PONSONBY NEWS - FEBRUARY'18

+

PUBLISHED FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2018

Established: OCTOBER 1989 – CELEBRATING 28 YEARS OF PUBLISHING HISTORY!

FEBRUARY 2018

MEET CAROL GUNN & CALLUM McALPINE The managers of the local Sunday Grey Lynn Farmers Market where you can find local, sustainable and eco-friendly produce every week - P48 ponsonbynews.co.nz

Outdoor Furniture Manufactured with A-Grade Teak, Reclaimed Teak, Wicker, Concrete, 316 Stainless Steel, Sunbrella®, Batyline®, and Aluminium

AMALFI A-GRADE TEAK SECTIONAL SOFA & PUZZLE TABLES

MONTGOMERY

CABANA

ALEX

LOOP

DANIELLE & WASHINGTON

CONCRETE PLANTERS

ZAHA & TOGA

VALHALLA

MYKONOS

CEE CEE

MILLAR

CONCRETE POTS

KOBII

The designs and variety of our outdoor furniture pieces are eclectic, organic, and stunning. Our designers and customers all agree and refer clients and friends to us. We have been told that there is nothing else like Design Warehouse anywhere, as we are so unique. Our online video will give you a hint of what to expect. We have a reputation for amazing quality. Our vast website is ready for you to inspect the many hundreds of pieces we have in stock.

We use the best materials worldwide. Take a peek at what we love to do, and you will be amazed! Visit www.designwarehouse.co.nz

www.designwarehouse.co.nz 137/147 The Strand, Parnell/Auckland / 09 377 7710 / 0800 111 112 / sales@designwarehouse.co.nz Wholesalers Open To The Public Daily 9:30 - 5:30

SPACE CLUB CHAIRS, SOFA & IDA TABLE

BRUNO & ILLUSION

LUTYENS

OSLO

KINGSTON

SHERMAN & NAIROBI

MAYO & CHESS

CABO

BRENTWOOD

CABANA

IDA & OASIS

NICKI & BIANCA

MARSALA

Designers and architects use us as the go-to place for outdoor furniture. Customers and clients need to know where our products are manufactured.

We only use suppliers in Belgium, France, Italy, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. All the materials that make up our products come from these countries. All our outdoor fabrics are the best in the world. We sell wicker, #316 stainless steel, a-grade teak, reclaimed teak, concrete, woven, and rope furniture. We have everything in stock. A great percentage of our customer base is repeat or referral. SunbrellaÂŽ cushions are included with deep seating pieces as shown on site. Visit www.designwarehouse.co.nz

4 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

5

photography: Martin Leach

photography: Mick Andrew

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH

113

018

P18: Roscoe Thorby at the Franklin Road Christmas lights with Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, Mayor Phil Goff, Waitemata Local Board Chair, Pippa Coom & Deputy Chair Shale Chambers; P113: Rebekah Hay of Hakanoa Drinks at the Grey Lynn Farmers Christmas Market

008 009 012 018 020 022 026 040

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW PIPPA COOM: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS MIKE LEE, COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF U3A PONSONBY NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP

042 048 050 052 055 060 061 074

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY COVER STORY - GLFM VEG FRIENDLY: GARY STEEL PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE FASHION + STYLE HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL BEAUTY LIVING, THINKING & BEING JOHN APPLETON ON HEALTH

075 078 081 087 088 102 111 115

FUTURE GENERATION PONSONBY PETS PLANNING RETIREMENT HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN ARTS + CULTURE OUT + ABOUT PONSONBY PINK PAGES

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: MARTIN LEACH

PONSONBY NEWS+ is published monthly, excluding January by ALCHEMY MEDIA LIMITED LIM POSTAL: P.O. BOX 47-282 Ponsonby, Auckland 1144. www.ponsonbynews.co.nz T: 09 378 8553 or 09 361 3356 Editor/Publisher Associate Publisher & Ad Manager Distribution Manager Advertising Sales Operations Manager Contributing Fashion Editor Contributing Music Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Proof Readers Layout Designer Designer

www.facebook.com/ponsonbynews www.twitter.com/Ponsonby_News www.instagram.com/PonsonbyNews

MARTIN LEACH; M: 021 771 147; E: martinleach@xtra.co.nz or martin@ponsonbynews.co.nz JO BARRETT; M: 021 324 510; E: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz JAY PLATT; M: 021 771 146; E: jayplatt@xtra.co.nz or jay@ponsonbynews.co.nz MELISSA PAYNTER; M: 027 938 4111; E: melissa@ponsonbynews.co.nz GWYNNE DAVENPORT; M: 021 150 4095; E: gwynne@ponsonbynews.co.nz JULIE ROULSTON; M: 027 211 7169; E: julie@ponsonbynews.co.nz FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT; M: 021 134 4101; E: finn.huia@gmail.com DEIRDRE ROELANTS; M: 021 261 8439; E: deirdre33@slingshot.co.nz JOHN ELLIOTT; M: 021 879 054; E: johnelliott@ihug.co.nz JESSIE KOLLEN and DEIRDRE THURSTON ARNA MARTIN; E: arna@cocodesign.co.nz MELISSA PAYNTER; E: melissa@ponsonbynews.co.nz

PRINTED BY WEBSTAR, AUCKLAND. ISSN 1177-3987

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: WITHIN NEW ZEALAND $49. BY CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER IN NZ$. NO CREDIT CARDS. PLEASE NOTE: we do not hold back issues of Ponsonby News. Our archive is all online as a low resolution pdf or from August 2010, as a high resolution E-mag - visit www.ponsonbynews.co.nz The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechaal, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the prior permission, in writing, of the copyright owner. Colour transparencies and manuscripts submitted are sent at the owner’s risk; neither the publisher nor its agents accept any responsibility for loss or damage. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may occur.

PONSONBY NEWS+

is printed on paper sourced from sustainable, well managed forests and manufactured under the environmental management system ISO 14001. Our hand-delivered copies are flow wrapped in eco-friendly, degradable plastic. FOR BACK ISSUES AND ADVERTISING INFORMATION: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

6 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SPACE

BoConcept is all about making furniture and colours come together in your home.

If you need someone to bounce your ideas off, our interior decorators are at hand. They are able to complete any scheme, ranging from one piece of furniture, single rooms, small apartments to big houses and corporate spaces. Book a free consultation today.

AUCKLAND BLOC, 20 NORMANBY ROAD, MT EDEN | TEL. 09 630 0557 WELLINGTON 258 THORNDON QUAY | TEL. 04 499 8885 CHRISTCHURCH 12 PAPANUI ROAD | TEL. 03 356 1115

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SPACE | BOCONCEPT.COM

LETTERS + EMAILS WISHFUL THINKING Imagine paying rates and having the following services available at no additional charge.

• Garden waste, clippings collected from outside your home weekly.

• Household waste, up to a trailer load, collected from outside your home weekly.

• Berms cleared of detritus from trees, grass cut and edges maintained.

Sounds like wishful thinking. In fact, I don’t recall any of these services offered at any regular time in Auckland - and certainly not as part of those provided in exchange for payment of one’s rates.

Auckland has long been overcharged for anything property related, with the council being the biggest money grabber of all. It’s shameful that rates continue to rise, yet we receive nothing in return - not even competent leadership of the city, or management of its transport woes. Oh yes, we do get our rubbish collected weekly, and recycling fortnightly - wow!

LACK OF MOBILITY PARKING We have noticed with interest all the new markings on the roads for bikes which is wonderful for biking safely. However, it would be nice to have the same attention given to mobility parking. Today’s cyclists could be tomorrow’s mobility parkers. Every time a new bike ramp goes in, a new mobility park could go in.

Regarding the parking outside Westpac in Ponsonby Road: It is good that you can back into the park, but then someone with mobility problems has to squeeze past a tree, a rubbish bin, a lamp post and two unnecessary posts. If a wheelchair sign was painted in the road there would be no need for them. They are in such short supply that they are highly contested. Our fraternity looks enviously at that large, unused, bike rack outside Bambina. Sally James, Ponsonby

By contrast, many Kiwis will be surprised to learn that most councils in Sydney provide the above services as an inclusive part of its rates package. At North Sydney Council, as long as notification is made by 7pm Sunday - either on line or by phone - garden and or household waste will be collected Monday mornings. How is it they can be so much more efficient than us?

On enquiry, rates charged in North Sydney are comparable to those paid here, often marginally less. Its council workers, too, are paid significantly less than their Auckland counterparts, yet clearly do more to deliver benefits to their community.

And, on walking about most Australian cities, New Zealand tourists will be heard to comment on the well kept berms, edges, common gardens and parks - obviously because it’s a foreign concept to them that a council would actually have people employed to keep the place looking nice, rather than pushing paper around at absurdly inflated salaries.

Why do we put up with this crap? Auckland Council has grown to be an unwieldy collection of top-heavy silos that has lost sight of its purpose. Where is Phil Goff and what has he done since his election? It’s pathetic how poor the state of affairs has become, particularly with the Nazi-like Auckland Transport apparently acting unilaterally. The protest group at the top of Garnet Road is a great start. Congratulations to all those who’ve manned the site to protect our community. What more can be done to correct the chasm of despair?

The way I see it, Auckland Council should be stripped down to the bare bones, keeping those few who are actual contributors, thereby slashing the obscene salary bill that currently exists. It would make a good start, and lessen the call for continual rates increases. Is Government intervention called for, or are they more of the same?

Shane Compton, Westmere

LETTERS CONTINUED P41

THANK YOU FOR PUBLISHING PONSONBY NEWS. I'm an avid reader from the moment my daughter introduced it to me in 2015. I always look forward to the time when it comes out. I find it to be very informative, information which I then pass on to my students. I normally get it from the Magnet bookshop, the Ponsonby Road shops, or the new Countdown.

This September I got hospitalized and from then on couldn't go to the Ponsonby area to get my copy. My daughter is the one who gets my copy. But last November, she's searched for it but never saw nor got one. Did you publish that month? Just wondering what happened.

Last night, I was able to get the December issue. Keep up the good work and looking forward to your issues in 2018. Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.

Rene Molina, Manukau

Views in Ponsonby News reflect the authors’ and not those of Alchemy Media.

69,000 READERS PER MONTH

8 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

(Nielsen Media)

PONSONBY NEWS+ is printed on paper sourced from sustainable, well managed forests and manufactured under the environmental management system ISO 14001. Our hand-delivered copies are flow wrapped in eco-friendly, degradable plastic.

17,987 COPIES DISTRIBUTED TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN... ARCH HILL, PONSONBY, COX’S BAY, FREEMANS BAY, HERNE BAY, GREY LYNN, ST MARY’S BAY, WEST LYNN AND WESTMERE PLUS SELECTED BUSINESSES IN BRITOMART, HIGH STREET, CBD, KINGSLAND, MT EDEN, NEWMARKET, NEWTON + PARNELL PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FROM THE EDITOR HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE. WE TRUST YOU’VE ALL HAD A FABULOUS BREAK. It’s always tough getting back into work after some nice time off but at least the weather is spectacular.

Photography: Deirdre Thurston aka Annie Leibovitz

Last month we were excited to get an email from Jacinda announcing that she and her partner Clarke are expecting a baby. A true picture of the new world, a loving mother as PM of our country and the equally loving and devoted father as the stay at home parent.

Old fashion values but in reverse.

Every February we look forward to the Auckland Pride Parade in Ponsonby. This year’s extravaganza will start at Tole Street at 7.30pm. A diverse celebration of our Rainbow community - P14.

The most romantic day of the year is Valentine’s Day, 14 February. Don’t forget to spoil your beloved with a card, flowers, chocolates, booking a table at your favourite restaurant. Or perhaps just a simple picnic in one of our local parks.

Let’s get as many submissions as we can in support of our new civic space, Ponsonby Park. 2018 is an exciting year and with luck Ponsonby Park will get funded - P24.

We rely on members of our community to keep us informed of issues and happenings.

Please drop me a line to let me know of anything that may be concerning you going on in our world.

L to R: Gwynne Davenport, Joanne Barrett, Melissa Paynter, Martin Leach and Jay Platt

Eight years ago the Grey Lynn Farmers Market was established and has become a go to place every Sunday morning for the best of spray-free produce, most of it organic.

The market is doing more research this year to hear what changes its customers would like. Carol Gunn, the manager of the market, tells us that they aim for zero waste - P48.

This issue we have included ideas for retirement planning. The experts tell us that anyone who has retired says we should start planning as soon as we can - P81.

Over the break I had a nice catch up with my great mate Deirdre Roelants. She is now in her 80s and has been writing a regular column on the history of local streets for the past 12 years for Ponsonby News. The poor love had a bad fall a few months ago and she is now in a nursing home. Sadly she doesn’t think she’ll be returning to Franklin Road - P52.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

We hope you will enjoy our information on healthy living in our 15-page Living, Thinking and Being section this month. So, if like us, you made a few New Year’s resolutions that haven’t quite kicked in, now is your opportunity to make changes to your health and wellbeing.

Next issue we are including European influences in and around our community; a focus on electric transport - cars and bikes; and careers and employment. Please get in touch PN with one of the team if you want to be included. (MARTIN LEACH) F

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

9

“One by one, I’ve moved all my properties over to Louise as she has a no-nonsense but fair approach with my tenants and is quick to respond to any questions I may have. Top notch.”

- Property Owner

Louise Trembath

Danielle Cleverdon

Property Manager

Property Manager

021 473 073 louise.trembath@customresidential.co.nz

021 473 031 danielle.cleverdon@customresidential.co.nz

Our Property Managers, Louise Trembath and Danielle Cleverdon, have a combined 18 years’ experience in the Auckland rental sector. Contact us today to request a free and informative rental appraisal.

Custom Residential Select Portfolio Custom Residential’s decision to get into property management, made back in 2013, was driven by the belief that there is a better way to manage rental properties.

The Custom Residential Property Management Portfolio is all about quality over quantity. We keep our property managers portfolio’s small so that all of our owners and tenants get more timely attention. We provide an incredibly high level of marketing expertise for our owners to drive the highest level of enquiry possible. Tenant selection, asset protection, professional marketing and ongoing communication are our core strengths.

The approach we take to managing your rental properties ensures you get priority service at all times. We aim to do a far better job for a smaller number of clients.

Property Management

DAVID HARTNELL’S ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW Ceillhe Sperath is the founder and director of Time Unlimited Tours, which is a multiple global award -winning company. Both she and her husband Neill run their company out of Ponsonby.

Tell us about your tour company?

Our passion for Showcasing NZ started shortly after we met and fell in love in 2005. Within a year we had married and sealed our life and business partnership. Looking back we should never have married in the summer as it’s our high season so we now get to celebrate our wedding anniversary with our foreign clientele! We are often asked as one of New Zealand's most awarded luxury tour operators what sets us apart. It comes down to how we make people feel! It’s by design that our bespoke experiences put our manuhiri (VIP clients) at the centre of everything we do.

It is attention to every detail, the small added touches, always asking and never assuming we know what our clients want, listening and then listening again, attracting kaiarahi (host-guides) who have wide -ranging life skills which we match to align or mirror the types of clients we host.

Happy childhood?

I was privileged to grow up on a family farm in northland. Being a New Zealander of Irish and Maori descent I think I had the best of both worlds. Mum and Dad were active at the local Marae and even ran the Irish Society. Before school we had animals to feed and some house cows to milk. We also lived on the same farm as our grandparents so I learned to cook, sew, bake, raise animals, tend gardens, etc, something I try to pass onto my little girl. We were also a sporting family which meant we never had a dull lifestyle. We also ran family businesses and so did my husband’s family so it’s no wonder we have our own family business now.

Dream holiday internationally?

Neill and I have visited so many places in the world. We both have Irish parents and family across Ireland, UK, Europe and extended networks of friends and past clients around the world. Neill is wanting to walk to Everest basecamp so I will be cheering him on from some safe point!

Bucket list?

It’s empty as it's end of life focused and I’ve only just begun! More travel and getting quality time to spend with my husband and daughter.

We work together but it’s often ships passing so experiencing life to the fullest with the ones you love is priority for me.

Most treasured passion?

I truly treasure the diversity of my heritage and how fortunate we are to live and share our home of Aotearoa. It’s only through travel experiences and our own business journey where we get to showcase all things that make us Kiwis our culture, cuisine.

The most Kiwi thing about you?

I truly love Marmite! (My kiwi husband of Irish-German descent thinks it’s like road tar!) Oh, and Pineapple Lumps and Jaffas.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Um, 10 years older? I still want my own teeth and hair preferably and married to same hubby who also has own assets, an even prouder Mum than I am now of a teenager who will be 18. Scary!

A movie about your life, who would play you?

My daughter, so I could boss her around and loan her the favourite clothes I have kept all these years, hoping desperately I could fit into them again one day soon (yeah, right) Biggest disappointment?

That I never met my husband sooner.

12 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

What do you think happens when we die?

We are carefree, debt free and don’t have body issues or bad hair days anymore!

Give your teenaged self advice?

Remember all your actions have consequences.

Greatest fear?

Living in an apartment.

What superpower would you like?

To fly. It would beat waiting times at airports.

What cliché do you most hate?

It won’t happen overnight but it will happen - up there with sh.. happens’.

Travel light or heavy?

My husband would say heavy, as he has to carry it all.

Favourite movie?

Moana movie is a great depiction of our Polynesian vogaying heritage. Our ancestors were in tourism well before we coined the word and built an industry around it. I am also a Mum of a daughter who loved the Frozen movie and those darn frozen songs! When the Moana movie came out we had great new songs and finally some characters we could relate to. (DAVID HARTNELL, MNZM) F PN

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

Auckland

2–18 February 2018 AUCKLAND PRIDE GALA Friday 2 February, 8pm Q Theatre

ENDING HIV BIG GAY OUT Sunday 11 February, midday Coyle Park

AUCKLAND PRIDE PARADE Saturday 17 February, 7.30pm Ponsonby Road

PROUD PARTY Saturday 17 February, 10pm Q Theatre

www.aucklandpride.org.nz T World The World Belongs Beelon Belon longs gs to t the the h Dissatisfied Dissa Di sss tis ssa issfied ffie ieed

DEADLINE DE D EA AD DLI L NEE - 20TH 20TH TH OF OF THE TTH HE MONTH MO M ON NTTH

PPONSONBY OONNSSOONNBBY NNE NEWS EWS WS+ Fe FFebruary ebr bruuaary ary ry 22018 018 01

1133

LOCAL NEWS

AUCKLAND PRIDE PARADE

www.aucklandpride.org.nz/events/auckland-pride-parade, Free, 17 February, Ponsonby Road Peace. Rangimarie. Filemu. Melino. Hépíng. Shanti. Paix. Vrede.

Frieden. Paz. Pyung Hwa. Heiwa. Kapayapaan. Damai. Salam. Aman.

‘Au. Hau. Vakaçegu. Fakamafolaaga. Mir. Pace. Shalom.

Come out to Ponsonby Road on Saturday 17 February - commencing at the twilight time of 7.30pm - for the largest and loudest carnival of equality and diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand!

Auckland Pride’s showcase event brings together people from across Aotearoa New Zealand to celebrate our Rainbow communities - which includes people identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender,

intersex, takatapui, whakawahine, tangata ira tane, fa’afafine, fakaleiti, akava’ine, mahu, vaka sa lewa lewa, rae rae, fiafifine, fakafifine, palopa, kathoey, hijra, baklâ, genderfluid, genderqueer, pansexual, asexual, queer and questioning.

A firm crowd favourite on Auckland’s summer calendar, the Auckland Pride Parade is a colourful and inclusive reflection of our great city, and the incredible cultural diversity within it.

He pokeke uenuku i tu ai! Against a dark cloud, a rainbow stands out brightly!

AUCKLAND PRIDE DAWN CEREMONY

wwww.aucklandpride.org.nz/events/auckland-pride-dawn-ceremony, Free, 2 February, Western Park (rain or shine) E rau rangatira ma, nau mai, haere mai.

Join tangata whenua and the Auckland Pride Board at the top end of Western Park on Ponsonby Road, from 6am on Friday 2 February, as we welcome the new dawn and the beginning of Auckland Pride 2018!

Featuring guest speakers and performances from Ahakoa Te Aha, including karakia and the call of the kaikaranga and putatara.

In the light of the new day, this ceremony seeks to reconnect our spirits to Tamaki Makaurau, blessing all those who participate in and around Auckland Pride 2018 with a safe and meaningful time.

He pokeke uenuku i tu ai! Against a dark cloud, a rainbow stands out brightly!

Stay afterwards for a cup of tea and scones, then embark on your day feeling spiritually and physically refreshed.

PRIDE AND JOY BOOK LAUNCH

wwww.aucklandpride.org.nz/events/book-launch-pride-joy, Free, 16 February, The Women’s Bookshop Ponsonby Road Celebrate with MP Louisa Wall, who features in this inspiring new US book, Pride and Joy: LGBTQ Artists, Icons and Everyday Heroes.

- to express, create, write, dance, parent, teach, rise up and shine their lights for all to see.

Author and activist Kathleen Archambeau will be in Auckland to launch her publication, which is filled with stories of queer heroes who overcame, persisted and lived life joyously out loud, completely on their own terms.

It’s exciting to have an LGBTQ book that is so positive. Pride and Joy not only highlights the contribution of LGBTQ people to world culture, but demonstrates that being openly gay (or whatever) can bring fulfillment and success.

Including Emma Donoghue, Tony Kushner, Colm Toibin and a marvellous range of people from around the world who broke boundaries, encouraging future generations to be true to themselves

Kathleen Archambeau is an award-winning author and longtime LGBTQ activist from San Francisco, with a Kiwi wife.

14 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

SHOP ∙EAT DRINK ∙PARTY WITH PRIDE OPEN ALL DAY Ponsonby is the place to be all day on Saturday 17 February with amazing shopping, dining and drinking options.

Open to traffic until 4.30pm with plenty of parking.

PONSONBY

PRE PARADE ENTERTAINMENT 5:30PM Music and dance entertainment starts at 5:30pm.

THE PARADE 7:30PM Pride Parade starts at 7:30pm from Tole Street corner.

Auckland’s Hippest Strip

JOIN US FOR A RAINBOW FIESTA ON THE PROUDEST STRIP

Shop, eat, drink, play, repeat

iloveponsonby.co.nz

Play all day, then party all night - all venues open! #ILOVEPONSONBY #PONSONBYPRIDE

LOCAL NEWS WOOF!

wwww.aucklandpride.org.nz/events/woof, $5 donation to SPCA for each show entry, 3 February, Western Park Proudly brought to you by Nutrience, Woof! will be larger and furrier and showier and woofier than ever in 2018! Dogs and dog lovers from across the Rainbow spectrum are invited to an afternoon of four-legged fun in luscious Western Park, Ponsonby.

MC Steven Oates will have a celebrity panel on a loose leash as they judge categories including Best Dressed, Best Dog/Owner Looka-like, Butchest Dog, Campest Dog, Best Talent or Trick - and, of course, the coveted title of Best in Show! Thanks to our friends at Nutrience and Barkley Manor, we have a king-size kennel full of prizes

for the taking. Register your prize-winning pooch at 1pm. The paws will be hitting the dogwalk at 2pm sharp.

Woof! will again be located in lower Western Park, near the tennis courts, with the closest road access via Beresford Street West and Howe Street.

Come celebrate all things K9 at New Zealand’s biggest and most furrrbulous Rainbow community dog show! There’ll be heaps of goodies to purchase for all your furry friends, and human refreshments will be available as well.

Woof 2017 judges line up with Buckwheat & Ike

LUCIA MATAIA: LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY NEWS Kia ora and welcome to an exciting new year at the Leys Institute Library. We hope you have had a refreshing summer break.

Congratulations and well done to all the children who participated in Kia Mai Te Whai summer reading programme. Thanks for your commitment to keep reading over the summer holidays and for completing the challenges and activities.

Pride Festival 2-18 February We are excited to host and present activities to celebrating Auckland’s diverse Rainbow community.

Pride Poetry Speakeasy Same Same but different and Auckland Council Libraries present the fourth Pride Poetry Speakeasy. Bring your original or favourite LGBTQI poetry to present or come to listen and enjoy in a welcoming word nest. This free event will be held in our courtyard.

Leys Institute Library Courtyard, 20 St Mary’s Road, Wednesday 7 February, 5.30pm - 7pm, Refreshments available.

Rainbow Rhymetime All welcome for a fun session of songs and rhymes on Tuesday 13 February at 10.30am.

your baby along and enjoy music, songs, movement and finger rhymes in a fun, relaxed environment.

Rhymetime (Tuesday 10.30am) - this session is perfect for toddlers (1-3 years old) who may have outgrown Wriggle and Rhyme. It is filled with songs, dance, rhymes and simple stories, Rhymetime is a great way to introduce your little ones to group sessions.

Storytime (Friday 10.30am) - this is a popular session of read aloud stories, songs and rhymes and it is ideal for children aged 3 - 5 years.

While age guidelines are provided, these are recommendations only and pre-schoolers of all ages are welcome to all sessions.

Craft at Leys This is a friendly group who come together with their knitting, crochet and other projects.

Newcomers welcome for a yarn and a cup of tea and biscuits in our downstairs Reading Room on the first and third Monday of each month. This session runs from 10am - 11.30am.

Children’s Programmes all resume after Waitangi Day Here is a rundown of what we have on offer for pre-schoolers during the school term.

Book Chat Our group meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the downstairs Reading Room. We preview new exciting titles and we all chat about our favourite books. If you are an enthusiastic reader, then this is the group for you. We start at 10am and run until 11.30am. (LUCIA MATAIA) F PN

Wriggle & Rhyme (Wednesday and Thursday 10.30am) - an introduction to active movement, this programme is designed for babies from birth to 18 months. Bring

LEYS INSTITUTE, 20 St Marys Road, T: 09 374 1315, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz

Rainbow Storytime Friday 16 February at 10.30am we have stories, songs and dance.

16 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

AY D R U T SA AR Y TH EBRU 17 F

CELEBRATE PRIDE FROM SUNRISE TO SUNDOWN ON THE PROUDEST STRIP Ponsonby Road is open to traffic as usual with plenty of parking until 4:30pm

PONSONBY Auckland’s Hippest Strip Shop, eat, drink, play, repeat

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

THE PRIDE PARADE STARTS AT 7:30PM (FROM TOLE STREET CORNER)

15

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH #ILOVEPONSONBY PONSONBY NEWS+ #PONSONBYPRIDE February 2018 iloveponsonby.co.nz

PIPPA COOM: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD REPORT Welcome to the first Waitemata Local Board report for 2018. The year started with some great news that several locals had been recognized in the New Year Honours List for their contributions to the community and services to a range of sectors.

Congratulations to them all including Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet for services to fashion and the community, Sir Bryan Williams for services to rugby, Nicola Legat ONZM for services to the publishing industry and Rachel Brown ONZM for services to sustainable business development.

In my December report, I acknowledged the huge community contribution of Roscoe Thorby in coordinating the Franklin Road lights. He’ll be receiving a Queen’s Service Medal from the Governor -General, the special guest who opened the lights last year.

Waitemata Local Board by-election A seat on the local board opened up as a result of the resignation of Auckland Future’s Mark Davey last year. By the time you read this, voting packs should have arrived (due in letter boxes from 26 January). Voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday 17 February so papers need to be posted no later than Valentine’s Day (14 February) to make it in time to be counted.

It is possible to enrol and vote right up until election day. Details at elections.org.nz and on the Auckland Council website.

Auckland Pride Parade 17 February Local board members will join the Auckland Council float themed 'we build this city' at the annual Auckland Pride Parade along Ponsonby Road. The largest and loudest carnival of equality and diversity in

1

2

3

4

Aotearoa is on 17 February starting at 7.30pm. It is an excellent opportunity to make a day of it in Ponsonby as the entertainment begins early while the street is transformed into a car-free, people - loving space.

Community grants The West End Cup provided a fantastic December weekend of high -quality free to watch tennis. The cup is now New Zealand’s second biggest international tournament after the ASB Classic thanks to a range of sponsors including the local board. The board has assisted with development of the cup over several years, initially with a modest community grant and more recently with support from the board’s events partnership fund.

A Quick Response Grant round to fund community initiatives and projects is currently open until 16 February (grants value $300 - $3000). Details on the Auckland Council website.

The board is looking forward to a busy year of local events, community projects and delivering on our commitment to make stuff happen so Waitemata is the best possible place to live, work, study and play.

PN (PIPPA COOM) F Contact Pippa Coom, Chair of Waitamata Local Board, pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz www.facebook.com/waitemata

1. West End Cup winner Matt Barton 2017 with club president Suzie Strachan & MC Justin Mackenzie; 2. Roscoe Thorby at the Franklin Road lights with Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, Mayor Phil Goff, Waitemata Local Board Chair, Pippa Coom & Deputy Chair Shale Chambers; 3. Board members Adriana Christie & Rob Thomas at Pride Parade 2017; 4. Board member Richard Northey & Robyn Northey

18 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LOVING, LIVING & SELLING GREATER PONSONBY

Herne Bay 76 Albany Road

Grey Lynn 2 Sherwood Avenue

Mount Eden 23 Pentland Avenue

Herne Bay 288B Jervois Road

Grey Lynn 503 Aria, 11 Vinegar Lane

Grey Lynn 40 Grosvenor Street

Grey Lynn 103 Crummer Road

Ponsonby 64 John Street

Westmere 79 Old Mill Road

Ponsonby 3A Nexus, 25 Pollen St

Mt Eden 22 Woodford Road

Grey Lynn 36 Grosvenor Road

Blair Haddow 021 544 555 | 09 375 8411 blair.haddow@bayleys.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Bayleys Real Estate Ltd, Ponsonby Licensed under the REA Act 2008

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

19

JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Greg Moyle throws hat in ring for Local Board Election With experience as an Auckland City Councillor, and former member of the Waitemata Local Board, local Greg Moyle is standing for the board in the coming by-election.

Moyle is a man of many parts. He has been a member of the Mount Albert Grammar School Board of Trustees for about 20 years, the last 10 as Chair.

He is a former NZ Army Major, and is the Chairman of the NZ War Memorial Museum Trust in Le Quesnoy, France. The trust is raising funds to purchase and repurpose the historic former mayor’s residence in Le Quesnoy, as the museum’s headquarters. There will be nine accommodation units, one for staff and eight for visitors. Le Quesnoy is very short of places for visitors to stay.

The trust’s vision is to remember the New Zealanders who fought and died for our freedom and to illustrate New Zealand’s role in both world wars, by establishing the first permanent New Zealand War Memorial Museum in the town of Le Quesnoy.

Less well known is Greg Moyle’s gardening prowess. He likes to say he has two garden farms - one on the Hauraki Plains and one in Herne Bay. In his Herne Bay home garden, Greg grows a multitude of vegetables, some of which he sells at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market to raise money for his Gardening in Schools project. Eight local schools benefit from this programme. He also has hens and bee hives. The eggs and honey that his family can’t eat, also go towards the schools’ garden project.

