larger, extended families or those looking to add income potential to their wish list. Boasting a generous 337 sqm of living space, this stunning home has been purpose built to ‘meet the spec’ and to maximise the spectacular views over Tasman Bay.

Cooper 021 0252 8294

debbie@thecoopergroup.co.nz

Debbie

Debbie Cooper Real Estate Ltd (Licensed under REAA 2008)