DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW

John McGough is a musician, DJ, MC, and vocalist who loves what he does and it shows. In 2009 with a fourth place and in 2017 with a second place, he represented New Zealand in the World Brass Band Championships.

What is your family link with Grey Lynn? My Mum had a dance school in Pt Chev. and my Dad spend his university days living in Westmere. They married at the St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Lynn. As a young musician I used to go to Grey Lynn to listen to the great Rufus Rehu play his piano with his band. He was one of the few great jazz musicians, along with Joe Fingers Webster who played at the Birdcage tavern, and that encouraged me to get up and play with their bands. I was about 16 at the time and it was a huge experience for me. I think Rufus used to play at a bar called El Cortez. It was a tiny little bar opposite the Surrey Motor Inn before he moved to play at the Alambra. Life goes in a huge full circle; I used to be a regular performer at the Grey Lynn RSC.

What was your childhood like? A lot of watching ballet dancers at my mother’s studio. When bored I would line the church hall chairs up where they practiced and play trains. Only my special dancing girl friends were invited to take a ride on my train. I use to go to the pictures at the Cameo movie theatre in Grey Lynn.

Did you come from a show business background? Yes, from my mother’s side.

What did your parents say when you wanted to go into show business? I first asked my dad if I could take up ballet. He put me in the car, took me down the road and bought me a rugby ball. It was then decided I should try a musical instrument.

A movie about your life who would you like to play you? Bruce Willis. He has my hairstyle, but not my tummy.

If your life was an ice cream, what would it be called? A trumpet of course.

Something you disapprove of? Any form of drugs. They are evil!

Biggest disappointment? My twenty year marriage failing. But I think I’ve learnt from it.

If you won a million dollars? I’d buy a small two bedroom run down flat in Auckland preferably Ponsonby or Grey Lynn. Isn’t that what every Aucklander is doing for, that price?

What do you think happens when we die? I have no idea. And I’m not planning on finding out any time soon.

What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? Dances with Wolves. My attention span is not good and it was a very long movie so I went back to see it again. I can’t remember what it was about now but I’ve never done that with any other movie since.

How do you chill out? With friends, watching a little tele or sipping a Coruba and Coke while looking at a spectacular view, either panoramic, my beautiful partner Cathy or my wonderful kids.

Your favourite time of the day? My time.

Tell us something very few people know about you. I fell through a glass window when I was two-years-old. At seven I had to have an operation to take more glass out around my left eye. The scars are still there today yet no one says they notice it. Maybe that’s because I’m getting older and they think they are just wrinkles.

What cliché do you most hate? John really knows how to blow his own trumpet! I ask every journalist I meet to please leave that line out!

What gizmo can you simply not live without? I’d live without any of them if I could trade it for good health. So far so good.

Travel light or heavy? HEAVY! I think it’s all my hair products.

Are you a handshake or a hug kind of person? Handshake. Definitely handshake.

What is your comfort food? Did I mention chocolate? Oh, and you can’t beat a great pavlova.

Your dream guest list for a dinner party and why? My mum and dad and my best friend Greg, all at the same table together. Sadly they have all passed on.

If you could change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be? No telemarketers ringing me at home. (DAVID HARTNELL MNZM)  PN

CONNOR CRAWFORD I am a working artist and photographer with a colourful and rhythmic perspective. I enjoy shooting the front covers of Ponsonby News.

DAVID HARTNELL - MNZM For the last 53 years I’ve been a freelance entertainment journalist and author. I’ve lived in the Grey Lynn area for nearly three decades; I have met and interviewed some amazing people. FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT I work as a booker, promoter and festival programmer. Active in all areas of the music community; folk music is my specialty. GARY STEEL I am a veteran writer and editor and run two websites – Witchdoctor and Doctor Feelgood – focusing on my interests in music, technology, and the wellbeing of the planet and its denizens. HEIDI PADAIN More than a nature photographer, I am a storyteller, a visual narrator and environmentalist who seeks out bird stories begging to be told. HELENE RAVLICH A freelance writer and copywriter for almost 20 years, I have written for publications all over the world and couldn’t imagine myself in any other job. JOHN APPLETON I have a keen interest in nutritional medicine and how it may be used to support people with chronic illnesses. JOHN ELLIOTT I am the founder of Ponsonby News and write for the magazine. My career has included politics, education and publishing. My interests include the environment, the economy and social justice.

KEN RING My yearly NZ Weather Almanacs began in 1999. During the tragic 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, my work created international

interest. I currently live in Ponsonby. KERRY LEE I’ve been a freelance writer for a year now, and what I love most are the wonderful people I’ve meet along the way. #best job.

NIKKI KAYE I’m the local Member of Parliament for Auckland Central including Waiheke and Great Barrier Island. National Party spokesperson for Education and Sport and Recreation.

PHIL PARKER Journalist and published author, I have had a career involving both wine writing and hosting

boutique wine tours in the Auckland region. PIPPA COOM I am Councillor for Waitemat a and Gulf ward on Auckland Council. Formerly, Chair Waitemat a Local Board.

ROSS THORBY I have had a wanderlust for travel ever since I was old enough to own a passport. Since I discovered cruising, I have become unstoppable.

Join us on Sundays at 2pm... for our weekly service including demonstrations of clairvoyance and afternoon tea.

SAT 8 AUGUST Fun. Food. Treats. Treasures. Welcome back! Come out and play again in Ponsonby with market stall bargains from 10am & DJs from 12pm.

iloveponsonby.co.nz

Western Springs Forest Update

Pre-Covid, the locked gates either end of the track through the forest, and the trees blocking the track (since the April 2018 storm) where removed by the ‘Forest Fairies’.

During lockdown the forest track was safely used by many locals.

Post-Covid Auckland Council Community Facilities erected steel bars and wooden palings to block off track access, again.

ACCF now plan to erect a fence in Western Springs Lakeside Park, cordoning off the ‘fall zone’ by the stream. (H&S rules require two tree lengths) Expert reports commissioned for the Environment Court Mediation determined them falling, a minor probability.

ACCF plan to fell the forest in February 2021, overriding the decision of Waitemat a Local Board, costing over $1million.

Surely, in ‘post-Covid recession’, Council should be more fiscally responsible with ratepayers money? Minor maintenance, by removing branches from a few trees will make this forest and track safe, instead of felling this forest unnecessarily!

Community have offered to work with Council to manage and maintain the forest, while these ageing pines continue to provide a canopy to protect the natives underneath (the future native forest in 30 years), protecting this biodiverse ecosystem in a ‘Significant Ecological Area’ and Reserve. PN

Public meeting, Grey Lynn RSC, 4pm Sunday 16 August Gael Baldock, Westmere

New Zealand: “THE PERFECT PLACE”

We as a country have endured much in these unprecedented times and given our efforts and togetherness, to ensure New Zealand is the perfect place to be in the world at this time.

Carats Jewellery has designed this simple but elegant piece incorporating a D colour, Internally Flawless (IF) diamond which is representative of our geographic location in the world and also symbolising that New Zealand is ‘THE PERFECT PLACE’ to be.

Handmade in platinum and 18ct yellow gold, set with a 0.143ct D colour, this Internally Flawless diamond is priced at $3350. As we are unable to fly internationally at present we are offering this at the duty free price of $2914.

We will continue to offer the duty free price on this product until international flights resume, so anyone placing a deposit between now and international flights resuming will receive the duty free price. Cost may vary from above based on available diamond sizes, but please contact us and we can give you options on the day. PN