11 minute read
DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW
LOCAL NEWS DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH HELEN PERRY
Helen Perry has been a journalist most of her life and is the magazine editor for Times Media.
How has journalism changed over the years? Hugely - language constantly alters; it’s far less formal than 40 years ago. News priorities have changed in some areas and women’s place in journalism has progressed in leaps and bounds. Sadly, print advertising has slipped resulting in staff cuts for many publications thus reporting standards and range of news are not what they once were.
How have you survived the pandemic? I certainly have survived Covid-19 but has my life changed? Not dramatically – I worked from home during lockdowns, enjoyed socially distanced street meets and I didn’t succumb to the fury of baking which beset so many! However, curtailed travel means I’ve sorely missed get-a-ways to Oz and the Pacific, but then I’ve had more opportunities to explore beautiful Aotearoa.
What was your childhood like? Being a baby boomer, life was pretty simple and very happy. Living off Richmond Road, we didn’t have a car; we took the bus everywhere or walked. My mother sewed and knitted for us. The cake tins were always full, and on Thursdays Dad gave me a bag of sweets and 2/6d (25 cents) for my money box. At school, we banked weekly with the Auckland Savings Bank, drank supplied milk – cold in winter, hot in summer – and seldom wore shoes. We attended the Saturday matinee at the Esquire picture theatre (Richmond Road) or the Cameo in Surrey Crescent; 1/.6d (15 cents) bought a seat and an TT2 (ice block). I was presented with my first Louie heeled shoes when I was in Form 2 at Pasadena Intermediate, and suddenly I was all grown up!
Dream holiday? Europe, but if I have to narrow it down - France, Italy, Greece, and I like a bit of luxury - no camping and no rising at 6am to ride on a bus all day. Hotels or apartments for me, plus a pool, good food, wine and plenty of sunshine together with a bit of history and local exploration.
Bucket list? To live long enough to see my two grandsons (12 and nine) settled into careers.
What other job would you like? Drive a tour bus. I’m a people person with the gift of the gab. I love our country and I love showcasing it to visitors.
How would you like to be remembered? As a mother who loved her family, as a journalist who didn’t write half badly, and as a friend who would come to the rescue if she could.
If you were an ice-cream, what flavour would you be? Neapolitan - I never liked that flavour but as my life is one third family, one third work, one third fun, it kind of fits. But forget the strawberry; I am definitely not the strawberry shortcake type and although I can be vanilla bland, at times there is a dark side to my nature and thoughts which I seldom share!
Biggest disappointment? Never seeing the Beatles when they came to Auckland in 1964.
Dream home? Not too big, (who wants to clean all day?) less of the ostentation, big windows, beautiful view, some natural stone features, more living space, less in the bedrooms and definitely a walk-in shower.
Favorite hero of fiction? Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings - such an unpretentious little Hobbit who reluctantly takes on a Herculean task and, against all odds, accomplishes what must have seemed impossible.
Who would be on your dream guest list for a dinner party? Golly, as a journo there’s a myriad of greats and not so greats I’d love to dine with, including the inimitable David Hartnell who would, of course, unseal his lips and regale us with many a tale. In addition, my table of eight might include the late Billy T who knew how to laugh at himself and was a very kind man; author Irma Bombeck whose books and outlook on life were practical and humorous; naturalist (and much more) David Attenborough who values every aspect of our planet and has shared it so magnificently; actress Brenda Blythen, who must bring Vera to the table too (and because we both love game shows); local singer Lisa Lorell whose international cabaret style covers songs from many decades and virtually every genre - what a performance she could give and, finally, I’d have to toss a coin between poets James J Baxter and Hone Tuwhare. I love their words and we would surely debate society and the world at large. (DAVID HARTNELL MNZM) PN
Ligne Roset New Zealand Marketing Director Monica Tischler and Managing Director Matt Dickson with son Jude on the coveted Togo settee Photography: Chris van Ryn
NEW TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Bonjour and Kia ora! Coveted French furniture brand Ligne Roset is expanding its presence within the New Zealand market with the launch of an exclusive Auckland showroom.
For more than five decades, the brand has amassed worldwide domination; appearing in homes of the discerning design devotee in all corners of the globe – from Europe, Asia, America, Australia and even here in Aotearoa.
Yet despite New Zealanders’ love of the product, never before has it made a foray into the Kiwi market as a stand-alone brand – a venture Ligne Roset New Zealand Managing Director, Matt Dickson is thrilled to bring to the table.
“Ligne Roset has made its mark across the world with more than 200 exclusive stores and 600 retail distributors,” he says. “So to bring a dedicated presence to Auckland is a significant step, not just for the growth of the brand, but the calibre of furniture that New Zealanders now have access to. We look forward to contributing to the beautifully furnished homes across Auckland and Aotearoa.”
The Ligne Roset brand harks as far back as the 1860s, where it grew from humble beginnings making wooden parasols and has paved a solid reputation for its contemporary and sleek designs that don’t compromise on comfort and functionality.
It catapulted into global success in the early 1970s with the launch of the now famous design of Michel Ducaroy’s Togo sofa. The soft folds of fabric enveloping the foam structure were inspired by a tube of toothpaste, and it remains one of the brand’s most popular designs, selling over 25,000 pieces globally each year.
For more than 160 years, Ligne Roset has remained a family owned and operated business, with the fifth generation – the original founders’ great-great-grandsons – now at the helm. Ligne Roset’s Export Director for Asia Pacific, Bernard Vinson, says its presence down under reflects how the brand continues to grow from strength to strength.
“Ligne Roset has flourished amid the Covid-19 pandemic as people look to invest in beautiful pieces for their home,” he says. “The demand has been so great that we have needed to increase staff numbers and have established an internship programme where we mentor workers on the craft of luxury furniture making.”