Greg Moyle says he belongs to no political party, and professes to be greener than many Green Party members.

He has a water tank for his garden, and is thinking about installing solar power panels on his roof, now that prices have become more reasonable.

On his Hauraki Plains farm, Greg Moyle grows avocados, macadamia nuts, feijoas, persimmons, walnuts and a wide variety of fruit. He has a five-acre orchard.

Greg Moyle has the time and energy to serve again, and has a motivation to balance the Waitemata Board composition. At present it is heavily dominated by City Vision members (five out of seven).

“Although I won’t have majority support on the board, I aim to bring a different perspective on some issues,” he told Ponsonby News. My positions will not be party political.

An accountant and financial planner, Greg also loves to get outside and commune with nature. He likes to get his hands dirty, make compost, grow seedling native plants, feed his family, and have a bit left over for friends and his beloved schools project.

If neighbours think Greg has too many chooks, he has said, probably with tongue firmly in cheek, “I’ll cut the number of hens and get a couple of pigs.” We should all be growing more on our urban PN properties. Greg Moyle is leading the way. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

AUCKLAND: INTERNATIONAL ZERO WASTE CHAMPION Auckland was one of 10 cities honoured at the C40 Cities Awards 2017 in Chicago at the end of last year.

C40 is a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. The awards recognise the world’s most inspiring and innovative cities tackling climate change.

photography: Bloomberg Philanthropies

Scooping the top place ahead of finalists Hong Kong and Buenos Aires, Auckland was the winner of the prestigious Cities4ZeroWaste Award with its ‘Auckland Waste to Resources’ urban sustainability project.

Deputy Chair of the Environment and Community Committee, Councillor Alf Filipaina represented Auckland at the Climate Summit in Chicago to collect the award.

“I’m delighted we’ve been globally recognised for reducing Auckland’s domestic waste to landfill and progressing towards our vision of becoming a zero-waste city. This is a result of close collaboration between our council leaders and local communities who both believe strongly in building a sustainable future for Auckland,” said Filipaina. F PN

Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40 with Cities4ZeroWaste category winner Councillor Alf Filipaina representing Auckland, Greg Stanton, Mayor of Phoenix and Antha Williams, Head of Environment, Bloomberg Philanthropies.

www.c40.org

20 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

GREG MOYLE

for Waitemata

PROVEN GOVERNANCE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE t Chair, Western Bays Community Board 1989-91 t Councillor & Chair; Arts, Culture, and Recreation committee, Auckland City 2007-10

t 2 term Waitemata Board Member 2010-16 t Current executive committee member, Heart of the City

REAL LOCAL BUSINESS AND RESIDENT REPRESENTATION A BORN AND BRED LOCAL PERSPECTIVE KNEE-DEEP INVOLVEMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY DEEDS, NOT WORDS, EVERY TIME A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SAFE AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORT CHOICES

e h t g n i c n Bala d r a B Greg Moyle

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

gregjmoyle@gmail.com

021 444339

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

21

AUTHORISED BY GREG MOYLE 17 HAMILTON RD. HERNE BAY 021 444 339

MIKE LEE: COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF

The cycleway debate - now Quay Street and next K’Road In response to my December Ponsonby News column, I received from ratepayer Dave Lyons the following email. It was so compelling I thought I should share it.

“I am a Westmere resident and have watched in horror as they dug up Richmond Road and Garnet Road, spending millions and what do we get, nothing. Well, fewer car parks. I honestly have never seen such a waste of money as the Garnet Road cycleway. The section that has been completed is an absolute joke. They built it across the grass berms outside people's houses, which is exactly where the residents park their cars. And did they ever stop to ask the people who live here if we wanted this? No. And we dont!

“So, as we sit here, wondering why we have raw sewage rolling into the streams and into the harbour, we can sit back and look at the totally unuseable cycleway, which nobody wanted, and no-one will use. What a great use of our rates money.

“But seriously, when will AT have their heads pulled in? When will they stop this ridiculous war on cars, and when will they stop the absolute wasting of our money. Talking to you probably doesn't highlight anything that you don’t already know, but the question still remains, why are they getting away with this? What do we, as in local ratepayers, have to do to get some common sense policies applied?

We seriously need to do something.

“I mean how can any councillor or the mayor seriously stand there and say the council has no money, when we have this wastage happening all around us? How can someone have the bare-faced audacity to increase taxes (talking petrol tax here) when we have over $600 million being spent on cycleways?

“Really? I mean seriously? My six-year-old son would do a better job of prioritising initiatives than this. Its not rocket science. If we want to build trains then fine, spend the $600m on trains, but cycleways?

Yes, lots of people cycle. But 90% do it for fun. Not for transport. So spending this sort of money on a leisure activity is crazy. Now I am not some overweight car lover, I cycle two or three times a week (only for fun), and ride a motorcycle to work every day, so I am not saying this out of any selfish desire for more roads, as such. But 99% of people want to drive.

“Anyway. Rant over. I just feel absolutely disgusted with the way these organisations operate, with their bullshit business cases and international best practices. We need to stop this craziness...”

Meanwhile Auckland Transport is pushing ahead in the face of growing public opposition. Over Christmas the focus shifted to Quay

Street where 15 pohutukawa trees are being removed to make way for a cycleway extension.

Protesters from Grey Lynn lent their support to the Urban Tree Alliance fighting to save these trees. But it is not just protesters, the Parnell Community Committee (PCC), an eminently respectable organisation with the backing of the Parnell community, has been trying to save these trees and the ‘canopied boulevard’ they form for months now.

PCC is not against the cycleway extension, but AT’s continued use of Quay Street as an all-day bus park. Actually AT and council plans for Quay Street from the Strand bridge to Albert Street are a nightmare - a jumble of bad decisions.

The next area to watch will be Karangahape Road where AT plans to build cycle lanes on both sides of the street, potentially taking out dozens of car parks and loading zones at peak time. K'Road retailers who are bravely prepared to put up with several years’ disruption caused directly or indirectly by City Rail Link construction (they have already lost a bunch of car parks and taxi stands due to relocated bus stops) are worried, given what has happened to businesses in Victoria and Albert Streets and West Lynn, that this could be the last straw.

Led by manager Michael Richardson (a cyclist himself) the Karangahape Road Business Association (KBA) has sent a well -argued submission to AT pointing out that the cycleway could be of ‘limited value to K'Road businesses as the area would be ‘a thoroughfare rather than a destination’. Meanwhile a K'Road Action Group’ with the slogan ‘Don’t kill K'Road’ has joined the fight.

K'Road people are not anti-cycling or reactionary. Actually they are probably the most progressive, avantgarde set in the country.

They argue for alternative cycle routes on or around K'Road that don’t destroy parking that retailers especially depend on. Given the impacts of the CRL, not to mention light rail, the KBA is making a plea to AT to delay the cycleway until these regionally significant projects are completed. It’s not an unreasonable request given what's at stake - the livelihoods of hundreds of small businesses and the viability of historic Karangahape Road itself as one of Auckland’s PN iconic shopping streets. (MIKE LEE) F Mike Lee is the Auckland Councillor for Waitemata & Gulf Ward, www.mikelee.co.nz

$59 Three-course Lunch

BY PETER GORDON

Ingredients:

Method:

• Two delicious savoury dishes and one dessert

• Enjoy every Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm–2.30pm.

• Stunning views from Level 53 of the Sky Tower

• Bookings essential. 09 363 6365 or enquiries@thesugarclub.co.nz

• Menu by Peter Gordon

909 9092 9 90 092 09 0

Level 53, Sky Tower, Auckland. Price is per person.

22 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

Free

composting courses in your neighbourhood Composting is simpler and cleaner than you might think.

Learn how you can start turning your food and garden waste into nutritious compost at a free local workshop: Freemans Bay Community Hall, Freemans Bay Tuesday 20 February, 6-8pm Learn which system is right for you – bokashi, worm farm or compost. With two hour workshops all around Auckland, it’s easy to find one in your area.

Book online at compostcollective.org.nz Complete the free course quiz to receive a discount voucher for a composting system.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

23

LOCAL NEWS Ponsonby Park - update January 2018 Happy New Year everyone. 2018 is set to be an exciting year and with luck, it will be the year that the whole of site civic space (aka Ponsonby Park) is funded - hooray!

In February 2018, the Long Term Plan (LTP) will go out for public consultation. ‘Ponsonby Park’ will be included in the LTP and we hope to get as many submissions as possible in support of our brilliant new civic space.

The Waitemata Local Board (WLB) initiated the Community-led Design (CLD) process to find a community-led solution for the site at 254 Ponsonby Road. The CLD Group facilitated several communication streams and community engagements that led to the selection of the ‘LandLAB’ concept design.

The WLB presented ‘Ponsonby Park’ to the Governing Body (council) late last year as their priority project - aka their ‘One Local Iniative’ (OLI) - for regional funding by way of the Long Term Plan.

The LTP goes out for public consultation from 28 February - 28 March 2018 The community has been extensively involved in the creation of the ‘LandLAB’ chosen concept design for the whole of site open civic space that includes the redevelopment of part of the existing building for community requirements.

Over the past seven years the WLB has contributed to Auckland becoming a world-class city. And world-class cities have great civic spaces. ‘Ponsonby Park’, the WLB OLI priority project delivers a vision of such a space on Ponsonby Road - one that has already been over a decade in the making.

A brief history • The ‘Ponsonby Open Space Study 2000’ Boffa Miskell report identified the need for a civic open space on Ponsonby Road.

• Auckland City Council purchased 254 Ponsonby Road in 2006 to create a civic open space on Ponsonby Road in anticipation of future growth and community needs.

Since then the surrounding Ponsonby population has grown by 11% and the wider Waitemata area has grown by a remarkable 52% • The project was set out in the WLB’s widely consulted Ponsonby Road Master Plan 2014-2044.

• Three concept plans prepared by council officers went to community consultation and included an option for a full site development. Consultation was held from September to December 2015 with 698 responses. 77% of the respondents chose a whole of site option. This provided a strong mandate to progress the project in this direction.

• Consequently, the WLB funded the CLD process, which was commenced at the end of 2015. The purpose being to empower the community through an innovative approach to build on the consultation feedback to develop a solution within the available resources.

24 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

• In early 2017, the design by LandLAB (one of 14 proposals submitted through a pro bono design process funded by the WLB) received strong public endorsement and was chosen by the community as the preferred concept design for the site (from a process that attracted over 1200 submissions).

So what next?

The WLB is strongly supporting the development of the ‘LandLAB’ concept design for 254 Ponsonby Road as it reflects the community’s aspirations. The board is now seeking funding to deliver the community’s vision through a staged approach, with funding for the first stage being sought from the LTP 2018 - 2028.

The community has strongly voiced the value of the full site, expressed under three themes: • A place to sit and relax • Green space • A place for markets, events, play space, public art and sustainable design Only a full site, open-space development achieves the effective integration of all the desired outcomes as well as delivering the economic and social benefits of a great civic space.

This first part of a staged approach would begin with the delivery of a civic and green space, the repurposing of the existing canopy structure (this area can be utilised for markets and events) and the development of public toilet facilities. In the short term, commercial use of the existing buildings would continue.

The repurposing of the existing building and streetscape improvements would then be undertaken in Stage 2 at a later date.

The WLB proposal is a fiscally responsible, effective, staged approach for which three rounds of public consultation have delivered overwhelming community support.

We are grateful for the foresight of the former ACC in purchasing 254 Ponsonby Road and the ongoing support and vision of the WLB. We now hope to finally have the site developed after a decade of indecision. The community’s vision responds to Waitemata’s significant growth and will create a world-class civic space.

The CLD process has been robust with community empowerment at its heart. Ponsonby Park - bring it on!

The CLD group will keep you informed about the LTP submission process via our website: www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz, through our Facebook page ‘Ponsonby Park’ and via our new on-site noticeboard. (JENNIFER WARD) F PN www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

Thinking Real Estate?

Think Chris Batchelor.

With an extraordinary reputation built on his commitment to getting the job done, Chris has long been a trusted name in Real Estate.

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

33 Peel St, Westmere

68 Scanlan Street, Grey Lynn

40 London Street, St Marys Bay

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

21 Picton Street, Freemans Bay

35 Wanganui Avenue, Herne Bay

39 Lawrence Street, Herne Bay

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

17 Ardmore Road, Herne Bay

32 Herne Bay Road, Herne Bay

28 Picton Street, Freemans Bay

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

57 Sentinel Road, Herne Bay

13 Wanganui Avenue, Herne Bay

76 Albany Road, Herne Bay

Chris Batchelor Phone. +64 21 217 7026 Email. chris.batchelor@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, PONSONBY, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

25

PONSONBY U3A: DECEMBER 2017 There’s no lack of talent among members of Ponsonby U3A as was shown by performances at the December Christmas party.

Entertainment was provided by members of two, newer, special interest groups - ukulele and poetry. Limericks from the Poetry Group, led by Barbara Bailey, brought much laughter, or as one member termed it, “Wonderful! Unlikely rhymes from unlikely people.”

Dining Out, Ramblers and Petanque. A full list of groups can be seen on the Ponsonby U3A website.

The Ukulele Group belied its short life with a catchy repertoire of well known tunes, including a solo performance of The Gumboot Song performed by Steve Skinner, with a surprise appearance of president Collene Roche, a former member of the New Zealand Opera Company.

There are two speakers at the monthly meetings - a guest speaker and a ten minute speaker from the U3A membership.

“It was a happy end to a successful year for our U3A - with a number of new members bringing us near to capacity membership, an expanded list of special interest groups and fascinating guest speakers,” said president Collene Roche. “And we already have more new groups coming up in 2018.”

Guest speaker for the February meeting will be well-known, award-winning scientist Dr Siouxsie Wiles, who has made a career of “manipulating microbes”. Her talk will be entitled 'The end of modern medicine?'

Part of the world-wide U3A movement, Ponsonby U3A was founded in 1994 and still has a number of its original members as regular attendees. It provides learning opportunities and social and leisure activities for those in the ‘third age'.

As well as the monthly meetings, held on the second Friday morning of the month at the Herne Bay Petanque Club rooms, there are more than 20 special interest groups, considered the lifeblood of U3A, with most members belonging to two or three groups.

The groups provide learning opportunities, 'without pain' - there are no exams or tests just the opportunity to delve into subjects with a group of like-minded people. Along with more serious topics from architecture to science, the social and leisure groups include

The ten minute speaker will be Don Hill - 'Lost in the Web'.

Guests are welcome to attend a U3A meeting, but are requested to telephone Collene PN Roche (T 373 3277) prior to the meeting. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F NEXT MEETING:

10am, Friday 9 February at Herne Bay Petanque Club, Salisbury Street Reserve, Herne Bay.

ENQUIRIES:

Collene Roche, President Ponsonby U3A. T: 09 373 3277, www.u3aponsonby.org.nz

LOCAL NEWS The Grey Lynn Business Association Some thoughts on the importance of belonging to respected advocacy groups.

When you are in business your natural focus is not to think about cycleways, bus stops and pedestrian crossings except when change has an adverse impact on your 'business as usual' expectations. As a number of Grey Lynn businesses have found out, trying to stop the unstoppable or even rectify perceived wrongs becomes very difficult after the event. In fact, if it wasn’t for the removal/relocation of trees and a perceived degradation of the West Lynn village environment, the number of orange cones would be exploding exponentially as the chain of cycle ways engulfs the city.

Cycling is a healthy choice for a city’s citizens but providing cycleways within an existing urban landscape has its challenges.

As a business owner I have come to hate those orange cones with a passion - a passion I know that is shared throughout the communities of Garnet Road/Old Mill Road/Surrey Crescent and Richmond Road. They symbolise the disturbance created by an ill-planned and ill thought-out change and one now all parties are focused on trying to find the best solution. Of course what 'best' looks like is quite challenging because it depends on perspective.

For businesses, both large and small, this is more easily developed under the umbrella of an association but to be effective all businesses must belong. An association’s strength is derived from the diversity of opinions it represents, the ability to form sensible solutions and then consistently articulate those views. This is particularly critical for business as we know from recent experience that urban landscape redevelopment can both positively and negatively impact us. In joining and becoming a member of the Local Businesses Association we accept our mantra as being “on a high-tide all boats rise”.

Grey Lynn became the 'poster child' experiment for village shared space (people walking, cycling, private and public transport co-existing) not simply because AT thought this a nice thing. Rather it was because there is a very strong group of articulate and influential proponents for change in our urban environment. However, as is pretty typical for such groups, in my experience, they forgot or overlooked the matter of how to effectively get to yes.

26 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

And so we find ourselves with cycle lanes that suddenly start and then stop for seemingly no reason, a vastly increased amount of concrete or tarmac and/or weeds on the berm and a firm undertaking that the orange cones will not go forth and proliferate. The process we are now in is re-consultation with reference groups, urban designers and seemingly polarised views of what should/must and must not happen.

Unlike many of the business districts in the inner city, our business association is not well funded. Our board is entirely voluntary as is membership. In this scenario it is easy to conclude Grey Lynn was 'selected' as the experiment for urban redesign because of a perceived weakness in our DNA. For as long as this remains the situation it is going to be extraordinarily challenging. Businesses must be sustainable to provide the raft of services and products that make living in the wider Grey Lynn community attractive.

As representatives of our business community we have for some time discussed what makes Grey Lynn - we know we are not a Ponsonby or a Parnell. There are things that do make us quite different such as the large number of eco-centric businesses, the large artistic and dominant musician community and our distinctly Polynesian heritage. We are totally local - most of our businesses are owned by people who live in our community and many of the owners are working in the businesses behind the counters or providing the services.

We’ve also been talking about how Grey Lynn is geographically defined as an urban hub in its own right, establishing a distinctive brand and working towards telling the Grey Lynn story. This is the work we do at the strategic level.

We are also absolutely committed to getting a good robust solution to our current issues with AT and Auckland Council. These include 'the cycle-way project', design and development of our two village centres (Grey Lynn and West Lynn), enhancement of amenities and the impact on business of the proposed residential restricted parking zones and other potential parking changes.

To ensure we do not get 'dealt to' in the future if you’re a business within the boundary of Richmond Road, Old Mill Road, Surrey Crescent; Arch Hill and Northern slopes of Great North Road excluding Ponsonby Road, come join us we need your skills, talents and energy to work on future-focused projects. Contact us on info@glba.co.nz PN (IRENE KING. JOINT CO CHAIR WITH JACOB FAULL) F www.glba.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

An alternative to growth economics - doughnut economics by Kate Raworth I have just read this interesting book, which I’d like to tell our readers about.

British economist, Kate Raworth seeks to change the language of economics, which she believes is biased towards neoliberalism. She is right that not everything can or should be left to the market, and that we cannot rely on the processes of growth to redress inequality and solve the problem of pollution.

The aim of economic activity, Raworth argues, should be ‘meeting the needs of all within the means of the planet’. Instead of economies that need to grow, whether or not they make us thrive, we need economies that ‘make us thrive, whether or not they grow’.

Enter the doughnut. The inner ring represents the ‘social foundation’, the situation in which everyone on the planet has sufficient food and social security. The outer ring represents the ‘ecological ceiling’, beyond which excess consumption degrades the environment beyond repair. The aim is to get humanity into the area between the rings, where everyone has enough but not too much - or as Raworth calls it, ‘the doughnut’s safe and just space’.

Raworth’s distinct contribution is in her emphasis on environmental themes. Too many writers, she says, tend to treat ‘the economy’ and ‘the environment’ as separate issues.

Raworth urges us to be ‘agnostic about growth’. We must learn how to thrive in balance. ‘No country,’ she tells us, ‘has ever ended human deprivation without a growing economy, but no country has ever ended ecological degradation with one’.

In an article in The Guardian, George Monbiot praises Raworth’s work. "An economics that helps us to live within the doughnut would seek to reduce inequalities in wealth and income," says Monbiot.

"Wealth arising from the gifts of nature would be widely shared.

Money, markets, taxation and public investment would be designed to conserve and regenerate resources rather than squander them.

"I see Raworth" says Monbiot, "as the John Maynard Keynes of the 21st Century: by reframing the economy, she allows us to change our view of who we are, where we stand, and what we want to be." High praise indeed.

What Kate Raworth, has done is to lay out long-term goals for humankind and worked to figure out how economic thinking would allow us to achieve them.

Raworth’s energetic layperson-friendly writing makes her concepts accessible as well as intriguing. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

She cites the 1972 publication, ‘The Limits to Growth’ which showed that GDP may not be able to increase forever in a world of finite resources. She admits there are problems bringing about a fairer global tax regime, but points to issues once thought equally impossible which have come to pass - abolition of slavery, the vote for women, ending apartheid, and securing gay rights.

Raworth talks at length about the hole in the middle of the doughnut which reveals the proportion of people worldwide falling short on life’s essentials. These include food and water, healthcare and political freedom of expression. A big part of humanity’s challenge is to get everyone out of that hole. At the same time we cannot afford to be overshooting the doughnut’s outer crust if we are to safeguard Earth’s life-giving systems, such as a stable climate, healthy oceans and a protective ozone layer, on which all our wellbeing fundamentally depends.

Auckland Transport’s local consultation AT has developed an unenviable reputation for secrecy and lack of genuine consultation, with ratepayers and residents.

It’s good to see direct action by Lisa Prager and her group of locals has borne fruit. Forcing AT’s hand has resulted in a backdown over re-developments around Grey Lynn and Westmere.

Everyone will be hoping that AT has learned an important lesson about democracy. The people pay AT salaries. AT staff are our servants, not our masters.

As Prager says, “AT agrees to restore the corner of Francis Street and Old Mill Road, back to its original state. Plans to create a bus stop projecting out into the street have been shelved. Residents objected and called on Occupy Garnet Road to help.

“Tonight (17 January) we dismantled Occupation Site 2 as agreed and remediation work will start soon.”

Prager and her group now hope AT will listen to locals with genuine consultation before they act.

This is about ‘ground up’ planning, versus ‘top down’ dictation, which I have spoken about before.

People should not be told from above what is good for them. All local transport and roading decisions should be the result of consultation providing communities with what they want and need, not what so -called experts think they should have. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

“We jumped on the digger, planted a tent and put up protest signs.

Finally AT realised consultation had failed and the outcome was not what the community wanted.

28 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

SOLD

UNDER CONTRACT

RECENT AREA RECORD PRICES ACHIEVED If you are thinking of selling a holiday home, it is most likely the majority of potential buyers come from Auckland, so this is where your campaign needs to be focussed and where your agent needs to be based. Also consider us as buying agents for the holiday location of your dreams.

The New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty brand is recognised internationally as the brand to sell luxury properties.

Your local Herne Bay Licensees marketing top properties here and in other exceptional locations.

Tony Vercauteren BA Dip Bus M +64 21 595 595 tony.vercauteren@sothebysrealty.com

Stewart Morgan BSc (Hons) M +64 21 933 305 stewart.morgan@sothebysrealty.com

Herne Bay Office: T +64 9 360 7777 - 160 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland nzsothebysrealty.com The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied DEADLINE - 20TH MONTH PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018 Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed underOF theTHE REAA 2008) MREINZ.

29

Congratulations

Robyn

Angela

1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 7th place 8th place 9th place 10th place Top Exclusive Lister Top Marketing Campaign

Sue

Elaine

Robyn Ellson 021 800 891 Angela Saunders 021 448 900 Sue Hatton 027 279 9696 Elaine Ferguson 027 534 5024 Chloe Wither 021 672 191 Lynn Lacy-Hauck 021 190 0611 Helene Brownlee 027 277 5911 Tony Warren 021 845 252 Carla Pedersen 021 417 139 Heather Lanting 0274 394 124 & Marty Hall 0274 500 168 Robyn Ellson 021 800 891 Kym Aikin 021 596 222 & Tricia Lafferty 021 611 205

Chloe

Lynn

Helene

Tony

Carla

Heather & Marty

Well done to our top performers of 2017 for another year of great real estate.

We would also like to thank all of our clients and supporters in 2017. We look forward to another great year in 2018. From the directors, Simon Damerell & Gower Buchanan.

Ray White Damerell Group Ltd (Licensed REAA 2008) P: 09 376 2186 E: reception.ponsonby.nz@raywhite.com W: rwponsonby.co.nz A: 259 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby & 422 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn PO Box 47-028 Ponsonby, 1144

JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Who is leaving Auckland and why?

When I was a young teacher in Auckland I met several families who had come to Auckland from Whanganui, and taught their kids. There was a joke at the time, ‘will the last person to leave Whanganui please turn out the lights’.

The 1960s was a time of rapid urban drift in New Zealand. Many small rural communities virtually died. Post offices closed, garages closed, local general stores closed, and schools closed because people had left, especially the young, for the city.

Both political shades of government have tried various regional development strategies over the years. None have worked in the long term. Whangarei Council, the Northland Harbour Board, Winstones, and other Whangarei businesses tried hard to attract suitable companies to set up in Whangarei. They were successful in securing Bradbury Wilkinson bank note factory, which employed several hundred Whangarei people for 10 years or so. This British company was given free land, free water, no rates, and all sorts of assistance to set up - 10 years virtually free. When the 10 years was up, what did they do? They packed up and buggered off. ‘Thanks for the free 10 years!’

So why are people now leaving Auckland for other parts of New Zealand? A kind of reverse trend! There are many reasons, prime among them being Auckland house prices and traffic congestion.

Teachers, nurses, police, none can afford to buy their first home at a million dollars plus. If there is a job in Tauranga, or Hamilton, or Whangarei, they’re off. Older Aucklanders are leaving, too, - often trading down, selling their million dollar houses, where rates and maintenance are exorbitant, and buying a smaller home in Mangawhai for $500,000. One older guy I know told me he had been advised to stay in the city close to the best medical care as he aged.

"I love Mangawhai," he said. "I love fishing, swimming, the local cafes.

Why should I sit outside Auckland Hospital with a defibrillator in the front seat waiting for a bloody heart attack?" Nevertheless, adequate health care does remain an issue in the provinces.

Heinberg calls for a de-industrialisation of agriculture, for local consumption of locally produced produce. He says instead of thinking of a farmer as someone with 500 hectares and a big tractor, we should start thinking of a farmer as someone with one to three hectares, who uses mainly hand labour, and twice a year borrows a small tractor fuelled with locally produced biodiesel.

If New Zealanders were to take up Heinberg’s challenge in large numbers (some are already), this would help to reverse the alienation of nature and the loss of community which has devastated so many small New Zealand townships.

Small communities also give individuals more opportunity to participate in local politics - people’s influence in public affairs tends to diminish as communities grow large.

Vibrant, small, local communities could present a survival strategy in an increasingly alien world, providing a new alliance of environmental organisations, farmers, gardeners, small, local businesses, schools, churches, and other social groups, resistant to the worst of the globalisation movement, and in opposition to the power of multinational corporations. This approach represents re-imagining of human culture from the ground up.

There may be no one left in the big cities to fight the traffic jams. In the meantime, we are lucky to have the Grey Lynn Farmers Market on our doorstep to provide us with fresh fruit and vegetables.

PN (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

Other urbanites are going rural for both lifestyle and to try small -scale farming. Many have to learn from scratch. Farming is not easy.

Vegetables don’t just jump out of the ground. They require the right soil, compost, water, weeding, staking, protecting from predators like possums. All of these can be a real trial, and a number chuck it in and return to the city.

However, you only have to browse through a magazine like New Zealand Lifestyle Block to read about the multitude of growing projects in rural and provincial New Zealand including olives, avocados, tamarillos, grapes, all manner of vegetables which can be sold at local farmers’ markets. People keep bee hives, chooks, alpacas, goats, and kids ride ponies.

People are living happily and healthily on just a couple of hectares, although many need to have other forms of income. Writer, educator and environmentalist, Richard Heinberg, visited New Zealand in 2007 and I attended one of his lectures.

Heinberg makes a convincing case for re-ruralisation. Richard: "As oil becomes more expensive, and as we reduce fossil fuel consumption in order to avert catastrophic climate change, we will also need many more growers, as we currently use oil to substitute for human labour.

With more people involved in food production, more people will have a daily interaction with weather, soil, and biodiversity; they will therefore take better care of the environment. We will also process our food less (as that takes energy), and as a result we will eat more nourishing food and with more exercise and better food our health will improve."

The present industrial agricultural system has been described as a method of using soil to turn petroleum and gas into food, Heinberg tells us. "This is a food system profoundly vulnerable at every level," he asserts. Huge farms are run by managers for giant corporations that profit from centralised agricultural production for distant markets.

32 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

A MEETING PLACE - For conferences, seminars, meetings, workshops or launches - Situated in a central location with five versatile meeting rooms - AV equipment and Internet access available - Extensive parking available - Since 2001 the St Columba Centre has gained a reputation as a centre of excellence and as such has become a location of choice for many organisations

FOR ENQUIRIES AND RESERVATIONS 09 376 1195 COLUMBA@CDA.ORG.NZ 40 VERMONT STREET PONSONBY, AUCKLAND SAINTCOLUMBA.ORG.NZ

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LOCAL NEWS

SUMMER AT MOTAT MOTAT is the perfect destination for keeping the family entertained this summer.

The exciting line-up of activities includes a new exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary of the bicycle, Fire and Rescue Live Day (18 February) and a Prohibition Party for the grown-ups.

Developed in partnership with Auckland Transport, Changing Gear explores the history of cycling in New Zealand, the growing place of cycling in our cities and towns, and showcases some of the innovations in the world of bikes, from the high tech to the quirky. For 200 years, we have adapted the bicycle to suit our needs and in turn it has helped shape the world around us. With plentiful interactives and digital experiences, this exhibition investigates fascinating elements of our history, and examines how cycling is changing and growing in New Zealand.

Later in the month it's time to experience the glitz, sophistication, and excitement of the 'roaring 20s' with an evening at MOTAT's annual Prohibition Party on Saturday 24 February. Celebrating an era infamous for its glamour, music and rebellion, the museum once again brings the popular period back to life, recreating the atmosphere of the notorious secret cocktail parties of the time, with gangster and flapper characters socialising amongst the guests and a line-up of live bands, dancing, and entertainment. There will be cocktail bars, a fashion show, pamper parlour, and silent movies screening. So grab your tickets and plan your outfit for what's sure to be an exciting evening celebrating this age of extravagance.

MOTAT T: 0800 MOTATNZ (0800 668 286) www.motat.org.nz FIRE AND RESCUE LIVE DAY www.motat.org.nz/experience/events/fire-and-rescue-day/

$20 TICKET

$15 STUDENTS AND GOLD CARDS FROM EVENTBRITE

www motat org nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

33

DEIRDRE THURSTON: ON MY MIND

My summer in jandals...

My son visited a couple of days before New Year’s Eve and asked why I still had the ripped and abandoned Christmas wrapping paper and ribbons strewn over my floor.

I explained that if I cleared them up it meant that, after all the hoopla and Sellotape, Christmas was over. And I had to air out my adult undies and put them back on, breathe deep and face 2018 full on.