Auckland born-and-raised Matt has a background in furniture retail and loyalty marketing, ensuring Ligne Roset is in safe hands as it makes its solo debut in New Zealand. Beside him in both business and life, is partner Monica Tischler; the pair live in Freemans Bay and welcomed their first child together – son, Jude – in June this year.
The Ligne Roset Auckland showroom is set to open early-to midAugust 2021 at 299 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. On display will be an extensive range of lighting and accessories, and living and dining furniture from the 2021/22 collection, including Ducaroy’s coveted Togo settee.
Other firm favourites are the Prado sofa by Christian Werner, Ploum sofa by R. & E. Bouroullec, Pumpkin armchair by Pierre Paulin and Pukka sofa by Yabu Pushelberg. The selection of outdoor furniture will arrive in time for our 2021 summer. PN
Viewing by appointment is available now; see ligne.nz or call T: 09 393 5636 for more information. Follow Ligne Roset New Zealand on Instagram and Facebook: @lignerosetnz
I am a supporter of intensification, but the Auckland Council’s recent support for the Goverment’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development shows shallow, sloppy un-Auckland thinking.
Instead of defending the city’s heritage inner city suburbs, the Council seems to think it can do so while complying with the Government edict. Both Government and Council are badly wrong for the following reasons:
1. Auckland cannot go on absorbing unregulated exponential growth.
Instead the Government should develop a National Policy Statement on Population Growth - it does not have one - which would arrive at how much and where, and have much stronger policies and incentives around regional development; in other words, attract people to areas that are stagnant or have low growth where houses are available and much cheaper and recognise that the notion that everyone is heading to the CBD for jobs, retail etc., is not true and not desirable.
2. More people are working from home or working in centres outside the
CBD. This is to be encouraged and will have the benefit of supporting and making economically viable other town centres (some in dire straits) such as Henderson, Westgate, Takapuna, Manukau etc. It will also help spread the infrastructure load so we are not designing transport etc. for everyone heading for the centre.
3. Heritage is not just “amenity for residents” as is being described in media. Heritage benefits much more widely than just people who live in it. It’s central to our identity as New Zealanders and Aucklanders and creates a sense of belonging and uniqueness, permanence and continuity. People like familiar landmarks; for large ones, think One Tree
Hill, the Museum, for more local ones think the macrocarpa on the corner, the Freemans Bay dairy, Wah Lees etc. These are the living emblems of our stories from the past.
4. New Zealanders are not very good at recognising what is unique about their country unless it is superficial stuff like All Blacks and mountains. One of the unacknowledged prizes from our past are our kauri suburbs. No other country in the world has these. San Francisco has a couple of streets of kauri houses built from New Zealand timber and they are celebrated and a tourist attraction. In New Zealand our kauri suburbs - Freemans Bay, Ponsonby, Kingsland are treated with a degree of disdain. I note the current commentary derogates them as homes of the rich and privileged (and therefore it is implied, deserving of demolition) because it is not recognised that heritage goes beyond those who live in it.
5. There are silly debates going on that while these suburbs might have character they do not have “heritage”. That’s nonsense. Applying
RMA or legal type definitions to what we see in our daily life in our familiar neighbourhoods is not what determines heritage. If the villas go in favour of high rises, so will the large old urban trees, native and exotic. I have heard elected members talk about “the leafy suburbs” with almost a sneer while rabbiting on about the urban ngahere.
6. There is no way first home buyers or young people are going to be able to afford the apartments and town houses built in these inner city suburbs if high rise replaces villas. This is not where you need intensification. You want it in brownfield areas that are in need of redevelopment where you can amalgamate and replace low value houses on large properties with good quality apartments etc., especially those near good public transport. There are areas like this all over Auckland. This is happening in places like Glen Eden, but generally the quality of the replacements is very poor, as they are private-led small scale and cheaply built.
So there’s six reasons to reject the Government’s thinking and ask Auckland Council, “What are you thinking?” If they don’t defend Auckland from the barbarians, it will be left up to the heritage groups, historic societies and individuals to fight the good fight. (SANDRA CONEY) PN
FUTURE MURKY FOR LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY
Two weeks after the release of the Council’s Long Term Plan 2021-31, there is no clear information forthcoming about strengthening and restoring the Leys Institute to our community, despite multiple contacts with the Waitematā Local Board and councillors.
Richard Northey, Waitemata Local Board chair, says, “The Local Board hoped and expected that the governing body and staff would make a clear decision about whether and when to seismically strengthen and renovate the Leys Institute.” But no decision has been made.
Budget information released by Finance Committee Chair, Councillor Desley Simpson, shows that there are substantial funds allocated for the seismic upgrading of community facilities in 2023 and 2024, stating, “With regard to Leys Institute, the ‘seismic retrofit budget’ could be allocated towards the cost of Leys Institute, subject to a detailed business case and informed by consideration of competing demands for use of this budget”. But her office also says, “The project governance and indicative timeline for the development of a business case has yet to be determined.” for the Leys restoration. The community has been waiting patiently for over 18 months, and has submitted on annual plans, Local Board plans and the Long Term Plan. Meanwhile our treasured Category A heritage library and gymnasium are still mothballed. Will they become derelict like Carlile House in Richmond Road?
Friends of Leys Institute is disappointed with this lack of a definitive path forward for the Leys. We suggest that concerned residents email the Waitemata Local Board to advocate for a clear timeline and process, with exactly who will be developing the necessary business case in the Council.
Email addresses: waitematalocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Our local Councillor Pippa Coom pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Councillor Desley Simpson desley.simpson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Anyone interested in becoming a member of Friends of Institute can email co-ordinator Helen Geary at heleng@maxnet.co.nz, and follow the Friends of Leys Institute Facebook page.