I merely wanted to stay undercover a bit longer, and that pile of crushed up Santa faces and sleigh-pulling reindeer allowed it, along with my $2 Shop jandals. No expensive Havaianas for me. These plain, soft, black little numbers would stay on all summer long.

“I do vacuum around the litter,” I told him. In my head, anyway.

The days between 25 December and 1 January - really, until the 8th - are a time in limbo if I am not holidaying somewhere sandy with the hordes.

Everyone else, according to our dear friend Facebook, appeared to be frolicking in the dazzling sea, have sunburnt noses and laughing fit to die while stuffing post-Chrissy ham and turkey sandwiches and mince pies down their throats. And, of course, complaining about the three-kilo weight gain they would have to lose once back home.

I find the time drags. There is only so much solitude one can cope with. It’s like my ‘friend tide’ has gone out and not come back in.

Then I chastise myself: “You should have accepted the camping invite to the Barrier. Said yes to staying with mates down the line. Made plans to visit South Island friends. You should have volunteered at the SPCA. The guilt! You should clean out all the debris from cupboards and drawers. Bingo! Great idea. I’ll do it - in my jandals. Now I have paper cuts from hand shredding for three days.

“Why didn’t you buy a $20 paper shredder,” a wise, if a little tardy with advice, friend counselled me with price ideas from the dark ages. I decided to buy one for the next clear out. I’m going to take to machine shredding with gusto. It’s an OCD thing. I battled with the unevenness of hand shredding. A bonus from all the cupboard clearing – a great pile of towells and blankets for the SPCA. Guilt somewhat doused.

Which I detest because the OCD thing again. One teensy weensy dot of flotsam left can drive me crazy (er).

Among the other ‘stuff’ I cleared away from the cupboards and drawers were cords. Cords that screamed important wrapped in their plastic and nestled in boxes with an indecipherable assortment of numbers and symbols and instructions on them. To keep? Just in case? Or turf out? Based on the fact I had not used them in four years, I packed them up in a carton and delivered them to the recycle place for unwanted electronics. Astonished at the hundred’s of tatty boxes and hillocks of similar items, I realised the world has way too many cords. They are akin to some spreading, ugly rash over the world. A techie may disagree with me because she/he could teach me a hundred ways my life would improve with the use of these cords.

All I could think of was someone’s hands tied to a bedhead in shiny grey plastic with inexplicable dangling ends. Fifty Shades has much to answer for. And I haven’t even read it.

As New Year’s Eve approached, my house was disorderly orderly. All the cleaning and turfing felt cathartic. A new chapter about to begin. One in which I promised myself there would be strict rules around shoving things in drawers and cupboards - especially superfluous cords.

So - no more loitering among the tissue and shadows of Christmas.

I have a new year to create change. Carve out the world I want and sink my teeth into purpose, new ventures. Thrilled by the fear and joy they will bring. I think I’m having an Oprah moment. Though I can’t imagine her in jandals. After watching her inspiring, eloquent speech at the Golden Globes - what a classy way to get your message across - I’m more than happy to have Oprah moments.

Let’s make 2018 the very best year we can for one another. One of my favourite quotes says it all: “We’re all just walking each other home” - Ram Dass

Authorised by Robert Gallagher, 15 Torrance St, Auckland

Listening to a choir of doves, tuis, excitable chooks and a couple of bossy parakeets outside, I decided the Christmas paper needed to go (I have trouble tossing ribbons) which meant I’d have to vacuum.

And, I have to say, I’m loving my black jandals - they highlight my PN orange-painted toe nails perfectly. (DEIRDRE THURSTON) F

Vote Denise Roche MVY [OL >HP[LTH[Ȋ 3VJHS )VHYK A vote for Denise gains a passionate advocate for our community: A principled Aucklander who is familiar with our issues (U LɈLJ[P]L YLWYLZLU[H[P]L ^P[O SVJHS NV]LYUTLU[ L_WLYPLUJL ( IVHYK TLTILY ^P[O H [YHJR YLJVYK VM KLSP]LYPUN MVY JVTT\UP[PLZ HUK MVY [OL LU]PYVUTLU[ Love Auckland? Post your vote by Valentines Day 14 Feburary

34 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LEARN FAST AND EFFECTIVE WAYS TO KEEP SAFE Gain the confidence with ThatWorks Self Defence to quickly and effectively shut down threatening situations using simple methods that work.

This free seminar focuses on avoidance because the best self defence is to not be there in the first place. The format is designed specifically to help you raise your awareness of self, others, surroundings and your awareness of the unknown.

It’s about helping you understand simple ways to be proactive and not reactive about your personal safety.

Size doesn’t matter in self-protection and the practical techniques have been selected for effectiveness, adaptability and ability for all types of people to comprehend and use.

Incorporating five kinds of martial arts, it’s not about strength, fitness or flexibility, but rather increasing your odds in a difficult situation.

Come and join us and learn fast and effective ways to keep safe from highly qualified PN instructors. F To book, please call or text Dehardt on M: 021 965 536.

DREAM TEAM TO HOST PRIDE GALA Kia ora! It’s the Dream Team!

In keeping with this year’s Rainbow Warrior kaupapa, the 2018 Auckland Pride Gala will be hosted by MP Louisa Wall, Aotearoa New Zealand’s marriage equality champion, and MP Tamati Coffey, respected Maori personality and the voice of a new generation.

Always memorable, always glamorous, the Pride Gala has become a must-see, dress-up occasion. It’s a fiercely diverse variety showcase that previews the talent in the Auckland Pride Festival programme, along with a star-studded roll call of guest appearances from rainbow community heroes and icons.

The variety extravaganza includes: • High-voltage displays of vivacious cirque and burlesque from the Red Room Cabaret, starring Miss La Vida and internationally awarded boylesque champion Chris Oh!, Constance Maraj and Madame Flutterby, while breathtaking Brazilian acrobat Luis Meirelles will defy gravity on the lyra aerial hoop • Fine Fatale’s vogue-fierce dance-theatre

LOCAL NEWS PARDON ME ALAN TURING On 6 July in New Zealand and 31 January 2017 in the UK, gay men were posthumously pardoned, but is it that easy?

Is this what these men deserve?

In this rollercoaster political comedy, the real question to be asked is, can the slate ever truly be wiped clean?

Following the successful development season at Te Pou Theatre for Pride 2017, ‘Pardon Me Alan Turing’ is back with a vengence. Touring Auckland and Wellington Pride and New Zealand Fringe Festivals 2018, it asks how did we get to a pardon and has it made a difference for these men?

Here in New Zealand, the Ministry of Justice has never stated the total number of men convicted of homosexual conduct between 1867 to 1986 while the antisodomy law was in use. But it has catalogued 879 convictions from 1980 to 1986. With this many convictions in just six years, it is unfathomable how many people that may have been convicted over the whole 120 years of the anti-sodomy law. Many of these men are still technically guilty today, despite a law change. Why? They are too ashamed to apply and being guilty for so long, can the slate ever be truly wiped clean?

Pardon Me Alan Turing features an eccentric Alan Turing, flamboyant Oscar Wilde and their modern day prince, as they meet across the centuries to ask if there can ever been justice. They are joined by a host of other colourful characters in this rollercoaster political comedy with bite. The real questions to be asked though: the law change the victory it seems? Is a pardon what these men deserve?

Directed by Patrick Graham, cast includes David Capstick (The Catch), Geoff Allen (Lord of the Rings, King Kong, Dark Knight) and Joseph Wycoff (This Giant Papier-Mache PN Boulder, Bombshell). F Pardon Me Alan Turing runs from the 14-17 February at Samoa House, 283 Karangahape Road, Auckland and The Heyday Dome, BATS Theatre, Wellington. Tickets through iticket, www.iticket.co.nz/events/2017/feb/pardon-me-alan-turing

• Internationally acclaimed poet Courtney Sina Meredith • Wry comedian Neil Thornton • A sexy, genre-bending performance from Night Of The Queer featuring Bryony Skillington and James Luck • Performances from New Zealand Opera • Modern-day crooner Paul Ross • Ellie Lim and Jodi Pringle of The LnP Project • The velvet vocals of Brady Peeti accompanied by Auckland’s rainbow community choir GALS • Sneak peeks of the festival’s most thought-provoking new theatre works Show up, show off, come together and feel the love at The Auckland Pride Gala 2018!

PN Meet your heroes! Walk with warriors! Feel the rainbow! F THE AUCKLAND PRIDE GALA 2018, Friday 2 February, 8pm - bookings at www.qtheatre.co.nz.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

35

LOCAL NEWS THIS MONTH’S SAINT “If I could find out who is the patron saint of letters,” lamented the penniless James Joyce in 1915, “I should try to remind him that I exist: but I understand that the last saint who held that position resigned in despair and no other will take the portfolio.”

Well, if you’re at Three Lamps this month, walk down St Marys Bay Road, take the third turn on your right and you’ll find yourself in the midst of a 19th Century Papish enclave.

This is St Francis de Sales Street and 24 January was the feast day of that very same Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists and writers though not officially appointed until 1923, so he was not on hand to preside over the publication of Joyce’s comic masterpiece Ulysses in 1922 and the Irish writer’s ascent to global fame (and commemoration each 16 June at the Thirsty Dog on K'Road).

Sarah Walters ends with what to do when you suddenly contemplate the drivel before you: “Don’t panic. Leaving the desk for a while can help. Talking the problem through can help. If all else fails, there’s prayer. St Francis de Sales, the patron saint of writers, has often helped me out in a crisis.”

He was regarded as something of a stylist, but he did have one major literary failing, believing the worst sin was to judge someone or to gossip about them; mother’s milk to writers.

It’s pleasing to read there was a woman in his life, Jane Frances.

St Francis was born in 1567 in Haute Savoie, in France.

As befits his subsequent patronage, he was something of a chaotic soul. At the age of 17 he became convinced that he was damned to hell.

He got over this and began studying theology. At the same timed he was meditating, hitting the turps and getting into swordfights.

He had seen her in a dream, his muse. Finally he set eyes on her in real life, in 1604 in Dijon, as she listened to one of his sermons. How his heart must have pounded.

He’s remembered in parishes in Devonport, Waverley in Taranaki, Island Bay in Wellington and Rangiora in Canterbury... and in the third turn-off to the right on St Marys Bay Road as you head down to the foreshore.

Out riding one day he kept falling off his horse.

The reason could have been consequential on any of his inclinations, though studying theology seems the least likely.

For all this misery, St Francis de Sales never stopped writing small tracts on religion and a 'Bishop’s Catechism'. But more importantly for our purposes, he met, in 1604, Jane Frances de Chantal, who PN came under his spiritual direction. F

But he decided it was a road-to-Damascus moment and a message to enter the seminary.

Following his ordination, he set off from France on an endeavour to convert every Calvinist in Switzerland and he trudged through the Swiss countryside door-knocking and delivering doorstep sermons.

In the evenings he slept out, once taking to a tree to avoid wolves and tying himself to a branch to keep from falling. He was so frozen next morning he had to call for help to be cut down.

After three years he had become such a mouthy-shouty mad bugger that householders would see him coming and hide.

So he copied out his sermons by hand and surreptitiously slipped them under the door, thus becoming the patron saint of writers and journalists.

During his relatively short life, we’re told, “he met with brutal attacks, was waylaid by assassins and on at least one other occasion was physically attacked by a hostile crowd who insulted and physically beat him,” a history familiar - one way or another - to most writers.

For all his misery, he never stopped writing and in his sustained discipline he was a model.

“I have more than fifty letters to answer,” he once noted. “If I tried to hurry over it all, I would be lost. So I intend neither to hurry or to worry. This evening, I shall answer as many as I can. Tomorrow I shall do the same and so I shall go on until I have finished.”

Sarah Waters’ Ten Rules for Writing Fiction (published by The Guardian in 2010) begins with advice: “Treat writing as a job. Be disciplined. My minimum is 1000 words a day. I will make myself stay at my desk until I’ve got there.”

36 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

t y ref r e sh, res le, ref i n e YOUR SPECIAL HANGOUT SPOT H A M I LTO N 3 seat + terminal modular sofa

$3599

CANCUN coffee table 2 drawer

$799

Shop 24/7

FREEDOMFURNITURE.CO.NZ DELIVERY FEES MAY APPLY. While stocks last. Freedom’s standard terms and conditions of purchase apply. Please see in-store or online for further details.

ADELE ottoman in coal

$199

LOCAL NEWS 2017 BIKE RIDES SURGE With 3.67 million bike trips counted across Auckland by 28 regional and city centre counters, Auckland Transport (AT) cycle counters showed that cycling continued to grow in 2017.

The 2017 count is a 6.2% increase on 2016, when 3.45 million trips were recorded.

On average, this is 10,055 bike trips per day and means almost 7200 trips that could have been taken by car were instead taken by bike.

AT’s Walking, Cycling and Road Safety Manager Kathryn King says the extra 220,000 trips can be attributed to new cycling infrastructure, better cycling network connections, and more people discovering how easy and enjoyable trips by bike can be.

“It’s not just people riding for exercise. There are more parents riding with their children in bike seats on their way to school, people commuting by ebike in their work clothes and more women and older people on cycleways.”

Tuesday 21 November 2017 was the busiest day for the network with 17,529 trips recorded. Tuesdays took out the top nine busiest days for the counters.

“We’re really pleased with the year-on-year growth we’re seeing across Auckland and we expect to see the growth continue over 2018 as we continue delivery of a safe cycling network,” says King.

In 2017, AT’s Active Modes research showed that 35% of Aucklanders cycled, up from 31% in 2016.

41% of those riders were cycling for key point-to-point journeys, such as to the shops, work, places of study and to get to public transport. F PN

www.at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/cycling-walking-monitoring/monthly-cycle-monitoring

BIG BIKE TRIP UPDATE Three Grey Lynn locals - Freddie and Arthur Gillies with Sean Wakely - are riding their push bikes from Indonesia to London, raising money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand. Arthur reported to Ponsonby News late last year.

"Before leaving for this trip back in May, there existed many uncertainties - one of these being how fast we’d actually be able to ride these 45kg bikes through South East Asia, and subsequently where we’d end up for Christmas.

"This aside, we’ve put ourselves in a very good position to make it to our final target in Mandalay, fighting through multiple bouts of food poisoning since leaving Hanoi in late October.

"After the first three months, it became apparent that our original target in Hanoi was not far enough, so we made the executive decision to knock out our South East Asian leg before Christmas, which would include riding west from Hanoi, through Laos, Northern Thailand and Myanmar.

"Though we aimed to ride 6500km before Christmas, at the time of writing this, we are 9100km deep, with the prospect of knocking out the 10,000km milestone within the next two weeks."

"We currently find ourselves in Chiang Mai, following a seven-day slog from Luang Prabang, knocking out over 700km and averaging over 1000 vertical metres of climbing every day. It’s been tough work. Laos certainly put us to the test with its mountainous profile, and dishevelled roads making for slow progress at times. Its sparsity meant we camped three nights, despite being urged not to due to the prevalence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) leftover from the Vietnam/American War.

38 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

As Ponsonby News went to press the trio had raised $8507 of their $15,000 target. ”Please take the time to follow the link below,” wrote Gillies, “and help the six New Zealanders who are diagnosed with some form of blood cancer or related disease every day. Any donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated.” F PN DONATE: my.leukaemia.net.nz/thebigbiketrip

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY NEWS 0 ³ F

Ƶ

ħ

¬ ȝ

Georgie Malyon floral artist, ‘Immersed in Flowers’ YYY IGQTIKGOCN[QP EQO The Grey Place, 37 Scanlan Street, Grey Lynn, www.thegreyplace.nz

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR...

Latest News, Recent Issues Advertising, Ponsonby Little Black Book Ponsonby News Readers are everywhere and much more...

www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP

Strengthening language learning in schools In January I released for consultation a private member’s bill that I have drafted aiming to ensure every child in Year 1-8 has the opportunity to learn a second language.

Speaking more than one language has enormous cognitive, cultural, social and economic benefits. Evidence suggests that those who speak more than one language have superior creative thinking, language and multi-tasking skills.

New Zealand is a trading nation, so there are clear economic benefits to speaking a second language. We are also a superdiverse country, where 160 languages are spoken, and these languages are all valuable cultural treasures for different communities. In our globally connected world, languages are becoming increasingly important. It is therefore more important than ever that all New Zealand children have access to learning a second language at school.

My member’s bill requires the Education Minister to set at least 10 national priority languages for schools following public consultation, and places a requirement on the Crown to resource teaching these languages in primary and intermediate schools. I’d expect that languages that would be consulted on would include Mandarin, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and potentially Hindi.

for teachers and access to physical and online resources. I do not underestimate the need to carefully plan and support the workforce to help deliver this policy.

As an Opposition MP, I am focused on scrutinising Government policy and providing constructive criticism where needed, but also on offering opportunities for cross-party collaboration - like this bill. I have written to each party in Parliament asking for their support on the bill, and I am optimistic that the political parties will have an open mind and be willing to work with me to strengthen language learning in schools.

I am also asking the public to give me their views on the bill and to sign a petition to show their support for improving access to language learning in schools. I will consider all feedback I receive before formally lodging the bill in late February. If you would like to sign the petition or share your views with me, please visit www.languages4schools.nz.

You can read the bill in full on the website, along with some other information about language learning in New Zealand.

The bill makes it clear that Te Reo Maori and New Zealand Sign Language will, as the official languages of New Zealand, be on the final list of 10 or more national priority languages schools can choose from. The current law requires schools to take reasonable steps to enable children to learn Te Reo and this will not change.

Strengthening language fluency has the potential to lead to a smarter, more culturally aware nation that is better equipped to succeed domestically and internationally. While there have been some positive steps over the last decade, there is still more to do. This PN bill represents an important investment in our country’s future. (NIKKI KAYE) F

School boards will consult with their communities to determine which of the priority languages will be taught at their school. Every school will be required to deliver at least one second language, but some may choose to offer more than one.

Authorised by Hon Nikki Kaye, MP for Auckland Central, 48C College Hill, Freemans Bay. www.nikkikaye.co.nz. If you have any issues or concerns, please contact my office on T: 09 378 2088 or send me an email on mp.aucklandcentral@parliament.govt.nz

My bill also requires the Government to develop a national language policy, to ensure there is a long-term strategy around issues such as workforce training and development

Nikki Kaye MP for Auckland Central I regularly work on local issues and meet with constituents.

Please contact my office if you would like to meet with me.

Drop In Constituency Clinic: 48C College Hill, Freemans Bay )HE th .00pm )HE UG SP

Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Nikki Kaye MP, 48C College Hill, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

40 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

NEW ZEALAND POPPY PLACES TRUST - REMEMBERING THE FALLEN With the official four-year commemorations of WW1 ending in less than a year, a call for a renewed effort to recognise historic military events or brave soldiers by featuring a poppy on signposts in streets and towns around New Zealand.

It comes from the Poppy Places Trust Remembrance Project which says New Zealanders have an opportunity to make sure that a generation which suffered huge casualties is not forgotten and to recognise sacrifices in other conflicts.

With an estimated 3000 existing streets identified with military connections, Project Manager Joe Bolton has called for a major public push to leave a lasting legacy for future generations to be signposted with a red poppy.

“All it takes is a request by local residents to their councils, using a process set out on the Trust’s web site - poppyplaces.nz - to replace or modify existing street signs with the addition of a red poppy to mark its significance.”

He says the Poppy Places Trust can provide advice and support by emailing info@poppyplaces.nz and community information can be shared on Facebook at poppyplaces.nz The Remembrance Project is backed by the Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association and the New Zealand Transport Agency changed the regulations to enable the poppy to be placed on street signs. F PN More information: Project Manager Joe Bolton M: 027-526 7599; RSA Chris Turver M: 027-230 1601.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LETTERS + EMAILS CONTINUED THE RICHMOND ROAD 'UPGRADE' I was impressed to read the article by Mike Lee in last month’s Ponsonby News, including his assessment of the Richmond Road 'Upgrade'.

disembarkation point from a bus and the actual footpath), the ridiculous multiple mini traffic islands (totally unnecessary expense), and restoring the critical parking spaces that all those poor businesses need to survive.

Mr Lee is well positioned to know exactly how the processes should have been followed

by Pippa Coom and Auckland Transport before they set out to ruin the West Lynn shops and surrounds for the local community.

There is seemingly a disease within AT where someone’s dumb idea becomes collective 'Group Think', and no one has the guts to say, “Hang on a minute - who has asked that this work be done, and why are we actually doing this?”

Had Phil Goff not removed elected representation from the board of Auckland Transport, the chances are Mr Lee would still be there trying to help protect local ratepayers, shop keepers and the community (probably even including the cycling terrorists) from Auckland Transport.

It is time that councillors with experience (Sorry, Pippa, but that excludes you), are returned by Phil Goff to the board of Auckland Transport, so that these out of control bureaucrats are asked to stop 'making work' and get on with getting Auckland’s traffic to move faster not slower. To argue that this whole project was done in the name of 'safety' is fatuous and everyone knows it!

The whole roading debacle (for that is what is is), in Richmond Road, from Surrey Crescent to Parawai Crescent has all the hallmarks of...

1. A really dumb idea from a zealot 2. Supported by AT bureaucrats attempting to justify their own employment, and: 3. Over engineering by enthusiastic amateurs, (all spending other people’s money), who then: 4. Collectively impose their stupid ideas on the community - all before actually asking the local residents and businesses “Who wanted what?”

The suggestion that adequate research and investigation was completed within the actual community is farcical.

Asking some of the very few people in this area who ride a bike to work, (or those who chose to take the whole family out for their daily bike ride after work), if they want cycle lanes that disrupt the entire community, is just a manipulation and abuse of democratic principles, and would never survive a peer review by anyone who is skilled in market research and data analysis.

All those involved in the embarrassing disaster that is the Richmond Road 'upgrade' should either resign (the honourable thing to do) or be fired.

Who will be held to account for this colossal waste of money and a classic example of how not to do it? My guess is no one. Not even the overpaid, inadequate AT staff who oversaw and managed the whole project!

The worst thing now, is that if Auckland Transport is true to form, it will respond by saying: “Well, it is done now, and we cannot justify spending any more ratepayers' money to fix it!” ie, removing the idiot cycleways (some of which run between the

I guess the only good news is that Richmond Road is not Auckland Transport’s worst disaster - that prize still goes to either the nut bars who designed and imposed the Nelson Street cycle lanes on the busiest road in Auckland, or those who are building a $7,000,000.00 intersection at Tamaki Drive, Ngapipi Road intersection when a roundabout would have worked perfectly well.

Finally, for those who might wish to torture themselves further on Auckland Transport and who do not have heart problems. You may wish to read: https://at.govt.nz/media/1974191/item114-auckland-cycling-programme-forinvestmentfinal.pdf Auckland Transport is trying to justify a spend of $635,000,000 on cycleways in the next budget period... (I jest you not, and the $ 635,000,000 is not a typo). For that money you could easily afford a train line to the airport.

I wonder which of the two options a real piece of independent research would tell AT is more desired by the people of Auckland?

Here is an example of what the question should look like: If you absolutely had to spend $635,000,000.00 of rate payers' and tax payers' money, which of these two options would you prefer: 1. A train line that runs from downtown to the airport and return. or: 2. Cycleways throughout Inner City Auckland for cyclists?

Auckland Transport is totally out of control and needs to be reigned and controlled again by the council and start asking the community what it actually wants, before it starts the building process.

Roger Hawkins, Ponsonby

At Plume we believe a great meal is not just about the food and wine, we believe it is a complete sensory experience.

Plume, proudly the house of Runner Duck Wines.

Book Now 49a Sharp Road, Matakana

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

w. plumerestaurant.co.nz p. 09 422 7915 e. reservations@plumerestaurant.co.nz

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

41

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY NEW YEAR, NEW MENU AT SIDART Multi award-winning chef Sid Sahrawat is kicking off the New Year with an exciting experiential menu offering at Sidart in Three Lamps.

Launching last month the new menu showcases the best of New Zealand produce and has been designed to take guests on a culinary voyage through the country.

Reflecting Sid’s passion for supporting local producers, this new offering incorporates a personal touch with the Sidart team sharing stories of the provenance and producers behind each ingredient.

Renowned for his cutting-edge flavour combinations, textural contrasts and visual compositions, Sid has taken steps to source everything locally, which he says adds an additional element to the dining experience at his much-lauded restaurant.

“Provenance and sustainability have always been important to me and I wanted to take this a step further by fully committing to using only New Zealand produce in our new menu, and sharing the stories behind each dish,” says Sid. “I like to take diners on a culinary journey of taste and flavour. From the kitchen to the table, our motto is 'inspirational dining’ and this new, intrinsically Kiwi offering really lives up to that.”

Chef Lesley Chandra has returned to work at both Sidart and Cassia in a research and development role after a 12-month sabbatical, completing stages and working at London’s Typing Room. He and chef Jason Kim, a semi-finalist in this year’s San Pellegrino Young Chef of the Year awards will be working with Sid on the new all New Zealand menu and experience.

There is also a drinks match option available for both menus for an additional cost.

Guests who want to witness the talented chefs creating their masterpieces also have the option of booking the chef’s table for two - six guests for $190 per person including a glass of bubbles.

And to ensure those who like to celebrate the end of the working week, Sidart is open for lunch on Fridays. As part of this, the chefs collaborate and design a new menu for lunch which showcases seasonality, creativity and technique and includes five dishes for $65 per person.

Based on the availability and seasonality of produce, this innovative new menu will change less frequently. Two new dishes to grace the new menu include blackfoot paua with scampi, lovage emulsion, sorrel, green peach and a dessert of celeriac cooked in kombucha, fig leaf, elderflower, yuzu.

Sid is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most talented and innovative chefs and has been consistently recognised since opening the fine-dining restaurant eight years ago.

Diners now have two options: a five course Journey through New Zealand for $95 and a Full Journey through New Zealand for $160.

Currently rated with a score of 86.5 in The World's 1000 Best Restaurants by La Liste - Sidart has been celebrated in all the major restaurant awards, including the Cuisine Magazine and Metro PN Magazine awards. F

food photography: Josh Griggs

SIDART, 283 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 9155, www.sidart.co.nz

42 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY SIDART, Level 1, Three Lamps Plaza, 283 Ponsonby Road T: 360 2122 www.sidart.co.nz

5 Fort Lane, CBD T: 09 379 9702 cassiarestaurant.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

43

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY

AUTHENTIC TASTE OF VIETNAM The food at Le Vietnamese Kitchen is more than just a meal, it is fresh, flavoursome and prepared with great passion.

Experienced chef Danny Le has crafted an exquisite menu of fabulous Vietnamese cuisine that combines traditional culinary techniques with a strong French influence. He is dedicated to quality and maintaining the balance of intense flavours that Vietnamese cuisine is famous for.

BECOME A FRIEND OF K ELMARNA GARDENS KELMARNA G A R D E NS FOR AS FOR AS LITTLE LITTLE AS AS $$55 A M MONTH ONT H

All ingredients are sourced locally. The freshest vegetables are delivered daily and quality New Zealand produced fish and meats are definite features of the menu.

Your regular donation will help connect more

The dishes are best paired with a drink from their specially designed cocktail menu.

There is a great selection of beers, wine, spirits, liqueurs, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.

over Auckland with sustainable living choices and

There is a fantastic lunch menu of healthy and delicious food! Traditional Vietnamese food is a rich melange of heady flavours and aromatic spices.

school children with nature, empower people all develop and maintain a therapeutic garden. Join now at: www.kelmarnagardens.nz/donate

For special occasions, a party or planning a get together with friends, a company meeting or reception, you can count on Le Vietnamese Kitchen to take care of all your needs!

Le Vietnamese Kitchen offers a comfortable modern restaurant that evokes the exotic charm of the bustling streets of Vietnam. Captivate your taste-buds and experience the authentic taste of Vietnam today. F PN For opening hours, menus and to make reservations contact Le Vietnamese Kitchen, 107 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 6107, levietkitchen@gmail.com or visit their website www.levietkitchen.co.nz

PLEASE LIKE US! www.facebook.com/ponsonbynews

#.. &#; /'07 5WPFC[ 6JWTUFC[ CO RO (TKFC[ 5CVWTFC[ CO RO ':24'55 .70%* /QPFC[ (TKFC[ CO RO

4'5'48#6+105 6 QT DQQM QPNKPG 2QPUQPD[ 4QCF YYY XKGVPCOGUGMKVEJGP EQ P\

44 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY FACES @ GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET Jersey Girl Organics Cleavedale, the Vosper family farm in Matamata, has been in the family for five generations. John Vosper, his wife Liz MacKay along with son Michael and daughter Laura bottle and sell their organic milk under the Jersey Girl Organics brand. Last year they won the 2017 NZ Life & Leisure Outstanding Food Producer (Dairy, Primary). You can see John at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market every Sunday.

What made you convert the farm to organic farming?

Liz went to a Fonterra field day and came back all fired-up, saying we needed to get into this. I’ve noticed that on lots of organic farms, it is women who have driven the change.

Is it harder farming organically?

Absolutely! It’s been a steep learning curve and a real paradigm shift. We spend more time on weed control with a grubber now that we no longer spray. We are more proactive about pasture management, choosing grasses that out-compete weeds. There is a lot more planning and manual work required in organic farming.

How many cows do you have?

About 250.

Do know them all by name?

Actually, they do all have names because they are all pedigree registered. And they are all A2.

What is A2?

Beta-casein is one of the proteins in milk - it comes in two forms: A1 and A2. Most New Zealand milk contains A1 beta-casein, because it mainly comes from Friesian cows. A2 beta-casein, is more common in Jersey cows. We DNA test all our cows to make sure that our herd is only A2.

the choice of milk in glass bottles. And we do not sell bobby calves - all our calves are raised to maturity.

It’s a family farm - how big is the family?

I’m one of six siblings and we are all close. Cleavedale farm is still the base for family events, even though we don’t all live there now.

What did you do for Christmas?

The family normally gathers at the farm but this year we all (about 30 of us) went to my sister’s vineyard on Waiheke 'Casita Miro' and were conscripted into a bit of work on the vines.

Ed - The family is clearly very close. While talking to John, his brother Peter popped in with a cup of add-your-own-milk tea because he (literally) lives just around the corner from the Grey Lynn Farmers Market. F PN www.glfm.co.nz

Why is that important?

It turns out that one of the digestive products of A1 can cause an inflammatory response in some people.

Ed - While talking to John at the market, one of his customers interrupted to make sure that I knew how important the A2 milk was. She thought her child was lactose intolerant until they tried Jersey Girls milk. It turned out that it was actually an A1 intolerance.

This is common - many of our customers used to think that they were lactose intolerant, but they can drink our milk.

Why do you sell at farmers markets?

It’s a great way to have conversations with the people who buy our milk. It strengthens rural/urban relationships and we get to listen to our customers’ concerns and this has prompted us to change some of the things we do. For instance, we now offer people

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

45

LIZ WHEADON: WINE, GLORIOUS WINE

Rosé weather continues, so what’s next for New Zealand rosé?

February - for those with a sense of occasion it means Waitangi Day and the forging of a nation, but for those romantically inclined it means St Valentine’s Day. Who was this mysterious saint and what is the history behind the celebration? According to one legend, Claudius II, in the third Century, outlawed young men from marrying (his source of potential soldiers). Valentine, a priest, defied Claudius and continued to marry young lovers. Claudius had him executed. Valentine was declared a martyr and sainted by the Pope.

It seems we don’t need any excuse to drink rosé, though Valentine’s Day does seem to be one. Sales of rosé, and interest in the differing styles, has sky rocketed over Christmas and New Year. It’s not just the girls mind you; look next time you are out to dinner, it’s the boys too - heard of Brosé?

Interesting then to consider what next for New Zealand rosé? The team at Terra Sancta have done just that and are releasing a special release rosé in February (aptly timed). It’s certainly one of the most serious New Zealand rosé wines we’ve come across and we must admit at Glengarry to knowing a thing or two about rosé wines, premium ones that is, our sales dominated by gorgeous and not inexpensive French rosé wines.

So, what then is so special about this new release from Terra Sancta.

It’s from three vineyards: their Slapjack vineyard that was planted in 1991; Jackson block also planted in 1991 and Sarah’s block planted in 1995. The fruit was picked for rosé, which may sound an odd thing to point out, but this was not an afterthought wine at all. Aged in neutral oak (stainless steel is more the norm) and with a little lees stirring for texture. The resulting wine - well it’s gorgeous, the fragrance jumps from the glass, plenty of red central Otago cherries.

On the palate, it’s weighty and with a creamy rich texture. Unlike most New Zealand rosé, there’s no hurry to drink this, it has the potential to age. What you may like to do is rush to buy it, as there were only 700 bottles made (and we have more than ¾ of them - greedy I know, but we like the wine).

We are super excited to see more New Zealand rosé wines in large format bottles, it’s a great way to enjoy rosé. Waiana Estate’s Indian Summer, a Provence-inspired Hawkes Bay rosé, has taken it to the next level; not just magnums, but 3-litre bottles. If keeping the wine cold whilst enjoying is now coming to mind, they’ve solved that too; a chill stick - like the good old-fashioned block of ice for the chilly bin, but neatly sized to fit into the bottle and keep the wine cold without diluting it at all.

On the magnum front, there are few magnums of Rockburn Stolen Kiss still around (a few is very literal) and new instore, Soho’s Pink Sheep Rosé in magnums. Now these you’ll need to drink a few glasses of to appreciate how cool the bottles are - there are dimples. We’ve tried photographing it in all guises and it just doesn’t do it justice.

So, what’s next for New Zealand rosé? Premium rosé, magnums, 3-litre bottles and lots of cool bottles from France and Italy is the current playlist. I’m sure as rosé becomes more and more a mainstay, and not the seasonal tipple it once was, differing styles will emerge, just as they have in Provence. The top end from Provence is super exciting, as is the future for New Zealand rosé you’d have to think.

(LIZ WHEADON) F PN

FEBRUAR

Y 14TH

Disaronno Originale Amaretto 700ml Rockburn Central Otago Stolen Kiss Rosé 2017 Moët & Chandon Champagne Rosé Imperial Brut NV Te r r a S a n c t a S p e c i a l R e l e a s e P i n o t N o i r R o s é 2 0 1 7

FINE WINE DELIVERED SINCE 1945

46 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

|

*PRICES VALID UNTIL 28/02/2018 OR WHILE STOCKS LAST.

www.glengarry.co.nz

$39.99 $26.99 $74.99 $49.99

W W W . G L E N G A R R Y. C O . N Z

|

P: 0800 733 505

|

E : S A L E S @ G L E N G A R R Y. C O . N Z

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TINA PLUNKETT: PONSONBY CENTRAL

PONSONBY CENTRAL PROUD February is slammed full of amazing events in our hood so make sure you get amongst it! Here are the highlights for Ponsonby Central.

ENDING HIV BIG GAY OUT

Sunday 11 February 12 noon - 7pm at Coyle Park We are super proud to be supporting Pride Festival and one of the fabulous ways to celebrate is the Big Gay Out, so come meet your friends at Ponsonby Central for a hearty brunch, grab your picnic supplies and bottles of bubbly then head on over to one of Auckland's entertaining, inclusive and family fun afternoons. Jump on the 030 bus to Coyle Park and back again at the end of the day (for a great dinner and no dishes!).

VALENTINE'S DAY

Wednesday 14 February Come stare into your loved ones eyes at any of our fabulous restaurants. From slurping noodles at Chop Chop to sharing a mezze at Miss Istanbul. Don’t forget to pre-order your flowers from Rose Tinted Flowers... make sure you get some for your Nan too. Everyone needs the love this Valentine's Day.

PONSONBY PRIDE PARADE

Pride & Progress: The Carnival Continues Saturday 17 February, Pre-entertainment from 5.30pm, parade from 7.30pm To finish it all off, the spectacular showcase for our Ponsonby Community and our Rainbow Communities is of course the Pride Parade. Ponsonby Central is super PROUD to announce that this year we will be once again supporting easily the cutest part of the parade...

Rainbow Families. Grab your friends, come early for pre entertainment and dining, grab the best spot, dress fabulous, and as proud as you can be and help us celebrate our wonderful diverse city!

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

47

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY THE TEAM BEHIND GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET Carol Gunn and Callum McAlpine are both passionate about their roles as managers of the ever popular Grey Lynn Farmers Market.

How long has the market been established?

The Market started in September 2008 - eight years ago. For the last birthday, we had a party, with bunting, ginger beer and of course - cake. Four of our stallholders have been there from the beginning.

And what is the philosophy behind it?

The Grey Lynn Farmers Market is a not-for-profit society - an ethically driven food market that aims to provide a strong community focal point. We love, and encourage, the social vibe of the market where locals get to meet and chat.

There is a strong sustainability driver for our market. We encourage renewable packaging, responsible waste disposal and recycling. And we encourage sustainable transport options such as walking, cycling and public transport.

With a lean financial base, the market relies on, and is highly appreciative of, support from our 'Friends of the Market', Ponsonby News and sponsors (including: Hakanoa Ginger Beer, Bread and Butter Bakery, WE Accounting, Nature Baby and Ripe).

Is the market open every Sunday?

Yes, apart from two Sundays over the Christmas break, the market is open every Sunday - 9am-12.30pm. Some people do arrive early because they are concerned that they will miss out but there’s no need - the veggie queue is shorter after 9.30am and George is now bringing more so customers won’t miss out.

Who are your customers?

They are mainly locals from the Western Bays area. We have a lot of regulars, but there are always some new faces too. Newcomers are always surprised by how many people they bump into.

photography: Martin Leach

Last year, we did a small survey that showed ethical production is the most important driver for our customers. They are very interested in sustainable living and like buying their food direct from the producers - they like knowing exactly how it is made or farmed.

For many regulars, the market is a cornerstone of their weekly shop.

What is usually available?

There is always something new or seasonal at the market, like the delicious Mamaku Blueberries that have just come back to the market.

All our regular stallholders at the market have a loyal following. George’s Gardens is very popular with a wide range of fresh vegetables, and some fruit - most of it is spray free.

If organic is important to you, Fresh Gardens have certified organic leafy greens. You will also find: Jam Pak’d meat pies and custard tarts, Il Casaro cheeses, Zeki’s Turkish breads and snacks, Narbey olive oil, Not Milk nut milks and vegan chocolate mousse slice, Something Big is brewing kombucha, Mardi Gras avocados, Paradise Lost flowers, Heirloom Organix seedlings, Neat Meat, The Salmon Man, award-winning Jersey Girls A2 Milk, The Coffee Store, Very Good Dumplings and Fab’s Crepes. And usually there is a busker to set the mood. There is something for everyone.

You run workshops - what kind of topics have you covered and what’s coming?

Because we are all about the community and sustainability, we like to celebrate (eg, our birthday and Christmas Eve) and we ran a few events last year (Pop-up rat trap shop, Biketober, Trash-to-Trade). From time-to-time we have 'How-to' workshops like: living without waste, tips for growing tomatoes, home composting, bread making. If you want to know what is coming up, follow us on Facebook.

What happens to the waste generated each Sunday?

We aim to be zero waste. Waste is such a dilemma - not just for us, but also our city and our planet. As No-Waste Nomad, Hannah Blumhardt said, “there is no 'away' to throw rubbish.”

Most of the market waste is composted by We Compost, including plastic-look-a-like PLA products that are compostable in commercial compost systems.

Stallholders are encouraged to take their waste with them, in a product stewardship approach.

We encourage stall holders to use plastic alternatives. But nothing is ever simple - some plastics touted as biodegradable are actually worse because they end up as microplastics that are impossible to remove from the environment. Some plastics are hard to avoid because they are light (less transport fuel burned) and lengthen shelf-life (lessen food waste, safer food). We view it as a journey and encourage everyone to be more conscious of the waste they generate and where it goes.

We have some great new jute Farmers Market bags to encourage people to use durable shopping bags rather than plastic.

Any plans for improving the market?

We are always open to new ideas and plan to do some more research this year to hear what changes our customers would like. Watch this space.

Anything else you’d like to add?

That should be enough for now. F PN

The least glamorous part of my job is sorting the waste at the end of every market.

I usually end up talking trash with passers-by. It makes me realise how much people still don’t know about the products they are buying/using, and no wonder - it is so confusing.

48 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET, 510 Richmond Road, M: 021 928 202, glfm.co.nz Follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/GLFM Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreyLynnFarmersMarket PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY BLUEBERRY PIZZA: DISH OF THE SUMMER Blueberries are on supermarket shelves and Kiwis are being encouraged to try some creative culinary combinations.

Dan Peach, Chairman of New Zealand Blueberries, says while the ultra-healthy snack can be enjoyed straight from the punnet at any time of day, adding them to pizza, salads and meat dishes for an extra burst of colour and flavour is also right on trend.

“People’s idea of what a salad is has changed quite a lot in recent years. It’s common now to add different fruits and nuts for taste and texture, and blueberries are an ideal fruit to include because they’re super healthy as well as delicious.

SWEET AND SAVOURY SUMMER BLUEBERRY PIZZA Naan flatbreads (2) 1 teaspoon of olive or avocado oil 1 cup sliced red onion Himalayan salt 2 tablespoons honey ½ cup mozzarella cheese ½ cup feta cheese 1 cup blueberries Basil for garnish Instructions: Preheated your oven to 220°C. Prepare your pizza stone or line a baking tray with baking paper. Arrange the naan and lightly spray or brush with water. Set aside.

“Pizza is another popular combination that people can adapt - take a tasty chicken pizza, add a handful of fresh blueberries and you’ll pack some extra antioxidants into your day.”

Heat the oil in a medium pan over a medium-low heat. Add the honey and stir fry the onion. Season with a pinch of salt. Cook the onions until they are caramelised (3-5 minutes) and then remove from heat.

Blueberries contain higher antioxidant levels than almost any other fruit or vegetable.

They’ve been proven to enhance weight loss, boost your brain and bowel function, promote good eyesight and help keep your cholesterol under control.

Spread the mozzarella over the naan and top with crumbled feta and the honey caramelised onions. Sprinkle the blueberries on top.

New Zealand’s main commercial crops of blueberries are grown in the Waikato, Hawkes Bay, the Far North and Bay of Plenty. This season runs from the beginning of December through until March and this summer’s is forecast to be a bumper harvest.

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes until golden, with the blueberries ready to burst.

PN Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil. F

You gotta have faith SOHO WINES pink sheep rose 2017

RAYMOND CHAN

WINE ORBIT

PROUDLY SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH For details & where to buy, visit

sohowineco.com/pink PONSONBY & FRANKLIN RD STOCKISTS: Glengarry Wines, New World Vic Park JERVOIS RD STOCKISTS: Herne Bay Cellars, Glengarry Wines, Liquorland

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

49

PHIL PARKER: WHOSE WINE IS IT ANYWAY?

And the award goes to...

You may not be aware, but many of our New Zealand wines have picked up awards and trophies in overseas competitions.

And we’re not just well respected for the ubiquitous sauvignon blanc, but have gained international accolades for wines across the board from white wines to sturdy reds. As a wine tour guide, I hear so many of my guests expressing surprise and awe at the quality of our chardonnays, pinot gris, rieslings, pinot noirs and other reds. Here’s just a selection.

Quartz Reef Central Otago Methode Traditionelle Brut NV Voted 15th in the Top 25 New World Sparkling Wines by UK Decanter Magazine in 2016.

Certified biodynamic. Aromas of carbonic acid (CO2) and clear apple juice with a hint of yeasty brioche. Frothy mousse and fine beaded bubbles open up in the mouth with Braeburn apple, stone fruit, creamy yeast and just a hint of sweetness to balance the crisp acidity.

Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 The 2008 picked up Trophy, Shanghai International Wine Challenge 2010. Smells like brioche and marzipan with a whiff of vanilla oak. Crisp and toasty in the mouth with ripe nectarine, vanilla, nougat and creamy butterscotch with a lengthy finish, with herbal flavours, like an oak-aged sauvignon blanc.

West Brook Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 Their 2007 won Best Overall Value pinot noir in the Vinordic Wine Challenge, Stockholm 2009. Brick red, with aromas of tamarillo and earthy pot pourri. In the mouth, it’s warm, smooth and generous with flavours of black cherry, mocha, dark plum and red liquorice.

Quartz Reef Single Vineyard Bendigo Pinot Noir 2015 Awarded 95/100 by USA wine bible, RobertParker.com in December 2016. Okay, this is a blockbuster Central Otago pinot. Take no prisoners - it’s at least 14% alcohol. Smoky and savoury aromas, with dark berry fruits and a bit of mocha. Big dark fruit flavours, but very dominant on the palate with earthy and savoury flavours of smoked venison, black berry fruit and assertive acids. I would hide it in the cellar for four years.

Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 The 2012 earned Double Gold in the San Francisco International Wine Competition 2015. Made from old vine fruit with aromas of Black Doris plum spice and pot pourri.

Gorgeously ripe, soft, silky and generous in the mouth with spiced plum and black berry fruit flavours. Lengthy finish. (PHIL PARKER) F PN Availability - all other than the West Brook are available at Glengarry. For Westbrook - see www.westbrook.co.nz

Phil Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine & Food Tours in Auckland.

See: www.finewinetours.co.nz. Phil’s new cellar door book ‘NZ Wine Regions - A Visitor’s Guide’ is now available on Amazon Kindle.

GARY STEEL: VEG FRIENDLY

Happy little pills?

Let’s talk about medicine...

There’s one looming issue for vegetarians, vegans and others who want to avoid meaty bites, and it’s something that hardly ever gets talked about: animal products in pharmaceuticals.

Maybe that’s because we’ve already had to take on so much to eat differently that to combat something like Big Pharma head on just seems a step too far. Vegetarians and vegans already have to deal with the microscopic contents lists on a range of supermarket products, negotiate the finer points of restaurant protocol in finding out whether that pumpkin soup has chicken stock in it, as well as deal with the inevitable social stigma attached to the simple decision to eat differently. Vegetarians and vegans already have to decide whether to kick up a fuss about wines that are treated with egg whites or fish, or beer containing isinglass, as well as the numerous candy-type products using cochineal for colour. With all this and more to worry about already, is there enough mental space to take on the pharmaceutical industry without causing head-spin or adrenal burnout?

Everyone has to choose their own battles, and a lot of that comes down to priorities and timing. You can see it in the way that an animal rights organisation like SAFE targets specific animal abuses one at a time, rather than trying to highlight the almost unthinkable number of animal atrocities across the board.

Perhaps one day, however, the pharmaceutical industry will have to capitulate to market forces. With the incredible rise in veganism, surely it’s time for them to begin to think about alternatives to animal products in their medicines.

At the moment, the big problem is that there’s simply no information provided to keep consumers informed about the exact constitution of their pills and potions, let alone which of them have been tested on animals in the first place. But a big start would be to replace gelatine capsules with vege caps, something that’s already widespread in the health food industry.

So, just what is to be found in those little pills our doctors hand over to suppress the many and varied symptoms of modern living? Well, there’s lactose lurking in a wide variety of medicines (used as a bulking agent and stabilizer), and the same goes for gelatine (which is of course, made from the skin and bones of animals). Other animal ingredients in pills can include cochineal (crushed bugs), magnesium stearate and shellac (fatty acids from animals), and those requiring insulin, amino acid infusions or hormone treatment better forget about non-animal sources.

Then there’s surgery. Apparently if you’re having a serious operation, the chances are they’ll need to use an anti-coagulant called heparin, which is from the intestinal mucous membranes of pigs. There are vegan alternatives, but they’re said to be not nearly as effective. If it were a matter of life and death, what would you choose?

Such are the moral quandaries of the ethical vegan/vegetarian, and there’s no easy answer. It could be that over time, with the right encouragement, the world of medicine will find replacement products that work just as well. Hopefully, that will happen sooner rather than later! (GARY STEEL) F PN

Gary Steel is an Auckland-based journalist who runs online vegetarian resource www.doctorfeelgood.co.nz. He can be contacted via beautmusic@gmail.com

50 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY

SWEET VALENTINE @ SABATO Surprise your valentine with something from our gorgeous range of Valrhona and Maglio chocolates, decadent Leone sweets or why not pick up our ‘that’s amore’ Valentine's hamper and take your loved one on a picnic date?

G I M B L E T T G R AV E L S | H AW K E S B AY

Or if you opted for the romantic dinner at home, try finishing the meal with this irresistible Valrhona and rose cake - it’s the ultimate Valentine’s Day dessert!

Valrhona & Rose Cake - serves 8 250g Valrhona féves 185g butter, cubed 4 eggs ¾ cup caster sugar 1 tsp Heilala pure vanilla extract ½ cup Valrhona cocoa powder 25mls water ½ cup cream, whipped Can Bech rose petal jelly Pashmak Persian fairy floss ~ rose, to decorate Method Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease 2 x 20cm round cake tins and line the bases with baking paper. Melt 125g of both chocolate féves and butter in a heatproof bowl by setting over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool for five minutes.

In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar and vanilla together with an electric mixer for five minutes or until very thick and pale. Add melted chocolate and whisk to combine. Sift cocoa powder into the mixture and gently whisk until combined. Pour the batter evenly between two tins. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Cool cakes in tins on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove from tins to cool completely.

Superb Value

Single Vineyard Wines Available in all stores Farro Fresh and Caros Wines

To make the icing, combine left over butter, chocolate and water in a saucepan. Melt over a low heat, stirring until thick and smooth (don’t boil or it will become grainy). Set aside for approximately 30 minutes to cool to a thick pouring consistency.

W W W. S Q U AW K I N G M A G P I E . C O . N Z

To assemble, layer the cold cakes together with whipped cream and dollops of rose petal jelly. Drizzle the chocolate icing on top and decorate with Persian fairy floss. Be sure to use a hot dry knife to make cutting the cake easier. © Recipe by Julie Le Clerc For more Summer recipe ideas visit us in-store or on our website www.sabato.co.nz SABATO, 57 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, T: 09 630 8751

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

51

PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE

1

2

1. We had a nice catch up last month with our great mate Deirdre Roelants. She is now in her 80s and has been writing a regular column on the history of local streets for the past 12 years for Ponsonby News. The poor love had a bad fall a few months ago and she is now in a nursing home. Sadly she doesn’t think she’ll be returning to Franklin Road.

2. Grey Lynn resident Judy Long enjoying a spot of winter in Jackson Hole, WYOMING, USA. Dear readers, please keep sending us your holiday snaps reading your favourite magazine, we love getting them! Photos need to be in high resolution (300dpi), so please email them to info@ponsonbynews.co.nz without reducing the size.

DIDA’S: YOUR LOCAL RECIPE OF THE MONTH Prawn and Soba Noodle Salad Prawn Salad 270g dried soba noodles 20 (900g) uncooked medium king prawns 1 medium carrot (120g), cut into matchsticks 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1 fresh long red chilli, thinly sliced Soy dressing 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon Japanese soy sauce ½ tablespoon white sugar

Boil a large pot of water and cook the noodles according to the instructions. Drain and set aside. Toss the prawns in oil then cook over a high heat for three to four minutes, until cooked.

For the dressing, place the ingredients in a bowl and whisk together well. Taste and adjust as needed.

Add the soba noodles to the dressing, together with the cooked prawns and the remainder of the ingredients, and mix gently.

DIDA’S, 55 Jervois Road, T: 09 361 6157, www.didas.co.nz

Spoil your Valentine with a hamper full of goodies from Dida’s Foodstore this Valentine’s day February 14th!

FOOD STORE 54

JERVOIS

M O N D A Y- F R I D A Y : 6 A M – 5 P M S U N D AY & S A T U R D AY: 7 A M – 5 P M CALL US ON 09 361 6157

52 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

Spend Valentine’s day at Dida’s Wine Lounge with a bubbly pink glass of P i p e r- H e i d s i e c k C h a m p a g n e and Chambord!

& WINE LOUNGE ROAD

PONSONBY

M O N D AY- S U N D AY: 1 2 P M – L AT E CALL US ON 09 376 2813 W I N E L O U N G E A N D TA PA S B A R

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

CRUISING CROATIA I had told too many people I could never be a particularly enthusiastic cruise passenger; there seemed to be something rather too jolly about it for my taste.

However, boarding a small but perfectly formed, deluxe cruiser to meander along the Croatian coast risked turning me into a big, fat liar.

My Croatian friends speak with such passion of their homeland.

Armed with a comprehensive ‘you simply must visit, must taste, must try, must call my auntie’ list, and despite reluctance to join a cruise, I was actually predisposed to have a great time.

Pleasantly surprised by both the ship and my light, airy, air conditioned cabin, I could feel the first of my prejudices falling away. With a maximum of 38 guests on board, a spacious sun deck with platform and ladders at the rear to allow swimming directly from the ship into the warm and sparkling waters of the Adriatic, a comfortable bar and restaurant and free wifi, I could tell I was going to struggle to maintain my distain.

The cruising can only be described as leisurely. Breakfast and lunch is included on board while in the evenings we moor in small towns, going shore to sample fresh seafood and other tasty delicacies in tiny restaurants, often cooked by majka (mother) and served by other family members keen to chat. Our days are filled with wonders like Korcula, its pretty little bays and beaches beckoning us to swim, olive groves for miles, charming villages to explore and the wonderful old town winning me over in an instant.

Who can fail to love Dubrovnik? Picture postcard baroque buildings and ancient city walls with pedestrianised limestone streets buzzing with activity. I stumble across the impressive 14th Century Franciscan monastery with its truly beautiful cloisters and remarkable pharmacy, 700 years old and still in operation today. Bowls, laboratory tools and books are on display in the museum and you can purchase moisturisers made from original Franciscan recipes using local herbs.

When my feet demand I stop walking for a while, I find a small bar up a tiny side street and sit in the shade with a cool drink served by a hot waiter as I indulge in a bit of people watching. Heaven.

13th Century city walls encasing Gothic palaces and marbled streets make Hvar an instant favourite. The island also offers vineyards, olive groves and fragrant fields of lavender. I feel welcome and content as I wander around before finding a quiet spot for a glass of wine as the sun starts to set.

Stepping ashore in Split before we disembark for good, I wander, slack jawed, through Diocletian’s palace, the rather impressive, pulsing heart of the city with narrow streets bursting with bars and cafes, children playing oblivious to the history surrounding them at every turn while rows of washing hang from balconies above me. This is like no other palace I have ever seen.

I was wrong. Cruise anyone? (KATE GOHAR, WORLD JOURNEYS) F PN www.worldjourneys.co.nz

TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL Relax and enjoy the delights of Zagreb before travelling through the stunning Croatian lakes district and on to Split to join a traditional motor sailing ship. Cruise the breathtaking islands and coast visiting Dubrovnik, Korcula, Hvar, and more.

BEST OF CROATIA The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

11 DAY TOUR from $2,132pp (share twin) plus airfares

T 09 360 7311 www.worldjourneys.co.nz /worldjourneys

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

53

ROSS THORBY: SEA FEVER

Ferry across the Mersey In its heyday, Liverpool had thrived on the money and wealth its commerce had attracted.

By the end of the 18th Century, 40% of the world’s slave trade was fed by ships originally sailing from Liverpool. Shamefully it caused the city to become one of the most important financial centres in Britain.

It was also the home of the 'Ocean Liner', that is until late in the 19th Century when it was unceremoniously usurped by Southampton - now the UK’s version of Miami with an international flotilla of cruising behemoths now calling it home.

After the demise of slavery and shipping, Liverpool sank into murky backwaters, its famous river became clogged and silted and the city became famous for its gestation of the Beatles, the mighty 'Scouser' and a particularly virulent football team second only to Arsenal. Still - it was hard to resist the temptation to take the opportunity to visit and to satisfy my thirst for all things 'Ocean Liner' and to experience what was once the hub of the British shipping universe.

In its heyday whilst thriving on the money and wealth its illicit commerce had attracted, the city’s buildings were dressed in Portland Stone and marble befitting the prestige that the city’s fathers felt it deserved.

Fortunately today, it is left with many examples of these beautiful iconic buildings, the most famous being 'The Three Graces'. Three neighbouring, architectural, palaces recently restored to reclaim the jewel in Liverpool’s architectural crown. Built on what was then and is again now, a vibrant and busy waterfront where next door, White Star (owners of the Titanic) also built its headquarters, hoping that the luck and proximity to its three illustrious neighbours would rub off.

Today glitter and sequins; dropped in glorious shipwrecked abandon throughout the reconstructed Disneylandish interiors lie where once diamonds and furs had trailed behind portered luggage trolleys. The refurbished interiors of the hotel that were meant to evoke the ships of the past can now only be described as 'early neo-brothalesque'. Cheap, plastic chandeliers and synthetic carpets abound all around.

Fortunately the rest of Liverpool has fared better and it thrives on its marine heritage with an excellent selection of museums and memorials devoted to its maritime past. A vibrant waterfront features a restaurant precinct and tourists promenade along the smart waterfront corniche with its paved walkways.

Of course everyone who visits Liverpool has to take a trip across the Mersey - the ferries blaring out that famous tune in a corny but quaint manner, binding the city forever to popular musical history.

Another fascinating monument is set at the water’s edge in the form of the propeller from Cunard’s 'Lusitania'. In direct competition, Cunard’s Lusitania was the very reason for Titanic’s conception. Unfortunately the Lusitania also suffered a disastrous demise, sunk on 7 May 1915 with the loss of 1198 souls and within cooee of the safety of Liverpool foreshore by Germany’s most infamous U-Boat, the U-20.

A ship’s fate once more influencing world events by featuring on the World stage, this marine tragedy was the very reason that America entered the First World War.

It didn’t.

The tragic news of the Titanic’s demise was announced from the building’s balcony to a crowd of over 100,000 people who had gathered below; the officials being too scared to leave their sanctuary and rightly so, because it became the backdrop to the near riot that the announcement caused. Now a hotel trading on its Titanic heritage of being the portal to transatlantic crossings - the building is still causing near riots with rampaging hen-party guests shrieking and screaming through the once hallowed halls that previously had catered to the rich and salubrious members of society, but now sadly relegated to the lower echelons of that society.

Liverpool today is again a port of significance for the UK. It has come full circle and now again is visited by 'the largest moving objects made by man'. Even Cunard makes the occasional foray up the river to the city’s Cruise Terminal and its revitalised waterfront that includes a beautiful carousel and more entertainment than you could shake a binnacle at. An area reclaimed by Liverpudlians and tourists alike.

It seems that the forward-thinking city fathers are now taking advantage of the captured market that the cruising tourists are bringing to the city, perhaps something that our own city could take into account during discussions on the fate of our very own PN waterfront - behind the Big Red Fence. (ROSS THORBY) F

The three graces

54 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FASHION + STYLE @ CARATS

1

2

UNIQUE AND LOCAL: WEARING GLASS You can't buy love, but you can buy local and handmade which is almost the same thing.

4 3

Wearing Glass’s beautiful Heart of Glass earrings are flying out the door along with their funky anatomical heart pendants.

Wearing Glass started as a part-time creative adventure for Isla Osbourne, and has developed into a passion for glass jewellery. As every bit of glass is individually lampworked, each piece of jewellery is unique - a refreshing change in a market saturated by mass-produced replicas.

The collection of ranges from funky earrings and pendants, to one of a kind hand-blown glass necklaces - all crafted in Osbourne’s Grey Lynn studio.

6 5

Community is at the heart of the business, so Wearing Glass supports the Child Cancer Foundation by donating handmade glass beads to the Beads of Courage programme.

Beads of Courage provides a physical story of a child’s journey, recognising their strength and courage during their cancer journey. Each bead represents a treatment (for example chemotherapy, injections, scans); an experience (hair loss, isolation, fever) or milestone (completion of treatment).

In Wearing Glass words: “When you buy local you’re not only buying something beautiful, you’re investing in your community, nurturing creativity, and celebrating Aotearoa.” F PN www.wearingglass.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

1. Diamond, platinum ‘Life' ring inspired by the unfolding koru of fern fronds; 2. Diamond set, 18ct white gold pendant inspired by the shimmer of water from the ‘Water' collection; 3. Princess cut diamond, platinum ring from the ‘Life' collection; 4. Diamond set, 18ct white gold wide band from the 'Water' collection; 5. Spectacular diamond set bracelet made to order; 6. Baguette diamond, platinum from the 'Water' collection.

CARATS, 25 Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD, T: 09 309 5145, www.caratsjewellery.co.nz

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

55

FASHION + STYLE @ MAGAZINE DESIGNER CLOTHING

1

2

3

4

1. Zephyr Claire top; 2.White Label Noba Carlo top and White Label Noba Tilly pant; 3. Bittermoon Verve dress and slip; 4. White Label Noba Francie shirt MAGAZINE DESIGNER CLOTHING, 4 Byron Avenue, Takapuna, T: 09 488 0406, 937 Mt Eden Road, T: 09 630 5354, www.magazineclothing.co.nz

56 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FASHION + STYLE @ ZEBRANO 1. Aurora Tuck dress from Zebrano - $347 2. Commander pant from Zebrano - $279 3. Merriweather cardi from Zebrano - $343 4. Sunray Chiffon Coccon apron from Zebrano - $279 ZEBRANO, 10 Kingdon Street, Newmarket, T: 09 523 2500, www.zebrano.co.nz

1

2

3

4

Sale!

In store and d online onlline

216 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

09 360 9700

www.fifthave.co.nz

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

57

FASHION + STYLE DIAMONDS ON RICHMOND CELEBRATE ITS 10 YEAR BIRTHDAY Boutique jewellery store Diamonds on Richmond is set to celebrate its 10th year as a locally established business in the heart of Grey Lynn.

Starting from humble beginnings, siblings and business partners Michelle and Michael Wobcke began their entrepreneurial journey by running their business from a room in a villa, back in 2008. The idea for such a business stemmed from when Michelle was given a diamond by her grandma. After thinking all diamonds were the same, she became aware of the vast particularities of diamonds, and from there her passion for diamonds was born.

Starting out as a ‘by appointment only’ business, Michelle and Michael understood the gap in the market for client consultations where information is fully disclosed, establishing trust and confidence.

As their business grew, their desire to be more accessible for their clients ensued when boutique store at 98 Richmond Road became available in 2015. Michelle and Michael, of course, jumped at this opportunity and have been able to watch their business continue to expand and flourish ever since.

1

2

In honour of its 10th birthday, Diamonds on Richmond has released a collection of rings inspired by the street names that surround their store. With timeless and elegant engagement rings named after streets such as Ardmore and Richbourne, the locality of the business truly shines through.

Here’s just a small selection of Diamonds On Richmond's latest 'Richmond Collection’.

All the rings are named after the beautiful streets that surround their boutique store on Richmond Road in Grey Lynn. All of the ‘Richmond Collection' are made to order and can be crafted in any precious metal offered by DOR and tailored to suit your price range.

View the ‘Richmond Collection’ in store or online. Store opening hours: 10am-5pm MonFri, Sat 10-4pm.

3

4

5

1. Ardmore; 2. Beaumont; 3. Richbourne; 4. Barrington; 5. Anglesea DIAMONDS ON RICHMOND, 98 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, T: 09 376 9045, wwwdiamondsonrichmond.co.nz

DON’T MISS THE MARCH PONSONBY NEWS+ DEADLINE COPY DEADLINE: Tuesday 20 February PUBLISHED: Friday 2 March

MARCH SPECIAL FEATURES + EUROPEAN INFLUENCES IN & AROUND PONSONBY + ELECTRIC TRANSPORT - CARS + BIKES + CAREERS & EMPLOYMENT

TO BOOK ADVERTISING: Call Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or on Melissa Paynter 027 938 4111 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: melissa@ponsonbynews.co.nz w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

58 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE The monthly jottings of a free-spirited Ponsonby dressmaker of the 1920s, as imagined by Angela Lassig.

VERMONT STREET, PONSONBY 15 DECEMBER 1925

Dearest Nelly, I feel so exhilarated! I’ve just spent the most wonderful afternoon with George!

I’m on my second cup of tea and third biscuit and still haven’t calmed down.

It all sprang from a conversation that George and I had on Wednesday when he suggested that we have a picnic down at Shelly Beach on Saturday - that’s today. As the weather has been so lovely and I’ve been too busy to really enjoy it, I thought it was a wonderful idea. Last night I made an apple cake[i] and this morning I made a pile of ham and mustard sandwiches and a thermos of tea.

We walked down to the beach at about 11.30am and then George had a swim while I read my periodical and got our little feast ready. While we were eating, George pointed out a seaplane in the distance which slowly came closer, circled and then landed right on the water in front of us! That was when George announced that he’d bought us tickets for a flight around the harbour[ii]!

I could hardly breathe with excitement and fear. I’ve never been so close to an airplane before but I have seen them from the ferry - the Walsh Brothers who own the machine have a flying school at Kohimarama. Our flight was booked for 1pm which came around in no time. While I packed up our picnic, we watched a couple, who’d booked the flight before us, wade out to the floating plane, hop in and glide just above water line for a while (like a really heavy duck!) and then slowly ascend towards Rangitoto. To be honest, when I saw it turn in the distance and slowly head towards us, I became completely terrified and even a little bit grumpy at George for not consulting me about this unplanned adventure. For one thing, I was wearing a new pair of stockings (why I don’t know on such a hot day!) and one of my favourite pairs of walking shoes. I really didn’t fancy having to take them off, especially within sight of the relatively large crowd who had gathered on the beach to see the spectacle and I certainly didn’t want to look like an idiot and wear them into the water. George, being quite the practical one, created a little screen for me with our picnic rug and I was able to rid myself of my stockings without anyone really noticing.

Once the plane settled, the pilot jumped out and had a little chat with us about what to expect. He also asked us if there was anything in particular that we’d like to see and both George and I agreed that we really wanted to have a good look at Rangitoto and to fly a little way up the coast north of Takapuna Beach.

Getting into the plane wasn’t as easy as it looked and I must say that my boarding was not as graceful as it might have been.

All I can say is that I’m very pleased that I wore a cotton dress as a silk one might not have survived the undignified shoving and clambering to get me over the sides of the cabin and then upright! Anyway, within a few minutes of George athletically leaping in we were off! For a few seconds, it felt as if we wouldn’t rise above the water, but gradually we climbed and with that my fear suddenly subsided.

Oh my word, Nelly, it was heavenly and so, so exhilarating! First, we flew along the waterfront, all the way to St Heliers Bay and then out towards Rangitoto. We did a big circle around Rangitoto and I was amazed to see that it is almost a perfect circle - did you know that?

Before I knew it, we were heading back to Shelly Beach. On the way back we flew over Luna Park[iii] which was a hoot! The people in the cars on the upper rails of the rollercoaster waved to us and we waved back as they sped, screaming, out of sight.

You wouldn’t get me on that thing! George has tried but never, never, never! There was a reason that George didn’t warn me about this flight - too much notice and I definitely wouldn’t have succumbed. But I am so pleased that I did!

Before we landed we did a big circle over Ponsonby. We saw my wee house and I even spied Tiger. My little troublemaker was literally ‘in’ my big flower garden out the back which makes me think that he was up to no good. I did check when I got home and, as I suspected, Tiger had rearranged his bone collection. It is a thing he does from time to time.

Well Nelly, that’s not the only news that has got me excited! The mistress of a little shop - The Exquisite - in Ponsonby Road[iv], has engaged me to make a line of silk crepe nightdresses in pretty pastel shades. She came to visit in January and saw some of the trousseau items I was making for a customer and especially loved the nighties. If they sell well, I think she might also order some camisole and bloomer sets. It will be nice to have a little bit of extra money.

One more cup of tea and then I must take Tiger for a walk.

I think it will be fish and chips from the Star Fish shop[v] for me and a nice bone for the four-legged one from the butcher.

Please do write soon with all your news.

Much love,

Maudie x

[i] Recipe in Northern Advocate, 2 August 1924 p.10; [ii]In 1922 the Walsh Bros advertised seaplane flights from Shelly Beach for the specially reduced fees of 2 pounds per customer; [iii]Luna Park Auckland (1926-1931). See https://timespanner.blogspot.co.nz; [iv]The Exquisite - 116a Ponsonby Road (1924) [v] Star Fish Shop - ‘fresh fish daily’ - 124 Ponsonby Road (1924)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

+ February + DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH PONSONBY PONSONBY NEWS PARISH NEWS2018

59 59

HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

The benefits of vitamin C The antioxidant properties of vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid) and its role in collagen synthesis make the sunny-hued little beauty a vital molecule for skin health.

Dietary and topical ascorbic acid have beneficial effects on skin cells, and some studies have even shown that vitamin C may help prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV)-induced photodamage. To break the news gently: you need the stuff on your face, as well as in your diet. Lucky for us there are some clever skincare brands doing unique things with it, and formulas to suit every skin.

Drunk Elephant is one of my absolute favourite clean beauty brands, and a sensitive skin person’s dream come true due to its refreshing lack of essential oils, fragrance, alcohol, dyes, chemical screens or SLS. Their C-Firma Day Serum ($127) is a multi -award winner with good reason, and available locally at Mecca Maxima and meccabeauty.co.nz. A super -potent vitamin C day serum packed with a powerful antioxidant complex, essential nutrients, fruit enzymes and a chronopeptide that provides the benefits of vitamin D, it aims to firm and brighten the appearance of skin while improving the signs of photoageing.

The revolutionary - and lovely to use - serum comes jam-packed with a 15% potent antioxidant complex of l-ascorbic and ferulic acids plus vitamin E, which helps neutralise damaging free radicals while replenishing lipids and reducing the look of dark spots and wrinkles.

It has also been formulated with pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extracts, so it enzymatically - and gently - dissolves dead, surface skin cells for smoother texture. It’s pretty amazing, and if the huge volume of five star reviews it garners online are anything to go by, it does what it says and more. I also love the fact that C-Firma has what the beauty industry calls a 'reservoir effect', which means it

will stay active on skin for up to 72 hours and cannot be washed or rubbed off.

Also available from Mecca is Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten + Firm Vitamin C Serum ($124).

Powered by a heady cocktail of skin-revitalising actives, it is a fast-absorbing gel-serum that repairs imperfections and recharges the skin for a healthylooking glow. Other ingredients in the formula include collagen amino acids, carnitine and niacinamide to strengthen, soften the appearance of wrinkles, banish dark spots and boost radiance.

Société’s Triple C Serum ($207) is a great choice if you really want to pull out the big guns on the vitamin C front, as it combines three of the most stable forms of vitamin C available in a neutral (non-acidic), nonirritating form. This allows it to be suitable for all skin types including problematic, sensitive and postprocedure skin, and it uses a water-based (not lipidbased) delivery system that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. Its DNA repair mechanisms aim to reduce hyperpigmentation dramatically, and support damaged cells so they can repair themselves over time.

If you’re looking to dabble in vitamin C without the commitment of a serum, Clinique offers the Fresh Pressed Renewing Powder Cleanser with Pure Vitamin C ($70), which won me over after just one use. Designed to jump-start your skin’s renewal every morning, it is an ultra-fine powder that you activate with water. Its non-drying, non-stripping formula is gentle enough for use every day, jump-starts skin’s natural cellular renewal process and preps skin for whatever comes next. As well as the feel of my skin after use, I love that the cleanser comes in single-use packets to protect the potency of the formula and make it perfect for travel.

To use, just pour the daily dose of powder into a wet hand, add a little more water to lather, then gently massage onto your skin. Leave on for a full minute to capture the potency of pure vitamin C, then rinse off and add the next step in your daily regime.

Another vitamin C-driven product that’s designed to awaken tired, dull skin is Murad’s Intensive-C Radiance Peel, which the skin specialists call an “at home spa treatment that dramatically reverses environmental aging caused by sun, smog and pollution” - who doesn’t like the sound of that? Part of their Environmental Shield range, it’s a powerful little number containing vitamin C and Indian Fig that work together to stop free radical damage and enhance skin clarity, while Myrtle Extract supports collagen production to give skin extra resilience and elasticity. It's a triple threat that brightens, smoothes and hydrates skin in just one treatment, using glycolic acid to gently exfoliate skin and accelerate the turnover of damaged cells.

Murad’s Intensive-C Radiance Peel is designed to be used up to twice a week (with my sensitive skin I’ve kept it to once for now) and is a 10-minute-long exercise session for the skin if ever there was one.

Easy to use and delivers results. Music to the ears.

Last up, vitamin C taken internally is also hugely beneficial for the skin, but not all formulas are created equal. The type most recommended by me is LivOn's patented Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C, which encapsulates the C molecules in liposomes made from essential phospholipids that protect it from destruction by your digestive juices. This means it’s transported directly into the bloodstream - and into the cells - to help protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals and support PN a healthy immune system. (HELENE RAVLICH) F

60 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING

GET THAT SMILE YOU DESIRE - DIGITAL DENTISTRY ARRIVES IN FORCE IN PONSONBY Visualising your new and improved smile in 3D is now possible - with a free non-invasive digital scan to assess suitability - all before you have to face the drill.

Ponsonby local Dr Tony Dey has been lead dentist at Lumino Ponsonby for eight years, and while things have changed significantly in that time (from a one man band to a group of passionate, dedicated and specialised staff) the team still puts patient satisfaction at its forefront.

Recently the team has embraced digital dentistry in a big way. Lumino Ponsonby can now offer free, non-invasive scans to determine your suitability for Invisalign - the world’s leading invisible orthodontic system.

If you require crown or veneer work, you no longer need to have uncomfortable gooey impressions, everything is done digitally with our 3Shape scanner.

Tony, who focuses on sympathetic and conservative cosmetic work, has extensive experience in cosmetic dental treatments as well as over 10 years of surgical experience and is excited about using the advanced technology of the 3Shape scanner for helping you achieve the smile you desire.

Working alongside Tony is Dr Steven Casci who, with over 15 years’ experience behind him, has been recently awarded Platinum Elite Status in New Zealand in recognition of the large number of patients he has successfully treated. To date he has completed over 300 cases.

Our other dentists - Saskia, Philippe, Fraser, Aftab, Preetesh and David - are also extremely experienced and look forward to helping you with your oral health.

Conveniently located in the hub of Ponsonby, above local institution Longroom, Lumino Ponsonby is open six days a week and provides all aspects of dental care from whitening, in the dedicating ‘Whitening

Dr Tony Dey Spa’, and hygiene to insurance-funded wisdom tooth removal and implant placement, plus Invisalign and Fastbraces for aligning teeth.

Give us a call and chat about what we can do for you or book online.

SPECIAL OFFER 24 MONTHS NO PAYMENTS AND NO INTEREST WITH Q CARD At participating Lumino practices, we’re offering 24 months no payments and no interest on full-priced dental treatments $300 and over with Q Card.

With a range of treatments from cosmetic to leading edge and general dentistry, our dentists have you covered.

All the information can be found at https://Lumino.co.nz/24-months T&Cs apply

LUMINO PONSONBY, Level 1, 114 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 2060, www.lumino.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

61

LIVING, THINKING + BEING EMMY WINNER TONI CHILDS’ NEW SHOW RAISES AWARENESS FOR BEE COLLAPSE American-born singer-songwriter Toni Childs celebrates the bees and pollinators in her new music-driven 3D Mapping animated show, It’s All a Beautiful Noise.

“I am deeply concerned that 41% of the honey bee population collapsed in the US last year, and 75% of insects have disappeared in Germany over the past 27 years, with new collections from midsummer showing an even bigger reduction - 82%. This drop has affected Germany's bird population - 15% of the birds are dying because their food supply is disappearing. This is an incredibly important issue for our world, with widespread repercussions, so I've created a very unique way to bring awareness to what is happening to our pollinators,” says Toni.

The plight of the bees has motivated Toni's 'It's All a Beautiful Noise' high-tech interactive concert, and subsequent Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, which aims to raise $350,000 for production costs across three continents. Through these projects Toni is seeking to make a big, beautiful noise and garner support for our honey bees and other pollinators around the planet.

It’s All a Beautiful Noise is unlike any other concert. It is two hours of Emmy Award Winner Toni Childs' music and off-the-hook 3D mapping animations by Barcelona-based Tigrelab. It is designed to keep audiences engaged for up to five months - before, during and after the concert - using art, technology, play and ongoing education. Life size paper animal installations will be set up three months before the production hits town to create an aura of intrigue. Toni will control from stage specially designed, audience-worn pollinator hats which light up on command, and she will engage the audience in other fun tech adventures during the show. Post show a URL on the underside of the hat will link the audience members to local and international NGOs, taking them on a treasure hunt that ends by inviting the audience members to send their hats to a physical location where they all become part of a large public installation. All this to create support for our little bee friends, and other pollinators who are facing collapse and to raise awareness of the effects our choices as consumers have on our environment. F PN For further information surrounding 'It’s All a Beautiful Noise' please check out the campaign here: http://bit.ly/2BVVU86

Clothing Alterations

Alter Ego Roong T: 09 376 8689

M: 021 032 9128

182-4a Jervois Road, Herne Bay E: ra_cha29@yahoo.com “I get all my bits & pieces done by the smiling helpful Roong... and she’s got Eftpos = sorted...” MARTIN LEACH

62 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING

REVOLUTIONISE YOUR EXERCISE REGIME AND APPROACH TO HEALTH AT ENERGY N MOTION Joanna Sharpe is a woman who is determined to perform at top level in both her work and chosen sport of road cycling.

When she joined Energy N Motion in Grey Lynn, she had some very specific goals, along with very real barriers to overcome.

She was already achieving at a high level in road cycling despite the fact that she has osteoporosis, coeliac disease and intermittent numbness in her hands. In terms of performance however, Joanna felt most limited during a race when descending downhill due to anxiety.

“I first came into Energy N Motion because my coach had heard they had an altitude room where I could train to gain a competitive edge. We were excited, as we knew that altitude training was an amazing tool that we knew could take my cycling to new levels. What I hadn’t realized however, was how the unique approach and experienced team at Energy N Motion could add wider value to my cycling performance.”

Energy N Motion is an exercise studio specialising in mind-body performance and offers New Zealand’s only specialist NeuroPhysics Therapy centre, as well as a spacious altitude room.

The unique approach treats an individual's entire system rather than focusing on a specific isolated set of

symptoms. “As an athlete, who also works full time and lives a very active lifestyle, I have a long list of niggles, ranging from tightness in my hamstrings to neurological numbness in my hands,” says Joanna.

“When I sat down for my assessment, I rattled off my history and explained that I was also competing in the K2 (200km cycle race through Coromandel) the coming weekend. Far from being daunted by my challenges, the team explained how everything is connected within my body and by following some very simple principles, my body would settle into a much more balanced state and my symptoms could all be managed... that weekend I came third in my age range at the K2 Challenge but more importantly, I felt fantastic on my bike.”

Since then, Joanna has gone on to win the recent Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 320km Enduro and continues to improve her cycling performance. “I have a great coach and love training at a high level. What Energy N Motion has given me, is an extra edge by totally changing how I respond under stress. I can feel when my system shifts towards an anxious state and I now have the tools to gain control so it no longer limits my potential. I feel great, I recover quicker and my mind is no longer distracted by perceived pain, fatigue or anxiety while I am performing.”

Energy N Motion opened in Grey Lynn in 2015. The philosophy is to create great results, be they weight loss, pain and stress management, or athletic performance, in a calm inviting environment. It’s not your traditional exercise studio!

“The exercise therapists explained that there is real benefit to focus and listening to your body while you train,” says Joanna. “I’ve learned that you cannot exercise the mind without influencing the body or vice versa.

“For anyone who would like to revolutionise their exercise regime and approach to health, the team at Energy N PN Motion are the ones to see.” F ENERGY N MOTION, Unit 5, 318 Richmond Road, M: 021 024 58802, www.energynmotion.nz

EXCLUSIVE EXERCISE STUDIO BASED IN GREY LYNN ONE OF A KIND ALTITUDE ROOM

Altitude training can...

• ENHANCE PERFORMANCE • IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION • HELP POST SURGERY RECOVERY • IMPROVE SKIN ELASTICITY • REDUCE WRINKLES Unit 5, 318 Richmond Road | Grey Lynn | Auckland | We are located behind Animates Phone 09 361 3516 or text 027 535 3507 | Sign up online at https://nz.onlineneuro.com/front-page.html

www.energynmotion.nz

MENTION THIS AD and we will sign you up on our ‘Corporate’ rate.

Membership is limited so signup today to secure a membership with your local Exclusive Exercise Studio.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

63

LIVING, THINKING + BEING HOW POPULAR WILL E BIKES BECOME? Equipping a bike with a small electric motor for the Tour de France is called ‘mechanical doping’ and is banned.

However, for commuting to work and for leisure cycling, e bikes are catching on fast.

One Auckland cycle outlet advertises beachy cruisers, cheeky step -throughs, mighty mountain bikes, sporty street bikes, and cool commuters.

All European sourced bikes are pedal-assist electric only, whereas American bikes can be throttle-assisted too. The throttle-assist works independently of the pedals, and would probably suit me on hills. They are completely independent of your bike’s ability to assist your pedalling. Most have a twist throttle. Many people favour a combination of pedal-assist and a touch of throttle now and then, I was told at one bike shop.

You need no licence and no special skills for an e bike.

We hear two main criticisms of e bikes - they are too expensive and therefore elitist, and they can go too fast for shared cycleways and are therefore dangerous.

Let’s address the price question. E bikes can cost up to $8000 or more, depending on your pocket and how you want to use them.

A perfectly good leisure bike will cost between $2500 and $4500.

Some commuters are buying quite expensive models because they get them to work fresh and not sweaty, and are good for fitness too.

Most new e bikes have a six-year guarantee. If you spend say $3600 - that’s just $600 a year while the bike is still under guarantee - that’s $12 a week - two or three coffees or three or four bus rides.

As far as speed is concerned, we’ve all seen ordinary bikes hurtling down the street at 40 or even 50kph.

E bikes have a maximum power allowance in New Zealand of 300 watts. In America you can buy 500 watt or even 1000 watt bikes, but they are regarded in New Zealand as motor vehicles.

E bikes are weather resistant, and replacement batteries are available. Batteries can take about 800 charges, and a bike can travel about 60 - 70km on a charge. You can remove the battery to charge at your leisure.

I was told that people need to try several models out, to see what suits them best. All outlets allow free trials. If you think you want a more powerful model just remember that they will be heavier bikes which may not suit smaller or lighter people.

Why get an e bike? Petrol prices keep going up, cars are constantly stuck in traffic, they are good exercise, they are cheap to run, quiet and those who own them say they make cycling fun.

It is worth getting the right accessories including a strong padlock.

Too many bikes are being stolen, so you are advised to record ID numbers, take photos and supply the police with copies.

My favourite at the moment - a Magnum Metro-Plus for $2799 with 28in wheels and both pedal-assist and throttle-assist too.

I predict a bright future for e bikes. I’m going to investigate one for PN myself. But don’t hold your breath - I’m nearly 80. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

The eZee Sprint Alfine, one of Electric Bike Hub's most popular bikes

64 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN YOUR EIGHTIES They say ‘old age is a bugger, but it doesn’t last long’. Dementia jokes can be very offensive, but you still hear plenty of them.

‘If I dropped you in Henderson could you find your way home?’

Late last year I faced my mortality. Even a short walk with a slight uphill grade made me pant and puff. I assumed, as did my other half, that I was just very unfit. My GP offered no prognosis.

This has been an interesting experience. The staff, nurses and doctors and ancillary staff were excellent, without exception. They are under enormous pressure - understaffed with long work hours.

Then I attended my annual cardiology check up with specialist Dr Chris Ellis. He popped me on the treadmill, but stopped it within two minutes. "It’s not your fitness John," he said, "it’s your heart beating far too slowly. I’m glad you came in today," he added ominously. Dr Ellis thought I probably needed a pacemaker, so he ran me through a series of tests, halter monitor, ultra-sound, etc.

One young doctor visited me just before my discharge after my third implant. He’d been on duty the previous day until 6pm. He went home but was called back at 10pm because of staff shortages. He worked all night, and was ready to go home after he’d come to farewell me at 8am. What a lovely gesture!

On 28 November he phoned me and told me he had me booked in to Auckland City Hospital that day, to receive a pacemaker as soon as there was a surgery space. No option - just go now!

I did as I was told and within a couple of hours was in a cardiac ward all wired up. Two days later, I signed the authority for the operation and had the procedure on Thursday 30 November. It’s not a huge operation - local anaesthetic - 29 minutes long - home next day.

I had very little pain, and the operation was judged a success. Auckland Hospital does between 10 and 15 of these every week, and the failure rate is less than 5%.

Unfortunately, I became one of those. My heart rejected the pacemaker lead, and I went back for a second go at it a week later. And then a third. My surgeon was not amused when I asked her what the Guiness Book of Records was for pacemaker failures.

Good news - so far so good. The third implant is working well and I’ve had my two-week check up. This time the surgeon used a different lead. I’ve also had a check up with Dr Ellis, and he was delighted with my progress. Keep taking the medication (cholesterol tablets, aspirin), walk, swim or bike, and I’ll see you in another three months, he said.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

The whole exercise has given me time to think. Before Christmas I was grizzling about AT and the local board over cycle lanes and parking spaces in West Lynn. I was wrong on so many levels, but you’ll have to read my other articles this year to find out how and why.

My thanks to those who have sent me get well messages. We need goodwill, not just at Christmas, but throughout the whole year.

I’ve not been into bucket lists, but have a few resolutions floating around in my head for this year and any more years I am granted now that I’m in my 80th year.

We must foster a greater sense of community than ever before. We must stop and talk to each other, not just race by in an ugly SUV. We must support local businesses, look after our young and our elderly. Loneliness among the old is a growing problem, as well as a disgrace. Not everyone can or will bike, but we must encourage cars off the road wherever and whenever possible.

And crucially, there is always someone worse off than you or me.

Let’s thank our lucky stars, and remember the little saying, "some people are so poor, all they have is money." (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

65

LIVING, THINKING + BEING FRENCH COUNTRY COLLECTION LAUNCHES HOME FRAGRANCES French Country Collections is well versed in the art of bringing homes to life, and one aspect that can’t be overlooked is the power of fragrance.

“We are always looking for ways to add to our customers' experience of home, helping them to create a space that they love to live in and share. Our new fragrance range is an extension of this,” says Vanessa Bramley, General Manager.

The perfect scent can evoke a cherished memory or experience, having a transformative effect on a space and the people living in it.

“Each fragrance has been selected by our team for its evocative nature. They are chosen to reinvigorate special memories and transport you to places you know and love,” says Bramley.

The range includes seven carefully crafted fragrances, available as both candles and diffusers. The scents include Sunday Morning, Seafoam at Palm Beach and Into the Woods.

Richly scented, twin-wick candles are made from premium soy blend wax, presented in a seeded, hand-blown, reusable glass vessel. Diffusers - also in a seeded, hand -blown vessel - are a perfect match. The natural plant-derived fragrances provide four to five months of scent, with refills available for both. Both candles and diffusers retail at $59.90. F PN FRENCH COUNTRY COLLECTIONS, 9 Jervois Road, T: 0800 503 500, www.frenchcountry.co.nz

66 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING FREEMANS BAY DENTAL CELEBRATES SIX YEARS OF BUSINESS “Thank you to the Ponsonby community for supporting and trusting us to look after all your dental needs."

Freemans Bay Dental specialises in bespoke dentistry, which means every patient is treated with a unique, individual approach based on their needs and requirements.

Freemans Bay Dental offers a wide range of services in a relaxed and ambient atmosphere, with a state of the art equipment.

Dr Sandeep Nagpal offers expert dental care with a friendly and gentle approach. He also takes time to explain thoroughly to every patient about their treatment, so his patients feel comfortable and informed with every possible decision.

If you have teeth missing or teeth that need to be replaced, take advantage of the services of an on-site implant surgeon. Their state-of-the-art equipment provides other treatments like composite fillings, root canals, crown and bridges and wisdom -tooth removals.

Also available is a one-hour, in-office teeth whitening service using one of the best whitening systems on the market - the Beyond Polus System. This system is safe and very effective with great, long-lasting results.

Believing in the philosophy of ‘Mind does not know what eyes do not see’, Freemans Bay Dental provides the latest technology in digital X-rays plus the Intra Oral camera on which you can see your teeth, any decayed or broken teeth, using a zoom exposure.

This is a great way to visualise the teeth and gum health, before any treatment is carried out.

You simply need to experience Air Polishing to believe how good your teeth feel after the clean. Patients reactions go from “how amazing” to “I can feel my teeth now - nice and smooth.”

09 361 3610 WHITENING GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

The Freemans Bay Dental team It’s a special polishing system, similar to that of a water blaster. It cleans up the hard to reach areas of the teeth very effectively, it gets rid of the stains and deposits and makes the teeth look a little whiter. Air Polishing is usually done once the hygiene/clean has been completed.

Freemans Bay Dental provides emergency dental services for toothaches, a broken tooth and sore gums, and tries its best to fit you in on the same day for pain relief. F PN FREEMANS BAY DENTAL, 40 College Hill, Freemans Bay, T: 09 361 3610, www.freemansbaydental.net.nz

Get a Whiter Brighter Smile this Summer... *Exam,

~ Providing Implant and Implant Crown Services ~ Offering Incredible Air-Polishing Now ~ Quality Dental Care at Affordable Prices ~ Emergency Appointments available same day EASY-CLAIM FOR SOUTHERN CROSS CLIENTS AVAILABLE NOW

X-rays, Clean + Air-Polishing $199 Only

+ Receive a $50 discount voucher to use towards any dental treatment required

*Clean,

Air-Polishing + Teeth Whitening $489 Only

(Award Winning Beyond Polus Whitening System) *Offer valid until 28th February 2018 *MENTION PONSONBY NEWS TO AVAIL THESE SPECIALS

40 College Hill, Ponsonby | info@freemansbaydental.net.nz | www.freemansbaydental.net.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

67

LIVING, THINKING + BEING PODIATRY SOLUTIONS NEW TO THREE LAMPS Podiatry Solutions provides a full range of Podiatry services including: orthotics, laser treatment for fungal nails, sports injury rehabilitation, children's podiatry, skin and nail care.

Lead podiatrist Kim Tonkin has a particular interest in treating sports and muscular injuries with a focus on rehabilitation and prevention of future injuries. All treatments at Podiatry Solutions are based on best practice guidelines with clear and thorough advice.

Orthotic therapy and gait analysis are useful when dealing with any foot, ankle, knee pains and injuries. With a range of firm and soft orthotics that can be customised to each individual, Kim can find the right combination to assist in recovery and rehabilitation. Sports and running injuries are very common and often very easy to treat with the right help.

Laser treatment for fungal nails is the biggest development in podiatric care in the last five years. With this technology there is hope for those typically hard to treat fungal nail infections. Thickness, discolouration, brittleness and crumbling are all signs of a fungal infection. Fungal infections can affect anyone and are easily spread from person to person. One treatment with the Fox Laser cures up to 80% of fungal infections* and can help you on the way to beautiful, healthy nails.

If you think you have a fungal infection or need help caring for your nails, get in touch with the fantastic team at Podiatry Solutions. F PN

50 YEARS FOR BP AND SLSNZ BP New Zealand and Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) are celebrating 50 years of partnership this year - believed to be the longest corporate partnership in New Zealand’s history.

The partnership between them began shortly after the 1968 Wahine disaster. Prior to that, BP’s predecessor, Europa, sponsored a surf boat at Worser Bay Surf Life Saving Club called ‘Miss Europa’. This boat was used by brave clubbies in horrendous conditions to save some of the 683 passengers and crew that were rescued from the Wahine. The Europa staff were so impressed by the actions of these clubbies that a nationwide sponsorship began shortly after this.

*80% cure rate with post treatment aftercare included.

To honour the 50 year anniversary, BP have launched a campaign to help Kiwis support SLSNZ more than ever this summer.

Podiatry Solutions, Level 1, 334 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 633 0968, www.facebook.com/podiatrysolutionsnz, www.podiatrysolutions.co.nz

Until Sunday 18 February, anytime anyone fuels up at a BP retail store, BP will make a donation to SLSNZ. Every little bit helps and every litre counts.

BP Managing Director Debi Boffa says, “Surf Life Saving New Zealand is an amazing organisation which educates people about how to stay safe on our beaches as well as saving the lives of thousands of people every year.

"We wanted to use this significant milestone to say thanks to surf lifeguards for always having our backs when we hit the beach and that we’re proud to also have theirs.”

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Chief Executive Paul Dalton said, “This campaign will make a real difference to helping us to continue what we do best - protecting our community in the water.

“We’d encourage everyone to get behind the campaign and support Surf Life Saving, by heading to BP and fueling up between the flags.” F PN www.slsnz.org.nz/

Kim Tonkin

Muscular, bone and tendon injuries Orthotics and gait analysis Laser treatment for fungal nails Ingrown toenails Podiatry for growing children Nail and skin care

09 633 0968 | www.podiatrysolutions.co.nz Level 1, 334 Ponsonby Road

68 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

Diabetic Care ACC Registered PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING ECOSTORE LAUNDRY PRODUCTS KIND TO YOUR SKIN AND THE ENVIRONMENT This is your opportunity to save while Ecostore celebrates its Canstar Blue Laundry Powder Award for its laundry powder which got a five-star rating for overall customer satisfaction.

It was judged on a number of factors including quality of clean, number of washes, environmental friendliness, packaging and feel of clothes.

Ecostore laundry products are plant and mineral based and free from harmful chemicals, so they’re kind to your skin and the environment, while still providing outstanding performance.

And if you don't love their laundry powders for any reason, they'll gladly offer a refund.

It is a powerful, plant-based laundry powder with PlantActive™ enzymes to tackle a broad range of stains and leaves clothes smelling fresh. Excellent results guaranteed every time.

Plant-derived enzymes give 25%* more stain fighting power for stubborn stains including grass, spaghetti and sauces. It's important to reduce your exposure to potentially unhealthy chemicals like optical whiteners, phosphates and artificial fragrances - which is why they don't use them. As a result, their powder is not only great for your wash, it's also kinder to your skin and a safer option for those with sensitive skin or allergies.

Now you can purchase this product in Bulk Size 4.5kg! Make the most of the Ecostore February sale, and save 20% on all bulk sizes! F PN ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay, T: 09 360 8477, www.ecostoredirect.co.nz *compared to an equal amount of original ecostore product.

The Accent Is On YOU! Cosmetic Dentistry, Hygienist, Family Dentistry, 1- Hour Crowns.

“I would just like to thank Dr. Matt & his team for the great job...

I haven’t stopped smiling.”

– Aileen Dr. Matt Sumner

BOOK ONLINE

Visit: bit.ly/bookapptonline

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

69

LIVING, THINKING + BEING PONSONBY ULTRASOUND CLINIC: OFFERING EXPERT CARE IN A SERENE ENVIRONMENT The Ponsonby Ultrasound Clinic aims to offer an intimate, interactive and boutique experience for all patients and has the latest in both 3D and 4D technologies to improve diagnostic confidence and accuracy.

The clinic at 211 Ponsonby Road is based in an extensive renovation of one of Ponsonby’s much loved villas and has provided the clinic with beautiful rooms and facilities. The stunning decor and ambience creates a serene environment and relaxing experience for patients.

Appointment times are set so that the patient is not rushed through the examination and the sonographer has time to answer any questions the patient may have and, accordingly, patients can have their scans fully explained to them. Their aim is to provide excellent and thorough patient care, as well as providing referrers with accurate and useful reports.

While the clinic provides a full range of ultrasound services covering musculoskeletal, general, small parts, gynaecology, paediatrics and steroid injections, it is also highly specialised in obstetrics.

This includes 3D and 4D ultrasound, foetal echocardiography and full Doppler assessment for high-risk pregnancies including twins.

They also offer 3D and 4D assessment for gynaecological scans (female pelvis) and techniques to aid the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis. The sonographer has over 20 years’ experience in ultrasound.

When you need an ultrasound scan or a steroid injection, give the friendly team at Ponsonby Ultrasound Clinic a call. F PN PONSONBY ULTRASOUND CLINIC, 211 Ponsonby Road, T: 0800 272 346, www.ponsonbyultrasound.co.nz

70 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVIING, THINKING + BEING The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

71

LIVING, THINKING + BEING HELP KIWI KIDS FIGHT THE BIG C This March, Child Cancer Foundation needs the help of everyday Kiwis to fundraise so they can continue to support more than 1700 children with cancer, their parents, siblings and whanau - as they’ve done for 40 years.

Child Cancer Foundation receives no direct Government funding and has to fundraise so that its Family Support Coordinators can be there to help families nationwide. With more than three Kiwi children diagnosed with cancer every week, that need is ongoing.

The generosity of New Zealanders and the funds from the appeal, enable Child Cancer Foundation to continue its work giving families strength, comfort and support. They connect families together in the community and help them maintain hope and continue to dream.

You can help: • Donate to a street collector in your community on Friday 16 or Saturday 17 March.

• Hold a local fundraising event in your area.

• Make a donation of your choice via the Child Cancer New Zealand website. www.childcancer.org.nz

MICROPLASTIC PARTICLES FOUND IN ANTARCTIC WATERS Microplastic particles have been found in the oceans close to Antarctica, data collected during the Volvo Ocean Race has revealed.

The new data comes from the Volvo Ocean Race Science Programme. Scientists analysed water samples, gathered at points during Leg 2 of the Race, between Lisbon and Cape Town and Leg 3 from Cape Town to Melbourne.

“The opportunity to help experts better understand the scale of marine plastic contamination is one we will continue to embrace as Volvo’s contribution to this global crisis,” he says.

The groundbreaking results, announced at the Volvo Ocean Race Hong Kong Ocean Summit, found microplastics in the Southern Ocean close to the Antarctic Ice Exclusion Zone.

The news comes as Volvo Ocean Race boat Team AkzoNobel has been announced as the second team to use the on-board data gathering equipment to measure water quality and composition, as well as microplastics in some of the world’s remotest oceans.

Compared to other oceans the number of microplastic particles was small. However, four microplastic particles per cubic metre were still found.

The scientific research was collected using a state-of-the-art instrument, designed especially for the Volvo Ocean 65 racing yacht.

In Australian waters, close to Melbourne, one million microplastic particles per square kilometre of ocean were found. Over one million microplastic particles per square kilometre of ocean were found in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, west of Cape Town, South Africa and on the third leg of the race, one and a half million microplastic particles per square kilometre of ocean were discovered east of South Africa.

Volvo is funding the Volvo Ocean Race Science Programme by donating a portion of new vehicle sales to the environmental cause.

The tiny particles of plastic, which break down from larger pieces such as single-use plastic bottles, were collected by Race team ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ during the round the world race.

“This new information confirms the results we had previously collected from European waters and shows that there are consistently high levels of microplastic in the ocean and we are also seeing low levels of microplastics in waters close to the Antarctic,” said Sören Gutekunst, who works at GEOMAR, an ocean research institute in Kiel, Germany.

Consisting of three key pillars - meteorological data collection; scientific drifter buoy deployment; and on-board analysis of key metrics for ocean health (including salinity, partial pressure of CO2, dissolved CO2 and Chlorophyll-a) - the science programme aims to create a snapshot of the health of the oceans to help scientists worldwide.

Seven teams compete in the round-the-world race - dubbed the toughest test of a team in professional sport - racing 45,000 nautical miles and visiting 12 host cities on PN six continents. F

“The Turn the Tide on Plastic race team is collecting extremely valuable scientific data that will help us gain a clearer picture of the amount of microplastics in our oceans.”

Microplastic has the potential to enter the food chain, in species such as tuna and mackerel, and can cause harm to humans, too. It consists of small particles of plastic, often invisible to the naked eye and less than 5mm.

Volvo’s New Zealand general manager Coby Duggan says the new data will help inform scientists around the world.

“Little is known about the levels of microplastic pollution in our oceans but already this data is helping the scientific community around the world.

Volvo mats made from fishing nets reclaimed from the ocean

72 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING

BARREFIGURE OFFERS TARGETED BODY-SCULPTING CLASSES Barrefigure is a chic, boutique fitness studio in Ponsonby offering targeted body-sculpting classes that fuse principles of ballet barre, Pilates, yoga and strength training.

The 60-minute classes target all muscle groups and effectively tones, strengthens and lengthens them, creating a leaner, longer-looking and more graceful physique. Each muscle group is worked to exhaustion then subsequently stretched out for relief.

Founded by Marysa Theiler in 2014, Barrefigure quickly became a community favourite and now attracts a dedicated group of members from all over Auckland. Marysa started her love affair with fitness at the tender age of six in Christchurch as a budding ballerina. She went on to become a member of the Royal New Zealand Ballet and danced professionally for 10 years in New Zealand, Australia and New York City.

She is passionate about helping her clients reach and exceed their goals and with her unique knowledge and experience, Marysa and her team bring something truly exceptional to the barre format. This really is a workout like no other.

What Barrefigure fans say...

"Thank you again for your help in pushing me to have a body I never dreamed of having.

I am stronger, fitter and leaner than I ever dreamed I could be." - Millie “I have never been involved in any fitness other than sport before and as you can tell I’m totally hooked and judging by the regulars I see there week after week lots of others are too.” - Libby "Every muscle in my body was screaming at me, even picking up my toddler was a challenge. What a wake-up call that the other exercise I do, clearly doesn’t work my body this much." - Tania "Fun, positive classes which make you love working out, such a wonderful studio. I can’t rate it highly enough." - Rebecca "Barrefigure got me feeling confident and passionate about exercising in a way I had never had before. I haven't been able to find any barre place that measures up in Sydney that's for sure." - Caitlin Barrefigure is based at 166 Richmond Road in Ponsonby, just along from the cafe Ripe.

The studio offers 35 classes each week with eight different class types to choose from (barrefigureSIGNATURE, barreBEGINNERS, barreADVANCED, barreBURN, barreCARDIO, barreSTRETCH, barreBABY and barreYIN).

Pre-and post-natal fitness is a special focus for the Barrefigure team with Marysa currently pregnant with her second child. Marysa is passionate about creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for expectant mums to workout safely.

There really is something for everyone and plenty of variety to keep you motivated. The new year is the perfect time to start your barre journey, so get in touch today and let the Barrefigure team help you find your inner strength. F PN BARREFIGURE, 166 Richmond Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 361 2083, www.barrefigure.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

New year, new you!

Come and meet us at Barrefigure and let us help you find your inner strength.

New Clients, 2-4-1 $28 or 30 Days Unlimited $150 166 Richmond Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 09 361 2083, www. barrefigure.co.nz

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

73

JOHN APPLETON: ON HEALTH

Exposure to aluminium - should we be concerned?

Exposure to aluminium has been talked about for many years but so far very little has been done about it even though it’s patently obvious that there is a problem. Aluminium’s toxicity to neurons is well established.

Research has shown that it interferes with 200 biochemical pathways, crosses the blood brain barrier, causes brain inflammation, increases oxidative stress, damages mitochondria - the energy powerhouses in our cells - and it alters gene expression.

A 2016 study of 10,567 people found that those with chronic aluminium exposure had a 71% increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. A 2009 study found aluminium at the core of senile plaques. It seems as though a lot of research is ignored and it’s not helpful that the British Alzheimer’s Association dismisses the aluminium connection as a ‘myth’.

I wonder what they believe is driving the problem?

So what can we do about it? Over Christmas I read an article about a man in the UK who had exposure to aluminium while working in a factory and at 52 was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. In his search for what might help him he came across Professor Exley’s ‘Eureka’ moment when he discovered that the mineral silica in water binds to toxic aluminium and removes it from the body. Prof Exley demonstrated that drinking a litre of high-silica water every day very significantly increased the excretion of aluminium in the urine and if consumed prior to exercise, a lot of aluminium was also excreted in sweat.

Christopher Exley a professor of bioinorganic chemistry at Keele University in the UK looked at the brain tissue of 12 people who had died from an inherited form of Alzheimer’s which can affect people in their 30s and 40s. He found high levels of aluminium in every brain tested. He said these people are like the canaries in the coal mine and he said the significance of the latest study findings is overwhelming and compelling evidence of aluminium as a causal factor in Alzheimer’s disease.

Three years after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis the man from the UK reports that he is doing really well and is combining some other natural options into his daily protocol. The water they used in England was Volvic water which contains 32mgs of silica/L. In New Zealand, however, we have a fantastic water product known as 'Water in a Box'. It comes from a very deep aquifer in Whakatane and is carbon dated to be 1800 years old. The silica content of this water is nearly three times that of Volvic water at 93 mgs/L.

It would be hard to find a scientist who didn’t agree that aluminium is a potent neurotoxin and given that our exposure to it in many forms is almost unavoidable, as I see it we have every right to be concerned. Aluminium sulphate is added to our drinking water and many baby boomers grew up with cooking in aluminium pots and pans. Aluminium is found in antacid medications, buffered aspirin and is used as an adjuvant in vaccines to prime the immune system. It’s also found in deodorants and even in baking powders.

It certainly is hard to avoid and even though we do excrete it in the urine, if significant aluminium exposure exceeds the body’s capacity to eliminate it, it is deposited into various tissues that include the brain, bone, liver, heart spleen and muscle.

I have been drinking this water for several months and not only does it taste really nice, I am very excited about the opportunity to dump some aluminium. Sacrificing a couple of lattes and perhaps a glass of wine or two would easily pay for this wonderful water.

I am not waiting for anyone to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. I am doing everything I can to help myself. Joyce at IE Produce in Takapuna - stocks ‘Water in a Box’ (10 litres).

(JOHN APPLETON) F PN

TRUSTED BY NEW ZEALANDERS SINCE 2005

Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C

APPLETON ASSOCIATES, T: 09 489 9362, appletonassoc@xtra.co.nz, www.johnappleton.co.nz

Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C the ultimate travel companion

The vitamin C the world is taking about.

All humans need optimal vitamin C every day.

Animals capable of making their own vitamin C make significant amounts in response to stress. When humans are stressed they make no vitamin C. Air travel is very stressful in many ways and when the body is stressed the immune system is compromised thus reducing resistance to the many airborne ‘bugs’ that are common in aircraft. This is why Lypo-Spheric ompanio on.

Vitamin C is your ultimate travel companion.

Supports • Healthy blood flow and heart function • Healthy after surgery • Cartilage around joints • The immune system • Youthful skin Be aware of imitations

Get your Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C today from the great Pharmacies in Ponsonby and Herne Bay.

74 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

More information John Appleton 0800-754-673

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION KING’S SCHOOL OPENS ITS CENTENNIAL BUILDING As King’s School approaches its centenary, the opening of one of its most important buildings in its long history, is one that has been a personal highlight for its Headmaster, Tony Sissons, over his 25 years of headship in New Zealand.

The new Centennial Building, in the centre of the school, will play an important role in providing students with an edge in meeting their needs for the next century.

The building provides the school with an additional 5000 square metres of large, light-filled classrooms, music studios and discussion areas. However, despite the benefit these generous spaces provide, the King’s School Board remains firm that the school will not increase its current roll, maintaining its staff:student ratio of 1:11.

Headmaster, Tony Sissons is concerned with the current trend in the state system of the so-called open plan ‘modern learning environments’ being implemented, with some 50 to 200 children to a room.

“Research tells us that young children need to have the feeling of safety and belonging that a small class size and one single teacher can provide. Yes, we need to create flexible spaces to allow our students to break out of their classroom and work both individually and in groups, but not at the expense of their relationship with their classroom teacher. I want my teachers to really know the boys in their care,” says Mr Sissons.

The new Centennial Building allows a flow from the individual classrooms into open flexible spaces, which can be used by boys and staff from across the school.

It is quite frankly, the best of both worlds. Both staff and boys feel very fortunate to be able to enjoy teaching and learning in this world-class teaching facility. F PN KING'S SCHOOL, 258 Remuera Road, T: 09 520 7770, www.kings.school.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

75

BILLY HARRIS: KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY

Kate Brewster - Jackie of all trades You know those Ultimate New Zealand Woman competitions? Where the ladies have to shear a sheep, drive a tractor, bake a cake and swim across a river while teaching their children their 12 times tables?

If they ever design a city version of that competition - with, say, ballroom dancing, scouting, playing sports, mice-rearing and bugeating as the components, then count Kate Brewster in as a serious contender.

The 13-year-old Ponsonby Intermediate student has been dancing for six years, and took part in the Nationals in Hamilton in September.

With over 100 couples competing, coming from as far and wide as Australia and Hong Kong, this was the real deal.

Competing with her partner of three years, her brother, Kate competed in New Vogue, Latin and Ballroom over the weekend and came away with a fourth placing in Latin, fifth in Ballroom, sixth in New Vogue, and just missed the final of the Eight Dance (Latin and Ballroom).

Proficiency of that scale doesn’t come without a lot of practice, of course - two private lessons and a group practice each week through the year, ramping up to practising every spare moment leading up to the event.

Behind every great team is another team (usually the competitors’ parents), and Kate’s father played an important role by pretending to video Kate’s dance to make her conscious of her facial expression. In a previous competition, Kate’s brother tripped her up while they were doing the quickstep, and she scowled for the rest of the dance, which never goes down well with the judges whose score is partly based on presentation - hair, make-up, how you walk onto the floor, and facial expression, eg, not looking grumpy.

So with Dad holding his phone up as if he was videoing his kids, Kate kept her smile on full beam, which undoubtedly impressed the judges.

No amount of practice, or help, can protect against the occasional near-disaster, though, as Kate explains. “At another competition, in Whanganui, my brother got his foot caught in the mesh of my dress.

So for what seemed like ages he was lurching around like Quasimodo, trying to get his foot free and swearing under his breath. When he finally got untangled, it took us a while to get our timing to the song back. But somehow we still won!”

Kate loves her dancing but feels just as strongly about scouting, which she’s been doing even longer. Since age six, she’s been an enthusiastic member of the All Saints scout group, and has a collection of hundreds of badges, each representing a particular event, troupe or jamboree.

Last year, she also won a trip to China. Her school took a group on a 10 day trip, and interested students had to write a letter to say why they wanted to go. Kate’s letter was among those selected, earning her a fantastic life experience. In China they saw, among other things, the Great Wall, a tea ceremony and a jade factory.

Scouts learn a wide range of skills - for instance, rowing, kayaking, climbing, caving, tramping, cooking and survival skills - so Kate is clearly a useful person to have around if you get stranded on a desert island. Chances are you won’t go hungry, as long as you’re not too choosey. At her last camp, Kate ate five huhu grubs.

Indeed, if you just close your eyes you might think you were having an island delicacy. Kate says the bugs taste like smoked fish and peanut butter.

Somehow Kate also finds time to care for her animals - a cat Mindy, a dog Dash, and the two latest additions, baby mice named Ash and Rilie. Not surprisingly for someone who downs bugs as though they were chocolate chip cookies, Kate is completely at ease having mice crawl all over her on their daily adventure outside their cage.

Her talents don’t end there. She has an on-off relationship with the drums, and she plays soccer and tennis to a good level - “I get told I’m a competitive person. I don’t know about that. I just like to win!”

76 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

She explains rule number one for anyone thinking of raising mice.

“You gotta have two females,” she says. “If you have a male and a female, before long you’re going to be drowning in mice, and if you have two males, they’d fight. Two females do very nicely.”

(BILLY HARRIS) F PN

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION

Georgie and Sophie Jete

The Magic Lantern - finale

OUTSTANDING RESULTS FOR PONSONBY SCHOOL OF DANCE It was a busy year for Ponsonby School of Dance in 2017 with ballet, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary students fully immersed in their chosen form of dance, with many dancers participating in all genres available.

The school continued to go from strength to strength, starting with some of the beautiful ballet students competing in the Alana Haines Australasian Awards.

Once again, Ponsonby School of Dance had outstanding exam results with Georgia Brokenshire and Ines Maxwell-Stewart in Contemporary and Jazz and Lily Elsmore in Hip-hop, each achieving top marks in Australasia. Alice Otten and Georgia Payne were accepted into full time dance training. Alice at the Sydney -based McDonald College, and Georgia into the Apollo Theatre School here in Auckland. Isabella Noble-Campbell was accepted into the Junior Associates Programme with the New Zealand School of Dance.

2017 also brought the launch of a new contemporary syllabus, choreographed by Emily Campbell.

The year culminated with an amazing production of ‘The Magic Lantern’ - a delightful show of music and dance.

Ponsonby School of Dance looks forward to another exciting year of dance. Please contact tracey@ponsonbyschoolofdance.co.nz or check the website for its 2018 timetable.

PONSONBY SCHOOL OF DANCE, 28 Hargreaves Street (just off College Hill), M: 027 533 8427, www.ponsonbyschoolofdance.co.nz

Francesca Masfen Future Astronautical Engineer BE MORE THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED

HOW WILL YOUR DAUGHTER MAKE HER MARK? The world is changing and the role of women is changing even faster. Join us to experience the people, place and depth of education that can encourage, challenge and inspire your daughter to be more than she ever imagined.

Open Day 17 March 10AM – 12PM

Register at DIOCESAN.SCHOOL.NZ

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

77

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

78 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

79

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

CAN YOU BE A SUPERHERO FOR OUR ANIMALS? Annual Appeal - 9, 10 and 11 March We are on the hunt for heroes, and think that you might be perfect! Can you sign up to the SPCA’s Annual Street Appeal, and be a superhero for animals who need it most?

Our biggest fundraising event, Annual Appeal, returns at an earlier date of 9, 10 and 11 March this year, and we need animal loving volunteers who can help us collect much needed funds.

All we need is a short amount of your time, whether for just two hours or the full three days, and join the rest of the SPCA team by collecting a bucketload of funds around Auckland for our furry friends.

Bring a sidekick, and use your superhero powers and shake your bucket to help us transform the lives of thousands of animals out there who are suffering each day and need our help.

It costs us millions of dollars each year to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals. To help us do what we do to create a better life for New Zealand’s animals, we rely on the help of our dedicated and incredible supporters.

Please help us spread the word and pass this on to your friends and family that we need your help! F PN For more information visit our website here: www.spcaauckland.org.nz/AnnualAppealCollectors2018

80 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PLANNING RETIREMENT

RETIREMENT PLANNING - SAVING FOR RETIREMENT Ask anyone who's retired and they will say to start saving for retirement as soon as you can!

Even if it seems a long way off, it pays to start planning for retirement as early as possible. How much we need to save will depend on our own circumstances, but the sooner we start, the better the position we’ll be in when we eventually stop working.

While NZ Super (the Government pension) can help us get by, it's our own savings that will help to make retirement fun and comfortable.

How much will I need to retire?

Everyone’s retirement needs are different. To work this out, we can start by thinking about how long we will have in retirement, what sort of lifestyle we will want, and where we will live.

How many years will I have in retirement?

We’re living longer these days. On average, 80% of 65-year-old men can now expect to live until they're 90, and 65-year-old women until they're 94.

In the future, we'll probably live even longer. These figures are based on the latest Statistics New Zealand cohort life tables.

Let’s say we plan to retire at 65. We need to save or have another plan to provide the income we want for 25 years or more, and make sure our money lasts as long as we do.

What sort of retirement lifestyle do I want?

What will our cost of living be in retirement? Some costs may go up (like healthcare) while others (such as education, clothing, housing, work-related travel) may go down. If we have children, they will probably be financially independent.

Will I live in my own home or rent?

If we rent, we’ll need more savings to cover the cost - but on the other hand, we won’t have money tied up in a home.

However, owning the place we live in, debt-free, will reduce the risk of rent increases or being asked to find a new place to live. We’ll have more control over our finances, but we will have to take care of maintenance, insurance and rates.

Being mortgage-free by retirement is a great goal to aim for. The reason many people currently in retirement are able to manage financially is because they no longer have the burden of mortgage repayments.

Budget for retirement Getting close to retirement? It might be a good time to work out a detailed budget. Think about what weekly expenses might be in today’s money.

• Take basics into account, such as insurance, maintaining the house and car, or replacing a major appliance.

• Build in some funds for the unexpected.

• Think about the big things that might need to be paid for later on - like a new car, new roof or repainting the house.

From the Sorted website, sorted.org.nz, which is put out by the Commission for Financial Capability. F PN

We also need to think about what our goals might be in retirement - travelling to new places? Joining clubs, going out to dinner and shows?

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: METROLAW Got a legal question? Ask michael@metrolaw.co.nz

Q:

My mother is a trustee of her brother’s family trust but she has recently been assessed by her GP as having early onset dementia. The other trustees are my uncle and aunt who also set up the trust with the help of their own lawyer. Mum is no longer capable of making decisions about her own finances and assets, let alone anyone else’s. I am her attorney for both property and personal care and welfare. Can I take over for mum as trustee of my uncle’s trust, as he wants me to do this? His trust owns the house he lives in together with a rental property.

instead. I can draft such a deed for you, or your uncle and aunt’s own lawyer can do this.

If there is a mortgage it is likely you will need to refinance at the same time.

A:

There is an issue with powers of attorney and trustees as the enduring powers of attorney do not allow for the delegation of trustee powers and the old type of deed of delegation power of attorney are not effective if the person giving the attorney has lost capacity.

Sorry to hear about your mother. It is always difficult when someone is losing their faculties, especially for those close to the person involved.

The best way to avoid this conundrum is to remove trustees before they lose capacity but this can happen surprisingly quickly and you may be more concerned about taking care of them than preparing for the legal consequences.

As a first step, you should ask your uncle for a copy of the trust deed. Most trust deeds provide for a named person (or persons) to have the power of appointment and removal of trustees. If it doesn’t make that provision or the persons who hold that power are unwilling or unable to act then you may need to refer to the Trustee Act 1956 which contains default provisions.

Given that your aunt and uncle set up the trust, they as settlors are highly likely to have this power themselves, and can sign a deed removing your mother and appointing you

There is still the issue, however, of getting your mother’s name off the titles to the properties currently owned by the trust. As she is incapacitated, your mother cannot sign any documents transferring the trust’s properties to the proposed new trustees, being you and your uncle and aunt.

Although you are your mother’s property attorney and can complete documents and make decisions about your mother’s own properties, you cannot do this in relation to properties she owns as a trustee.

There are ways to resolve the issue and you are able to make an application to the High Court, best to seek advice once you have reviewed the terms of the trust.

(MICHAEL HEMPHILL) F PN Disclaimer - this article is for general information purposes only. If you have a legal problem you should seek advice from a lawyer. Metro Law does not accept any liability other than to its clients and then only when advice is sought on specific matters.

METRO LAW, Level 1, 169A Ponsonby Road, T: 09 929 0800, www.metrolaw.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

81

ALL SET FOR LIFE AT LOGAN CAMPBELL RETIREMENT VILLAGE Jan’s next act set to be stress-free.

If the first independent resident to sign up for our Logan Campbell Retirement Village looks a little familiar, it’s probably because she’s been a regular face on your TV screen for years.

Jan Saussey, 72, is an award-winning TV and stage actor, acting coach and president of Onehunga’s Dolphin Theatre and as well as appearing in several Kiwi dramas she has done numerous TV ads.

One of her favourites was for Air New Zealand where she played an enthusiastic grandma who is very emotional about the arrival of her new granddaughter, unlike her TV husband. When the pair fly in to meet the tiny bub, grandad is finally smitten and then nothing can keep them away!

“It took about a week and was a lot of fun to do,” says Jan smiling fondly at the memory.

Life has panned out somewhat differently from her TV counterpart, however.

While Jan has a son and a daughter, there are no grandchildren imminent and in April she found herself suddenly widowed when her beloved husband Colin died after a short and very unexpected bout of cancer.

Her ‘furbaby’, eight-year-old Blossom, who is also moving into the Greenlane village, has been an invaluable companion as she grieved.

Jan and Colin had both signed up to move into the village together and while she is still going ahead with the move, the downsizing and house selling became her solo responsibility.

“My adult children have been a big help, but inevitably you are alone with 48 married years of combined clutter, and it’s no fun sorting stuff through the long wet winter!

“Some things I just didn’t know what to do with! Colin had kept boxes of art materials, printing samples and even old Letraset dating back to his work as a graphic designer.

While some of it had perished, I thought I would create an artwork with the rest of it.”

The need to downsize from their large family home in Hillsborough was one of the reasons the couple had decided to move into a retirement village.

“I don’t think he was keen to continue mowing lawns,” she laughs.

Once Jan was on board they both liked the central location of the new Ryman village.

“It’s so close to Cornwall Park and what with having the dog, it’s perfect!”

There was also the fact that a lot of ‘young oldies’ were moving in!

“Friends of mine said ‘why are you going in? You’re far too young and hip!’ But I don’t want to leave it until I’m not embracing anything new and can’t adapt to a different environment and new neighbours.

“As you get older you can get more stuck in your ways and you like things to be more familiar.”

Jan had also done her own research thanks to the busloads of retirees visiting the Dolphin Theatre over the years.

For more information on independent or serviced apartments phone Lucy or Anna on 09 636 3883 or call into the sales office (open 7 days) 754 Manukau Road, Royal Oak.

Opening March 2018 187 Campbell Road, Greenlane

82 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PLANNING RETIREMENT

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS The three golden rules of property are, they say, location, location, location. But like most clichés, that doesn’t quite tell the whole story.

There’s a lot you need to know about property investing that many people assume they already know, because they’ve successfully bought their own home guided by the ‘location’ rule.

I would add to the ‘location’ axiom: know the numbers, know the numbers, know the numbers. It’s a fundamental starting point that many people skim over, but it’s going to become even more important under the current Labour Government. The Healthy Homes Bill could bring with it expensive upgrades for older properties. Restrictions on rent rises could also impact your calculations and abolishing negative gearing would absolutely change the game for some investors. If you’re planning on buying an investment property, you need to be stress-testing your equations more rigorously than ever.

Let’s go back a few steps. When you’re buying a property, you need to work out whether its cash flow positive, or negatively geared, ie, after you’ve paid the interest on the mortgage, the rates, water, maintenance and any other costs associated with the property, is there any money left over from the rental income? If there is money left over, your property is cash flow positive and you will need to pay tax on that profit. If there isn’t and instead you have to pay a shortfall, your property is considered to be negatively geared.

While a cash flow positive property might seem like the more attractive option, cash flow tends to have an inverse relationship with potential for capital gain. For example, a property in Invercargill will likely have a better rental yield, but is unlikely to hold the same potential for capital gain as one in Auckland. The loss on a negatively geared property is also tax deductible, which means you are eligible for a tax refund when you put those losses against your income. At least, for now it is. Many people could come unstuck if they haven’t done their sums as interest rates rise and if negative gearing is abolished.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

If you’re negatively geared, ideally, your weekly top-up or shortfall wouldn’t be more than a hundred dollars. In that situation, interest rate rises can usually be absorbed and the impact of not being able to claim the losses against your tax bill would only be in the order of $30 a week. If that amount is a deal breaker, you couldn’t afford that property in the first place.

But with house prices much, much higher these days, that shortfall is sometimes up to three times larger, meaning the impact of rising interest rates and the loss of that deductibility mechanism will also have a bigger impact. The people likely to be hurt the most are the middle class, so-called ‘Mum and Dad’ investors, those stretching themselves to buy another property to get ahead or help fund their retirement. About 8% of New Zealand households own an investment property, but it’s more like 12% for those closer to retirement, which is when people can ill afford to make mistakes.

Any investment, especially property, can look good in the good times, but it is only the genuinely good investments that can withstand a market correction, legislative changes or interest rate jumps, without becoming a noose around your neck. Property lemons are not obvious in the good times, and properties of a citrus variety are in abundance. Labour’s proposals are a timely reminder that it doesn’t matter how great the location is, you can still trip yourself up buying an investment property if you don’t know your numbers.

Hannah McQueen is the founder and director of enableMe - financial personal trainers.

She is the author of best-selling book ‘Kill Your Mortgage and Sort Retirement’, and ‘Pocket Money to Property - how to create financially independent kids’. She is PN a Chartered Accountant, and has her Masters in Tax. F www.enableme.co.nz

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

83

PLANNING RETIREMENT

RETIRING WITHOUT FEAR OR GUILT For many people planning for retirement is a blur.

Knowing what questions to ask is hard enough without contemplating what the answers might be. The change from work to retirement brings uncertainty. Having a process to work through these challenges brings confidence.

Questions that we are often asked include:

RUTHERFORD REDE Your local Financial Planners in Freemans Bay and Ponsonby

• How much will I need for retirement?

• How do I get regular income in retirement?

• How can I be sure my money will not run out?

• How much am I allowed to spend in retirement?

Planning for retirement is at the heart of what we do. These questions are typical and the answer we give is - “Well that really depends.” Very few people share identical circumstances, so most retirement plans will be unique to their situation. To arrive at a plan, we find the answers to the following questions helpful: • How much do you live on now?

• How much do you think you will need in retirement to live on? Does this make sense compared with how much you need now?

• How long do you expect to live?

• When do you want to give up paid work?

• Do you want to leave a financial legacy?

• How much capital do you have now for retirement?

• How much investment risk do you feel comfortable with?

Each one of these factors can be massaged to suit individual preferences or circumstances. They can also be altered as circumstances change.

Once a plan has been agreed the next step is usually providing an investment strategy geared to provide the required amount of cash at the right times. Many people wonder how to produce regular income in retirement in ways similar when wages and salaries arrived regularly.

Lifetime habits and systems of spending often follow weekly and monthly patterns. To continue these requires ongoing regular income in retirement. It is possible to organise investments to deliver regular income and most of our retired clients rely on this aspect of our service.

Giving you the best chance for a happy retirement by; • Creating a plan • Setting safe retirement spending limits • Investing to client preferences • Providing monthly cash flow • Staying in touch

Curiously the planning process itself brings confidence. A plan creates boundaries for people who can enjoy spending within their budget knowing that their budget is part of PN a long-term plan. Do you have a plan? F RUTHERFORD REDE, 91 College Hill, T: 09 361 3670, www.rutherfordrede.co.nz

RUTHERFORD REDE rutherfordrede.co.nz T: 09 361 3670 Jocelyn: jweatherall@rutherfordrede.co.nz Phil: pashton@rutherfordrede.co.nz Richard: rknight@rutherfordrede.co.nz Henry: hford@rutherfordrede.co.nz Opinions are of a general nature and are not to be considered financial advice, specific advice is recommended to be sought before action is taken. Disclosure Statement(s) relating to our advisers are available on request and are free of charge.

84 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PLANNING RETIREMENT

STRUCTURE YOUR HOME LOAN TO RETIREMENT One of the biggest concerns many home owners have is not knowing whether they will have their finances in order for retirement.

Your home loan is likely to be the greatest debt you’ll ever take on, so it makes sense that it may be the greatest hurdle to retiring sooner. Sarah Williams of NZHL Ponsonby Central knows taking the time to define a plan can help her clients take control of their financial future.

Together Sarah and NZHL will help you make a plan: decide what your goals are; what is important to you and your family. What do you want to achieve financially in the next year, two years or 10 years? For some people, it might be building capital so they can buy an investment property to help with retirement. For others, the goal may be becoming debt free as quickly as possible.

Through NZHL and our ‘DebtNav’ managed loan system we can help you be mortgage free quicker - helping to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest - simply by doing your normal banking Through DebtNav, Sarah can then help you understand your budget and the choices we make and how this effects the mortgage. Our system is not about scrimping and saving and never having any fun - DebtNav is the exact opposite. We help you to understand how to best make your money work for you - rather than an Aussie owned bank!

Retirement should be a time of relaxation and zero financial stress and that’s what we strive to achieve for our clients - the security of knowing that your home and investments are debt free and you can make decisions based around your desires at that stage of life rather than by the necessity of still being chained to your home loan Taking the time to meet with Sarah over a coffee could change your whole future - why pay more on your home loan than you need to now and let us help you build the financial freedom we all hope for in retirement. F PN Sarah Williams owns NZ Home Loans - Ponsonby Central. A disclosure statement is available on request at no charge by emailing Sarah at sarah.williams@nzhl.co.nz or call M: 021 800 864.

BECOME A FRIEND OF KELMARNA GARDENS FOR AS LITTLE AS $5 A MONTH

Your regular donation will help connect more school children with nature, empower people all over Auckland with sustainable living choices and develop and maintain a therapeutic garden.

Join now at: www.kelmarnagardens.nz/donate

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

85

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: LOGAN GRANGER

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: LOGAN GRANGER

Retirement and financing succession in the family business SUCCESSION PLANNING NEEDS TO BEGIN WHEN YOU FIRST start up your new business. Most business owners, however, are so busy getting the business running, they cannot possibly imagine planning for when they want to retire - possibly 40-50 years into the future.

But plan you must and the earlier the better. You need to think about whether you want to sell the business or keep it in the family. Either way you still need to plan for it, but if handing over to the next generation, as many owners of family businesses would like, you need to ask: who is the likely candidate to take over the job?

What involvement do you want to continue to have in the business? How will you provide for other offspring not involved in the business? And, perhaps most importantly, how will you fund your own retirement?

Too often the family business has to be sold just to fund the owner’s retirement, and this is a major reason why so many family businesses in New Zealand do not make it through to the second and third generations.

Succession, like every aspect of being in business, needs to be planned. You need to start planning now, to implement long-term strategies to ensure sufficient funds are available to pay for your retirement.

Your succession plan should include answers to these questions: • When do you intend to retire?

• How much money do you need on which to retire?

• How much money will you have?

• What will be your ongoing role in the business?

• What earnings or remuneration will you require from the business in your non-executive role?

• If you intend to sell the business to your family members - how will they raise the capital to purchase the business?

• Will you directly retain ownership of assets utilised in the business for which you can receive rental income?

Strategies to consider when planning financing succession include: Heirs buying the business Simply handing the business over on a platter to one of your family members can cause a lot of resentment to others in the family. And, if they don’t have to pay for it, their attitude to business and the need for continual hard work may become distorted.

Many family businesses now devise a strategy where the heirs purchase the business over a period of time but amassing the funds for this transition must be planned for in accordance with a well thought-out succession plan.

Not only can the owner retire in dignity or pursue other interests, this strategy also allows for a redistribution of wealth within the family, especially if some of the family members are not going to participate in the ongoing business venture.

retirement investment from an early stage should also be considered as a way of financing succession in family businesses.

It is not difficult to establish an external retirement fund early in the business’ life and, if seriously undertaken, it’s likely that more family businesses would make it through to the second and third generations. It’s important to remember that this money is invested away from the business so it is available for the founder at retirement and is not a drain on the ongoing business operations.

Floating on the Stock Exchange For some, another option to consider is whether the company is suitable for floating on the stock exchange.

This can raise money to assist in the succession plans of the founder, but is also likely to help expand the business.

Private family businesses looking to go public may also want to attract outside institutional investors and independent directors into the company. This outside involvement would exert corporate governance discipline on the performance of the business, which will assist in the transition to the second or third generations.

(LOGAN GRANGER) F PN Disclaimer - While all care has been take, Johnston Associates Chartered Accountants Ltd and its staff accept no liability for the content of this article; always see your professional advisor before taking any action that you are unsure about.

Superannuation plans and other investments Contributing to a superannuation fund or some kind of JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, 202 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 6701, www.jacal.co.nz

86 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

GREY LYNN 2030 AND PT CHEVALIER TRANSITION TOWN OFFER ANOTHER REPAIR CAFÉ What do you do with a broken toaster? Or a bike with a broken spoke? Or a jacket with a broken zip?

Or a chair with a cracked leg? Toss it? No way!

Grey Lynn 2030 and Pt Chevalier Transition Town are hosting another’ Repair CafÊ at the Western Springs Community Centre, 956 Great North Road, on Saturday 24 February 2017 between 10am and 1pm.

On Saturday 24 February at the Western Springs Community Centre a group of kind volunteer repair experts will be waiting to help make all possible repairs to a wide range of broken items. And it’s all free!

Repair CafĂŠ visitors can bring broken items from home - toasters, lamps, hair dryers, mechanical items, clothes, bikes, toys, crockery, chairs... anything broken is welcome. Beginning at 10am and ending at 1pm, the Repair CafĂŠ specialists will do their very best to make your cracked, shattered and no-longer-functioning things whole again.

And for people who want to try to make their own repairs, advice, tools and materials will be available.

By promoting the Repair CafĂŠ concept in Auckland, Grey Lynn 2030 and Pt Chevalier Transition Town join in a world-wide movement to help people reduce the frightening mountains of waste we create. “We are all a lot more aware of how much we throw away in New Zealand,â€? says Colinda Rowe from Grey Lynn 2030, “Even things that have very little wrong with them, and which could easily be used again after a simple repair. Unfortunately, many of us have forgotten that things can be mended for far less than buying a new item.

The Western Springs Repair CafĂŠ will provide a space for people to come to and watch their broken items getting fixed." Deryn Cooper, representing Transition Point Chevalier (see www.transitiontowns.org. nz/pointchevalier) says, “The Repair CafĂŠ movement understands that for many of us, new isn’t always better (or cheaper) and it doesn’t always do what you want. Newer things are also so often too complicated with too many functions!â€? Colinda adds that Repair CafĂŠ does something else, “It puts neighbours in touch with each other in a new way so they discover that a lot of know-how and practical skills can be found close to home.â€? She points out that, "If you repair a bike, a CD player or an item of clothing together with others in your community, you make new friends.â€?

The Repair CafĂŠ movement began in 2009, in Amsterdam. Today, there are almost 1400 Repair CafĂŠs in 33 countries around the world. And it’s the tens of thousands of volunteers who are making this possible. A year later, the founder, Martine Postma, started the Repair CafĂŠ Foundation (see Repaircafe.org), providing support to local groups around the world. As both Colinda and Deryn agree, “Repairing in this way clearly saves money and resources and helps to minimise CO2 emissions, while connecting a community together.

But above all, Repair CafÊ shows how much fun repairing things can be, and how easy it often is.� (COLINDA ROWE) F PN www.greylynn2030.co.nz

A very approachable property expert with over 26 years in Auckland Real Estate

2017 TOP Salesperson Barfoot & Thompson, Grey Lynn branch Year ending 31 March 2017

Over 26 years selling Auckland real estate has awarded Repeka a substantial knowledge base and 26 years of shining testimony

027 499 0855 I r.lelaulu@barfoot.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

87

HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN There's a lot of activity that takes place at my watering hole. The watering hole is a glazed dish that was designed to hold water beneath a huge plant pot. It was roughly this time last year that I decided to use it to supply water to the birds that visit my deck.

Initially, it took quite some time for the birds to use the watering hole, but this year the number and the variety of birds that visit each day has increased significantly.

We have a pukeko that has learned how to navigate its way through the trees onto our deck. This enormous bird arrives as soon as the sun is up. The pukeko mostly uses the watering hole as a foot bath. Once this bird has finished stomping in the dish, I go outside to rinse and refill it because the pukeko leaves a fair amount of grass and mud behind.

The song thrush and the blackbirds behave like water hogs. They take a sip or two, and then dive right in. They splash around, and then just sit and soak until another bird arrives and nudges them out of the way.

The kereru come at least twice a day. Thankfully they only drink because I don't think the dish could handle robust bathing from such a big bird.

My favourite bathers are the tui birds. They come along looking very indecisive, then have a rapid dip in the water, take off, and land in the nearest tree to preen. Once they get started on preening, they seem to change their minds and do a swan dive back into the dish. This can go on for quite some time. In again, out again, in again. They're spontaneous frolickers, and they're not shy about communal bathing, with other tui birds that is.

I managed to capture an image of some rather intriguing negotiations between a female tui and a female blackbird. The just stared at each other intensely until one backed down.

“It’s my turn.” “No! It’s my turn.”

If you have room for a bird bath and haven't yet put one in place. I highly recommend that you do. Our watering hole provides an excellent source of amusement and education.

PN And of course, the birds will love you for it. (HEIDI PADAIN) F To see some of Heidi’s other photographic work, go to www.flickr.com and type Heidi Padain into the search box, or, you can contact Heidi by email hidihi@xtra.co.nz, or look her up on Facebook ... Heidi Padain Photography.

NEW MISS LA VIDA SHOW FOR FRINGE 2018 Returning after a few years' hiatus as a producer, Miss La Vida, the Princess of Parody, will present Red Room Cabaret, a high-end variety show, at Artworks Theatre, Waiheke, towards the end of the month.

Featuring a bevy of homegrown acts and special guest stars from around New Zealand, there will be performers from all the genres that make up the melange that is cabaret.

During her hiatus, Miss La Vida was chosen to compete at the biggest burlesque event in the world, the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. She remains the only New Zealand performer chosen in the competition’s 26 year history. She also performed in the Spiegeltent at London Wonderground and the New York Burlesque festival, amongst other international festivals and shows.

This is not Miss La Vida’s first time doing Auckland Fringe Festival. She had a season of sold out burlesque shows during the first ever Auckland Fringe in 2009. However, it will be the first time a Waiheke produced show and Waiheke venue has been part of Auckland Fringe.

VIP ticket holders will go into a draw to win a prize pack valued at over $400 from Waiheke shops, businesses and artisans. VIP tickets also include a glass of bubbles or soft drink on arrival and best seats in the house. F PN RED ROOM CABARET Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February, bookings at www.aucklandfringe.co.nz

88 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

@ REPUBLIC Republic Outlet 2 Morgan St, Newmarket

1. Andrew Martin Laslo chair - $1995 2. Kelly Hoppen Avalon Chair - $2665 3. United Strangers London Chair - $1995

1

2

3

Open Monday - Saturday 10-4 REPUBLIC HOME, 3 Pompallier Terrace, T: 09 361 1137, www.republichome.com

dreaming of a beautiful new

WARDROBES LAUNDRY STORAGE GARAGE SLIDING DOORS CUSTOM & STANDARD

innovativeinteriors.co.nz Call us for a free consultation The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

&.&& .& )& +&

or email _d\e6_ddelWj_l[#_dj[h_ehi$Ye$dp DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

89

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

SUZIE PAINE BRINGS 32 YEARS’ REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE Dealing in all facets of real estate from high-end family homes through multi apartment sales, Suzie Paine has been in the property market for nearly 32 years continuing to be focused, passionate and producing outstanding results.

Honesty and communication with both buyer and seller are key strengths to ensure a stress-free process.

Her professional negotiation skills and dedication to achieving the best results for the vendor have been highly praised. In the last 20 years in New Zealand her sales extend to over $1 billion dollars worth of property.

"I am the owner of the house on Karaka Bay that Suzie Paine recently sold for $3.6m.

I feel compelled to write to you because I have bought and sold many houses in my 73 years, but this has been, by far, the most pleasant experience of all. Suzie was honest, straightforward, professional, friendly, helpful - as you see, I can hardly think of a positive adjective that she does not deserve.

@ DAWSON & CO 1. Fifties chair by Calligaris - $599 Nomen Omen. Fifties is a chair, which recalls the 50s style reinterpreted in a modern key. The brass plated, or black metal frame is matched with the precious Venice velvet, the thick leather or the Vintage faux leather of the suspended seat and of the backrest to emphasize the refined design.

2. Cadrea chair by Toou - $179 The Cadrea chair and the two high and low stools make up the essential elements necessary to meet the requirements of a home, either indoor or outdoor, but they also fit perfectly in a restaurant or in a cafe.

3. Igloo Soft chair by Calligaris - $1209 Igloo is part dining chair, part easy chair, suitable for all dimensions of conviviality.

The upholstered seat is as comfortable as an armchair, but the four-legged, wooden frame gives it a more streamlined design, allowing it to be used as a dining chair.

I wanted you to know this, because too often people (even me) have had bad experiences with real estate agents and they then unfairly tarnish the entire profession. So I just wanted to set the record straight: we feel it is our great good fortune to have met her and have had her sell our house to our total satisfaction. We would be delighted to recommend her as a very skilful agent and happy to give her a reference in the future."

PN Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Ph.D F SUZIE PAINE, M: 021 976 008; E: suzie.paine@bayleys.co.nz

1

Looking for the Ultimate Result? ‘extensive knowledge & passion for property since 1987’ 2

Call Suzie for a confidential chat about your property

Suzie Paine 021 976 008 | suzie.paine@bayleys.co.nz Bayleys Real Estate Limited, Ponsonby Licensed under the REA Act 2008

90 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

3

DAWSON & CO., 115 The Strand, Parnell and 38 Constellation Drive, Rosedale, T: 09 476 1121, www.dawsonandco.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

DAW S O N & C O .

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN FOR AUCKLAND INORGANIC COLLECTIONS Bookings are now open for Auckland Council’s 2018 inorganic service, which will start making collections in late February.

It’s easy to make a booking. Simply visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/inorganic and follow the steps. When you enter your address the booking tool will let you know when your collection week is, and you can go ahead and book.

You can also make a booking at any council service centre, or by calling T: 09 301 0101.

We will tell you your exact collection date closer to the time, by email, text or phone - if you no longer need the service, you can easily cancel.

About the service This is the third year Auckland Council’s improved inorganic collection service will run.

The service runs between February and December.

All Auckland households can book an annual inorganic collection of up to 1 cubic metre of material (roughly the size of one small trailer load).

Just before collection day, residents simply need to leave items for collection neatly stacked in an obvious place within the boundary of their property.

Councillor Penny Hulse, chair of the Environment and Community committee, says the improved inorganic collection service has helped increase the amount of recoverable materials and decrease the amount of waste sent to landfill.

“Since the service started in late 2015, we’ve diverted more than 3800 tonnes of recyclable items and materials that would have otherwise gone to landfill.

“With more than 80 community groups utilising and repurposing the materials being recovered from the collection, the inorganic service is truly helping create a circular environment for our waste in the Auckland region.”

Have items in good condition? Think about selling or donating first Rather than store items for an annual collection, Auckland Council is encouraging residents to sell or donate their unwanted reusable items any time of the year.

“There are other ways to pass these items on to new homes without having to wait for a collection in your area,” says Councillor Hulse.

“There are groups and charities that take donations of items in good condition all year round. You could also consider selling items, or using a platform like Neighbourly to swap PN or give them away.” F

92 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

ALL ABOARD FOR THE AMERICA’S CUP

CARPETS – RUGS

The 36th America’s Cup might still be more than three years away, but rental specialists in the City of Sails are already fielding calls from syndicates for properties.

Harcourts Charlton’s Senior Property Manager Henry Blundell says he’s been in discussions with people keen to lease out properties during the prestigious regatta.

“People are getting in early and securing prime locations. In the area we cover, the properties are all in walking distance of the proposed America’s Cup village, so they’re really keen to get an early advantage,” Henry says.

BY ARTISAN

EST 1 976

FREE UNDERLAY WITH CARPET PURCHASE* *conditions apply

Come and talk with the experienced team at Kaspers in our newly refurbished showroom

KASPERS 122 Upland Road, Remuera.

Open Mon–Fri 9am–5pm Phone 09 524 6140

Henry studied architecture in Auckland and has just joined the Harcourts Charlton Realty team. He has over five years' experience in property management, and keen to bring a fresh and dynamic approach to this role.

Auckland City Council has supported a proposal for a cluster of bases dotted around Auckland Harbour. Henry’s patch is right in the cup action, covering surrounding suburbs like Freemans Bay, St Marys Bay and Herne Bay. “I’ve been speaking to clients looking for more long-term rentals as crews will be here well ahead of the racing to train and set up bases,” he says.

It’s inevitable that an event like the America’s Cup will drive up prices for rentals within easy reach of the waterfront location.

“Landlords need to start thinking about these opportunities now and when fixed-term tenancies are coming up and keep an eye on rent reviews as the prices in the area will demand a premium,” Henry advises. F PN

TI MB ER - BLI N DS

HENRY BLUNDELL, M: 027 581 4005, henry.blundell@harcourts.co.nz

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

LOOKING AFTER LANDLORDS ENSURING THE BEST RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT Contact us now!

Henry Blundell 027 581 4005 henry.blundell@harcourts.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

Helen Beckett 027 494 0607 helen.beckett@harcourts.co.nz

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

93

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

@ BOLT OF CLOTH

1

2

4

3

6

7

5

BOLT OF CLOTH, 2 Osborne Street, Newmarket, T: 09 520 5660, www.boltofcloth.com

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Blunt xs metro umbrella in yellow - $99 Unikko coffee cup set in beige, off white, blue - $48.99 Maskros Cushion Cover in yellow 50cm - $52 Hieta ankle socks - $29.99 Multi Stem large drum shade 35cm in tomato red - $195 8oz Joco takeaway cup in strawberry - $28 Kaika pieni siirtolapuutarha pouch in white & black - $34.90

ANAH JORDAN Everything I touch turns to SOLD Home is where the heart is anahjrealestate

anahjrealestate

M 022 127 9080 | B 09 376 3039 E a.jordan@barfoot.co.nz barfoot.co.nz/a.jordan

94 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

@ ROSE AND HEATHER 1. Queen size Boatbed with mattress from $8230 2. Trenail simple six-drawer chest in whitewash finish - $4880 3. Trenail bookcase 186cm x 150cm - $5580 4. Newport nine-drawer chest in duotone finish - $4480 1

2

3

4

ROSE AND HEATHER, 406 Great North Road, T: 09 376 2895, www.roseandheather.com

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

95

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

@ DESIGN WAREHOUSE 1. Stella Dining Set Design Warehouse has over 100 styles of dining chairs and 55 styles of dining tables to choose from. Mix and match to create the perfect set for you. Featured here is the Stella teak and aluminium dining table with Alix chairs and concrete bench.

1

2. Amalfi Modular Sofa One of Design Warehouse’s most famous collections, the Amalfi modular sofa is a timeless piece that can be customized to fit your space.

Made with A-grade teak and comes with Sunbrella® cushions as shown!

3. Puppy & Moon Introducing our newest outdoor relaxing chair called Puppy, shown here with the Moon side table.

3

DESIGN WAREHOUSE, 137/147 The Strand, Parnell, T: 09 377 7710, www.designwarehouse.co.nz

96 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

Successfully Selling Brilliant Homes In Your Neighbourhood FOR SALE BY AUCTION 1 3 1 2 44 Selbourne Street, Grey Lynn - Ref: 605534

NEW LISTING

• Fully renovated villa with north-west facing living and garden.

• Elevated above the tree-lined street for maximum privacy.

• Garage has internal access and extra storage.

• Ideal location and an easy walk to Grey Lynn Primary school, the park and shops.

• Land size - 481m2 FOR SALE 2 4 3 28 Rawene Avenue, Westmere - Ref: 608489

• Unique waterfront home with riparian rights and a small boat jetty.

• Spacious open plan living which flows to your covered deck, and lawn.

• Large three car garage and ample storage.

• Land size 1037m2.

SOLD ON AUCTION DAY 24 Lawrence St, Herne Bay “We selected Felicity to market our home as we found her approach honest, direct and professional. Felicity’s great work ethic and honesty, combined with her experience made us completely confident that everything possible was being done to achieve the best outcome and price for our house. Our marketing campaign was well thought out and we were very happy with the final result. We would have no hesitation recommending Felicity to anyone considering selling their home.” - Mike Thornton and Sandy Sims

Felicity Scott BBS | Residential Sales M 0274 522 241 B 09 376 3039 E f.scott@barfoot.co.nz | barfoot.co.nz/f.scott The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

97

REAL ESTATE UPDATE: KAREN SPIRES

Update on the Auckland property market With the new year upon us, speculation regarding the Auckland property market's performance is rife, but what happens next is the $500 billion question.

Glancing at the headlines, you’d be forgiven for thinking there are two Auckland’s. One, a congested, overpriced nightmare - where properties are over-valued, and infrastructure falls short. The other, ranked amongst the world’s most liveable cities, boasting economic strength, record unemployment and positive urban development.

Just which Auckland the city’s population resides in seems to change daily. However, the shrill sound of conjecture has recently grown louder amidst slowing property sales, fewer new listings and changeable buyer confidence.

Wind back 10 years to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC): the warnings that dominated property discussions in Auckland between 2008 and 2010 are eerily similar to those we are reading now. Back then, pundits warned that the bubble was about to burst; house values would crash by up to 30% - and not recover until 2016. If you paid heed to advice that investing in the Auckland property market wasn’t worth your time, you’d be seriously out of pocket now.

Bayleys managing director Mike Bayley says of Auckland, “Without a doubt, Auckland’s property market has changed over the last 18 months, but that doesn’t mean the market has lost its appeal.

Property across Auckland still represents significant value despite its higher prices (from a local perspective) because the fundamentals underpinning it are strong.

“The local economy is firing on all cylinders, contributing to 38% of the country’s economic output. Employment levels are high and population growth continues to outstrip growth in housing supply. In addition, mortgage rates (although a fraction higher than a year ago), remain low by historical standards and are unlikely to jump - with the Official Cash Rate (OCR) projected to remain flat to mid-2019.

“The property market is a lot more complicated than the doomsday scenario requires. To get a housing crash - say a fall of 20% or more, you’d need much higher unemployment, much higher interest rates and/or a big oversupply. It’s hard to see any of these in the near future,” Bayley adds.

In Auckland, the property industry is the region’s largest, accounting for around 13% total economic activity. Figures from Statistics New Zealand show that house values in Auckland have grown 90% since the GFC. This, compared with 33% growth in Wellington, 51% in Hamilton and 43% in Tauranga. Auckland’s growth also closely mirrors the performance of other highly rated global cities; Sydney,

98 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

for example, 114% while Toronto and Vancouver have jumped more than 100% respectively.

John Tookey, professor of construction management at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) says cities like Auckland will always hold value from both economic and social perspectives, and offers a very straightforward answer to why there are radically differing views of the city we live in - residents respond differently to the shifting definition of the quarter-acre dream.

It’s an attitude echoed by ASB Bank chief economist Nick Tuffley who says that although Aucklander’s confidence (in terms of price growth expectations) has waned, the current climate can hold more opportunities for buyers - and opportunities for increasing market activity.

“The Reserve Bank’s plan to further relax the loan-to-value restrictions should also encourage new activity in Auckland, as should the easing of lending rules for property investors,” adds Mike Bayley.

As of 1 January 2018, banks have been permitted to lend up to 15% of total mortgage lending to customers with a deposit of less than 20% - up from its existing 10% of lending.

The fiscal changes signal a shift in attitude as there’s little doubt that Auckland has experienced a certain amount of growing pains in the last four to five years. Despite this, better coordination between local and central government, with an emphasis on housing, infrastructure and development has emerged at the forefront of council and Government initiatives - evident in the number of transport projects and housing developments taking place across the city.

With so much to look forward to, and positive signs paving the way for greater opportunity for a number of buyer classes across Auckland’s residential property market, the year of the dog is shaping up like its namesake - steadfast, resilient and ready to work.

Thanks for reading. (KAREN SPIRES) F PN All up, the value of Auckland’s residential real estate - including land and buildings is $500 billion - about 50% of the total figure for New Zealand.

Karen Spires AREINZ, M 027 273 8220, E karen.spires@bayleys.co.nz www.karenspires.bayleys.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

99

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

AUCKLAND HOUSING PRICES REINED IN BUT STILL RISING The average selling price of Auckland homes continued to rise in 2017 but prices also recorded their lowest price increase across a calendar year for five years.

“While prices have continued to rise, the Auckland market has been reined in from rapid price increases and has settled into a more stable trading environment,” said Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson. In 2017 the average selling price increased by 4.5% to $926,632 and the median selling price by 2.7% to $843,583.

“What did change significantly in 2017 was the number of homes sold, which fell by more than a quarter on the numbers sold in each of the previous three years. The sense of urgency to buy a property regardless of its asking price has disappeared. It has been replaced by buyers taking a more considered approach.

“Normally when sale numbers fall by such a large percentage, prices retreat from their record high levels. But this has not occurred, and prices have continued to rise modestly.

It underlines there is still buyer support at current prices. In part, this was aided by the recent release of new capital values by the council as sellers and buyers have the same information as to the potential value of a property.

@ FREEDOM 1. Freedom Furniture Dizzy Armchair Jake in Charcoal Grey - $899 The quest for study inspiration is now over - cushioned to bounce ideas into the mind alongside an impressive swivel, the Dizzy armchair lends both an arm and hand.

2. Freedom Furniture Rocker Armchair Sky in Light Grey - $699 Whether you’re nose deep into a page-turner or rocking the little one to sleep, prepare for a long stay in the comfort of the Rocker armchair.

3. Freedom Furniture Copenhagen Armchair Cozy in Navy - $1299 Making its way beyond the wardrobe, velvet is an elegant touch for the living room; curl up in the soft touch of the Copenhagen in the company of a great film.

4. Freedom Furniture Den Armchair (Oak Frame) Access in Fire - $899 Crafted from solid American oak, this slanted creation is both laid back and lavish.

Opt for Fire if the room needs a lift, or choose from the multiple fabrics and colours also available.

“In December we sold 674 homes, a number in line with the number we sold each month for the previous three months. However, the average sales price for December at $939,871 was 2.6% higher than the average for the previous three months and the fourth highest on record. The median price in December at $870,000 was 3.6% higher than that for the previous three months and the second highest on record.

1

“Undoubtedly, the measures progressively introduced by the Reserve Bank, a more prudent approach to mortgage lending by the trading banks and a growing apprehension among buyers as to the prices being paid all played their part in cooling the market. At the same time, a housing shortage when the population is growing creates demand.

“New listings in December at 571 were low, but for calendar 2017 the average number of listings each month was 1510, the third highest on record. At the end of the year we had 4160 listings on our books, a quarter higher than at the same time last year while across the year average available listings on a monthly basis at 4229, have been at their highest for five years.

2

“The growing value of Auckland’s housing stock is reflected in the changing percentages between property selling for under $500,000 and those for in excess of $1 million. In 2017 8.9% of all homes sold were for less than $500,000. In 2016 the comparative percentage was 11.1% and in 2015 14.9%. In 2017 37% of all homes sold were for in excess of $1 million. The comparative figure in 2016 was 35.4% and in 2015 29.1%.

“Lifestyle and rural property sales in 2017 in the Auckland and Northland regions followed the same pattern as for Auckland residential sales. Sales numbers fell in comparison with those in 2016 and 2015 but were still firm, while prices for good quality properties held steady. Dairy farm sales in the north also had to contend with a downturn in the dairy economy, which affected activity. Lifestyle living retained its PN attraction for many and inquiries remained strong throughout the year.” F 3

4

Shop the collection 24/7 at www.freedomfurniture.co.nz or head into your local Newmarket, Sylvia Park, Westgate, Wairau Park or Albany store.

100 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

$8 92

DESKtop 2400 with SIDEboy 3 High $1 797

Back to School

$ 1 52 7

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

STUDYboy 3 Crate $1 0 5 0

15%

FF HOMEoffice

WIT H M ELUKA

LIMITED TIME SEE W EBSITE FOR DE TAI L S

Accessories not included

meluka.co.nz Furniture. Simply.

TH R E E KIN G S 9 8 3 M T E DE N R O AD N O RTH SH O R E 13A L IN K DR IV E BOTAN Y D O W N S 501 TI RAKAU DRIVE TAUR AN G A 4/6 8 3 C AM E R O N R O AD

DESI GNED AND M ADE IN N E W Z E AL AN D 0800 MELUKA • I NFO@ M E LU K A.C O.N Z

MARCH SPECIAL FEATURES

DON’T MISS THE MARCH PONSONBY NEWS+ DEADLINE

+ EUROPEAN INFLUENCES IN & AROUND PONSONBY + ELECTRIC TRANSPORT - CARS + BIKES

COPY DEADLINE: Tuesday 20 February PUBLISHED: Friday 2 March

+ CAREERS & EMPLOYMENT

TO BOOK ADVERTISING: Call Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or on Melissa Paynter 027 938 4111 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: melissa@ponsonbynews.co.nz w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

101

ARTS + CULTURE THREE CLASSICAL GREATS - MOZART-HAYDN-BEETHOVEN Award-winning cellist Ashley Brown performing Haydn’s iconic cello concerto in C Major No1. with St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra, 11 March, 2.30pm.

St Matthew’s Chamber orchestra’s 2018 Concert Season opens with three classical greats: Mozart’s Idomeneo - Ballet Music K367 Haydn’s Cello Concerto No 1 in C major Beethoven’s Symphony No 2 Op. 36 in D major

MAKING GOOD ART

Cellist Ashley Brown of NZTrio who will play Haydn’s iconic Cello Concerto in C is a winner from way back. He won the Young Musicians Competition, National Concerto Competition and Young Achievers Award plus prizes at the Adam International Cello Competition, Gisborne International Music Competition and the ROSL Music Competition in London.

It was 2003, at age 42, that abstract figurative artist Viky Garden gave herself permission to dedicate her life to the talent she was born with.

Ashley Brown’s academic history includes the Master of Music (Canterbury), Artist Diploma (Yale) and Doctor of Musical Arts (Auckland), plus cello lecturer positions at the universities of Waikato, Canterbury and Auckland.

With local and international representation and with work held in private collections in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, UK and the USA, she continues to devote her time to her art practice.

Once a member of the Turnovsky Trio and Principal Cellist of the APO, Ashley Brown keeps a busy schedule of solo and ensemble recitals, concertos and recordings. He plays the 1762 William Forster 'Liberte' cello.

As a young student, Viky was tutored by Vivian Lynn who later became Lecturer at Schools of Architecture and Design, Wellington Polytechnic and Victoria University, and is known for her important contribution to contemporary art in New Zealand.

St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra is an accomplished orchestra. Soprano Madeline Pierard says, “It is a joy to perform with this dedicated group of musicians. Their enthusiasm and commitment is admirable and shines through in performance.” F PN

Viky didn’t attend art school but knew art was always something she was good at and wanted to do - but it would be a few years yet before her art practice would become a reality.

TICKETS: Eventfinda or door sales cash only. Adults: $25, Concessions: $20, Children under 12: free.

In the late 70s Viky worked at Marmalade Studios in Wellington. Her job was to book musicians to create backing tracks for television and radio commercial voice-overs. It is where she met musician Steve Garden. They married in 1981 and moved to Auckland, buying their home in Sandringham in 1986.

ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY CHURCH corner Wellesley and Hobson Streets, www.smco.org.nz

photography: Kristian Frires

“I feel at home here in Sandringham,” says Viky. “Sandringham has always been like a comfy old slipper to me. It's a laid back, multi-cultural suburb. After having a small room within the house as my studio, I now work from a backyard studio which, as it's separate to the house, is my turret.”

When Viky first started painting in 1988, self-portraiture formed the major focus of her early works. Her more recent work, at first glance is seen as representations of herself, but they are more than that. She uses self-referencing as a vehicle in which to portray various narratives.

Her paintings are based primarily on the female experience, so in this way the personal becomes the universal. The work resonates with other people because like any good narrative, it tells a story. People are not buying portraits of Viky Garden - rather they see or feel something of themselves in the work.

The internet has changed the art market significantly, more so our use and dependence of mobile phones. It's given people instant, direct access to artists and enables artists to communicate with those who wish to learn about or collect their work.

Viky says, “Any feedback I get on my Facebook page still feels new to me because prior to this people would visit a gallery and respond to a dealer. The artist very rarely got to hear what people thought about their work or know who was viewing it.

“While there's a plethora of art junk to be found online, the good work always gets through. Good art has a positive influence on our environment and community and for me personally, art gives life its meaning. As for any long-term goals - I am living them PN right now.” F www.vikygarden.com

102 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

Ashley Brown

ST MATTHEW’S

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CONCERT: SUNDAY 11 MARCH | 2:30pm VENUE: ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY CHURCH CONDUCTOR: David Kay SOLOIST: Cellist Ashley Brown PROGRAMME: Mozart Idomeneo – Ballet Music K 367 Haydn Cello Concerto No 1 in C major Beethoven Symphony No 2 Op 36 in D major

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

Music in the Parks Music in the Parks always offers a tremendous lineup of music for our summer, and this year is no different!

Grab your chilly bin and get your picnic blanket ready as there’s an unmissable line-up of free outdoor music and movies coming to a park near you this summer.

Alongside Music in the Parks is the very popular Movies in the Parks.

Both kicked off in January and bring our favourite blockbusters and top Kiwi music talent to Auckland’s beautiful parks and reserves. In 2018 the series will be bigger and better than ever before and will include popular events in Grey Lynn Park and a new event - Open Air Orchestra.

You’ll be spoilt for choice with the 2018 Music in Parks lineup of 24 free outdoor concerts featuring artists from diverse musical genres everything from rock and pop to RnB and jazz will take the stage. This is also your chance to check out some of the Kiwi music talent behind Auckland’s recent recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

Ponsonby’s biggest event of the series returns; the electrifying Demon Energy Rock The Park which will take over Grey Lynn park on Saturday 10 March. This year it will be bringing rock legends The Datsuns, Head Like A Hole, Villainy and Dead Favours for the outdoor event. Free to the public, it’s a spectacular way to say goodbye to summer as March kicks in. A month earlier the Demon Energy Summer Jam is happening on Saturday 10 February at the Manukau Sports Bowl, featuring Stan Walker, alongside a killer lineup that includes recent Vodafone NZ Music Award winners SWIDT - recent performers at Wondergarden. Find food trucks and lots of activities for the family as you listen to the Kiwi summer sound.

Jordan Luck Band Mel Parsons’ enchanting folk/country vocals at Hobsonville Point Park on 4 March, to the Jordan Luck Band rocking Helensville River Reserve on 18 March or the talented line-up in store for Sunday sessions at the Auckland Domain Band Rotunda.

Movies in Parks sees movies shown in the outdoors, not quite in your cars like they used to be; so you will need to pack a picnic. Family favourites, Kiwi classics and recent hits will be screening all around Auckland. Locally for us Ponsonby people is Back to the Future in Pt Chevalier’s Coyle Park on Friday 2 March.

Ending the series on a high note is the Open Air Orchestra at Bell Park, featuring the captivating sounds of The Blackbird Ensemble’s 20 piece orchestra. Fusing classical and electronic instruments with contemporary vocals by Julia Deans, Bailey Wiley, Alae and more, this all new event is not to be missed and sure to be a summer highlight.

This will close out the series on Saturday 24 March in Pakuranga.

Don’t miss out on three months of great free events coming up at a park near you - check out www.musicinparks.co.nz and www.moviesinparks.co.nz for programme and lineup announcements. There are still a few secret moments to be announced, and the lineup will always be a little fluid. It always pays to check the weather and see if there’s a wet, weather venue arranged also!

(FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F PN

There are events throughout the city, so it really does pay to check out the full programme online. There’s a little bit of everything, from

www.musicinparks.co.nz

www.moviesinparks.co.nz

The Datsuns Finn has a Bachelor of Science with honours degree, and is currently studying to become an Early Childhood Teacher. In his spare time, he is Programme Director for the Auckland Folk Festival and runs folk music website, www.secondhandnews.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

103

FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

Auckland City Limits is back Auckland City Limits has returned, with a lineup that spans the genres with a list of artists from New Zealand and abroad.

Musical icons Beck and Grace Jones are at the top of this phenomenal lineup, alongside Future, Young Thug and Justice.

Returning to the best site in Auckland for outdoor festivals - Western Springs Stadium and Park - Auckland City Limits also houses Auckland Eats, an artisanal market and Auckland Kiddie Limits. Golden Dawn return with its pop-up at the festival with a lineup of indie and comedy including Mike Fabulous of The Black Seeds and Lawrence Arabia’s joint offering, plus much more.

Beck is set to perform in New Zealand for the first time in more than two decades. His latest album, ‘Colours’, was critically lauded and received well globally. Moving through genres, he’s touched on hip -hop, folk and funk in his back catalogue that runs back to the 1990s.

This eccentric take on genres has resulted in the term chameleonic being used to describe his career. ACL is an exciting opportunity to see one of the more transformative of musicians that has graced stages in the last two decades.

Justice performs everything from rock to disco, and the duo come to Auckland City Limits having played phenomenal shows at the biggest festivals around the world - Coachella, Lollapalooza and Glastonbury.

Their visual effects and huge production present a show that is eyecatching, mind-melting and visually stunning.

photography: Elliot Lee Hazel

Grace Jones needs little introduction. The Jamaican born star is one of the most unforgettable artists to emerge from the 1970s New York disco scene, going on to become one of the biggest acts of the 80s as, aided by Sly & Robbie, she created a string of reggae-rock hits.

Expect costume changes, and all sorts to go along with her stage show - known to be legendary. The 69 year old is one of the most entertaining performers to grace a stage.

Beck

Rapper, fashion icon and status quo-challenging Young Thug is acclaimed as one of the most brilliant voices of his generation with massive singles Pick Up The Phone and Wyclef Jean. A distinctive rapper whose songs hang the hooks of huge underground anthems on the edge of radio-friendly weirdness, Thug flouts hip-hop convention and defies gender and sexual stereotypes making him a truly unique voice in contemporary pop culture.

My personal pick of bands from the festival is Watford born trio of sisters, The Staves. Their harmonies, delicate melodies and stringdriven folk songs are beautiful. They are probably best known for their breakout single ‘Mexico’ from their debut album, but in recent years their solely acoustic sound has developed and evolved with electric additions. They’re label mates with Ben Howard and are one of the most exciting folk bands from the UK to tour New Zealand in some time!

Auckland City Limits obviously is inspired by the festival of the same name in Austin, Texas - Austin City Limits. Our Festival has a Kiwi flavor and spirit and brings together elements of Auckland to create a world-class festival of its own. Music, food, art and culture all meld together in the mixing pot that is Western Springs Stadium.

PN (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F

104 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

photography: Andrea Klarin

A quick mention of another band on the lineup that has been making waves over the last 12 months. Alien Weaponry is a Northland trio of teenagers playing thrash metal. The band brings Te Reo Maori to the genre, and was a finalist in 2017 for the Tui for Best Maori Artist, and is set to head off to some of the largest metal festivals in Europe this year. Keep an eye out for these guys.

Grace Jones www.AucklandCityLimits.com www.facebook.com/ACLFestivalNZ

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ARTS + CULTURE @ OREXART

Clyde Scott - ‘In the Wake of Captain Cook’ 8 February - 3 March, Opening: 8 February 5.30 - 7.30pm Clyde Scott trained at Ilam Art School in Christchurch in the late 1950s prior to building a long career in advertising.

Abandoning commercial art for painting, he worked steadily and exhibited through the 1990s all the while searching for a subject of meaning for him. He found the answer after his wife, Carole from the Barton boat building family, lost her uncle.

Scott recalls sorting through the boat yard shed and discovering all manner of interesting things including long, thin, curved kauri strips, called strakes, that are used to make dinghies. Enamoured by the elegance of the forms and smooth surfaces of the strakes, Scott decided to use them as substrate for rendering the long, thin coastal drawings of Herman Sporing, Joseph Banks' secretary aboard the Endeavour during its circumnavigation of New Zealand in 1769-70. This began the Waterlines series featured in ‘In the Wake of Captain Cook’.

Please contact rex@orexart.co.nz for details. F PN OREXART, 15 Putiki Street, Arch Hill, T: 09 378 0588, www.orexart.co.nz

Queen Charlotte's Sound, towards Ship Cove 130 x 3300mm

Cape Koamaroo: S.E. Head, Queen Charlotte's Sound 130 x 2600mm

@ ON2CANVAS Have you got a ‘special photo’ - one that caught your attention?

Perhaps its on your phone or you recently found it, torn and tattered in an old shoe box and you know you want to do something with it but not sure how?

Call in to see the team at on2canvas. They are your local experts in large format digital printing.

They love creating digital art for their customers and with over 14 years in the business they know what they are doing. They can scan old photographs or help you with design/artwork if need be. For something fun they can add a pop art effect or create a modern layout.

When it comes to sizes they will let you know the largest size you can print to - up to 2.5m x 1m. They work with customised frames to either fit the photo or the space you wish to hang them in. In the past they've created round frames and canvases that wraparound corners... they love new ideas.

Your photographs can be printed on a variety of materials such as photographic paper, canvas and even Belgian linen and the team at on2canvas will advise on the best framing options to suit you and your budget.

Mention this article in the Ponsonby News and they will give you 15% discount off your order.

ON2CANVAS, 12 Albany Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 376 8065, M: 021 465 465, info@on2canvas.co.nz, www.on2canvas.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

105

ARTS + CULTURE @ MASTERWORKS GALLERY

Let’s Get Together 25 February - 22 March New work from across a range of ceramic, glass, jewellery and textile artists.

Opening: 25 February, 2-4pm Masterworks Gallery has opened its doors for 2018. They are very excited for the year ahead and are looking forward to a full calendar of exhibitions from their glass, ceramic, jewellery and textile artists.

Please join the team at Masterworks for the first exhibition of 2018. ‘Let’s Get Together’ is a celebration of new works, fresh from the kilns, work-benches, glory holes, gas torching, grinding, welding, buffing, weaving and countless other skills of their endlessly evolving artists. Let’s all get together to celebrate the commencement of a fresh new PN year with a sampler of what Masterworks have in store for 2018. F MASTERWORKS GALLERY, 71 Upper Queen Street, T: 09 373 5446, www.masterworksgallery.co.nz

CRISTINA BETH @ THE FRAME WORKSHOP & GALLERY Latest works from one of our artists, Cristina Beth, incorporate her love of yoga and meditation in this stunning set of chakra mandala works.

Created while meditating on each chakra, Cristina has hand painted this set of seven works. The originals are gold leaf on MDF rounds.

Each works comes with a message of grace, shown here is ‘Throat Chakra - Grace of Discernment’.

Available are two different sets of very limited screen print editions of these works. The first, as pictured, comes in a beautiful, coloured, lacquered, round frame. Alternatively, these screen prints are available on heavy weight art paper, which can be framed. F PN THE FRAME WORKSHOP & GALLERY, 1/182 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 4749, www.frameworkshop.co.nz

Christina Rivett, Lost and Left series, Barso-cast glass H290 x W100 x D100mm

106 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ARTS + CULTURE

UPTOWN ART SCENE Artists like hitting the beach over the holidays, too.

An exhibition of 15 local, national and international artists opened at Paul Nache in Gisborne at the beginning of January, and a few carloads of Auckland-based artists took the opportunity for a holiday on the East Coast.

Nowhere to Somewhere looks at the effect art has on a place and the place has on art, and includes works by Aucklanders Teresa Lane, Virginia Leonard, Evan Woodruffe, Richard Darbyshire and Rosie Parsonson, Geoff Tune, Bill Riley and George Haijan.

Las Vegas-based artists Matthew Couper and Jo Russ had also returned to their home country for the exhibition, and works by Melbourne-based artists Rhys Lee, Ben Clement and Peter Adsett added international flavour. Local artists rose to the challenge, with substantial works from veteran artist Robert Jahnke alongside rising East Coast star Tawhai Rickard.

Gisborne (first to see the sun) is a long drive from just about anywhere, and this isolation has kept the area a unique environment: stunning beaches, marine reserves and hidden historic parks, enhanced with some of the country’s best produce and excellent coffee. Siting a contemporary art gallery here makes perfect sense to director Matt Nache: “In a global market, anywhere can serve as a base; and the dialogue that Gisborne Tairawhiti sets up with my artists is an exceptional one: the landscape and history of the area affects their response to making a show, and that show in turn adds to the flavour of the area.”

As the one part of the North Island largely spared the storm that ravaged elsewhere from 3 January, the visiting artists made the most of the long beaches and local hospitality. It’s great to escape Auckland, and to still manage some great art alongside sun, surf and sunrises.

WILL PAYNT, STUDIO ART SUPPLIES F PN

L to R: Virginia Leonard, Richard Darbyshire and Rosie Parsonson, Geoff Tune and John Walsh

L to R: Kauri Hawkins, Teresa Lane, Valerie Bos, Ben Pierce, George Haijan and Tawhai Rickard The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

107

ARTS + CULTURE PRIDE AND JOY IN THE WOMEN’S BOOKSHOP A Pride Festival Event at The Women’s Bookshop 16 February, 6pm Celebrate with MP Louisa Wall who features in this inspiring new USA book PRIDE AND JOY. Author and activist Kathleen Archambeau and her Kiwi wife will be here from San Francisco during PRIDE to celebrate her delightful book.

FRIENDS OF THE FOREST A selection of photographic images by Heidi Padain.

This joyous book salutes people who often broke boundaries to lead happy confident lives. Included are Emma Donoghue, Colm Toibin and a marvellous range of ‘unknowns’ from around the world.

More than a nature photographer, Heidi is a storyteller, a visual narrator and a documentarian who seeks out bird stories begging to be told.

Where: When:

PN Everyone is welcome. F

Arataki Visitor Centre 300 Scenic Drive, Titirangi 15 February - 1 April

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Heidi-Padain-Photography-1272591552781966/

THE WOMEN’S BOOKSHOP, 105 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 4399, www.womensbookshop.co.nz Pride and Joy by Kathleen Archambeau

ART A BIG HOOT The public is soon to have the unique opportunity to view 47 original artworks from some of our country’s most well-known and emerging artists.

Louisa Wall

They’ll be on the streets of Auckland for 10 weeks from Saturday 3 March as part of the Haier Big Hoot Art Trail.

Featuring in the public exhibition will be established talents Dick Frizzell, Jeff Thompson, Flox (Hayley King), Peata Larkin, Weilun Ha and Jessica Pearless, along with some of New Zealand’s most exciting up and coming creatives.

Each artist has transformed a 1.65m Owl sculpture into a bespoke piece of art, which will be placed around Auckland city before the Owls are auctioned. As with any Owl, each artwork is filled with hidden messages, knowledge and stories.

What is to be Auckland’s biggest mass participation, the public art trial will raise funds for the Child Cancer Foundation in partnership with Wild in Art. 60 smaller ‘Owlets’, many designed by local schools, will also be on display throughout the 10 weeks in participating shopping centres and libraries. F PN www.thebighoot.co.nz

108 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ARTS + CULTURE VISIT OPEN ARTISTS’ STUDIOS ON THE EASTERN COROMANDEL PENINSULA Plan a trip to the Eastern Coromandel over the first two weekends of March (3 and 4 and 10 and 11 March) to enjoy visiting the studios of the Mercury Bay Art Escape’s talented artists.

The Open Studios' weekends provide the opportunity to interact with the artists in their creative space and to visit galleries, soak up coastal scenery and enjoy the cafes, breweries and wineries in the area.

With 35 member artists, including three art groups, they present a wide range of media, including woodwork, pottery, sculpture, harakeke weaving, hand-forged knives, lamp-worked glasswork, mosaics, painting, photography, pottery and printmaking.

TJ McNamara, the well-known NZ Herald art reviewer, will be the guest speaker at the Gala Opening of the Mercury Bay Art Escape Showcase Exhibition on Friday 2 March. All of Art Escape’s 45 members will be exhibiting. The exhibition will run until Easter Monday.

For details for the Open Studios and tickets for events go to: www.mercurybayartescape.com. The free Artist Guide is available online as well as at the artists’ studios, galleries and i-SITES on the Coromandel Peninsula - and in Auckland at Artis Gallery in Parnell and Studio One on Ponsonby Road. This PN comprehensive Art Guide is free and designed for year round use. F

On each Saturday of the Open Studios weekends there will be a showing of a film on the life and work of artist Michael Smither. This is a special compilation by director Tony Hiles of key moments from the nearly completed documentary series ‘2009 - 2019 Michael Smither: The Next Ten Years’. Another highlight event will be a free outdoor art workshop with well-known sculptor Chris Charteris building sculptures on Buffalo Beach on Saturday 3 March.

www.mercurybayartescape.com; www.facebook.com/mercurybayartescape; E: admin@mercurybayartescape.com

OPEN ART STUDIOS First 2 weekends in March 3 & 4 and 10 & 11 March 35 Studios in Mercury Bay on the Eastern Coromandel Peninsula x x x x x

Showcase Exhibition Opening with guest speaker T J McNamara on 2 March Michael Smither documentary film 3 & 10 March Free Chris Charteris beach sculpture workshop 3 March Free Mercury Bay Art Guide for 2018 See website for event tickets & Art Guide stockists

mercurybayartescape.com The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

109

ARTS + CULTURE ARTISTS COLLECTIVE TO FAREWELL ICONIC PUB WITH EXHIBITION 'DEPARTURE LOUNGE' A collective of Auckland artists with lifelong connections to the legendary Kings Arms Tavern will stage a month-long exhibition to farewell the hotel before it shuts its doors for the final time in February.

Departure Lounge will feature a series of works by four award-winning artists who have spent the past year creating what they describe as “loving tributes” to the hotel, whose owner Maureen Gordon passed away this month.

The Kings Arms is one of Auckland’s oldest hotels and has long been the city’s home of live music. Its demise will be felt by crowds who have flocked to bands as beloved as the White Stripes and The Black Keys, and who recall some of New Zealand’s wildest onstage gigs.

The artists - Jean Stewart, Rachael Burke, Jamie Wardale and Gerry Copas - have created a series of diverse works to reflect the spirit of the hotel and its creative patrons. The idea for the exhibition was conceived on a night watching Peaches perform on stage.

Says painter Jean Stewart: “Knowing that the noise and old wooden floor vibrations would wind up soon was quietly defeating. All the people that had moved through the place, the effort, the energy, the audience, the walls, the carpet; it all demanded acknowledgement.”

Each of the artists has approached the project differently to reflect their own relationship to the Kings Arms and their individual art making process. Stewart has painted recent gigs live from the floor, meshing the images together in her seaside studio in Cornwallis, Auckland.

Copas, a text-based artist whose works reference the hard-edge painting movement of the 60s, has appropriated the scrawled art and conversations that line the toilets of the main bar.

Collage artist Wardale has used the pop cultural images and references of the 70s/80s to celebrate the frenzy of rock’n’roll while Burke, the recent recipient of the Emerging Artist Award at The Upstairs Contemporary Gallery Waitakere, has created a series of mixed media works deconstructing imagery from music magazines and album covers to reconstruct the energy of the counterculture playden.

The artists say their mixed media works will pay homage to the grande dame of Newton gully as a thank you for decades of revolution and artistic innovation. The event opens on 7 February and will remain until the doors close for the final time.

Departure Lounge, a mixed media exhibition by Auckland artists Gerry Copas, Jean Stewart, Rachael Burke and Jamie Wardale.

Kings Arms Tavern, 59 France Street, Newton, Opening Night PN Wednesday 7 February, 6pm until late. F

Punk it up

110 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

OUT + ABOUT

Afternoon soul with Ladi6

Claudia and Gala from Let's Brezel

Father and son Sam and Luka above the festival

James Davidson from Carve-It

Kayla, Josh and Rhian from Wilderland Organics

Lavinia Taufa & granddaughters

Nirmala cooking Masala Dosas

Ross from Copper Workx

Shaz, Anna and Phu relaxing on the grass

photography: Mick Andrew

Unity Pacific wrapping up the festival

View of the festival from the birds nest

The crowd in front of the stage

GREY LYNN PARK FESTIVAL - SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 17 The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

111

OUT + ABOUT

Music outside All Saints, Ponsonby

Bill outside Ponsonby Flowers

World Pear Day

Santa seen in Three Lamps

Freemans Bay Playcentre stall

Whitebait fritters MR TOMS

Music on the strip

Jane, Tisu & Chris at Yuzu Japanese Restaurant

Vania from Stir

photography: Martin Leach

Outside The Women's Bookshop

The Space Lady outside Golden Dawn

Santa outside Ponsonby Central

PONSONBY MARKET DAY - SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER 17

112 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

OUT + ABOUT

Michael & Lauren from The Best Cherries

Carol Gunn, Emma & Callum

Sarah Guppy

Isabel Pasch from Bread & Butter Bakery and Cafe

Lynda Reynolds & Rosa from Roscents

Santa appears

Pippa Coom, Martin Leach & Carol Gunn

Hello Santa

We've never seen George's WITHOUT a queue

photography: Martin Leach

Spenser boys busking

Rebekah Hay of Hakanoa Drinks

Liam & David from Glenbrook Beach Avocados

The queue for George's fresh produce

GREY LYNN FARMERS CHRISTMAS MARKET - SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER 17 The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

113

HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS

What your stars hold for February ♓

Pisces (the Fish): 20 February - 20 March You’re certainly feeling refreshed after having some time off recently and you’re able to see things through fresh eyes. You now understand cause and effect and it has made you an easier person to talk too.

♈ Aries (the Ram): 21 March - 20 April

You’ve decided that your ultimate goal is reaching the top of the ladder. You’re half way and can’t decide whether you are halfway up or halfway down. You have become unsure of your importance. Decide now before you lose all confidence.

♉ Taurus (the Bull): 21 April - 21 May

Someone is keeping an eye on you this month almost looking over your shoulder as you go about your business. You can get help when you need it but only when you ask for it.

♊

Gemini (the Twins): 22 May - 21 June Just because someone else is gaining speed and getting ahead of you at work doesn’t mean you can’t be supportive. Maybe the competition is over and it’s about time you collaborated.

♋ Cancer (the Crab): 22 June - 22 July

You’re in demand and whether you like it or not that’s the way it’s going to be. Your desire to do all that you can for the one closest to you is present more than ever now.

♌ Leo (the Lion): 23 July - 21 August

Don’t walk about on eggshells this month or ever again. It’s a new year and a new environment. You do have a feeling of being dissatisfied but that will pass as your motivation returns.

♍ Virgo (the Virgin): 22 August - 23 September

Just take your time with what you have to say and make it clear that your message is being heard. Whatever struggle is going on at work, now is the time to address it.

♎ Libra (the Scales): 24 September - 23 October

You can do your bit and contribute as much you want or as little as you like now that you have made a commitment to share your responsibilities. As long as the job is done right.

♏ Scorpio (the Scorpion): 24 October - 22 November

Don’t be afraid to say what you want but just be aware of how it can be misinterpreted.

Your voice carries weight and your colleagues could act on it as if it was a direction.

♐

Sagittarius (the Archer): 23 November - 22 December You are always able to surprise people with your work ethic. But you feel wired up this month as if something big was about to make its presence known.

♑ Capricorn (the Goat): 23 December - 20 January

It doesn’t matter anymore which road you take as you are on a path that will take you straight to your destination. Getting there won’t be a problem as long as you are not too distracted.

♒ Aquarius (the Water Carrier): 21 January - 19 February

You are really showing up your friends this month as you demonstrate your ability to be positive whatever the situation you are faced with. Your happiness can spread as long as it’s genuine.

PONSONBY NEWS OUTLETS FREEMANS BAY

NEWMARKET

Ecostore, 1 Scotland Street Glengarry, Corner Sale and Wellesley Streets Kellands Real Estate, 4 Drake Street New World, Victoria Park

Rugs Direct, 108 Carlton Gore Road

GREY LYNN Barfoot & Thompson, 533 Great North Road Barkley Manor, 400 - 402 Great North Road Grey Lynn Community Centre, 520 Richmond Road Grey Lynn Community Library, 474 Great North Road Raw Essentials, 401B Richmond Road Ripe, 172 Richmond Road Tapac, 100 Motions Road Vetcare, 408 Great North Road

NORTH SHORE Rug Direct, Wairau Park Dawson’s Furniture, Mairangi Bay

PARNELL Jane Daniels, 2 Birdwood Crescent Parnell Community Centre, 545 Parnell Road

PONSONBY

Atomic, 420c New North Road

Askew, 2b Jervois Road Bayleys, 305 Ponsonby Road Countdown, 7 Williamson Avenue Harcourts, 89 Ponsonby Road Leys Institute, 20 St Mary’s Road The Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road Mag Nation, 123 Ponsonby Road Paper Plus, 332 Ponsonby Road Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace Servilles, Corner Jervois & Ponsonby Road Studio One, 1 Ponsonby Road Whitespace, 12 Crummer Road

MT EDEN

WESTMERE

Citta Outlet Store, Corner Enfield & Normanby Road Sabato, 57 Normanby Road Studio Italia, 25 Nugent Street

Glengarry, 164 Garnet Road

HERNE BAY Herne Bay Post & Stationers, 240 Jervois Road Five Loaves, 206 Jervois Road Icing on the Cake, 188 Jervois Road Momentum, 182 Jervois Road

KINGSLAND

114 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

Ponsonby News is published on the first Friday of each month excluding January.

Copies go quickly so be quick to collect yours from any of the following outlets.

The issue is also published on our website www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE DEADLINE--20TH 20THOF OFTHE THEMONTH MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2018

115

36B Picton Street Freemans Bay

16 Scanlan Street Grey Lynn

28 Tirotai Crescent Westmere

33 Peel Street Westmere

51 Albany Road Herne Bay

78 Beresford Street West Freemans Bay

Exceptionally tuned in to what’s happening in your area, Karen’s your No. 1 property professional.

For an outstanding result, let Karen direct your sale.

43 Sussex Street Grey Lynn

For a free, no obligation market appraisal of your home please give me a call today.

Karen Spires AREINZ 22 Herne Bay Road Herne Bay

027 273 8220

karen.spires@bayleys.co.nz

Bayleys Real Estate Limited, Ponsonby, Licensed under the REA Act 2008.